IT HAS been a busy and successful few weeks at Kyles of Bute Golf Club, with golfers enjoying a packed programme of competitions despite mixed summer weather.
The club welcomed visitors from across Scotland for its Open Pairs Day on Saturday, June 27. Although the forecast threatened rain, conditions proved much kinder than expected as competitors travelled from as far afield as Lochgilphead, Bute and Moray to take part.
Diane Ouzman and Jo Burnett Hammond claimed victory with an excellent nett score of 60.5, while Fiona MacLeod and Marie Youngman finished runners-up. Rob and Douglas Anderson secured third place.
The scratch honours were shared by Barry and Jim Carruthers, and Ethan and Duncan Kerr, who both returned impressive gross scores of 67.
Prizes were also awarded for nearest the pin at the first and ninth holes and the longest drive, with sponsorship provided by G Whyte Flooring.
Club officials thanked the ladies’ section for providing bacon rolls in the morning and Dillon’s Dogs for supplying refreshments later in the day. Appreciation was also extended to the many businesses which donated prizes for a large raffle, including Radisson RED, Layla Adams Botanical Beauty, Argyll Botany, Tighnabruaich Hotel and Dillon’s Dogs.
Organisers also praised the volunteers and greenkeeping team whose work helped ensure the course was presented in excellent condition.
The ladies’ section has also been in action, with Jo Burnett Hammond enjoying a successful spell by winning both the Challenge Cup in June and the July Medal on July 1.
The following day, Sunday, June 28, saw the Kames Hotel Trophy contested.
Mike McIntosh claimed victory with a nett 69, while Jim Carruthers and Lindsay Towers shared second place. Towers also lifted the scratch prize, while both McIntosh and Carruthers recorded twos during the round.
Earlier in the month, John Bull Whyte won the Argyll Forestry Services Trophy on Sunday, June 21, edging out Lindsay Towers on a better inward half after both finished on 38 Stableford points. Jim Carruthers was third with 37 points.
Towers again collected the scratch prize with a gross 71, while Jack Whyte won the longest drive competitions at the sixth and 15th holes. Mike McIntosh claimed nearest-the-pin honours at the first and tenth, and John Bull Whyte recorded the day’s only two.
The club thanked Argyll Forestry Services and Ross Petro for their hospitality and sponsorship.
Most recently, members competed for the Copsewood Trophy on Sunday, July 5, organised and sponsored by Jim Carruthers and his family.
Despite heavy rain being forecast and wet conditions underfoot, only light showers materialised, allowing play to go ahead.
Dan MacRae won the Copsewood Trophy with a nett 68 after edging out Rob Anderson on a better inward half. Tom G Whyte finished third on nett 69, with Fraser Campbell fourth on nett 70.
Tom G Whyte also collected the Seniors Trophy, while Barry Carruthers claimed the scratch prize with a better inward half gross 71 ahead of Gordon Whyte.
Players also competed for a range of nearest-the-pin and longest-drive prizes, with members thanking the Carruthers family for their generous sponsorship, hospitality and entertainment throughout the day.
Attention now turns to the opening round of the club championships, with members invited to contact match secretary Gordon Whyte to enter.
