Steven wins Alliance scratch
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Following a run of nine par figures to reach the turn in 35, a repeat count over the next nine holes for a one over par finish of 70 left Muir of Ord’s John Forbes, the pacesetter to win this season’s Alliance Scratch Quaich, in a three way tie at last weekend’s Alliance fixture played at Wick.
The two other players involved in the inward nine hole card play off were locals Gordon Steven and John Hunter.
Hunter, the former Wick club captain, led the trio through the half way mark with a one under par count of 34, birdies at the 1st and 7th holes before a bogey four from a careless short missed putt on the 9th green.
Gordon, the eventual scratch winner, was at this point behind with an outward count of one over par 36.
Hunter began his inward half as he began his outward with a birdie three to get to two under par before his putter let him down again on the 12th and 15th greens and his third inward bogey on the 16th hole added up to a back nine count of 36 for his gross 70 and a drop back to third place.
Forbes took his first bogey of the round at the 10th followed by another bogey four at the short 11th. A stroke was recovered two holes later with his only inward half birdie to end up in second place behind Steven.
Local member Steven recorded his second win of the season when he added a level par 34 to his outward 36. His only inward half blemish came at the final hole taking a bogey five after picking up a birdie three at the 15th. His club mate Hunter, a six handicapper, enjoyed the consolation of an eight shot nett win in the Class 1 handicap section ahead of the Ross-shire pair, Davie Mackay (Tarbat) and Billy Ferries (Tain).
The low entry of 26 missed the loyal support from Durness members who normally support in numbers.
Wick Alliance Results: Scratch – 70 G Steven (Wick) (36/34), J Forbes (Muir of Ord) 35/35), J Hunter (Wick) (34/36). 73 D Thorburn (Tain) (36/37). 74 B Ferries (Tain) (38/36). Handicap Class 1 – J Hunter (Wick) (6) 64. D H Mackay (Tarbat) (8) 72. B Ferries (Tain) (2) 72. D Thorburn (Tain) (0) 73. Class 2 – S Ross (Thurso) (10) 65. P McCartney (Reay) (13) 73. A Gunn (Reay) (10) 74, P Ballantyne (Thurso) (10) 75.
