In Memory of Keith Howie...

The Winners 'Quaich'.

Our dear friend Keith Howie passed away on 25 January 2021 - rather fitting that this was Robbie Burns Day... celebrating the birth and life of the famous Scottish poet.

Keith's favourite format of the game was a 'scramble' and one year on we were able to play a Texas Scramble in his Memory.

Such was Keith's popularity that 68 players, in 17 teams, took to the course to compete for the fabulous winners 'Quaich' ... brought over from the UK by Keith's son Kieran.

Although the weather forecast initially looked a tad grim... the rain stayed away and we enjoyed a dry, if slightly chilly round.

On the 5th tee, the players were asked to stop for a while at Keith's favourite 'picnic' spot to enjoy a 'wee dram of whisky' - given the conditions, the warming effect of the whisky was greatly appreciated!

Once again, Louise Haigh and Jan Forbes McDowell were on hand at the halfway house with their usual fair... along with a further neep of whisky - so, we were all well nourished for the back nine!

Thank you ladies for going 'above and beyond' on a cold day and to Anna Frigieri and Torill Anglevik who sponsored the Whisky at the 5th and food and refreshment at the halfway house.

The players and guests returned to the Club House in the evening for the presentation of the trophy and to raise a glass in the memory of the 'big man'.

Before announcing the winners it would be remiss not to mention a quite extraordinary feat achieved by one of our teams. On the par five, 4th hole Tam Henderson knocked a good drive (allegedly not as good as Andrew Haigh's... but they needed to use one of Tam's!!!) down the middle.

Gareth Woolnough stepped up to send a perfectly hit rescue hurtling towards the green. After spending a few minutes looking for the ball the lads checked in the hole only to see Gareth's ball!

An 'Albatross'... certainly not something you see every day - but would it help the boys lift the trophy???

The Club House bar was particularly busy for the presentation and after some beautiful words from his friends Torill and Anna, Keith's son Kieran presented the Quaich to the winners.

With three teams tied on net 61, third place was decided on the back 9... with the team of Frank Knighton, John Smith, Paul Higgins and Michael Joseph prevailing. It has to be said, that Keith would have been somewhat perturbed to hear that Kieran's team were well placed at the turn and blamed the intake of whisky on the ninth for their subsequent dismal form... and slump to 61 and 5th place!

Runners-up were Fransisco Munoz, Fransisco Reventos, Sue Saunders and Gina Wagemans with a net 60.

From the winning team - Andrew Haigh and Tam Henderson with Kieran Howie.

However, the winners of the first Texas Scramble in Memory of Keith Howie were Gareth Woolnough, Ged Errington, Tam Henderson and Andrew Haigh with a net 58 - with only four shots, their gross 62 is deserving of winning any competition.

They received the winners Quaich, a dozen golf balls marked with the distinctive Keith Howie red, green and blue dots and a bottle of The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky. In the true spirit of the day the Whisky didn't leave the bar... and was shared in Keith's memory.

This truly was a 'special' day for a 'special' man.

Thank you to everyone who took part... I think he would have loved it.

Kieran... 'thank you' for being our guest of honour. Assuming you have managed to make it back to the UK (!!??)... we would love to see you, Steve and Cameron back here next year - when the weather will be warmer!

Finally, a big 'thank you' to Simon Parks for his photography - once again his photographs are a great reminder of a special day. There are some great shots... to view and download the photographs please click here.