Tomlinson cuts handicap with Freezer win

The first of a run of open competitions at Dale was held on Saturday when Stuart Tomlinson took top spot in the Shetland Freezer Foods Open.

Fifty-six players, including a good number from Whalsay, took part on a breezy day with the course still playing very hard and fast after the recent dry spell.

The scoring was very good from those who could master the conditions with Rab Duffin leading in the clubhouse for a while with a round of 84 (net 65). That was until Tomlinson came in with a remarkable 73 (net 60) which was unlikely to be beaten.

The score was indeed enough for Tomlinson to secure first place and the Shetland Freezer Foods Trophy and cut his handicap from 13 to 11 in the process. Duffin eventually had to settle for second place thanks to a better back nine from Glenn Gilfillan, who is beginning to hit some form, third with an 82 (net 65). Fourth place was taken by Whalsay’s Robbie Irvine with 87 (net 66).

There was no scratch trophy on offer but Jock Sim had the lowest gross, matching Tomlinson’s 73 and netting a hamper of frozen foods from the sponsor. Second was Dougie Macdonald on 78 with Dave McNicol third on 80 by virtue of a better back nine from three other players.

Chris Conboy won a prize for nearest to the pin on the second hole and also for nearest the pin in two on the 16th. Grant Wiseman had the longest drive on the seventh and Robbie Irvine was nearest the pin on the 12th.

Handicap secretary Davie Thomson presented the prizes with Stevie Tulloch conducting the raffle. The club would like to thank Christine Fordyce for the catering and the sponsors, Shetland Freezer Foods, for their continued support.

Tomorrow sees the players travel to Skaw for the 36-hole Whalsay Open with the monthly medal taking place on Sunday for the survivors.