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Caithness News Bulletins July 2005

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Lybster Golf Club  

A FIRST AT THE EIGHTH IN LYBSTER
Golfers taking part in the Lybster Open this Saturday (30 July 2005) will be making history, as the new 8th green is used in an open competition for the first time.

The old 8th green at Lybster Golf Club, which all previous visitors to the club will undoubtedly recall, has been the basis for many a golfing lament and the justification for the non-return of many a scorecard over the years. As it lay on an interesting slope, if the wind was blowing from the top to the bottom of the green, as it often does, getting a ball to stop was often only possible if it found the hole!

Built at the back of the old green, the new green is on two levels, and has been in use for members’ competitions so far this season. Although much more level than its predecessor, and therefore tempting from the tee, it is still a stern test of golfing ability. Any balls straying over the green will either face a return chip up a steep bank to the green, or beyond that, the danger of out of bounds.

According to club captain, Alec Calder, “Taking the comments of visitors and members on board, the committee decided to build a new green, which will hopefully provide a fairer test of golfing skills, irrespective of the weather. We are now hoping that competitors from all the clubs in Caithness and Sutherland will come along and give it a go.”

Sponsored by the Lybster branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland, the Lybster Open is a walk-on competition and the tee is open from 8am - 4pm, with the usual refreshments available.

LYBSTER GOLF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOR DAVIE AND ALEX
Two of Lybster Golf Club's finest, Eric Larnach and Davie Nicolson, provided a wonderful display of golf during the 36-hole club championship final last Saturday.

Starting like the train in the club's logo, Davie had built a 5-hole lead by the 10th, which Eric had reduced to 4 by the end of the first round. A determined competitor, Eric fought back with an excellent response, which saw him totally turn the tables and take a one-hole lead midway through the second round. Davie, however, produced another surge to secure the match at the 34th, 3 up with 2 to play, to win the Cormack Cup. The hard fought match was played in an exemplary sporting manner, which was a credit to both players and a fine example for up and coming golfers.

The 18-hole handicap final, for the Portland Bowl, was also contested on Saturday and was a contest between youth and experience. Alan Larnach, playing in his first match-play final, provided the youth, while last year's winner, Alex Calder, provided the experience. Although he put up a good fight, Alan was worn down by some excellent shot-making from Alex, who eventually won the match by the same score as the winner of the scratch championship, to retain the title.

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