PLENTY TO PLAY FOR IN NORTH GOLF ALLIANCE

NORTH GOLF REPORT

FROM ROBIN WILSON

The second half of the North Golf Alliance fixture season was due to get under way last Sunday at Reay Golf Club but a frost-bound course meant another postponement.

Fingers crossed for the competition to go ahead this Sunday with the same starting times in force.

With only three winners from the first four fixtures played, David Dunbar (Thurso) with two wins and Dougie Thorburn (Reay) and Stuart Morrison (Tain), one each,  it leaves  all other members with an  opportunity to mount a bid for the Scratch Quaich over the  remaining five events between now and March.

There were several good nett scores returns posted at the last fixture played at Tain in November so the likes of Alan Murray (Invergordon), net 65,  Francis Keith (Durness) and Ally Simpson (Thurso) both net 66s and Colin Mackay (Durness) and David Mackay (Tarbat) with 69s have a starting platform to launch their bids for the handicap aggregate Mackintosh Salver.      

             Robin Wilson's colourful view of the Royal Dornoch links' 17th green

Royal Dornoch Golf Club comes to aid of Cathedral.

The prestigious Royal Dornoch Golf Club are coming to the aid of the burgh's other major tourist attraction, Dornoch Cathedral, by giving the use of its world famous golf course to help raise funds  for the re-development of the Cathedral's West Church Hall.

Golf is first recorded to have been played in Dornoch in 1616, this momentous historic year being marked by the club in three years time. The Cathedral pre-dated the arrival of golf by four hundred years, and while the golf course has seen many up gradings and the Cathedral's fabric remaining  intact,  its associated church hall is in need of redevelopment.
To help raise  funds towards an expectant bill of £750,000  the golf club are giving members and non members the chance to play both the the championship links, rated 15^th in the world, and the charming  relief Struie links for two days in September in a 36 hole competition, all in aid of a worthy cause.

On Sunday September 8 an 18 hole Stableford round will be played over the Struie and on completion of the round the Cathedral Minister, the Rev Susan Brown will hold a short service of thanks on the first tee before the golfers retire to the clubhouse for an evening dinner. 

The next day the competitors will switch to the championship course where they will enjoy teas and coffees and home baking at the half-way house beside the 10^th tee  Then a tournament prize giving at the end of play.

The entry fee for the two day event is £140 per player. Initial inquiries should be made to John McMurray, Rowan Avenue, Dornoch, IV25 3QW by  January31.  

 Entry and accompanying fee to be confirmed by March 31.