Inverness golfer is crowned Golspie Golf Club champion for the first time in his career
DREW MacDonald wasn’t the only one who had cause for celebration by becoming Golspie Golf Club champion for the first time in his career.
It was also the perfect present for his grandfather Ian who was celebrating his 90th birthday on Saturday as his grandson won the title.
MacDonald (33) came out on top to win the club’s championship when he defeated Tommy McClenaghan in the final 4&3.
The quantity surveyor from Inverness only recently rejoined Golspie Golf Club, where he was previously a junior member, largely because his grandparents Ian and Christine are based in Golspie.
MacDonald was proud to win the trophy for the first time and that he could give his grandfather an extra special birthday present too.
He said: “It was actually my granda’s 90th on Saturday, so we had a bit of a celebration there and they were delighted I won because they're from up there.
“I was a junior member at Golspie because I used to spend the summer holidays there with my Granny and Grandad.
“So, that's the whole reason behind me joining up at Golspie again this year to see how I would get on and I am delighted that I won the club championship.”
MacDonald had to battle gusty wind conditions during the course of the week as well as during the final on Saturday.
He said he was pushed hard by McClenaghan during the course of the final, but was pleased he could take the trophy with three holes left to play.
MacDonald said: “It was pretty close for most of the final, but towards the end Tommy was chasing me.
“There was strong winds through the entire tournament. During qualifying on Monday and Wednesday there was 50mph winds, and then on the semi-final on Friday it was 40mph winds, and then the final on Saturday, 50mph winds.
“It was crazy how windy it was during the whole competition. Being right on the coast, the course was quite exposed to the wind. I've probably played in worse conditions in some of the places I have played. But it was tough during the entire week.”
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MacDonald has been playing golf for 22 years and is also a member of Kings Golf Club in Inverness. He has won a number of handicap competitions, but the Golspie Club Championship was the first scratch title of his career.
He said: “I play my fair share of competitions and I do play a lot of golf. Winning the Golspie Golf Club Championship is my best achievement to date.
“I've won a handicap championship at Kings, but that doesn't count on par with this to be honest. To win a scratch championship for the first time is something very special.”
Meanwhile, Colin Sutherland claimed the senior club championship title beating Simon Marshall in the final. Ross Prowse won the handicap championship title beating Alan Berwick in the final.
Noelle Mackay was crowned Ladies Club Champion after she defeated Anne Macrae with Sheila Robertson winning the handicap title beating Debbie MacDonald in the final.
