Highest turnout of year for Dale Open
Saturday at Dale saw the highest turnout of the year for the very popular Hay & Co Buildbase Open when 92 golfers took part on a splendid sunny day.
As always, the sponsors and their staff put in a lot of effort to make the day a success with some staff running the barbecue while others ensured the beer tent was manned sufficiently and that players were well looked after.
The winner in the scratch competition was once again Jordan Leask, enjoying an exceptional season and recording his third open win in a row. His score of 71 took first place by just one shot from Robbie Jamieson. The handicap trophy was won convincingly by Dave McNicol who returned his best ever score at Dale to win by four shots.
The course was softened by the heavy rain through the week but was still in superb condition and low scores were anticipated given the fine weather.
In the handicap section, McNicol was out in the first group and put together a splendid round of 72 for a score of net 61. Although there were quite a few players who came in with net scores below par, no-one was able to better this.
Four shots back in second place and by virtue of a better inward nine was Dale Smith who went round in 81 (net 65). In third place was George Fraser with 84 (net 65). McNicol therefore won the handicap trophy and also reduced his handicap to single figures for the first time.
As expected, the scratch competition was closely contested with numerous players in with a shout. Leask produced another steady round of 71 to take first place and lift the Buildbase scratch trophy, rounding off a highly successful season with just one open remaining at Dale. Jamieson was just one shot back in second place on 72 while Colin Bain was third with 73.
Graham McAllister and Jim Moar of Hay & Co Buildbase presented the prizes with the help of club captain Stuart Fox while Stevie Tulloch did the honours once again for the raffle.
Neil Anderson won the prize for the longest drive at the 15th by a country mile while Clive Watt was nearest the pin on the second when his tee shot finished one foot, nine inches from the pin.
There were several other novelty prizes provided by the sponsors where Michael Groat somehow won the prize for best-dressed player, Billy Goudie returned the highest score and Steven Goodlad got a prize for the grumpiest player after an unfortunate incident after four-putting. Goodlad did, however, reprieve himself later on by winning the post-match putting competition, gaining some revenge on McAllister.
Between the raffle and competition fees there was over £1,300 raised for local charities which will be presented later in the year.
A spokesman said the golf club would like to thank Buildbase for the continued involvement with the competition and was especially appreciative of the contribution made by the staff, some of whom travelled from the mainland and Orkney, making for another highly enjoyable event.
A spokesman for Buildbase said they wished to thank the players for turning up in their numbers once again to support the event and associated charities and looked forward to next year.
