Course record in exciting week at Durness
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DURNESS Golf Week got off to a flying start when the course record was equalled by visiting golfer John McCook, who won both scratch and handicap trophies in the men’s open tournament
A member of Abernethy Golf Club it was John’s first visit to Durness in five years, although he had played the course many times as a youngster during his summer holidays.
His last appearance, at the age of 17, saw him register a hole-in-one at the ninth.
On this occasion he went one further by returning an almost flawless card. His only blip was a five at the par 3 7th, when he found the rough off the tee.
Other trophy winners (pictured) are Alisdair McCowan, who, besides winning best club scratch, won the class 2 handicap. Gerald Klein won the class 3 handicap.
The week was blessed with good weather and all competitions were well supported and hotly contested with a large number of clubs and ages represented.
Club captain, John Mackenzie won the Kenneth MacLeod seniors title on Wednesday when he pipped his predecessor Alastair Corbett on a count back.
A record entry of 32 players participated in the Ladies Open on Saturday. Eileen Manson, of Thurso, retained her scratch title, whilst regular visitor, Morag Mackay, of Reay, was a popular winner of the handicap section.
The week was rounded off with the Mixed Foursomes on Sunday. Returning after an absence of a few years to win back the scratch trophy was Duncan and Panya Bethune but only on a count back from last year’s winners, Neil and Fiona Hampton. Runaway winners of the handicap section were the in-form local father and daughter combination of Alisdair and Mary McCowan, who also had the same gross score as Duncan and Panya but with a slightly poorer inward half.
Durness Golf Club committee are grateful for all the support they received from neighbouring clubs and are looking forward to next season when they will be celebrating 25 years in existence.
Full results were as follows:
Men’s Open – Scratch – 1 - J McCook (Abernethy) 68; 2 – Gordon Steven (Wick) 72; 3 – Bryan Donald (Dale) 72.
Handicap Section 1 – 1 – J McCook (Abernethy) 63; 2 – Colin Mackay, Durness (12) 69. Handicap Section 2 – 1 – A McCowan (13) 67; 2 – Wayne Bevan, Ullapool (16) 69. Handicap Section 3 – 1 – G Klein, Durness (20) 70; 2 – Connor Munro, Durness (28) 71.
Three-ball better ball – Norman Ross, Colin Mackay and Connor Munro (58) tied with John Mackenzie, Anne Mackenzie and Donald Morrison (58).
Six-hole challenge – Best gent – Francis Keith (23). Best lady – Janet Cordiner (24). Best junior – Harry Hird (35).
Seniors Walk on Open – 1 – John Mackenzie (17) 69; 2 – Alastair Corbett (17) 69; 3 – Lachie Ross (14) 70. First lady – Lucy Mackay (16) 71.
Adult/junior greensomes – 9 hole winners – Nathan Corbett and Martin Mackay (49). Six hole winners – Billy and Donald Morrison (26).
Ladies Open – Scratch – 1 – E Manson, Thurso (81); 2 – Laura Durrand, Thurso (82); 3 – L Coghill, RD (90).
Handicap – 1 - Morag Mackay, Reay (28) 72; 2 - Janet Cordiner (24) 73; 3 – Sheila Urquhart, Durness (30) 73.
Mixed Foursomes – Scratch – 1 – Duncan and Payna Bethune, Strathpeffer, 87; 2 – Neil and Fiona Hampton, RD (87); 3 – F Keith and L Coghill (87).
Handicap – 1 – Alisdair and Mary McCowan (17) 69; 2 – Donnie and Fiona Hossack, Ullapool (18) 76; Martin Mackay and Pat Gentleman (14) 76.
