UNFORTUNATELY CORMAC MISSED OUT ON A QUARTER FINAL PLACE

The Scottish Men’s Amateur at Murcar is drawing to a close but Cormac lost out this morning. Better news for his home clubmate Connor who is through to the semi final after having to go 20 holes this afternoon to get a result. 

CORMAC MAKES LAST 16 SCOTTISH MENS AMATEUR

Congratulations to junior member Cormac who had a great day winning through to the last 16 in the Scottish Men’s Amateur Championship and recording a  “hole in one” in the process. This is where the previous experience of playing match play in the Bell Trophy and Scratch League plays as an advantage when it gets to the knockout stages. Such a shame these events are not happening this year. A special mention to Conner who is a team mate at Cormac’s home club who also made it through and the pressure will be on their opponents playing these juniors in the Men’s event. At Strathmore we have always said if your good enough your old enough and that’s why we have no age restrictions. Held a taster session today for Maya a granddaughter of one of our Gents members and she did very well. Quick learner who certainly seemed to enjoy the experience. Then off to Edzell to play the West Water 9 hole course with our  own grandkids and daughter. Alana not only managed her first par but then went back to back with another one. Her roar of delight could probably be heard in Brechin. I had birdied 7, 8 and 9 so as I can’t remember (might be an age thing) birdieing 4 in a row went onto the 10th but my putt just slipped past. Golf is a game everyone can enjoy and having 3 generations out having fun is what it’s all about.

TODAYS UPDATE

Cameron finished 4th in the Stephen Gallacher Under 15 Handicap section and Cormac held is form and qualified tied 4th for the match play at the Scottish Men’s 

UPDATE FROM JUNIORS ON TOUR

Cameron is lying 4th equal in the handicap section going into the final round of the Stephen Gallacher Under 15 Championship tomorrow. Cormac made a promising start in the Men’s Scottish Amateur and sits tied 5th on 6 under par 3 shots behind the leader who shot a course record. Unfortunately Kirsten lost out in the last 16 at the Northern Ladies. Past members Megan lost in the last 8 but Katy progressed to the semi finals and we wish everyone good luck for tomorrow. 

STRATHMORE JUNIORS ON TOUR

Kirsten today qualified for the Scratch Match Play in the North of Scotland Ladies at Blairgowrie and Cammy is joint leader in the under 15 handicap section in the Stephen Gallacher at Ratho Park. Good luck to them both tomorrow. 

ANOTHER BUSY DAY

Congratulations to team Tarah who ran out winners in the latest Family Fun Day. This was followed up with another Skills Challenge. Great fun was had by all. 

ANOTHER GREAT DAY FOR STRATHMORE JUNIORS

Went out with Stuart and Lochlan for a few holes and wow was I impressed by both players. Lochlan stared off with a great birdie after hitting his approach shot to 2ft. When we were on the 3rd green Conan and Cameron hit their tee shots within 15 yds of the green then Blair shouted fore as his tee shot finished on top of the hump front right of the green. These boys have certainly gained massive distances off the tee and when Lochlan gave me 40 + yds down the 5th I enquired what was making the difference and was delighted when he told me it was all down to slowing his swing down a bit. I left to get to Crieff and meet our GolfSixes team. Was great fun with some great scores and we finished tied 2nd with Pitlochry with the hosts running out comfortable winners. The funniest thing that happened today was Adrian who scored a hat-trick which is normally associated with football. First up he forgot his cap so purchased one in the pro shop. Next up on the 5th the longest drive hole he hit a monster which finished in the middle of the fairway. And it was hilarious when he was presented with his prize a skip and a beanie so the hat-trick was complete. Our team members confidences are growing and to see the smiles and the interactions is brilliant and will help all these players develop. Next up tomorrow is a Family Fun Day and the 2nd round of the Skills Challenge. 

THE PAST IS RETURNING AND QUICKLY

For years we had youngster competing at National and County levels but last year things changed due to Covid. Slowly things are getting back to a new normal. Last week we took our Flag team to Crieff this week we are back again with the GolfSixes team and I’m really excited as some of our players played it last week and that should be a help. Kirsten is off to a Junior Tour Event at Dornoch and Cameron heads to Ratho Park for the under 15 Stephen Gallacher Championship. The success of our juniors is down to hard work and dedication and with all our Full Handicap players taking part in our Junior Open the future is very bright. They are keen to learn and develop and I see so much ahead for many of them. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO JACK

Another new Full Congu Handicap. Well done Jack, the others are looking forward to welcoming you into the Saturday competitions. 

THIS IS WHERE WE ARE

Strathmore today held their own Junior Open, one of few being held within the County. We had entrants from Milnathort, Crieff, Aberdour, Arbroath, Carnoustie, St Andrews, Ballumbie, Portlethan and Alyth and a field of 27. Some great scores and Kirsten our Junior Captain took the honours with a gross 76 with vice Captain Blair 4 strokes behind taking the boys Scratch event. Archie proved that playing off the white tees was not a problem by shooting a nett 70. Keegan couldn’t wait to tell me after 9 he had scored 4,4,4 on 6,7 and 8, absolutely brilliant, these kids are confirming my faith in them by putting in performances I know they are capable of.  Archie picked up 1st handicap under 14 with James in 2nd place. Fraser also finished 3rd handicap in 14-17 age group. Keir won the Scratch on Leitfie with Zoe and Tarah tying for the handicap prize. New membership numbers have grown again with Stella joining today after Olly and Finn joined yesterday. Amazing 42 new members for 2021 and 87 in total now. More Clubs will soon be out on Hire with more trolleys going out as well. 

MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS GOING THROUGH THE ROOF

Another 2 brothers joined today becoming members 40 and 41 for 2021 and brings total number of Junior members to 86, then got another phone call out on the course to arrange another taster session. This in incredible and we fitted set number 61 for the 2021 Hire Scheme last night and he also hired a trolley. More donations of equipment have been made. Chris donated 2 trolleys, Des a set of clubs, Nate who just got fitted for a pair is giving his “once worn” size 1’s which are always in demand. Keir is also donating a trolley. Alan is also donating other equipment he was given as he knows we put it to good use. These donations are brilliant as the rental income helps us to finance more purchases of the best equipment giving Strathmore juniors the best chance of improvements and keeping the cost of golf very affordable. Can we break 90 ? I believe so. 

JUNIOR OPEN DRAW THURSDAY 22nd JULY 2021

 

ANOTHER STRATHMORE SUCCESS

Well done Stuart, 78 gross in the handicap section at Aberdour is a great score and another trophy with your name on it. Superb result. 

ANOTHER HISTORIC DAY FOR STRATHMORE

Twenty seven years ago when I moved to Alyth and met Pat Barron and he showed round his farm in an old Landrover little did I realise how much time I would spend on this piece of ground and how many great people I would meet, how much enjoyment it would bring and I am so proud to have played a part in the development of the Club and especially the junior section. Today was the accumulation of so much effort that has been put into the course. Dawn was instrumental in bringing both County and then Scottish Junior events to the Centre and the welcome they received led to Strathmore being the home of the Girls Under 16 Championship for years, unfortunately when the amalgamation of Scottish Golf took place this event was then put into a rota system. It was great today that Strathmore hosted their 1st ever PGA tournament and took the facilities to another level. I met up with a lot a players who I know from playing with in the Midlands Alliance and they were very complimentary on the conditions of the course. I was intending following Heather MacRae who I have known since she was very young but had to hastily arrange a taster session for a group of 6 youngsters from Blairgowrie who arrived unexpectedly. Then missed 3 holes on the back 9 to attend a management committee meeting but caught up for the last 3 holes. She finished 2 shots off the lead and will be in the second last group tomorrow. It was great to have a chat after the event and although we didn’t manage a practice round as she was in Finland at a Ladies European Tour event she did say the tips I messaged her had helped. 

ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER MEMER ANOTHER RECORD CREATED

Huge welcome to Nate who joined after today’s taster session and hopefully Petula who looked like a natural golfer will join as well. Kirsten lost to Carmen in the Scottish Girls Championship but should be proud of making the KO stages. James had 41 points today and should get a handicap cut after playing his lowest score so far. 

LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Before you become good winners it’s important to learn to be good losers. Yesterday we took 2 teams to Crieff for the Regional Qualifier and despite our best efforts finished 4th and 5th equal out of the 6 teams competing. We were not far behind the winners and it showed that pitching, chipping and putting are the areas that our players need to practice more. In saying that we had some players showing great improvements and Keir and Olly certainly will have taken a lot from the experience and this will definitely help them in the future. At Strathaven Kirsten qualified for the knockout stages of the Scottish Girls Amateur Championship and faces a tough match against Carmen Griffiths but as I reminded her anything can happen in matchplay. On Thursday Allan and myself were 1 down with 2 to play in the Gents Four Ball and I finished birdie, birdie to put us into the semi final. A lesson of never giving up. Good luck Kirsten just stay focused. 

RECORDS DON’T LAST LONG AT STRATHMORE

Angus joined yesterday to become our 38th new member of 2021 and taking total membership to 83 !!!!

And I received 2 more enquiries and have 3 coming to Taster Session tomorrow 

RECORDS SMASHED

Huge welcome to the Szwejkowska family, not only did Nathan, Maia and Sam join the junior section but mum and dad joined as Leitfie members as well. Our previous record from 2019 was 79 but after our 1st Taster Session of 2021 we are already up to 82 with Petula and Nate coming along on Saturday and more Taster Sessions to arrange. Our Club Hire record will also go, was 58 sets in 2019 but will reach 60 this weekend. Absolutely amazing !!! We ran the Scottish Golf Challenge and currently have 16 players in qualifying positions for the final at the Ladies British Open but will hold another qualifier to see if anyone can improve their scores. Friday we are off to Crieff for the Regional qualifier of the Flag Competition with 2 teams hoping one of them can qualify for the final at Gleneagles. Cards are flying in for the Leitfie Summer League and it’s unbelievable the amount of handicap cuts and great scores, getting very exciting. Cormac is sitting 2 shots off the lead in the Scottish Boys Amateur. Strathmore is buzzing with loads more to come. 

2nd GOLDEN TICKET AWARDED

Some fantastic scoring today. Blair followed up his success in the Skills Challenge with a tremendous gross 76 nett 65. We had previously decided that if the same player won both events the runner up in the skills event would qualify so Conan will join Blair at Carnoustie on the 16th August for a masterclass from one of the best Lady golfers in the world and much more. Played along with Archie who was putting his new clubs to the test and he shot a nett 69 which could have been even better, very impressed. Received an email from another girl looking to join a Taster Session so it’s all happening. Looking forward to our 2 Flag teams heading to Crieff on Friday which is a qualifier for the National Final. Great to see so many other youngster out playing Leitfie Summer League with Keir and Tarah vying for the lead currently. 

MEMBERSHIP RECORD EQUALLED

Rory became our 34th new member of 2021 bringing our total membership up to a record equalling 79. We have a taster session for a family of 3 on Sunday with another 3 boys and 2 girls to arrange times to come along. A group of 18 kids from Blairgowrie have also enquired about group sessions so I’m sure the record for total junior membership will go soon. 2 mums of existing members are also signed up for their own sessions so golf at Strathmore is definitely growing. 

JUNIOR OPEN

 

CAPTAIN v VICE CAPTAIN

Great turnout for today’s event. We played a flag team competition and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I am really impressed with the progress some of these youngsters are making. Definitely have seen an improvement in short game and putting in those who are practicing and playing. Vice Captain Blair took the honours today with his team winning and by also taking the honours in the nearest the pin and putting challenge. Lewis came close to a hole in one on the 2nd by hitting the pin and Isla was unlucky on the 5th as her ball just ran past the hole. 

FINALS DAY

Congratulations to Kirsten who ran out a convincing winner in the Scratch final. The handicap final was a closer affair with Cameron taking the honours. Both matches were played in a very sporting manner and Blair and Lochlan can both be proud of how they played and conducted themselves today.