Captain’s Prize. Queens Yellow Tee Stableford. Saturday September 14th.
The Queens, in great condition on an “autumnal” day, was the setting for our Captains Prize this morning. A few of the early starters, including captain Frank Johnson, got hit by a shower but everyone else made it round dry which was better than was forecast.
First out of the blocks Bill Sexton showed what could be done with a solid 34 points but the early pace setter yet again was Billy McNeill who has been very competitive all season. His 38 points set a impressive target. Kevin Beattie played well but came up 3 shots light on 35 points, he did however set what we believe could be a new Dun Whinny record for the largest width between an original and provisional tee shot on the 7th - his first ball cleared the trees on the right and his second attempt ended between the trees on the left and the 9th fairway which we estimated to be at least 130 yards apart…
Next to challenge were the group of Keith Stirling, Rob Simpson and David McLeod. They amassed the most points per tee time but their individual scores of 36, 37 and 33 weren’t quite good enough. Starting behind them, but finishing ahead, was Queens specialist and serial winner Douglas Hamilton. A few early 3 putts didn’t put him off and he managed to beat Billy by one shot and set a new target of 39 points.
A nervous wait in the bar followed but despite late challenges from David Mitchell and Sandy Grant with 34 and David Watt with 36 his score held up and he received the Champagne, golf balls and golf book from Frank. The trophy will follow at our Prize Giving Dinner Dance in just 7 weeks time!
Congratulations Douglas!!
Next up we have our Autumn Meeting on the Kings and in other news we now know the finalists in the Singles and Foursomes knockouts. You can see them, and the up to date Order of Merit standings, in the Competitions Section of the website here Competitions — Dun Whinny Golf Club
Douglas receiving his prizes from Frank in the Dormy.
This Saturday see’s one of our most popular events, our Captain’s Prize - a friendly stableford from the yellow tees on the Queens. As the name suggests the Captain provides the prizes, see pic below, and the winner also gets to keep the Eagle trophy for a year. Enter via the app as usual and please send any special requests to me. The draw will appear here later in the week.
Trophy History: The Captains Prize first awarded in 1984. The current trophy first played for in 1984 is a brass eagle mounted on a wooden plinth. This was presented by Ian Bayne the Captain of Dun Whinny from 1983 to 1985. The format varies but was originally declared to be a Stableford competition with full handicap from the yellow tees of the Queens course. The trophy was usually accompanied by some small token or gift from the Captain. The Captains prize as such has been in existence in the Club since at least 1949 but it was usually a gift such as a pewter tankard purchased by the Captain at that time.