Having inflicted a pretty severe thumping upon
Dalhousie at Carnoustie, in the first of the 2018 'double header', it was fair
to assume that the Tayport match might find a degree of over confidence in the
Fife camp. Alas, that was not to be, with Dalhousie being on the receiving end
of a whopping defeat by six matches to nil. It is some indication of the losing
margin that, afterwards, John MacDougall and Lindsay Hood congratulated each
other in only losing by two and one!
The Scotscraig layout, of course, has not enjoyed Open Qualifying status
without reason and, even in magnificent weather, it proved a difficult task
again for Dalhousie. After enjoying a fair bit of alteration to celebrate its
bicentenary (notably additional bunkering, removal of substantial swathes of
rough at key areas and a fair amount of re-modelling of tees and greens), it is
fair to say that the degree of difficulty has certainly not been eased for
visiting golfers!
Nevertheless, the result WAS disappointing, but the strength in depth within
the membership numbers currently enjoyed by the home team again took its toll
on Dalhousie. The Tanner trophy thus remains ensconced at Tayport where, in
hindsight, it certainly deserves to be, after a fine display by the home team
in the continuing celebrations of its bicentenary.
NEXT year, of course, it is Dalhousie's turn to celebrate......and hope
certainly springs eternal!