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Speyside
Golf Classic 2001 - A Review!
Well that's the prizegiving dinner over with and all of the competitors
have made their way home by a mix of road, rail, air and sea and
its time to reflect on what was by all accounts a successful first
event. Eighty golfers from the UK and Europe competed in the first
event and from comments received next year's target of 200 will
easily be achieved - there'd even been some advance bookings received
by Friday morning!
A
full report by day follows below and the overall winners and results
listed to the side.
The event was convincingly won by Gordon Scott who played consistently
all week and thoroughly deserved his gains. Not only did he play
magnificently for his team but also picked up first place in the
pairs with Ian Fyffe but also in the four person team with Rod Spinks
and Michael Gallo.
The
event was played in great spirits throughout even during the downpour
at Kingussie and several characters emerged during the week - the
major success of the week was arguably the social side of the event
and this was reflected in the Quiz Night on the Tuesday, the Go
Karting on the Wednesday and most spectacularly at the Prizegiving
Dinner on the Thursday evening.
The
prizegiving dinner has become a perfect way of rounding off the
week and this one was just a little bit special.
The
fun started at Boat of Garten Raliway Station where the piper greeted
the players onto the platfrom to a reception sponsored once again
by Dalwhinnie Distillery. A short journey on the magnificent steam
train to Aviemore and the guest were once again piped off the train
and across the platfrom to the Cairngorm Hotel for an explosive
surprise. Courtesy of The Cairngorm Hotel, the golfers and sponsors
were treated to a superb ten minute firework display high above
the Aviemore skyline. What followed from here was of equal standard
with great food, a superb Adrees to the Haggis and as usual a magnificent
After Dinner speech from Duncan Cameron.
Prizes
distributed, the evening ended with warm farewells and a few wee
drams. As the last golfers left the hotel in the early hours it
was clear that many would be seen again.
Thanks must go to the key sponsors - click their banners above -
Dalwhinnie for their marvellous whisky, Wilson for their continued
support in golf equipment and prizes, Baxters for their welcome
packs, Cairngorm Connections for their financial assistance and
Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board for their ongoing and immeasurable
support. We must thank the courses and without offending the other
three in particular the work done on Tuesday at Kingussie to keep
the course open. Magnificent effort.
The
hotels and accommodation providers all offered their usual high
standards and in particular thanks to The Cairngorm Hotel in Aviemore
which not only sponsored the main trophy but also became the social
hub of the Speyside Golf Classic throughout the week.
Finall, the players - they came to a first year event which is always
difficult to do but hopefully it won't be their last. Their comments
have been greatly received and their suggestions will be acted upon;
a lot of new friends were made at The Speyside and we are confident
that many will meet up again in years to come.
Here's
to 2002
Sunday
 The
welcome reception was held on the Sunday evening at Grantown-on-Spey
and was attended by more than 60 of the competitors playing in the
event and their partners. The idea behind the reception is simply
to let people know what's happening answer any queries about the
format, their tee times and of course enjoy a bit of the sponsor's
malt Whisky - The Dalwhinnie.
The
informal reception has become a great way for people to relax and
stop worrying about the shot off the first tee - as has been quoted
elsewhere, one previous competitor stated that he thought the classics
were "40% competitive golf and 60% socialising" and the
reception certainly set the tone.
 We
were delighted to welcome Dalwhinnie as the whisky sponsors and
all the competitors were treated to a wee sampling of the water
of life and an invite to visit the distillery just off the A9.
The
Secretary and Captain at Grantown-on-Spey displayed their usual
hospitality and made the visitors most welcome.
Monday
Okay, it was a little bit wet but given that the some of the UK
was under a flood warning we did okay at Newtonmore. Like most of
the courses in Speyside, Newtonmore has wonderful natural drainage
and while the first tee time was delayed an hour the water which
had fallen on the eighteenth had vanished and the course played
wonderfully well with the greens playing as fast as ever.
 There's
no doubt that the conditions didn't help the scoring today but neither
did it effect the morale and enjoyment of the players who almost
to a man commented on the excellence of the layout, the condition
and of course the scenery.
Newtonmore
Golf Club is situated just off the main road through the village.
The golf course, which mostly lies along the banks of the River
Spey in the heart of Monarch of the Glen country is surrounded by
some of the most dramatic and beautiful highland scenery, a definite
hazard for those trying to concentrate on their golf. Even when
its been chucking it down overnight!
 The
golf course plays to 6041 yards, with a premium on keeping the ball
in play. The only par five (for men) is complemented by a clutch
of tight par fours and challenging par threes. Golf has been played
at Newtonmore for well over a hundred years, the club having celebrated
its centenary in 1993. The lush fairways and lightning fast greens
make Newtonmore a golfing paradise and even in the first week of
October in what could be best described as troublesome conditions
the course could only be complimented - "Great course and I
can't wait to play it without the wind" was frequently heard.
In
spite of the wind and infrequent showers there were some stunning
scoring with four 37 points being posted and Sue Helal from Essex
securing the days best with an inward half of 19. Sue was followed
by Peter Laird, Michael Gallo and Gordon Scott.
 At
the same time that they were securing there high scores the early
players were punished with the more difficult wind conditions and
the holes into the wind around five through nine caused the greatest
problems.
Sue
Helal's score was not quite enough to take her team to the top of
the Pairs and Fours events. The fourball of Scott, Gallo, Spinks
and Fyffe combined in the four man team event to total a stunning
110 points and a ten point lead over the nearest four. The two person
event is being lead also by Scott and Gallo both having scored 37
points each with Sue Helal and Anne Baker - veterans of Scottish
Golf Classics events - two points behind.
It was a difficult day, no doubt but one in which Newtonmore Golf
Club came out with merit and a whole load of new golfing friends.
Tuesday
There are some days that you realise just what it is that makes
golf the great game that it is and gain another appreciation of
the work that goes into making our enjoyment so simple.
 Today
at Kingussie it was the incredible work done by the greenkeeping
staff of the club and indeed those from Newtonmore who assisted
them in ensuring that the second day of the Speyside Golf Classic
not only started but was completed. The storms and gale force winds
that are sweeping Britain were in evidence at Kingussie today and
provided some of the most difficult golfing conditions imaginable
but what remained most impressive was the fact that the course was
playable thanks wholly to the greenkeeping staff who squeegeed greens
throughout the day keeping them free of the worst of the downpour.
Many clubs would simply have closed the course; our sincere thanks
go to the greens staff who made sure that Kingussie was enjoyed
by the players.
The
conditions made sure that it was going to be a difficult day and
some of the scoring reflected this however the scenery and views
even in these conditions was quite breathtaking.
Golf
has been played at Kingussie since 1891. In 1908 Kingussie sought
the advice of Harry Vardon and extended the course to 18 holes.
The course lying above Kingussie offers extensive scenic views over
the Cairngorms and surrounding mountains - like the other courses
in the Speyside Golf Classic even if your golf (or on this case
the weather) is not up to par, the environment and scenic splendour
offers some degree of comfort.
 The
golf course normally offers moderately easy walking on upland terrain,
with a few short climbs at the 4th and 8th holes. In general the
fairways are of a generous nature, but the course is deceptive and
position off the tee is an important consideration, a factor often
the key to low scoring. This was particularly true today with straight
driving in the wind offering the only chance of accumulating points.
The course is kept in immaculate order and offers excellent greens
and fairways - this was apparent to all today even allowing for
the casual water.
Onto
the players and again a sprinkling of good scores but with only
one exception the course beat the players. The exception was Susan
Grant from Edinburgh who also happens to be the Scottish Golf Tourism
Development Manager! Her winning total of 41 points included a blank
at the eighteenth and gave her a two day total of 70 points. This
however remains two behind overnight leader Michael Gallo from Dalmahoy
who added an excellent 35 to his first round 37. This 35 was also
matched by 5 handicapper Colin Sloan and 3 handicapper Glyn Rees
both producing some great golf - Colin's total also included an
out of bounds penalty at eleven.
Other
scores over thirty in the difficult conditions included Rod Spinks
(32) and Andy Waple, Belgian Jan Darimont and Carol Southgate.
Susan Grant's 41 pushed her pairs total into the lead with golf
journalist Malcolm Campbell with a two day total of 129. One behind
are Scott and Fyffe - Ian Fyffe being the owner of Craigerne Hotel
overlooking Newtonmore Golf Course - and a further 10 points behind
are the pairing of White and Laird.
The
four man event is still being lead comfortably by Scott, Gallo,
Spinks and Fyffe although with the format of the best three scores
counting the first five team are all still in with a chance of catching
them over the next two days.
The forecast for Wednesday is slightly more optimistic and we're
all hoping for a calm dry day to enjoy Grantown-on-Spey at its best.
Wednesday
Smiling faces have returned to the Speyside Golf Classic.
The event moved north up the Spey Valley to Grantown-on-Spey and
the weather was kind staying dry and sunny for the majority of the
day.
 The
course measures 5710 yards, with a par of 70 and Standard Scratch
Score of 68. Though not long, it presents a fair challenge for every
calibre of golfer. It is naturally split into three distinct sections
- Holes 1 to 6 are played over flat parkland, holes 7 to 12 through
moderately hilly woodland, whilst holes 13 to 18 reverts to undulating
parkland. The "signature" hole of the course is Murdie's
View, the 275 yard 9th, a short downhill par 4 with the spectacular
backdrop of pine trees and the Cromdale Hills, pictured above. When
the heather is in bloom on the Cromdales the view is incomparable.
The
course record of 60 was set in 1984, whilst nobody quite hit the
heights of a club record there were some phenomenal scores posted
today and it was galling for those posting a 39, 40 and 43 to find
that Gordon Scott had beaten them all with a 44! Gordon, in his
defence, asked whether he should get his handicap cut for the final
day when he was informed that it couldn't be cut during the event
he did look genuinely sheepish!. His 44 points had few flaws in
it and puts him into a strong five point lead for the final day's
play at The Boat. His score also ensured that he is a member of
both the leading fours and pairs teams.
 Second
on the day's play was Duncan McPherson from Cowal Golf Club with
43 and David Fraser from Nairn Dunbar had a healthy forty point
to put his team into second place in the fours event. Two 39's should
also be mentioned from Davie Nichol from Nairn Dunbar and Jan Darimont
from Claydael Golf Club in Belgium.
The
pairs event is being lead by Scott and Fyffe by five points on 201
with Spinks and Gallo following on. Fraser and Anyon are possibly
the only other realistic challenegers for the trophy - eleven points
behind the leaders.
The
fours event looks almost like a one horse race with the team from
Newtonmore of Scott, Gallo, Spinks and Fyffe leading by twenty four
points. Second and third are tight with the four of Nichol, Duthie,
Fraser and Anyon hauling themselves up into contention with a 115
point total today. Third place four points adrift are the Fraserburgh
crew of White, Laird, Watt and Muirhead.
Thursday
 More
sunshine, no rain but a wee bit blowly in spells. So what after
the first couple of days this was almost tropical and indeed many
of the players finished their rounds in short sleeves on a superb
autumnal day.
The
course at Boat of Garten was as usual set up superbly well. The
course is always tough providing difficult bounces on undulating
fairways and some very tight drives. Off the white medal tees it
is quite a daunting course and no-one was forecasting any forty
four points on this one!
As
it turned out some of the scoring was exceptionally good and one
again the highlight of the day was Glyn Rees from Fleetwood with
a quite magnificent gross 68. Off three this equated to a superb
38 points and was arguably the best round of the week. Three thirty
seven pointers were also posted by Michael Gallo, Gordon Scott and
Paddy Fenton - the first two being enough to secure the winners
positions in all three events.
 A
special mention must go also to Ian Turner the Captain of Boat of
Garten who posted a 36 point total today and helped ensure that
the trophy for Secretaries and Captains of the four clubs went to
Boat of Garten. This trophy will be played for annually on the last
day of future Speyside Golf Classics.
The
ladies struggled more on Boat of Garten than some of the other courses
but the 30 points from Anne Green was still an excellent score on
the day.
All
in all with the weather, the testing course and the good nature
of the players this was an excellent way to complete the play of
what was a most successful inaugural Speyside Golf Classic. As is
detailed elsewhere however the fun was not yet over!
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