Panmure GC vs Dun Whinny GC
Sunday 28th July
Dun Whinny were treated to some fantastic sunshine and a calm wind, which made for perfect playing conditions at Panmure, a course favoured by many of our members.
With the Senior Open taking place just along the coast at Carnoustie, Panmure GC’s match secretary had a tough job putting a team together, with many of the members working or spectating at the event.
Despite some last-minute substitutions being required from both teams, there was a competitive spirit in the air as Panmure looked to avenge the loss from last year and Dun Whinny had the task of returning a better result than the recent narrow losses to Glasgow GC and Dun Ochil GC.
As the overall match result normally favours the home team, in most years, things looked very ominous as Club Captain Frank Johnson and Match Secretary Iain Aitchison would be the first to return to the clubhouse having conceded their match to the team of Guthrie Batchelor and James Fairlie of Panmure.
However, Ken Swa and Eric Lambert would manage to win over Peter Arbuckle and Stuart McAllister. This was despite Mr Lambert leaving his driver behind on the 13th tee, perhaps realising that he could play just as well without it.
With the match sitting at 1-1, Daley Smith and Alan Roe had a close match with Jim Wallace and Andrew McInroy. With very few holes halved it was a bizarre affair as the lead chopped and changed and no team managed to go more than 1 hole ahead, however with Dun Whinny sitting in the position of Dormy 1, with the last hole to play, Jim and Andrew just run out of holes after halving the 18th.
With the score now at 2-1, Dun Whinny seemed to be in the ascendency and the momentum continued with David McLeod and Keith Stirling finding themselves 2 down at the turn before an inspired rally saw them win 5 consecutive holes on their way to clinching the match against Iain Wilson and David Ferguson.
This would put Dun Whinny 3-1 up with the last two matches still out on the course.
In the penultimate match David Logie and Douglas Hamilton of Dun Whinny experienced a good close game with Dun Whinny always ahead or level with Panmure. On the 16th Tee Beau Fairlie and David Sim form the hosts team had brought everything back to all square yet again. Two birdies from David and Douglas in the closing holes managed to secure a one-hole win in the end.
With the win now confirmed for Dun Whinny, we waited patiently to hear the result from the last game between the teams of Bill Sexton & Kevin Beattie and Simon Davidson & former Dun Whinny member Anthony Davidson. Kevin and Bill dovetailed nicely and managed to go 4 up through the first 4 holes. The lead was difficult to pull back for the host and although the margin of the lead changed throughout the match, the win for Dun Whinny was settled before the 14th hole had been played.
A warm thanks to all at Panmure for making the day so enjoyable, we look forward to welcoming our friends you to Gleneagles for the return match in 2025.
Daley Smith
