Wednesday, February 14th, 2007.
After a fairly slow start to 2007, the UHI Golf Club was blessed with stunning weather for only the second meeting of the year. Initial reports of this being a qualifying round were dismissed as the players arrived at Tain Golf Club. A regular round in the eclectic competition was the only commitment on the line, and so this left the door open for a busy afternoon in the UHI singles matchplay. By my reckoning, three high profile matches took place.
Out first was the ever-impressive UHI Golf Team Captain Greg McBain. Greg found himself in a potentially tough match against fiery first year upstart Lyle Hastie. Going on the formbooks, Greg went into this one as a clear favourite. However, giving away six shots to the Glasgow man was never going to be easy, and this had the hallmarks of being a real battle. On the day though, Lyle found McBain to be in devastating form, and the third year took this one in commanding style by 6 and 5. Greg played some great stuff, and in the process of the match knocked it round in 67.
Up next was an all-third year, and all Golf Team, double header. UHI Golf Team vice-captain and all round good guy James Warwick was thrown in against Ernie Els wannabe Jonathan Holmes. Now with minimal shots on offer and third year status on the line, this was a tense affair. By both players own emission this was not a classic, as both struggled to find top form. However, at the end it was James Warwick who did just enough to hold on and take a 2 and 1 victory. James was said to be delighted with the outcome, and onlookers apparently saw him laughing and joking with other players, but this has yet to be confirmed.
The second match in this double header pitted the likeable Graham Gordon against the infamous Graeme "Corndog" Morton. Now with Morts claiming five shots over the Rod, this match really had the prospect of being a classic. Media frenzy had only added to the hype, and daily banter between the players in class had raised the stakes to the limit. Both came into the match with limited form, as circumstances had so far lead to minimum appearances in 07’. You would never have known, as both players came out of the blocks on fire, some might even say "throwing darts". Trading the lead throughout the match, it was Gordon who ended up coming out on top, taking this match 2 and 1.
Three matches, all played in great spirit, and with some superb golf on show. Plenty more of that to come in the next few weeks I’m sure.
Friday night saw the first ever Rob McPherson quiz to be held at the Eagle Hotel. All proceeds from the quiz were going towards the UHI Golf Team fund, so the only real winners on the night were the golf team. A great quiz was on offer, as the competitors were put through their paces. At the end of the night a team of UHI staff/students were awarded the first prize, to a good reception. However, in the aftermath of the event, it has become known that the team was receiving SMS answers through via mobile telephones. The source of the answers can not be named due to legal reasons, but it is believed to be a student. An official enquiry has been ordered.
