ANOTHER BUSY DAY

First up a taster session for Eassie Primary School. All 15 pupils attended and had a ball with the boys just pipping the girls in the Skills Challenge. Aidan, Hannah and Sophie looked real prospects so hopefully they enjoyed it enough to come back. Some of the others made great improvements and everyone had fun which is the main thing. It’s great for youngsters to come along and use real clubs and balls at a proper driving range rather than plastic clubs that are used in the school sessions. Then 2 new enquiries for membership, one from Portugal !! Well that’s where they are on holiday just now. So membership numbers are going to be smashed again very soon. With 5 girls registered for the Girls Hub, if all take up the Scholarship we will hit 104 with 24 girls and our club hire scheme sits at 72 and should reach 77 which is amazing. A busy summer ahead with Flag qualifier at Crieff, GolfSixes League event, 2 Bell Salver matches and our own Junior Open. 

LAST MONDAY NIGHT COACHING

Laura joined us tonight as she will away on holiday and will miss this Saturday’s first Girls Hub. She was fitted for a set of clubs and pair of golf shoes. Great strong swing and Angus sorted out her grip and swing path. By the end hitting some nice shots. Cameron and Stuart assisted tonight and took groups out for a Texas Scramble. A lot of fun was had by all. Tomorrow it’s the whole of Eassie Primary School coming for a Taster session.

 

SECOND BELL SALVER MATCH

Today we hosted Crieff in the Bell Salver and secured our first point with a honourable draw. Form players Stuart and Conan both won convincingly and Cameron and Archie had close matches going to the 18th and 17th respectively. The experience these players gain will hopefully help them in future matches. Great to see the camaraderie of teammates supporting each other again after two years. Roll on next Sunday when we head to Kinross for our next match. 

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

Last Saturday coaching sessions today and Gareth decided on a Texas Scramble on Leitfie. Banter was great as was the play. Very impressed by everyone. This was reflected in the afternoon by the scoring, Stuart hit a fantastic gross 81 nett 66, Conan had a nett 68 and Jack a nett 71. I was really impressed by Keegan’s play today unfortunately his score didn’t reflect it but the potential is there. Louis played for the first time off the White tees and it’s great to see another junior stepping up after getting his first WHS handicap of 39.8. Tarah won the P&K Girls 9 hole competition at Kinross with Jessica finishing second. Emily, Mia’s wee sister, took part in a coaching session as she is unavailable next Saturday for the first Girls Hub and was fitted for her clubs and will join the other 4 girls for the next session. The place is buzzing just now and with some of the juniors playing 4 times per week I am looking forward to seeing the improvements. 

MORE CLUBS UPGRADED

Blake, Mia, Rosina and Lewis all had clubs upgraded last night and were all hitting them better. Took Louis out for his 3rd card for handicap and he has certainly improved with his new clubs. He shot 115, 18 shots better than his best card. This included his first birdie on the Rannaleroch, after sinking his putt on the 6th I asked him if it was his first birdie and he informed me his ambition today was to have his first par. He didn’t have to wait long as he did that on the 13th and was close on the longest par 4 14th. Great potential and another WHS handicap player. I was very impressed with his overall game. 

WHAT A FANTASTIC MONDAY

Phone call from Scottish Golf today confirming that Archie and Tarah had both won their age sections groups in the Skills Challenge. Thanks to their fantastic achievements 16 Strathmore juniors will attend the practice day at the 150th Open at St Andrews and take part in the Skills Zone. To top that we also were  also balloted for another 8 junior spaces. What a fantastic result and 24 juniors will be able to take part. Cooper and Jon were presented with their 1st Certificates tonight and Kieran also attained his including a fresh air shot which made it even more special. 

GREAT SCORING IN DIFFICULT CONDITIONS

Jack run out the winner today just pipping Stuart. Some really good play by all competitors in a close run event. Louis submitted his first card for handicap. Forbes was presented with his first Certificate. Yours truly managed five 3’s in a row from 13 to 17 which was a first and I’m sure it impressed Tom and Olly as  I definitely made them aware of how big an achievement it was 🎺  

ANOTHER BUSY WEDNESDAY NIGHTS COACHING

Some great improvements tonight and hopefully with the putting sessions we can expect scores to come down. Only 2 more sessions before the Summer holidays and we will be expecting to see everyone out on the course playing and returning scores. No excuses accepted. No point in attending coaching and then not playing. I have identified a number of really enthusiastic and talented youngsters who will be invited out during the summer holidays for some specialist coaching which I believe will help them attain the levels they should be at. A very happy Rosina was presented with her Certificates tonight. 

ANOTHER BUSY MONDAY

Started off in Inverness with the final day of the Jamboree with P&K Ladies including 3 past Strathmore juniors picking up valuable points. Then back to Strathmore for the coaching. Kari not only picked up her first Certificate tonight but after a recent growth spurt had her hire set upgraded and also took possession of a trolley as well. Her grandad made a very generous donation to the juniors section tonight and it will be put to very good use. The coaching tonight was very successful with Angus working with the youngsters on their grips, set ups and swings.

HUGE THANK YOU TO CORMAC

Cormac wanted to donate another one of his sets to our hire scheme and Stuart was needing to upgrade his current set so today he spent 2 hours with Stuart on his trackman and managed to get the perfect match. Stuart then went out and shot 82 scored 39 stableford points and won today’s competition. I know Cormac appreciates all we did for him as a 5 year old and I really appreciate all he is doing now in return. He has also offered to take Stuart out for a round to help him, total respect. Dawn in her Presidential role and I travelled up to Inverness to watch P&K Ladies today in the Jamboree and pleased to report past Juniors Kirsty and Megan won their foursomes match and both their single matches helping P&K to a 6 v 3 win over Northern. It’s Aberdeenshire tomorrow which will probably be the title decider. Another past Junior Katy did not play today but hopefully will play over the next two days. 

FLAG TEAM STARTING TO TAKE SHAPE

Tonight we had another Flag Competition and I think everyone improved on their previous results. I had already pencilled in some names into the provisional squad and am delighted to confirm that 3 of the players I previously identified came 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Andrew just missed his birdie putt on 8, Jessica (who after a quick set up adjustment) was hitting everything straight finished just through the green on 8 after a great tee shot and James just missed holing out on 7. These 3 players have confirmed their availability for the team and have been selected on ability, performance and commitment. These are really exciting times and I believe these players will form the backbone of future Strathmore teams for years to come. We are going through a transitional stage and with so many great young prospects I believe we can again be a major player at County level and look forward to seeing these youngsters progress. 

TRUST MESSAGED ME LAST NIGHT WITH SOME SAD NEWS

Shane Kidd who provided 50 coffins for victims after Cyclone Idai hit Chimanimani in Zimbabwe and went on to help rebuild the local golf course has died in a car accident. Hopefully the course will continue to operate as Trust is still playing there and is offering caddy and coaching services to visitors as a means to help support himself. 

Today I have been asked if we could provide some taster sessions for 4 Ukrainian refugee children to try golf and am delighted to confirm that this will be arranged next week and with funding still available from grants we received we are in a position to offer fully funded memberships if the youngsters enjoy the experience. It’s fantastic to be able to help these youngsters who are experiencing such horrendous and difficult times in their young lives. 

LATEST SCORES IN SKILLS CHALLENGE

 

GREAT TO WELCOME THE BELL SALVER BACK

Today we fielded our first Bell Salver team for nearly 3 years. Cameron lead out a very young team but they did themselves proud. Cameron halved his match and Archie proved going up for a practice round last week paid off as he won 8&6. Unfortunately Jack and Keegan, who had to play off a reduced handicap, both lost their matches but it was great to have the youngsters back out playing in this event. Muckhart won 2.5 v 1.5. Apologies for the team not having their colours on but self isolating comes with a price. Back at Strathmore Conan won the June Medal with a tremendous nett 68 and Sam upgraded to Full junior membership. So many other things going on as well with another Flag Competition taking place, 2 Skills Challenges, GolfSixes and preparation for the Girls Hub with Emily and Anna already registered. June is going to be hectic and all our membership and club hire records are going to be smashed again. More Certificates and fun Handicaps have been achieved and Owen submitted his final card for his WHS handicap today. Unfortunately past members Megan and Katy both lost out in the Scottish Ladies Amateur Championship today but having 2 qualifying for the last 16 is some accolade to our set up. 

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER NUMBER 4

Junior Captain Blair shot a very impressive gross 75 including an eagle 2 on the 11th and with 2 birdies on 10 and 14 shot his best round of the season. Conan also had a decent round and hopefully is coming back to full fitness. Jack came third. To cap another fantastic day Emily has become the first girl to sign up for the Girls Hub.