THE island’s wind tunnel was on full blast for last Saturday’s individual stableford at Douglas Golf Club. So much so that only one of the 66 hopeful starters managed to better the shortened course par.
John Jackson (15), out early when the wind was at its strongest, got to the turn in 21 points and, despite a blob at the 16th, was able to sign for a 37-point total which turned out to be the day’s best by a couple. Paddy Redmond (14) could only manage 14 points going out but then another 21 as he reached the 18th.
A nett par there would have given him the win but it was not to be and a big fat zero went on the card. However, that back nine got him the runner-up spot after a card play-off with Ralph Trigger whose 16 out, 19 back matched Redmond’s 35.
Willie Stewart (13) and Jimmy Shipsides (10) were a point back in the battle for the fourth and final voucher, Stewart getting the nod with Shipsides matching playing partner Redmond’s blob at the last. The other big winners on the day were Chris Corran and Steve Dawson who were the only players to card a two on the day for a £49 credit each in the shop.
The Colas Winter League resumed on Sunday and what a start to his year by 2012 captain John Slattery. Up against arguably the form pairing of the winter, Stuart Wallace and Robin Crellin, he and partner Colin Home carded a magnificent 45 points to take the day’s star prize and hand their opponents a second successive defeat after a 100 per cent record over the first six rounds.
Another shock of sorts looked to be on the cards when league leaders Lee and Matthew Savage trailed fourth-placed opponents Ralph Trigger and Jack Shimmin by three points at the turn. But then young Matthew collected nine points over the next three holes to get back on terms and his nett birdies at the 17th and 18th gave him and dad victory and another week in pole position.
However, Jimmy Shipsides and Neil Keatings stay hot on the leaders’ heels after sneaking past Brian Fick and Mike Moran 40-39 in the match of the day. Team Fick were 2up at the turn but a failure to score at the 11th hole proved to be their downfall. Barry Skillicorn and Peter Musson remain the only unbeaten team in the league. Their six wins and two draws sees them in third position, the latest win coming at the expense of Ivan Clague and Simon Colquitt 40-37.
Silver and bronze vouchers on the day went to, respectively, the partnerships of Michael Kenna/Roy Armstrong and Karl Logan/Mike Vipond. They both carded 41 points with the former pairing getting the silver nod thanks to their 22-point home run.
Interestingly pre-tournament favourites Logan/Vipond find themselves languishing in ninth in the table but are just a point back of the Savages in terms of aggregate scoring over the eight rounds. And a special mention for the Andy Compton and Bobby Syme combination after securing their first league points of the campaign in overcoming Pete Murray and Phil Kay 39-31. Still bottom though. There were quite a few twos on Sunday each earning an £8.50 credit in the shop.
A four-man Am-Am is scheduled for this Saturday followed on Sunday by the ninth of the 15 rounds of fixtures in the Colas Winter League.