Enterprising Brora

professional extends
competitive season

By ROBIN WILSON
Brora for winter golf ... and competitive golf too!
Today sees the tee off for the first of club professional Brian Anderson's extension of the competitive playing season.
From today the first of what he likes to call Poet's Day opens will continue through December and January at very attractive entry fees for members and non-members over a course that since the start of winter has remained in excellent playing condition.
With the backing of the Brora Management Committee who are guaranteeing a full 18 holes in competition mode (no winter tees or greens), the local professional has been given the green light to run a series of open Stableford competitions.
The second Poet's Day Open is next Friday, November 21; then two dates in January 2009, the 16th and 30th..
The competitions are self-funding with a high percentage of the entry money paid out in vouchers. Starting times are available from 9am each day and are bookable in advance with the Broa club secretary, telephone 01408 621417, or just turn up and play.
In the run-up to Christmas it will also be possible to win a turkey for the Christmas Lunch. Played for on the first two Saturdays of December, the 6th and 13th, the local Co-Operative Store have agreed to sponsor two Turkey Trot 18-hole open foursome Stableford competitions. In a slight difference to the Poet's Day opens, these two Saturday competitions are restricted to Brora members and members of clubs with reciprocal agreements with the Brora Golf Club, namely, Golspie, Royal Dornoch, Helmsdale, Tain, Bonar-Bridge/Ardgay and Durness.
The entry fee per player, men, women or mixed couples is £5 each. The winners will get Co-op vouchers for their turkey or alternatively Christmas fare of their choice.
In launching these events Brian Anderson said, “By virtue of its links character Brora golf course offers very favourable winter playing conditions and when we experience the fine weather days throughout the winter period where better to keep your game in shape than at Brora?
"Golfers who play in the Poet's Day competitions are invited to return for a further game at the reduced green fee of £10 until the end of March and will get 20% discount off their first visit in April.”
Sunday's North Golf Alliance fixture will now be played at Tain Golf Club. Starting times have been issued. Reay Golf Club will now host the fixture on Sunday, November 23.