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July Update
The general opinion is that the course has never looked so good for the two Opens that were held this month. It's a testament to the hard work and tenacity of the green-keeping team who were openly confident that the course would recover after all the dry weather this year, but I have a sneaking feeling they weren't quite as positive inside!
The first Open was the inaugural Ladies Open, kindly sponsored by the Tigh an Eilean Hotel, Shieldaig. This was a great fun event, enjoyed by 25 very keen ladies, from Murrayfield GC in Edinburgh, Gairloch GC, Isle of Skye GC, Aigas GC, Fortrose and Rosemarkie GC, Winterfield GC in Dunbar and of course, Lochcarron. The day was blessed with brilliant weather, and some very good golf, with June Miller coming home with a net 61 to take the Best Lochcarron Lady trophy. Karen Starr had a gross 78, giving her the Tigh an Eilean Centenary Salver and the title of Open Champion, and Katie Masheter took the longest drive prize. No-one got the nearest the pin prize, so we'll say no more about that!!!!
We would like to thank Cathryn Field for presenting the prizes and thanks also to her husband Chris for jointly sponsoring the event. Our thanks go also to the committee; Gus, Christine and Baba for their catering on the day; Kay for the beautiful flowers; Fiona, Keira and June for looking after the entries and the bar. Thanks too to Murdo, Simon and Sean for the excellent job of ball spotting, and of course to the greenkeeping team and all their helpers for the excellent condition of the course. Finally, we're very grateful indeed to all the raffle prize contributors.
Next came the Gents Open, also a great success, with a fantastic field of 85 players from 20 clubs covering Scotland, Wales, and England. We very much appreciate the contributions of Berwyn Jones and his enthusiastic team of Welshmen coming for the weekend as usual, and we were delighted to see the Muir of Ord men who came in force too. Local clubs supported the event well, with Isle of Skye, Gairloch, Skeabost and Strathpeffer all being represented. The weather, on the other hand, wasn't so kind, at least in the morning! By the afternoon however, the conditions had abated and everyone had a really great day. We must commiserate with Tom Watson, who was injured at work the night before the Open and couldn't play. He arrived from hospital in the afternoon to see the end of the competition and take part in the celebrations though!
The golf was of an excellent quality in rather challenging conditions. Ewan Barras came in with the best gross of 65, winning the new Lochcarron Open Claret Jug and the title of Lochcarron Open Champion, and David Smith came in with a handicap-shattering net 52 (!) for the Best Lochcarron Man trophy, while Gerry Arscott took the nearest the pin prize….yes…the men managed it!!!!
Thanks go to the committee; Gus, Christine, Baba and Ciss again, for great food; Finlay, Murdo, June and Karen for the entries and bar; all the ball spotters, greenkeeping team and helpers; and Murdo and Kennack for their great music again this year. We have been very well looked after by raffle donors this year…thank you to you all.
The golf winners for the last month are as follows:
Gents: Club Championship - Tom Watson
Coubro National Lifting Trophy - Calum Morrison
July Medal - Calum Morrison
Midweek League - Jon Don MacKenzie
Gents Centenary Open -
Scratch - Ewan Barras (Loch Ness GC)
0-12 H'cap - Eddie Ralph (Gairloch GC)
13-20 H'cap - Bart McFleat (Lochcarron GC)
21-28 H'cap and Best Lochcarron Man - David Smith (Lochcarron GC)
Ladies: July Medal - June Miller
Ladies Centenary Open -
Scratch - Karen Starr (Lochcarron GC)
Best Lochcarron Lady - June Miller (Lochcarron GC)
Silver - Katie Masheter (Aigas GC)
Bronze - Fiona Matheson (Lochcarron GC)
Ladies Stableford League - June Miller
Junior golf at Lochcarron has gone well this year with Bart McFleat coaching the young ones from Lochcarron Primary. He hopes to repeat that and build on it next year. The pupils from Plockton High School have also made use of the course as part of their out-of-school activities. If anyone would like to join Bart in coaching juniors, we'd be very pleased if you would make yourself known at the clubhouse.
Some of the Lochcarron Gents went to Sconser for the Isle of Skye Open this month enjoying some fantastic weather and the good company over there. Not sure how they all got on, as they rushed back to Lochcarron to see the end of the Ladies Open! Keira McFleat came in 3rd Silver at Grantown-On-Spey recently, and had nearest the pin at the Gairloch Mixed Open. It's good to see that more and more players are spreading their wings and playing both individual and team Opens around the Highlands…there are lots of other fantastic courses to play as well as our own little gem!
One Open event remains on the calendar for this year, the Mixed Open Texas Scramble on 2nd August. We have spaces left for this, so if you'd like to book your place to play, please contact Gus (07516 554336) with your team of 3 players.
Please note that the clubhouse is open throughout August for green fees and club hire etc, with the Tee Room serving refreshments and meals Monday and Tuesday 10am to 6pm, and Wednesday to Friday 10am to 8pm. On Sundays, the Tee Room is open mid-day to 6pm, serving roast lunches between 1pm and 4pm - bookings preferred for roast lunches please (call Gus on 07516 554336). The Tee Room is closed on Saturdays.
As always, new members and visitors are very welcome! An honesty box system for green fees runs when the clubhouse is closed. Do sign the new visitors book and give your comments.
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