Machrihanish Golf Club summer open round-up

MACHRIHANISH’S first summer open season winner’s 77, less nine for a 68 net, included nine straight pars on the way out.

At the blustery Saturday July 17 match, James Armour, virtually the last man home, won the George Rayner Trophy.

He endured a much tougher back nine, dropping eight shots over the next eight holes, but finished with a birdie three at the last to win by three.

The runner-up was Lochgilphead’s Donald Johnson with 75-4-71 (BIH) and his car share karaoke partner Eric Capocci was third on 77-6-71 and so the boys were singing all the way up the A83 at night.

Drumlemble’s John Shaw, was on form and aced the par three fourth, hitting the perfect shot with his nine-iron.

Winner of the scratch was visitor Terry O’Connor, who scored an excellent 75 in the tough conditions. Top four: 1 J W Armour 77 - 9 = 68, 7.7, 2 D Johnson 75 - 4 = 71, 3.8, 3 E Capocci 77 - 6 = 71, 5.3, 4 T Jordan 82 - 10 = 72, 9.6.

The following weekend, Saturday July 22, 94 golfers flocked to the course for the Thomson Open, which was contested in further tricky conditions.

Health and safety expert David Hanley took the title with a terrific score of 749-65. His score included an impressive birdie, birdie finish at the 17th and 18th to add to his earlier birdies at the third and 11th holes.

The incredibly unlucky runner-up was Stephen Kelly who shot a magnificent 72-7-65 to lose out to Hanley on the better inward half.

Kelly’s highlight was a birdie four at the parfive 12th but terrific golf throughout the round yielded no fewer than 14 pars.

Visitor Scott Hunter, was third 73-7-66 which was another first class effort. George MacMillan’s fantastic gross 71 won the scratch prize. His round yielded birdies at second, sixth and 10th.

Result: 1 D Hanley 74 9 = 65, 7.4, 2 Stephen Kelly 72 - 7 = 65, 5.2, 3 Scott A Hunter 73 - 7 = 66 away, 4 Iain McGougan 72 - 2 = 70, 1.3, 5 G MacMillan 71 - 1 = 70, 0.3.

Lochgilphead’s Alistair Baker won the Jimmy Kerr Memorial Open on Saturday August 5 with a wonderful 75-8-67.

He had one birdie to celebrate at the ninth hole to reach the turn in a three over par 38.

Bogeys at two of the par threes on the way home, the 11th and 16th, allied to seven pars saw him home in 75 gross, net 67.

Alistair was brought up in Lochgilphead but now resides in Aberdeen. His mother is a good Campbeltown lass, though, so he has strong links to the area and gets down to Machrihanish at least once every year.

It was great to see him take the first prize this year.

Another visitor, Gavin Mack, was the runner-up with an excellent 72-4-68.

Son of Jennifer and Douglas Mack, Gavin is also a regular visitor to the course.

His 72 included birdies at the third and 13th which were the highlight of his round but he finished one shot behind Baker in second place.

Completing a trio of away successes was thirdplaced Dougie Walker from Carluke on 79-10-69, his best score of the season at Machrihanish. 1 Alistair Baker 75 - 8 = 67, away, 2 G J B Mack 72 - 4 = 68, away, 3 D Walker 79 - 10 = 69, away, 4 D Hanley 78 8 = 70, 7.1, 5 S Gilmour 71 - 1 = 70, 1.0, 6 D Irwin 75 - 5 = 70, 4.4, 7 G MacMillan 71 - 0 = 71, 0.3.

In the scratch, George MacMillan took the honours again with a one over par 71. He beat Steven Gilmour on the better inward half.