After the all excitement of last week’s Golf competitions at the Club things returned to normal with the resumption of the Shoprite League on Tuesday, I don`t know if many people know this but Rab Millar used to be in the Parachute Regiment, but at this time of life it is not him that is in free fall but it`s his Handicap as he continues with his fine run of form, he has now plummeted 6 shots since the beginning of the season. His score of 38pts was good enough for third whilst John Cassidy also saw a reduction as he took second with 40 pts. As I said, things are now back to normal, that usually means I mention Peter Langridge at some point in my report, he took the honours on the day with a fine score of 42 pts.
Last Saturday saw the playing of the Ray Sayle Memorial Cup and it was played as a 4BBB. Ray was a long-standing member and Captain at the Club as well as an Island Champion, I fondly remember when he sunk the winning putt on the 18th at Douglas to clinch it his Brother ran on and grabbed him, lifting him up and would not let go, a lovely memory of a lovely man. Talking of Brothers, Jim Cairney, who was playing with his brother Tony, missed a 12-inch putt on the 16th, if he had got it they would have pushed Ricky Whipp and Robert Hughes into fourth and he would have also pushed his big brother Charlie Cairney into third, Charlie, playing along side Graham Moore returned a score of 60. Also, on a score of 60 but winning on the back nine was Serial Winner Eric Gleave, Eric obviously has a plan for the total domination of Douglas Golf as this was his third Cup of the year. This time he was ably assisted by Derek Taubman. That Summer Wine Tonic must be working well.
The Pro Shop held a Single Stableford on Sunday, Steven Ward recorded a score of 39pts to take third whilst Septuagenarian Peter Musson once again rolled back the years to deliver a fine performance and take second on his own, he also had a score of 39pts but won on count back. The top Honcho on the day was Ian Watt, he was well ahead of the pack with a score of 41 pts. Most people would go out and paint the Town red after a win, but Ian said he was going to paint it blue.
Before I finish I would Like Congratulateyoung Tommy Fenlon, he retained the Junior Island Championship with a score of 75 + 72 = 147 at Mount Murray so well done to him, and whilst we are talking about winners, it is good to report that Our Scratch League Team have recorded five wins out of five to start the year, so once again, well done to them.

The Grousebeater