Match Report - Carnoustie Caledonia GC vs Dun Whinny GC

Dun Whinny played its second away match in a week on Sunday 7th May against the Caledonia GC, Carnoustie played over the imposing Championship course.

We steeled ourselves for the challenge ahead over coffee and rolls hoping that the fog would magically disappear.  This didn’t happen but it didn’t take away the thrill and enjoyment of playing one of the great Open Championship courses.  We are particularly indebted to our hosts who went out of their way to give us pointers as to where we should be aiming.  Their advice was faultless, our execution good in parts!

All eight games got away on time but we learned that the course was closed behind us so we are very fortunate that we were able to play the match.  It is also pleasing to report, despite a number of tight matches, that Dun Whinny secured a rare 5 - 3 away victory with 4 wins, 2 halves and 2 losses.  The margins in most games were narrow however as illustrated by the fact that the two halved matches were secured from being 4 down at the turn and from Dormy 3 down and one of the victories came despite being four down after four, courtesy of a three-birdie blitz in the space of four holes around the turn.

David Logie and I went out first and, despite losing our match, I record a special mention to David who finished with birdies at 17 and 18 in what is one of the toughest finishes of any course.  What Jean van de Velde would have given for that finish!

We were looked after extremely well by our hosts both on the course and during the after-match meal and we look forward very much to playing them at Gleneagles next year.

Frank Johnson

Captain