DAY ONE OF BARRIE DOUGLAS

Mixed fortunes today Megan pulled it back with a great back 9, but Amy and Kirsten will need 2 good rounds to get back into contention. Alexei is sitting quite handy as is Katy and Cormac.

ALEXEI COMES BACK FOR THE BARRIE DOUGLAS

Great to catch up with Alexei today and guide him round his old stomping ground. For those new members, he was our furthest travelled member living in Moscow. He has returned to play his old home club and with what I saw today he is certainly capable of producing 3 great rounds of golf. Hits it long, knows his yardages and his reading of putts combined with distance control will make him a contender. Good luck from us all. Strathmore are well represented with Amy, Kirsten and Megan all playing and Cormac and Katie who started with us also competing.

KIRSTEN JOINS THE 70’s CLUB

So pleased for Kirsten today not only did she shoot a gross 79 but she proceeded to take 2 shots off her handicap. I took her out for some Course management and distance control last week and the dividends have produced an instant success. She works so hard at her game and also gives so much back to the Section and to Scottish Golf, being a member of the Young Persons Panel, and before she played today took part in a Video session which will be aired shortly. So proud of all you do Kirsten.

45th SET OF CLUBS FOR 2019 GO OUT ON HIRE

Owen tonight became the happy recipient of the 45th set of clubs hired out this season creating yet another new record. Last night whilst Alex and I were playing in the P&K Masters a Double Rainbow appeared over the course and a pot of Gold appeared in the Junior Sections Bank Account today meaning we know have over £8,700 to replace and enhance all our stock of Hire Clubs and give our Juniors the chance to be the best they can be by playing with the highest quality equipment. I would publicly like to thank SSE Drumderg Community Funding for their continuing support of my unique and amazing scheme. Over two thirds of our Juniors take advantage of the scheme which not only makes golf affordable long term but also allows kids to try golf without burdening parents with high initial costs.

19th NEW MEMBER FOR 2019 JOINS UP

Jack today became our latest recruit and also our newest record breaker by taking possession of the 44th set of clubs hired out this year and the 71st in total since the Scheme started. Tonight’s Coaching sessions were brilliant, so much fun, these youngsters are growing in ability and confidence and it’s a pleasure to work with them. Anna, James (John) and Rosemary were presented with their 1st Certificates tonight.

MORE EXCITING NEWS

Have received another 4 enquiries for Junior membership this week and have confirmed with Eassie Primary School to hold a Taster Session on Wednesday 26th June, Alyth Primary School Thursday 13th June and Blairgowrie High School p7 to S1 transition day.
Frankie presented Owen with his 1st Certificate who also needs to be fitted for a set of hire Clubs extending our record breaking season. When I came home I received a message from another Mum who has joined Leitfie bringing the total Adults up to 11 for 2019.
We put a lot of hard work into encouraging kids and now adult family membership and it is certainly paying dividends for the Club and Centre.

QUICK UPDATE

This is what is left of the set of Clubs and bag we donated to Trust. He found it whilst walking amongst the debris left after Cyclone Idai. He was so lucky to come out of this alive. On the 15th May, exactly 8 weeks on, he played in his first Club Competition at Hillside Golf Club....he shot 75, won Nearest the pin on the 3rd and Longest drive on the 4th (41 stableford points)

Joint Junior Captains Megan and Amy make the P&K Ladies Jamboree Team along with last years Captain Kirsty. Great to have 3 Strathmore members representing the County and with another Junior Katy who started at Strathmore we certainly prove that our Junior Section’s coaching programme produces quality players. I took Kirsten out on Wednesday night to work on her yardage’s and Course management and I expect to see her joining this group in the not too distant future.

Last night although both Megan and Amy lost narrowly, Kirsty won her match and helped Strathmore Gents Scratch League team halve away against Crieff. Great result and again testament to our Junior programme.

P&K LADIES COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP RESULT

Was up early this morning to wish Amy, Kirsty and Megan good luck before they teed off in the P&K Ladies match play Championship semi finals. Having 3 Strathmore members playing we knew at least one of them would be in the final. Dawn, Jackie, Frankie and I went up to watch the final after the Fun Family event. Kirsty had won against a Megan and faced Katy in the final after she beat Amy.

The final was great and Kirsty’s putting was the difference. She holed from 15ft on 2 for a half, 12ft on 4 to take the lead and 5ft on 5 for a birdie, lost 6, birdied 7, 8 and 10 to go 4 up, birdied 11 for a half, lost 12 then halved 13 and 14 before finishing the match off with another birdie on 15. 

6 birdies, 3 under par through 15 and the 3rd Strathmore Member following Dawn Butchart 2002 and Alexandra Bushby 2007 to become P&K Ladies Champion 2019. 

I have been involved with Kirsty’s development for over 10 years and remember watching her at the beginning and noticing how good her putting distance control was. I also remember her coming into our office nearly every week during the summer to let me know she had won a voucher at yet another junior Open. When I congratulated her on the 15th green I did remind her that all the time we spent playing Donkey on the putting green really did help her today. Great result Kirsty and so well deserved. Katy who started out at Strathmore played really well and this will give her a lot of confidence going into the rest of the season.

FAMILY FUN DAYS ARE GROWING DRAMATICALLY

What a fantastic turnout today, 11 juniors and 13 adults took part in our Family Golfsixes event. The clubhouse was buzzing before we went out. They all loved it and and we managed to sit outside afterwards for our drinks, food and presentation. Zoe and Dawn had nearest the pin on the 9th and Camryn and I had the nearest the pin on the 1st. The scores were great  - Zoe and Dawn were 3rd with 70 and were pipped for 2nd by Blair and Bob by a better last 6. The winners were Camryn and I with 72 points. 

We also discovered another mum has also joined bringing the current total up to 10 for the year, this is phenomenal and what a great way to grow family golf. Seeing juniors out with their parents and grandparents and yhaving fun is what all golf clubs should try to replicate.

WHAT A SATURDAY

What a result for Strathmore Junior Girls today in P&K Ladies match play Championship. Megan and Amy both won their last 16 matches this morning. Last years Junior Captain Kirsty now a Strathmore Ladies member beat past Strathmore Junior Emily. In the afternoon matches Megan put out number 1 seed Jen, Kirsty beat Isla and Amy beat Laura. In tomorrow’s semi final Megan faces Kirsty and Amy is up against another past Strathmore Junior Katy. Kirsten unfortunately lost out in the last 8 of the handicap event. Tomorrow is going to be very exciting with the possibility of not only 2 Strathmore members making the final but possibly 2 Juniors.
To make the day even more special we ran a Taster session for Adult family members to take part in and 2 couples have joined bringing the total of Adult family members this year up to 9 so far - AMAZING.
We will now have loads of families playing in our Golfsixes event tomorrow morning. What a season this is turning out to be.
Dawn and Prince Archie won today’s Golfsixes by one shot.