New Secretary for North Alliance Golfers

Brora Golf Club secretary Tony Gill has taken over the duties of secretary-treasurer of the North Golf Alliance that encompasses the golf clubs in Easter Ross, Sutherland and Caithness.
Since this alliance was formed in 1965 there have been only three secretaries, Eion Mackintosh of Royal Dornoch who, on his untimely death ,was followed into the post in 1970 by Golspie's Jim Fraser and the retiring secretary, Brora's Robin Wilson, who held the position for the past 34 years.
Eion Mackintosh and Jim Fraser were two of three golfers along with Brora's Hugh Baillie who in 1965 came up with the idea of continuing a mild form of competitive play through the winter months at Brora, Dornoch and Golspie to continue interest and maintain swings until the start of the following season.
The concept immediately caught on and Tain and Wick soon agreed to be part of the alliance association of clubs willing to host fixtures.
In the 1970s, venues spread to Thurso and Reay in Caithness and now reach the furthermost northwesterly course on the mainland, Durness, and out to the easterly lighthouse of Portmahomack.
In the early years it was envisaged that the clubs would get a small return through bar revenue and golf ball sales, for these were to be the prizes funded by the small entry fee of £1, 50 pence retained as a green fee to the hosting club.
Golf balls remain the eagerly sought prizes and the artisan element remains the bond between the clubs. The entry fee has been retained at just £7 for the coming season of which £5 gets donated as a green fee.
At the North Alliance's height, attendances regularly topped three figures with membership close to 300. This has fallen away to an average of 75 per fixture and a membership level of 150. But fixtures have increased and at the recent annual meeting of delegates the following fixtures, dates and venues were set for the coming winter, commencing at Durness on Sunday, October 5. Tee times for this fixture should be sought from Lucy Mackay, secretary of Durness Golf Club.
The full North Alliance list for 2008-2009 is
October
5 Durness.
12 Thurso.
19 Tarbat.
26 Invergordon.
November
2 Golspie.
16 Reay.
23 Tain.
30 Royal Dornoch.
December
7 Wick.
14 Brora
January 2009
18 Tain.
February
1 Wick.
15 Dornoch Struie.
March
1 Reay.
22 Brora 9 (final).