Wood Group MacRobert Thistle Open

The summer golf season at Reay ended in spectacular style with some excellent scores and a hole-in-one recorded in the Wood Group MacRobert Thistle Open. Tain player Dougie Thorburn claimed the scratch prize thanks to an excellent round of 71 which included the first competitive ace of the season at the club, thanks to his tee shot at the 15th which flew straight in to the hole. His outward half of 35 included a single birdie at the 6th, and he carded another birdie at the 14th, during his inward 36 which was good enough to take the spoils by a margin of 4 shots from Lee Parnell and Bryan Fotheringham, who both carded rounds of 75.

The handicap prize was claimed by Bob Earnshaw courtesy of a superb nett 66. After a steady outward half of 38, a double-bogey at the 10th looked to have derailed his challenge, but he recovered well and a birdie at the 15th hole helped him to come home in 38 for a gross score of 76. Eanrshaw’s nearest challenger was Wayne Mowat who finished a distant 4 shots behind after his round of 76 was good enough for a nett score of 70. Alistair Gunn took third place a stroke further back after carding a nett score of 71.

Autumn Open Scramble

This weekend saw the course host its Autumn Open Scramble, with players from visiting clubs dominating the prizes. Winners were the Thurso trio of Ian MacDonald, Andrew Lannon and Michael MacGregor, after the combined beautifully to record a gross score of 66 which gave them a nett total of 57.6. Runners-up were the Lybster team of Alan Larnach, Dan Miller and Steven Cunnigham who finished on a tally of 58.4. Another Thurso team comprising Stanley Ross, Pat Valentine and Euan Sutherland, took third place on 58.8.

September Medal

The September Medal at Reay was contested in showery conditions, with a stiff breeze from the west making life difficult for competitors. The lowest scores came from Category One players, with Murdo Macdonald finishing at the top of the standings with a superb nett 64 following a gross tally of 76. After a double-bogey at the tough second, Macdonald found his form and reached the turn in 37, helped on his way by a birdie at the 6th. A steady inward half of 39 made up of five pars and four bogeys was enough to seal the victory by a convincing 3 strokes.

David Mackay finished runner up courtesy of a round of 77 which gave him a nett score 67. His round, made up of halves of 40 and 37, included two birdies at the 6th and 13th holes. Steve Efemey claimed third spot after his 76 was good enough for a nett score of 68. Efemey also managed to bag two birdies at the 11th and 14th holes.

In Category Two Jock Eunson emerged victorious following a steady round of nett 70. His gross score of 84 was made up of matching halves of 42. The in-form Lee Malcolm took second place following a round of 85, which was good enough for a nett score of 72. Billy Moore, who has also been playing well of late, took third spot with his nett score of 73.