65 is the Magic Number in Lowest Scoring Competition Day of 2025
Analysis
I know, I know, it must be a shock to all of us but 2 relatively calm successive Saturdays and it would appear that most adapted better today with little wind versus last week with the scoring today the lowest of the year so far, more than half a shot lower than the previous low of Medal No.1 back in May.
65 was the magic number too it would seem.
- A flawless 65 from Callum Macaulay (I had a front row seat, more on that shortly) was the winning scratch score.
- Dylan Smith playing in his first medal following a big money transfer from Largs posted 65 to take second class.
- 65 was the number to win 3rd class too with super senior Eddie Sloan making a welcome return to form at the age of 117!
- Jim Coleman (the nett specialist) let the side down in First Class with just the nett 67.
Hardest Holes
- 15th - Played 1.62 over it's par and yielded only 1 birdie (Jim Coleman)
- 3rd - Played 1.27 over it's par (higher tee a contributing factor??)
- 10th - Played 1.14 over it's par
Easiest Holes
- 17th - The joint most birdies (11) with the 16th.
- 5th - The fewest double bogies (9) joint with 17
- 18th - Although the 3rd easiest it had the 3rd highest instances of the dreaded "Others"
Scratch Medal
Those of a certain vintage, or those who know their history will be aware of David Narey's "toe poke" that opened the scoring against the fine Brazil team of the 1982 World Cup that featured the likes of Socrates and Zico. Well, it just angered the Brazilians and they mauled us 4-1. Well for David Narey, read Ross Connolly and for Brazil read Callum Macaulay. Big Ross's 66 that pipped Callum's 67 last week must have annoyed him as just upped it a gear and made it 65 and a 5 shot win over 4 players (Jim Coleman, Michael Hart Jnr (shock) Davie Miller and Andrew Buttar).
I had a front row seat and I could easily have had my name on another course record card (the only way that's happening again is as the marker) as Callum reached the turn in 33 but could easily have been 30. The "low guys" will have to step it up to compete with Callum in this form but I'm sure they'll welcome the challenge!
Jim Coleman was 2nd courtesy of his back nine of 32, still playing great golf now in his 60's is the 4 time club champion. His 32 was matched by son Craig who needed a score to secure a club championship slot!
First Class
Mr "I can't win anything Nett" Coleman who disproved that theory last year has gone and done the same again this year with a First Class victory. Jim's birdie's at 10, 12, 15 and 16 helped him edge Andy Moyes courtesy of the better inward half for a gross 70 and nett 67. Andy fought 'til the end though with a birdie at 18 that went alongside his birdies at 5 and 12. Coleman Jr (Craig) edged the 3 players that finished on nett 68 (Simon Leonard and Jim Carse) courtesy of his excellent back 9. Simon's in FerEx mode and Jim might get comeback player of the year having just re-joined after a few years away and posting some excellent scores.
Second Class
Dylan Smith, our 2nd class winner, was previously a member at Largs but moved to the southside earlier this year and decided Fereneze was the place for his golf. Apparently it's because he can see Largs from on top of the hill he chose us but having made his medal debut today and won hopefully it's the start of something special for Dylan as golf membership goes, or it might just all go downhill from here! Dylan posted an incredible inward half of nett 28 (gross 36) having made the turn in nett 37 (gross 45) Competition regular Eddie Gilhooley finished 2 shots adrift of Dylan, posting only his 5th sub 80 round in 5 years. Mixed bag finish, birdies at 13 and 17 but a triple at the difficult 15th. Jim Haldane pipped George Morrison (who's having a very consistent season) courtesy of the BIH with an impressive gross 37.
Third Class
Can't begrudge this guy a 3rd Class win, veteran and well kent face at Fereneze Eddie Sloan took 1st place and also had a best of the day nett 65. Eddie's been slowly but surely creeping up handicap wise but managed his first sub 90 round since July '23. That was with a double at the last but the highlight would undoubtedly be his 2 at 14. Peter McAuley, another keen medal supporter had a strong finish after a snowman at 8 to take 2nd by 1 shot from Kenny Bates and Michael Devine. Peter's round build on hi spar 3 play, 3 pars and just the bogey at 2. Kenny had a clumsy finish after an otherwise solid round. That was enough to pip Michael who had his wobble during the middle of the round.
FerEx
Now he's kind of my deputy golf boss as he's the Vice Captain so I need to be careful what I say here but the facts speak for themselves, Clark Hill's form is on the slide and his lead is eroding week by week. His last 3 FerEx qualifying finishes have been his lowest of the season but as we make the turn in the FerEx season he still sits on top where many would like to be. Simon Leonard is no stranger to the top of the FerEx standings over the last 3 years and he's at it again this year and he can smell some Paisley Panda blood! Defending FerEx champion and regular playing partner of Clark's Jim Coleman moves menacingly into third courtesy of his best finish of the season (3rd). Jim's yet to be outside the top 35 in the seven events he's played. Craig Shaw (with 4 top 20s from 7 events) sits in 4th. Michael Hart Jnr sits in 5th. Jim Bulloch moved from 42nd to the final qualifying position of 30th.