Machrihanish golfers raise more than £4k for Beatson Cancer Charity

Despite damp conditions, players enjoyed a competitive day, with generous prize donations from Glen Scotia Distillery, competitors’ support and raffle proceeds combining to raise more than £4,000 for the charity which provides a comprehensive range of wellbeing and specialist services to patients and their families throughout the west of Scotland.

The Texas Scramble was won by Callum Gracie, John Galbraith, James Finlay and Ian Hill with a net 50.

John Ramsay, Craig Ramsay, James Robertson and Lindsay Ramsay were runners-up on net 51 after a better inward half, with Ricky Tonner, Dean Ratcliff, Iain MacPherson and Daniel Anderson third, also on net 51.

Spot prizes went to Dean Ratcliff (gents’ longest drive) and Liz Casey (ladies’ longest drive).

The club has also hosted a busy programme of competitions in recent weeks.

A field of 99 players contested the Rotary Open on the Championship Course in testing windy conditions. 

Stuart Campbell claimed the overall handicap prize with a gross 74, finishing one shot ahead of Jason Geddes and Marc Paterson. 

Dean Ratcliff won the scratch competition with 79, ahead of Paul McWhirter on 80, while David Allen took the 65-plus section by six strokes. 

Maggie MacArthur won the ladies’ handicap competition and Victoria Watts was the leading lady in the scratch event.

The gents’ Texas Scramble, played on the Championship Course on the last Sunday of June, was won by Richard Tavendale, Bill Clark, Charlie Robertson and Jim McCallum with 55, one shot clear of Iain MacPherson, Duncan Campbell, Stuart MacMillan and John Rennie.

In the Lyle Barr Memorial Quaich, played in challenging conditions on the Championship Course on Saturday July 4, Dean Ratcliff lifted the trophy with an impressive gross 68. 

He also topped the handicap standings with a net 66, ahead of Malcolm Stalker and Marc Paterson, while John Shaw won the scratch section from Donald Laing and Andrew Renton. 

Catherine Reid claimed the ladies’ handicap prize, Robert Vincent won the 65-plus section, and Andrew Dietz took the longest drive prize.