Peebles Gents Open & Weekend Round-Up

Peebles Gents Open

A packed field of 160 members and visitors took to the fairways the following day for the Peebles Open, with the course in superb condition and the sun shining. The best scoring came late in the day and it was Torwoodlee’s former Scotland boys international Simon Fairburn who took the top scratch prize, recovering from two double-bogeys on the front nine to record a superb two-under par 68, storming home in 32 with birdies at the 10th, 13th, 17th and 18th.

The top handicap prize in the first class section went to his playing partner, club captain Ross Duncan, who ended his silverware drought with a 68 (6) thanks to birdies at the 6th, 9th and 18th, surviving a back-nine wobble to edge out the previous day’s winner, Rick Martin. Lochmaben’s Tyrone Wales won the second class scratch with a fine 77, while the net prize went to another south-west visitor in Southerness Golf Club’s Tom Jardine, who carded a 67.

Allan Turnbull finished second in the first class scratch on level par, while Jamie Morris narrowly missed out on his sixth consecutive Open title, earning third place also on 70. Darren Davidson was third in the handicap section on 69, with Jamie Fenton in fourth place. The club would like to thank all the volunteers who gave up their time for starting and scoring duties to ensure the very smooth running of one of the biggest days in the calendar.

Route Sixty-Six for Rick

Rick Martin produced a career-best four-under par 66 to take the glory in Saturday’s Scotsdale July Medal. The five-handicapper carded no fewer than six birdies to record a remarkable net 61, giving him a three shot win over young greenkeeper Lewis Thomson, who must have thought his brilliant net 63 (10) would have been good enough to win. Martin was out in 32 and raced to five-under the card with further birdies at 10 and 13, only to be halted by bogeys on 14 and 15. He bounced back with a two at the 16th before finishing par-par. It was a day of impressive scoring all round, with TAMS regular George Langlands rolling back the years with an excellent 64 (21) while former High School art teacher Jim Lyle finished fourth with a creative 65 (15).

Ladies Centenary Trophy and Round-Up

Denise Richards’ disappointment over losing out to Sheila Cuthbertson in the final of the Ladies’ Championship was partially salved by winning the Centenary Trophy in testing high winds, scoring 74(11).  Anne Derrick came out on top in the 9-hole Qualifying Stableford with 19pts while the Boocock Trophy was won by Lilian Smith with an excellent 68(25).

Returning her best-ever competition score, Mary Macintyre had a superb tally of 40 points to win the 18-hole Stableford. In the mixed section, Iris French, partnered by husband, Gary, followed up her Bronze Division Championship win by lifting the Charity Trophy with an unbeatable net 63. This is their second Mixed Foursomes trophy this season.

Junior Results

Championship semi-finalist Robbie MacKay topped the leaderboard in the YMCA Trophy with a fantastic net score of 61, which saw his ever-reducing handicap cut to 17. He finished two shots of clear of Mr Practice Range Callum Waldie, who recorded his own excellent score of 63, while James Thomson was third on 65 (32). Congratulations to all three players for their performances.

Clubhouse News

We will be showing live Sky Sports coverage of this weekend’s ASI Scottish Open from The Renaissance and next week’s Open Championship from Royal Portrush, so come in and enjoy the action on our screens with a few drinks and a bite to eat! You can also take part in our Pro Shop’s Open competition, with the fantastic prize of three PING wedges up for grabs.