Dunnett Cup Round 1

On Saturday players were competing in the first round of the Dunnett Cup, a 36 hole strokeplay event.
Golfers were treated to blue skies and receptive greens following a week of wet weather, and taking full advantage was Billy Moore who soared to the top of the leaderboard following a wonderful round of nett 65. Moore has been given a new lease of life on the course following a hip replacement operation, and his margin of victory on the day could have been even greater with a bit more luck on the greens. 

John O’Brien and Pete McCartney lie two shots adrift, following rounds of nett 67, with O’Brien also having the distinction of carding the lowest gross score of the day, 74, which was matched by Colin Paterson. A further shot back on nett 68 are the trio of Jock Eunson, Colin Munro, and Willie Allan, but with no less than 17 players carding nett scores of 72 or better, there will still be all to play for in Round 2 which is scheduled for mid-May

100 Club April Winners

This months winners...


1st Mr Colin Paterson  £35
2nd Mr Murray McGlasson  £25
3rd Mrs Anne Morris £10

Spring Texas Scramble

A big field of players gathered to compete in the Spring Open Scramble, with players from Thurso once again returning home with the majority of the prizes. 
Leading the way following a tremendous score of 53.2 were the trio of Donald Sutherland, Gavin Souter and Terry Mackay. Taking a distant second place on countback following a score of 56.4 were Jim Swan, Roddy Harper and Iain Boyd, who just edged the team of John Bain, David Nicolson and Rodney Grant in to third place.  
Ian Ross took the prize for nearest the pin at the 18th.

Corfin Bogey

Sandy Chisholm handed out a golfing lesson to the rest of the field with an impressive victory in the Corfin Bogey. 

In this format players use their handicap allowance to play against the course itself in a match-play form of the game. Chisholm put the course to the sword finishing 6up during a round which included birdies at three of the final four holes.  

The only player to threaten Chisholm was James Hawes who won this event last year. He put up a splendid defence of his title finishing 5up on the course. 

The only other player to defeat the course on the day was in-form club president Fred Groves, who finished 1up.

April Medal & Hi-Lo Foursomes

A weekend of cold and windy weather took its toll on golfers playing at Reay over the weekend, with almost a third of competitors failing to return cards in the competitions held over the Saturday and Sunday.

FREE Golf Lessons

What can burn 1000 calories whilst you enjoy a 5 mile walk taking in some wonderful views? 
Interested in flora and fauna or listening to the sound of song birds including cock pheasants making their presence known?

Then a round of golf over the beautiful Sandside links at Reay Golf Club will give you all these things.

Come and Try

Want to give it a try and see if golf is for you then?  Reay Golf Club will be holding Come and Try sessions for adults every Wednesday starting on Wednesday 18^th April until 23rd May from 6.30 pm onwards.

If you are a complete beginner, don’t worry – the club can provide all the equipment required or if you have hung up your clubs and not played for a few years then bring them along.  
If you have previously done some beginner coaching but are now ready to move up a level that is fine too. The only thing you will need is flat soled shoes such as trainers.

PGA trained coaches, male and female, will be on hand to help you get started, show you the easiest way to hit a round ball with a flat stick whilst ensuring you have some fun as well.
This is done by teaching the swing in small sections which in the end join up to form the complete golf swing.  
If the weather is inclement the coaching will be done indoors in the clubhouse. 
The coaching is FREE and there is no commitment to joining the club.

If you need more information you can either telephone Evan Sutherland on 01847 811 439 (mobile 07751 452091) or Reay Golf Club on 01847 811288.

The Ronnie Wallace Open

On Sunday Reay welcomed 56 players from Caithness and beyond to compete for glory in the Ronnie Wallace Open. This competition has been a happy hunting ground for players from the neighbouring Thurso Golf Club in recent years, and it proved to be once again with Bryan Ronald taking glory in the scratch competition with an impressive round of gross 69. Gavin Sutherland of the home club and Dougie Thorburn of Thurso were next best after both carded scores of 71.

George Coupar Challenge

Overcast, cool, and occasionally damp conditions did not deter the spirits of players competing in the two competitions held over the Reay links at the weekend. On Saturday players from the home club were competing for glory in the George Coupar Challenge, a Stableford competition, and despite some tricky pin positions, a number of excellent scores were recorded.

US Masters Rumours...

Live from Augusta - the latest rumours circulating around Georgia's Plantations.........

• Tiger Woods has refused to play in the par three contest in case he wins and jinxes himself for main tournie.
• Masters officials deny claims of massive betting scam involving Craig Stadler after chief buyer seen in local gentleman's outfitters sourcing XXXL green jacket.
• Dusting Johnson asked to withdraw from Masters after claiming Romney Marsh Rugby Club's First 15 pitch run smoother than Augusta's greens.
• Latest official stimpmeter readings.....Augusta - Fiery Fast
• Chariman Mao shoots 58 in practise round.
• Keegan Bradley kicks off after losing $500 at skins to Corbin Mills (who???)
• Paul Lawrie kicks off after losing 5p in locker room
• Kevin Na kicks off 

Disclaimer - some of the above rumours may actually be true.

Ethical Dilemma

Here is a golf ethics question:                                

You're playing the club championship finals and the match is halved after 17 holes. 
You have the honour and hit your ball 250 yards down the middle of the fairway, leaving a simple iron to the pin.
Your opponent then hits his ball, slicing it deep into the woods to the right of the fairway. Being the golfing gentleman that you are, you help your opponent look for his ball. 
Just before the permitted five minute search period ends [and you're further away from the pin], your opponent says:   "Go ahead and hit your second shot and if I don't find it in time, I'll concede the match."
You hit your ball, landing it on the green, stopping 20 feet from the pin. 
Just after your ball comes to rest, you hear your opponent exclaim from deep in the woods: "FOUND IT!". 
The second sound you hear is a ding, the sound of a club striking a ball and the ball comes sailing out of the woods and lands on the green, stopping six inches from the hole.
Now here's the ethical dilemma....

100 Club March Winners

The winners for the March are:

1st No. 38 Mr Jamie Morris   £35
2nd No.44 Mr Colin Paterson  £25
3rd No. 28 Mr Eric Fram-Taylor  £10

The Punt - O Macaco's Masters Machinations

With the 76th Masters just around the corner, O Macaco takes a look at which of Magnolia Lane's movers and shakers have a prayer through Amen Corner....

New Handicaps

Rodney Grant - 20
John Cluff MacLean - 28


Well done guys, get out there and use it well.
Murray