SSGS members on their travels

Third Place for Il signori Fiddes in Rome

Alistair Fiddes (Murcar) was among the regulars having a bash at the Italian Seniors in Rome. Ongoing terminal 5 problems led to a worrying delay in arrival of his clubs but he was re—united with them in time for the start of the individual event.

Another problem was the cost of beer at the club- about double UK prices- which we are told tended to curtail the après-golf, even amongst the Scots.

Alistair reports that the course was probably the trickiest he has ever played and that, by common consent, 3 scores of 75 would be good enough to win. True enough, after round 1 only around 12 players broke 80. Nuno Machado led on 75, with David Lane, Stuart Pond and Alistair himself on 79.
Round 2 again only 12 people sub 80 with Basil Griffith equalling the 75 by Nuno in round 1. Nuno scored 82.

Round 3 saw Alistair, and fellow SSGS ambassador Iain Stewart, playing with Nuno Machado in the 3rd last group. Leading group was Stuart Pond, Basil Griffith and Adrian Donkersley all tied for the lead.
Alistair’s final round 73 was the lowest round of the week. That propelled him to the top of the leader board with only 6 players still out on the course. David Lane equalled the 73 to pip him for second and Basil Griffith birdied 2 of the last 4 to pip them both.

Nonetheless a very fine performance in a top quality field and under the most testing of conditions. Well done Alistair.

This was hard on the heels of fine Scottish performances in Spain and Portugal. Kodak Rodaks in particular proved he is a developing talent when he zoomed in to a very fine second spot in Spain.
Sandy Pirie’s final round 71 in Portugal was equal best in the field and shot him up through the field.

Spain
222 M Kelly (Ire) 75 75 72.
225 G Rodaks (Sco) 74 76 75. (2nd)
227 G K MacDonald (Sco) 75 76 76, (Jt 4th)
230 D McCart (Sco) 78 76 76, (joint 11th)
Other Scots scores:
232 R Stewart (Tulliallan) 71 78 83 (joint 14th).
233 I Stewart (Curragh) 81 79 73, A K Pirie (Hazlehead) 77 80 76 (joint 16th).

Portugal
228 A K Pirie (Hazlehead) 75 82 71 (10th).
229 B Campbell (Sco) 76 74 79. (Joint 11th)
230 A J Fiddes (Deeside) 75 76 79 (13th).