May 12th 2007
SPORTSMEN CAPTURE TRADES CUP
Last Saturday was the first “team” event of the season, the “Trades” Cup. Formerly an important, and keenly anticipated, event in the club diary, the “trades” has somewhat fallen by the wayside latterly in terms of popularity, but nonetheless remains a favourite amongst us also-rans. Favourite, in that the format gives us a chance of picking up a trophy, normally by dint of the rest of our team playing well. There are a large percentage of the membership who easily fall into a “Trades” category: mill workers, council employees, drivers, surveyors, offshore workers etc, etc; but also many, who whilst having a definite job title, may be difficult to slot into a team of four members of a similar vocation. It is therefore necessary to make some sweeping categorisations to afford everyone the opportunity of belonging to a team. We therefore had a team of “cutters” which included dentists, surgeons and barbers, a team of drivers which included folk more adept at crashing, and a team called “greens” which included two definite Rangers supporters. Actually they were called “greens “because they all played like sprouts, but somehow managed to finish third.
The “Trades” is one of these team competitions where the three best scores out of a team of four counts towards the team total. Therefore, golfers of my ability, and worse, turn up in the hope that we get drawn in a decent team, the three others play well, and we can go home with a small plaque or statuette to commemorate our participation in a fine “team” display. We also get occasions when a golfer shoots the round of a lifetime (George MacAskill’s superb Nett 59 on Saturday for example), only to find two of their team have NR’ed (failed to return a card, therefore disqualifying their team), or none of the rest of the team have hit a score in the low 70’s, never mind buffer zone! Team events like this throw up some terrible scenarios. The decent players will always come in with some kind of contribution to a team score, but more often than not, the winners will come from a group who just happen to have “clicked” on the day. Step forward then the “Sports” team of D.J. Smith, David “Spider” MacLeod, Alex Nicolson and young Jordan MacLean who captured the Trades Cup at the weekend. This was Jordan’s first senior trophy, and having only competed at this level for a fortnight or less, father Paul must be wondering where his next house move will need to be to. Having already moved from Scotland St to Goathill Rd just to accommodate his son’s burgeoning trophy collection, he was hoping the young fellah would take his time adapting to the “pressure” of turning senior. Fat chance.
D.J and Dave will always rise to any occasion, given their successes at the highest echelons of local football and beyond; but the performance of young Jordan and the welcome return to form Alex “Nic” were the talking points of the day. Alex, several seasons ago, was amongst the most regular winners on the local scene and we all watched with awe as his handicap plummeted. Then he went to University, discovered the delights of fresher’s week, Byres Rd and the union, and all of a sudden it wasn’t so easy to nail that wee 5 footer ( without some Bacardi Breezers) . His handicap began the slow, inexorable climb back into double figures. It has happened to many a decent golfer, and Alex won’t be the last. He is now on the Walter Smith path to recovery, and it won’t be long before he has a major title under his belt. His fine 64 on Saturday was one better than Wednesday’s 65, and this is the kind of golf we expect from a player of his talent.
Another golfer who we welcome back to the winner’s podium, after a year out from golf, is Neil “The Wheel” MacKenzie. Winning the Bain& Morrison Shield on Wednesday night marked the return of the biggest hitting wee man in the club. Never afraid to give the ball the mightiest of blows, if Neil can keep his ball in play, he has the game to frighten anyone, and the ability to not only add to this silverware but to reduce his handicap to something more commensurate with his ability.
The Galloway Aggregate Trophy, played for by most golfers over the season, is for the player scoring the six lowest aggregate medal, stroke-play rounds over 18 holes of the summer season. It is, therefore a real measure of your game, and usually won by only the most consistent of players (except for a couple of years back when a complete hacker won it). This years early form player, and leading by a clear seven shots, is Cal Robertson. Cal began last season in similar fashion, and with form like this, he will look to bother the “big guns” in the hunt for the Scratch trophies. He will hope he hasn’t peaked too soon.
In the ladies section Mary Joyce has shown us why she will be at the table when the prizes are given out, by qualifying for the Ladies Medal in midweek, and also finishing second on Saturday. Christine MacLeod won on Tuesday night with the best ladies score of the week.
Fresh from his dominance of the winter league, young Charlie Morrison has begun the summer with what can only be described as awesome golf. His nett 48 two weeks ago was followed by a nett 58 last week in the Kenneth Mackenzie Jubilee Trophy, and his progression to a very enviable handicap reduction has been startling. Well done to him, and well done to the Nicolson boys with their footballing exploits too.
This Friday sees the Action Research Texas Scramble, and, as usual, the aim of the evening is fun golf, and to raise money for charity. There are still slots available for any teams wishing to participate, and the sheet is still up in the clubhouse for late entries.
Trades Cup Winners - Sportsmen Team
A Nicolson, J Maclean, DJ Smith, D Macleaod
Tuesday Medal Qualifier
Winner - Mary Joyce
Winner -
