Captains Prize

Ross Munro hole-in-one at the 9th

Golfers playing in the Captain’s Prize at Reay on Saturday were treated to bright skies and blistering heat as the sun shone brightly on Caithness. With the competition also doubling up as the final round of qualifying for the club championships, the fairways were packed with players keen to post a low score. 

Emerging victorious on countback after scoring a fine nett 66 was Ian A. Mackay, who has been showing some good form in the early months of the season. After a disappointing start over Reay’s notorious opening four holes, he found his rhythm to reach the turn in 46, aided by a birdie at the 6th hole. After a reasonable start to the back nine, a birdie at the 13th hole set up a strong finish which saw Mackay cover the inward half in 39. His tally of 85 was good enough to take the win by the narrowest of margins and secured a well-earned handicap reduction.

Runner-up after also posting a score of nett 66 was Colin Paterson. A steady outward half of 38 gave no indication of the fireworks which were about to follow during an inward half of 33 which saw him make no less than four birdies at the 12th, 13th, 15th and 18th holes. His gross score of 71 was the best of the day, a feat matched by Gavin Sutherland. 

Third spot was also taken with a score of nett 66, courtesy of Euan Munro. Two neat halves of 41 also secured a well-deserved handicap reduction for the youngster. It proved to be a special day for another member of the Munro clan, as Euan’s older brother Ross Munro registered a superb hole in one at the 9th hole. The feat was achieved courtesy of a finely struck 4-iron which arrowed its way in to the teeth of the wind before bouncing once and then nestling in the hole.