Texas Scramble... in Memory of Keith Howie
On 22 February the Members at HDA played the annual competition in memory of our dear friend Keith Howie.
Keith passed away, somewhat fittingly, on Burns Day, the 25 January three years ago
… and this annual competition gives us the opportunity to celebrate the life of someone who truly represented the spirit of both the resort and the golf course here at HDA.
He was a big man… with hands the size of a bear and a hug to match.
He was the only ever honorary male member of the ladies Cava Club… his popularity no doubt enhanced by his generous donations of cava to the post game celebrations!
Keith gave a warm welcome and support to everyone… he was a true gentleman.
It’s testimony to the love for Keith that we had a full house for the competition with 63 players taking part.
We were delighted that, as with previous years, Keith’s son Kieran had flown in from the frozen north to be with us… along with his pals Steve, Cameron and Douglas.
You may be asking why we were playing this competition nearly a full month after Burn’s Day…
This was due to a request from Kieran and his Scottish teammates who had complained that the weather in January for the previous two competitions was too cold for them… and could we move the date to a warmer month.
And so, we moved the competition back one month to make sure that they were warm enough… bless them!
The good news for all involved was that the weather was beautiful… absolutely perfect for Simon Parks to take the team photos on the first tee. Thank you, Simon.
All the players were able to enjoy a wee nip of Whisky at the aptly named ‘Howie’s Hut’ on the 5th. This was Keith’s favourite picnic spot on the course where he would whip out a chilled flask of his homemade ‘mystery’ concoction… ‘Tutti Frutti’!
A big thank you to Sandra and Ian McLean for ‘manning’ the hut and making sure that everyone was suitably refreshed!
With the 6th being closed for the new irrigation works, the players only had to negotiate another three holes before they were greeted by the lovely ladies at the halfway house.
Thank you to Sharon Lizzimore and Louise Haigh for the plentiful supply of beer, cava, whisky, sandwiches, sweets and, of course, biscuits!!!
Despite the plentiful supply of whisky, the teams managed to post some very competitive scores… and, after 4 hours or so in the sun the players retired to the Club House balcony for a complimentary drink and the presentation.
In the Men’s Category the winners were John Dynan, Andy Tibbs, Tassos Sachinis and Cecil Tassie with a fine score of -12.
The runners-up in the Mixed Category were Heather and Paul Janney, Peter Bethell and Andy Mitchell with -9.
However, the winners of the Mixed Category and the overall winners of the Scramble in Memory of Keith Howie were Liz and Julian Duckmanton and Yvonne and Jerry Keohane with a superb score of -14… yes, that’s a net 58!!!
Kieran Howie presented the winners Quaich and two bottles 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.
It was a very special day… in memory of a very special man - he would have loved it!
Hopefully Kieran and the boys can be with us next year… we will try to organise the good weather for you!
Finally, a big thank you to Simon Parks for taking the photos throughout the day - to view and download the photos please click here
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