Friday, March 30, 2012

LONG-LASTING MURCAR LINKS PARTNERSHIP STRIKES AGAIN

Lindsay Mitchell (left) and John McKay ... Murcar Links golfing partners for 24 years. Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency.

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Lindsay Mitchell and John McKay recently won the 2011-2012 Murcar Links Golf Club Winter Fours for the Charles A Taylor Memorial Trophy.
Nothing extraordinary about that until I tell you that they last won the tournament 24 years ago and kept the same partnership every year since until they hit the jackpot again!
They first met at Aberdeen College of Commerce in 1977 whenLindsay, a former captain of Murcar Links (2002-2004), was a lecturer and a student.
"I was used to doing what he told me to do," said John, "so when he first suggested we play together in the Winter Fours tournament, I had to agree. But we do make a good pairing and this winter's victory proved that once again."
In fact, John is of the opinion it is easier to play golf with Lindsay than it used to be.
"The head came off his driver not all that long ago, so he had to get a new one - a Callaway. With his old driver he used to cut his tee shots but with his new Callaway, he hits it dead straight off the tee. So it's like playing with a new partner after all those years!"
It was a good job that Lindsay Mitchell was hitting the fairways in this most recent Winter Fours because in the quarter-finals they had to go the SEVENTH extra hole before beating Nigel Parker and Mike Duncan.
In the semi-finals, Mitchell and McKay won by 3 and 1 against Campbell Adie and David Elder.
In the final they were never in arrears as they beat Bruce Angus and Hebbie Gray 2 and 1.
Some very good partnerships have won the Murcar Links Winter Fours over the years, notably former Walker Cup player and another past captain Hugh Stuart and the late Ian Phillips.
So what's the secret of being good foursomes partners?
"Never complain, never explain!"
+Apart from reaching the final of a national TV quiz show with his daughter Joanne, Lindsay Mitchell has another claim to fame - his son Neil was a North-east District class player who turned pro for a spell and played on the EuroPro Tour. Now reinstated as an amateur Neil works out on the oil rigs.

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