PUTTING - Sunday afternoon was sunny and warm for the 72-hole Stroke Play Championships, although a gusting wind did cause some difficulties for the players during the first round.
That the surface itself was in such fine shape was due to the sterling efforts of Wairds Park committee member, Alan Bruce, who putting family obligations aside, braved Saturday night's heavy rain to ensure that the green was cut and in prime conditi
on.
At the halfway stage of the main event Michael Craig (Snr), with rounds of 39 and 37 (76) was four ahead of David Smith's 80 (42,38) with a number of others in close pursuit. After a short break for refreshments it was back to the action where there ensued a terrific tussle between the two leaders. After 54 holes David had pulled one back with a round of 38 to Michael's 39 and then, as Michael faded with a 42, he surged ahead to close with an excellent round of 37 to win the 72 – hole Stroke Play Championship with a total of 155.
Winner of the Waughton Trophy for leading lady was Alison Beedie with rounds of 44,41,40,45 for a total of 170 and the runner-up was June McNeill four behind on 174 (46,43,43,42).
Findlay McCallum won the Under 16 Championship with a score of 175 (42,45,43,45) and the runner-up was Adam Smith on 183 (44,46,48,45).
Donald Dundas's final round 36 won him the prize for the lowest round of the day, while Alison Beedie's 40 was the best of the ladies' and Findlay McCallum and Liam Beedie, each win rounds of 42, won themselves the prize for the lowest round among the juniors.
Organiser, Donald Dundas thanked all who had supported the event.
Monday night's competition for the Barclay Harvey Shield was a triumph for the extended Beedie family. Alison defeated Michael Craig (Snr) in the final one up. In the semi-finals Alison defeated Jean Stephen at the 21st hole while it was the 27th before Michael got the better of David Smith.
In the consolation David Beedie defeated Alan Beedie one up and, by defeating Max McBay by 4 and 3 in the final, Liam Beedie won the shield for primary school children. The losing semi-finalists were Rhurie McCallum and Murray Dunbar.
Horticultural Society
This year's winners of the Horticultural Society's garden competition are as follows:
Major L. Kerr Trophy for the Best Garden in the Show Area - Mrs Juni Bastiman, The Croft, West Brae. Morrison Cup, Runner-up to the Best Garden in the Show Area - Mr and Mrs David Sutherland, the Old Manse, Seaview Terrace.
Captain and Mrs Stansfeld Trophy for the Pensioner's Best Kept Garden - Mr and Mrs Norman Garden, Parkside.
Silverdot Cup for the Best Novice Garden - Susan Cairns, The Lookout, Seaview Terrace.
Container Trophy for the Best Container Display- Mrs Jackie Lawrence, Benholm Smiddy.
There was an excellent entry in this year's competition and the Society wish to congratulate the winners and offer their thanks to all those who took part. The judge was Mr Kevin White, head gardener at Glenbervie House.
Bowling Club
Unfortunately, heavy rain once more caused the cancellation of Friday's hat night, the fourth time this has happened this season.
However, there was a flurry of activity on Saturday and Sunday which saw progress being made towards the completion of club competitions and which included the 11-end final of the ladies Drawn Pairs in which Meggie Hann and Fiona Dundas defeated Mary Lindsay and Ann Aitken by 9 shots to 6.
Meggie and Fiona took control right from the start and were 9-1 ahead after eight ends before Mary and Ann reduced the deficit to a more respectable three shots with a late run of 1,2,2.
JFFMG
The Johnshaven Fish Festival Management Group have published their interim Financial Report immediately following the successful conclusion of the 13th annual event. It shows that total income amounted to £4,230 and expenditure £2,540. A final report will be prepared and submitted as part of the LEADER funding application.
JFFMG have already donated the sum of £250 to the RNLI, in particular to the RNLB Station in Montrose, and are proud to announce that £1,600 has been allocated to the 2009 Local Community Good Fund..
Applications for grant awards from groups and individuals resident in Benholm and Johnshaven from this fund should be made in writing with a brief description of the activity, to JFFMG c/o Johnshaven Stores before October 30 with the awards being made in November.
The JFFMG wish to thank all who helped in the planning and organisation of the Fish Festival.
Village Hall
Work on the refurbishment of the Village Hall is getting ever nearer to completion. Double glazing in the small hall and adjoining toilets and a new back door have now been installed, as have new velux windows in the main toilets: repairs to the roof have been carried out and interior doors re-hung to comply with health and safety regulations. Still remaining to be done is the installation of extra heaters in the small hall and some further electrical work.
The total cost of the improvements is £17,500, of which the Village Hall Committee have raised £9,000 while the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee from their Top-Up budget and Aberdeenshire Council's Leisure and Recreation Committee have each granted £4,275.
Once all the work is completed there will be quite a lot of redecorating to be done and the committee also intend to repaint the exterior of the 130-year old building, neither of which items was included in the original proposals. The excellent sum of £685 which was raised from providing the afternoon teas at the recent Fish Festival will go some way to covering the extra expense and the committee are also most grateful for a recent grant of £600 from the Community Council.
Wairds Park
With most schools now back in harness the Wairds Park has quietened down after what has been another busy season. Although there seems to have been fewer caravans than last year this has been made up by the large number of tents which have booked in and there were many nights when the site was full. All the sports facilities have been well used and, although now less in demand during the day, they continue to offer lots of opportunities for exercise in the evenings and at week-ends.
Prize Bingo
Just a reminder of the Bowling Carpet Fund committee's prize bingo session in the Community Clubroom at Wairds Park tomorrow night (Saturday). Doors open at 6.30 p.m. Eyes down 7 p.m. Admission £1.50 which includes refreshments and two bingo books. Extra books 25p. Raffle. All welcome.
