Play-off needed to decide county winner
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The Ross-shire County Golf Championship needed a four-hole play-off to crown a winner.
In the end, club captain Brian Ronald took the cup home from Invergordon.
Ronald was joined by another home member, Steven Buchan, and Fortrose and Rosemarkie’s Lewis Reid in the shoot-out after the trio tied on 142 for their 36-hole total.
Pars on each of the four play-off holes were enough to see him claim the title, after Reid’s seven on the second hole took him out of contention. Buchan was not able to recover from a six on the third where Ronald holed a 15-foot put to save par.
The new champion has previous in this event, having finished second two years ago at Alness behind local winner Craig Taylor.
Leading the handicap returns were Bryan Campbell and Derek Baker.
Campbell, off a handicap of four, completed his round in one fewer shot than former home scratch club champion Baker.
Strathpeffer Spa Golf Club went ahead with their annual 36-hole open, traditionally on the first Saturday in June, despite the clash with the county championship.
There were two holes-in-one, from Philip Bannerman and Mike Bartlet, but due to the shortness of the fifth hole at just 123 yards the insurers would not cover the prize.
That meant both players missed out on trips to Portugal and The Belfry and a £5000 reward for the 10th only.
Bannerman’s slight consolation was a third scratch place with a total of 144, behind Gary Ross (140) and Scott Duff (141).
Some of the entrants chose to only play 18 holes, with Mike Pollock heading that leaderboard on countback from George Paterson (Fortrose and Rosemarkie) on 73.
James Garrow finished third with a round of 74.
Liam Kenendy claimed the top handicap prize over two rounds with a total of 116, while Ian McColl took the 18-hole handicap victory.
