6 YEAR OLD MATTHEW SIME CLEARS WATER ON THE 5TH HOLE FROM THE WHITE TEES AT THE FIRST ATTEMPT

Last night I accompanied Matthew on an ability assessment on Rannaleroch. Before climbing to the 5th White Medal Tee, Matthews mum Dawn said she didn't think he would be able to carry the water so we took a 5 iron and 3 wood up to play down to the Yellow & Red tee area. Matthew hit an easy 5 iron onto the tee and it was obvious his 3 wood would be far too much. As Matthew still had a ball with him he decided to have a go clearing the hazard down the left hand side. He played a good shot which hit into the pond side trees but we did not see it finish. Still eager to see if he could clear the hazard Mum was dispatched to bring the driver. Matthew teed it up and hit a majestic drive which sailed over the hazard and the pond side trees and landed a few yards short of the road. We went down and found his first ball was also on "terrra firma" (dry ground) and had carried the pond. Matthew was obviously delighted. He then proceeded to hit 2 very good 3 woods which left him with a shot to the green. Matthew hit a great approach which ran onto the green leaving him a 25ft putt uphill for his par. He started his putt outside the left and read the putt very well and with a few feet to go it looked like the ball was heading for the bottom of the cup only to run out of pace and finish 6 inches short. A magnificent 6 and remembering this hole is stroke index1 and Matthew is still only 6 years of age a great achievement for someone so young and so enthusiastic. So much so that walking off one tee he asked what the current Ranneleroch Course Record was, obviously he has his sights set quite high. Matthews scores for the 4th, 5th and 6th holes were 4/6/4