EPISODE THREE - A NEW DAWN

1995. Garmouth, Elgin, Banff (Duffhouse Royal), Lossie.

Dave took a great leap forward from the word Go (or ‘Drive’ or ‘On the tee…’) with a 71 to the others: JR 79, D Bear 79, Tommo 82. Tommo contrived a 9 at the 2nd and a 10 at the infamous 17th hole, the Devil’s Elbow, a par 5 at this time. Not to be outdone, Duncan had an 11 there. And Robbo somehow managed a 10 at the 8th ‘Road’ hole that curves around the burn. (Total score at Devil’s Elbow 7+8+10+11=36, compared to a par of 20!)

Round 2, Elgin. Robbo did best here, 71, Duncan 76, Tommo 78 and Dave a (surprising) 82. Round 3 – Duffhouse Royal, for the first time. Quite an open parkland course, but still plenty to trip over. Duncan did amazingly well, with a 65. John 70, Gordon 73 and Dave 74.

Duncan and Robbo tied going into the last round! Drama! The scene was Lossiemouth New, not Duncan’s favourite, especially in the wind. A jittery start did not help – 10! at the first to Robbo’s par 4, wiping out the handicap difference and giving JR a 3 shot lead – in one hole. At the turn, Robbo was there in 42 gross, Duncan 56, his chance gone. But out on the rails, Dave had crept up, with an amazing 35 gross. He kept in touch all the way home and ended up drawing level – the first ever tied Bears!

Finishing Scores:- JR 293, Dave 293, Duncan 303, Gordon 322. (Tommo had three 8’s and a 10 on the back 9. A wonder he even got home at all!)

1996 Lossie, Garmouth, Elgin, Banff D.R.

After last season, decided to get Lossie out the way first. Play was a bit more sensible, certainly by Tommo who was 13 shots better, Dave 71, Robbo 73, Tommo 76, Duncan 88 mainly due to a 14!! at the 7th. When the wind gets going at Lossie, the gorse is nasty stuff.
Round 2, Garmouth, much better scoring: Dave 66, John and Duncan 71’s, Gordon a 72. Almost like real golfers (the par is 66).
At Elgin, Tommo led the way with a 71, Dave on 73 and John and Duncan a piece behind on 82 and 81 respectively. So, at the last round stage:-

Realistically, only Dave and Tommo were still in it. The last round was at Duff House Royal, Banff. Tommo was down at the turn 50-44 but pulled it back a little on the back with 74 to Dave’s 76. However, Dave’s hands were securely on the trophy. JR had a blistering 68, almost taking second place and Duncan 84. Dave 286, GT 293, Robbo 294, Duncan 324.