STRATHMORE JUNIORS NEVER FAIL TO AMAZE

Today ranks among some of my proudest moments of being Strathmore Junior Convenor. We recently won the 2025 Perth and Kinross Junior Bell Salver at Gleneagles and were invited to the Scottish Junior Team Championship at North Berwick to represent P&K. 

Our team is not used to playing links golf but boy how well did they adapt. North Berwick West Course hosted the event and what great condition it was in, 28th of September, 15 degrees, blue sky, breeze coming in from the west, definitely shorts and tee shirts weather.

Archie Pattullo led the team out and played some fantastic golf. Three birdies on the back nine helped him to 39 stableford points and get us off to a flyer. Louis Purdie again played steady and returned 35 points. Jack Stevenson and Cameron Galloway were also playing very well and when they both returned 39 points, which is 3 points better than their handicaps, we knew we were in with a chance of making top 10. Archie Loudon was next to finish with 28 points and took our total to 180 which put us in 3rd place with 3 scores to come in. Jessica Sievwright matched Archie’s score so with only 5 scores counting and neither of the last 2 improving their team scores to above 180, we are now officially the Third Best Team in Scotland. 

What an achievement and what a fantastic way to finish off the season.

Dawn will definitely be making this year’s junior Convenors report as I’m afraid after this result my emotions will render me useless. I’m sure they do this deliberately. Every player’s score would have counted and that’s what makes it a true team result. 

On Saturday Keegan Fergusson and Mark Scott pipped Archie Loudon and Iain Butchart with a better back 9 in the Russell Bailey Shield. 

COUNTY GIRLS

Great to see three of our younger girls getting involved at County Level. Mia Baxter, Willow Rae and Lucy Richardson all attended Alyth Golf Club to take part in a pairs Texas Scramble. Great to see the Ladies County putting on so much for the Girls. We are lucky in P&K that the girls have so many opportunities. Every girl should be involved. 

BUSY SUNDAY

Long day today with so much happening. Some lows, some highs and one magic moment that makes it all worthwhile, and I missed it !! The team who traveled to Braehead had mixed fortunes and found the course a challenge. It wasn’t our day and the players will hopefully take away the positives and learn from the negatives. 

5 players took part in the Alfred Dunhill Schools at the Burnside and Keegan Fergusson did best finishing 7th overall Scratch and 4th with a net 70 in the boys S1-S3. The others again can put it down as a learning experience and hopefully they can identify their improvement areas. 

Still to be confirmed, Angus Palmer, who was playing the Murrayshall Junior Open shot a gross 75 which might be enough to put him ahead in the race for 3rd place in the P&K Gleneagles Scholarship programme. 

But finally the star of the day is six year old Ellis Murray. Three weeks ago he came along to the extra sessions I was running on Leitfie and because of the low numbers attending I was able to spend more time with him. He listened and took everything in. Two weeks ago he came back and could repeat everything I told him and his improvement was amazing. Yesterday he played  nine holes and after having a four on the first he must have got tired by the time he reached the ninth and missed attaining his first Certificate but today he was back out again and was so excited that he had done it !! I am so disappointed I wasn’t there but I know what an achievement this is for him. It’s moments like these that will stick in his mind and spur him on. His dad texted me the moment he finished and I think he was as exited as Ellis was. This puts everything in perspective. Just go out and do your best, if at first you don’t succeed, learn from that, take the positives and try again. Congratulations Ellis. 

On the way to Braehead we delivered the last 6 of our half sets of ex hire clubs to Stirling Golf Club. That’s a total of 10 Clubs we have supported in growing Golf at grass roots level, something I am very proud of.

ANOTHER BUSY WEEKEND

Yesterday got off to a great start. I have run a couple of sessions on a Saturday and Sunday mornings over the last couple of weeks, but have been disappointed by the numbers participating. In saying that those who came along have improved so much. Euan Tuddenham came along today and I was able to spend a lot of time on his ball positioning, chipping, pitching and putting and what a difference, you could see his confidence grow as he took it all on board. Hunter McQueen came along yesterday and his improvements are evident, he practices and plays and is getting very close to upgrading to Rannaleroch. He has grown a bit and his strength has improved, bright future ahead as he doesn’t lack confidence. Ellis has attended the last two weeks and his attention to detail is turning his game around. Today after a great drive which resulted in a five left him needing a seven on the ninth to achieve his first Certificate, he was on the green in four (including an unusual for him fresh air shot) and with three putts to secure it, he unfortunately didn’t make it, but oh so close. He will achieve it soon. Finally up was Darcy Fleming, and last week she was struggling but listened and learned. She teed off yesterday and hit her drive straight down the middle. A great chip onto the green and three putts to secure a five. An easy seven up the last secured her first Certificate which was so unlikely last week. So proud of her, she listens and wants to get better and by understanding how.

After fitting Jack Stevenson for a replacement driver from our hire scheme, which using our section trackman is becoming so much easier. Dawn and I headed to Alyth GC to see how our five players were doing. Cameron Galloway, Struan Shepherd, Jessica Sievwright, Louis Purdie and Archie Pattullo all played well and Archie was so unlucky, a par on 18 would have booked him a space in the final in Spain but unfortunately he didn’t make it. A gross 76 was still a great score. 

Finally congratulations to Angus Palmer who captained the P&K Boys Team to a third place in the Scottish Area Team Championship at Hamilton today.

WHAT A COUPLE OF DAYS

Yesterday Keegan Fergusson shot a fantastic gross 78 nett 68 and lowered his handicap once again. Great season he is having and his improvement has been impressive. 

Today Strathmore hosted the P&K Autumn Meeting with 28 players trying to secure their 2026  Gleneagles Scholarships. We are delighted to confirm Archie Pattullo, who was in a strong position, took 8th place and enough points to qualify. He follows in the footstep’s of Allan Easton, who was the first Strathmore Junior to receive it, and had it 2 years running. Many more Strathmore juniors followed, including recently, Alex Simpson and Kirsty Brodie who both received it multiple times. Angus Palmer and Archie Loudon still hold outside chances, so still all to play for.  

This morning Darcy Fleming, Mia Baxter and Ellis Murray came along to our extra sessions and I was very impressed with them all. They listened and took everything in and the improvements were impressive. This could be the start of of our future teams. 

We have two huge Team events, potentially three, coming up and these are the climax to an amazing season. Looking forward to the these with anticipation as I know Strathmore Juniors never fail to surprise, and we have very strong teams available. 

EXCITING MONTH COMING UP, AND MAYBE TWO

The Scottish Boys Area Team Championship will take place at Hamilton Golf Club on the 14th of September. The team to represent Perth and Kinross at the event are:

• Cameron Russell – Crieff Golf Club
• Angus Palmer (Boys Team Captain) – Strathmore Golf Centre
• Robbie Hepburn – Kinross Golf Club
• Luke Ross – Dunning Golf Club

Congratulations to Angus on his selection as Team Captain, which is a huge honour. 

This Sunday the 7th of September sees Strathmore host the P&K Junior Autumn meeting with Archie Pattullo in a strong position to secure his place in the Gleneagles Scholarship by picking up some points in the Scratch. Archie Loudon will be hoping so as it increases his chances in the Handicap section. Angus Palmer and Louis Purdie hold chances of getting a spot but both need top spots in the next 3 events. 

Sunday the 14th sees the Junior European Open take place at Alyth with four Strathmore players entered. This is a Scratch event with the top two boys and one girl qualifying for the finals in Spain. There are 10 places available to the best ten handicap players overall. 

Sunday 21st sees a 3 way clash. We have the semi final of the Junior Team Golf Championship at Braehead and I would like to field a strong team as we have a chance to reach another National Final. Murrayshall are hosting their rescheduled Junior Open and Carnoustie are hosting the Alfred Dunhill Schools qualifier. We have Juniors entered in both but hopefully this Sunday will make options clearer. I support all our players in whatever they decide to participate in however supporting team events is necessary and appreciated. 

Sunday 28th we’ve qualified to the Scottish Junior Team Championship at North Berwick and this is huge for us. A chance for Strathmore Juniors to not only be the best in P&K but in Scotland.  

We have had seven new enquiries for membership in the last two weeks and Callan Mackie achieved his first WHS handicap of 34.3 after joining just two weeks ago. Success breeds success.

JUNIOR TEAM GOLF

Dawn and I traveled down to Duddingston Golf Club today, more with hope than expectation. Our four lowest handicap players were unavailable, so with one gross score counting towards the team score along with four nett scores we knew it was going to be difficult. We only had five players up to two days ago, after a late call off,  but Saoirse Sangerman agreed to play although she was outside the maximum handicap. Archie Pattullo led the team out today and played his part by returning a gross 79. Louis Purdie after losing a ball with his first tee shot, showed his resilience to return our first nett score. Jack Stevenson was only 3 over at the turn and we started to think maybe just maybe. Tom Stevenson was also doing ok. Archie Loudon was struggling as was Saoirse but both dug in and kept going. They announced the best gross score and best handicap scores first and the went onto the team scores. With only 4 shots between 5th and 2nd place it was going to be close. Stirling finished 5th, Royal Burgess finished 4th and we were pipped by Turnhouse on 6th score count back. Every Strathmore players score counted in what was another amazing day for our Juniors. These youngster never fail to surprise me but their tenacity and never say die attitude is what makes it so special. Now it’s the semi finals at Alloa on the 21st of September which clashes with the Murrayshall Junior Open, a qualifier for the Gleneagles Scholarship. I have already spoken to both Archie’s and Louis, who all have realistic chances of qualifying, and am happy for them to miss the semi finals at Alloa, but that leaves me with a problem that I’ve to have a team for the 21st. I’m sure others can step up to the plate and let’s see what happens.