1st update for 2014.

Whilst some of you have gone into hibernation some of you have been practicing really hard. We have Kirsty in year 3 of the Scottish Golf Academy programme and Alex in year 1 - both have been working hard on their games and Kirsty has earned a place on the plane to Spain for warm weather training in February. What a result and I know my prediction of having a Scottish player at Strathmore is one step closer.

County coaching at Gleneagles has seen Kirsty being invited into the ladies squad, Amy into the girls through the SGDC programme, Marcus (Under 14), Tod (Under 16) and Michael and Brad (Under 18).

Tod, Marcus and Conor have enrolled again into the Scottish Golf Development Centres programme and I think we will again see huge improvements in their games.

I have also seen quite a few of you on the course, Callum is now a seasoned Winter Leaguer and takes great delight in outscoring his Dad. Hopefully we will see you all again soon.

Alexei entered the Moscow Golf School's simulator competition for over 11's. A +9 in the qualifying round over Bro Balsta, an 18 hole Swedish course was good enough to make the final and 30 juniors played 9 holes over Fairmont. A round containing 7 pars, 1 bogey and a birdie saw Alexei win and get himself and Strathmore off to a flying start.

I attended the Perth and Kinross annual Junior County meeting last night at Craigie Hill and am pleased that my proposal to change the Scratch League to a home and away basis has been ratified.
The Bell trophy for 2014 will see boys playing from Yellow tees instead of White. And there is exciting news of an order of merit event regarding all P&K Junior opens that will this year be called "the race to Kingsbarns" and culminate in the top 12 scratch and 12 handicap qualifiers playing in my opinion "the best links course in the world" in a grand final in October.

Only 15 Juniors have renewed so far so if you could remind your parents that Centre fees and Club subs are due by the 31st January.

I would also like to remind you of the Club Hire Scheme. We already have 2 signed up and a 3rd enquiry so if any of you have outgrown your old clubs and are interested please let me know.

We have also been asked if we would like to twin with the Junior section of Jaeren Golfklubb - Norway.

Finally another honour we have been invited to play the Scottish Under 16 girls in a match at Strathmore to give them a practice round before their Championship. This has now been arranged for Sunday 2nd March first tee time11.45am.

Only January and so much happening. Really excited to see what 2014 brings - with the nights starting to stretch I feel the Leitfie challenge looming and with my last round being a 59 can't wait to see who is first to step up to give it a go !!!