JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

Huge congratulations to Alex who today completed the full set. U14, U16, U18 and now Junior Champion of Champions. I couldn't be more proud of his achievements.

WHAT A SATURDAY

Another 3 sessions of coaching today and again some great swings in action. We welcomed new members Louis and Blair along to their first lessons and both look to have great technique. Took Blair out for his 1st Certificate and he managed it easily. Charlie took up the 5 hole challenge but just missed out but I'm sure he will do it next time. Orley and Ben both replaced their scheme clubs after growth spurts and are delighted with their new clubs and Conan and Louis both joined the scheme so it looks like we will match last years total of 17 which is amazing. Huge thanks to Jack Scott who donated 3 trolleys and to Conan who donated his old set of clubs he had outgrown. We just need to see more of these swings in action on the course please. Also met our 8th new member of the season Fergus Williamson who was desperate to get out on the course and look forward to seeing him at the coaching next Saturday.
Sunday is a busy day as well. Alex is playing in the Junior Champion of Champions at Blairgowrie, Kieran is playing his last card for handicap along with Findlay who is playing his first card and James who is looking to reduce his handicap to a full congu one. Some of our girls are off to Gleneagles for county coaching and looking forward to the experience.

THE PLACE IS BUZZING AND THE GOOD NEWS JUST KEEPS ON COMING

5 of our new members attended the coaching last night and with 4 of them being complete novices I was very impressed how quickly they all improved. Keegan impressed and as I have already said I predict a bright future for this 5 year old. All of the existing juniors have made huge improvements over the winter and I was very encouraged with their progress. Charlie was hitting his driver beyond the 100yd marker, Archie was his consistant self, Camryn was very impressive with her ball striking, Hughie showed marked improvement, Georgia was continuing to improve, James L was hitting it better than I have ever seen him doing, Kirsten was again showing the consistency of a good player and star of the night for me was James B who was sticking the ball like a single figure handicapper. The buzz in the range was infectious and the banter between the juniors was obvious and I am sure Saturday's sessions will be the same. I took down some sets of clubs tonight and Laurence and Magnus have now become our latest members of the hire Scheme. To date we have 7 sets paid for with another 8 existing to be collected on Saturday and 2 new sets to go out which will equal last years total !!! plus James B will have his electric trolley. Gareth then told me Andy Ramsay had handed in a trolley and Katie Livingston 2 sets of clubs and a bag.
I then went into the clubhouse to empty the Junior collection box for landing in the bunker on the 12th and was amazed to find £34.32 had been donated over the last two weeks which added to the £18.26 collected in week 1 means we have a total of £52.58 already. This has been another amazing success and will give Strathmore Juniors the opportunity to improve the prospects of our players reaching higher levels and being able to improve their games. A huge thank you to members and visitors alike.
I arrived home to receive the news that Kirsten had been selected again to represent P&K girls again in a match against Fife at Gleneagles.
Kieran has his 1st card in for handicap and Finlay and Josh are keen to follow so the next week will be hectic and I'm sure at least one of them will be ready to make their competitive debut next Thursday against Alyth in the Bell Trophy
And to top it all received an email from our Gents Captain and the Centre confirming we are to receive a donation from Scottish Disability Golf who the Centre are giving courtesy for a match against Strathmore members.
What an amazing couple of days and this is probably the most exciting start to a season I have ever experienced and I can't wait for the next instalment which I am know is just round the corner !!!

7th NEW MEMBER JOINS AND MORE EQUIPMENT DONATED TO THE HIRE SCHEME

Laurence Blair Oliphant makes it 7 new members and look forward to meeting him tonight.

Huge thank you to Joe Wilson who donated a cart bag, driver, 3 wood and trolley to the hire scheme, this week we have 3 sets going out and 2 more being upgraded due to our juniors growth spurts over the winter.

   

6th NEW MEMBER !!!!

Our latest recruit is also our youngest ever and this young man could be something really special. Keegan Fergusson walked at 8 months and started swinging a club at 11 months !! He is now 5 and I met up with him and his dad last week and I haven't seen so much natural talent since a certain Alex Simpson first became a member. I am really excited to see how this latest prospect developes but watch this space for progress reports and I don't think they will be long in coming.
There is also a bit of history with Keegan, his great grandad is Dod Gray who was employed by Pat  Barron on the farm before it was turned into a golf course and before he retired he also worked as part of the green keeping staff and I played often with him when the course first opened. I must be getting old I'm spanning 4 generations !!!

5th NEW MEMBER SIGNS UP

Magnus Fettes becomes our 5th new member so far this year and can't wait to meet him tomorrow night at the coaching.

P&K SPRING MEETING AT MILNATHORT TODAY

Amy finished 9th Scratch and in the handicap section Kirsten finished 4th with Amy 7th.

RESULTS FROM SATURDAY 22/04/17

I was attending a wedding yesterday so left Junior Captain Alex Simpson in charge of the Scratch League Team and they travelled to Blairgowrie and got our season off to a flier with a resounding 0v3 victory. Alex won 2 up, Kirsty won 5&3 and Megan won 6&5.

Back at Strathmore in the summer league Amy won and took a shot off her handicap with a gross 77 reducing her exact to 6.8 whilst James shot net 70 and Kirsten a nett 73. 

1st JUNIOR MEDAL

Only 3 played yesterday and Amy won the Medal with a gross 78 nett 70 and is now down to 7.6. Megan finished nett 76 and Kirsten nett 84. css was 73.

UPDATE FROM FINAL DAY AT SCOTTISH UNDER 18

Alex finished tied 36th and Kirsty although disappointed with her final round still tied 15th overall and 3rd top Scot in the field. All things considered a decent start to the season and something to build on.

LATEST FROM SCOTTISH BOYS AND GIRLS UNDER 18 OPENS

Alex after a disappointing 80 fought back with an impressive 73 and made the cut tied 37th and as I write this from sunny Spain is currently 1 over through 6.
Kirsty followed her 72 with a 77 and sits tied 7th on 149 and tees off at 10.30 am and when I spoke to her after her first round she was buzzing and a similar round today could take her into the top 5 and challenging the current leaders.
With the cut coming in at +17 both Megan with rounds of 87 & 82 (169) and Amy 83 & 87 (170) missed out but they will learn from the experience and take a lot of positives forward to the next event.

WHAT A START !!!

Amy shot 83 but that was after this post. Go Strathmore !!!

KIRSTY BRODIE AND JILLIAN FARRELL 

TO THE FORE AT MONTROSE LINKS

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Strathmore's Kirsty Brodie, pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency, and Jillian Farrell (Cardross) kept the home fires burning on the opening day of the Scottish Under-18 girls' open stroke play golf championship at Montrose Links today (Wed)
Kristy shares the lead at the head of an international field of 102 with a one-under-par 72 alongside Germany's Hannah Karg while Jillian is one off the pace in a four-way tie for third place on 73.
Brodie bounced back in great style after bogeys at the eighth, ninth and 11th. She staged a grandstand finish to step into the spotlight with birdies at the 12th, 14th, 15th and17th in an inward half of three-under 34.
Co-leader Karg would have been clear of the field but for double bogey 6s at the second and 10th holes. Five birdies in halves of 36 have her sharing the pole position.
Farrell, winner of a recent Scottish Junior Tour girls' competition, stayed in good form with a bag of six birdies in halves of 36 and 37. Six bogeys cancelled out her gains but she is still in good shape.
Aboyne's Shannon McWilliam, one of the favourites for the title, is still seeking yo recapture the form that earned her selection for the GB and I Junior Vagliano Trophy team a couple of years ago. She had a lacklustre round of 79 with no birdies and two double bogeys.
The leading North-east player with a 78 is Jasmine Mackintosh (Hazlehead) who had an eagle 3 at the par-5 17th.
SCOTTISH U18 GIRLS OPEN STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Montrose Links.
FIRST ROUND
Par 71. CSS
72 K Brodie (Strathmore) H Karg (Ger).
73 J Farrell (Cardross), A Ruttert (Ger), H Muse (West Lancs), E Brennan (Trentham), H Screen (Berkhamsted).
74 A Williamson (Royal Cromer), J Bailey (Kirby Muxloe).
75 B Bayles (Kirby Muxloe), M Lewis (St George's Hill), C Eisenbeiss (Ger), C Worby (Newport).
SELECTED SCORES
76 A Taylor (Bawburgh).
77 L Green (West Lancs), R Earl (Bishops Stortford), J Guest (Gog Magog), E Rhodes (Burnham and Berrow).
78 J Mackintosh (Hazlehead), M Thomas (Beau Desert), J Hall (Bishop Auckland), M Slater (Woodsome Hall).
OTHER SCOTS' SCORES
79 S McWilliam (Aboyne).
80 L Duncan (West Kilbride), A McKay (Crail GS), E Hynd (Balbirnie Park), L McClymont (Milngavie).
81 K K Brown (Strathaven), S Woodhouse (East Kilbride), C Griffiths (Aboyne), C Neilson (Alvaneu Bad), 
J Rankine (Haggs Castle).
82 H Darling (Broomieknowe), M Richmond (Strathaven).
83 I Roska (Inverness).
84 P Wilson (Burntisland).
87 M Ashley (Strathmore), E Logie (Buckpool).
89 S Black (Deeside), Z Morton (Auchterarder).
91 E Crawford (Baberton).
95 C Irvine (Craigielaw).
98 R Foster (Turnberry).
ends

SCOTTISH BOYS AND GIRLS OPENS

Alex is at Monifieth tomorrow and Kirsty, Megan and Amy are at Montrose. Hopefully all will play well and our best wishes go to them all.
Jane Douglas has kindly donated a carry bag, full set of irons, various other clubs and a push trolley. Alison McLaren has donated a driver and a three wood.
Our 1st week of asking for a donation for landing in the green side bunker on the 12th produced a donation of  £18.26, what a result, thanks to everyone who donated.

IRISH UNDER 18 GIRLS OPEN STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

A closing round of 76 moved Kirsty up 5 places to tied 25th on 229. I'm sure she will take a lot of positives from the weekend into the rest of the season. Well done.

KIRSTY MAKES THE CUT

An inspired round of 73 saw Kirsty easily make the cut and is tied 30th. We send our best wishes for tomorrow.

Jillian Farrell (Cardross), in third place in a field of 104 competitors, headed the six Scots who survived the second-round cut today (SAT) in the Irish Under-18 girls' open amateur stroke play championship over 54 holes at Roganstown Golf Club.
Farrell had rounds of 75 and 70 over a par71 course for a three-over-par tally of 145, two shots behind the co-leaders, Lea-Anne Bramwell (Wales) (73-70) and Sweden's Ingrid Lindblad (71-72).
The Cardross birdied the first, second, fourth and fifth at the start of her second round and shared the lead at that stage but she bogeyed the seventh, 15th and 17th in halves of 32 and 38.
The other Scottish qualifiers were Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) 76-73 for 149), Jasmine Mackintosh (Hazlehead) (76-74 for 150), Molly Richmond (Strathaven) (78-73 for 151), Kirsty Brodie (Strathmore) (80-73 for 153) and Lorna McClymont (Milngavie) (77-78 for 155).
The cut fell at 155 and the Scots who missed out were Hannah Darling (Broomieknowe) (78-83 for 161), Carmen Griffiths (Aboyne) (80-82 for 162) and Porscha Wilson (Burntisland) (80-89 for 159).

IRISH UNDER-18 GIRLS' OPEN STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Roganstown Golf Club.

SECOND-ROUND SCORES

par 142 (2x71) CSS 73 

143 Lea-Anne Bramwell (Wales) 73 70, Ingrid Lindblad (Sweden) 71 72.

145 Jillian Farrell (Cardross) 75 70.
146 Euphemie Rhodes (England) 74 72, Danielle Modder (Netherlands) 73 73, Valerie Clancy (Killarney) 69 77.

REST OF SCOTS' ROUND 2 TOTALS
149 Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) 76 73 (T17)
151 Molly Richmond (Strathaven) 78 73 (T20)
152 Jasmine Mackintosh (Hazlehead) 76 76 (T23)
153 Kirsty Brodie (Strathmore) 80 73 (T30)
155 Lorna McClymont (Milngavie) 77 78 (T48)

SCOTS WHO MISSED THE CUT 
161 Hannah Darling (Broomieknowe) 78 83 
162 Carmen Griffiths (Aboyne) 80 82 
169 Porscha Wilson (Burntisland) 80 89

Alex unfortunately lost out in the last 16 of the P&K match play at Blairgowrie.

IRISH UNDER 18 GIRLS

Kirsty is lying tied 54 on 9 over just one shot outside the cut after the first round yesterday.

KIRSTEN CUTS HER HANDICAP AGAIN !!!!

Playing in the Alyth Junior Open and after taking 3 shots off her handicap on Thursday Kirsten shot a 91 nett 66 and reduced her handicap by another 2 shots to 23. 5 shots in 2 days AMAZING

APRIL FOOL

Today I got a phone call from Scottish Golf saying they had received a number of calls from various Golf Clubs in Scotland enquirying why they had not been offered the free Buggies and why Strathmore had got them. They thought it was highly amusing that so many people had fallen for the April Fool and if they ever have spare buggies hopefully they know where they can be put to best use.

WHAT A START TO THE SEASON FOR KIRSTEN AND FLORA

Playing in the P&K U14 Medal at Blairgowrie today Kirsten was just pipped from winning the handicap section with a nett 53 beaten by a better inward half. Flora finished 5th with a nett 59 and the great news is both girls took 3 shots off their handicaps. Kirsten is down to 26.6 and Flora 31.7 - superb play Girls !!!!

MORE EQUIPMENT ADDED

Ally Low called into the office today with a full set of clubs with bag and trolley, 2 putters and 2 Utility woods. Huge thanks much appreciated.

SO NICE TO BE APPRECIATED

Georgie and Will Learmonth are moving away but before they left they handed back Georgie's hire clubs and left this lovely note

P&K STROKE PLAY

Alex finished 2nd pipped by 1 shot but can hopefully make up for it at the weekend in the match play.
All Strathmore players had good scores and great to see we had the only girls playing.
            Gross Net
Alex       70.    70
Kirsty     72.    69
Amy       80     72
Kirsten  100    72
Flora.    116     81

Well done all

4th NEW MEMBER SIGNS UP

Evie Annan today became our 4th new member and also took possession of a cracking set of hire clubs and can't wait to use them but it will have to wait until she comes back from her holidays !!!

JUNIOR BELL TROPHY DRAW 2017

Away to Alyth by 7th May with home leg by 21st May.

JUNIOR SCRATCH LEAGUE DRAW 2017

By 30th April Blairgowrie (Green) v Strathmore
By 14th May Strathmore v Muckhart (Blue)
By 28th May Strathmore v Crieff
By 25th June Strathmore v Pitlochry
By 9th July Kinross v Strathmore
By 30th July Auchterarder v Strathmore

Semi final 1st leg by 13th August
                 2nd leg by 27th August

Final 7th October

BUSY WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday Auchterarder County Stroke Play Championship. Alex, Kirsty, Amy, Kirsten and Flora
Thursday Blairgowrie U14 Coaching Medal. Kirsten and Flora
Friday Alyth Junior Open - Race to Kingsbarns and Irish Girls U18 at Roganstown where Kirsty will be with Scottish U18 squad members
Saturday Strathmore summer league 2
Sunday Strathmore 1st round Club Championship qualifier

HUGE THANKS AGAIN

Ian and Anne Cameron donated 2 trollies, a cart bag, unused driver and a few more assorted clubs Jack and Sheena Scott added a driver, 3 wood and putter. Thank you for your generous donations which will be put to good use.

ALL THE WAY FROM AUGUSTA

Yesterday after I posted an April fool on the blog I received from an R&A rules official (who will remain nameless) a very comprehensive reply to the use of buggies. She is currently in Augusta where she will be officiating at the Masters. Maybe didn't catch many of you out this year but think this one is special.

Hi Iain, for info, the default in the Rules of Golf is that buggies can be used in any comp. It is a matter for a club to decide if they want to restrict their use (in competitions or otherwise). Of course if that means that they want to limit their use to those with medical certificates or don't want to allow juniors to use them etc (for insurance reasons etc) then that is up to the club to put such a policy in place.

KIRSTY TIES 3rd IN SCOTTISH JUNIOR TOUR U18

Leaving her best round of the weekend until today Kirsty secured a tied 3rd position and gets her season off to a great start. Megan who is still in the U16 age group did herself proud, being 3rd after yesterday's round and she got off to a great start and was level par through 6, dropped shots from there cost her but finishing 8th is a great result for her as well.

SCOTTISH JUNIOR TOUR U18

Megan tees off this morning in a confident mood after making the cut and qualifying in third place one shot ahead of club mate Kirsty. Alex after a great first round and was lying tied 6th then in the 2nd round after a level par front nine had a disappointing back nine which meant he missed the cut. Our best wishes go to the girls in the final round today.

UNBELIEVABLE OFFER FROM SCOTTISH GOLF

As most of you know the Club Hire Scheme has been a major success and when Iain Evans the local Scottish Developement Officer visited Iain a couple of weeks ago he wanted to help out and we could never of imagined what he was about to come up with. Iain has been keeping him up to date with members generous donations and Evans realised that he would need to come up with something special. This years Scottish Open has changed venue from Castle Stuart to Dundonald which left them with a problem. The sponsors Aberdeen Asset Management Plc had already signed an agreement with Dundonald to supply the official buggies as an advertising strategy so this left Scottish Golf with 20 unused buggies and they have kindly donated them to our Strathmore Juniors. As you need to be 16 to drive one and under the rules of golf need a medical certificate to use one in competition the juniors will struggle to utilise them. Discussions with David and Peter brought up various scenarios, as most buggies are hired to visitors we could not do this as it would impact on a very important revenue stream for them . An agreement has been reached where each buggy can be hired out to a member of the Centre (not necessarily a member of the club) for an annual fee of £50 per annum (£10 going to the Centre to cover electricity recharging costs) and £40 going to the Junior section giving them a potential income of £800 pa. This is another unique concept so if you are interested please text or email on 07707 657233 or iain@ianddinsurance.co.uk with your full name and the code IBHAF