ANOTHER FULL HANDICAP AWARDED

Well done Tarah, first full WHS handicap of 46.3. Finishes off a great year after winning the under 9 Skills Challenge at the AIG Woman’s Open at Carnoustie. The next few years are going to be exciting. 

RACE TO CASTLE RESULT

Great result for Strathmore team 2 at St Andrews today. Playing in the P&K Race to the Castle event at The Castle Course Fraser, Lewis, Keegan and Jack finished 2nd to a strong Milnathort team. Both our teams played well and will have learned a lot from the experience. Blair who also attended as a guest played his best round ever, 1 under par, and said everyone had a blast. Thanks go to P&K and the sponsors for making this possible. This will motivate our players to reach the next level and 2022 is looking very exciting already.

3rd NEW MEMBER FOR 2022

Huge welcome to Arthur who today became our 3rd New member for the 2022 season taking advantage of The Centre’s generous 16 month for the price of 12 offer. The Junior Section and Club appreciate all that the Centre’s management team do to assist us in growing golf and memberships. Total junior membership numbers are at a record breaking 97 helped by 52 new members this year. This year we will lose no members by age. Keir’s WHS Handicap is confirmed at 50 and Tarah will have hers next week. Both Tarah and Kirsten attended a P&K event at Milnathort on Thursday with Tarah picking up a 2nd place prize. Today Tom who recently upgraded his membership will play his first 18 hole card on Rannaleroch and tomorrow 8 of our Bell Trophy squad head to The Castle Course at St Andrews to compete individually and as 2 teams of 4 in the P&K Race to the Castle and it will be interesting to see how they all play. Blair has been invited as a guest to attend, play and mentor some of the younger players.

TUESDAY’S DON’T GET MUCH BETTER

Junior Captain Kirsten Miller has just received confirmation of a Golf Scholarship at Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She becomes our 6th Junior in recent years to receive this honour. She follows in the footsteps of Senior Assistant PGA Professional at Sunningdale Heath, Hannah Robb, who studied at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univesity, Daytona Beach, Florida. Assistant PGA Professional at Saffton Walden G.C, Emily Aird, who studied at Newman University, Wichita, Kansas. Professional caddy currently working in New Zealand,  Michael Brodie, who studied at Lander University, South Carolina. Scottish Internationalist who played in 2 European Team Championships and a Home International Championship, Kirsty Brodie, who is in her final year at College of Charlston, South Carolina. Alexei Butchart, who has just started at Lincoln Memorial University, Tennessee. Great news and as you can see can lead to fantastic opportunities all over the world but started with coaching and encouragement at Strathmore. 

Yesterday I took out 7 year old Keir Reid for his 3^rd Full Handicap card. 136, 128 and 125 his consistency and improvements reminds me of another junior Alex Simson and we all know how good he became. Now 3^rd year PGA Assistant professional at Noah’s Ark. If Keir keeps listening, learning, practicing and playing who knows where golf will take him ? 

8 year old Tarah Simpson was away yesterday playing at the Loretto Schools under 9 event Craigielaw, Edinburgh and finished tied 3^rd (bunker trouble on last hole cost her 2^nd place) but this is a venue Hannah, Emily, Kirsty and Kirsten have also played in their early years. I am taking her out today for her 2^nd handicap card and she also reminds me of a young Kirsty who’s enthusiasm for playing was second to none. 

 

To finish off a perfect day we were invited to enter a second team into the P&K Race to the Castle event and Fraser, Lewis, Keegan and Jack have all confirmed availability. Also had confirmation that another Junior, Tom Stevenson,  has upgraded his membership to include Rannaleroch. 

 

With so much talent coming through the ranks and membership numbers booming I can’t wait to see what the future holds6

ANOTHER BUSY WEEK

Attended Bell’s Sport Centre this week to pick up a cheque for £400 from Perth and Kinross Sports Council to add to our Club Hire Scheme to help us assist more juniors achieve their dreams. Today Bella, Lottie, Tarah and Zoe attended their first P&K Girls Coaching Sessions and all did very well and look forward to watching them progress. Took Keir out for his second card for handicap and he played really well, highlights were a great four on the 4th and a five on 16 followed by a four on 17. This young man has so much potential, he listens, pays attention and learns. He played 2 chip and runs instead of flop shots today on the 2nd and 16th holes which gave him great chances to convert, one of which he did and he only missed out on the other. 8 shots better than last week and had 2 unlucky holes today as well. This 7 year old is so keen and eager to play and learn we definitely have another great prospect coming through. Congratulations to Lochlan who won his match play match with Stuart. This is the 2nd match played and hopefully the other players will get organised and play their matches. 

WHAT A WEEKEND

The results are in for the most hotly contested competition of the season - the Leitfie Summer League.

1st Tom Stevenson 222 points averaging 22.2 points or 4.8 under par for each qualifying round reducing his Fun handicap from 54 to 28 (14 over 9 holes) 2nd Tarah Simpson 227.5, 54 to 31(15.5) 3rd equal Keir Reid and Arthur Rutherford 232 points, Keir 54 to 32(16) and Arthur 54 to 34(17) 5th Zoe Stewart 240 54 to 37(18.5). Special mention to Jack Harrison, Louis Purdie, Rory Harrison, Theo Tosh and Joel Tosh who also completed at least 10 rounds. James Thom and Fraser Rowan completed 8 rounds and with 45 players having fun Handicaps the Winter League which starts today will hopefully be equally exciting. 3 of our top five have upgraded membership to Rannaleroch which is the next step.  

We have been invited to send a team to compete at the Castle Course based on the criteria of the Bell Trophy selection process. So Cameron, Conan, Archie and Lochlan have confirmed availability. Stuart unfortunately is unavailable due to holiday commitments. Kirsten and Blair have been invited to play but unfortunately Kirsten has a performance training day but Blair should be ok although he does have his 2nd  Covid 19 injection on the 15th. 

Next stage of development for Strathmore juniors is having a past junior member playing in the Dunhill Championship. Hazel MacGarvie still an amateur was selected to play over Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews unfortunately she and her professional missed the team cut but what an achievement. 

Hopefully this can inspire our current crop of juniors what can be achieved with hard work, dedication and loads of practice. 

RESULT OF RUSSELL BAILEY

Stuart and Jackie won the Russell Bailey Shield today. The event was reduced to 9 holes due to weather conditions. Great turnout with 6 teams competing. Thanks to Ladies Captain Anne Baird and Lorraine Wallace who played along with Archie and James.