The three winter eclectics drew to an exciting finale on Saturday March 14th. Over Buddon Links, Arthur Coleman, whose net 48.75 had looked unassailable for many weeks, duly won the Jock Calder Trophy, with Frank Swan in second place and club captain Adrian Arthur third. ( Indeed, if the competition rules had been different, Arthur would also have collected the scratch prize for his fine total of 57. ) ALMOST at the last minute, however, Doug Mitchell snatched victory in the most dramatic fashion, a hole in one at the short seventeenth ( his whoop of joy must have been heard miles away!) giving him a total of 58. That pipped Scott Kerr, thoroughly enjoying being back in Carnoustie and, healthwise, happily on the way to full recovery after a difficult year. Donald ( 'Still Nae Medals') Ford was third.
On the Championship course, Mike Swanston ( thoroughly enjoying his retirement, obviously!) won the handicap prize, with Norman Howie second and Jim Morrison third. Gordon Wilson pipped Gordon Adam for the scratch prize with a fine score of 46 for the thirteen holes, with the winner's two at the thirteenth ( the only one recorded at the last hole on the winter course ) making all the difference. Pat Robb was in third place.
Meanwhile, Peter McColgan won the handicap prize on the Burnside, his better inward nine just pipping Adrian Arthur. Extraordinarily, Peter's two at the last hole was again critical; surely there can have been few previous tournaments when the final two holes played such a critical role in the outcome on all three courses? Arthur Coleman - in fine form all winter - won the scratch prize with a score of 59. Pat Robb was second and Norman Howie third.
Two final points are worthy of mention. Most Dalhousie members will agree that this has been one of the coldest winters for many years. In spite of that, the interest and enjoyment of winter golf - and of the keenly fought eclectic tournaments in particular - have never waned, while the post-match banter has been as enjoyable as ever. Secondly, Arthur Coleman and Scott Kerr have done a sterling job in regularly uploading the weekly results on the website. Much time and effort was required to produce such a comprehensive and speedy summary of every member's performance on the three courses and it is only fair that we should pass on the appreciation of all concerned to our technological "whizz-kids". With the excitement of a new season almost upon us, it seems incongruous to say "roll on next autumn"....but after the fun of the winter past, it is another highlight of the Dalhousie season to which we can all look forward with relish.