April 19th 2008
RODDY MARTIN: HE’S STILL GOT IT.
As we glide effortlessly into a new season it is good to see so many of the “regular tour” venturing back onto the course for bounce games, taking advantage of the excellent ( even at this early stage of the season) condition of the course, and generally adding to the buzz around the clubhouse. It’s also a boon to see our new members acclimatising themselves to the challenging layout they will need to master to keep their handicaps, or even to reduce them, and we welcome their participation in all competitions, as well as regular “friendlies”.
The sight of a rejuvenated Spoonyan playing with his compadres, or Ian “Cloudy” taking a break from landing planes ; Ian “Boozy” Macdonald getting his cards back in for handicap, or the hugely talented Murdo” Griddy” Macleod showing renewed interest in a game at which he abounds , all add to the sense of heightened expectation about the place.
Or maybe it’s the sunny weather, the smell of newly cut grass, and the match-play draws being posted on the notice-boards that make us feel like we are in the cusp of summer?
No matter the new members or the returning members who took to the course last weekend, it was a pair of old hands who took centre stage at the end of the day when the spoils were being counted. Separated only by virtue of the better inward half, a couple of real “coves” proved that the spread of trophies this season may well encompass the length and breadth of the talent in the club. From the young to the old, the low-handicapper to the high-handicapper, golf is always about the performance on the day, and the two best scores in the Cancer Research Trophy were posted by two gentlemen who will never see 21 again unless they are playing pontoon. Both have been picking up silverware since they picked up golf clubs, and it was good to see them leading the field and proving they can still compete at any level.
Roddy Martin and “Bronco” MacArthur have been stalwarts of the club since long before I became a member, and I hope they do not mind me saying they are part of the very fabric of the club.
Roddy is a man who makes a living knowing his fabric, and it was by the narrowest of threads ( groan….yes, I know! ) that he edged Bronco on Saturday. Well done Roddy.
Norrie T MacDonald won the Wednesday medal qualifier, but these will get more progressively difficult as the days get longer and the other 50% of the membership pays its fees and begins to compete. (That was a dig!).
Jayne Nicolson had an impressive week in the ladies section, and she will be looking to relieve the strain on Mary Joyce’s mantelpiece this summer.
As we look to the senior news, I owe an apology to Duncan”Suggan”MacLean who I mistakenly promoted to the status of “legend” latterly. Duncan is, of course, very far from being a bodach, and I mistook my Duncan MacLeans, confusing him with undoubted legend, retired surgeon, Duncan MacLean.
Who says I don’t have my finger on the pulse?
What do you meant everybody!
SENIOR NEWS
Considering the good weather this week, turnout was disappointing with only ten cards returned. Perhaps our seniors found better things to do (surely they haven’t taken to cutting peat’s again?).
Those who ventured out seem to have found the conditions difficult with nobody scoring within a couple of shots of a par round. Evidence from the main club competitions suggests that not only the elderly are having such difficulties.
Dennis Hall won the weekly sweep, closely followed by his good mate Robbie MacRae and Norrie MacKenzie.
The club was saddened this past week to record the deaths of two stalwart members. Donald “M” MacLeod, or simply “M” as everyone knew him, was a life member of the club, having taken up the game following a football career curtailed by ill-health. Star of the Athletic football team of the 60’s & 70’s he was a star player in the local Select and developed “legend” status following the selects tussles with Greenock Morton around this time. His golfing escapades never quite reached the heights he achieved on the football park as he struggled to cope with increasing disability, but this did not detract from his generous and competitive nature, and he became a leading light in Bridge Club which he ably supported right up to his very untimely passing. The depth of affection with which “M” was held was demonstrated by the hundreds of mourners who turned out at his funeral on Monday. The Golf Club, Bridge Club, Stornoway Athletic Football Club and the local football association were all represented at Martin’s Memorial church, and we will all miss his support and valuable contribution.
John Reid was also a bridge player of note, and was a regular in the club for many years. His exploits on the tables, his sharp wit and intelligence made him a very popular member of the club and his passing leaves his fellow card players doubly stunned.
As usual the ladies section sees them leaving the men in their wake when it comes to “cultivating” new members. Liz Carmichael and her fellow golfers are holding open evenings/coaching sessions on and there are slots available by simply calling the club, or calling into the shop and adding your names to the sheets. Again, can we stress that all the equipment will be provided, and all we need is your enthusiasm. With the longer nights and (as I write this) blazing sunshine, what better way to spend an evening? Tape Emmerdale Street, and Coronation Farm. Forget about River Enders and other “soaps” for an evening, and ask him indoors to cook the tea. It’s a walk. It’s sport. It’s exercise. It’s fresh air.
Don’t worry guys, we plan to give you an excuse to dodge the dishes and grab a pint soon too. But only after some healthy tuition, and an introduction to the game.
Watch this space.
Ladies SLGA Brooch
Tuesday 15th April
1 Jane Nicolson 71 Overall Winner
2 Ann Galbraith 75 Overall Runner up
3 Mary Joyce 81
Mens Centenary Medal Stableford
Wednesday 16th April
1 NorrieT MacDonald 38 Div 1 Winner
2 Scott MacIver 35 Div 1 Runner Up
3 Greg Brown 35 Div 2 Winner
4 Alasdair Morrison 35 Div 2 Runner Up
Juniors Texas Scramble
Saturday 19th April
1. Kevin Gillies 64 8.3 55.70
Scott MacAulay
Kenneth MacLeod
Charlie Morrison
2. Stewart Munro 78 14.3 63.70
David L MacLeod
Steven MacQueen
Ladies Saturday Medal Qualifier
Saturday 19th April
1. Jane Nicolson 76 Overall Winner
2.Mary Joyce 92 Overall Runner up
Cancer Relief Shield
Saturday 19th April
1. Roddy Martin 66 Overall Winner
2. Donald"Bronco"MacArthur 66 Div 1 Winner
3.Stephen Moar 67 Div 2 Winner
Senior’s -Top Scores W/E 19th April
1.Dennis Hall 34
2.Robbie MacRae 33
Norrie MacKenzie 33
4.Norrie Munro 32
5.Norrie MacLean 30
Peter O’Brien 30
Roddy Martin
Jayne Nicolson