First Round Results at Blairgowrie

The first round at Blairgowrie in the Scottish Vets championship produced one or two surprise results. The weather was possibly pretty well perfect for late September, sun, no rain and next to no wind. The course looked good but one competitor said it was a little "tattie" - and she won! As in previous years, the greens had been tyned very recently leaving a less than smooth surface which was possibly a little different from some of the player's home conditions - and certainly very different from those experienced last week at Kyle and Penfig.

Moira Thomson, the East Vets champion won fairly easily with a 6 and 4 victory over Pearl Beattie, from Dumfries and indeed she looked very much the champion with a secure game and easy swing. She was ably supported by Sue Penman, who caddied for her - pictures of both will follow when the blogger has returned home. Pearl seemed initially very much at ease with the course and greens but Moira eventually built up an over-powering lead. Tomorrow she meets the North Champion Dr. Lynne Terry who squeezed out a previous champion, Kathleen Sutherland, on her way to this final. Lynne is always a sticky opponent so this should be a good match. She had met and beaten Christine Brown from Galloway, again by 6 and 4. Christine is a long-hitting 12 handicapper who unfortunately was just less fortunate when she strayed from the straight and narrow than Lynne was.

In the other half of the draw and fresh back from Kyle and Penfig in Wales, were Lorna Bennett (Midlands) and Helen Faulds (West Vets Captain). The conditions here at Lansdowne could not have been more different than Wales with the course being more lush and the greens running at almost half the speed. Lorna on the whole putted better and sank several very useful putts. Initially the game was very tight but eventually, in the second half, Lorna simply took advantage of one or two slack shots by Helen and eased her out with a 4 and 3 scoreline.

The remaining tie was between Mary Smith of Highland and Sheila Cuthbertson of Borders. Mary will have been very disappointed to lose by 7 and 5 to Sheila as she had had some good results in the recent County Finals at Baberton. Possibly the change of terrain was unsettling but on the other hand, Sheila was the only person spoken to who "loved the greens" and apparently she sank a lot of great putts. Tomorrow Sheila and Lorna will battle it out and this also promises to be an interesting tussle.

Results
Moira Thomson (East) beat Pearl Beattie (Dumfries) 6 and 4
Lynne Terry (North) beat Christine Brown (Galloway) 6 and 4
Lorna Bennett (Midlands) beat Helen Faulds (West) 4 and 3
Mary Smith(Highland) lost to Sheila Cuthbertson 7 and 6

Good luck everyone tomorrow