COMPETITION
“It was a bright cold day in April and the clocks were striking thirteen”-and at long last a ball has been struck in anger at the Sconser home of the Isle of Skye Golf Club.
It was duly launched on the first day of a ‘long’ weekend of competitions to raise funds for the Kyleakin Connections charity.
The weather-referenced intro was singularly appropriate too as competition Friday was a ‘cold one’ as they like to say in these parts! Consequently only a handful of the hardiest souls braved the squally sleet and hail showers that battered the course throughout the day and it was to be a brace of our winter warriors who occupied the prize positions when the sums were finally added up.
Winter League proxime accessit and Vatten resident Geoff Williams laid down a Spring statement of intent to his regular playing partner,Kyleakin man John Finlayson by returning the best points total of the day-a fine 38pts in the trying conditions.
John’s accumulation of 35pts was equalled by Portree’s James Colven but the south-ender edged the verdict thanks to the ‘better inward half’ method of determining a victor when scores are peeled.
Twenty four hours later and the weather had improved dramatically as the day’s competitors assembled for their challenge. James Colven, having been unceremoniously elbowed from the podium by the narrowest of margins the previous day had a score to settle and settle he did with a fine return of 39pts.This secured him a convincing victory over the next best on the day, Skinidin resident Chris Hanley whose harvesting of 33pts secured the old boy the runner-up spot.
Fast forward another 24hrs and yet another posse of players lined up to accept the challenge of a course in quite rude health for this early in the season.A significant rise in temperature would be greatly appreciated though and not just by the players but also by the greenkeeper who cannot inspire the grass to grow if it is too cold for it to do so!
Step forward Andrew Long, fresh from his recent joinery duties on the club’s behalf. A robust total of 37pts secured victory for the Peiness man with John Finlayson once again sneaking in the back door to nab second place on the better inward half-this time relegating Chris Hanley to the bench.
Special mention and cap duly doffed to James Colven who played and contributed on all three days-good effort there.
Well done and thank you to all who took part in the competition for this very worthy cause and thanks also to those who made contributions in their own way.
Club Captain Ally Young feels that these fund-raising efforts reflect the club’s ethos in supporting local charities with of course the combined and very much appreciated generosity of our friends and sponsors.
TOUR PLAY
Oban’s Robert MacIntyre acquitted himself quite nicely once again as he finished in 23rd place from a field of 91 in The Masters golf tournament at Augusta, Georgia recently.
Tournament or championship-I just cannot get a definitive decision on that one but unlike a certain TW glimpses of our own ‘local hero’ on tv were about as rare as seeing a capercaillie sauntering down the middle of Sauchiehall Street!
A pair of one-over-par 73’s saw Robert qualify quite comfortably for the weekend while others like Jordan Speith, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau were ‘sent homeward tae think again’-as the song goes.
An unseasonably cold Saturday, for Georgia perhaps but not Glencruitten resulted in a four-over-par 76 but closer inspection revealed 15 pars, two bogeys and one ‘double’ before Oban Bob finished with a flourish.
His best round of the week-a five birdie, two bogey, three under par 69 Sunday spectacular earned him a tidy $138,000 which should comfortably buy a few fish suppers for himself and his mates when he returns home.
Here’s hoping it might be third time luck next year?
CRAIG LEE
Our visiting professional golfer Craig Lee has taken up the tools again.
He teed it up recently in the 36-hole Blairgowrie Perthshire Masters, a Tartan Tour event where he finished in 13th place on three under par, three shots behind the winner.
Last week he was at it again this time at Dundonald Links down Ayrshire way in a 36-hole Order of Merit SPGA competition.Craig birdied the final two holes to finish on three under par, in fourth position and three shots behind the winner.
Additionally our ‘Roving Pro’ Craig and his tale about travelling round Scotland serving clubs like ours featured in an article in the main, not Scottish sports section of The Times quite recently.
Not the Oban Times or the Turnip Times but The Times of London no less!
A cheeky wee photo of our course and some very kind words from our ‘ambassador’ were very well received not just here on Skye but elsewhere according to the response in the online comments section on the website.
FIXTURES
This weekend it’s Stableford Saturday for the gents then they will be combining with the ladies section on Sunday for a mixed 4BBB-fourball, better-ball competition.
The ladies have a scheduled, informal get-together for Saturday where a player already in possession of a handicap will be ‘paired’ with a lady or ladies who might not yet have a ‘mark’ but who may in time aspire to attain one.
With regard to this Saturday’s get-together the emphasis is very much on ‘informal’ and following a chat and no doubt some coffee and cake the plan for the day will be decided.
As I opined in these pages a few weeks ago-it is not incumbent upon anyone to be a competition player but the challenge that offers is attractive to some if not all.
Hats off again to the committee for reimagining the fixture list.Let’s hope the weather smiles during the weekend thus allowing proper golf to be played and enjoyed by players and competitors alike.
PS:On the days when the clubhouse is open and the stewards are on duty all members are encouraged to inform the stewards of their presence on the property before promenading towards the first tee to commence play.
RESULTS
Kyleakin Connections Charity Stableford Competition.
Fri 8th April:1) G Williams 38pts; 2) J Finlayson 35pts bih.
Sat 9th April:1) J Colven 39pts ; 2) C Hanley 33pts.
Sun 10th April:1) A Long 37pts; 2) J Finlayson 36pts bih.
JOHN MARSHALL