Donald Campbell Open

On Sunday players gathered from near and far to compete in the Donald Campbell Open at Reay. The early morning showers soon gave way to sunny skies and several excellent scores were posted in the favourable scoring conditions. 

Winner of the Scratch Category with a score of 71 was Gavin Sutherland of the home club. Sutherland got his round off to a dream start with birdies at the first and second holes. The birdie blitz continued with a 4 at the 6th, and he reached the turn in a one under par total of 33. The highlight of Sutherland’s inward half of 38 was a fourth birdie at the 13th. Graeme Dunnet made a welcome return to competitive action, and his excellent 72 was good enough to secure second scratch place behind Sutherland.

The overall handicap winner was also a Reay member, David Mackay. Mackay’s round got off to a steady start, and an ugly double bogey 7 at the 6th was soon forgotten with par 3s at the tricky 7th and 9th holes helping him to reach the turn in 39. This was followed by an excellent start to the back 9, which included a birdie 3 at the long 11th. Mackay completed his round with a run of 4 pars for a fabulous inward half of 36, giving him a nett score of 65. 

Edged in to second place overall on countback was Gavin Gunn after he also posted a nett 65. Gunn produced two very steady halves of 37 and 38, with 6 bogeys and 12 pars on his card. Gunn can take some consolation from the fact that his score was good enough to take the prize for Category One.

Winner of Category Two was Willie Allan following an impressive nett 66. Allan built his round on a steady outward half of 39 which included a birdie two at the 9th hole. A double bogey at the 10th threatened to derail his round, but Allan knuckled down to cover the inward half in 41. Runner up in Category Two was the in-form Tim Hawes following a nett 67. 

The previous day players from the home club teed up for a charity event the Gibby Morris Memorial Medal. Best score on the day was a nett 64 recorded by Willie Allan. Allan’s round comprised halves of 41 and 38, with the highlight being a birdie 4 at the long 14th hole. Two shots behind following a nett 66 was yet another of Reay’s rapidly improving youngsters, Ruari McCartney.