UNCHANGED DEFENDING CHAMPIONS BRORA ALREADY IN QUARTER-FINALS

By ROBIN WILSON

Brora Golf Club have the  unchanged team of Iain Grant. Jim Miller, Ronnie Sim and Robin Wilson  when they arrive to defend the B D Fraser Senior Northern Counties Cup over the  Nairn Dunbar Golf Course from Wednesday to Friday this week. 

As winners of the cup for a  third time over their home course last year Brora received a first round bye and are now already into the quarter-finals on Thursday morning when their their second round opponents, Tain withdrew.  

 Brora now await the winners of the second round tie involving Torvean or Duff House Royal

Included in the original entry of 24 club teams is a first time entry from members of Eriskay Golf Club. These golfers have no course of their own, their course on the island closing down some years ago, but their enthusiasm to continue playing has seen their now mainland  members continue the club's existence through an affiliation to Tain Golf Club where they fulfil club fixtures. 

It is no surprise their club badge incorporates the S.S Politician which sank off the island in 1944 and was was immortalised in the film “Whisky Galore”. 

Eriskay's first fixture is against Cruden Bay, a club still looking for a first winning result after losing in two previous finals. Deeside, last year's losing finalists at Brora, are at the foot of the draw and open with a game against former winners Inverness.

McDonald Ellon who have drawn Strathpeffer in round one, have the added incentive to add the senior cup to the other Counties Cup which their younger members won last September at Royal Aberdeen. 

The host club has two entries. Team one plays Royal Dornoch and Team two meets Royal Aberdeen.

Full Draw

FIRST ROUND

The Nairn v Duff House Royal 2

Eriskay v Cruden Bay

McDonald Ellon v Strathpeffer Spa

Fortrose 1 v Moray 2

Elgin v Royal Dornoch 2

Turriff v Fortrose 2

Moray 1 v Forres

Royal Aberdeen v Nairn Dunbar 2

SECOND ROUND

Brora w.o. Tain scr

Torvean v Duff House Royal 1

Nairn or Duff House Royal 2  v Eriskay or Cruden Bay

McDonald or Strathpeffer v Fortrose 1 or Moray 2

Elgin or Royal Dornoch v Turriff or Fortrose 2

Moray or Forres v Royal Aberdeen or Nairn Dunbar 2

Royal Dornoch 1 v Nairn Dunbar 1

Inverness v Deeside.