MEGAN HAD HER OPERATION TODAY

Outcome detailed - 

Op took 4 hours but went really well, metal plate is in place. Stitches are in for 10-12 weeks in splint then get them removed and rebandaged. Another xray in 4 weeks hopefully all good probably get cast for 2-4 weeks

Hopefully we will see her back at the Club soon.

UPDATE FROM MEGAN

Hi Iain just been to hospital for x-ray and cast, turns out out wasn't a clean break so coming back tomorrow morning for operation. Will be getting small metal plate or wire to hold it in place. Will have splint for couple of weeks but won't be playing for 2 months. 

Get better soon and best wishes from all the section for a speedy recovery. 

TOD HELPS P&K RETAIN GARY HARVEY TROPHY

Tod was part of the successful P&K Team who defended their Trophy at Charleton Golf Club over the weekend. Well done and congratulations from the section.

THE BIGGEST WEEKEND OF THE YEAR IS NOW ONLY 5 SLEEPS AWAY

This coming weekend sees two of the most important matches of the season. First up on Saturday is the 2nd leg of the Scratch League semi final at home against Kinross, first tee time is 2.45 pm. We drew with them away and now need a win at home to progress to our 5th final in the last 6 years. With Megan out having fractured her wrist and Kirsty playing in another event. Alex, Tod and Amy will represent Strathmore and I am confident they can get us through. 

Sunday sees Alex and I play the the final of the Gents Fourball at 2pm against Kevin James and Mark Tinker. As title holders we are determined to retain the trophy so if you would like to give us your support why not come along. 

Saturday 3rd September 2.45 pm. Scratch League semi final v Kinross 

Sunday 4th September 2 pm. Four Ball final - Alex and Iain v Kevin and Mark

RESULT FROM SCOTTISH JUNIOR TOUR U16 and u14 CHAMPIONSHIP

Strathmore Juniors again did themselves proud. Kirsty finished 2nd and Amy 3rd in the Girls u16 event and Alex tied 6th in the u16 Boys. Well done to all. 

Amy also cut her handicap to 9.1 to become out latest single figure player. 

WHAT A SHAME FOR MEGAN

So sorry for Megan whose season came to an abrupt end yesterday at the Scottish Junior Tour under 16 Championship at Glencorse. Having just birdied the 7th hole she slipped on a path and fractured her left wrist and was taken by ambulance to hospital to have it plastered and will be out for 3 to 5 weeks minimum. Such a shame. 

Our other 3 players were more fortunate and find themselves in challenging positions going into today's final round. Kirsty lies 2nd with Amy only 2 shots behind and Alex lies 4th only 3 shots back of the leaders. So all to play for. 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 2016

Scottish Junior Tour U14 and U16 Championships Round 1 leadng scores

Glencorse Golf Club


GIRLS UNDER-16 
 Par 69
68 Louise Duncan (West Kilbride)
75 Kirsty Brodie (Strathmore)
77 Amy Mitchell (Strathmore)
81 Carys Irvine (Craigielaw)
83 Claire McLaughlin (West Kilbride)

GIRLS UNDER-14
 Par 69
71 Hannah Darling (Broomieknowe)
74 Rachel Foster (Turnberry)
75 Anna McKay (Crail GS), Carmen Griffiths (Aboyne)
78 Porscha Wilson (Burntisland)


 BOYS UNDER-16
 Par 64 
66 James Morgan (Longniddry), Jack Noon (Musselburgh)
68 Ethan Ross (Fraserburgh)
69 Alex Simpson (Strathmore)
70 Ian Taggart (Lenzie)

BOYS UNDER-14
Par 64 
66 Euan Orr (Kemnay), Cameron Adam (Royal Burgess)
68 Logan Gillies (Nairn), Roddy McAuley (Fereneze)
71 Cameron Akers (Elmwood). 

GOOD NEWS JUST KEEPS COMING

Alex has received an invite to the Nick Faldo final at Colchester from the 9th to 14th October.

Tomorrow Alex, Kirsty, Megan and Amy are off to Glencorse for the Scottish under 16 Junior Tour Event and I will keep you up to date with their progress over the next 2 days. 

CLUB HIRE AND TROLLEY HIRE UPDATE

In 2013 I set up a scheme from our own funds and a grant from SSE Drumderg Wind Farm to allow our juniors to hire sets of clubs rather than having to buy them, and when they outgrew them to upgrade to a more appropriate sized set. This was a unique experiment which I envisaged, if it took off, could be a sustainable concept.

2013 - 2 participants 

2014 - 4 participants 

2015 - 9 participants 

2016 - 17 participants so far 

What an amazing success !!!! 

I am delighted to announce that we are now in possession of new sets of clubs and trolleys and if anybody is interested in joining let me know. Clubs are available at £25 per season and Trolleys at £5 per season. 

 

MORE GOOD NEWS

Kirsty Brodie received a phone call to confirm she has been selected to represent Scotland Girls Schools in a match against England Girls Schools at Fairhaven in September. Each team consists of 6 players. Well done and another trip away.  

EXTRA COMPETITIONS ADDED FOR PLAYERS WITH CONGU CLUB HANDICAPS

I have added some extra competitions into the fixture list to allow you all a chance to reduce your handicaps before the end of the season. Below are the 5 counting competitions that remain this season. 

 

Saturday 27th August – Summer League booked for 1.15 pm and 1.22 pm -  James and Kirsten already have their names up

Saturday 3rd September – Summer League booked for 2.15 pm and 2.22 pm – tee times could be brought forward to follow Gents at 12.30 pm – CHECK WITH IAIN   

Saturday 10th September – Monthly Medal booked for 1.00 pm – 1.15 pm

Saturday 17th September – Summer League booked for 1.52 pm and 2.00 pm – tee times could be brought forward to follow Gents at 12.30 pm – CHECK WITH IAIN

Saturday 24th September – Leroch Cup booked for 1.07 pm – 1.15 pm

 

 

NORTH OF SCOTLAND GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP

What a fantastic result today as Megan became the North of Scotland Champion. This ranks as one of the biggest successes ever for a Strathmore Junior winning a scratch tournament against the best under 18's in the North of Scotland. I am so proud and happy for Megan as she missed out in the Scottish under 16's because of a wasp sting but this makes up for that big time. She was so excited when I spoke to her tonight and I am so proud of what she achieved. 

          Megan Thom (Alyth) on left with Megan Ashley (Strathmore) on right 

Megan  Ashley (Strathmore) pipped Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) for the North of Scotland girls' championship at Strathmore Golf Centre today.
Both returned gross scores of 76 but Megan had the better inward half.
Ashley is a five handicapper and McWilliam plays off +3.
Megan Thom (Alyth) (15) won the handicap trophy with a net 69.
Runner-up was Carmen Griffiths (Aboyne) (5) with a 72.

Flora McGregor shot a nett 57 and reduced her handicap to a full Congu of 35 and I believe she has the ability to become our next great hope. 

WHAT A GREAT TURNOUT

NORTH OF SCOTLAND COUNTIES’ GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIPS

                     STRATHMORE GOLF CENTRE

                      SUNDAY 21st AUGUST 2016

13:07     Shannon McWilliam..........................................Aboyne
               Jasmine Mackintosh..........................................Hazlehead
13:15     Kirsty Brodie......................................................Strathmore
              Carmen Griffiths.................................................Aboyne
13:23     Megan Ashley....................................................Strathmore
              Ellie Docherty....................................................Moray Golf Club
13:31     Emma Logie.......................................................Buckpool
              Iona Roska..........................................................Inverness
13:39     Katy Alexander..................................................Blairgowrie
              Zoe Morton........................................................Auchterarder
13:47    Katriona Taylor..................................................Crieff
             Jodie Taylor........................................................Downfield
13:55    Amy Mitchell.....................................................Strathmore
             Robyn Gallon.....................................................Duff House Royal
14:03   Shannon Pook.....................................................Auchterarder
            Chloe` Henderson................................................Deeside
14:11   Megan Thom........................................................Alyth
             Kirsten Miller......................................................Strathmore
14:19    Flora McGregor...................................................Strathmore
             Georgia McKay...................................................Strathmore

Prize giving     16:30 approx.

Fantastic nearly a third of the field are Strathmore members and 2 others are past members !!! 

ANOTHER 2 MEMBERS JOIN UP

Big welcome to Rhys McCurdy and Ryan McDiarmid who become our latest new members, number 16 and 17 for 2016. 

P&K 3 BOYS TEAM EVENT

What a weekend !!!

PKC Junior 3 Man Scratch Team Competition;

The event was played at Blairgowrie Golf Club on the Lansdowne course under perfect conditions, with the white tees set for a very long course, reflected in the CSS of 76 versus par 72 (R/O) 

The best 2 out of 3 scores in the team counted for the result:

The Strathmore team with Alex Simpson, Tod Bannerman and James Bonar won the competition with a score of 163.

The team from Blairgowrie (Campbell Gibson, Cormac Sharpe and Gregor Graham) came second with a score of 166

The team from Crieff (Calum Draper, Charlie Stewart and Niall Draper) came third with 182

Milnathort (Cameron Wallace, Struan Fotheringham and Patrick Freeman) came 4th with 184.

Well done to all players and a big thank you to the Blairgowrie Golf Club for hosting the event.

SCRATCH LEAGUE SEMI FINAL 1ST LEG

Having finished 2nd in our section we faced a Kinross team away who won their section with a 100% record. Looking at our team which I believe is currently the strongest in P&K before they teed off I told them that and also that we had reached 4 out of the last 5 finals and I expected them to make it 5 out of 6, and that this three backed up by the rest of the section could make history by not only winning this year but could dominate for the next 3 years. I realised we had to take something from the away leg to give us an advantage. Alex was first up and lost out 2 down, Kirsty won her match 4&3 and Megan who was all square playing the last pushed her tee shot into the trees and blocked herself out but managed to sensibly get herself back into the fairway and her 3rd shot was just short of the green, a decent chip left her with a 10 foot putt which she confidently holed meaning we are the first team this season to take anything from Kinross and with the home leg to come I will be making sure our players are focused on finishing the job and taking our place at Gleneagles.

FINAL ROUND OF SCOTTISH GIRLS UNDER 16's

Amy again played in her buffer again and climbed to 42nd. Kirsty slipped one place to 22nd and Megan was only one over par after 4 holes but she was then stung on the hand by a wasp and her hand swelled and she had to retire when in a very strong position. 

PRESS RELEASE 

Arguably, the unluckiest player of the championship was Megan Ashley from Strathmore who was forced to retire on the second day due to a quirk of nature. She was on one over having birdied the first and was going for a par on the fourth, when she was stung by a wasp.

“It was hidden in the bag and came out of nowhere,” she explained. “I just leapt away, as it was a shock, then I thought ‘what?!’ I was really gutted as I played well yesterday and was in seventh.

“It hurts,” she added, “but I’m trying to look on the positive side and learn from it – look out for wasps next time! I’m absolutely gutted but I will be coming back next year with a very good chance of winning.”

That's the confidence needed to be a winner. 

SCOTTISH GIRLS U16 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Megan didn't take long to make up for the disappointment of missing out on playing in last weeks Paul Lawrie Match Play by shooting a superb 75 and lies tied 7th and is currently joint top Scot in this quality International field. She messaged me tonight "today went really well 😊 Considering weather conditions really happy and excited to get out again tomorrow" She was also delighted to hear her handicap had been cut from 5.6 to 5.2 ! 

Kirsty is tied 21st 2 shots back after having to call a 2 stroke penalty on herself in the scoring tent after she heard another player having a penalty imposed for playing out of an area marked as Ground Under Repair. Unfortunately Kirsty had done the same thing and didn't know the rule so like a true sportswoman she declared it and took the penalty. 

Amy is tied 46th and will be hoping to climb up the leaderboard.

Press report -
Hannah Screen (Berkhamsted) shot a one-over-par 68 to lead by three strokes at the end of the first round of the Scottish U16 girls' open championship at Aberdour Golf Club today. She had birdies at the third, 13th and 17th in halves of 34. She bogeyed the first, eighth, 10th and 11th.
In second place is Belgium's Rebecca Becht from the Royal Waterloo club. She was heading for at least a share of the lead when she was level par for the tournament on the 16th tee, having had only two variations from par .. a bogey at the short seventh and a birdie 2 at the short 15th. But it all went pear-shaped for Rebecca over the last three holes. She bogeyed the 16th, ran up a double bogey 6 at the 17th and bogeyed the 18th - four shots dropped over three holes in havles of 34-37.
The leading Scottish players are joint seventh on 75 - Jennifer Rankine (Haggs castle), Megan Ashley (Strathmore) and Anna Mackenzie (East Renfrewshire).

SCOTTISH SUMMER WEATHER AND DISAPPOINTMENT FOR MEGAN

What an absolute disaster at the weekend, with gale force winds forecast Megan's chance to play at Archerfield in front of the TV cameras and the crowds was thwarted and although she didn't get to play she still enjoyed being a guest of Paul Lawrie at the event. 

Alex and I played our semi final of the Gents four ball tonight and thanks to Alex's great putting we made it through to the final winning 2&1. This gives us the chance to retain the trophy.

OLD COURSE RESULT

Went over to watch Alex in his semi final but unfortunately his putting was not as consistant as of late and two lip outs and a couple of close shaves allowed Gaku to make the final, which he then went on to win. His Japanese opponent played very consistant eagleing the first par 5 and driving the green on one of the par 4's and enjoyed a wee bit of luck,on the first with Alex already pin high on the green, his approach shot landed a foot in front of the Swilken Burn and bounced over onto the putting surface.

Semi-Final to be played on Thu 4th Aug  More info	Final to be played on Thu 4th Aug  More info	Winner
Nathan McCulloch (3) Kingsknowe
	John Paterson
John Paterson (1) New  2 Holes
		Gaku Tsukamoto
Alex Simpson (1) Strathmore
	Gaku Tsukamoto 2&1
Gaku Tsukamoto (-2) Japan 3&1

PERSONAL INVITE FROM OPEN CHAMPION PAUL LAWRIE

Megan has been invited to play in the AAM Paul Lawrie Matchplay at Archerfield. She will experience what it's like to live the life of a Tour Pro and play in front of spectators and TV cameras. She will love it and her bubbly personality and confidence in her own ability will be given a chance to shine through and I believe this could be the catalyst to greater things. 

Plans/itinerary for Sunday.

ACCOMMODATION has been booked  for the kids at the Marine Hotel in North Berwick (5 minutes by car from Archerfield).  For those who require accommodation, this will be on a twin/sharing basis for the night of 6^th August.  Arrival at the hotel will be from early afternoon on the 6^th.

TRANSPORT from the hotel to the venue in official tournament vehicles will be arranged for the morning of Sunday 7^th August.

CHAPERONE – Karyn Dallas (Scottish Golf) will also stay at the Marine Hotel and will accompany the group at the hotel and to the venue.

THE EVENT -  The four boys & four girls will be drawn to play against one another in semi-final matches (morning) and afternoon finals matches (the winners from the morning matches).  The morning matches will start between 7am – 7.30am with the afternoon matches going off around 12.20pm & 12.30pm.  The kids will be playing on the same course (with the tees slightly adjusted) as the European Tour Professionals playing in the AAM Paul Lawrie Matchplay.  We hope you enjoy the experience of playing a superb course in front of spectators!

TICKETS are available for parents/grandparents (note U18s are free of charge).  Please let me know of your requirements and I will arrange to have tickets left aside for you to access the event.  All of the group will be issued with passes to allow them to access Player Only areas, not accessible to the public.

BOYS – Connor Wilson, Cameron Gallagher, Greg Dalziel, Tom MacKenzie

GIRLS – Carmen Griffiths, Lorna McClymont, Anna MacKay, Megan Ashley.

CADDIES are not permitted.  However, Karyn and a PL Foundation representative will be on-hand to assist the kids, should they require it.

TV – the kids participating may be filmed from time to time.  Please make me aware if this is, in any way, an issue.

FOOD – lunches on the day and dinner at the hotel shall be taken care of by PLF.

 

Past junior Rory Tinker is taking part in the Galvin Green PGA Assistants Championship at Little Aston Golf Club and is tied 39th on 2 over par after the 1st round. 

OLD COURSE TOMORROW

Alex played himself into the semi finals of the St Andrews Junior Open and will face Gaku Tsukamoto of Japan at 06.40 am tomorrow. Full report to follow plus another piece of exciting news !!! 

LATEST FROM THE JUNIOR OPEN AT ST ANDREWS

Megan played well in the Stableford competition and finished 18th with 32 points and in her words "Absolutely learned a lot and can't wait to get out there again" Tod lost out by 2 holes and was unlucky but pleased to take his game so far "my opponent made a dream start and was -3 thru 4 and I was 3 down. I lost 5 &7 to go 5 down but won 8&9 to go 3 down after 9. I made par on 10& 11 to get it back to 1 down then we halfed every hole onwards"  Alex won his 1st match by 1 hole and then went to the 20th hole before seeing off Andrew Benson of West Lothian and tomorrow faces Daniel Morris of Fairhaven in the quarter final and his resume of events so far is "Played solid this morning, didn't let him get too far ahead, which was key because he was a class player!! And this afternoon was scruffy, found myself 2 down after 11, but just played away, made a few birdies coming in, and birdied the second playoff hole to win, happy with being through, but I'm gonna have to play better if I wanna have a chance tomorrow!" My advise to him was "You have done what is require in both matches today. Just stay focused and play your own game. It's what you're so good at and If you do that then the result will take care of itself"

Let's see what tomorrow brings ?

NEWS FROM THE HOME OF GOLF

Megan will tee it up in the Links Trust Quiach handicap stableford tomorrow after missing out on the match play by only 1 shot. Having talked to her tonight she was unlucky on a couple of holes but is in confident mood going out tomorrow and determined to do well. Remembering this is an under 23 tournament - some result. 

Tod shot 76 and qualified for the Murray Mitchell Trophy (handicap) and plays Kevin Jegers from Estonia in the last 16. 

Alex shot 72 and qualified for the Merchant's Cup (scratch) and plays Antoine Auboin from France in the last 32.

Let's see what tomorrow brings ???