FORTROSE and ROSEMARKIE SCORES

Kelly Foursomes Trophy returns to Inverness.

ROBIN WILSON REPORTS

The Kelly Foursomes was, from its outset, synonymous with Inverness Golf Club but, on the closing down of the family gents' outfitters business in Inverness and the family retiring to the Black Isle, the competition was resurrected with renewed Kelly family support at Fortrose and Rosemarkie. 

It remains a premier North event, attracting a full quality entry and last Sunday the trophy was returned to the Inverness Golf Club by its members David Joel and Jamie Treasurer.

It completed a handsome vouche-winning weekend for Joel following  his individual Tain success and for his playing partner, Treasurer (23) a possible sign off from amateur golf as he has aspirations to  following a career in golf with the PGA Professional at the Fairways Golf Centre, Inverness.

The pair from the south side of the Kessock Bridge gelled at Fortrose, returning a first-round 71 (36-35) and repeating the score with slightly changed halves, 35 and 36, in round two. 

They shared the same 36 hole aggregate as local secretary Michael MacDonald and ex-Muir of Ord member David McIntosh, now of Royal Dornoch.

MacDonald and McIntosh compiled their 36 hole total with cards of 70 and 72 but then had to relinquish first place on the better second round separator carded by Joel and Treasurer.

 The winners' Inverness clubmates, Bruce Thomson and John Forbes led after a first round 69 but a second round 75 dropped them back to third place.

After a first round 77 from local pairing James Fraser and Peter Cameron a second round sub 70 gross score of 69  rescued their day to give them the first handicap vouchers with nett 139 (73½/65½). 

LEADING SCORES

 Kelly Open Foursomes (36 holes)
 Players from Fortrose and Rosemarkie unless stated otherwise
 Scratch Section
142 D Joel (Inverness) and J Treasurer (Inverness) 71 71; M MacDonald and D McIntosh (Royal Dornoch) 70 72.
144 J Forbes (Inverness) and  B. Thomson (Inverness) 69 75.
147 L Reid and A Cameron 74 73.
149 S Forbes (Muir of Ord) and A Begg (Muir of Ord) 76 73.

Handicap Section
139 J Fraser and P Cameron (3.5) 73.5 65.5, E Skinner and K Gaittens (4.5) 72.5 66.5.
141 H MacCulloch and G Cameron (12) 69 72.
143 A Brown and R Keith (5) 70 73.
144 I MacGruer (Royal Troon) and K MacGruer (Muir of Ord) (9) 75 69, S Chisholm and D Chisholm (5.5) 74.5 69.5