Colourful Pinky Col Invitational now an ‘integral part of Royal Dornoch calendar’
ROYAL Dornoch’s colourful Pinky Col Invitational attracted a record entry.
And local charities are set to share a £5000 windfall.
The annual event has mushroomed over the past decade and a record 100-plus golfers dressed in pink took part in this year’s fun charity challenge over the Struie Course.
General manager Neil Hampton said the fundraiser was now an integral part of the Royal Dornoch calendar.
While winner John Bonthrone from Embo, who amassed 46 Stableford points, will select one charity, the money raised is being shared with The Gift Project supporting the Caithness and Sutherland Women’s Aid (CASWA).
“The event has been going for more than 15 years now but it has grown and grown, especially in the wake of the pandemic,” said Neil.
“Our late, well-known member Alex Campbell – a huge personality around the golf club - and his nephew Stuart were both involved at the very beginning, and both are fondly remembered on the day.
“Alex’ partner Helen Needs plays an integral role on the day, along with Colin’s wife Ingrid and Alex’ sister Hazel Hallam.
“It started with a dozen guys, including Colin Murray – who is Pinky Col – and £180 was raised for good causes. Post-pandemic it has become a huge event.
“It is a great fun day out, attracting families, and everyone buys into it. We were blessed with glorious picnic weather this year.”
The Pinky Col Invitational always takes place hard on the heels of the Dornoch Highland Games and this year club member Baz Cooke, from South Africa, laid on a traditional Braai in the marquee.
Neil said: “Baz had his work cut out and did a fantastic job feeding everyone.”
Baz maintains that Braai is in the DNA of every South African, but he had helping hand feeding the golfers and their families.
“In my five years here, I had never seen a lamb being spit-roasted but the feedback has been very positive,” he said.
“I got the lamb from the local butcher and the hog roast machine from Kenny Mackay at the Coach House. There were also burgers, sausages and kebabs cooked over coals but the lamb was the focal point.
“It was fired up at 9am and ready for everyone coming off the golf course. It was full on but great fun, although I do have a few burns to remind me of the occasion!”
John Bonthrone won the individual Stableford; the winning team was Neil Hampton, Alan McEwan, Robert Fortune and Murray Fraser; Best Lady score was posted by Seonaid Gow with 43 points and top junior was Finn Hallam on 37 points; and Ali Morrison was judged best dressed competitor.