Spring Meeting - 16/05/2026
Yesterday saw the opening event in the newly formed 'Meeting Series' comprising the Spring, Summer & Autumn meetings. Truth be told it would be magic to experience some of those seasons however I guess we'll settle for fairly dry and minimal winds for the most part.
Spring Meeting - Overall
Congratulations go to John Sermanni who posted 80(+9) nett 65(-6) and overall victory of the Spring Meeting. Continuing his recent good form John will delighted to get this over the line following his recent near miss in the Bob Burns Quaich. A round which didn't exactly start as planned however a total of 9 nett birdies and aside from the 1st no more than a bogey on the card proved a formidable combination.
1st Class
On a day of good scoring across the classes we'll begin with a welcome return to form for our 1st class winner. Alistair MacDonald 73(+2) nett 67(-4) produced a very solid round comprised of 16 pars and 2 bogies which was good enough to claim victory on countback. The unfortunate player in 2nd spot was Cammy Kelly, despite an excellent round of 74(+3) nett 67(-4) he'll no doubt be ruing a costly finish in an otherwise impressive display. Rounding out the top 3 was Muir McCluskey, again another very good round of golf 76(+5) nett 68(-3).
2nd Class
The aforementioned John Sermanni was the leading scorer in the 2nd Class. His nett 65(-6) was good for a 1 shot victory over Bartosz Prazmo who fell just short after an 82(+11) nett 66(-5). A round that saw an impressive 10 nett birdies it looks like Bartosz is getting to grips with Fereneze and could be a regular fixture on the leaderboard over the season. Finally in 3rd spot was Greg Dryden 81(+10) nett 68(-3). Hats off to Greg who shrugged off a horror start to the back nine with a flawless remaining 8 holes to sneak into the prizes.
3rd Class
Top honours in the 3rd class went to Geo Calderhead 93(+22) nett 66(-5). Assessing his card a true definition on when to make your shots count as he compiled 3 nett eagles and 6 nett birdies across the round. That score was enough for a 1 shot victory over Graeme Buchanan 86(+15) nett 67(-4). When Graeme raced to the turn in nett 30(-6) he looked set to lap the field however a more sedate back nine meant he had to settle for 2nd place. Completing the places was Russell Aird 88(+17) nett 69(-2), another solid round demonstrating that avoiding the big numbers is the key to success at Fereneze.
Scratch
Last but by no means least todays scratch competition saw 3 Fereneze legends occupy the top spots. Richie Elrick took leading honours with 68(-3) and his 2nd consecutive victory. An excellent round with 4 birdies, 13 pars and 1 bogey was enough to edge Davie Miller 68(-3) on countback following an identical compilation of holes. Ian McMillan was our 3rd place finisher following a 70(-1), a round that threatened to be better but a no doubt satisfying start to the season.
Finally, Davie passed on two pieces of invaluable advice that he picked up from his playing partner Roddy McAuley. Don't ever think if you shell it left of the planet on 10 that you can't make birdie and if you ever need to hit 5 off the tee at 16 and drive the green, don't 3-putt.
Thanks again to all who played and happy golfing if you're playing this week.
Thanks
Michael
Summer Meeting - 18/07/2026
Saturday competition and sensational weather a truly unbeatable combination.
Those factors saw 137 players tee it up for the 2nd of the 'Meeting Series' events the Summer Meeting.
Summer Meeting - Overall
Congratulations go to overall Summer Meeting winner James Boyd 81(+10) nett 65(-6). Fair play to James as he displayed the perfect reaction to a poor finish to his opening nine holes with a sensational back nine 36(+1) nett 28(-7) aided by back to back nett eagles at 14 & 15 to storm through the field and claim the glory.
1st Class
On a day of excellent scoring within the 1st class it was Kevin Walsh 72(+1) nett 67(-4) who produced the days best score. A fairly solid opening had Kevin +3 through 8 before a flawless last 10 holes in 2 under proved to be the difference maker. That was enough to edge Nathan Bain 74(+3) nett 68(-3) by a single shot. Again another very solid round of golf with no more than a bogey on the card and in keeping with the theme a great back nine. Completing the top 3 was Jim Stevenson 79(+8) nett 69(-2). Likely a frustrated figure as Jim produced the most green numbers on the scorecard only to be undone by a couple of untimely 7s none more so than down the last.
2nd Class
The aforementioned James Boyd also claimed 2nd class honours and a nice boost to the shop account. James's total gave him a one shot victory over Colin Higgins 81(+10) nett 66(-5). Eerily similar rounds with Colin's undoing simply having one less shot of a handicap. If I was to look into my crystal ball I would suggest that a victory for Colin isn't far away. Rounding out the top 3 was Jim McNeil 86(+15) nett 69(-2). Matching halves of 43 for Jim in a solid round and we won't talk about anything that happened on 6.
3rd Class
Todays 3rd class victor was Jack Brookmyre 90(+19) nett 70(-1). Aided by 5 nett birdies and a timely nett eagle at 15 Jack edged out Greg Valentine 87(+16) nett 70(-1) on the inward half. A great opening 11 holes had Greg nicely positioned before the wheels came off ever so slightly during the middle of the back nine. Fortunately a solid finish ensured 2nd spot a cut to the handicap. In 3rd spot was Mark Stewart 96(+25) nett (L). Might be my favourite round of the day, Mark was +7 nett through 7 holes and you either decide it's not my day or I've got 11 holes left and I'm turning this round, glad to see he choose the later and was rewarded with the last of the days sweep money.
Scratch
In yet another recurring theme we had a 4-way tie at the top of the scratch standings requiring the use of the inward half as opposed to a 4-way fight to the death. Today's victor was Michael Hart Jnr 70(-1) with a crucial birdie on the last to complete a back nine 33(-2) and steal the glory. That allowed Michael to pip Davie Miller 70(-1) who responded to a poor start with an excellent last 16 holes including a hole out eagle at 13, Ian McMillan 70(-1) who is on a very consistent run of form and playing partner Andrew Buttar 70(-1) completing a 4th top 5 from only 5 Medals played.
I hasten to add that's 2 consecutive scratch victories for the Hart family, surely they can't make 3 on Sunday.....
Thanks to everyone who played and contributes to what is now an integral part of the golfing calendar at Fereneze.
Michael