Junior Open 2011

Overall winner Eleanor Tunn (right), Nett girls winner Lauren Rosson (left)

Eleanor Smashes All Records

Forty six juniors turned out to contest the Reay Golf Club Junior Open last Sunday. The weather was kind which resulted in some low scoring in all sections. Once again there was a good number of visitors with representatives from Strathpeffer, Brora, Stromness and the local clubs  as well as a couple of international competitors from Paris.

In the main competition, 18 holes off medal tees, 15 players fought hard for the prizes on offer. One player, Gregor Munro (Reay) had the luxury of shooting a score that could have won him either the scratch or handicap section of the competition. His gross 76 was a fine reward for many hours spent on the Reay links over the school holidays and won him the AEA Trophy and another handicap reduction. In the handicap section things were much closer with Ian A Mackay (Reay) pipping Sam Parkinson (Stromness) by 2 shots with an under par score of 66.  Last year’s Open Champion, Cameron McHardie from Strathpeffer, came in fourth from Ian D Mackay (Reay). Enjoying his first visit to Reay, young Etienne Ygorra (Paris Central) was one shot further back. Ian A Mackay collected the Northern Heating Supplies Trophy for the best nett score.

The 18 hole competition played off the junior tees resulted in some spectacular scoring.  The winner with a handicap reducing nett 49 from a stunning gross 74 was John Griffiths from Brora. Another Brora member, Campbell Ross, came in with a nett 56 that on any other day would have taken the top spot.  Also on nett 56 was Benjamin Ygorra (Paris Central) with Shaun Gunn (Reay) just a few strokes ahead of Steven Grant (Reay). John Griffiths won the Beg Cup as leading player in this category.

Graduating from the Junior tees for the first time in the Girls competition resulted in Lauren Ross (Reay) winning the trophy for the best nett score with a fine nett 76.  With this form it will not be long before her handicap comes tumbling down.

But the day belonged to young Eleanor Tunn.  Her busy schedule of competitions all over Scotland this year has taken her golf to a new level and on the day, her gross 69 resulted in both a win in the scratch section of the girls competition and for the first time ever, a female winner in the overall competition.  Eleanor won the Fairways Tray and the title ‘Reay Golf Club Junior Champion 2011’ – just rewards for the many miles travelled up and down the A9.

The younger members took part in the ‘Birdie Baggers’ section played over six holes.  Scoring was very tight with James Griffiths (Brora) just pipping Grant Ross (Brora), Ewan Adamson (Reay) and Sean Hay (Wick).  James won the Alec and Don Mackay Shield as winner of the section with Nyomi Day (Reay) collecting the trophy for leading girl.

The ‘Fairway Ferrets’ section for the youngest players was played over the new three hole course.  Again, scoring was close but the winner with an excellent score of 15 was Alannah Hay (Wick) by two strokes from Kirsty and Amy Robertson (Reay).  Close behind were George Mackenzie (Brora), Kieran Norburn (Reay) and Michaela Mackay (Reay). Alannah won the Dunnett Shield with George Mackenzie winning the 3 Hole Cup as leading boy in the category.

Reay’s Head Coach, Evan Sutherland, wished to thank all the sponsors - W & D Ross, Mrs. J Wallace, D C Mowat, O’Brien Construction, A & D Sutherland, Nuvia, Inverness Golf Centre, D R Alexander and Son and Mr Alistair Giles for their support.  As a result of this kind sponsorship every player received a prize.

Following a fine meal enjoyed by all, the prizes were presented by Murray McGlasson,  the Reay Golf Club Captain.