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Grieg Seafood Shetland Open 2019

News Posted: 12th August 2019

The Shetland Open 2019, sponsored by Grieg Seafood was played out over 2 rounds this past Saturday 10th August.

With a good local entry alongside 2 visiting players - Cameron Mitchel, from Dunstable Downs GC, who was returning for his 2nd year, and Ian Jamieson the sole representative from our neighbouring Whalsay Golf Club completed the field. 

 

The SPOT prizes won on the day were as follows ;- 

Nearest the pin at 2nd - Ian Jamieson (4ft 5").

Nearest the pin in 2 at 6th - Lee Carter (1ft 9")

Nearest the pin at 17th - Billy Finnie (7ft 9")

Longest Drive at 11th - David Mckenzie. 

 

The First round got underway in foggy conditions, alongside swarms of midgies which created a tough set of conditions to handle and concentrate while being 'attacked' by the pesky insects. Leading the way after the 1st round in both Nett and Scratch competition was Ernie Smith, who shot an excellent 69/64 which included an impressive display of short game and skill, closely followed by Kieren Fraser and Robert Jamieson.

Highlight of the 1st round was a Hole in 1 for Keith Fraser on 14th. He treated everyone to a celebratory drink afterwards. 

 

The Scratch Competition after the 1st Round.                      The Nett Competition after 1st Round. 

             1.  Ernie Smith - 69                                                           1.  Ernie Smith - 64

             2.  Kieren Fraser - 71                                                         2.  Kieren Fraser - 66

             3.  Robert Jamieson - 72                                                    3.  Robert Jamieson - 67

             4.  Ramsay Hogg - 73                                                         4.  Mark Penders - 67

             5.  Andrew Bain - 73                                                           5.  Joshua Morrison - 67

 

With it all to play for in the 2nd round, play got underway again after a much needed and tasty lunch of Soup & Sandwiches, plus a few beverages of choice mixed in amongst it. 

In the Scratch competition, it was all very close after the first 9 holes of 2nd round. Ernie's lead of 2 from Kieren had been taken away and they were level, and had been cut to 3 by both Ramsay and Andrew. A costly mistake by Kieren at 11th, where he ended up playing his 3rd ball off the tee, and scoring 7 dropped him back to 3 behind Ernie again, and halted the momentum he was building.

Andrew Birdied 10th to get within 2 shots, but Ramsay would go onto make bogey after a penalty on 11, which puts him back to behind Kieren, at 4 behind.  This puts the scores as follows - Ernie would be on +2, Andrew +4, Kieren +5 and Ramsay +6. 

A crucial moment for the day was holes 12 and 13. Kieren would drop 1 shot to go to +6, Andrew dropped 5 shots after 2 penalties and would drop him almost out of contention at +9. Ernie dropped 3 shots after not making his up and down on 12, and then missed the green on 13 left, and couldnt get up and down again so would drop back to +5 , while Ramsay would go level par over the 2 holes and close the gap and 1 behind ernie on +6.

Ernie +5, Kieren and Ramsay +6, Andrew +9. 

Kieren would go onto drop shots at 14, and 15 and then close the round out with a run of Pars to finish on +8 for the Open and was clubhouse leader while he waited to see how the group behind faired coming in. This also put him -2 for his Nett aggregrate and put him in the lead of the Nett Competition. 

Andrew hit 5 pars on his way in to finish and close on +9 for the 2 rounds and a very good performance on a whole, and will rue the 2 tee shots on 13, and resulting penalties, which cost him a chance to contest for the Open Trophy towards end of his round. 

With Ramsay 1 shot behind Ernie going onto 15th it was all to play for. Both players were short in 2, with Ernie left with 70 yards to pin, and Ramsay greenside with 15-20 yards. Ernie got a bad break and his ball bounced left and rolled onto the fringe of the green. Ramsay would almost hole his chip and had a tap in par at a vital stage. Ernie and would not make the putt and ended with a bogey which would put the players level on +6  over par. 

Ramsay played first on 16 into the green and hit an excellent shot to 8 foot, but Ernie responded like the great competitior he is, and got inside of Ramsay to about 3 foot. In what had turned into a virtual Matchplay situation, Ramsay's putt slipped past and ended with a par, but Ernie knocked his putt into the middle of the hole to take a one shot lead again and get back to +5. On 17, Ernie had 30 foot putt across the green, which he rolled up to gimme range and knocked in. Ramsay was just off the front right and hit a lovely running chip which rattled into the flag stick and dropped in for an unlikely Birdie and to level the scores once again going down the 18th. 

Ernie did what he does best and played 18 perfectly to regulation, and walked off with his PAR to finish on +5. Ramsay on his 2nd shot and under the heavy downpour of rain would slice/shank his 4 iron and with a massive stroke of luck would end up at the grass path leading upto the practice putting/chipping green and was left with 90 yrds to go. Ramsay would chip on and 2 putt from 25 feet to complete his fortunate Par and finish level with Ernie, but also with a level par 68 second round, and best round of the day. 

First play off hole was down the 10th, and Ramsay took advantage of his length and put a driver down to within 50 yards. Ernie left himself 30 foot up the hill from front right after his approach while Ramsay was about 10 foot away and looking like a good birdie chance. Ernie went for the putt and just missed the edge and rolled to 8 foot past. Ramsay also missed but Ernie was unable to convert his second put and left Ramsay his 1 foot putt to win the Open for the 1st time, which he duly did. The players shook hands and with a quick congratulatory embrace they trudged up the hill after a long, but excellent day of competition for a well deserved seat and a refreshing drink. 

Prize winners were as follows. 

            NETT Prizes                                                     SCRATCH Prizes

  1. Ernie Smith - 131                                           1. Ramsay Hogg - 141
  2. Dougie Shearer  - 133                                     2. Kieren Fraser - 144
  3.  Bruce Crossan - 136                                       3. Andrew Bain - 145
  4. Joshua Morrison - 137                                     4. Robbie Jamieson - 147
  5. Keith Fraser - 138                                           5. David Mckenzie - 150
  6.  David Nicol - 139
  7. Graeme Davie - 139

Mark Penders had the best 1st round outside of the prizes, with a 67, and in the 2nd round Russell Swainston with an excellent 64 got the best 2nd round outside of the prizes. 

 

 

 

 

A Massive thank you to the Sponsors - Grieg Seafoods who was represented by Player Bill Johnson. Their support is greatly appreciated and we wouldnt be able to put on such a great event with out their generosity. Also the 2 lovely Dinner helpers Ian Pottinger and Gavin Phillip who dished up the grub. 

The Greens Keeper Allyn Sutherland and all his helpers and volunteers over the past few weeks, especially the last few days in getting the course prepared. The staff were up at 3am in getting it ready in the morning and the phenomenal amount of work Allyn and his staff put in is massively appreciated by the club and its members.