Four 67s but rain means no new records at Tain

Ross-shire's best professional, ex Muir of Ord amateur Kenny Hutton in action during the Callaway Challenge. Picture: Robin Wilson

WITH Tain and Brora hosting the inaugural Northern Lights Callaway Golf Challenge last week, members of both clubs had the opportunity of getting a closer look at professional golf and the leading players on the Scottish PGA Tartan Tour did not disappoint. There were excellent scores at both venues and high praise received for the superb course presentations that many of the pros had visited and played for the first time.

Four three under par score cards were returned at Tain but because of the heavy rain over the days in the lead up to the competition, preferred lies were put in place at Tain's first and last holes so cards could not be officially accepted as course records. The first card of 67 arrived from Steven Duncan (Carnoustie) (32/35) followed by Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle) (32/35), Scott Henderson (Aberdeen Kings Links) (32/35), and Stephen Gray (Hayston) (31/36).

For interest Duncan's figures were, Out - 4, 3, 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4, 3 = 32 In - 5, 4, 4, 5, 3, 4, 3, 3, 4 = 35

When the second day's play moved the 20-odd miles north to Brora, the lion's share of the sponsor's prize fund went to already eight-time winner on the tour this season, Stephen Gray (Hayston Golf Club). His cheque for £900 took his winnings close to £33,000 for the year and consolidated his position at the top of the Tartan Tour 2011 Order of Merit.

After Duncan, Fox, Gray and Henderson carded their 67s at Tain they carried a two-shot overnight lead over the field of 64 to Brora, where Gray added a three under par 66 for a winning total of 133, one ahead of Henderson who carded another 67. Ex-Tain amateurs making their first appearance back home in a professional event - Jody Rostock, now at the Carnegie Club, and Ross MacLeod, at Eastwood Golf Club - could not repeat scores from their amateur days. Rostock scored 77 and MacLeod a 74. But not too far off the pace to launch an attack at Brora were Tain's home professional Stuart Morrison (72) and Beauly's Kenny Hutton, now at Downfield, one better with a 71.

On Wednesday, the tournament leaders went out last at Brora and the earlier starters, in links tradition, enjoyed an easier first nine holes. But when the wind duly rose the conditions got tougher. MacLeod played better for 72 and 146, Morrison slipped back with a 75 for 147 and Rostock had 73 for 150. All three missed out on the money list but Hutton enjoyed his first look at Brora since his amateur days and shot a two under par 67 to get a share of seventh place and a £328 pay day.

Former Northern Open champion and European Tour Rookie of the Year, Scott Henderson (Aberdeen Kings Links), was probably the most experienced player in the field but he fell into the trap of Brora's punishing final two holes. Needing to par both to win, and even one par to force a play-off, he bogied both to finish runner-up.

After the event, Tain Golf Club secretary Joanna Bell received many complimentary e-mails from the professionals who took part. Kenny Hutton, director of Golf at Downfield Golf Club, said, "I would like to thank you and all your staff for all your efforts in making the Northern Links such a great tournament. Could you also please pass on my sincere thanks to all concerned at Tain Golf Club for the hospitality shown, and to the members for hosting such a great event.

"The bar and catering staff were first class and Stuart Morrison and his staff in the shop also looked after us all very well. I had a good chat with Ian McLeod before I played, but unfortunately didn't get the chance to speak to him after play to compliment him on the presentation of the course.

"Despite a horrific few days before the event, and a pretty awful day for the event, the course was in fantastic condition. Over the years I have had the pleasure of playing Tain on numerous occasions and the course was even better than I remember. Hopefully we can come and visit Tain again sometime in the near future."

Winner Stephen Gray also paid warm tribute. He said, "I had never played Tain until this week and let me tell you I hope to be back in the near future to play it again. I thoroughly enjoyed both courses this week and would be grateful if you could pass on my thanks to your members for giving up the course for a few days."

Neil Fenwick of Dunbar Golf Club described it as "a hidden gem in the north".

North Golf Alliance

THE 2011/2012 season begins at Thurso Golf Club on Sunday, October 9, with the final fixture and trophy prizegiving at Royal Dornoch on Sunday, March 18, 2012.

The full fixture list is:

2011 October 9, Thurso; October 16, Durness; November 6, Brora; November 20, Wick; December 4, Tain; December 18 (Teams) Brora.

2012 January 22, Golspie; February 5, Reay; February 19, Tarbat; March 4, Invergordon; March 18, Royal Dornoch.

Fortrose and Rosemarkie

THE club are holding an Open Texas Scramble on Sunday, October 9. Players go out in fours at nine-minute intervals. If there are any withdrawals or late entries please telephone the golf shop on (01381) 620733. Players from the home club unless otherwise stated. Abbreviations: A Abu Dhabi; B Blairgowrie; BB Bonar Bridge; C Canmore; D Downfield; F Forfar; G Golspie; I Inverness; IG Invergordon; LN Loch Ness; M Moray; MOO Muir of Ord; N Nairn; ND Nairn Dunbar; P Penrith; PR Prestwick; RA Royal Aberdeen; RD Royal Dornoch; S Strathpeffer; SA St. Andrews New; ST St. Rule; T Torvean; TL Troon Ladies.

7.45am M Hind (MOO), W Whyte (MOO), R Fraser (MOO), D MacLennan (MOO); G Keith, P I Keith, R Keith, A Cameron (I); K Orrock (I), M Hillen (I), M MacDonald (I), A Hansell (I); D McLeod (S), K Gordon (S), G Thomson (S), D Robertson (S); D Lackie, K Young, I Morrison, J. Lackie.

8.30am M Riding (P), Mrs A Riding (P), Mrs K Horne (P), B Horne (P); J D Hearmon, Partner, Partner, Partner; M MacDonald, D McIntosh (N), C Young, N MacDonald (T); J A Smith, Partner, Partner, Partner.

9.06am N Jaffrey, C Thomson (RD), I Flett (RA), C Bethune (S); R McIntosh, T Cornwall, G Dick, Partner; R Black, R Black (LN), N Black (LN), H Hutchison (N); A MacArthur, K Patience, L MacLeman, J Grant.

9.42am D Patterson, Mrs L Nixon, R Nixon, S Lindsay; D Grounds (SA), Mrs B Grounds (ST), A Pickles (PR), Mrs S Pickles (TL); P Taylor, Mrs P Taylor, D Williams (A), Mrs A Williams (F); G Fraser, A Fraser, R MacLeman, J Jack.

10.18am R Kennedy, A Lamont (B), Partner, Partner; J MacIntyre (T), J MacLeod (T), K MacDonald (T), S Macrae (T); M Manson, S Hillis, S Gammie, L Manson; S Brady (I), J Watt (I), Mrs P Brady (I), Mrs S MacDonnell (I).

10.54am J Treasurer (I), P Munro (G), M McInnes (ND), C Munro (ND); M Windsor, R MacKay, J Simpson (N), Partner; A Millar (C), S McGuire (C), R Smith (C), C Hutchinson (C); R Millar (C), D Hutchinson (C), S Smith (C), S McGuire (C).

11.30am D Hart (D), T Anderson (D), G Hughes (D), C Storrier (D); G Bell (D), R Bell (D), C Donaldson (D), R Scott (D); G Short, Mrs E Short, M McArthur, Mrs A McArthur; M M Hasson, Mrs M Wachtmeister, A Taylor, S Hasson.

12.06pm A Wachtmeister, Mrs C Hasson (BB), A Jack, M Hasson; A Tait, P L Taylor, D Chisholm, Partner; J A Thow, M Galloway, B MacKay, I Gray (I); A Gray, B Catto, C Fraser, G Gill.

12.42pm H MacCulloch, Mrs M MacCulloch, G Cameron, Partner.

2.12pm A Pollock (MOO), K Hinds (MOO), B Syms (MOO), T MacKenzie (MOO); A Cowie (M), A Mair (M), B MacLeman (M), J Stewart (M).

The results of the Baco Trophy (CSS 71), Ross-Shire Team Event:

Scratch Section 1 K Gaittens 72, S Bassindale 73, K Fowler 77 and E Skiner 77; 2 C Gaittens 72, M MacDonald 76, J Fair 79 and G Fraser 83; 3 S McIntosh (Muir of Ord) 72, I Cameron (Muir of Ord) 73, G Mellis (Muir of Ord) 88 and D. Wetherall NR.

Handicap Section 1 I Morrison (13) 70, D Robson (15) 73, J Lackie (12) 73 and D Lackie (13) 86; 2 J Grant (16) 72, A MacArthur (16) 72, L MacLeman (10) 75 and K Patience (13) 86.

Tain

Box Tee Stableford 1 D Cowie 39 points; 2 H Smith 34 BIH; 3 R Bluck 34.

Medal (CSS 74) 1 S MacGillivray (5) 71; 2 G Oliver (6) 72; 3 J Cunningham (8) 75.

Walk On Open (CSS 73 members and visitors)

Scratch 1 M Ferries 70; 2 W McMeikan (Girvan) 74; 3 R H Stewart (Torvean) 77 best last six; 4 M Sangster 77 BIH.

Division 1 1 P Sylvester (10) 68; 2 M McNab (Strathpeffer) (6) 72 BIH; 3 I MacDonald (Kintore) (9) 72 BIH; 4 G MacDonald (Torvean) (5) 72.

Division 2 1 S Ross (Thurso) (13) 69; 2 M Stewart (Torvean) (22) 72 BIH; 3 D Shewan (Nairn Dunbar) (26) 72; 4 G Klein (Durness) (20) 74 BIH.

Strathpeffer Spa

Tennent Cup 1 Charles Thain (16) 61; 2 James Gordon (11) 65; 3 David Masson (21) 67.

Glass Scribe Trophy (Stableford) Charles Thain (15) 41; Gary Johnston (21) 39; Don Cowie (14) 39; Luke Manson (7) 39; Norman Bain (10) 39; Craig Hyslop (12) 39.

Garve Hotel Trophy 1 Scott Lemmon (7) 62; 2 Rod C MacIver (17) 65; 3 Iain McKie (10) 65.