Ryan Rules After Competitive Personal Best 

 

Although nearing the end of the season today's field was the 4th highest for a Saturday medal (136 players), testament to the great competitive environment we have at Fereneze and maybe a few people chasing down some valuable FerEx points, either to maintain their place in the top 30 or force their way into the magic number for the showdown in 2 weeks time. 

 

Analytics 

 

• With an average score of 87.91 this round is the 5th lowest average of the season. 
• Participation was 15% up on the same event last year. 
• Just over 10% of the field broke par nett. 
• All 4 medal winners were first time winners for 2025. 
• The 7th, 17th and 1st were the 3 easiest holes 
• 1, 3 and 10 the 3 hardest holes 
• 15 was the only hole without a birdie. 
• 7 players made 3 birdies or more in their round. 
• Jim Coleman (just for you Pod) birdied all 3 par 5s. 

 

Scratch Medal 

 

Although not quite showing the same consistency as last season Richie Elrick has had a number of excellent scores and today's 67 falls into that category. He got off to a flier with 4 birdies in the first 5 holes. I think he may have felt some shoulder pain on the 6th tee, or at least I hope he did as that's where I was piercing my voodoo doll. All pars to 15 with a dropped shot at 15 and a further birdie at 17 added up to a 4 under total. That was enough for a 3 shot victory over fellow Titleist colleague Andrew Buttar, Stuart Dickson and Captain Tommy Kelly who all finished with 1 under 70s. The Scratch win also assures Richie of a place in next seasons Medal Finals. 

 

Andrew's having a really consistent scoring season. Apart from 2 75s everything else is 73 or below. Model of consistency and sitting at his lowest handicap. The same can also be said of Stuart who was at his lowest handicap but remarkably may creep up a point despite breaking par today. Tommy should also close in on his all time low handicap after today's showing. 

 

First Class 

 

Proving last week's Pearson Shield victory was no fluke, greens convener Stephen Richardson took the first class medal today. "Stitch" had a really solid round recording only 1 dropped shot (nett) at 18 where he made 5. However that didn't prove costly as far as 1st class was concerned as he recorded a 1 shot win over the aforementioned Tommy Kelly and Richie Elrick. Tommy beating Richie on the best last 6. Michael Gribben led a trio of players on -1. 

 

Second Class 

 

Five players broke par nett in 2nd Class with Robert Sweeney coming out on top with a 3 under nett 68. He did try his best to throw it away with a 7 at the last but let's concentrate on the positives with birdies at 7 and 13. Robert plays most weeks and delighted to see him shoot his best score since June last year in a season where he's mostly been in the low to mid 80s although the last few scores are trending in the right direction. 

 

Like Stitch in First Class Mikey Baillie in second place only had 1 nett bogey today so some real solid play against his handicap. It's his 2nd best competitive score at Fereneze, his previous best dating back to July 2023. 3 players tied on 1 under, Michael McKeown taking 3rd spot thanks to the best last 6 over Martin Lindsay. 

 

Third Class 

 

Best overall score of the day, personal best and therefore best in 3rd Class was Ryan McGraw with an excellent nett 67. Nett eagles at 3 and 9 helped along the way and despite a wobble at the beginning of the back 9 Ryan finished strongly recording a 3 under parr nett for the last 5 holes which secured him not only the best score of the day but a 2 shot victory over the trio of Grant Masson, John McPhee and Mark Stewart. This was Grant's best score of the season, albeit only his 5th competitive score , 5 net birdies and a net eagle on his card.

 

Another man playing in only his 4th individual event of the year was John McPhee. John can often be found in the nets at the pro shop during the week, offering his own humorous insights to all that's well in the world, delighted that his work in the nets paid off today. Look out for him, you'll know him from his smile! His front 9 is a roller coaster...worth a look! 

 

Mark Stewart was the man that missed out on sweep money and he must be kicking himself after a poor finish. Lots to be positive about though especially for the first 14 holes and like a few others, another player who recorded a personal best today...well done! 

 

FerEx

 

I might be tempting fate here, but I don't think so as it would take a tremendous turn of events for Simon Leonard not to finish the qualifying part of the FerEx in 1st place. Anything better than 70th next Saturday assures him of first spot regardless of what Michael Hart Jnr does in 3rd. Clark Hill won't play next week so there's an opportunity for Michael and probably Jim Coleman realistically to become Simon's nearest challenger on the Finale on Saturday 4th October. There's an opportunity for movement in those top 6 spots 4th, 5th and 6th are currently occupied by Jim Coleman, Senior Club Champion Bernard Airlie and George Morrison. 

 

Staying in or getting into the Top 30 is now the aim for next week. Although the top 6 do have points to start, Darren Kerr proved that anyone can win if in that final with his win in 2023. The other 2 years the winner has come from those with points to start, Anand Poddar our inaugural winner and Jim Coleman last year. 

 

Significant moves today from a few players today further up the rankings in and around 20th to 30th but most significant moves from outside the top 30 to inside it were from Richie Elrick (34th to 25th) and Stevie Richardson (45th to 27th) Ross Connolly sneaks into 29th with James Johnston sitting "on the bubble". Michael Gribben probably the most significant mover outside the top 30 that's given himself a chance to get into the top 30.