November 17th 2007
ROBBIE TOPS SENIOR’S LEAGUE
In his speech a couple of weeks ago, on accepting the trophy for the Club Champion golfer of 2007, Andy MacDonald graciously made mention of the performance of a club stalwart who for many years has occupied the very top tier of local players. Robbie MacRae.
I have been remiss in neglecting the Senior “Legends” winter league to date, but a brief enquiry as to how things were shaping up, confirmed what I’d suspected; not only is Robbie heavily “in the mix”, he proudly sits comfortably atop the league table with a very healthy six point lead. Although not amongst the major point scorers last week, he still manages to play to a (summer) single figure handicap, leaving him with few shots spare for any mistakes around the winter course(s). Anyone who knows Robbie understands that mistakes generally do not form part of his game, but with an ability which belies his years when they do, he quickly rectifies them with a (still) stunning ability to reclaim lost shots back from the course.
Andy made mention of him because he incredibly qualified for the scratch (no handicap) section of the Western Isles Championship in the summer, against the cream of the many talented, younger golfers in the club. Talent is ageless, especially in golf, and over the years this has helped him take home many prizes. He looks to be well in the hunt again this winter, but with Bronco MacArthur and a posse’ of Norries still on his tail, he will need to draw on his abundant reserves of ability to keep them at bay.
Messrs Munro, MacLean & “Eggs”MacKenzie kept up the chase, as did D.J.”Zebo”MacLeod, with fine scores at the weekend; but the health of the Legends league is evident when you look at the names which grace this section.
Demographics dictate that it will continue to grow, and over the coming years the seniors competition will become amongst the stiffest in the club .It is difficult to predict who amongst them can continue to do a “Robbie” and compete on two “fronts”, at senior and “ordinary” level. At 69 he is still one of the few golfers who have the ability to shoot his age.
One criticism that can never be levelled at the seniors is lack of organisation, and it has been less than amusing to note the ability of some of the rest of us recently, who with a full weeks advance notice of our tee-off times, still manage to contrive to arrive late at our starting holes, and hold up play. It happens every Saturday, it has happened to several pairs, and when berated about tardiness, folk seem to think it’s ok to shrug it off. It is not, and similar penalties should apply, as they would in the summer. If you are late on the tee, then it is your responsibility to call any penalty on yourselves, as the starter is not there to do it.
The Winter League is still meant to be just a “fun” competition, and we should never forget that, but a bit of respect for fellow golfers is still a part of the etiquette of the game, even if declaring a penalty on yourself seems harsh. We all know what is right, even in a competition designed to provide no more than an outlet for our competitive urges, and some “light relief” for all but the most serious of competitors. Sharpen up gents, or ask Santa for a watch.
The last week of this particular “long” course (Par 49) saw David “Kiwi” MacLeod and Stephen Moar destroy what had been the previous record score over these twelve holes (42) by shooting a brilliant three under gross, nine under nett, 40. Their round of two bogies and five birdies was streets ahead of anything else scored on the day and confirmed my ability to pick a winner has not diminished.
Impressed , speaking to David Gilmour at the bar on my arrival at lunchtime, by his ( and partner Alasdair Henderson’s’) fine round of 45 ( last Saturdays’ winning score); on meeting David “Spider” Macleod and D.J.Smith in the locker room and hearing of their exceptional 43, I proceeded to fetch my camera for this weeks picture of the winning team. I was convinced no-one would better their score, although they insisted, given the conditions, there was still” plenty of golf left out there”. So it proved with them finally finishing back in 4 th place on the day, convinced I had put the bushnach on them. Enough people generally cross the road to avoid me, and I would suggest anyone with a half-decent score of a Saturday join my growing list of admirers, especially if I’m shouting “Cheese!”
Sandwiched between Kiwi & Stephen and D.J. & Davie were two pairs who must have expected to claim full points by virtue of finishing seven under par on the day. Congratulation to Ken “Lawyer” MacDonald and Dave Rattray, but more especially to Murdo & Magnus Johnson whose eleven point haul catapults them to the top of the league on their own with a three point cushion. We have been duly warned.
With the run up to the shortest day, and the obvious effect on Saturday afternoon golf, we see, this week, the introduction of a shorter, par-43 course which includes five par-3’s. The long Miller, and truncated par (4 instead of 5) on the Manor will provide some difficulty, but on what is generally perceived to be an “easier” course, maybe we will see the point scoring “spread” alter the situation at the top of the leader board (?). Who knows, we may even see our first hole in one of the year?.
Scores Saturday 17.10.07 Gross H/C Nett Points
DK Macleod & S Moar 46 6 40 15
D Rattray & KN Macdonald 52 10 42 11
Mag Johnson & Mur Johnson 46 4 42 11
DJ Smith & D Macleod 50 7 43 8
A Sim & SK Shetty 50 6 44 7
J A Macleod & KW Galloway 50 5 45 3
Ali Nicolson & Al Macleod 50 5 45 3
D Black & M Maclennan 47 2 45 3
M O'Brien & M Fraser 49 4 45 3
A Henderson & D Gilmour 50 5 45 3
M (Griddy) Macleod & K Macrae 47 2 45 3
Ali Maclennan & Neil Macleod 57 12 45 3
League Leaders Points
Murdo & Magnus Johnston 42
Ali Nicolson & Al"Greens"MacLeod 39
David & Black & Murdo MacLennan 39
Norrie"T"MacDonald & Neil MacKenzie 36
Paul & Jordan MacLean 33
Seniors
Scores last Week Points
Norrie Munro 23
Norrie MacLean 23
Norrie"Eggs" MacKenzie 23
D.J."Zebo"MacLeod 23
Jimmy"Agga"MacKenzie 22
Harris MacKenzie 22
Duncan MacLean 22
Top of Table Points
Robbie MacRae 128
D.R."Bronco" MacArthur 122
Norrie Munro 121
Norrie MacLean 112
Norrie"Eggs" MacKenzie 101
Dave (Kiwi) Macleod & Stephen Moar
Robbie Macrae