Reay Golf Club Junior Open

A record turnout of 76 juniors signed in to contest the Reay Golf Club Junior Open in August.

With scores from this competition gaining points towards the Scottish Golf Union (North District) Order of Merit a large contingent of juniors from out with the county travelled to take part. Reay Golf Club was especially grateful to Brora Golf Club who managed to enter a bus load.

Good weather on the day along with some very talented players combined to ensure a fiercely contested competition.

In the main competition, 18 holes off medal tees, 24 players fought hard for the prizes on offer but just as importantly, SGU North District points. In the end, two players were tied on gross 78 with Liam Macdonald (Brora) just pipping Anthony Wakeman (Brora) on countback. Liam won the AEA Technology Cup and title of Reay Junior Open Champion 2008.

The handicap section had some very good nett scores with Ewan Crawford from the home club winning from Greg McEwan (Thurso) and Cameron McHardie (Strathpeffer). Ewan won the Northern Heating Trophy and a handicap reduction – just rewards for the effort he is putting in on the course.

The 18 hole competition played off the junior tees resulted in some spectacular scoring with Brora players taking 5 of the top 6 places. The winner with a handicap reducing nett 63 was Kyle Sutherland from James Ross, Scott Landels, Daniel Carling and Struan Mackie from Reay.

Two girls played 18 holes from the ladies tees and both these promising youngsters returned very good scores in the windy conditions. Eleanor Tunn (Reay) had a fine gross 89 to win the scratch trophy whilst Lindsay Parsonage (Reay), playing in her first competition, returned a very credible nett 85.

Eleanor’s score was her first sub 90 round and with a nett 65 her handicap will see some major adjustment – a worthy result during her first year of full senior competition.

Nineteen players took part in the ‘Birdie Baggers’ section played over six holes. Again countback was required to sort out the winner – this time the win going to Jessica Mitchell from Brora from Andrew Adamson, Eilidh Grant, Gregor Munro and Keenan McIvor, all from Reay.

The ‘Fairway Ferrets’ section for the youngest players was played over three holes. Again, scoring was close and countback had to be employed to find the winner – Ian Mackay (Reay) just beating Dean Robertson-Carswell (Reay), both on gross 19. Ian won the Dunnett Shield with Jillian Mackay (Brora) winning the 3 Hole Cup as leading girl in the category.

To make up for Tiger Woods not playing in the Ryder Cup this year, a small competition for those able to complete one hole, the ‘Tichy Tigers’ was keenly contested by 8 players. Scoring was good with James McIntosh just pipping Lee Lockhart and Adam Gunn, all from Reay, by one stroke.

Reay’s Head Coach, Evan Sutherland, wishes to thank all the sponsors - W & D Ross, Mrs. J Wallace, D C Mowat, Bank of Scotland, O’Brien Construction, A & D Sutherland, Nuvia and the Weigh Inn Motel - for their support. As a result of this kind sponsorship every player received a prize.

Following a fine meal enjoyed by all the prizes were presented by Ian Ross, the Reay Golf Club Captain, who also thanked all those who travelled long distances to participate, especially the large contingent from Brora.

Caithness has the highest number of juniors gaining points in the Scottish Golf Union (North District) Order of Merit. For what is believed to be the first time, Caithness has a total of five Junior golfers from Reay and Thurso Golf Clubs in the Order of Merit and this is a huge credit to all those involved in bringing these aspiring youngsters to this position and to the assistance received from Club Golf.

In the Under 16 section, Ewan Crawford (Reay) and Alyn Sutherland (Thurso) shared the points from 8th and 9th place and gained their first foothold on the Order of Merit listings. Greg McEwan (Thurso) narrowly missed out on the points by one shot.

For the Under 14 Section, Jordan Shaw (Kingussie) and Peter Sangster who are 2nd and 4th respectively in the North, tied for first place points with Mark Parsonage taking 3rd place. The standings for the Under 14 Order of Merit now sees Peter closing the gap on 3rd place and Mark improving his position by moving up from 9th to 6th place. The final event for Standings in the Order of Merit takes place at Forres GC in October where the last points will be eagerly contested.