The Highland Tour

JBGS members from far and wide arrived in the Highlands of Scotland full of hope, expectation and not to mention a tinge of trepidation of what the forthcoming days would bring. Click here for the Captain’s report of all the fun that ensued

Day1 – June 26, meeting up again at Fortrose and Rosemarkie GC on a gloomy day with no wind- a rare event apparently. Could we make the most of it – despite the main priority of getting in before the rain came? So all home and dry -(why did we worry about the weather>) and into the clubhouse for food and friendship.

So now to the results. Did the Captain have to re-write his speech – again? Yes this would have been for the third time. No, it was a narrow win even without Mike MacDonald for Fortrose and Rosemarkie. The club members did him proud with a 6 matches to 5 win. Well done to them.
Special mention goes to Bruce Armour from the Fortrose & Rosemarkie team who achieved a hole in one on the 5^th hole against the Captain and Steve. Thank you for the celebratory drink.

Once again, a great day at Fortrose & Rosemarkie GC with the traditional warm welcome ensuring that the fixture is one which we will look forward to again next year.                        

Day 2 – June 27, this year the match versus Royal Dornoch Golf Club for the Friendship Trophy was played on the Struie giving many of the JBGS team their first opportunity to play this course – which was found to be in pristine condition.
On arrival we were greeted with warm sunshine and a brisk breeze and both teams teed off in anticipation of a good match.

Both Captain’s speeches were reflective of how successful the day had been, and how they both looked forward to repeating the fixture next year. And the result – we were narrowly overcome by good golf and local knowledge with Royal Dornoch winning 6 matches to 4.

And so to Day 3 – June 28, the finale of our week. The Founding Meeting competition at Brora. Whilst we had been lucky with the weather to this point, Friday threw us some very testing conditions including squally showers and very strong winds which touched 40 mph at times. However a field of 20 players went out to do battle – with the course, with the weather and with their golf.

There was plenty of time for us all to make ourselves presentable for the dinner which followed that evening in the Brora GC. A great meal was enjoyed by all followed by the presentation of the prizes to the winners. The Fines Master then issued fines for misdemeanours great and small, a toast was raised to absent friends, and the captain closed the evening with a toast to the man we had gathered together to honour – “James Braid.”

The captain thanked the JBGS members for making the week the success it had been and for also enabling him to regain his faith in the society’s capabilities after their 2 defeats during the week, following 2 victories at the regional meetings held since we were last in the Highlands. 
The Bunnet was passed round at each of the venues resulting in very generous donations made to the Junior sections at each of the clubs. This was very well received and much appreciated.

Meanwhile, we look forward to seeing you in North Wales in September at the last events of 2024.