Belle’s big birthday caps busy spell at Dunaverty

Later on Saturday afternoon, the focus turned from competition to celebration as the club marked the 90th birthday of the legendary Belle Robertson MBE. 

The clubhouse was filled with members and friends to honour Belle’s many personal achievements and her immense contribution to Dunaverty Golf Club over a remarkable lifetime of involvement. 

Club captain Douglas Neilson provided a summary of Belle’s career and her role in Dunaverty’s success worldwide, before a presentation of flowers and a fantastic print by Robert Westerman Landscapes from the club and ladies’ captain Katie Cappello. 

Belle then entertained those present with stories from her golfing career and her 75 years as a member of Dunaverty. 

Thanks were extended to Moyra Paterson, Eve Gaughan and staff at The Putt Stop for a fantastic spread of their usual high-quality food.

The following day, the club hosted its annual RNLI Cup, with 55 players – 14 ladies and 41 gents – competing in a Stableford format. 

“Old boy” Sandy Watson rolled back the years with some superb golf in the morning ballot, returning a magnificent 43 points, his best score for some time. 

However, he was narrowly beaten by Linn Coffield in the afternoon groups, who capped a winning weekend with a brilliant 44 points. 

Ele Hunter finished third on 40 points, with Bob Templeton and Iain McGlynn both on 39, and Gregor MacGregor sixth on 38 (BIH).

This followed another successful competition the previous weekend, when 32 gents took part in the Club Stableford on Saturday, April 25. 

The sun shone over the course and conditions were very good following near winter-like weather throughout the previous month. 

Scoring was strong, but it was Mark Cox – playing in his first competition of the year – who took the honours and the Golden Claret Jug with an excellent 42 points, finishing ahead of Ross Sinclair in second place on 39 points. Sinclair also achieved a hole-in-one at the seventh hole, a notable highlight of the day. 

Jim Williamson finished third on 38 points (BIH), followed by Stuart McLachlan also on 38, with Danny Halliday and Willie Ralston both recording 36 points (BIH).

Thanks, as always, were extended to greenkeepers Jonathan Barbour and Campbell MacBrayne for producing a playing surface that is improving daily, and to The Putt Stop staff for coping admirably with the large numbers of players and visitors in the clubhouse over the busy period.