FIRST COUNTING COMPETITION

Had the pleasure of accompanying Archie P, Keir and Archie L out playing the first Junior counting competition of the season. Archie L won today with a fantastic score of 41 points. Gross 99 the highlight being him driving through the green on 17 and then a great pitch to 5ft and a solid putt for a gross 3 net 1 and 4 points. Archie P driving was very impressive, he finished 10yds short of the 2nd green, left himself an 8 iron into 5, the same on 14 and 180yds into 12. He had a back 9 of 37 which was excellent and with 36 points including a ball out of bounds he should be pleased with his score. Keir had a very respectable 31 points. He was very steady but had a couple did have two non scoring holes that cost him today. All three played very well in really tough conditions with up to a 3 club wind at times. Archie L will definitely have a cut and I’m sure both Archie P and Keir will follow soon. 

GENTS AND LADIES CAPTAINS DRIVE IN

What a fantastic start to the season. Stableford scores from today - Keegan 41 points, including a tap in eagle 3 on the first hole, wow !!! Archie had 40 points, and his putting let him down or it could have been more. Keir had an impressive 37, Louis a 36 with Stuart and Conan who also had an eagle on 16 after hitting the green with his tee shot, both shooting 33 points. Bodes well for them all. I had the pleasure of accompanying past Junior Captain Callum Ewan round today and he was very impressed by Archie and Keir and is looking forward to assisting within the section. Our 12th new member for 2025 joined today and we look forward to meeting Ellis soon. Huge thanks to Jane Douglas who donated two sets of clubs and three trolleys to our hire scheme and Keir Reid who donated two pairs of FootJoy golf shoes. These generous gifts help make golf affordable for all and it’s no wonder we attract so many new members year on year.

Membership

Daniel became new member number 11 for 2025 today and we are now oversubscribed for our 12 player GolfSixes squad again. We have been drawn with Blairgowrie, Crieff and NorthInch and fixtures are now agreed. We had another enquiry for membership this morning and with only a few resignations it looks like the section will grow again this year. We have entered the Junior Team Golf Scotland Championship again and tee it up at Duddingston on Sunday 31st August. We have also entered two teams into the Bell Salver Trophy along with Auchterarder, Blairgowrie, Dunning and Kinross who have entered one team each. With another Flag Qualifier and Skills Challenge coming up it’s going to be another busy couple of weeks. 

FLAG QUALIFIER

Three took part today with two having completed theirs on Friday. The leader is Leighton having finished beyond the 8th green with his 36th shot. Second is Wyatt who finished halfway up the 7th. Third is Forbes who’s tee shot on 6 went further than Kieran who is now in fourth. Oliver is in fifth place having reached the 5th green. 

Wyatt and Oliver have had no lessons and only played on the course for the first time yesterday so their achievements were impressive. Both boys had a chance of attaining their 1st Certificates but both missed out. Maybe next time, great to see them involved straight away, as they only joined last week. 

FANTASTIC SCORING AT THE FIRST SKILLS CHALLENGE

Keegan continues to impress in this type of event, his consistency is superb and his scoring reflects this but Saoirse and Seamus are tied only 10 point’s behind. Their improvements are amazing. The boys 10-12 age group is very close with only 40 points covering 4 players. Keegan, Seamus, Alasdair and Keir in that order. Think Seamus might be getting his handicap quite soon if he produce play like that on the course. Andrew leads Leighton in the 8- 10 and Willow just needs to work on her chipping, her driving was excellent and her putting very consistent. 

So many talented youngsters showing so much enthusiasm, this is what golf is all about. 

NEW MEMBERS HITS DOUBLE FIGURES

Jessica and Millie, joining on the Strathmore Girls Hub Scheme, have become new members 9 & 10 for 2025. Both were fitted for Free golf shoes from our swap scheme and were fitted with full sets of clubs and trolleys from the Hub. 

Both girls show loads of potential and we’re looking forward to seeing them progress. Jessica within 5 minutes of coaching went from missing the ball with her first 3 swings to hitting consistent shots straight down the middle. 

GLENEAGLES COUNTY COACHING FOR THE GIRLS

 Fantastic to see Saoirse, Jessica, Mia and Willow all attend the last winter coaching session. 4 out of 11 from Strathmore is tremendous and bodes well for the season coming up. 

NEW MEMBERS AND CLUB HIRE UPDATE

Fantastic to welcome Wyatt and Oliver our 7th and 8th new members for 2025. Dawn and I met them tonight and fitted them for their first set of hire clubs and trolleys. They also were also fitted for free golf shoes from our swap scheme. Both boys who had only hit a few balls on a range quickly picked up on everything we taught them and were soon hitting some great shots. They are so keen they are back this weekend for the Skills Challenge and Flag Qualifier !! With Jessica and Millie joining the Strathmore Girls Hub this week we will have 10 new members with 6 of them using the club hire scheme. 60% has become the average of juniors in the scheme across the section which is amazing. Yesterday Euan had his clubs upgraded and then went straight out onto the course, we caught up with him and his dad later on to be told he finished his round with 2 fours which he was really chuffed with. 

SPIRIT OF GOLF

We made the final three and had a great night at the Scottish Golf Awards. 

WHAT A WEEKEND - UNOFFICIAL CAPTAINS DAY AND SO MUCH MORE

I am delighted to announce that two past junior Captains have agreed to join the Junior Committee. I am looking forward to introducing Callum Ewan (2014) and Conor Hughes (2016) to our current members and know both these young men will fit in perfectly. I am also delighted that another past junior Captain and Scottish Internationalist, Kirsty Brodie (2018) has joined the Ladies Section and I’m sure she will also be keen to help. Experiencing this commitment from past juniors confirms that what we have put in place is special. 

On Saturday current junior Captains Stuart Duncan (2025) was out playing with his vice Captain Louis Purdie along with past Captains Conan Reid (2024) and Cameron Redden (2023). Definitely a Captains weekend. 

Fantastic to see so many other juniors out playing. 

Great to have Oliver rejoining and also his friend Shane becoming our 5th and 6th new members for 2025.

Been busy organising players schedules over the past few weeks and whilst writing this post also sorted out a schedule for one of our youngest members. 

BREAKING NEWS AND SO MUCH MORE

Congratulations to Angus Palmer and Conan Reid who have been selected to represent Perth and Kinross in the Gary Harvey Trophy at Montrose on the 7th April. It’s brilliant to see Strathmore juniors again being selected at this level. 

Huge thanks to Fraser Rowan who donated a full set of Callaway X14 irons along with a Diablo Driver, Ping i15 3 wood, Benross Utility wood, Ram Zebra putter and a huge selection of assorted golf accessories, balls, tees and shoes. Over the years these donations of equipment by fellow golfers has made such a difference. 

We have entered the Scottish Golf run GolfNines at Muckhart on the 28th of July and I have a zoom call to take part in regarding a possible League. 

Another zoom call will take place regarding our GolfSixes League.

Received an email from a new Junior Convenor who wants information on how to run a Club Hire Scheme.

Keir came along to get his season planned out and I’ve sent Conan information regarding his. 

Finally looks like we could have another two new members !!! 

CAMERON REDDEN IS MOVING ON

Congratulations to past Strathmore Junior Captain Cameron Redden who has been headhunted by https://www.jcbgolfandcountryclub.com/ . This is a tremendous opportunity for him and he is looking forward to starting the next chapter of his career. He is also doing an online HND in Golf Course Management through the SRUC. Cammy found this a difficult decision to make, as he loves working at Strathmore, but the move will definitely enhance his career prospects. 

We wish him the best of luck for the future and look forward to updates on his progress. 

Golf has so many opportunities.

LATEST UPDATE

Conan and Keir had an amazing time in Portugal at the Junior Tour winter coaching at Penina. Conan had one round only one over par. Both boys are coming along this week to sort out their playing schedules for 20025 and that will make five we have assisted this year. 

Angus has confirmed his availability for the Junior Team Golf Home Nations Inter-Club Championship and am waiting on Conan and Stuart to reply. It’s beneficial to have at least 2 of our lowest handicap players in the team as one scratch score counts at each event. We have a great squad available in the handicap section and after reaching the final last year we know what we have to do. 

We have arranged our first school taster session for 2025, with seven girls from Isla Primary, and look forward to welcoming them along. 

P&K have confirmed their OOM (order of merit) points system and hopefully all eligible Strathmore players will support and participate.

Keegan’s Papa kindly donated a fantastic trolley to our hire scheme and it will be put into use asap.

Our Club Hire scheme has been busy with upgrades as has our Free golf shoe swap scheme. Let me know who needs what. 

PENINA TRAINING CAMP

Conan and Keir Reid head off to Penina Golf Resort, Portugal on Sunday for a week’s winter training camp run by the Junior Tour. This will set the boys up perfectly for the season ahead. We will meet up with them on their return to finalise their 2025 playing schedule which will certainly be a busy one. 

P&K GIRLS FIXTURES 2025

 

MEMBERSHIP 2025

Huge welcome to Jake who becomes our 4th new member for 2025. Looking forward to meeting him soon. 

SCOTTISH GOLF AWARDS 2025

 Dawn and I are honoured to have been shortlisted 

P&K LADIES SQUAD ANNOUNCED

 Congratulations to past juniors Katy, Kirsty, Kirsten and Megan on being selected

HAZEL PICKS UP PGA AWARD

 

SOUTH AMERICAN AMATEUR OPEN

 Great 2nd round by Cormac 

ZIMBABWE UPDATE

Update from Zimbabwe. Vincent who was inspired by Trust has made it into the National Junior team to play in South Africa in February. This is amazing that 2 juniors from Chimanimani have been selected in the past 5 years. Unfortunately due the Covid pandemic Trust missed out, and was no longer a junior, when it was over. He now works on the course as a greenkeeper and coaches the youngsters from the village. Dawn and I was asked by Frances Fleming of Peza Trust if we could help Jane High by sending out some golf shoes and summer clothes which Strathmore Juniors Golf Section members had outgrown. Huge thanks to the section but especially Angus Palmer, Archie Pattullo, Kieran and Leighton Thomas who donated loads of shorts, T-shirts, golf shoes and Astro turf football boots which could be used for golf as well. 

It’s fantastic the difference these donations make to these youngsters who have nothing.