Conditions challenge senior open players
WILD conditions levelled the playing field at Dunaverty’s mixed senior open.
Howling winds were enough to put several entrants off taking to the tees, but 62 men and 10 ladies braved the conditions last Wednesday.
Although scoring was higher than usual the results in all categories were very close, and as no player could win a handicap and scratch prize the results were more varied than usual.
The handicap section carried the main prize, which went to Eddie White of Tarbert by virtue of a better inward half from Keith Johnson, Machrihanish.
Dunaverty’s David Irwin took the scratch title by one shot from Machrihanish’s David Campbell, who had a better inward half than David Henderson of Shiskin.
The ladies’ sections were more clear cut with Dunaverty’s Elizabeth Marrison winning the handicap title by seven strokes.
Maggie MacArthur, of Machrihanish, turned in a solid performance in the scratch category to win by two strokes from Dunaverty’s Eleanor Hawkins.
There were three age group categories for the ladies and gents, as well as a nearest the pin competition at the 16th and a longest drive competition at the 17th.
Club captain Alex Arkell received many compliments on behalf of greenkeepers David Scullion and Willy MacMillan for presenting the course in fantastic condition. Thanks were also expressed to him for spending the entire day acting as starter and collating the results at the end of play.
The club wish to thank steward Jim Cooper for providing catering all day and Elizabeth Marrison, Elsie Ronald and Jane McCorkindale for covering the raffle.
Full results. Gents handicap: 1 Eddie White, Tarbert, 7512-63(bih); 2 Keith Johnson, Machrihanish, 81-18-63; 3 Terry Smith, Dunaverty, 79-15-64(bih). Gents scratch: 1 David Irwin, Dunaverty, 72; 2 David Campbell, Machrihanish, 73(bih); 3 David Henderson, Shiskin, 73. Ladies handicap: 1 Elizabeth Marrison 8012-68; 2 Denise Fawcett, 99-24-75; 3 Jana MacPherson 104-2777 (all Dunaverty). Ladies scratch: 1 Maggie MacArthur, Machrihanish, 90; 2 Eleanor Hawkins, Dunaverty, 92; 3 Florence Chrystie, Dunaverty, 102. Age categories. Gents: A Ken Macmillan, Dunaverty, 64; B Calum MacLean, Machrihanish, 64; C Bill Brannigan, Dunaverty, 64. Ladies: D Margaret MacFarlane, Dunaverty, 81; E, Joan McInnes, Dunaverty, 81. Gents longest drive: Willie Young, Lochgilphead. Ladies longest drive, Elizabeth Marrison, Dunaverty. Nearest the pin at 16: John Dickenson, Dunaverty, 3’ 6”.