Winter Eclectic 5 & WLS 8

Groves finds the Groove!

Saturday brought clear skies and cool temperatures but this did not deter the players at Reay who were out in force to compete in round 5 of the Winter Eclectic.

Taking the spoils on the day with a nett 65 was club president Fred Groves who has found his groove again after an indifferent winter season to date. Groves is well known for his wizardry around the greens and this was in evidence following a spectacular outward half of 33 which included birdies at the 3rd and 6th holes. A freshening wind made life a little more difficult on the inward 9, but he still managed to cover the half in 39 to give him a gross 72, the lowest of the day.

Taking second place after a fine nett 69 was newly appointed Vice-captain Grant Coghill. Coghill set the tone for his round with a beautiful drive off the 1st tee which set him up for an easy par. A birdie at the 3rd hole helped him to maintain this early momentum and he reached the turn in 39. A steady back nine of 42 was made up of a string of 4s and 5s, giving him a total of 81 for a nett 69. Taking third place on countback was Ian Ross after a nett 70. His inward half was just good enough to pip Richard McDonald and John O’Brien who also carded nett  70s.

Current Eclectic standings after 5 rounds

McDonald still heads the overall eclectic standings, but he will be looking anxiously over his shoulder after failing to improve on his overall score. With one round remaining any one of the top ten players in the overall standings will still fancy their chances of catching McDonald, who has led since the first round.

Muzzers Machete Mangles MacKay!

On Sunday attention turned to the battle for Winter League Stableford glory with Round 8 played on a fine winter’s day. 


Recording an incredible 45 points to win on the day was youngster Ian A. Mackay. Mackay is another graduate of the clubs excellent junior coaching programme, and he made a mockery of his 20 handicap recording a nett 60. After a slow start Mackay got his round going with a birdie at the 6th hole which helped him to reach the turn in 41. He also started the back nine in indifferent fashion, but then went on a tremendous run playing the final seven holes in one over par for an inward half of 39. The handicap secretary (AKA Machete McGlasson) has already been alerted to Mackay’s fabulous score.

Ian Ritchie took second place on 37 points, with Willie Allan, Grant Maxwell and Leslie Malcolm all sharing third spot on 34. 

WLS standings after 8 rounds

In the overall standings Malcolm still holds a commanding lead over his rivals, but Mackay has forced his way up to second place following his great score.