April 12th 2008
RED LETTER DAY FOR ALASDAIR
When the first trophy of the season is roughly the size of the expectations we all carried to the first tee last Saturday; then to capture it, and in the process grab your first ever hole-in-one, must surely have been the dream start many of us could only have wished for as we contemplated the opening 18 holes of the new season.
Perfect start, indeed then, for Alasdair Morrison ,who managed to not let his “ace” at the 9th affect his concentration as he duly completed the back nine holes in style to win the handsome Health Workers charity cup from the perennial favourite for this competition, Alasdair Henderson.
Having posted a hard to beat 64 very early in the day, Alasdair ( Henderson) continued his record of scoring well in this particular competition, and as a previous winner, he had one hand on the trophy for the best part of the afternoon and must have harboured thoughts of taking it back to Tolsta once more. Only the better inward half rule separated him from the silverware, but the plaudits all go to Alasdair (Morrison) for his stunning round, and especially for a win which included the magical “one” on the card.
This is the first hole-in-one for over a year recorded in competition (unless M&H tell me different), and all the more impressive for being part of a winning round.
Could we see Alasdair off a “teen” handicap this summer? Having shaved two shots already off his allowance, he will be looking to further reduce his starting “number”.
Mantelpiece already full (it is a big cup), and an ace already recorded, he can surely “relax” now and let his game flow. The mark of true champions is to continue to add to the silverware haul as the season progresses and put the competition to the sword.
Better inward half is a phrase best not mentioned in the Ladies section, and especially not to Anne Galbraith. Spending much of last year in second place, so often cruelly denied by the B.I.H. rule, she would have been hoping to go one better in 2008. Unfortunately her nemesis, Mary Joyce, continued where she left off winning the Cancer Relief Shield last weekend leave Anne in, er………..second place. This time however there was clearer distance between the two, Mary triumphing by a brace of points.
Kenneth MacLeod won the Junior competition at the weekend, and Rita MacDonald won the truncated ladies lifeboat spoon on Tuesday last.
Story of the day, holes in one aside, concerns a man used to setting records in these columns. Saturday saw him as the first man of the new season to be penalised two shots before he struck a ball in anger, and he claimed the (also) unwanted distinction of being the fastest NR of the day after only two holes. Or was it just one? Spending too much time in the clubhouse and not in the nets has had a detrimental effect on the rounds of many a golfer, and will doubtless continue to do so. The handicapping effect of this form of “warming up” cannot be underestimated, but when you are merely passing the time engaging in meaningless “banter” with a man with a pen, then you really should keep your eye on the clock.
John “ Starter” Graham never takes his eyes off the clock, and when you are several minutes late for your allotted tee-off time, then be prepared for his wrath. Everyone take note.
His seven shots at the first became a nine, and when he took three more blows to reach the ladies tee at the second, then the prospect of “getting off to a flyer” was gone with the wind. As the second hole is conveniently situated almost adjacent to the clubhouse, then the temptation of a (low) flyer to soothe the angst can sometimes outweigh the desire to venture beyond the third tee, and many an “informed” decision has been taken before the second green has been negotiated.
Some folks will go to any lengths not to break their record of losing 18 balls in a round.
Wont they Ali?
Senior’s Winter League – w/e 12/4/2008
It was back to the full 18 holes this week, and if there were a few tired limbs at the completion of the first round of the summer, it was good to be starting off a new season in the hope (probably vain) that golfing success was just around the corner.
With the restoration of full handicaps and the concession of ‘pegging up’ on the fairways for the first week, Norrie Munro took full advantage of the conditions to record 46 Stableford points. Other good scores came from Jimmy MacKenzie and Norrie MacLean.
Dixie MacLean’s good form continued when he collected the Friday sweep money. Yet again!
The Winter League prizegiving was held last Friday. Overall winner and recipient of the MacDonald Memorial Shield was Dennis Hall. Top Over-65 player and winner of the Colin MacIver Memorial Trophy was Norrie Munro.
Runners-up in the respective categories were Norrie MacLean and Norrie MacKenzie, with Donald Taylor receiving the accolade of ‘Best Supporting Golfer’
Could everyone please note the local rules etc pinned to all notice-boards, especially those concerning bunkers and preferred lies.
Not noticing is no defence ( unless you are rushing to make your tee-off on time!)
Saturday's Results
Ladies Cancer Relief Stableford
Mary Joyce 32 pts Overall Winner
Ann Galbraith 30 pts Overall Runner-Up
Junior Medal at 12th April
Kenneth MacLeod 63 Overall Winner
Kevin Gillies 65 Overall Runner-Up
Healthworkers Charity Cup / Jackson Medal Qualifier
Alasdair Morrison 64 Division 2 & Overall Winner
Alasdair Henderson 64 Division 1 Winner & Runner-Up .
Tuesday's Results
Ladies Lifeboat Spoon
Rita MacDonald Winner
Senior’s -Top Scores
Norrie Munro 46
Jimmy MacKenzie 39
Norrie MacLean 38
Alasdair Morrison
Mary Joyce
Rita Macdonald
Seniors Winter Winners