Hexley overcomes Dornoch challenge
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TAIN’s Munro Ferries, winner of the Ross-shire County Championship, visits Muir of Ord golf course tomorrow (Saturday) to defend the cup he won last year at Invergordon for the first time — but if there is not to be a home winner this year, Muir already has one County Champion this season.
Darren Hexley (28), who left his native Golspie to train as a greenkeeper at Muir of Ord, and is now an assistant greenkeeper to seven time Ross-shire champion, Steven McIntosh, at the Torvean Golf Course in Inverness, chose his native Sutherland championship to play in last Saturday — and won for the first time over the world famous Royal Dornoch links.
Hexley was using his Golspie membership for entry. Having played in one championship this season, he is ineligible to play in any more of the seven being held in the North District. But his victory in Sutherland has added distinction as he has become the first left-hander to win in the 87 years since the championship began in 1922.
It was the current Golspie green keeper Alex MacDonald who won last year and he began his defence on a very windy day with a 73. This was one behind the local favourite and former champion Chris Mailley, a green keeper at Skibo Castle. Hexley opened with a share of third place after a 75 (38/37) which featured a birdie two at the short sixth hole.
Birdie twos were to be significant in the Lefty’s win. After his second round outward battle against the rising wind he bagged a brace of twos over his final nine holes, the 10th and 13th and with his third birdie of the inward half at the 17th hole he pulled his clear of a late chase from the Royal Dornoch General Manager and ex Fortrose golfer, Neil Hampton. Hampton’s three shot improvement on his first round 78 lifted him into second place on his better second round score of 75.
Hexley added a second round 76 (41/35) for a total of 151 as Mailley and MacDonald faltered over the difficult first nine holes, Mailley six penalty shots in an 82 (46/36) and MacDonald an 80 (43/37) for joint third place with Hampton.
Leading Sutherland scores at Dornoch (all Royal Dornoch unless stated) – 151 D Hexley (Golspie) 75/76. 153 N D Hampton (78/75), A MacDonald (Golspie) (73/80). 154 B Urquhart (75/79), C Mailley (72/82). 155 K Matheson (79/76) . 157 L McAlpine (83/74), C Mackay (Golspie) (81/76).
Handicap Prizewinners (All RDGC) – A Stoddart (6) 145. D Mackay (6) (145. B Urquhart (3) 148
From the Fairways
Tain Golf Club
Junior Club Championship
Scratch Final
Cameron Mackintosh v Cameron MacDougall
Handicap Final
Scott MacDougall v Callum MacDougall
On June 7, Tain Golf Club held a fundraising day to raise funds for a defibrillator for the club and surrounding area.
A great turnout of 35 teams enjoyed a sunny day and a fun round of golf. A total of £1,466 was raised.
Results
Individual Stableford
1 P Murray; 2 G Ross.
Team Better Ball Stableford
1 R Clark, P Murray, C Keay; 2 C Mackintosh, A Mackintosh, G Mackintosh
Team (Red) Ball Stableford
1 F Sutherland, W Wilcox, T Robertson
Straightest Drive (13th) — F Oman; Closest to the pin (5th) — F Brand; Closest to the pin (8th)— M Drummond.
Alness Golf Club
June Medal
1 R Bell (10) 65; 2 G Hart (12) 66
Dalmore Cup 3rd Round
1 L McCloy (12) 61
2 C Maciver (11) 64
Late entries will be accepted on 01349 883877 for Gents Open on Sunday 15 June.
Muir of Ord
Ross-shire County Championships at Muir of Ord Golf Club on Saturday, June 14. Competitors, from the host club unless stated, tee off in groups of three at 10 min intervals.
T:Tain;
08:00 & 13:00 – S Johnson; M Ferries (T); J R Mackay; J Whittet; D Thorburn (T); S Forbes; R Moir; B Ferries (T)
08:30 & 13:30 – G Mellis; B Nicholson; A Everett (T); V Tillman; D Campbell; F Mackel (T); B Fraser; T Cameron; B Rae
09:00 & 14:00 – I Rae; G Flynn; J Bicknell; P Brindle; D Urquhart; B Creighton.
