Machrihanish Golf Club season round-up
THE GOLFING season at Machrihanish Golf Club officially teed off on March 26 with the Peace Cup and March medal.
Stuart Gillespie took the opening prize with a terrific nett 70, produced in testing conditions. Alan O’Neill swooped to take the scratch prize with an excellent four over par 74.
The Carskiey Cross and April medal was contested next on April 2 in very difficult weather conditions with very strong winds.
Craig Kelly prevailed with an excellent nett 73 playing off of a handicap of seven.
Runner-up was Archie Johnstone with nett 75, beating Iain McLeod on the better inward half (BIH).
The Captain’s Prize was played on April 16 with almost 80 competitors teeing off in excellent weather in the hunt for the lucrative prizes.
Thomas Martin held the lead for the outset, but his excellent nett 70 was beaten by late starter Robert Borthwick with an impressive 67 nett, playing off 12.
George McMillan took the scratch prize with a strong 70 following up from his good showing in the Argyll and Bute Matchplay Championship the weekend beforehand.
In the ladies’ section the Captain’s Prize was won by Margaret Robertson with a fantastic score of 94-2470 taking the title with a very solid and consistent show.
Second place was Catherine Armour with nett 74 (BIH) and Jennifer Gilchrist was third also with a nett 74. Anne Gallacher took the scratch prize with an excellent 86.
On April 23 the Centenary Trophy was up for grabs. Early starter Lee Mathieson won the trophy with an excellent score of 74-5-69 in blustery conditions.
Donald MacKinnon was the runner up with 88-15-73 (BIH); Stevie Gorman was third with the same score.
The Coronation Cup was played on April 30 and Alan Thomson took the prize with an excellent score of six up. The fireman was on fire himself around the turn with three birdies at the 9th, 11th and 13th. David MacNaughton was second one back on five up and John Rennie third with a score of four up.
The Western Dental Stableford competition was held on Sunday May 8 and was a very tight affair. Brian Kinney, a visiting member, won the competition with a stableford score of 37 points scoring an impressive three birdies on the way back in at the 10th, 12th and 17th. In doing so he pipped local man Darren Kelly on BIH.
Lee Mathieson again featured on the podi- um with third and 36 points.
This season’s Charity Open supported Macmillan Cancer Support and Children 1st charities. The competition was contested on Saturday May 14 in constant sunshine, leading to strong scoring.
The winner on the day was Andrew Robertson, a Kintyre roofer hitting the heights with 77-11-66. Runner-up was David Rankin with 74-6-68 and Dean Radcliff in third place with 76-9-69.
Robertson was level par through 12 holes and, whilst he let a few shots slip away towards the end of the round, held it together well to win in the end with a fantastic score. Mr E Swinburnson, a holidaymaker from Canada, won the gents’ scratch prize with a fantastic two under par 68.
The ladies’ title was taken by Ann Gallacher, who had a fantastic score of 81-9-72 with birdies at the fourth and fifth holes. Runner up was Miss N McNeill with an excellent 86-12-74. Jennifer Mack won the scratch with an excellent 73.