Archie who could not make the prize giving picked up the most hotly contested trophy of 2022 today. The Leitfie Summer League has been won in the past by Alex Simpson and Hannah Robb both now PGA professionals. After a chat it looks like he will be upgrading to Rannaleroch in 2023 so will be aiming to get a WHS handicap and join in with the others on a Saturday. Looks like it’s going to get busy with another couple of possible upgrades and new members.
Brothers Alisdair and Andrew become Strathmore’s first two new junior members for 2023 taking advantage of the 14 month for price of 12 deal, perfect early Xmas present. Look forward to introducing them to the rest of the juniors and helping them progress and get the most from their memberships.
Stuart and Keir with the assistance of Marcus capped off a wonderful season by winning the team Texas Scramble by a shot from Seamus, Aine and Iain who claimed 2nd place courtesy of a better back 3 from Conan, Joe, Jessica and Dawn. Stuart also picked up the nearest the pin prize. The AGM and prize giving followed a wonderful buffet courtesy of the Centre and our thanks go to Peter and David whose support of the Junior section gives the youngsters a platform through the fully subsidised coaching to develop their skills and become accomplished players.
Junior Scratch Club Champion Stuart Duncan runner up Blair Hockley. Handicap Champion Jack Stevenson runner up Cameron Redden. Archie Puttullo won the Presidents Cup, Leroch Trophy, Hamish McTavish and April Medal. Keir Reid won the Leitfie Winter League, July, August and September Medals and along with Tarah Simson won the inaugural GolfSixes Championship. Stuart won the Rannaleroch Summer league with Archie Louden taking the Leitfie Summer League. Cameron Redden who takes over the Junior Captaincy 2022/23 won the May Medal and Conan Reid who will be his vice captain won the June Medal and along with Dawn won the the Russell Bailey Shield. Jack Stevenson won the Most Improved player. With teams and individuals competing in County and National competitions it’s been a fantastic year for Strathmore Junior Section who won Club of the Year 2021 at the P&K Sports Personality of the year awards. Set new membership records with 114 and Club Hire record with 82 sets hired out. Ellie-Marie Smart and James Thom became National Skills Champions in their age groups. Junior Captain Blair Hockley represented P&K at the Boys Area Team Championship. Conan Reid won the S4-S6 handicap section of the Alfred Dunhill Schools Challenge and was also part of the Monifieth team who won the East District Schools handicap Championship. We also won our GolfSixes League so a great year all round.
Louis came first with a best back 6 pipping Conan for best stableford score today but Conan can take comfort in shooting a personal best gross 81 and soon will be joining the 70’s club. 5 out of the 7 playing today had 36 points or better. On Leitfie Archie shot a gross 38 and received another handicap cut. Next week we start all the winter fun competitions so let’s hope we get some more out playing and keeping the practicing up.
Best score overall by Cameron with 36 points. In his report back he was “really impressed by how the rest of the team performed in the harsh conditions “ Tarah had the top girls score, which is also very encouraging. Looks like Andrew is going to upgrade his membership to Rannaleroch as he is keen to get his full WHS handicap. Very positive signs for the rest of the season.
Strathmore finished a creditable 2nd in the P&K Race to the Castle event at St Andrews. Well done to Tommy Banks who also achieved his Fun Handicap on Leitfie and now can play Winter League.
Fantastic scoring by Saoirse and Seamus 36 and 43 respectively. 3 and 2 shot reduction of handicaps. Think these are also 2 personal bests. Great to see them both getting so many rounds played.
7 played for handicap on Rannaleroch with Jack just pipping Archie by 1 point and Stuart only 1 point further behind. Saoirse reduced her fun handicap by 3 shots, new hire clubs working well. Decent scores from Seamus and Archie as well.
Well that’s been a busy season !! So many improvements and so many great prospects for the future. We managed to give 114 youngsters the chance to try golf and make progress and I’m pleased to report so many have. We’ve had Flag, GolfSixes and Bell Salver teams competing in Club, County and National events along with individuals playing at numerous events at both County and National level. This year we say good luck to Kirsten and Cormac who both are now on Golf Scholarships in America and our future Junior Captain is plying his trade as a green keeper at Strathmore. Golf can take you in many directions.
Conan and Dawn won the Russell Bailey Shield with a fantastic score of 69. Dawn was very impressed with Conans ball striking and his new irons he got last week are certainly working well. Dawn, Gareth and myself have now all remarked on the similarities between his and Alex Simpsons swing and ball flight.
Some tremendous scoring today, Keir 43 pipped Louis 42 by 1 stableford point. Knew the scoring was going to be great as the swings at the coaching looked so impressive. Both boys will get well deserved cuts to their handicaps. Keir was delighted with his 3 on the third (picture below) backed up with another 3 on the fourth.
Gareth took all sessions out onto the course. Some great shots played and more importantly a lot of fun had by all. Junior Golf Scotland have asked us to host a regional qualifier for the Flag Competition and we have provisionally agreed to hold it following on after our Junior Open on Thursday 20th July 2023 which would be amazing. 10 teams are due to take part and hopefully juniors from the same clubs will come along for our Open as well. I have started to plan for 2023 and will be looking to work with a number of individuals who have shown commitment and improvements over the season as these players deserve to get extra help. Scottish Golf are also looking to use Strathmore as a pop up venue to host new events for juniors who have outgrown GolfSixes, exciting times ahead. Stuart took the honours today and some of our other boys were away for a practice round before playing in the Alfred Dunhill junior event at Carnoustie. Good luck to Alex Simpson at Dornoch in the PGA Assistant Professional tournament which tees off tomorrow.
Decided to take the coaching onto the course tonight. Some on Leitfie some on Rannaleroch. Kari, Maya and Katie impressed with their tee shots, Hunter and Jake were both very consistent. Anna achieved her first Certificate and Aston was very close.
45.6 to 35.1 that’s some cut. So pleased for Joe and can’t wait to see his progression. Jed, Ruby, Seamus and Saoirse also had cuts to their fun Handicaps.
Ross was fitted for his set of hire clubs and put them to good use, 1st and 2nd Certificates and Fun Handicap of 32 achieved in his first round on Leitfie. He becomes the 82nd Junior this year to use the scheme which is another fantastic record broken. Derek Gordon handed in a utility wood to add to the scheme today. Coaching was great fun today with Gareth concentrating on putting during the 4 sessions. Saoirse and Seamus were out in the turn up and play and both had good rounds with Saoirse getting a fun handicap cut of 2 shots. I then had the pleasure to take Joe and Olly out for the Summer League on Rannaleroch. Joe who recently joined and got his handicap played some superb golf and the highlights of his round was an easy 3 on the 4th and a superb birdie 2 on 17 holing a 40 footer. His best score so far had been 126 and he smashed that with 107, 53 out and 54 back and that was with 43 putts so plenty scope for improvement. He will get a handicap cut after scoring 45 stableford points and I see a very bright future for him and it’s brilliant that he is so competitive as this will bring all the others on as well. Louis had 38 and Olly 36. With the success our young girls are having combined with these similarly aged boys we will have some competition for places in teams in a couple of years. Came home to find out Soren Kjeldson is tied for the lead in the BWM as well, he was coached at Strathmore by Colin Smith and our best wishes go to him for tomorrow.
Congratulations to Keir who is a great example of someone who listens and learns. He was losing shots on the green so along with Conan bought a practice putting mat and has put it to good use. Only 37 putts today which helped him to a great nett 68 and another Medal win. Dawn was very impressed with Joe especially his 4 on 17 with his provisional. Gareth took the 4 coaching sessions today and worked on chipping using different clubs and hopefully they can all use these skills when out on the course. 4 of the girls were away at Auchterarder with the County today and still waiting to hear how they got on
Huge thanks to Vice Captain Cammy for assisting Dawn and I at the Junior coaching tonight. With the sun shining we decided to go out on the course. Some tried for Certificates others played Texas Scramble whilst others played stroke play. Very impressed with everyone. Great to see the juniors having so much fun.
Nate has taken a growth spurt and had to have his hire set upgraded and what a difference. His ball striking was very impressive and he was hitting them far better and longer. Anna got a pair of brand new shoes from our free swap scheme and is ready to try for her first Certificate. Dawn was very impressed by Kieran’s putting as was Conan with Theo and Aston’s. A few double no shows tonight which is ok as it gives those who do attend more individual time with the pro. Ellie-Marie found a new friend tonight.
Brilliant fun tonight. Angus did the technical part and Dawn and I did the fun part, perfect match. Being able to get the basics right is the first step and adding the fun element is the second part and getting competitive which we managed tonight is the third part. Cracked it and the juniors loved it.
