April 5th 2008
PAT AIRD: NOT MAYBE, DEFINITELY.
Without a doubt, the mark of a true competitor is one who, having victory denied them at the eleventh hour (or before the weeks Golf notes have gone to press), rises to the challenge at the very next opportunity and goes one better.
Undisputed winner of last weeks Stableford competition was the irresistible Pat Aird. No ifs, no buts and certainly no maybes. No countbacks required, no better inward half decider, and no possible chance of any dispute.
Possibly embarrassed by having his name emblazoned across the back pages a fortnight ago, only to have his “victory” retracted a week later, Pat produced the best round of the day to claim victory in the last winter competition of the year. Winter it certainly was, but there was nothing about Pats display which suggested he would “gift” victory to any of his fellow competitors, having seen what happened when you let them get too close ( or as it turned out, ahead).
Runner-up was stalwart of the senior tour, Duncan MacLean, and in third place (despite managing to shoot a 1-over par round in testing conditions) was Cal Robertson.
Cal traditionally begins the season well, and having witnessed his performance on Saturday, he looks set to be amongst the quickest out of the blocks over the opening weeks play, and to work on reducing his handicap (further) this summer. Can he get himself down to the standard required for next years World Island Games in Aland?
Only time will tell, and the next six months will determine who will be on the plane in 2009.
Men's Stableford 05.04.08
1 Pat Aird 29 Overall Winner
2 Duncan Maclean 27 Overall Runner-Up
3 Cal Robertson 26 Overall Third
Senior’s Winter League – w/e 5/4/2008
The Stornoway golfing calendar says that winter is officially over, but the white precipitation falling outside my window this weekend would suggest otherwise.
The best of this week’s golf came from Bob Millett and the evergreen Dixie MacLean who both returned 26 points and shared the last sweep of the season.
Despite some reasonable weather early in the week the scoring was once again below par on what has proved to be a relatively difficult course layout. If any budding student wants to write a thesis on the relationship between good (or bad) weather and Stableford points, he/she will find plenty of material among the seniors at SYGC.
The Winter League Table has seen little change for a number of weeks and it remained that way when neither of the leaders could improve their position. Dennis Hall and Norrie Munro tied for top spot with 247 points each, Dennis being declared the winner on account of a better 11th round. His win is well deserved as he has been producing some very consistent golf since his recent trip to Australia for a new set of clubs. A large Highland Park is probably in order!
The Senior’s Prizegiving will be held at the club next Friday (11th April) at 5pm. More details in next week’s report.
Senior’s -Top Scores
Dixie MacLean 26
Bob Millett 26
Norrie MacLean 23
Robbie MacRae 23
Senior’s Final League Table
Dennis Hall 247 Overall Winner
Norrie Munro 247 Overall Runner-Up
Norrie MacLean 237 Overall Third
Norrie MacKenzie 236
John MacKinnon 233
‘Bronco’ MacArthur 232
Duncan MacLean 232
In the Junior Winter League, Stuart MacAulay narrowly edged brother Scott to claim the top spot, despite going into the final day with the possibility of being caught. His sterling work in building up a healthy lead these past six months held him in good stead, and he emerged victorious by a nine point margin. With many of the latter days of the season marred by poor weather, the Juniors will be looking to getting back to regular participation, and the chance to work on those handicaps, and establish who will be top dog (puppy) in 2008.
The Ladies League was won by Mary Joyce (didn’t she win something last year?), pipping Donna MacLeod to the title. Despite having much more common sense than the men, remaining indoors when it was obviously more prudent to do so, a healthy degree of competition always thrives amongst the women’s section. They will be the first to tee-off in the official summer season (Tuesday night past) in the Ladies Lifeboat Spoon and we look forward to reporting on their competition(s) throughout the summer. Will newly engaged Donna provide a stiffer challenge to the more regular winners from the season past? Will Mary and Jan (MacLennan) dominate from the off, or will other regular challengers make the breakthrough, and claim a more even share of the silverware?
After all the competition was over, last week we held the Winter League prize-giving in the club, bringing down the curtain on another successful winter “break” from “serious” golf. Now we are back to “summer reality” and hopefully the abandonment of parenthesis and weather reports.
One thing the club welcomes, and the ladies section promote this better than anyone else, is the introduction of new members. A regular intake of new “blood”, and not only from the junior sections (yes, we have a junior girls section too!) is essential to keep the club, not only healthy, but fresh.
This season we welcome new and returning members to the club, and look forward to seeing their names appearing in these columns. We have a varied assortment of undeniable talent re-entering the fray this summer, and doubtless many will not be slow to find their feet. Ex club champions, multiple trophy winners and former seasoned campaigners will join us on the first tee next Saturday, and anyone expecting them to be simply “making up the numbers” had better think again.
Readers remotely interested in any form of participation in “our” sport are more than welcome to come along and try it. We can provide the “hardware” to get you started; can you provide the enthusiasm to become a golfer (of whatever calibre)? The handicap system will ensure that once you are of a “standard” and prepared to play in competition, you will have as good a chance as anyone against the “old hands” and “established order”. If not competition, then certainly a very enjoyable pastime.
The nights are getting longer, and despite last weeks weather, a bit of fresh air and a walk (along with the chance of trying something new) is there for the asking.
Call in at the club or club shop. Or call us on 01851 702240.
Winter Winners 2007 -2008
Bob Millett and Dixie Maclean