The Reay Open

Saturday saw Reay play host to its annual 36-hole Open. A field of 43 players gathered to test their skills against the course in the hope of travelling home with some of the silverware which was up for grabs.

Tricky conditions prevailed in the morning with some light showers and a stiff breeze from the south-west causing problems, and this was reflected in the CSS which rose to 70.

Early pace-setter in the scratch competition was defending champion Gavin Sutherland whose opening round of 73 included birdies at the 6th and 13th, and a splendid eagle 3 at the long 14th. Other notable scratch scores in the morning included a 75 from Donald Mowat, a 76 from Thurso’s Dougie Thorburn, and a 77 from Murray Mcglasson. Mowat’s fine round, which gave him a nett 67 to put him in the lead in the handicap competition, included no less than 4 birdies at the 4th, 12th, 14th and 15th holes. Following hot on the heels of Mowat were Gregor Munro after a nett 68 and Gavin Gunn a shot further back.

The second round saw calmer conditions prevail which was reflected by an improvement in the scoring and a CSS of 69. Thorburn came storming up the scratch leaderboard with a splendid round of level par 69. After reaching the turn in one over par, Thorburn came home in one under with birdies at the 10th, 13th, 14th and 15th holes. Thorburn’s aggregate score of 145 was enough to secure his first win at the Reay Open, edging Sutherland in to second place following his second round of 74 which left him on 147.

In the handicap section Donald Mowat produced another blistering round of 74 for a nett 66 which was good enough to secure the Hebden Cup. Mowat continued to set the birdie trail alight in the afternoon at the 6th and 14th holes. Mowat’s aggregate of 133 was simply too good for the rest.

Winner of Category 1 was club captain Mcglasson with an aggregate score of 139, closely followed by Vice-captain Lee Parnell on 142 and Club President Fred Groves on 143.

In Category 2 Gavin Gunn took the honours on 134 following a spectacular second round of nett 65 which included an eagle at the 14th and a birdie at the 18th for good measure. Alex Mackay and Munro, both on 138 took up the podium places in Category 2.

1st Scratch: Dougie Thourburn (Thurso)  (76+69=145)

2nd Scratch: Gav Sutherland  (73+74=147)

1st Handicap: Mojo Mowat (67+66=133)

1st Cat 1: Murray McGlasson (70+69=139)

2nd Cat 1: Lee Parnell (73+69=142)

3rd Cat 1: Fred Groves (71+72=143)

1st Cat 2: Gavin Gunn (69+65=134)

2nd Cat 2: Alex MacKay (70+68=138)

3rd Cat 2: Gregor Munro (68+70=138)

Nearest the Pin 5th:  Wayne Mowat

Nearest the Pin 18th: Gavin Gunn

The Bombay Bad Boys!

Nearest the Pin at 5th without paying: Don MacKay

Biggest Blow Up: Steven Fiddler

Highest Score on a hole: Kevin Morris