100th Carnegie Shield tees off at Royal Dornoch Golf Club tomorrow
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Sporting immortality is not all easily won but after recording a record ten Carnegie Shield successes at Royal Dornoch, spanning almost 20 years, Brora's Jim Miller, having just passed his 70th birthday, will step into the arena once again this week to attempt to win another Carnegie Shield.
His first win in 1965 is perhaps the one most easily recalled, a memorable final against local player Willie Skinner which held captive the huge following for an extra eight holes.
Then there was his last and tenth triumph in 1983 when he beat a young Gary Bethune in the final. Bethune, with the experience gained, went on to win two further Shield finals.
This week the Shield comes out of the club house trophy cabinet for the 100 time and the milestone is marked with an invitation to all living former winners to play and be received by the Club Captain at a reception and dinner tonight on the eve of the qualifying rounds.
Then prior to this year’s final, those who do not survive the match-play rounds, will be asked to play a commemorative three holes in front of an appreciative gallery gathered for the final.
Those who are not longer competing will also be invited to line up on the first tee before playing a token three holes.
A lot of these former winners were previously at Dornoch twelve years ago when the centenary of the gifting of the Carnegie Shield in 1901 to the club was marked.
The Centenary Year winner was David Aitchison, now a club professional in England
Joining Miller in the Shield qualifying rounds which begin tomorow are 13 other previous winners, led off at 6.30am by James Bunch (1997) and Andrew Biggadike (2003/2008) followed by – Alex MacDonald (2010), John Forbes (Holder) Chris Mailley (2009), Jo Kellor (2002), Colin Christy (1988/1992/1993) Neil MacDonald( (1995), Paul Dolton (2011),Stewart Wilson (1998/1999) Gary Bethune (1989/1991), Scott Chisholm (2001) and Robin Wilson (1984).
* Catch up on the Carnegie Shield in Thursday's NT.
