April 7th 2007
WINTER WINNERS
The winter competitions drew to a close last Saturday after a beautiful, if windy, day’s golfing which decided the minor placings, some bragging rights for the summer, but nothing else. All the real hard work of the past six months had already separated the champions from the also-rans some weeks ago, but the turn out for the prize giving indicated strong support for a season which at times spluttered to a conclusion. With the recent bad weather, apparently, behind us (two whole weeks without a monsoon!), the course has begun to dry out nicely, and we are all anticipating a successful summer of golf.
But the winners for 2006/2007, having already cleared space on their mantelpieces, will be looking to consolidate their winning habits, and won’t have put away the brasso quite yet. Sorry to draw on fireplaces and polish (again) this early in the season, but with the hunt for trophies beginning on Saturday 14th with the Health Workers Charity Trophy it’s time for the men’s section to get serious again about individual play.
Let’s be honest….we can’t wait.
Outside of the winners mentioned last week ( and in the picture) ; Mairi MacIver in the Ladies section, Charlie Morrison in the Juniors, Norrie Munro in the Seniors and the pair of Chris Macleod and Chris Shields in the Men’s league, one more trophy was decided on the last day of winter play. The OneTel trophy. Winners over the most difficult course of the season , and proving that you really can relax after the house-warming is over, were new ( and very welcome) Rubhach, Murdo Fraser, and his partner , confirmed “ townie”, Murdo O’Brien. Well played gents!
With Morag’s sumptuous buffet having lined everyone’s stomachs, and with several of the prize supplements, as well as the usual raffle offerings, comfortably distributed amongst some appreciative winners, there was an atmosphere about the club which was hopefully a sign of things to come. It was great to celebrate the end of a difficult winter, and look forward to a decent summer. What a difference a decent spell of weather and the prospect of returning to “normal” golf make around the clubhouse.
New Captain, Sandy Bruce, led the plaudits for the winners and also made mention several items of interest to the membership. Most notably of our friend and senior member, Basil “Baz” Perry, who has been ill for some time? Since moving to the Island several years ago, Baz has endeared himself to every single member of the club, and we cannot wait to have him back on the fairways and in the clubhouse, fit and well, soon. We need his brand of Welsh humour, and his spontaneous renditions of Sosban Fach to brighten up dull afternoons through the week. Get well soon pal.
Sandy nearly made the biggest name of the day for himself on Saturday with what would have been one of the few, and certainly one of the best eagles of the year on the awkward par 5, Cup-Forresters. On the green in two (yes, he’s still got it!) he just missed his put for a three, but comfortably holed out for his birdie. Sandy has managed, without ( he boasted ) the help of partner and Post Office manager for the Western Isles, Eddie MacKenzie, to secure two magnificent new trophies for the winners of the winter league from the Royal Mail . He also mentioned, though it is hard to believe, that Eddie hadn’t been much help all season either.
Sometimes the Winter League ends just in time.
With the summer season upon us, we will doubtless see more and more members playing the course as the evenings get longer, and the weather more tolerable. We look forward to busy competitions, plenty, fun “bounce” games and participation on all levels from the wider membership, and not just from “competition” golfers. To this end we are hoping to organise more coaching sessions for not only members, but for anyone interested in taking up the sport. I will announce details of coaching sessions for men, hopefully next week, but the ladies section have once again stolen a march on us by unveiling their plans for their “open “evenings.
Every Thursday night from 4.30pm - 6.30pm & 7pm - 9pm (two sessions limited to eight places each) they will hold lessons and “why not try it” sessions for any girls/ladies interested in golf. Please sign up in the ladies locker room at the club (or call us on 702240 after 4pm). We will provide clubs and balls;you just need to provide your enthusiasm.
I will once again re-iterate several points which will go a long way to help us all have an enjoyable golfing summer (sorry again if I appear to be repeating myself…well not really).
1) Avoid slow play. You all know the drill about looking for a ball, exiting greens in the correct manner to prevent delay, and hitting a provisional ball ( mark your ball). Your place on the course is behind the group in front, not in front of the group behind.
2) Repair pitch marks. You all should have the correct tool for this purpose. If not, buy one. Use it.
3) John Graham…he IS the man. Turn up for your tee-off at the allotted time, or else have the common courtesy to inform him (and your playing partners).
4) You can NR and still score for handicap purposes.
5) Brush up on the rules ( of play and etiquette)
6) Do the right thing…if you don’t know what it is, ask. Or take up hang-gliding.
Saturdays Results
Saturday 7th April 2007
Nett
Pts
Robbie Macrae & Dennis Hall
48
14
Ali Maclennan & Neil Macleod
48
14
Ken Macdonald & Dave Rattray
49
8
Peter O’Brien & Ross Macrae
49
8
Murdo Johnson & Magnus Johnson
49
8
Murdo O’Brien & Murdo Fraser
50
5
N T Macdonald & Jules Folkard
50
5
Cal Robertson & Martyn Macleod
50
5
Alan Todd & Cammy Macleay
51
2
Murdo Maclennan & Dave Black
51
2
Norrie Munro & John Mackinnon
51
2
FINAL WINTER LEAGUE RESULTS
LADIES
1st Mairi Maciver (38)
2nd Donna Macleod (31)
2nd Donna Macleod (31)
JUNIORS
1st Charlie Morrison (144)
2nd Scott Macaulay (87)
2nd Scott Macaulay (87)
MENS
1. Chris Macleod & Chris Shields (105)
2. Magnus Johnson & Murdo Johnson (89)
3. Dennis Hall & Robbie Macrae (87)
4. Ali Maclennan & Neil Macleod (86)
4. Sandy Bruce & Eddie Mackenzie (86)
ONETEL CHARITY CHALLANGE
2. Magnus Johnson & Murdo Johnson (89)
3. Dennis Hall & Robbie Macrae (87)
4. Ali Maclennan & Neil Macleod (86)
4. Sandy Bruce & Eddie Mackenzie (86)
ONETEL CHARITY CHALLANGE
Murdo O’Brien & Murdo Fraser (-10)
Winners Gallery
Mairi Maciver
Chris Shields Chris Macleod
Murdo Fraser Murdo O’Brien
Scott Macaulay, Alasdair Gilles & Charlie Morrison
