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. 

ANOTHER BUSY SATURDAY

First up 4 sessions of on course coaching with Gareth, assisted by Louis, who is doing this as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award. I am very impressed by his growing confidence and the way he explains things to the youngsters. When he started I asked him to shadow Gareth and listen to what he was telling each child to do and then to make sure they were following the instructions, and that they understood. He has done that very well and hopefully it has added to his skill sets. He also took the honours with the best score in the afternoon. 

I was very impressed by some of the great shots played and I already have seen some changes in club choice. The Archie “5 iron chip” could become a thing and already a couple of players have tried it and sees that it works. It’s great practice to use different clubs around the green as not every chip shot is the same. 

Mia upgraded her hire set after outgrowing the last ones. Tom was presented with his first Certificate and is keen to get his second one. 

Tomorrow we have our first ever Flag Championship which is brilliant for beginners. And Strathmore 1 head to Muckhart with a very strong team of Archie Pattullo, Louis Purdie, Cameron Galloway and Joe Frullani. Both our teams then have home matches which will give them both a chance of making the semi finals. 

 

Bell Salver Group A	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS
Kinross 1	1	1	0	0	4	1	3	3
Strathmore 1	2	1	0	1	5	5	0	3
Crieff 1	2	1	0	1	3.5	5.5	-2	3
Muckhart	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Auchterarder	1	0	0	1	1.5	2.5	-1	0
Bell Salver Group B	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS
Kinross 2	2	1	1	0	5	3	2	4
Pitlochry	2	1	1	0	5	3	2	4
Strathmore	2	1	0	1	4	4	0	3
Crieff 2	2	0	0	2	2	6	-4	0

 

HAPPY DAYS

Just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, they just did. Heard one of my old doubles partner was back home, sent him a message, and he joined Dawn and I for 18 holes today. Fantastic to catch up after so long. 

Michael Brodie was Strathmore Juniors first plus handicapper, won the P&K gents stroke play Championship when still a Junior and went to America to play in the Nick Faldo series final after winning a qualifier at Panmure, when he eagled the last hole. 

I remember spending a lot of time with Michael on the course and one night having a conversation about the sports he was playing. He was being recognised at County level in Cricket, was a talented footballer and had real potential at golf. I advised him that three sports was too much and that he should concentrate on one , play one for fun and give up the other one. His dad approached me a couple of days later and informed me of his decision, which I was dreading, but I was delighted when he told me that he was dropping the other two to concentrate on golf. 

He had so many successes at club and county level, both in junior and gents level. He earned himself a scholarship to America and was there for 4 years. On his return  he took a job caddying at Kingsbarns and in 2019 was given the opportunity to go to New Zealand to work for the same owners. Due to Covid restrictions he found himself on the other side of the world and it’s been the best thing that could have happened in his career. After a total lockdown for 6 weeks the country internally were back to normal. He had a great job, fantastic lifestyle and opportunities. 

Today I am delighted to confirm Strathmore Juniors will have their 6th professional when he joins the PGA on a 3 year course in January. After seeing his play today I believe that the progress he has made gives him another opportunity to take his golf to another level. 

When I became involved in junior golf all I wanted was youngsters to play more and have fun. 14 years later, having assisted so many, I am so grateful that these kids still appreciate that help. 

2024 will see us having professionals in Scotland, England, Australia, Cambodia and New Zealand. 

Below are a couple of pictures one from today and one from a few years ago. Does anyone recognise the left hander standing next to Michael when they played in a Junior Ryder Cup event at Gleneagles ? 

Who knows what the next few years will bring but I am excited to see where it takes us. 

FIRST SATURDAY COACHING

Chipping practice on the outside area today, weather was beautiful. Callum Nelson picked up both his certificates and Tom Grewar achieved his by holing from 6ft with his final shot. Both these boys are great prospects. Noah is joining our club hire scheme next week and Mia is getting an upgrade after outgrowing her present set. Jessica Sievwright cut her fun handicap on Leitfie by 4 shots after returning an impressive score of 34 with only 17 putts. Next up was Summer League on Rannaleroch and wow what amazing scoring. Jack took the honours with 41 points pipping Cameron G by 1 point. Andrew had 38 points and Cameron R had 37. Some handicap cuts coming up. This season just gets better. 

WHAT A WEEKEND

GolfNines and then The Scottish Golf Skills Challenge Final. Check Facebook for all the details. 

Most qualifiers from any one club with 9 

One National Champion in Conan Reid 13-15 boys

Runner up in 6 and under boys for Leighton Thomas 

And runner up and third places for Jessica Sievwright and Ellie-Marie Smart in the 7-9 girls 

Results from Ballumbie GolfNines below