Spey Bay glad to get back in the swing with four day open
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THERE was a welcome return of the Gray's Recycling Services Spey Bay four day open after the Covid pandemic claimed last year's contest.
It was to prove a fruitful competition for the host club, which took two of the three major trophies up for grabs.
The Scratch Section trophy was bound for Buckpool after Richard Cormack bested Ryan Bain (Moray) by a score of 4+2.
Meanwhile, in the Handicap Section 2 home golfer Alf Bryce-Maynard saw off the challenge of Westhill's Robert Chalmers 5 +3.
Finally, Spey Bay's Dougie Cruickshank claimed victory in the Section 2 handicap, beating Innes Mackie (Huntly) 5+4.
Club secretary Fiona Green said: "It was an absolute joy to be back and get into the swing of things again.
"The clubhouse was buzzing during the four days of the open and on the trophy presentation evening.
"The four day open is the pinnacle of the calendar here at Spey Bay and it was good to welcome old friends as well as some new ones, too.
"Overall the weather was good to us, with the quarter and semi-finals day particularly beautiful and really showed off the scenery around the course.
"The number of entrants – 70 – was a bit down on what we'd usually expect although there are a number of reasons for that. Sitting as the third of four opens in the area means that people have to sit down and decide which ones they want to play taking into account things like work and family commitments, holidays, that sort of thing.
"The standard of golf was very high with some very interesting finals, particularly the scratch final. On paper you would've expected Moray's Ryan Bain, a +1 player, to beat Richard Cormack, who has a handicap of two, but Richard dug deep and clinched it. That was quite an achievement."
In addition to golfers from local clubs, the open attracted competitors from as far afield as Largs and Lilley Brook Golf Club in Cheltenham.
