A great turnout of 19 ladies took part in the 3rd round on Saturday, 23rd October. This week it was only Sylvia Rae (12) who played below her handicap with a fine score of 34 nett which gave her 6 points and the money also a handicap chop of one.
The scores were all very
close and 8 ladies received points but in 2nd place was Audrey Poke
(7) with 36 and 5 points. Tina Smith
(11) was 3rd with her score of 37 and received 4 points. Ann Sinclair (13) and Moira Groundwater (11)
were 4th equal with 38 and got 2.5 points each. In 6th equal were Lianne Sinclair
(26), Ann Oag (9) and Lynn Slater (6) all scoring 39 and receiving 0.5 points each.
After 3 weeks play in the winter league, Sylvia Rae and Storm Anderson are joint leaders with 11 points each. In 3rd is Audrey Poke with 9 then Karen Dunnett and Marina Stanger equal 4th with 5 points each. Moira Groundwater 6th with 4.5.
Use the Scottish Golf app to enter and score each week.
This year handicaps will remain as your normal handicap – no winter handicap and no cuts!
Open to all club golf memberships including Associate & Winter members.
Once the course shortens instead of the usual 95% of your Course HC you’ll get 75% (Winter tees with normal greens) and 65% (Winter tees with Winter greens).
Winner will get 5 bonus points and the points are issued depending on how many play in four bands (up to 15, 16-25, 26-40, 41-60). Tied scores are shared points (no beloved countback!).
As normal half the entry fee each week is paid back to the winners and half kept for the overall league winners at the end of the winter. £2 entry each week (again payable through the app).
Special rules we use just in the Winter League:
Bunkers are out of play – if you go in one you can take a free drop out of it but not nearer the hole.
Preferred lies – if your ball is on cut grass (tee, fairway, fringe, green) you can mark, clean and place your ball within 6 inches of where it lay (not nearer the hole).
Plugged lie – if your ball is plugged (broken the surface of the earth NOT just a bad lie in the rough!!!) you can lift, clean and drop the ball from knee height anywhere (inc rough). If it’s on a cut grass area you can still take a preferred lie of course.
Lost ball – if you lose your ball instead of going back you can just drop another ball in the area it was lost and add a penalty shot. So if you lost your tee shot you’d drop a ball and be playing your third shot.
The first weekend in August is traditionally the spot for our biggest event of the year in the Mens, Ladies & Juniors sections with our Stromness Opens. After a year out we’re grateful to see them return this year.
Mens Stromness Open (36 Holes) Saturday 7th, August.
The stiff SE wind made for some tough conditions but yet
still scorable, but this may have accounted for high percentage of home players
in the prize lists as a bit of local knowledge went a long way.
The first round belonged to one person, Andrew Woodward. His
level par 65 nett 61 was the best in both sections and was a joy to watch.
Straight off the tee and perfect distance control on approaches led a stress-free
round while those around him scrambled best they could. Next best in both gross
and nett was Stuart Thomson who also eased round in 67 nett 62 thanks in no
small part to a stunning birdie, par, birdie start to his day! In the nett
section home players Robbie Stanger and Steven Poke were the only other players
to break their HCs both with 62 netts while in the gross it was plus
handicapper Gavin Sutherland that was the only other player to break 70 with
his 69.
Round two saw a best nett of the day from Erlend Grieve (nett
59) propel him up the leaderboard and set an early target of 133. This was
beaten by former Nett Champion Paul Robertson who added a 67 to his 64 for a
131 total and he was joined on this by Angus Sutherland but by this stage Angus
was eyeing up the gross as his +11 total found himself well and truly in the
mix.
The Nett Championship however was won by Richard Linklater
who added a 64 to his 65 for a 129 total. Remarkably steady scoring in the
tough conditions despite opening with a double bogey in round two he ran out
with pars and bogeys for the remainder of the round to win the trophy by 2
clear shots. His name on the cup and a rather nice bottle of 18yr old HP to sip
out of it – Well played Titch!
Over in the gross section things were hotting up with Andrew
struggling and nobody else capable of making a charge. The +11 total set by
Angus was starting to look like the score to match. Stuart Thomson managing to
par the last 4 holes however to add a 73 to his 67 for a +10 overall and those
still out on the course knew what was required. In the third last group both
Denis Harvey and Andrew Woodward fell just one shot short with +11 totals while
in the penultimate group Kenny Inkster got the birdie at 17th he required
but then 3 putted the last to fall a shot short. It was then left to the last
group. Gavin needed to finish with an eagle/birdie finish to tie and remarkably
chipped in for Eagle at 17th but could only par the last. Michael
Schinkel needed a birdie, birdie finish to tie and actually managed it! So that
stunning finish meant we had ourselves a sudden death playoff.
The 18th was the scene of drama in normal time so
only fitting the playoff should begin there too with a large Covid protocol obeying
crowd watching! Stuart stepped on to the tee first and promptly stuck his 300yd
driver onto the back of the green. Michael’s hybrid found the right rough 50
yds short. A flicked wedge found the green around 20ft from the hole. Faced
with a tricky 35ft putt over the hump in the middle of the green Stuart showed
the short game touch that had got him this far today and laid his putt to the
side of the hole. After Michael’s attempt slid past, Stuart tapped in to win
the Stromness Open and join the major club. 45 years ago Stuart’s grandad Stewart
Young had also won the Open against a strong field so this must now qualify as
a family tradition…?!
A complete list of prize winners:
Gross:
1 Stuart Thomson
2 Michael Schinkel
3 Kenny Inkster
4 Denis Harvey
5 Gavin Sutherland
6 Andrew Woodward
Nett:
1 Richard Linklater
2 Angus Sutherland
3 Paul Robertson
4 Erlend Grieve
5 Ronald Thomson
6 Kris Bevan
7 Robbie Oag
8 Eddie Dunnett
9 Gerry O’Connor
10 Graham Bevan
11 Paul Kemp
Specials:
Best Gross out with prize list: Steven Walls (68)
Best Nett out with prize list: Robbie Stanger on
countback (last 6) from Steven Poke (62s)
Nearest the Hole – Jim Winterburn & Kenny
Inkster (8th), Jordan Youngston & John Norquoy
(18th)
Now for the thanks of which there are many. Firstly, to all
the competitors, from our friends at OGC to those from further afield who came
and took part in the event. It’s your presence that makes this event so special
and the highlight on our golfing calendar. The Club greatly appreciates your
support and hopes to see you all again soon. A huge thanks next to our sponsors
Highland Park and the Bank of Scotland. Both have been long time supporters of
this event and in these tough times your continued sponsorship is very much
appreciated. Thanks also to the Peedie Chippy for the catering, barstaff and
George & Eric for giving up their day for starting and finishing duties!
Finally, a special mention to Rae and Lee our greenstaff who
despite the harsh conditions this year have somehow managed to get the course
and greens looking the best they have ever been. Stunning effort guys.
Sponsored by:
Ladies Stromness Open (18 Holes) Sunday 8th, August.
Thankfully the forecast was as
accurate as my putter and it turned out to be a lovely day for the 47 who took
part in this year’s Stromness Open.
In the gross a birdie at the last
capped a wonderful day on the links for Kathleen Sutherland who eased round in
73 shots, four strokes clear of Audrey Poke’s 77 with Thurso’s Laura Durrand the
only other player to break 80 with her 79. Shona Slater’s 80 was next best
while Adele Flett’s 83 rounded out the top 5 scores on the day.
In the Nett, Audrey’s 77 gross
resulted in a nett 64 which proved easily the best of the day and it was regular
visitor Angela Williamson from Thurso who claimed 2nd Nett with her
90 nett 70. Karen Dunnett’s nett 71 proved good enough for 3rd Nett
while the beloved countback was finally brought into operation to separate the
nett 73s of Ann Sinclair and Marina Stanger and it fell in Ann’s favour this
time as they rounded out the top 5.
Sponsored by: BDS
Junior Stromness Open (18 Holes) Sunday 8th, August.
Just five competitors in this year’s event but still we saw a great couple of winning scores.
In the Gross section it was Thurso’s Ben Durrand who knocked it round in 80 (+15). Not bad off a 12 HC on a foreign course! While in the Nett Archie McDill obviously learned from his caddying the previous day and showed how it should be done with a nett 60 ensuring his HC will continue to shrink this season.
86 men & 41 ladies plus 6 juniors turned out for today’s (not in Shopping Week) Shopping Week (not a week either its 3 days this year) Open!
Firstly, a HUGE thanks to everyone involved in the ladies section and Karen from CLAN plus everyone who donated bottles/cash for the fundraising today. Not sure just yet what the final total is but it looks to have been a great day.
On to the golf and ladies first:
It was newly crowned putting champion Nicola Sutherland who blew the field away in the gross with a 71 beating not just her mum Kathleen who finished 3rd on beloved countback from Lynn Slater (81) but also her Dad’s gross score! Runner-up with a 78 gross was OGC’s Shona Croy.
In the Nett it was OGC’s Jane Nelson that took the Cup with
her 66 nett just a shot clear of Lynn Slater with a Dounby countback showdown
required to separate Audrey Poke from Tina Smith. Audrey’s 69 nett getting the
nod for third.
Mens section next and in the gross it was OGC’s in-form Lee Findlay that claimed the cup for a first time with a one under 64. Two shots back in second was Steven Rendall with a 66 while our own Denis Harvey(1) was third with a 68. Andrew Groundwater’s Lazarus-like recovery from injury was rewarded by 4th gross with his 70. All that practice on Saturday paying off…
In the nett Mike Rae’s 59 was pipped right at the end (via the beloved countback) by Stephen Shorter’s 59. Paul Robertson’s nett 60 grabbed third while the countback was deployed again for an OIC battle and it was Steven Poke who evaded the desperate lounge of Dougie Slater to slot home 4th Nett after both finished tied on 63s at full time.
Thanks to our sponsors JW Gray (mens section) for their generous and continued support and to all our visitors for taking part today. Thanks again to Rae & Lee for having the course in great condition despite the great drought of 2021.
Well that was a pleasant change: sunshine,
warmth, some pars…!
A great entry today and we’ll start with
the Juniors. Calvin Slater pipped Ewan Foubister for the gross by just a single
shot. Ewan however took the nett with his 64. Archie McDill’s 67 claimed second
while Ewan Tait took third on countback from Rhuri Wood.
In the ladies section it was also the
beloved countback that came into play favouring Nicola Sutherland’s 78 gross
over Shona Croy’s to claim 1st Gross. In the nett section scoring
was incredible. In-form Chessa Couperwhite took only third with a 64 nett. Emma
McConnachie’s 59 would walk almost any other competition but was only good
enough for second place today – harsh! But it was another in form player Jenna
McDill who added to son Archie’s Northlink winnings with a stunning 58 nett.
Half the field today played too or bettered their handicap. HC pixies will be
busy tonight in the overnight run!
Moving onto the men and it was the dual in
the sun (and fog) mark 2 as Steven Rendall and playing partner Brian Corsie
battled it out with Steven’s 2 putt birdie at the last seeing him shoot a 63
gross, one ahead of Brian who had to settle for second nett. Third nett went to
Kenny Groundwater with his 61 nett a shot clear of 5 others. But as in the
ladies it was a 58 nett that claimed the Nett cup as Ralph Stevenson returned
to form to show the Finstown boys how it is done. Brian Clouston was last
seeing heading to his living room to make sure he filled a cup!
Apologies to some who had problems with the app mid-afternoon – this was a server issue from Scottish Golf’s providers, and they’re investigating and have apologised to all clubs affected (which we were among).
Finally, a huge thank you to Northlink
Ferries for their continued support in this event. It’s hugely appreciated by
the club especially in these trying times. Thanks to Kris for organising
everything at their end and thanks to Rae and Lee for once again presenting the
course in great conditions – the scores reflected this!
Another great turnout today for the
Smithfield and JW Grays Opens with 94 men turning up and 42 ladies.
Ladies first and in the Grays it was a 63
Nett from Marlene Croy that sneaked it a shot clear from Ida Seator with
Lorraine Work & Elaine Wishart a shot behind on 65 netts. Fifth to seventh
nett required the beloved countback and it was Kay Mowat from Anne Robertson
while Jenna McDill claimed the last prize in 7th nett from Moira
Groundwater. Moira however had the last laugh by claiming the 2s kitty thanks
to her birdie at the 8th.
In the gross is was revenge for Kathleen
Sutherland as her 77 beat her victorious opponent in last week’s matchplay
Shona Croy (81) into second. Shona Slater (84) found herself promoted to 3rd
gross with Ida (82) being 2nd Nett.
In the Smithfield Open it was a tight
affair with countback being required to decide the cup. It was Birsay, Toon,
Hoy, Dounby, Stenness legend Stewart Moar that shoulder-barged poor young
Gary Harvey to the sideline after both had tied on 60 netts. In third place
Alfred ‘Olly, St Johnstone glory hunter’ Sinclair with his 61 and Davie Garson
& Andy Watt a shot further back with 62s.
In the gross it was Outertown legend Steven Rendall who eased round in 66 shots two clear of Brian Corsie and a birdie at the last saw a freshly jabbed Denis Harvey snatch third on countback from Steven Walls and Wayne Monkman.
Once again a huge thanks to both our sponsors, JW Grays and the Smithfield Hotel. Also to Rae & Lee for a course in fantastic condition.
In total 149 people played and thankfully the new app seemed to work for most ok. Don’t know why I was worried…!
Ladies first, and it was Doreen Garson fresh back from a foot injury who showed a ‘clean pair of heels’ to the field with a 87 nett 59. Ann Sinclair’s 62 would normally ‘walk’ any event but she had to settle for second this time. Anne Robertson (nett 67) and Jennifer Watt (68) can ‘put their feet up’ tonight after also beating their handicaps.
In the ladies gross it was some unknown lass from Kirkwall who surprised everyone with a 74, well done again Shona! Kathleen Sutherland was runner-up in this section with a 79 gross.
In the men’s gross it was and altogether closer affair with Kevin Peace rolling back the years and in the putts with a level par 65. This target was eventually matched late in the day by both Kenny Inkster and Steven Rendall but the beloved countback gave Kevin the cup – great to see the big man back on top the leaderboard again.
In the mens nett a frankly stunning 74 nett 58 from Finstown legend Brian Clouston (Snr!) saw him virtually fill the cup. A couple of nett 61s from OGC’s Andrew (how much did that HC cost?) Milne and David Henderson saw them on the podium while in form SGC duo Mike Rae and Martin Johnston were just a shot back. The beloved countback saw Malcolm Smart take the final nett prize from a host of fellow 63’ers.
Full results can be seen in the app or on our website.
Thanks must go firstly to our sponsors Streamline for their continued and generous support for this great event. Also, thanks to Rae and Lee our greenstaff who had the course in fantastic condition and even a couple of new tees for us to try! Thanks also to Scott & John for organising the outside refreshment area and Lianne and Moira for (wo)manning it.
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Few courses are favoured with as fantastic a setting as Stromness Golf Club, with stunning panoramic views over the Pentland Firth, Hoy, Scapa Flow and Stromness, it makes this course a must for all to play."
