June 2022 – Your club website:

STRATH CUP

It was not a great day of weather for the recent midweek playing of the Strath Cup. Yet again things

started off badly before quickly falling away as the intensity of the wind and rain increased throughout the day.

Playing mid-morning Broadford’s Donald Bethune discovered a wee bit of form in this the second of four rounds securing 16 pts from his travels round lap one of the Sconser track.

However as the weather deteriorated so did the scoring with only another 14 pts pocketed from the old boy’s exertions second time round.

Good enough for second place though as later in the day in the worst of the weather John Finlayson entered the fray before scarpering south again with the day’s honours.

Only 14 pts were garnered from John’s opening nine holes but a good effort in evil conditions saw the Kyleakin man register another 19pts second time round for victory.

Could the death knell be sounding for midweek competition at Sconser?

COMPETITIONS

The days of midweek competitions could well be numbered.There has already been a massive scaling-down this season following dwindling to poor attendances last time round.

Times change and although the Strath Cup used to be a Wednesday night biggie only four people have played in each of the two rounds to date.

The weekend numbers too are not great so far this season as people continue to adjust to the ‘new normal’ in these post-pandemic times.

General play scores, greatly encouraged by my bete noire the World Handicap System means members no longer have to rely on the formality of club competitions to try to reduce their handicaps- the holy grail for most if not all golfers.

Then there’s the weather!

In perspective though amidst these doom laden words a light shines brightly.

As mentioned frequently in these pages only about one quarter to one third of male members in Scottish golf clubs participate with any degree of regularity in club competitions.

Our membership numbers continue to lie comfortably in a state of comparatively rude health following an unexpected but immensely satisfying boost as the intensity of Covid lockdown requirements gradually eased.

This was a pattern repeated the length and breadth of the land.

As long as men and women, girls and boys, young and old are out on our golf course-which is in pristine condition-then we actually have very little to worry about?

Club Championship Sunday

Handicap Division

Although one player submitted his score in splendid isolation on Saturday morning the rest of the protagonists rocked up at Sconser on a dreary, wet and breezy Sunday morning.

At stake were places in the Club Championship semi-finals in both the scratch and handicap divisions.

Athough some of those who had fallen by the wayside after round one were in absentia there was still an admirable aroma of adrenalin in the air as the early starters teed off.

In the first group out on the course both Geoff Williams and John Finlayson were to secure safe passage through to the handicap semi’s thanks to their stronger submissions last week.

Geoff had banked a 65 and John a 68.

This time both lumbered a bit with Geoff scoring 42/39 for 70 while John returned laps of 39/44 for a total of 71.

Andrew Long and Robert Macaskill were among those in the following posse who were in the frame from the previous week and their scores on this occasion were sufficiently good for them to join those in the vanguard group on the course and in doing so completed the handicap semi-final quota.

Andrew shot 39/36 for his 67 while Robert recorded a rather lopsided combination of 47/38 for 75 to progress with a chance of victory. Their scores from the previous round were 72 and 69 respectively.

Geoff will play Robert and Andrew will play John for a place in the final.

Scratch Division

This is starting to read like a bit of jiggery pokery with the handicap semi’s done and dusted in almost consecutive groupings but the story unfolded almost in the order in which the combatants teed off.

Clan Cumming got their game going a wee while later as they tried to book their places in the scratch division semi’s.

Jim continued his great run of scoring with a steady 38 for his first nine holes and things got even better for the club steward when he needed three shots fewer to negotiate the remaining obstacles.

Highlight of Jim’s round was a drive to within ten yards of the 10th green followed by a cheeky wee chip in for an eagle two and a tremendous start to the second nine plus a big boost to his confidence.

A total of 73 shots coupled with last week’s 75 sees him comfortably into the last four where he is joined by his son Ross.

The young fella followed up last week’s rather iffy return of 80 with a well-constructed 74 to sneak into the fourth and final slot with the ‘big boys.

A good battle with his father and loops of 38 and 36 would have satisfied the family household?

Two places left in the final then and defending champion and last week’s leader Ryan Macaskill admitted that he found it difficult to motivate himself sitting as he was on a six shot lead.Ryan’s,by his own admission lacklustre two nines were 37 and 36.

However next time out he should have no motivational difficulties as he will be within touching distance of equalling the four-in-a-row club record as mentioned last week.

Drum roll for the final place in the semi-final jigsaw-and it goes to Ally Sutherland.

Playing in the final group on the course an underwhelming 78(40/38) last week had demanded an improvement this time round and the Broadford man demonstrated a fair degree of stickability in submitting loops of 36 and 37 for consideration by the scrutineer and consequent safe passage into the semi-final.

The draw shows Ryan versus Ross and Jim playing Ally.

All the matches will be played to a conclusion on Grand Finals Day.

As the premier competition on the club calendar nears its denouement the IOSGC would once again like to pay it’s respects to Gaelic Whiskies and Gaelic Gins of Eilean Iarmain for their continued and very generous sponsorship.

LADIES

A few of the ladies met up on a recent Sunday to play a few holes together. It is important for this initiative to maintain momentum following the abandonment of the second in this planned series of events due to the inclement weather on the day.

Let’s hope that all involved keep their collective shoulders to the wheel.

WHFP GENTS SINGLES MATCHPLAY

In the competition once again being very kindly sponsored by the WHFP a few ties have been played.

Graham Cope beat Robert Macaskill by 4&3 and Geoff Williams defeated Ally Young on the last hole.

A few days later John Maclean beat Duncan Macrae by 4&3 and a birdie on the 18th hole saw John Finlayson sneak home in his match against Jim Cumming.

FIXTURES

The Isle of Skye Open, once more very kindly and generously sponsored by the Isle of Raasay Distillery takes pride of place this Saturday when both the gents and ladies sections will be active. Hopefully more than a sprinkling of visitors will join in the action to add some colour to what is usually a great day.

Last year’s winner in the gents section, Thomas Marr formerly of this parish but long domiciled in Fife will be returning to defend the trophy he won for the second time last year.

Thomas’ winning score was 69 with Ryan Macaskill close behind on 70.

Eleanor Tunn from Reay GC was the ladies champion with a score of 74.

On Sunday there’s a Team Pairs Better-Ball Mixed competition.

Ian McCormack

Many years ago now I was asked by the club if I would write a weekly golf news item for the WHFP.

Ian McCormack was to become a positive and enthusiastic advisor.

It is quite obvious that I’m no journalist and I well remember submitting my first ‘copy’ for his perusal.

What came back contained everything I wanted to say but it was just so much better.

Ian only had two years to enjoy his retirement after a lifetime of fine and much-appreciated work.

That is just not fair.

RESULTS

Wednesday June, Strath Cup, Round Two.

1) J Finlayson 33pts; 2) D Bethune 30pts.

Sunday 19th June, Club Championship, Round Two.

Scratch Section

1) J Cumming 73; 2) Ry Macaskill 73; 3) A Sutherland 73; 4) R Cumming 74.

Aggregate

1) Ry Macaskill 142; 2) J Cumming 148; 3) A Sutherland 151; 4) R Cumming 154.

Handicap Section

1) A Long 67; 2) G Williams 70; 3) J Finlayson 71; 4) Rob Macaskill 75.

Aggregate

1) G Williams 135; 2) A Long 139; 3) J Finlayson 139; 4) Rob Macaskill 144.

JOHN MARSHALL

The Isle of Skye Open germinated from a seed planted in the early 1980’s thanks to an initiative from the Isle of Skye Round Table.

Skye Week was a series of summer-time entertainment and sporting events organised by the Round Table to encourage visitors to come to the island and to help raise money for local charities.

Two prominent ‘tablers’ from Portree, Drew Millar and Robin Weir were also very active members of what was then known as Sconser Golf Club later to become the Isle of Skye Golf Club.

The club members already competed for a Tourist Trophy and a suggestion was made to move the competition from it’s Autumn slot on the fixture list into Skye Week to encourage visitors to join the fun in an Open-type competition.

In 1984 a trophy was played for during the festival week and quite appropriately Drew Millar was the winner.

In 1987 things started to ‘firm up’ with the first reference to an Open in the golf club minutes. Robin Weir was credited as being the driving force behind the growing identity of the event and 30 players including 11 visitors played in the competition that year.

The genesis of the Skye Open as we now know it really began when Ian Stephen joined the golf club committee in 1988-later to be joined by colleague and good friend Calum Macaskill.

Both men were employed by British Telecom and their powers of persuasion managed to get the company to pump an extremely generous amount of funding into what was to become the BT Isle of Skye Open through their ‘local sponsorship of sport’ initiative.

The amount of money made available was so generous that not only did it fund the men’s Open but also a women’s Open and an event for juniors-the latter with prizes worth over £100 which was a considerable amount for junior golfers in the late 80’s and early 90’s!

The original BT trophy records the winner in 1989 as being Edinbane’s Michael Whatley.

Michael won it a couple of times in the early years before Muir of Ord golfer Stevie Macintosh began a period of domination that saw him win on five occasions with his fellow club member Ian Cameron also chipping in with a hat-trick of victories.

When the BT package expired David Morton, manager of the Royal Hotel, Portree was approached as a possible sponsor of the Open and he did so very generously for many years.

The Royal Hotel became the major player in supporting the event although several others including Scottish Water rallied to support the cause.

Following the end of the BT sponsorship a new trophy was acquired and it was first competed for in 1996. ‘S Macintosh, Muir of Ord’ was the first name to be engraved on the new look Aros Trophy, a handsome silver quaich.

The first ‘home’ winner of the new era was Sandy Ross in 2004 and he went on to win it another four times in seven years in great battles with amongst others James Macdonald and Scott Ewing from Elderslie GC who had five wins between them.

In amongst a variety of mainland champions over the last twenty years other local men helped to keep the prize on the island among them Alan MacLaine, Ally Grant, Murdo Gordon and Ryan Macaskill, many of whom were also club champions around the time of their victories

Thomas Marr is the defending champion having won the trophy for the second time last year. He returns home to Skye from his long time base in Fife for this year’s event which is now magnanimously sponsored by the Isle of Raasay Distillery.

This years event takes place on Saturday 2nd July and online entries are currently being accepted via https://isleofskyegolfclub.co.uk/registration/

JOHN MARSHALL IOSGC

Ryan MacAskill retained the Eilean Iarmain IOSGC Gents Championship for a fourth year in today’s finals. Runner-Up went to James Cumming after victory on the 11th hole.

The Handicap Section winner fell to John Finlayson who defeated Robert MacAskill in a close match on the 18th hole.

Prizes were presented by former Club Captain John Marshall in an event sponsored by The Gaelic Gins and Gaelic Whiskies of Eilean Iarmain

A full feature to follow in Club News.

SENIORS OPEN

At long last there was a significantly better than average turnout for a competition at the Sconser home of the Isle of Skye Golf Club this season. Once again a healthy contingent of ladies and gentlemen made the journey from Traigh GC to take part in the celebration and their attendance at the event was much appreciated and welcomed by all at the IOSGC.

A few visitors joined in the fun too on a day that started off fine but conditions steadily deteriorated as the day progressed and those at the tail end of the field were facing a very different challenge with little if indeed any chance of success.

The strong winds and occasional blustery showers were to last right through the weekend and beyond making conditions very taxing for the golfers.

The winner of the gents section was Paul Harris, a visitor from Petersfield GC in Hampshire. He was on holiday and a very, very long way from home as Petersfield is only 18 miles north of Portsmouth on the south coast of England.

Off his 28 handicap Paul went to the turn in a very respectable 42 shots resulting in a bonanza of 23 pts. Perhaps slightly disconcerted by this abundance, although as a visiting player he would not have been fully conversant with what constituted a robust halfway points total he rather stumbled off the blocks second time round starting as he did 7,7,5,6 before composure regained he finished very steadily indeed for a ‘higher handicapper’.

Five points from the first four holes of the final lap but 13 from the remainder deposited another 18pts in the bank and although he didn’t find out till much later in the day victory was his by five clear points.

Runner-up was our own Geoff Williams whose excellent and consistent play so far this season has seen him feature regularly in these pages.

Consistency even in the scoring symmetry of his round this time where 18pts were harvested from each of his two nines.

Stewart ‘Shuggy’ Johnston’s two laps were constructed in a rather more volatile way. Perhaps still half-asleep after making his trek over the bridge the Kyle man could only muster 13pts from his first nine holes.

However it was bombs-away second time round with a fantastic accumulation of 22pts and third position.

That particularly strong second half was good enough to ease Broadford’s Jim Cumming out of the bronze medal position.

Jim, like Geoff Williams is on a run of very good form just now and he roared off to great start to his round in pocketing 20pts from his first lap of the track only to fall away a bit on the second nine with only another 15 pts to add for his effort.

There was a very close finish in the ladies section when Traigh’s Marion Carr got the better of our own Donalda Johnston by one single point. Another Traigh lady Linda MacLean took third place with 20pts.

Marion had 15pts for her first nine holes but as conditions worsened she could only add another 10 second time round.

Donalda too had trouble in dealing with the increasingly hostile weather as she secured 12pts from each or her two laps of the track

Linda also had a nice balance to her two laps scoring 10pts from each circuit.

Still short of stewards to fully staff the clubhouse seven days per week lady member Isabelle Taylor kindly volunteered to provide the catering required for a competition of this size.

Apparently she did an excellent job and her fare was gratefully and ravenously received by both visitors and members alike.

Good food, good company and good craic in the clubhouse-great stuff and very well done to all who helped on the day.

Once again the Senior Open was very kindly and generously sponsored by Craig Campbell, Opticians, Kyle of Lochalsh and the IOSGC wishes to place on record its thanks to Craig for his continuing and very welcome support of the event.

FRIDAY

In a harbinger of doom scenario our greenkeeper was privileged to witness a sight few if indeed any will ever have seen at Sconser.

John Cunningham starts work very early and on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings his first task of the day is to cut all the greens before the golfers make their appearance-and get in his way!

It was still blowing a hoolie as he noticed something very unusual up by the roadside 7th green. Closer, but not too close inspection revealed that a siege of our resident herons, ten to twelve in number were grounded and seemed to be enjoying a bit of a craic in the long grass just behind the green.

The conclusion was that their nests high in the trees of our ‘plantation’ were rather too precarious for their comfort and wellbeing so they decided to continue their chat at ground level.

The birds were wise but would the golfers heed nature’s warning?

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY

Twenty four hours later in what must have been the worse golfing conditions of the year two players actually ventured forth to Sconser to challenge the 40mph winds and associated rain to a duel.

The weather won-but the boys put up a good fight.

Greens Convener John Maclean could only play on the first day of the weekend’s first qualifying round so club captain Ally Young, in a splendid gesture of courtesy and compassion rearranged his tee time from Sunday morning. Had he not done so his committee colleague would not have been able to submit a scorecard for consideration in the competition as John’s was the only name on the starting sheet because of the weather forecast.

In doing so Ally effectively sacrificed his own chance of possible participation in the final stages of the competition.

The Sunday forecast was always going to be more amenable to good scoring and throughout Saturday players were constantly changing their tee times online in an attempt to select the best possible weather window to allow them the best conditions in which to golf their competitive balls.

Sitting at home on an exceptionally blustery Saturday afternoon listening to the rain battering off the windows one could hardly believe it when scores from the course started to filter through on the Scottish Golf app.

Needless to say the numbers were high and consequently neither player is likely to feature in the playoffs following next week’s second and final qualifying round.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY

The morning started where the previous day had left off as cold, wet and windy weather greeted the early morning golfers.

Indeed the heavy showers continued intermittently for the duration of the first nine holes but thankfully things eased off a little second time round.

Following on the attendance improvement at the Senior Open two days earlier this prime event also attracted a good field.

In the Scratch Section defending champion, Ryan MacAskill who has triumphed three-times-in-a-row did in fact manage to get time off from his duties at Royal Dornoch GC as he attempted to join the club record holders for four-in-a-row triumphs in the Club Championship.

Jim Rodger did it from 1978 and Michael Whatley from 1987 so if the young fella does it he will be in distinguished company.

For the record both of these men won the championship eight times before moving away from Skye but the overall record holder is still Ally Grant with ten victories-before he too departed these shores for pastures new.

Ryan commenced the defence of his title with a birdie three on the opening hole before adding another birdie at 8 as he signed for a 35 stroke total for the first circuit.

Another three birdies at 10, 13 and 17 were added second time round for a 34 and an excellent opening round of 69 off his four handicap-but that could be two, three, five or even six by now thanks to the World Handicap System!

Commenting on the round which gives him a six shot lead over the field going into next week’s second and final qualifying round Ryan said that he was not hitting the ball particularly well in the blustery conditions but the five birdies saved him!

Five birdies is quite the haul from a round of golf but this lad seems to do it time after time.

To put his standard of play in perspective the other three players in the current qualifying positions managed two birdies among them and both were registered by Alex Munro.

Form-horse Jim Cumming submitted the second best score of the day when he took 37 shots to clip his ball round lap one before requiring 38 more to complete a nice round of golf.

Nothing spectacular from the club steward-just steady and consistent play.

Alex Munro and Geoff Williams both signed for scores of 76.

The former had a shocking start to his round with 5, 6, 6, 6 against the par of 4, 4, 3, 4 before limping to the turn in 42 shots. However an absolutely splendid transfiguration took place at the turn and this time the start was 4, 5, 2, 4 which is an eight shot improvement in just four holes and he then roared to the finish line in a masterful 34 shots

Bragging rights and a wee bit of pride between Alex and his playing partner Ryan might just have kick started that marvellous second nine score where he matched his companion stroke for stroke?

Mr ‘Steady Eddie’, Geoff Williams didn’t quite equal the symmetry of his Seniors round three days previously but loops of 39 and 37 saw him right in the middle of the frame. Like Jim Cumming’s round nothing too spectacular here just good, honest golf.

Two shots back and the most likely challengers to these four are Ally Sutherland and Chris Hanley who are both on 78.

However such is the volatility where the weather conditions are concerned that Robbie Macaskill(79) and Andrew Long, John Finlayson and Ross Cumming all on 80 cannot be discounted from posting a challenge in the final qualifying round and seeking a coveted semi-final spot.

In the handicap section there will necessarily be some duplication with the scratch division quite properly taking precedence in the attempt to determine the best golfer in the club.

Geoff Williams, Ryan MacAskill and Jim Cumming all shot nett scores of 65.Ross Cumming and John Finlayson both signed for 68.Alex Munro and Robert MacAskill recorded 69.Chris Hanley and Ally Sutherland were 71 with Neil MacFarlane and Andrew Long on 72.

Lots of names in contention there and they will fill the bulk of if not the whole list of four scratch and four handicap qualifiers who will play off in matchplay semi’s and final to determine the respective sectional club champions.

As luck would have it the final competitors had no sooner vacated the premises on Sunday afternoon when the wind died down and the sun made a belated and rather shameful appearance.

You couldn’t make it up?

FIXTURES

Eight men will be competing in the semi-finals and finals of the Club Championship in both the Scratch and Handicap divisions while the ladies will be playing the second of their four-round Club Championship.

They are taking a very different approach to deciding their champion golfer.

A reminder too of the debt of gratitude the IOSGC owes to ‘Gaelic Whiskies and Gaelic Gins of Eilean Iarmain’ who are once again very kindly and generously sponsoring both Club Championships.

RESULTS

Gents Section

Thursday 9th June, Seniors Open

1) P Harris 41pts; 2) G Williams 36pts; 3) S Johnston Snr 35pts bih; 4) J Cumming 35pts.

Club Championship Qualifying, Round One.

Scratch Section

1) R MacAskill 69; 2).J Cumming 75; 3) A Munro 76; 4) G Williams 76.

Handicap Section

1) R Cumming 80(12) nett 68; 2) J Finlayson 80(12) 68; 3) C Hanley 78(7) 71; 4)A Long 80(8) 72; 5) N Macfarlane 83(11) 72.

Ladies Section

Thursday 9th June, Seniors Open

1) M Carr 25pts; 2) D Johnston 24pts; 3) L Maclean 20pts.

JOHN MARSHALL

The Gents Eilean Iarmain Club Championship will conclude on the 25th June 2022. After two rounds of competition, the Finals Day will take place from 9am. Members, non-members are invited as spectators with the afternoon finals due to start after lunch before or around 2pm.

The clubhouse will be open and food and refreshments available

Results

Scratch Section – Gross Totals
1 Ryan MacAskill – 142
2 Jim Cumming – 148

3 Ally Sutherland – 151
4 Ross Cumming – 154

Handicap Section Net Scores
1 Geoff Williams – 135
2 Andrew Long – 139

3 John Finlayson – 139
4 Robert MacAskill – 144

Therefore Saturday 25th June from 9am. Scratch Competition Tee-times
1. v 4. 9am
2. v 3 9:15 am

Handicap Sec
1. v 4 9:30am
2. v 3 9:45am

In previous years the competition has been dominated by Ryan MacAskill who continues to develop his golfing studies at Dornoch UHI. Might 2022 see a different name on the overall winners trophy? Andrew Shaw collected the Handicap trophy in 2021.

This is the second year of sponsorship from Pràban na Linne, producers of The Gaelic Whiskies, a small niche whisky company on the Isle of Skye. Focussing on quality, it remains one of the few independent businesses in the Scotch Whisky industry, and one of the few with its headquarters in the Scottish Hebrides.

The principal brands of the premium range of The Gaelic Whiskies are the Tè Bheag; an exceptional connoisseurs’ blend, with a high malt content aged in sherry casks, the MacNaMara classic; a lighter blend, also available finished in Guyanan rum casks; as well as the fine vatted malts of Poit Dhubh, bottled at 8 years and 12 years, with a 21 year old to satisfy the most epicurean tastes.

Isle of Skye Golf Club is delighted to be linked to the local company and have their label attached to their annual competition.

Yet another sponsor has come on board at the Isle of Skye Golf Club.

This time it’s thanks to the management and staff at the Portree office of Macleod and MacCallum, legal and property services and the club wishes to express it’s gratitude to Evelyn Crate and her team for this very generous gesture.

As a result the signage at the club continues to improve following the recent installation of a Gaelic sign courtesy of Urras an Eilein.

Many thanks also to the WHFP for their continuing sponsorship of the Gents Singles Matchplay Competition at the club. The draw has just been made for this competition and the ties will be underway soon.

**Gents Matchplay Singles Sponsors 2022**

The IOSGC would also like to place on record it’s thanks to the Editor for allowing the golf club good and continuing coverage in the sports pages-much appreciated!

SATURDAY GENTS

**Sponsors of the June Gents Medal Competition**

On a day of brilliant sunshine and a decent breeze the small field had some difficulty in coping with the fiery conditions but club steward Duncan Macrae took the honours with a respectable score.

In fact he won by some distance with only Chris Mackinnon providing any real challenge on the day.

The Achmore man’s two nines were both unfortunately characterised by rather sloppy starts.

First time it was 5,8 and second time it was 5,6 and whereas he couldn’t recover first time round in signing for 43 shots at the halfway stage he produced an excellent finish to his game by playing the final seven holes of the second circuit in level par.

A tidy wee birdie on the 15th being the highlight as me came back in 36 shots for a winning nett score of 68.

The golf club is grateful to MacGregors Industrial Supplies, Portree for very kindly agreeing to sponsor this competition.

SATURDAY LADIES

With the Kidney Kids Scotland charity event scheduled for Sunday a trio of ladies came to Sconser to try their luck in their June Monthly Medal.

The competition was kindly and generously sponsored by Experimental Scottish Gin and Whisky Tasting in Kyle of Lochalsh so it was rather appropriate that the prize stayed on that side of the bridge.

Same conditions as for the men and it proved to be a difficult task for all three competitors with the scores soaring in line with the temperatures.

Yet again Donalda Johnston had the Indian sign on the others as she eased herself to a four shot victory over Jill Mackinnon with Helen Hamilton still adjusting to the ground and weather conditions here on the Isle of Skye.

The highlight of the round for the winner came on the 8th hole when she raked in a 20 foot birdie putt.

SUNDAY

Kidney Kids Scotland is this week’s charity of choice and on a brilliantly sunny day there was a good turnout to support this very worthy cause.

The club is extremely grateful to the crew at William Wilson, Portree for their continued and generous sponsorship of this competition.

Added thanks to Dave Reid Marketing Manager at William Wilson , for supporting this years event for the second year

It is part of a national fund-raising event with the winner’s score being forwarded to HQ for the team’s possible further progress.

Last years qualifier was won by the team of Chris Mackinnon and Mick Coe and they received a voucher from the charity as a reward.

The format for the day was Better Ball Pairs Stableford and the competition was fierce.

Unfortunately the scoring system and method of recording devised for this unusual hybrid competition format proved to be too difficult for this particular bodach to decipher but the result was clear, decisive and as follows.

Third place went to the old pals but regrettably infrequent competitors of late, Alex Munro and Graham Cope.

The Breakish/Broadford duo recorded five nett birdies and one nett eagle in lap one for a total of 23pts.

Another three birdies and an eagle for another 23pt haul second time round combined for their tally of 46pts.

The runners-up were the ‘scratch’ pairing of Andrew Long and club captain Ally Young.

A strange Peiness/Staffin team there but they did their days work very well.

Five nett birdies and an eagle resulted in an excellent total of 25pts for them first time round but they seemed to fade on lap two with four birdies for 22pts but sneaked into second place with a total of 47pts.

The winners were the father and son team of Jim and Ross Cumming who continued their fine early season form.

**Kids Kidney Scotland Local Winners Ross & Jim Cumming**

Broadford and Skeabost Bridge that one and it seems to be a match made in heaven as yet again they dovetailed, or ham-and-egged it as we golfers say to great effect.

A nett eagle at the opening hole was a great start and although they added a further three birdies the result of their toil was a rather underwhelming first nine total of 22pts.

However they certainly engaged a higher gear on their second circuit as three eagles and three birdies saw them harvest 26pts for the winning total of 49pts.

All three ‘winning’ teams had a blemish or two on their cards but I choose only to emphasise the positive on this occasion.

Well done also to the other players and teams who although they didn’t quite reach the lofty heights of a podium position their attendance on the day contributed to an assemblage which is pretty well de rigueur for a competition of this stature.

Great effort boys-well played!

FIXTURES

This weekend in the gents calendar it’s the second and final qualifying round of the Club Championship and that will decide the four men who will fight for the title. The consolation handicap event will also near it’s conclusion.

The IOSGC acknowledges the kind and continuing sponsorship of this event and the ladies club championship by Gaelic Whiskies and Gaelic Gins of Eilean Iarmain.

The ladies will play their Monthly Stableford competition on Saturday before the much-anticipated second session of integration where handicap-holders and wannabees will combine in a fun get-together on Sunday.

RESULTS

Gents Section

Saturday 4th June, Monthly Medal.

1) D Macrae 79(11) nett 68.

Sunday 5th June, Kidney Kids Scotland Charity Competition.

1) J Cumming and R Cumming 49pts; 2) A Long and A Young 47pts; 3) A Munro and G Cope 46pts.

Ladies Section

Saturday 4th June, Monthly Medal.

1) D Johnston 94(22) nett 72; 2) J Mackinnon 93(17) 76.

JOHN MARSHALL

IOSGC Member and Club Treasurer is walking from Aberdeen to Skye next month to celebrate a milestone birthday and to raise money for Breast Cancer UK – both Bob’s close family and friends have been affected by this illness in recent times. His walk consists 195 miles including 3 nights wild camping. Many of you already give to charities, but if you are still feeling generous then the link to His Justgiving page is below.

Bob’s walk takes him from his first ever property in Aberdeen to Breakish on Isle of Skye

Best of luck Bob from everyone at IOSGC

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Robert-Beatson1?utm_source=Sharethis&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=Robert-Beatson1&utm_campaign=pfp-email&utm_term=d5cc05ddb7b547ab8984cd6713c73f59.%3CBR%3E%3CBR%3EDonating

Ladies

1st Marion Carr Traigh GC 25 pts

2nd Donalda Johnston IOSGC 24 pts

3rd Linda McLean Traigh GC 20pts

Gents

1st Paul Harris Petersfield GC 41 pts

2nd Geoff Williams IOSGC 36 pts

3rd Stewart Johnston IOSGC 35 pts BB9

Gents Longest Drive W Urquhart

Ladies Longest Drive Deborah MacDonald

Nearest Pin Anthony Oliver Newcastle GC

Magic 2s Kenneth MacLeod

Player Auction Ladies Draw – Johnny MacMillan

Gents Draw not won – benefits to Charity

A full update to follow via the Golf Club article on Website & WHFP

SATURDAY

A small turnout for this fun competition as only three teams were formed to participate in a Two-Person Scramble-but it was game on.

On yet another day of unpredictable weather the winners were the father and son pairing of Jim and Ross Cumming.

They navigated each of their two ‘nines’ in 30 shots en route to victory by seven clear shots.

Nothing too exciting in a rather mundane first six holes of their game before the fireworks began in a 2,3,2 finish-that’s birdie, birdie, eagle-the latter when the old fella holed out with his wedge for the deuce off the young fellows big drive!

In a round of impressive symmetry nothing much happened on the first six holes of the second round either till they finished 2,3,3-birdie, birdie, birdie.

What I find particularly impressive is the fact that they birdied both seven and sixteen, same green but different tees and angles-and neither tee shot is easy!

Well done to the other two teams for making the effort to support the cause-Stevie Coull and Ivan Goodwin from Raasay and Fraser and Shona Jackson from Plockton.

SUNDAY

A morning of blustery showers greeted the loyal cohort of golfers for this Sunday Stableford-what would we do without them?

After a wee break Geoff Williams was back in town and he rode straight into the winner’s enclosure.

Once again the weather was to be a factor and the odd cold shower courtesy of the heavens kept the boys honest.

17pts were accrued from a modest first nine holes of golf but game on second nine as 20 more were added for the winning total and victory by two points.

Runner-up was John Finlayson with yet another in his extending line of trademark steady and efficient performances

A fine total of 20pts was garnered from lap number one but a disappointing second circuit only added another 15pts which was good enough however to secure second place.

How very nice to see a new name in the frame as Fraser Jackson took third place.

Outward bound he harvested a modest 15pts but he smartened things up coming home with a 19pt haul.

He and his ‘good lady’ obviously used the previous day’s outing just to loosen up.

LADIES

Four ladies came out to compete in their stableford competition on a fine March, sorry May morning. It just felt like March as the girls made their draw for partners-I don’t write that too often-and as luck would have it the stalwarts were drawn together as were the very welcome additions to the ladies section of the club.

Donalda Johnston’s nice wee run of good form continues as she took the honours with 32pts-a total that compared quite favourably with some of the gents who were sharing the Sconser sward on the rather sharp morning.

DJ scored 16pts on each of her two laps of the track.

Hard to believe that Jill Mackinnon, Helen Hamilton and Sheena Jackson each scored 27pts but that did indeed happen so the better inward half procedure was required to determine the order in which they would finish.

JM had 16pts, HH had 11 and SJ 9 so that was how the result was decided.

Unfortunately the recently aborted ladies ‘get-together’ has had to be cancelled so the next date on the calendar for them is Sunday 19th June.

YOUNGSTER

Archie Macaskill has been on his travels again recently when he participated in the Barrie Douglas Scottish Junior Masters under the auspices of the Stephen Gallagher Foundation at the Strathmore Golf Centre in Perthshire.

Three times round the tough 18-hole track in three days was a fair old outing and although he finished in the lower half of the 80 competitors it’s all part of the learning process?

By my reckoning four of his sets of nine holes were decent but the two ‘others’ caused the damage.

Onwards and upwards young man.

FIXTURES

The Senior Open takes place on Thursday 9th June and once again it is being sponsored by Craig Campbell, Opticians, Kyle of Lochalsh. The IOSGC is grateful to our club member Craig for his continued interest and much appreciated generosity.

Last year’s competition turned out to be something of an ‘event’ when Billy McMillan from Traigh ran away from the field to be declared the winner in the gent’s section-although that wasn’t the main ‘story’.

There was a timely reminder of the integrity, at least in the lower echelons of the game when James Colven, whose fine score might very well have won him the trophy disqualified himself later in the day when he discovered that he had made a typographical error in juxtaposing two digits when electronically recording his score.

Let’s hope for an incident free competition this year.

This weekend it’s the first qualifying round for the blue riband competition on the gents fixture list-the Club Championship.

Good news that defending champion Ryan Macaskill, the holder for the last three years is hoping to be able to return home to defend his trophy.

Ryan has just completed his third year at UHI Dornoch and such is the insatiable demand for tee-times, particularly from Americans on the Championship course there following the two-year Covid hiatus that he and several of his fellow students have found seasonal employment working at this world class facility.

Non-golfing readers(you’d be surprised) in particular might be astonished to learn that Royal Dornoch is rated in just about every credible list imaginable as one of the top ten courses in the world!

That’s right-not in Great Britain but the whole wide world!

That puts it on a par, no pun intended with the Old Course in St Andrews and miles above the much vaunted and publicised Pebble Beach, California and Augusta, Georgia where The Masters is played!

The only reason it’s profile isn’t higher in the public eye is that the remote location and consequent lack of the infrastructure required to hold high ranking, world class events denies it the opportunity for television exposure to the wider audience.

While there then Ryan will assist in the pro shop, do some caddying and also some coaching work with the juniors.

His current temporary job title is ‘assistant professional’ and this will likely be his final opportunity to play in our club championship as he hopes to ‘turn’ professional if he concludes his fourth and final year successfully.

This event is yet again being very kindly and generously sponsored by ‘Gaelic Whiskies and Gaelic Gins of Eilean Iarmain’ and we offer them our sincere thanks and gratitude for their continuing support.

Round two of the Strath Cup will be played on Wednesday.

The ladies will be competing for the First Ministers Quaich on Sunday then playing in round two of the Isle of Skye Shield on Tuesday.

PLATINUM JUBILEE

With regard to the above one of our members had a tale to tell of when he had the opportunity to play golf on the private golf course at Balmoral Castle.

Having launched his ball off the tee our friend was commencing his walk up the fairway when he saw a woman and two wee boys walking across the course. On spotting the golf ball one of the wee guys excitedly ran over and picked it up!

Mum was less than amused and told the wee lad to replace the ball from whence it came. She then feigned a kick up the rear end of the miscreant for the benefit of and to the great amusement of our member.

Mum was Princess Diana!

RESULTS

Gents Section

Saturday 28th May, Two–Person Scramble.

1) J Cumming and R Cumming.

Sunday 29th May, Stableford.

1) G Williams 37pts; 2) J Finlayson 35pts; 3) F Jackson 34pts.

Ladies Section

Sunday 29th May, Stableford.

1) D Johnston 32pts; 2) J Mackinnon 27pts bih; 3) H Hamilton 27pts bih; 4) S Jackson 27pts.

JOHN MARSHALL

Kyleakin Connections on the Tee at IOSGC

Many Thanks to our friends at Kyleakin Connections who were guests recently at Isle of Skye GC. With added thanks to sponsor James MacQueen (Builders) a total of £1035 was handed across on an accumulation of several events at the Club raised by the Members in association with Cllr John Finlayson. We sincerely look forward to welcoming the folks back to the Club in the Summer with an event planned to see the group on the course.

MacLeod and MacCallum Portree Sign of support at IOSGC

Nina Gillies and Evelyn Crate from MacLeod and MacCallum Portree

We are proud to announce that the first of a few events will begin with new signage at the Club courtesy of MacLeod and MacCallum Portree. Evelyn Crate and Nina Gilles recently presented the Club with a new sponsors sign which will be on show very soon. We’d like to thank Evelyn at the Portree office in Somerled Square for assisting with this project and look forward to displaying the new feature.

Helping Kids Kidney Scotland with William Wilson Plumbing & Heating Supplies

You may recognise some familiar faces from the Portree Branch of William Wilson. This is the second year that the Scottish company has supported the Kidney Kids Scotland charity. This is a Charitable Trust founded in July 2000 to help children with renal illness and their families. Families continue to be a priority for the Charity ensuring they are supported when most need it. These families come from all over Scotland. This year’s event takes place on Sunday 5th June with scores from the Club submitted to the Charity from participating Clubs all over Scotland. IOSGC shared in the prizes last year with Chris MacKinnon and Mick Coe collecting a fourball voucher for Golspie GC thanks to their 50 pts total while John Finlayson and Willie Urquhart also collected a fourball voucher which was kindly returned as a donation by both. This year’s prizes consist of

1st Prize Fourball for Royal Troon with Accommodation

2nd Prize Fourball for St Andrews Castle Course

Our local prize fund is boosted with £100 of golf vouchers courtesy of Dave Reid, Marketing Manager with William Wilson based at Aberdeen as well as a matching donation to the charity. Entry is via the App, if anyone would like to make a donation then please do so via BACS to the Club account reference ‘Kids’.

Scoring – Doubles Tournament 2 Ball—Better Ball Stableford– Best net score converted into Stableford points—Full Handicap

All golfers will be competing against teams playing all over Scotland with prizes for the top two teams.

Upcoming Events

Saturday 4th June Ladies Monthly Medal – The Experimental Scottish Gin Experience, end of the line Kyle.

Saturday 4th June Gents MacGregor Industrial Supplies – Monthly Medal. We extend our thanks to MIS for their support and generosity towards this event.

Sunday 5th June Kids Kidney Charity Event

Thursday 9th June Craig R Campbell Seniors Open – (Entry can be made via the SG App or by contacting IOSGC direct. Scores may be entered via the App or by submitting a scorecard to the organisers)

Craig Lee at IOSGC with Compass Building & Construction

Although Craig was unavailable this week, future visits remain on the agenda and Members are welcome to contact Craig – Book directly with Craig via

07725360583 or by email at craiglee77@hotmail.com.

Club Competition Latest

Some upgrading work has been undertaken using the SG Ipad located in the foyer. Please feel free to make us of this function when participating in Club competitions especially for those members that still prefer a scorecard and manual entry.

The Draw recently took place for the Gents WHFP Matchplay singles. All ties must be played by 30th June inc.

J Finlayson V J Cumming – a repeat of previous years final

R MacAskill V G Cope Thanks to Robert for taking things forward with this years competition via the SG App

G Smith V R Cumming – Good to see Ross back at Sconser

G Williams V A Young – a winter league pairing

C Hanley V C MacKinnon – Battle of the Chris’s

J MacLean V D Macrae – A youthful pairing with Shinty influence

W Urquhart V A Munro – A Bluenose affair

J Colven V K MacLeod – One for the ‘Drivers’

Added thanks to all the Fixtures Committee in taking the Competitions forward thus far in 2022.

The Matchplay Doubles draw is now Open for entry

Finally – A Green-keepers view

No doubt that May was one of the wettest months on record on Skye and not only with severe rain, but with strong winds and cold temperatures, John Cunningham was left with no choice but to battle on amidst the poor conditions. The Club are also grateful to Calum Beaton who has taken up a part-time role assisting John on fairways and rough throughout the Summer months

John reports –

Greens Cut at 3.6mm three times a week. Despite the cool temperatures and excessive rain this month the greens are coping OK. They will improve even more once we start to get a bit of warmth. Growth is still slow. Holes changed weekly.
The 3rd green is improving weekly. Grass coverage has gone up from around 70% to 90%. This has been a very labour intensive process but there’s light at the end of the tunnel. The greens are still bumpy but that will ease with rolling and more maintenance.
5 greens solid tined and all greens verticut (May 30th). Solid tine is essential after all the rain we have encountered. Also assists with leveling out the surfaces.
Tee’s Cut weekly at 10mm. Tee’s patched weekly & markers moved too.
Fairways Cut weekly or whenever we have had a dry period.

As members, note that unfortunately some golfers are not repairing pitch-marks or divots. This has been evident during the softer conditions we have been experiencing recently. Excessive practicing on the course is not recommended. Please play from the rough at edges and avoid making use of bunkers for practice. As we return to a higher level of visitor numbers and others take the opportunity to make use of the course, please remain vigil to those that may not respect the club as much as yourself and discourage any disrespect to the course that our Green staff work so hard on, to provide so much enjoyment……… As a member it is your Golf Course.

A warm welcome to the

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A warm welcome to the

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Month: June 2022

Golf and Weather all together and loss of a club associate

What’s in an Open ?

Four in a Row for IOSGC Gents Club Champion

Senior Moments at Skye Open & Champions Elect

IOSGC Eilean Iarmain Club Championship – Gents Finals in place for Saturday 25th June

Charity Benefit, Medals on the podium and Club Championship Round 2

Bob’s walking hame to the hoose for Breast Cancer UK

Craig R Campbell IOSGC Seniors Open 2022

Father and Son Cumming up with the Goodies

June 2022 Newsletter