Thomson proves age is no bunker in win
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RETIRED Inverness golf professional Alistair Thompson made a big impact when he captured the North Scottish Alliance Championship fixture at Moray Golf Club.
The 70-year-old came out on top with a card of 73 (37/36) to tie the leading scratch score from the field of 100 with Inverness assistant professional David Grindell and Moray amateur Darren Pitchforth.
RETIRED Inverness golf professional Alistair Thompson made a big impact when he captured the North Scottish Alliance Championship fixture at Moray Golf Club.
The 70-year-old came out on top with a card of 73 (37/36) to tie the leading scratch score from the field of 100 with Inverness assistant professional David Grindell and Moray amateur Darren Pitchforth.
Thomson actually missed a 3ft putt on the final green for an outright win.
But when the trio returned to the course for the two hole play-off they all parred the first hole. From the final tee Thomson hit the poorer of the three drives but found the 18th green with a seven iron, the other pair using just edges.
But it was Thomson who rolled in his 20-foot birdie putt to lift the Sir Hugh Mackenzie Trophy for a second time, his last win 32 years ago in 1987.
Grindell and Pitchforth both parred the last hole to share second place.
They were ahead of Jordan Shaw (Boat of Garten) 74, Jonathon Keith (Inverness) and Alan Duncan Professional (Elgin) both 75, while defending champion Jeff Wright (Forres) returned a 76 and the season’s aggregate winner Kyle Godsman a 77.
Three more trophies came west from the Moray venue and one to Spey Valley.
Fortrose and Rosemarkie’s Morty Ross struggled against the outward half wind taking a count of 43 then began his inward nine holes with two bogeys.
But four birdies over his last six holes for a one under par 35 took his card below 80. His gross 78 reduced to net 72 won the Bank of Scotland Quaich from class one, the runner-up Gordon Hay (Boat of Garten) net 76.
Inverness’s Davie Walker took home the Jim Thom Quaich with a net 74. Torvean’s Bob Stewart won the senior’s handicap Trophy, the Gourlay Salver with his net 77 off three handicap.
