Nuvia Reay Open

On Saturday players were competing for glory over 36 holes in the annual Nuvia Reay Open. The early showers soon disappeared and golfers were treated to bright skies and light winds, and with the course in excellent condition, the scene was set for some low scoring.

In the scratch event Ross Munro took the lead after Round One following a superb 69. A steady outward half of 36 included a birdie at the 4th hole, but his best golf came during a blistering inward half of 33 which included a further three birdies at the 13th, 14th and 16th holes. Gavin Sutherland occupied second place after his opening round of 73, which was made up of halves of 35 and 38 and included a single birdie at the 16th. Fred Groves and Lee Parnell carded opening rounds of 75, to leave them in joint third spot, with Tom Ross and Colin Paterson a further shot behind.

In Round Two, Parnell came roaring to life with his own fantastic round of 69. A magnificent opening half of 33 included a birdie at the 4th and a splendid eagle at the 6th hole. A steady inward half of 36 gave him an aggregate score of 144. The challenge of Munro suffered a severe setback after an ugly 8 at the 6th hole, but despite this he managed to reach the turn in 37. An inward half of 37 followed, which included a chip-in birdie at the 16th, and this was to prove crucial in the final analysis as his aggregate score of 143 was good enough to pip Parnell to victory in the scratch section by a single stroke. Parnell was at least able to console himself with the fact that his aggregate nett score of 136 was good enough to secure him the Handicap Trophy.

Gavin Sutherland took the runners-up spot in the scratch competition, after his second round of 74 left him on a total of 147. Other notable nett scores were recorded by Gregor Munro who finished on a tally of 138, and the trio of Colin Paterson, Euan Munro and Cammie Ross who finished a stroke further back on 139. Prizes for nearest the pin at the 5th and 18th holes were bagged by James Hawes and John Nicolson.

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