Ali Robertson leaves his birdie putt apologetically short on the 7th during this week’s Innes Medal
There was some top notch scoring in the Innes Medal this week, each of the three divisions being won with low totals.
Divisions 2 & 3 saw low winning scores; Donald McDonald triumphing in Division 3 with a nett 57 and Neil McArthur capping a memorable weekend (having holed-in-one the evening before) by winning Division 2 with a nett 60.
In Division 1, several low handicappers limbered up for the club championship in a couple of weeks time with admirable returns. Craig Irvine nurdling it around in 64 gross (two under par), Ali Robertson posting an even par 66, Gary Taylor a 69 and plenty coming home in the early 70’s range. Competition for this year’s scratch champion could be fierce.
It was my privilege to escort the eventual Div 1 winner Ali Robertson around the course. Our 7:08am tee-time had me bleary eyed given I’d played Gleneagles the evening before, but I’d like to think my presence in some small way contributed to Ali’s victory. The understated manner in which I go about my business tends to bring about an atmosphere of calm and it was in this tranquil setting that Ali was given room to thrive. (This theory being proved the following day when he succumbed, in my absence, to a defeat in the Champion Of Champions knock-out event up at Huntly).
Somewhat peculiarly, Ali’s winning round in this week’s Innes Medal was bookended by 5’s at the opening and final holes costing him three shots, his only other bogey coming at the new 13th which isn’t proving the nudge and two putts that many expected. In between however, a gallery of pars was sprinkled with a handful of birdies as he recorded an excellent gross 66 (nett 61).
For my part I spluttered to a lame 76 despite coming out of the blocks fast. The ‘field’ was my undoing, that four hole stretch (8th -11th) the other side of the railway tracks. I completed it n twenty one blows thanks to a short game horror show. My driving and iron play is nigh on exemplary these days, indeed there can be few at the club capable of better, but my chipping is positively X-rated, only to be viewed from behind a sofa. I’ve stopped the chunking but replaced it with bladed ankle height exocets, scattering my playing partners like frightened rabbits. I’ve two weeks before the club championship to sort this nonsense out or my primary contender status might be at risk.
Division 1
| 1 | Mr Ali Robertson | 66 – 5 = 61 |
| 2 | Mr Gary Taylor | 69 – 7 = 62 |
| 3 | Mr Andrew McKenzie | 73 – 10 = 63 |
Division 2
| 1 | Mr Neil MacArthur | 72 – 12 = 60 |
| 2 | Mr Kenneth Gordon | 77 – 16 = 61 |
| 3 | Mr Mark Greig | 78 – 15 = 63 |
Division 3
| 1 | Mr Donald McDonald | 79 – 22 = 57 |
| 2 | Mr Terry Middleton | 85 – 24 = 61 |
| 3 | Mr Alasdair Willis | 85 – 20 = 65 |