TEXAS SCRAMBLE, AGM AND PRIZE GIVING

With no wind and minus 1 degrees, 17 youngsters took to the course. With brick hard greens and the frost still lying, the scoring was amazing, with 2 teams returning 1 over par 28’s. Archie Pattullo, Louis Purdie, Angus Palmer, James Thom and Kieran Thomas won with the best back 6 from Stuart Duncan, Keir Reid, Leighton Thomas and Brandon Smith. I did manage my thank yous before Dawn took over the rest of my speech, I get very emotional when I have to talk about their successes. This year there were so many and the performances and enthusiasm shown by these youngsters is incredible. I believe that over the next few years we can look forward to Strathmore juniors again coming to the fore at County level and perhaps beyond. We have some many very young prospects who have benefitted from playing in their first competitive formats this year, and they are quick learners, and are making so much progress. 

BREAKING NEWS

First up congratulations to junior Captain Cameron Redden who has just been awarded “The Harry Diamond Trophy” by becoming Scottish Young Green keeper of the Year, what an accolade for all his hard work, so proud of his achievement.

Then it’s off to Cambodia where Head Teaching Professional Rory Tinker welcomed Sir Nick Faldo MBE back to Vattanac Golf Resort where he designed the East and West courses. 

DEDICATION

Unbelievable dedication, roads closed, heavy rain, weather warnings but still 9 youngsters came along for the Texas Scramble ! We decided to warm up in the range first and also had a team chipping/pitching challenge. We didn’t use the chipping area as it is now a loch, see photo below. There was a break in the rain and we did get out to play 3 holes and wow, how impressed were Dawn and I. All 9 played very well and hit so many good shots. I have to mention Angus whose ball striking and ball flight was something special, he hasso much potential. A rainbow appeared which is a great sign for the future. 

ANOTHER 2nd CERTIFICATE

Very proud Junior Convenor and grandad today. Kieran our eldest who gained his fun handicap yesterday shot 51 and achieved his 2nd Certificate and a handicap cut. Leighton our youngest has had 2 personal best scores and 2 handicap cuts over the last 5 days and now has 3 cards for the winter league. The Bells Salver semi final was called off at Murrayshall today due to health and safety reasons and we will probably have to wait until next year to play it, so disappointing, but storm Babet was to blame. Archie took a set of Taylor Made woods and Calloway Steelhead irons and is delighted with them having outgrowing his last hire set. Quite a few were out playing today which is very encouraging. 

ANDREW RETURNS

Huge welcome back to Andrew Coulson who decided it was a mistake to give up his membership this year. He has taken advantage of the Centres 16 month for the price of 12. He came along and got fitted for a set of Taylor Made clubs today, which also included a Ping Anser putter. A fully serviced Clicgear trolley with brand new brake cable means he is fully kitted out and he went straight out on the course. Looking forward to seeing his scores, he has continued playing and was striking the ball beautifully. 

Our grandsons arrived this afternoon so it was straight out for for 9 holes on Leitfie. Delighted to say Leighton is the first player to enter a Winter League card and with a nett 24.5 a handicap cut as well. 

RUNNERS UP AGAIN BUT FANTASTIC RESULT FOR OUR YOUNGSTERS

We sent a young team along to the difficult Castle Course today in testing conditions for the P&K Team Championship. Delighted to report that Archie Puttullo who lead out our team recorded a fantastic gross 82 which secured 42 points stableford points. In doing so he won the best individual score overall, which I am so chuffed with, taking into account the health problems he has had this year. Keegan Fergusson, with his new range finder hired from our scheme, had 29 points, Cameron Galloway had 26 and Keir Reid’s  score of 23 didn’t count. I am so proud of the team, they will all learn from today. Congratulations to Pitlochry who pipped us by 2 points. Pity we couldn’t use Angus Palmer’s score of 29, as he was representing Alyth, although he is a member of both clubs. 

That’s 2 years in a row we’ve finished 2nd and also had the best individual scorer. Fingers crossed for next year. 

Huge thanks to P&K for arranging this event, the players loved having the chance of playing this prestigious venue. 

ANOTHER MOMENTOUS DAY FOR STRATHMORE JUNIORS

Today we fielded 2 teams at home against Auchterarder and Pitlochry knowing that only wins would give us a chance of progressing. Team 1 - Jack Stevenson and Joe Frullani who won their matches 2&1 and 1 up respectfully. Archie Pattullo took his game to the 18th and Andrew lost 3&2. I am so proud of how these youngsters performed and am disappointed they have missed out on a semi final place but the experience they have gained will stand them in great stead for next season. Team 2 needed to win to qualify and Junior Captain Cameron Redden won 1 up, Vice Captain Conan Reid won 3&2, Keegan Fergusson won 5&4 and Keir Reid who was giving away 18 shots was always up against it and lost 4&3. By winning today they will progress to the semi finals. 

Happy 16th Conan. 

RESULT

Brilliant final Autumn Saturday coaching and well attended. Hopefully everyone continues to come along on a Saturday morning to play and improve. Gareth concentrated on putting today and the improvements were obvious. Delighted to have Leighton, my youngest grandson, winning the putting knockout in the 10am session against his grandad. Noah was presented with his first Certificate and it was also great to see so many youngsters out today playing on both courses. 

Next up was the Russell Bailey on the Rannaleroch with 10 teams of juniors and adult members taking part. What fantastic scoring with 6 scores in the 60’s. Louis and Lesley won by 6 shots from Ellie-Marie and Angus who just pipped Cameron and Jackie by a shot. This event was so much fun with so many good shots being played. I had the pleasure to play along with Jessica and her grandad Roy and was really impressed by how her game has improved. Huge thank you to Ladies Captain Jane Miller who donated 2 dozen golf balls as prizes. 

I said a couple of weeks ago that things couldn’t get any better for this year but it just did. Conan Reid 

has accepted the offer of a trainee position at Drumoig Golf Centre, to work towards a career in golf, and become our 7th PGA professional in the last 9 years. The pride I take in what these youngsters are achieving is so rewarding.

ANOTHER TITLE DECIDED

4 pairs teed it up today in our 2nd GolfSixes Championship, some great teamwork and plenty of super shots played. Jessica and Andrew gelled really well and their strengths were definitely off the tee. They were either on the green or just off the green on four of the nine holes. Their score of 33 included 3x3’s and 6x4’s. Considering their ages are 10 & 7 respectively this was a fantastic score pipping Archie and Douglas who also had 3x3’s and 5x4’s by 2 shots. Everyone playing loved the experience and will have gained so much. 

Whilst we were out on the course we met Cameron Duncan and witnessed his first ever par and he only had a tap after nearly having his first birdie.

SUMMER LEAGUE FINALE

During the season we held 12 Summer League rounds, 3 players played in10 rounds. Keegan, Keir and Louis, and I am so proud of their commitments and improvements. All 3 were contesting in the final round and although Louis didn’t have his best round, his previous scores were good enough to secure the title. As 2023 handicap Champion as well he deserves so many plaudits for his performance this year. I think much of this can also be credited to his work towards his Duke of Edinburgh award, which involved him not only assisting Gareth at the coaching but to listening and incorporating things he learned, not only into his own game, but passing it on to others. 

Today Tom Grewar played his first 9 holes and did well, I believe he has huge potential and although his score today didn’t reflect that, we have another great prospect. 

Noah Shepherd took possession of a new set of hire clubs and put them to great use by securing his 1st Certificate, 6 on the first and a fantastic 3 on the ninth. 

RESULT FROM MUCKHART

Unfortunately Strathmore 1 lost 1&3 to Muckhart away today. Joe Frullani was playing in the Bell Salver  for the first time and secured our only win with a fantastic 6&5 result. We still have to play Auchterarder at home and nothing but a big win and results going our way would see us possibly secure a semi final place. It’s been a great experience for a lot of these players to be involved and hopefully this will stand them in good stead for seasons to come. Thanks to Ian Pattullo for taking the role of official today. Unfortunately the team photos were taken before Cameron Galloway arrived. 

STRATHMORE FLAG CHAMPIONSHIP

Our inaugural Flag Championship saw seven 12 and under tee it up today. All of them arrived early to have a practice before going out. For some of them this was their first time playing competitive golf and all of them loved it. It came down to the 7th hole, Callum had 6 shots left but unfortunately lost his ball off the tee, but his 6th shot still finished within 2ft of the hole. Seamus reached the 7th with 5 shots left. His tee shot finished level with the 8th tee and his shot to the green finished short, he pitched on and his first putt left him with a 4 footer uphill putt which he duly holed to become the First Flag Champion. I decided as we were all walking in that the players should have a nearest the pin on the 9th. Callum took the lead, then Leighton, then Tom but our newly crowned champion wasn’t finished and got inside them all. Brilliant fun and a bright future lays ahead for these youngsters.