WET WET WET

All the Coaching today had to be done in the driving range. We are lucky to have this facility which enables the youngsters to keep improving no matter the weather. Emily is the latest youngster to outgrow her clubs and she only got them 6 weeks ago, hopefully her growth spurt is over and her new clubs last a bit longer. Ryan was also fitted for a new set having outgrowing his current one. Then Carly became the 53rd junior this year to utilise the Club Hire Scheme. Out of 74 members 53 are now taking advantage of the Scheme and it’s a no brainer for the parents who obviously see the benefits and savings.

I have probably identified another 3 or 4 prospects for next years Golfsixes squad but will need to see them out on the course and also on the putting green before they are included. We also have 4 or 5 ready to try for their 1st Certificates. 

On Sunday 8th September all our Girls are Invited by Perth and Kinross Girls to come along to Strathmore at 1.15 pm to take part in an event that will take place on Leitfie and I really hope we get a full turnout. 

Jamboree Final

Good luck to Amy and Megan who travel to Peebles for this weekend’s Scottish Ladies Jamboree Final

ANOTHER JUNIOR STEPS UP

Dawn and I were very encouraged with Rhys at last weeks coaching especially after he traded up his hire clubs to a new set. Took him out tonight and we went onto the putting green first where I was so impressed by his distance control. 3 putts from 8, 12 & 20 foot all to tap in distance. Next he hit a few shots in the net and then onto the course. First tee shot with a 7 iron into a strong breeze, nice draw to 12ft - tremendous shot. Card submitted for handicap and our 3rd player selected for next years Golfsixes squad along with Anna and Rosie, 9 spaces still available who’s next ?

HUGE FEW WEEKS COMING UP

Coaching - 3 sessions every Saturday morning and another 3 sessions every Monday night.
Competitions and cards for handicaps on Rannaleroch - Saturday tee times at 12.15 onwards. Leitfie can be played anytime just book your own times.
FREE Try Golf After School Sessions for non members
Wednesday 4th September 5pm
Friday 6th September 5pm
Wednesday 18th September 5pm (Girls only)
Saturday 21st September 10.30am
If you know anyone who would like to attend email me at iain@ianddinsurance.co.uk
We are also going to have 4 FREE Taster Sessions for Ladies on Saturday afternoons and another 4 FREE coaching sessions for 2019 Adult members who joined through our own Get into Golf Scheme.
Active Schools have asked us to hold an event and we have planned a Solheim Cup theme on Thursday the 5th with teams from local schools playing against each other and fingers crossed the Cup will be here.
September is going to be so exciting and could see more of Strathmore Junior Sections records being broken.
Amy and Megan are off to Peebles to represent P&K in the Scottish County Finals this weekend and next week Strathmore hold a Junior County Event open to all Girls.

ANOTHER BUSY MONDAY

Another record broken twice tonight. First Chloe took possession of a superb set of Ping Irons, putter and Nike Woods and then Rosie was fitted for her new Longridge set bringing us up to 52 sets hired this season. Liam was sorted out with a new driver. James got a trolley. Cairo traded in his old set for a brand new set and put them to good use when he won the nearest the pin contest against all his elders. Cameron also set another record by being the quickest player to outgrow his clubs (6 weeks) goodness knows what they are feeding him. Keegan is going to be next to join the Scheme having outgrowing this years birthday present set already, that’s why the hire scheme is so successful and makes so much sense and saves parents a fortune. Ruby and Peggy were out with their mums tonight playing the wee course and Ruby is so pleased with her new set of clubs. We had 25 at the coaching tonight and had so much fun especially at the chipping area where Cammy recognised that the art of chipping is simple, right club for right shot. Blair seemed to disagree and after 2 out of 14 with his 52 degree wedge hopefully he has learnt an important lesson. A number of player are making great progress and I envisage many of them making huge improvements over the Autumn.

WHAT AN AMAZING SUNDAY

First up was the Golfsixes at Carnoustie and I am so proud of our youngsters who played today and in the other matches. This event has taken youngsters from coaching and fun events into their first steps to team competitive play and all these kids have progressed. Today we finished tied 2nd beaten by 1 point and overall we came 2nd in the league. Special mention to Fraser who shared 1st place in the putting competition. The juniors are having so much fun bonding with each other and it’s a pleasure to watch them interact. They are maturing so quickly and the banter amongst them is infectious. It is so exciting and next year most of these youngsters will hopefully be challenging for Bell Trophy places when they get their handicaps or reduce them. Whilst this was going on our Bell Trophy Team were hosting Dunning and I was keeping in touch with their progress by text. Knew we were up in 1 match, down in 2 matches then all square in the other. Next message was Kirsten had pulled it back from 3 down to all square but Cammy had went 2 down, James was all square and Blair was now 4 up. Final message I received was in Tesco’s when it was confirmed Blair had won and all other 3 matches were halved. We have won 3 matches, lost 3 and halved the other and have to wait and see if we have made top 4 to make the semi finals. These youngsters have all played their hearts out and along with Stuart, Fraser and Conan I know we have the nucleus of a great Squad going forward.

With so much going on I believe Strathmore Juniors are again in a position to move forward and with  so much potential still to be realised, dreams can become reality but it all comes down to hard work, practice and self belief.

QUICK UPDATE

Friday night we played our final Scratch League match at Muckhart and with Amy taking unwell during the day it was left up to Megan and Kirsten to get a result but unfortunately we lost 3-0. Yesterday we had our first Saturday Autumn coaching sessions and I was very impressed with the progress some of the youngsters have made. Ruby, Rhys and Iain all upgraded there clubs and are delighted with their new sets. Dawn and Cammy took on Stuart and I in a match whilst they played a summer league card. Both boys played some great golf especially Stuart who had a magnificent back 9. Playing off a handicap of 37 he parred 10, 11 and 13, shot a nett 65 and took 6 shots off and will now be playing off 31. He was delighted when I phoned him with the news. Today it’s Bell Trophy at home v Dunning and the Golfsixes Team are away at Carnoustie. Then tomorrow night it’s back to the coaching where the rebuilding of next years squads start again. Over the last 11 years we have been very fortunate to have had so many category 1 players but next season we won’t have any so a decision has been taken to not enter the Scratch League and we will concentrate on the Bell Trophy and Golfsixes Teams and hopefully develop these youngsters into our future stars. We have so many bright prospects but we need the support of parents to get them out on the course and playing more often as this is the only way to get the progression we need.

BIGGEST WEEK OF THE SEASON CONTINUES

Friday sees our Scratch League team play at Muckhart with a result required to see us progress to the semi finals. Saturday we have coaching in the morning and Summer League in the afternoon. Sunday is huge with our Bell Trophy team hosting Dunning in their final match where a win might see us into the semi finals depending on other results and our Golfsixes team travel to Carnoustie where we need to win and hope at least one or two teams push our hosts down the table.
Tonight Alex and I won our semi final in the Gents Four Ball and now look forward to the Final.

COACHING RESTARTS FOR AUTUMN TERM

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As I was with our Scratch League team at Blairgowrie, Dawn was assisting Gareth at the first night of coaching and it was a busy night. I came back to help after seeing our team tee off. First job was to fit   Anna with a brand new set of Hire Clubs and she was delighted to with them and her Hire Trolley and becomes the 50th Junior to utilise the Scheme this year, phenomenal !! Another few sets needs upgrading, youngsters grow so quickly. Then it was back to Blairgowrie to see our team finish. Although they played well Blairgowrie ran out comprehensive winners on the night so it’s all down to Friday nights match at Muckhart where we need a result to progress to the semi finals.

Whilst at the coaching tonight heard the first Geese arriving  which was appropriate with Autumn coaching starting.

Geese arrival update

2019 19th August

2016 4th September

2015 7th August

2014 14th August

2013 19th August 

2012 23rd August 

2011 17th August 

SO PROUD AGAIN TODAY

Bell Trophy team did brilliant today securing a half match at Milnathort. Blair won on 18th and result of the day was Stuart winning 6&5.

YET ANOTHER BIG WEEKEND

Picked up past Junior member and Scottish Internationalist, at both at Junior and Senior level, Hazel MacGarvie’s donation to our Club Hire Scheme today and what a superb collection. Putters from when she first started playing right through, a full set of KZG Clubs, 3 carry bags including 2 Scotland Team bags which she asked permission if they could be donated and they agreed as long as the recipients did not use them in National Events and 2 brilliant head covers.
Blair won the Leroch Cup today and tomorrow will be part of the Bell Trophy team heading to Milnathort. On Monday coaching restarts and our Junior Scratch League team take on Blairgowrie away.

SOLHEIM CUP

How starting at Strathmore can lead to the Solheim Cup. Click on the link below to read more.
CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE NEWS

JUST MONDAY BUT SO MUCH HAPPENING

Where do I start. Firstly disappointment for Kirsten who had to withdraw from the 2nd round of the Scottish Girls under 16’s through injury. Yesterday on the 5th tee as she drove off she felt something ping in her shoulder and by the end of the round was in severe pain and could not continue today. Gutted for her as I felt this was a chance to show everyone what she was capable of doing and hopefully her recovery will be quick. Another mum Sam has joined bringing our total family Leitfie members up to 14. Charlie became our 49th member this season to use my Club Hire Scheme. Shona donated a set of Muzuno Irons to our Hire Scheme and as I left the club tonight I met Fraser a friend from Blairgowrie who has offered to donate more equipment. Whilst in the car park received a message from Zimbabwe that Trust had finished 3rd in the Harare Junior Open Championship. We had 8 youngsters and 4 adults playing tonight and Isla was so disappointed when rain stopped play as she was playing her best golf ever. Great drives and putting. Met Allan Easton (past Junior Champion and Junior Captain) tonight as he finished his round, if it wasn’t for him I would never have got involved in Junior golf and so pleased he is still playing and knocked it round in 76 today with an eagle, a few birdies, pars and a couple of not so good holes. He is a credit to our Junior programme in so many ways. To top everything off today was presented with a birthday gift and card from Keegan and was so touched by his kind words. Guessing Black Stump was one of my favourite tipples was special but the personalised key ring was something I will treasure forever and it endorses everything I have tried to do for Strathmore Juniors and makes it all worthwhile. Cheers wee man.

SUPERB RESULT FOR OUR BELL TROPHY TEAM

Just had Bruce on the phone who was delighted to let me know our team had won 2.5 to 1.5 against Muckhart. Remembering both Conan and Louis (making his debut) we’re giving away extra shots by having to play off 28 this was a terrific result. James won 3&2, Blair halved, Conan won on the 18th 1 up and Louis who was playing match play for the first time lost out 4&3 but will take a lot out of the experience. These matches are proving invaluable in the progress of our players and the bond of playing as a team is helping them to gel and I have great expectations for this squad and hopefully they can inspire the younger players to challenge them for places next year. Kirsten didn’t have the best first round at Elgin today but hopefully she can bounce back tomorrow and produce a score which reflects the ability we know she has.

ANOTHER BUSY WEEK FOR STRATHMORE JUNIORS

Megan was representing Scotland Girls at the Home Internationals at Downfield. Kirsten is up at Elgin for the Scottish Girls under 16 and has a 3 and a half hour weather delay before she gets started. Yesterday James, Blair, Cameron and Conan headed to Killin to play Taymouth in the Bell Trophy and were unlucky to lose out 1.5 to 2.5. Our Golfsixes Team were supposed to play at Carnoustie today but the event was washed out with severe flooding. Finally James, Blair, Conan and Louis host Muckhart today in the Bell Trophy.
2 more new sets of clubs arrived this week and Anna will be the next one to be fitted out. Charlie became our 23rd new member this season and also needs to be fitted for clubs which would take us up to 50 sets hired out for the year. I know of at least one other girl about to join and yesterday I had another 3 enquiry’s from youngsters looking to join. This season just gets better and better.

PREHISTORIC NIGHT TONIGHT

Big thank you to Shona Deans who donated a trolley, driver and Ping Putter to our hire scheme.
Great fun tonight and a close run thing again with Archie and Dawn taking the honours by 1 shot (1 under par 26) from Cara, Jack and Iain. We found a dinosaur 🦕 on the Course tonight ??

BUSY WEEKEND

Bell Trophy team played well but unfortunately lost 2.5 to 1.5 to Milnathort with 3 matches going to the 18th. Great experience for these youngsters and they will learn from this.
Golfsixes Team again played magnificently this time at Montrose and finished 2nd so we have to go to Carnoustie next week and win and hope someone can pip Carnoustie into 3rd or 4th place. This has been another amazing experience for our newer players and will help them all improve.

RECORD BREAKER MATTHEW REJOINS STRATHMORE

RECORD BREAKER FROM 2010 

Matthew Sime became the youngest ever Strathmore member to achieve a CONGU Junior Club Handicap. 7 days short of his 7th Birthday in 2010. Matthew completed his 3rd card from the White Tees on the Rannaleroch Course, measuring 6454yds. Matthew who upgraded his membership to join the Rannaleroch Course has completed 3 rounds with myself and has achieved a Club Handicap of 33. Congratulations and along with the rest of the Section we wish you every success with your golf.

Report from July 2010

Last night I invited 6 year old Matthew Sime to play his first ever 18 holes on the Ranneleroch Course to see if he was ready to move up from Leitfie and could manage to play 18. We teed off using the Gents White Medal tees at 6.30pm and Matthew hit his first drive straight up the middle carrying it onto the fairway and using my GPS I measured it as 146yds, he then proceeded to hit 3 x 3 woods to be 5yds short of the green, he then pitched on and 2 putted to record an opening 7. Before we teed off I had told Matthew we would use the par +3 which if he was to play level with, would mean he could get the maximum Congu Junior Club handicap of 54. So after the first hole using the par 5+3 Matthews 7 was 1 under. Hitting the 2nd green in 3 he 3 putted for a six to go 2 under. And after 4 holes was 4 under. Clearing the pond Matthew was unlucky to catch the rough along the fence with his second shot but managed to get the ball back into play and despite taking a 10 was still 2 under. A 5 iron short of the 6th green and a pitch to 3ft and a single putt led to Matthews first ever par on the Rannaleroch and got him back to 5 under. A putt from off the green for a 6 at the 9th gave him a front nine of 58 and kept him at 5 under.

Kirsty and Kate Brodie came out to give Matthew some encouragement on the 10th tee where he again hit an excellent drive down the middle (151yds) only to bunker his approach shot, unfazed Matthew hit his bunker shot to within 1ft to secure his second parand go to 8 under. This led to a very steady run where after 16 holes Matthew was 15 under. On the 17th a drive and an 8 iron and a 12ft single putt led to the third par of the round and going to the 18th tee 18 under I realised Matthew had only hit 42 shots on the back nine and on being just off the front of the 18th green in 6 overhit his pitch and took a 10 for a back nine of 52. Our round took just under 3 hours and Matthew proved to me that not only was he able to play 18 but to an fantastic standard remembering he is still only 6 !!!!

Matthews Card

7-6-6-5-10-3-7-8-6=58 4-6-7-4-6-5-7-3-10=52 58+52=110

Putts

2-3-2-2-3-1-2-3-0=18 1-2-1-2-1-1-3-1-3=15 18+15=33

Matthew would be allocated a CONGU Junior Club Handicap of 33 (110-71-6) (see clause1.2 below) on this card requiring to lose only 5 further shots to be allocated a full CONHU Handicap. AMAZING 

Clause 1.2 Any score more than 2 over par at any hole shall be amended to 2 over par. (The maximum reduction under this clause shall be 6 strokes per round.)

HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY TO OUR JUNIOR CONVENOR

BRILLIANT NEWS FROM ZIMBABWE

Trust won a Calloway Cup last Wednesday and he has been invited to play in the Zimbabwe amateur championships. What brilliant news after such a devastating year.

GREAT WHEN ANOTHER JUNIOR BOY GETS TO 28 HANDICAP

Cammy after his brilliant round at the Burntisland Junior Open cut 3 shots off his handicap and now is officially of 28. So pleased for him and can’t wait to see who’s next, Stuart, Fraser or Conan ?