George clinches eighth title after dramatic final round
Brilliant sunshine greeted Machrihanish golfers competing the final of their 2020 championship last weekend.
Thirty-two qualifiers from rounds one and two took to the famous links on Sunday to see who would become the 2020 Gents Champion.
Dean Ratcliff held a slender lead at the start of the round on 221 for the tournament. He had no fewer than six players within 10 shots of the lead, including George MacMillan - club champion on seven previous occasions. A battle royale between the two began.
With only a one shot lead going up the last, the pressure was really put on Ratcliff when his opponent sent a decent pitch into the heart of the green leaving himself with a 20 foot putt for birdie. To MacMillan’s delight the ball hit the hole and dropped into the cup.
It was a moment of magic from the multiple champion, his last opportunity and he had grabbed it with both hands. Eight ladies took to the Pans Course to contest their championship in which Lorna Ralston held the lead going into the third round ahead of Catherine Dobbie.
On Sunday, Ralston enjoyed a steady round to take home the title for the first time. Elizabeth Casey had the best back nine of the day with 40 shots to clinch the runner-up spot and Anne Gallacher finished in third place.
Ralston’s triumph brought to an end Gallacher’s amazing reign as lady champion which has spanned 14 consecutive years. The latter did win the Silver Category handicap championship though.
Juniors were also displaying their skills on Sunday in the three categories of competition.
In the junior section played over the championship course, promising 15-year-old Murdo McLean triumphed with rounds of 90 and 85 for a total of 175. Fraser MacBrayne was runner-up with 84 and 93 for a total of 177.
The junior section for players under 12 on the nine hole Pans course was won by Jake MacMillan with 90 shots over 18 holes. Jake went on to support his father to victory as his caddy on the big course. The other MacMillan, eight-yearold Craig, made it a hat-trick of wins for the family, winning the Juvenile Championship by defeating young Millar MacKay by four shots over two rounds of nine holes.
The senior championship, contested over the first two rounds of the Gents competition, was won by Gordon Tyre.
The Jim Scally Handicap trophy for the best handicap score in the first two rounds was won by Gavin MacLachlan with nett scores of 67+69 for a total of 136.
The Bob Ballantyne Shield for best handicap scores in rounds three and four was won by Michael Morrison 72 + 74 for a total of 146.
To round off a wonderful day of competition, captain Livingstone thanked the greens staff for the fantastic work they carried out to ensure both courses were presented in the best possible condition for the championships.
Club professional Jennie Dunn and her brother Anthony put in a power of work to ensure the competitions ran smoothly and Adele Martin, club secretary, ensured vouchers were all ready for the winners.