Cameron lifts Whiting Bay trophy with eagle
Whiting Bay Golf Club
Saturday and Sunday, July 24 and 25, The Hunter Furnishings Whiting Bay Golf Club Gents’ Open.
After the tribulations of last year, the Gents’ Open returned with, as has become traditional, beautiful golfing weather over both days.
Bright sunshine and a dry running course made for a wonderful golfing experience for the large fields that participated and led to some exceptional scoring.
Saturday July 24, The Bank of Scotland Cup, 93 played: 1 Scott Murray 7, 56, 2 John Pennycott 11, 58 acb, 3 Andrew Martin 14, 58, 4 Fraser McKenzie 16, 61. Craig Young of the Balmore Golf Club returned the lowest gross score of 62.
A total of 14 Magic twos were recorded and a full list is available on the club’s website. The major prize generously donated by Hunter Furnishing for the 1st hole-in-one of the event remained unclaimed.
Sunday July 25, The Royal Bank of Scotland Cup, 87 played: 1 Cameron Hill 13, 53, 2 Douglas Auld 18, 58, 3 David Brookens 11, 59, 4 Brian Murray 8, 60. Craig Young again returned the lowest gross score, this time a fine 64, and he also claimed the sponsor’s hole-in-one prize by acing the 17th.
Congratulations Craig and here’s to many years of relaxation on your new recliner. A total of 14 magic twos were recorded and the full list is available on the club’s website.
This year’s Whiting Bay Gents Open winner is Cameron Hill whose score of 119 pipped Andy Martin on a countback.
Scott Murray took third place on 122 with John Pennycott in fourth place on 124. Cameron’s eagle two on the 18th hole on Sunday clearly proved crucial. Many congratulations to him on a fine golfing performance over both days.
The best scratch total came from Craig Young on 126.
Thanks go to Neil Richardson and Hunter Furnishings for their generous sponsorship. The provision of a major prize for the first hole-in-one was a new experience for us but one that certainly generated a large measure of interest in the event.
Thanks also to Arran Dairies, The Arran Butcher and Woolley’s, all of whom went the extra mile to assist us when demand threatened to outstrip supply. A huge thank you to all those who toiled on the course and in the clubhouse.
Stewart’s work on the course has often been mentioned in reports this year and for our flagship event he made sure the course once again exceeded expectations.
In the clubhouse John Simmons and his helpers, Louise, Nanci Bremner and Jenni Mack worked wonders while Jamie the Train and his army of little shunters kept up the rapid supply of burgers. The remaining Covid-19 restrictions meant that access to the clubhouse was limited and controlled but with everyone’s co-operation and understanding, the pop-up beer garden behind the home green proved a pleasant spot to enjoy the warm weather and some welcome refreshment.
Finally, thanks to all participants for their support and to their families and friends who contributed so well to the party atmosphere at the club. Hopefully we’ll see you all back next year.
Fixtures: Sunday August 1, Nestor’s Jug, Stableford. Wednesday August 4, McNicol Cup.
Wednesday July 21, The McLintock Cup. An elegant Edwardian cup presented to the club in 1908, The McLintock is one of the club’s oldest trophies and although thought of as the warm up for our open weekend, it is in itself a prestigious event.
A total of 36 played in this year’s version and despite the tricky conditions presented by a sun-baked (we don’t often get the chance to say that) course scoring at the top of the leaderboard was good. Cameron Hill, fresh from his runners-up spot in the Raymond Curtis, went one better this time to win with a nett 59. 1 Cameron Hill 15, 59,