Darren makes it 10 for Golspie GC
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IN the 87 years from 1922 when there has been a competition for the Sutherland County Cup (there was no competition during five years of the Second World War), Golspie Golf Club has had 10 winners, their most recent being Darren Hexley at Royal Dornoch last Saturday, where he beat a loaded field of local favourites for a first time win.
Since leaving his native village at the end of a junior membership, 28 year old Hexley took up a career in greenkeeping at Muir of Ord, where he still holds a membership, but now works on Inverness’s Torvean Golf Course. He has retained his Golspie membership which permits him entry into the Sutherland championship.
What distinguishes Hexley from all the other 86 winners there has been is that he plays golf left handed and there is no other mention in the records of a lefty winning the cup since it was gifted by Royal Dornoch to the County Association in 1922. Like all lefties he carries a strong short game and this enabled him to open with a 75. His only first round blip was a bunker recovery at the fifth hole which led to a double bogey six partially repaired with the first of three twos on his card during the two rounds.
In an ever increasing afternoon wind, all the competitors struggled with the outward holes and few improved on their morning cards. One to do so was the Dornoch club’s general manager Neil Hampton, who came home in 35 to post a second round 75 which would, at the end of play, reward him with the runners-up bronze medal.
With the Dornoch course standard scratch score rising by two to 74 for both home and visiting players it was no surprise all three handicap vouchers were won by local members. Alastair Stoddart topped the nett aggregate with 145 (73/72) from his better second round score against club-mate David MacKay.
Leading Scratch Totals (all Royal Dornoch unless stated) 151 — D Hexley (Golspie) 75/76; 153 — N D Hampton (78/75), A MacDonald (Golspie) (73/80). 154 — B Urquhart (75/79), C Mailley (72/82). 155 — K Matheson (79/76). 157 — L McAlpine (83/74), C Mackay (Golspie) (81/76).
Handicap Prizewinners (All RDGC) — A Stoddart (6) 145. D Mackay (6) (145. B Urquhart (3) 148.
Sixty-six members of the Ross and Sutherland Seniors Golf Society played at Brora last week, where the conditions were perfect and the course was in excellent condition.
The results were: Category 1 (1-14 Handicap) — 1 Stewart Gillies, 35 points, Muir of Ord; 2 Geoffrey Robinson, 35, Bonar Bridge; 3 Charlie Anderson ,34, Strathpeffer.
Category 2 (15-20 Handicap) — 1 B Stewart, 34, Strathpeffer; 2 Ian Black, 34, Muir of Ord; 3 Hamish Milne, 33, Muir of Ord.
Category 3 (21-28 Handicap) — 1 George Kellman, 34, Tain; 2 Rif Clarke, 33, Muir of Ord; 3 Arthur Templeton, 32, Bonar Bridge.
A special thanks goes to Ian McCree (Brora GC) and his team for all their efforts in making a very enjoyable day.
