You can't beat Machrie! So implied Willie Campbell in 1891 when he declared, "This place is made for gowf !" Into a new millennium and the prediction still holds true. In its fifth year of resurrection the Machrie Open attracted a record field of 120 players of all categories and from all parts of the globe. Despite the perfect weather, perfect presentation of the course and many category one golfers it was unanimously agreed Machrie was the winner. The top prizes on offer were the coveted Machrie crystal vase and the Caol Ila Claret jug as the scratch and handicap prizes. A further twenty runner-up vouchers ensured that all levels of player stood to gain from the competition. The glorious weather during the preceding weeks suited the holiday makers but was not conducive to preparing the golf course. Simon Freeman's timely rain dances ensured that practice day on Friday would be wet enough to add the final touches to his preparations. Unfortunately the forecast for the weekend was most foreboding and it looked like Simon's footwork had been a tad zealous. Not so, for no mention was made of Islay and its unique weather system.
To accommodate some groups the format was changed to a 36 hole event over Saturday and Sunday. The subsequent increase of entrants proved it impossible to hold the prize giving on Sunday in time to allow departure on the afternoon ferry. As a result most of the prize-winners had departed before the ceremony. Light winds and warm sunshine greeted the players, with the morning matches having the ideal conditions. First round leader was local Alastair 'Libba' Livingstone with a one over par 72. Previous Open winners, Lochgilphead's Matt MacAulay and Jim Litster and Islay's Ruaraidh MacIntyre, were accompanied by previous Cross winners Gordon MacMillan, John MacIntyre, Simon Crawford, Norrie MacDonald and John Edgar, all seven over or better. On the handicap side local Nicol Mackinnon, playing off 17, had an excellent nett 66 to lead the other six better than par nett scores. Six players had Magic Twos, Hugh Reid, Hilton Park, was nearest the pin at the fifth and Charles Holyoake had the longest drive at 18th. Sunday's weather defied the dreadful forecast and the second round resumed in ideal conditions.

A redraw of matches had been organised to allow players wishing to leave by afternoon ferry. With the earlier start at 7am all matches had continued play by 12 noon. Few dropouts had occurred despite the revelries at various venues throughout the island. At the end of the second round Jim Litster had knocked off six shots from his previous round for one over par 72. Two dropped shots at the 4^th and 7th and a birdie at the 9^th saw him out in one over par. A magic two at the 10^th followed with a birdie at the par 5 13th and dropped shots at the 15th and 16th had him back in the clubhouse as leader on 150. Simon Crawford, Islay and Gleneagles, matched the 150 but a count back left him in second place. With the conditions prevailing and most of the field following , it seemed not too difficult a target.

Only nineteen other golfers were able to break 80 gross, for the second round, an indication that once more the Machrie Links had prevailed. At the end of the day's play Jim had won for the second time the Machrie Vase and a £200 voucher. John MacIntyre's early start time of 7am obviously suited his game plan. A nett 67 in the second round after a tidy 68 the previous day secured for him the prestigious Caol Ila Claret Jug. As winner of the Handicap prize he also received a voucher for £100.

All participants were unanimous that the course and particularly the greens were second to none they had played over this year. The success is such that the administration will restrict next year to a field of 120.

No weekend gathering can be held without humorous situations arising and this one was no exception. On Saturday one golfer enquired at the shop if his driver had been handed in. A puzzled assistant asked for a further explanation. It seemed that on the wet Friday practice day the player, on the third tee, had decided he had consumed too much of our local produce, left his golf bag and proceeded to the sanctuary of his lodge. The following day his bag and clubs had been restored but the driver was missing. It is suspected he used it as a crutch to assist his homeward journey. A match leaving the 17th green and approaching the 18^th tee saw a local man who shall remain nameless but his initials are Thomas Logan, about to strike his ball on the forward tee. "Stop, stop," they cried. "Use the back tee." "Quiet please!" demanded Thomas. "This is my second shot." The final three-ball matches were negotiating the longest drive at the 18th. Ian Aldridge, Roehampton, was the longest for the day and marked the card accordingly and was satisfied knowing there were only two three-balls behind. Simon Weller, Edgbaston, and friend of Ian in the next three-ball outdrove Ian to his personal delight, and while writing his name on the card, a ball from the last three ball of the day came skipping past his feet to take the prize which was collected by Andy Garnett of Gleneagles. The same Ian, before leaving, boasted of almost driving the 357 yard 11th hole and suggested the course be lengthened. His score card showed that the other 182 blows over the two days should be reduced first and the bogey and par scores at the hole leave room for improvement.
Once again the atmosphere of Machrie, the unique Willie Campbell design, the camaraderie created by its presence, ensures that Magic Machrie is a winner.