BOUNCE BACK

What a response from our youngsters today. I never doubted their ability and commitment and today it all came together. Stuart led out Team 1 and we caught up with him on the 10th to find him 2 down but told him to stick in as there were still plenty of holes to play. We already knew “player of the day” Archie was 3 up at the turn including birdies on 1 & 6, he then birdied 10, just missed another on 11 from the bunker and birdied 12 before closing out his match on 13. He was 2 over par through 12, exceptional. Cameron G was also up in his match and also closed it out on 13, his enthusiasm is infectious and he is improving so much. Andrew had been 2 up but his match went back to square so we knew we had to get something from one of these matches. Stu won 11, 12 and 13 to go 1up lost 14 but won 15 to remain 1up. 16 was halved and then with one of the shots of the day on 17 he hit it to 12ft and a 2 putt was good enough to secure the win. Andrew didn’t know, stuck to his task,  and also won 2&1. A 4-0 win puts us back in the mix and these players can take so much out of what they achieved today. 

Team 2 were led out by junior Captain, Cameron R who played his role and won 4&2. Conan, who was giving away shots, found himself up against a worthy opponent and lost 3&2. Keegan won his match and I would like to say a special thank you to Keir, would was reserve and stood in at short notice to make up numbers and allowed Alasdair to play. A 3-1 win again gives us a chance of a semi final place. 

This brought back so many great memories of previous teams exploits, and I believe we have seen a rebirth of Strathmore tenacity. Some of our previous players never knew when they were beat and played their hearts out for the team, and I experienced that again today. 

ANDREW PLAYS BELOW HIS HANDICAP AGAIN

Great result for Andrew again today. 

THE HIGHS AND LOWS

Today we hosted the GolfSixes and got off to a flier with Joe and Andrew leading the way with a fantastic score of 45 points, best score of the day. Along with Arthur and Seamus and Ross and Tommy scores we finished 3rd and improved our final league position from 5th to 4th. Our 2 Bell Salver teams travelled to Kinross but apart from Alasdair who won his match everyone else lost. Disappointing but a learning curve and hopefully the teams can bounce back against Crieff next week. Apologies for missing Joe and Andrew from the photos below as I was busy watching them tee off. 

THANKS ALEX

Thank you so much Alex, our juniors really appreciated you giving up your free time to spend it with them today. 

First of all we fitted Cameron with a set of hire clubs and because he was first there he benefitted from a full coaching session. 9 others then took part in the 2nd session with Alex concentrating on problem clubs and wow what a difference. 5 players scored over 40 points with Archie L leading the field with an amazing 47 points. Pars on 8 & 10 generated 10 points, a 4 on 4 was for another 4 points and  6 x 3 pointers certainly helped the back 9 of 26 points. 

Alex played 4 or 5 holes with every group out today and with 6 birdies on the back 9, which should have been 8 as he missed 2 other opportunities. One group made him play driver then chip with his 3 wood on a 129yd par 3 and he still made par. His commitment to Strathmore juniors has never wavered and it was a pleasure to have him come along to pass on his knowledge. It obviously worked. 

2 new members joined yesterday. Alice and Madeline (who was a member last year, welcome back) 

Met Callum going out for his 2nd round on a golf course and wow what a result. 1st Certificate achieved, 2nd Certificate achieved, fun handicap achieved. He had never been on a golf course before this week. He had only been to a driving range and obviously only hit full shots. He had played golf on the Wii so I had to explain hitting half or three quarter shots was like letting it go up to 50% or 75% before hitting the line. He had never putted, so amazing how quick he picked it up. 

Finally received email confirming Leighton, Andrew, Alasdair, Keir, Archie, Conan, Jessica, Ellie-Marie and Saoirse have all qualified for the Skills Challenge final at Crieff. 

Last year James and Ellie-Marie won their age group sections could we dream of another National Champion and Ellie-Marie retaining her title. Anything is possible if you believe and also have the talent. The next 2 months are going to be so exciting. 

MATCH PLAY PRACTICE

What a fantastic day, we decided to hold a team practice day for our 2 teams. Team 1 were the winners by 3.5 to 1.5. Ellie-Marie beat Saoirse, Archie P and Keegan halved, Cameron beat Keir, Andrew lost to Alasdair and Archie L beat Owen. All were close matches and so much fun, camaraderie and team spirit was accomplished. This was confirmed to me on the fifth hole when Andrew was heard shouting “get in !”  when his opponents chip was running towards the hole and Owen saying the the same when Archie’s putt dropped for a 5 nett 4 meaning he lost the hole, that’s SPORTSMANSHIP at the highest level. It was exciting to see these youngsters growing in confidence and encouraging to witness the progress they are making. I have to mention Archie L’s chipping and pitching, apart from when his dad was around !! when he  must have felt the pressure. His sand wedge pitch on 6 from the front of the green to a front pin position was played to perfection as was his 5 iron chip from the fringe on 13, which he holed for a birdie 2. I would have putted both but his confidence in playing both these shots was incredible. I keep going on to our juniors how important it is to use imagination around the greens and to play the simple shot, not always the fancy, risky shot and it was great to see it being demonstrated today. 

Roll on the Bell Salver matches !!! 

LEROCH CUP

Congratulations to Archie Pattullo who pipped new member Cameron Galloway to win the Leroch Cup by 1 shot. I had the pleasure of playing along with them both today and was very impressed by their play in difficult conditions. The promising thing is both scores could have been better. Tomorrow it’s match play practice day for the Bell Salver with some very interesting match ups. Who’s going to take the honours ? 

Team 1 names (first) v Team 2

1.52pm Ellie-Marie Smart v Saoirse Sangerman

2.00pm Archie Pattullo v Keegan Ferguson 

              Cameron Galloway v Keir Reid

2.07pm Andrew Watt v Alasdair Brass

              Archie Loudon v Owen Brown

GREAT CATCH UP

Was brilliant for Dawn and I to have past junior Strathmore member and junior Captain Alex Simpson back playing at Strathmore tonight. He is currently working as a PGA Professional at Noah’s Ark in Perth, but has decided to head off to Australia in October, to see if the weather suits him better. 

We have known him for 16 years and have so many happy memories. It all started when I saw him at the driving range hitting balls and and was so impressed by his consistency. 

We spoke tonight about confidence in your own ability and it’s something he had in abundance. He finished that first night we met by hitting shots whilst kneeling and was as consistent doing that as when he was standing !! 

He won every age group category at County level, a feat never achieved before, and one which I believe will never be repeated again.  He played for Scotland from the age of 15 and I loved going along to support him whenever I could. 

We also spent 3 days at an Allianz Golf Camp at St Andrews an experience you couldn’t buy and reached the P&K Masters pairs finals with the highlight staying and playing at the Renaissance Course. 

Alex, to his credit, has never forgot where it all started and is always prepared to give back. Next Saturday he is giving up his free time to come back to Strathmore to hold a master class for our WHS handicap players and then to accompany them out on the course. This is testament to the man this junior has become, a credit to himself, his family and a great friend we will have forever.

JUNIORS ON TOUR

Louis and Keegan headed over to Leven today and both played well. Louis was just pipped for the handicap prize by a better inward half. Louis has also played in a few other Opens with Stuart who has played from Fife to Carrbridge. Conan and Cameron have played a few Junior Tour Events and we’re getting back to where we were pre Covid. Our GolfSixes team were off at Downfield yesterday, result pending but Archie and Jessica looked like they had a great score. Archie after his trip to the Open has been inspired and shot a level par 27 round Leitfie which was exceptional. We had New members Flossie and Hannah out for 2 holes on Leitfie this afternoon and they were also fitted for free golf shoes and loved it. Our grandsons Kieran and Leighton were next up and both are improving so much. Great to see so many others out playing, Andrew, Seamus, Brandon, Archie, Tom and Olly to name those I knew about. 

CONAN WINS THE MEDAL

Had the pleasure of playing along with Conan and Archie today, have yet to see one of Conan’s tee shots and a lot of his second shots. His swing speed and height he hits them is incredible. Both boys played well and were great company.

100% TAKE UP

Floss and Hannah became new members 15 and 16 and we have 100% take up for the Girls Hub. 

IT’S ALL HAPPENING - BE PART OF IT

Yesterday I took Keir out for some on course development. We worked on his yardages, short game and different ways of playing approach shots. I was very impressed by his commitment to work hard and learn, and believe we will see improvements to his scores very soon. Today it was Keegan’s turn and his ball striking has improved so much. He has added an average 10yds to all his irons and over 20yds to his woods. I was also very impressed by his short game and his imagination in playing different types of shots. Both these boys have huge potential and their eagerness to learn and develop is fantastic. Dawn and I then took Phoebe and Lucy out for their first time on Leitfie and both girls did well. Phoebe managed to get on the green in four on the 9th and unfortunately three putted for a great 7. I expect she will get her first Certificate quite soon. Great to see some other juniors out on the courses over the last couple of days as well.