April 14th 2007
NORRIE “EGGS” BRINGS HOME THE BACON
Having only a very short time ago bemoaned the lack of golf due to the weather conditions, the start to our summer season couldn’t have been any more impressive had we been able to select the ingredients for a perfect golfing day ourselves.
There is always a sense of anticipation when we get back to eighteen hole plays, and with everyone entered into Saturday’s competition desperate to get off to a good start, given our recent “challenges” with the elements we might possibly have been forgiven for fearing the worst.
The fortnight prior to the opening summer competition, however, saw the course dry our remarkably well, and unusually for the beginning of the season, preferred lies were not in play, the greens have begun to quicken, and from a complete standstill of a month ago, we were off to a “flier”.
Testament indeed to the remarkable recovery powers of the course, and the skill of the greens staff in presenting what was an unplayable quagmire a few weeks back, as a fine test of golf with no concessions to any conditions required. The course was superb for the time of year, and it will only get better as the season progresses.
Playing golf in a t-shirt in April, with the sun on your back and a warm wind blowing, was the stuff of fantasy only a month back, but several golfers proved themselves ready for the (unseasonal?) challenge and posted early warnings to their peers with some fine play. Arthur Macintosh, Cal Robertson, Andy MacDonald and Norrie “Onions” MacDonald all shot sub 70 (gross) rounds, but with only nine rounds under the standard scratch of 67 (nett), therefore breaking their handicap, many golfers found form hard to come by, and despite the best overall playing conditions of the year, Lady Lever Park still showed it isn’t here for the taking.
Winner on the day, with his best round for several years was another Norrie, Norrie “Eggs” MacKenzie. His nett 61 was just enough to pip Arthur MacIntosh’s nett 62 to claim the first trophy of the year, the Healthworkers Charity Trophy.
1st. Norrie Mackenzie (net 61)
2nd. Arthur Macintosh (net 62)
2nd. Arthur Macintosh (net 62)
Norrie proves that height is no obstacle when it comes to sporting success, having in his prime been a stalwart of the famous Stornoway Athletic all-conquering side of the sixties. Not noted for his length, either off the tee, or from the peak of his cap to the tip of his shoes, he proved that by keeping the ball in play, chipping and putting well and minimising your mistakes, there is always a very good chance that you will be in the mix for prizes at the end of the day. It was great to see him back to winning ways.
Combined with the charity trophy was a Jackson medal qualifier, and its amended rules whereby juniors with a handicap of 20 or lower can participate , saw several of our younger members “mix it” with the “big boys” for the first time in earnest.
Jordan Maclean, Scott MacAulay and Ally Gilles all fared well in their first senior competition, and more than held their own against established “stars” of the older section. Their introduction to senior play was initiated by Match & Handicap secretary, Davie Gilmour’s promptings, and we applaud his foresight in promoting the junior section thus. Whilst we welcome their inclusion to our midsts (albeit occasionally…Jackson Qualifiers only), many of us will suffer the embarrassment of being soundly thrashed by 14 year old boys with more than just a gnashing of teeth (those of us with teeth) and an admiration of their superior technique and ability. All too often we hear or see juniors being chastised around the course and the clubhouse for being no more than …er, young. Speaking to my own peers, many who have progressed through the junior ranks, they tell me it was ever thus. Apparently junior golfers the length and breadth of the country suffer the same “fate”. It is meant to be their “lot” in life. I don’t know about the rest of the senior membership, but I find a thriving junior population of golfers a very healthy thing for the club, and feel we should encourage them at every turn, both on and off the course.
Let’s face it, they are the future of this, our club, and we need to nurture their interest, not curtail it with negativity.
Winner of the Ladies Cancer Relief Stableford competition on Saturday was Jan MacLennan “home” on holiday from Aberdeen. Jan and husband Davie “Coachy” are long-standing members of the club, and despite being based on the mainland, they still participate, not only in many club competitions, but attend many club functions also. We are grateful for their continued support.
Ladies Cancer Relief Stableford
1 Jan Maclennan 34 pts Overall Winner
2 Mairi Maciver 31 pts Overall Runner-Up
With the draws for the matchplay competitions posted on the noticeboards, everyone should ensure they know who they are playing, and when they need to complete their ties by. The Stornoway Cup (0-28 handicap) throws up several interesting matches. Paul Maclean Vs Magnus Johnson, Colin MacRitchie Vs Scott MacIver and Willie MacAulay V’s John Fraser to name a few. The first round of ties here are to be played by May 19 th, as are the ties in the Burns Cup (0-15 handicap). Some notable ties from this draw are Neil” The Barber” Morrison Vs Murdo “ RubhachCop” Fraser and Scott MacIver again gets a tough draw against Murdo “ Hollo” MacLennan. The strangest coincidence, however, brings brothers Stewart and Ken “The Lawyer” MacDonald together in both these competitions in a repeat of the 2006 Western Isles handicap final. Who will prevail this time?
The Bain Cup (16-28 handicap) has ties which need to complete by the 5 th of May (please note) and some interesting tussles include Ali Nicolson Vs “Zebo” and John Gillies Vs “Sweeney”.
All the scores and information on competitions (draws, handicap adjustments etc) can be found at http://www.masterscoreboard.co.uk
Any news to me at ntomsh@onetel.com
Norrie Mackenzie & Jan Maclennan
