David Dowling, Managing Director of Cairngorm Windows,  centre, with North-east winners Iain Powell (Murcar Links) and Vicki Powell (Deeside) at Brora (image by Robin Wilson)

North-east Powells, Iain and Vicki, win Brora Mixed foursomes

By ROBIN WILSON
When the home challenge faded, visiting couples carried away two of the three trophies on offer in the Cairngorm Windows Brora Mixed Foursomes competition last Sunday.
With most of the local couples out before mid-day and disadvantaged by a cold northerly wind, the way was open for several strong visiting pairings to dominate the scratch and handicap sections.
First to show were the holders of the Brora Salver, father and daughter Dougall and Gemma Chalmers. Since their scratch winning score of 74 12 months ago Gemma Chalmers has halved her handicap from twelve to six and her father has become Sutherland's county champion. Their repeat score of 12 months ago, a 74, became one of only two scores under 80 and they were in prime position to retain the scratch Salver by seven shots, ahead of a very good morning card of 81, out in the more severe morning conditions, by Golspie pair Jimmy Yuill and Sheila Robertson.
But within 15 minutes the Chalmers were relegated to second place by another family duo. Former Clynelish Salver winner, Iain Powell (Murcar Links) and his teenage niece Vicki Powell (16) who is a member of the Deeside Golf Club, Aberdeen, linked up again to repeat their win from two years ago but with an even lower score, a three over par 72 from halves of 38 and 34.
Iain, holder of a one handicap and Vicki, 17 handicap, ended their level par inward half with a bogey on the par-3 18th hole where Vicki's tee-shot with a nine wood over-shot the green.
With the only net score below 70, their 68 from a handicap of 13, saw Yuill and Robertson in the low handicap category carry away the Roderick MacDonald Street-sponsored Shield, allowing Alan McHoul (Mortonhall) and Jane Herd (Muselburgh) to earn a third scratch place with their 84, one ahead of the first local pair to figure, George Duncan and Fiona MacLennan after a bad day for local favourites John Sutherland and Marlene Bokas.
Helmsdale-based mother and son Fiona Sutherland and Graham Grant (both Brora members) kept their relationship in soft mode, despite some errant putting to gross 84 and net 71 for the runner's up place in Class 1  before the second item of silverware left the club in the higher handicap group.
The A L Mackay Trophy for Class 2 was won by John “cha-cha” Innes (Castle Heather) and his Golspie playing partner Hazel Proctor who made the most of their win over good friends, Graeme Bennett (Castle Heather) and his Brora golfing partner, Angela Sutherland.
Just half a point behind in third place were Angela's husband Ali “B” Sutherland, partnering his sister-in-law, and wife's sister Marie Matthew (Invergordon).
Brora Lady Captain, Angela MacBeath, relieved to be have only one major event left in her year of office, The Ladies Open in two weeks, welcomed a packed clubhouse to a prize giving where sponsors David and Gillian Dowling of Cairngorm Windows were able to present all the prizewinners with their prizes.
Results:
Scratch
Brora Salver – I S Powell (Murcar Links) and V Powell (Deeside) 72; D W R Chalmers and Miss G Chalmers (Panmure and Monifieth) 74; A McHoul and Ms. J Herd (Mortonhall and Mussellburgh) 84; G Duncan and F MacLennan (Brora) 85.
Handicap
Class 1- R M Street Shield - J. Yuill and Miss S Robertson (Golspie) (13) 68; G Grant and Mrs F Sutherland (Brora) (13) 71. Mr and Mrs H. Macrae (Royal Dornoch) (13) 73; R G Sim (Brora) and Mrs. A Clarke (Oxford Ladies) (12½) 73½.
Class 2 - A L Mackay Trophy - J. Innes (Castle Heather) and Ms. H. Proctor (Golspie) (18½) 70½; G Bennett (Inverness) and Mrs A Sutherland (Brora) (17) 71; A Sutherland (Brora) and Mrs. M Mathews (Invergordon) (15½) 71½; Mr and Mrs D Blythe (Prestonfield) (23½) 72½