PRESIDENTS DAY

Well done Amy on winning the Junior Presidents Cup.

MACKIE BOWL

Gullane hosted the 36 hole event today and Kirsty finished 10th with rounds of 77 and 79. Tomorrow sees Alex, Tod  and Megan head off to St Andrews for the Junior Open hoping to qualify for the match play stages. I predict another busy week ahead. 

JUNIOR OPEN

A very successful Junior Open was held and Strathmore Juniors Alex and Kirsty won the Boys and Girls scratch with scores of 71 and 73 respectfully. Amy won the Girls handicap with a nett 71. Well done to all 3. 50 played 43 boys and 7 girls. 

FINAL DAY OF NICK FALDO

Went over to the Dukes to support Megan and Alex in their final rounds. Megan was still hanging on to second place and despite a couple of course management issues which cost her, was over the moon to finish second and pick up her prize.

Alex got of to the perfect start. Birdied the first by getting up and down from the greenside bunker and went 3 ahead when his closest challenger lost a ball on the 2nd. He was pegged back to 2 by a birdie and after an 8 (gorse trouble x2) and a bogey on 5 he was 3 behind but a run of birdie and 3 pars put him 1 ahead at the turn. Par on 11 put him 2 ahead but missed greens on 12 and 14 led to bogies and the scores were leveled again. Pars on 15 and 16 meant their scores were still tied. His tee shot on 17 was blocked out by 2 trees and his recovery shot was unfortunate to find more trouble but he managed to get a club to the ball but found even worse trouble. His next shot was amazing from waist high thick rough he found the putting surface and just missed the putt but went to the last a stroke behind. On 18 a par was good enough for Markopolo to win the under 16 title but Alex who finished runner up can be pleased with his 3 rounds but will rue a couple of poor shots and a bit of misfortune. 

Great to see Strathmore juniors again with their names high on the leaderboard and no doubt this will just spur them on again to greater things.

NICK FALDO DAY 2

Megan was first up and is still in 2nd place in the under 16 age group but is 10 shots behind the run away leader but with the final round tomorrow anything is possible. 

Alex is tied 1st with his New Zealand playing partner in the boys under 16's having both shot level par and have an 8 shot lead over the 3rd placed player. Tomorrow he just has to focus on his own game and stay positive.  

NEWS FROM THE NICK FALDO

Both Megan and Alex are off to solid starts at The Dukes, St. Andrews today. In the Under 16 Girls event Megan is lying in second place only 6 shots behind the first round leader but after speaking to her tonight she would have been closer if it hadn't been for 2 lost balls !! In the Under 16 Boys Alex is joint leader with a New Zealander and when I spoke to him he said the conditions were really tough, windy and rainy and he made too many bogies but an eagle and a birdie made up for this. 

Both go into tomorrow's 2nd round with confidence and with no rain to contend with conditions should be a bit easier. 

Molly, Josh and Louis joined me tonight for a match play team Texas scramble and Louis and I won 4&2. Great fun !

Amy was part of the Strathmore ladies team tonight who beat Blairgowrie 3&2. She beat Scottish Internationalist Heather Anderson 4&3. 

WET WET WET

Today was the final day as title holders for Alex and I to play Tod and his uncle Billy in the quarter finals of the Gents Fourball. We arrived to find people coming off the course due to flooding but the rain subdued and we managed to get teed off. I played a poor 3rd into the partially water filled bunker and Alex played his 3rd shot pin high 12 ft left. I played out but then had to take relief from water on the green before holing a 25 footer for par which left Alex a free go to win the hole which he duly converted. I halfed 2, Alex won 3 and halved 4. I won 5 with a birdie nett eagle for us to go 3 up. 6 & 7 were halved before Billy won 8 with a nett birdie. Alex put us 3 up at the turn with a great up and down over a puddle on the green on the 9th. Tod found the greenside bunker on the 10th and his 2nd hit the top of the pin and spun just off the green. Alex was pin high but had a puddle to clear and a square yard of grass to land the ball in front of the pin which was now surrounded by water. He flopped it up in the air it took one bounce on the grass then splashed into the hole via the pin, eagle 2 and 4 up. 11 was halved then the heavens opened and in 20 years of being a member I have never seen water like it lying on the course. The fairway had 1/2 inch of water all over, looked more like a river. I took relief and played my 3rd shot just short of the green, Alex was on in 2 and when I pitched up to 18 inches into the puddle surrounding the hole which would have put us 5 up Tod and Billy conceded the match. 

Amy won the Girls Junior Open at Pitlochry today Scratch (and nett) another success for Strathmore and proof she back playing her best after her injury. 

ANOTHER BUSY WEEK COMING UP

Monday sees the Scottish leg of the Faldo Series start at The Dukes, St Andrews. Megan tees off at 8.10 am and Alex is off at 11.45 am. The second round takes place on Tuesday with Megan off at 8.20 am and Alex at 9.25 am. The final round takes place on Wednesday.

Thursday it's the Stathmore Junior Open which as always is well supported. 

Saturday is Presidents Day with a shot gun start at 9am. 

Kirsten picked up some more prize money at the Junior Open at Craigie Hill this week and after a putting lesson from yours truly yesterday I'm sure it won't be long before she's adding to her winnings as long as she spends enough time practicing. 

Then next week Megan, Alex and Tod are off to St Andrews to compete in their Girls and Boys Junior Open. 

FINAL RESULTS FROM JUNIOR EUROPEAN MASTER

Ireland's Mark Power, leader through the first and second rounds, took a triple bogey 7 at the 18th in his final round and slumped to a joint fourth place finish - only three behind the Belgian winner, Adrien Dumont de Chassart - in the European Young Masters championship at the Pete Dye-designed Domaine Imperial course in Switzerland today.
A par 4 at the last hole would have put Power, from Kilkenny, into a play-off with the Belgian.
Top British finishers were England's Harry Goddard in tied 10th place on 221 and Scotland's Lewis Irvine (Kirkhill) who just made the top 20 in T19 position with a 225 aggregate.
The girls' Young Masters title went to Finland's Elina Saksa who had a final, bogey-free round of 67 for a level-par total of 216 to pip Sarah Hricikova (Czech Rep) by one shot. England's Lily May Humphrey finished third on 218.
Scotland's representatives, Jennifer Rankine (239) and Kristy Brodie (255), finished T27 and T44 respectively.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
BOYS
Par 216 (3x72)
212 A Dumont de Chassart (Bel) 73 69 70
213 J Hrinda (Slovakia) 70 72 71
214 E Lopez-Chacarra (Spa) 69 73 72.

SELECTED TOTALS
215 M Power (Ire) 69 71 75 (T4)
221 H Goddard (Eng) 78 72 71 (T10)
225 L Irvine (Sco) 73 75 77 (T19)
227 J Brady (Ire) 78 72 77 (T24)
228 J Cooper (Eng) 75 80 73 (28th)
229 A Greville (Wal) 75 78 76 (T29)
230 E Price (Wal) 74 75 81 (33rd)
234 C Wilson (Sco) 80 78 78 (T35)

GIRLS
Par 216 (3x72)
216 E Saksa (Fin) 77 72 67
217 S Hricikova (Cze) 69 71 77
218 L May Humphry (Eng) 72 74 72

SELECTED TOTALS
227 A Williamson (Eng) 76 79 72 (T8)
239 J Rankine (Sco) 85 80 74 (T27)
246 C Worby (Wal) 80 83 83 (T36)
255 K Brodie (Sco) 80 82 83, F Evans (Wal) 86 82 97 (T44).

TEAM EVENT
656 Czech Republic
660 Spain
663 England, Finland, Germany
665 Ireland.
SELECTED TOTALS
698 Scotland (18th)
704 Wales (22nd)
Field of 28 teams

LATEST FROM JUNIOR EUROPEAN MASTERS

JULY 22, 2016

Kirkhill's Irvine Lewis is tied 10th in the boys' section after two rounds of the European Young Masters tournament at Golf Club du Domaine Imperial in Switzerland.
Thunder and lightning in the area caused a suspension of play for more than three hours and most of the leading girls were not able to complete their second rounds.
Ireland's Mark Power is setting the pace in the boys' section with scores of 69 and 71 for 140 - eight better than Lewis who has shot steady rounds of 73 and 75.
Connor Wilson, the other Scots boy in the field, is T39 with scores of 80 and 78 for 158.
In the girls section, Jennifer Rankine is T32 on 165 (85-80) while Kirsty Brodie has had scores of 90 and 82 for 172 and a share of 46th place.

EUROPEAN YOUNG MASTERS
GC du Domaine Imperial, Switzerland 
SECOND ROUND LEADERBOARD
BOYS
par 144 (2x72)
140 Mark Power (Ireland) 69 71
SELECTED SCORES
148 Irvine Lewis (Sco) 73 75 (T10)
150 Harry Goddard (Eng) 78 72 (T18)
158 Connor Wilson (Sco) 80 78 (T38)
GIRLS
165 Jennifer Rankine (Sco) 85 80 (T32)
172 Kirsty Brodie (Sco) 90 82 (T46) 

THURSDAY UPDATE

Great excitement from Baberton today. Megan was first up in the Scratch event and shot a very respectable 79 which was playing to her handicap and now sits proudly in 13th position in the Scottish Girls Order of Merit. Amy was next up in the handicap event and shot 80, four under her handicap finished tied 4th and reducing her exact handicap to 9.9. This week will prove to be a huge stepping stone for both Amy and Megan. It proves to them both that they can play with and compete against the best under 18's in Scotland. Although they had both done that against the best under 18's in Europe earlier this season at Strathmore, it is a different challenge doing it on another course. Can't wait for the Scottish Girls Under 16's when they will be not only competing in their own age group but also against the the rest of Europe and I believe this week will give them that extra bit of confidence which is required if you want to be the best. Great result for them both and loved getting their updates after every round.

Kirsty was playing in the European Junior Master in Switzerland but didn't have the best of rounds and will be hoping for an improvement tomorrow. 

RAIN STOPS PLAY

Bad news as atrocious weather conditions stop play. For Megan and Amy who were looking forward to  match play they now have 18 holes of stroke play to look forward to tomorrow. Megan contesting the scratch and Amy the handicap.

Scottish Girls’ Amateur

Day two of the Scottish Girls’ Amateur Championship has also been cancelled due to the weather at Baberton GC.

Play was delayed for two hours this morning, before further rain and lightning flooded the course. Of the matchplay ties, the furthest game reached the fifth hole.

The 16 competitors returning the lowest scores over the 36 holes qualified for the match play stage, while the 16 competitors with the next best nett qualifying scores qualified to compete in a separate match play competition.

However, tomorrow’s final day will now see 18 holes of strokeplay to contest both titles. 

Alex is disappointed as has missed the cut by one shot as the Scottish Boys has been reduced to 54 holes with only yesterday's round counting and the top 40 and ties qualifying. 

REPORT FROM SWITZERLAND

DIrect from Kirsty - 

Well we played our first practice round today and the course is stunning. They're are loads of trees and massive bunkers. It reminds me a bit of Blairgowrie. It was so warm today! It was 33degrees. After our round we practiced for about 2 hours then went away to a BBQ and bowling with all the teams. 

How did you get on ?

Yeah of course. I won by 3 points!! I played pretty steady and was trying to get used to the really fast greens. They're so fast and slopey which makes it quite hard but they're quite like the ones in Norway so it's not too bad once you get use to them. 

So proud of all our juniors - phone calls, emails, texts and calls from all over Europe to keep me up to date.

Tomorrow is another day and let's see what happens ?

And she has a chance to qualify for China !

The Asia-Pacific Junior Championship is conducted by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) at Sunrise Golf & Country Club, Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei, from Tuesday, 23rd to Thursday, 25th August, 2016.

 

Mixed pairs from selected federations contend in four-balls, foursomes and singles over three days. 

The European Golf Association (EGA) is pleased to announce that it has been invited by the APGC to send four players to represent Europe in two mixed teams at this prestigious event. The European Young Masters (EYM) winner and runner-up in each of the Boys' and Girls' categories will receive automatic selection. If unavailable, the final standings will be used in order. The EYM is taking place at Golf Club Domaine Impérial, Switzerland, from 21st to 23rd July, 2016. Each EGA member federation is eligible to send two girls and two boys under the age of 16 years as of 1st January to the EYM. 29 countries will compete in the 2016 edition. 

About the Asia-Pacific Junior Championship

The event’s conditions describe the championship being open to junior golfers nominated by the 40 APGC member associations.

Eligible players are male/female amateur golfers who are 17 years old or under as of 23rd August, 2016 representing their respective countries.

Each team will consist of one male and one female player. Each country may send a maximum of two teams.

The host country will be allowed to enter an additional team for a total of six players.

The Championship will be decided by stroke play over three rounds at Sunrise Golf & Country Club as follows:

•  First round - four-ball (18 holes)

•  Second round - foursome (18 holes)

•  Third round - singles (18 holes, boys’ and girl’s individual scores count) 

The gross scores for the three rounds will be combined to form the team score. The team that has the lowest cumulative score for the three rounds is the winner.

About Sunrise Golf & Country Club, Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei

Officially opened in 1992, Sunrise Golf & Country Club, a world-standard 18-holes championship course, was designed by renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. It measures 7200 yards, par of 72. Its various landscapes always offer players a worthy challenge. Sunrise had hosted numerous prestigious events, including the Nomura Cup 2007, Queen Sirikit Cup 2013, Sunrise LPGA Taiwan Championship in 2011-2013 and many others.

THINGS ARE LOOKING GOOD

Megan plays Jillian Farrell of Cardross in the last 16 scratch tomorrow after qualifying tied 10th. A tremendous result and after having a chat with her tonight she is so up for it I see no reason why she can't make the next round, her game is so solid just now and in match play the odd bad hole is not important and she knows this. Her first round today was so impressive that if she can replicate that tomorrow and the next day anything is possible. 

Amy plays Georgia Ledingham of Craigmillar in the last 16 handicap tomorrow and will be looking to progress to the next round just spoke to her and she is confident she can progress and it was her driving on the back 9 that let her down.

Alex is only 1 shot outside the cut after dropping 5 shots over the last 4 holes but can take positives from being level par through 14 and I have no doubt he will be up for it tomorrow and can make the top 40. 

Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings 

TUESDAY MORNING AND WHAT A START

Megan messaged "very happy, shot 1 over par 75. Slight disappointment as I was 3 under after 13 but overall happy. Had 5 birdies and hitting the ball straight and well. Looking forward to round 2"
Amy phoned "very happy, 2 below handicap shot 82 including 2 birdies"
Both girls have played outstandingly this morning and I could not be more proud. I messaged Megan and spoke with Amy. They currently sit tied 8th and 18th and with the top 16 scratch qualifying both have a chance of making it. Both are back out on the course for their 2nd rounds.
Alex is level par through 8 at Lanark and currently tied 6th.  

MONDAY 18th JULY

Megan was first in with her report from Baberton.

Hi Iain, just a message to let you know how today went. The course was in really good condition, greens are tight and sometimes hard to get to, accuracy is important. My tee shots were going great which was good, I think as long as I keep the ball straight it should all be fine. I think I would've hit in the 70's today, looking forward to tomorrow😆 

2nd report in from Amy regarding practice round.

Went really well actually! If my scores are accurate I would have shot 78! Back nine was disappointing as my putting let me down but I know what I need to work on and I will take my time over the shots tomorrow and play one hole at a time and one shot at a time.

Megan tees off at 9.40 am and 14.40 pm. Amy is 10.20 am and 15.20 pm. Alex tees off at 12.50 pm.

Was down at the club tonight and Gareth had 8 kids in his class tonight, putting lesson in the sun for a change.

PROBABLY THE BUSIEST WEEK OF THE SEASON

Kirsty has the passport looked out again as she heads off to Switzerland for the European Young Masters. She flys from Edinburgh on Monday and has 2 practice rounds Tuesday and Wednesday before the competition on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Golf Club Domaine Imperial hosts the event and Kirsty is looking forward to playing and knowing now what to expect after her recent trip to Norway.

Alex heads off to Lanark this week to compete in the Scottish Boys Open Stroke Play Championship. Practice day Monday, 18 holes Tuesday, 18 holes Wednesday, top 40 and ties play 36 holes Thursday.

Amy and Megan go to Baberton for the Scottish Girls Amateur Championship with practice round Monday, 36 holes Tuesday, top 16 scratch and top 16 handicap then go into match play on Wednesday and Thursday so quite an exciting week ahead for the 4 of them and I'm sure they will do Strathmore proud.

Frank managed to catch me yesterday in my photographers role. 

WHAT A FINAL

This must go down as one of the best finals I have ever witnessed and it was a real pleasure to see these 2 talented players produce such quality golf. Megan had Amy on the bag and they had so much fun going round. Alex had Caitlin and she read the greens superbly for him when he wasn't sure. 

Alex won the first with a par and the 2nd was halved in pars with both players having decent birdie chances. Alex won the 3rd and then let Megan back in when he hit out of bounds on 4. 5 was halved in 4's with a tremendous up and down from deep rough by Megan after Alex had found the green in 2. Alex birdied 6, holed a great putt from 10ft for a half on 7 after Megan had been out driven by 80yds but was in for 4 after a great 2nd shot and an easy 4 was secured. Alex then turned the screw with back to back birdies on 8 & 9. Megan was playing some of the best golf she has played all season but found herself 4 down at the turn. 10 was halved after Megan who had driven into the trees and had to pitch out produced an amazing up and down to half the hole. I will remember the 11th for the rest of my life for the sportsmanship shown by Alex. Megan had hit her approach shot to the back of the green and Alex again had peppered the pin and had a 6 footer for birdie. She had left her first putt 10ft short and walking over conceded the hole but Alex being the Gentleman he his did not accept the concession and told Megan to putt as she could still get a four and if he missed the hole would still be halved. Remembering this was a final I am so proud of this moment as I believe that very few players would have done this and it perhaps also shows the cameraderie and respect we have built up within the section. Megan pulled the 13th back and after a superb 2nd shot with a 7 iron to the heart of the 14th Alex was left with a wedge to the green and knocked it into 8ft. Megan left her putt short and Alex was left with a putt for his 5th birdie of the day and made it to retain his trophy. 

Megan was only 3 over par after 14 holes and was playing superbly but when you play someone who is in such amazing form you just have to accept that on the day the better player won but huge respect to Megan who can take a lot out of today. Her all round game was solid and I am really proud that she didn't let her head go down and gave Alex a game.

SCRATCH LEAGUE SEMI FINAL DRAW

We are due to play Kinross away by 14th August and at home by 4th September. I believe we have players with the belief and ability to get us to the final. 

Kirsty A has put her 1st card in for her fun handicap and its looking like a 50 so far.

Charlie has put in his 2nd card and only needs 1 more. 

Tomorrow sees Alex play Megan in the junior scratch final and I'm sure it will be a great one. 

P&K LADIES LATEST

Well done Megan finishing 2nd scratch another great result.

Coronation Trophy and Handicap Quaich:

CSS 73

Scratch   

1. Isla Moncrieff  (Pitlochry) 71

2. Megan Ashley  (Strathmore) 81

3. Moira Lumby   (King James VI) 83

LATEST FROM ENGLISH UNDER 16's

Unfortunately Alex failed to make the cut but will have learned so much this week and I believe he will come out of this a stronger player. I look forward to seeing what the rest of the season brings. 

JUNIOR SECTION WELCOMES ANOTHER NEW MEMBER

A huge welcome to Kirsty Armstrong who today became our 15th new member of 2016. Had the pleasure of meeting her and her dad and she is looking forward to the coaching and meeting the rest of our juniors.     

NEWS FROM THE ENGLISH UNDER 16 OPEN

Alex learned a sharp lesson today whilst competing at Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club. After 15 holes he was tied 2nd and cruising at 1 under par. I was watching live scoring but had no idea how bad the weather conditions were and was surprised to see his score come up after 18 at 4 over. But I am so proud of Alex who told me that although it was very windy and raining he did not blame the conditions but was man enough to say it was his poor course management over the last 3 holes which cost him. I believe this experience will make him a stronger player and when he tees off tomorrow he will know he has the ability and now the mental strength to compete at the highest level. To make the cut, top 40 and tied is certainly achievable and a good round tomorrow will give him the opportunity to play the final 36 holes on Thursday.

I went onto the live scoring tonight to see the results and play has been suspended shortly after Alex finished - 

Round 1 was suspended at 5.45pm due to adverse weather, with no further play today possible. 

Round 1 will resume from 7.30am tomorrow (Wednesday) from the position you were in when play was suspended. Players must be in position at that time, ready to play, which will be signalled by two short blasts of the siren.

Round 2 tee times remain unchanged, as published, starting from 7:00am. 

Once players complete Round 1 they will then filter into their original Round 2 tee time. 

DECENT START TO THE WEEK

At Blairgowrie today Kirsty scored 76 just missing out on top scratch by 1 shot. Both her and Amy played to their handicaps and as this was Amy's first competitive round for 6 weeks, what a great comeback. 

Went up tonight to see how Gareth's extra coaching session were going and what a success 9 juniors taking part. Also met new member Emily out practicing again, she's there nearly as much as I am !!!

Chatted with Alex tonight and he is looking forward to tomorrow. The course is playing is tough and in his words " unique - slopey like Craigie Hill but with lots of heather and gorse and no bunkers" Plan is to keep the ball in play and our best wishes go with him. 

OPEN SEASON KICKS OFF IN ERNEST

Good luck to the Strathmore 6 who head off to Blairgowrie tomorrow morning. Amy, Conor, Kirsten, Kirsty, Megan and Tod. Play well and enjoy your day. 

FINALS DAY

Y

Megan became Ladies Scratch Champion after a tremendous final with Dawn (who was competing in her 16th final in 17 years) Megan found herself 2 down after 2 holes but took advantage of her length off the tee by winning 7 and 8 to square the match. After 18 holes Megan led by 1. Starting the 2nd 18 she never let the lead go and was 3 up through 27 and eventually closed out the match on the 33rd hole

Dawn being present her runners up plate by Ladies Captain Sandra Barber who also refereed the final

Conor and Kirsten before they tee off.

Conor receiving his Handicap Championship Trophy after winning 4&3 again a close final with the match all square through 9 but Conor's experience told on the back 9.

Kirsten being presented with the runners up plate.

Unfortunately the Junior scratch final could not be played as Megan had quailified for the Ladies and the final will take place next Saturday the 16th at 1pm so come along and support Alex and Megan in what I am sure will be an exciting match. 

Big thank you to Frank who refereed the Junior Final and also to all the members, family and friends who came along to support the finalists. 

Kirsty lost her foursomes tie against Switzerland by one hole as Scotland lost the match 3&2.

BUSY COUPLE OF WEEKS AHEAD

Tomorrow is Finals day with Megan playing Dawn in the Ladies 36 hole Scratch Final. Kirsten and Conor contest the Junior Handicap Final. Kirsty is playing for Scotland against Switzerland.

Then next week Alex is off to the English under 16 Open. 

Race to Kingsbarns Opens are in full swing with 

Monday 11th Blairgowrie

Thursday 14th Muckhart

Friday 15th Auchterarder 

Tuesday 19th Kinross

Friday 22nd Craigiehill 

UPS AND DOWNS

Alex scored 2 over in the first round yesterday and put himself right back in the hunt in round 4 with birdies on 2,3 and 4 but dropped back down the field and eventually finished tied 26. Great 3 days and  he now heads off to the English under 16's in a confident mood. 

Kirsty and Jasmine won their foursomes match against Slovakia but it wasn't enough as Scotland lost 3.5 to 1.5. She had one more match tomorrow before heading home and will be hoping to pick up another point.

QUICK UPDATE

Alex finished tied 14th today and is only 2 shots off the top 10 and 6 back off the leaders. We wish him all the best for the 2 rounds tomorrow. 

Kirsty will play match play tomorrow in the 2nd Flight as Scotland failed to qualify for the 1st flight. 

Amy asked me along for a practice tonight and delighted to say she is back playing and managed 9 holes with no ill effects, she particularly enjoyed my eagle on the 11th and my birdies on 13 and 15.

Also great to see our newest recruit Emily out practicing on the short game area. 

ALEX SHOWS HIS CLASS

With an early start Alex got his 2nd round underway this morning and after a 3 over par front nine as he said "found something in his swing" and came back in 3 under par, including 4 birdies. A level par 71 gives him a total of 143 which currently has him tied 9th and with the top 40 and tied cut projected at 4 over he can relax and get ready for the final 2 rounds tomorrow. He is currently top Scot and has an Austrian, 4 French, a New Zealander, an Argentinian, a Turk, an Italian and an English boy keeping him company at the top of the leader board.

At Murrayshall yesterday Kirsten banked her first prize money when coming 1st nett in the Girls section of their Junior Open, yet another success.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL DAY FOR STRATHMORE

Alex continued his great run of form at West Lothian today. Playing in the Scottish Boys under 16 Open he shot a 1 over par 72 to finish day one tied 9th and joint top Scot in the field. With the top 40 qualifying for the cut he has played himself into a very strong position. 

At Dunblane Megan lost 3&1 to Laura Walker in the North of Scotland scratch match play but should be proud of her achievement of making the last 16 and taking the match to the 17th.

In Norway at the European Girls Championship Kirsty and the Scottish team finished day one in 10th position. 

Amy visited to tell she had been given the all clear to start playing again and has been fitted with insoles to sort her foot problem and messaged tonight to organise some practice times.

Finally I had the pleasure to meet our 14th new member this season, Emily Dickens. A very warm welcome from us all.

Press report - 

Three Scots in top 10 at Global Golf Post 

Scottish U16 boys' open championship

France's Thomas Boulanger was the first round leader with a three-under-par 68 after a long opening day of action at the Global Golf Post Scottish U16 boys' open championship at West Lothian Golf Club.

The garcon from Cannes-Cougin birdied the first, seventh, 13th and 17th, dropping only one shot, at the second. He leds by one from the far travelled New Zealander with the exotic name of Markopolo Fullepp.

Top Scots, tied ninth on the one-over-par 72 mark are Jake Edgecombe (Baberton), Alex Simpson (Strathmore) and Kirkhill's Lewis Irvine.

Edgecombe had a pair of 2s on his card - at the 11th and 18th short holes. Simpson birdied two par-5 holes, the 12th and 14th, while Irvine had a double bogey 5 at the short 11th.

GLOBAL GOLF POST SCOTTISH U16 BOYS OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

West Lothian Golf Club

FIRST ROUND SCORES

Par 71. SSS 71. CSS 71

68 T Boulander (Fra)

69 M Fullepp (NZ)

70 M Fernandez de Oliveira (Arg), D Schneider (Aut), W Skipp (Eaglescliffe), B Brown (Hallamshire).

SCOTS' SCORES

71 J Edgecombe (Baberton), A Simpson (Strathmore), L Irvine (Kirkhill) (T9)

NORTH OF SCOTLAND LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP

Well done Megan who qualified 14th Scratch at Dunblane today and she plays Laura Walker in tomorrow's first round.

Alex heads off to West Lothian tomorrow for the 1st round of the Scottish Boys under 16 Open with a cut for the top 40 and tied after 36 holes on Wednesday.

Kirsty tees it up for Scotland in Norway tomorrow in the first round of the European Team Championship. 

Good luck to all 3.

DIFFERENT CLASS

Alex proved today he is different class by retaining his P&K under 16 Championship at Dunkeld by 10 shots and also won the Summer Meeting against all age groups by 7 shots !!!! His score of 68 was 2 under the CSS and this must surely be a record winning margin and what a tremendous result. Megan shot a superb 79 and was good enough for 4th scratch and she was the best girl by 12 shots. 

What an amazing day again for Strathmore Juniors 

NEXT STOP NORWAY

Sent Kirsty and Hazel a good luck message, great to see 1 current and 1 past junior member heading off to represent Scotland. Couldn't be prouder of what Strathmore Juniors have achieved up to now.