The Frank Dalgliesh Open Medal at Ramsey saw a dozen players shoot under par in good conditions with Keith Ward’s 72 taking the best gross score of the day but two shots off the pace for the nett prize. Saying that the day started poorly with a bogey on the opening hole and perhaps another dropped shot on the 16th cost him dearly after birdies on the 4th, 10th and 11th.
With Keith on 68, was Jonathan Cowley, posting an excellent round marred by dropped shots on the 17th and 18th. Nick Dutnall almost did it with birdies on the 2nd and 4th but fell apart on the last three holes with dropped shots on each. John Quayle was also on 68 after a steady round but a double bogey on the 11th and 13th knocked him out of the running.
Ray Rowley must have been frustrated with his roller-coaster round which also ended up with a 68. A birdie on the 6th and pars on the tricky last three holes were the highs but 6’s on the 2nd, 5th, 7th and 15th pulled the podium from under his feet. One shot better on 67 were early starters Geoff Hunt and Jeff Gough. Geoff Hunt’s 2 on the 3rd and a consistent round nearly did it but a disastrous 5 on the last resulted in 5th place. Jeff Gough’s opening birdie followed by a steady round finishing off with a nice par on the 18th also resulted in a 67 but he got 3rd on a back 9 count-back just ahead of Ian Liddle and Jeff Hunt.
Nudging ahead of them into 2nd place on 67 but a better back 9 was Martin Kinrade. Par 5’s suited Martin with birdies on the 11th and 14th but the contrast were the par 3’s and dropped shots on the 3rd and 18th were enough to deprive him of the Trophy. Malcolm Callow and Ian Liddle were early starters and again the last three holes proved crucial for Malcolm. After a run of pars from the 10th to the 15th and a birdie on e 16th Malcolm was set for a grandstand finish.
Playing partner, Ian Jones started very well with just one dropped shot at the 5th on the opening 7 holes. He kept Malcolm in sight all the way and it was all set-up for a dual in the sun finish on the 17th and 18th with Malcolm one shot ahead as they walked off the 16th green. Club selection and nerve is crucial on these two holes as well as a cool approach to putting under pressure. Being one shot ahead two pars meant the Trophy was Malcolm’s.
The pressure was too much and Malcolm gave way, dropping a shot and then again on the 18th . Ian kept a steady hand, paring both and winning by one shot. A great battle, no doubt thoroughly examined in every detail in the Club for the next month at least! Next week is the McDowell Anti-Cancer Open.
Photo: Ian Jones at Ramsey Golf Club.
