A busy weekend of golf at Reay began with the playing of the Presidents Salver in calm and mild conditions on Saturday. The Reay rough has increased in its ferocity over the summer months, but winner Grant Coghill was more than a match for the challenges the course presented on his way to a blistering nett 65. Coghill reached the turn in 38 following a steady front half which included 5 pars and 4 bogeys. The inward nine began in similar fashion, but a triple-bogey 7 at the 13th hole threatened to leave his challenge in tatters. However, Coghill regained his composure and played the final five holes in one over par, for an inward half of 40 which was good enough to take the spoils by a single shot.
Runner-up following a nett 66 was club vice-captain Lee Parnell, whose gross score of 71 was the best of the day. Parnell, who had spent the previous two weeks on a sunshine break, showed no signs of rustiness on his way to an outward half of 37 which included a birdie at the 6th. After reeling off a series of pars at the start of his inward nine, Parnell went in to overdrive with birdies at the 13th, 15th and 16th holes. An unfortunate bogey at the final hole took the shine off things, but he still managed to complete the inward half in a one under par score of 34. Taking third spot was Tim Hawes who also carded a nett 66. Hawes compiled two steady halves of 41 and 40, with the single birdie of his round posted at the final hole.
Dull and breezy conditions greeted players on Sunday contesting the Reay Seniors Open. Emerging victorious after a splendid nett 65 was club president and short-game wizard Fred Groves. Groves reached the turn in 36, but a run of bogeys from the 10th threatened to sink his challenge without a trace. However a magnificent run of holes including birdies at the 14th, 16th and 17th holes, saw Groves come back in 37 for a best of the day gross 73. In second place following a nett 68 was Ian Ritchie. Ritchie compiled two very steady halves of 39 and 37, with his solitary birdie coming at the tricky 8th hole. Taking the final place on the podium was Sandy Chisholm following a nett 70.
The Sandside Trophy was also held on Sunday for players not competing in the Seniors Open. Youngster Ian A. Mackay came out on top after posting a fine nett 67 which included a birdie at the 13th hole. Claiming the runners-up spot was Steve Efemey following a nett 69 whose round also included a solitary birdie at the 13th hole.
