Balmoral XV

Much later than the traditional last Monday in June date, last night 10 of us made the trip up to Balmoral for our annual outing. It was the largest contingent ever from Banchory. Normally a member has to play with each group, which, in the early years, has restricted our numbers to just 6, with Gary Coutts and one other member playing with us.

In the last 2 years, however, Gary managed to get two other members to play with us, increasing the available spaces for visitors to 9, playing in three fourballs. Invitations went out to previous attendees and there was the usual rush of acceptances, one of which was a little later than the others which we initially thought was going to mean somebody missing out this time, but, despite the newly arrived presence of the Queen and Prince Philip on site, Gary managed to bend the rules for us this year to allow all 10 of us to attend. We were joined by Gary - of course - and, for the first time Craig, now a part-time gardener on the Royal estate.

It was a fine evening, although a little cooler than it was in Banchory, as we lined up for the team photo:

 The later date allowed me to keep my 100% attendance record, but also meant an earlier than usual start, with us all meeting outside the gates at 5 pm. As usual, the midges descended on the last couple of holes as the wind dropped and darkness started to fall, but everyone was well prepared and a pharmacy-full variety of bug repellents was in use, tainting the clean Highland air.

The course was in excellent condition and the rough its usual punitive self. When we got to the 7th tee, our group glanced over towards the adjacent Craigowan Lodge:

(photo from the web - not taken last night!)

There were two figures sitting in the front room (downstairs right) window - perhaps admiring our tee shots? Times are hard for the Royal Family - their home down south is being re-furbed and when they come north, the castle isn't ready for them, so they have to slum it in this very modest (7-bedroom) dwelling.

We gathered afterwards in the clubhouse and sat down to the food and beers brought in as usual by Peter, with Gary pouring large drams from a bottle of the nearby distillery's Royal Lochnagar, and me doing the prize-giving.

Gary was the individual winner on the evening with 36 points - one better than Les. NP's were won by Gary and Malcolm, with Dick getting the LD. The Team event went to Gary, Ian D, Jas and Peter with a Best 3 score of 117.

Here's the individual scores:

Coutts, Gary	36
Gray, Les	35
Dring, Ian	34
Grigor, Malcolm	34
Bhagrath, Jas	31
Stewart, Ian	31
Black, Ken	29
, Craig	27
Taylor, Dick	27
Gray, Keith	26
Street, Peter	24
Page, Ken	23

Another great evening - and we all look forward to next year, which will be held very close to Gary's 50th birthday!