Tarbat club gets in the swing
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The first Saturday in July saw the Taylor-Everret Open played in benign conditions, but with a troublesome breeze which kept low scoring at bay.
Leading the way in the main handicap competition, and three shots clear of the field, was home club member Derek Wood with an excellent net 64.
Second place went to the improving Melvin Tate (67) and Mel proved he’d "got it" by virtue of a better inward half from the consistent Julian Beard (67). Fourth place went to Bobby Sutherland (69) and behind him, Don Cruickshank (Tarbat) and Bonar Bridge’s John Evans with 70s.
The scratch section proved a little more problematic in the scoring stakes and it was Tain’s Munro Ferries' 74 which just edged fellow Tain member Jason Innes on the same figure by virtue of a better back nine. Alan Everett was third on 76.
The Austin Rover Vase went to Ally Clelland, returning his best round of the year (78) – giving him an uncatchable 63 net. A close second, also with his round of the season was Fearn’s Jimmy Nimmons (77) – 65 net. In third place was club champion James Gordon (66), with Hamish Skinner (68) in fourth.
Eric MacKenzie had visions of collecting the vice-captains prize when his early round 63 spread the field. But as any early leader will tell you, there is always somebody in the pack who’ll choose the same day to have their round of the season. That person was Harry Corbett, whose net 62 edged out the rejuvenated MacKenzie. Les Faulkener made the winners enclosure for the first time this season with a net 66, with his inward half just pipping Hamish Skinner on the same score.
The Monthly Medal had a limited field due to the village Gala Day, but an excellent round by Julian Beard (61) saw him finish two shots ahead of Chris Cunningham (63), with Bobby Sutherland and D H Mac Kay following them on 67s.
The J R Long Quaich is one of club’s well-established trophies and a new name will be added this year as Jim Pryde produced the round of the day (73) for a net 65. James Gordon equalled the gross score but lost out on handicap (66). Doug Stuart and Alan Whiteford followed up the leading pair with 67’s. Alan Everett returned an excellent scratch 68.
The big prize of the club’s July calendar is of course, the Gala 3 club competition held in the village Gala week. It always has a large (and interesting) entry and is played over nine holes with three clubs. This year one of the early starters Harry Corbett set a hard target – a gross 36 (the rest of his clubs are now in the harbour) but again a late entrant – James Gordon, manufactured a gross 35. Eric MacKenzie at least felt justice had been done! Corbett had the satisfaction of winning the handicap competition and six Penfold Commandos.
See the Ross-shire Journal for reports on a big week of golf in Tain.
