FINALS DAY

Dawn had the pleasure of refereeing the Handicap final between Alasdair Brass and Keir Reid and what a display. Keir said he didn’t play his best but Ally was in top form and was only 3 over par through 13. He birdied the 6th and also had a superb up and down birdie from the bunker on 12. Dawn said his ball striking and all round play was amazing. His score included a penalty drop and a double bogey which makes his score more impressive. I refereed the Scratch final between Archie Pattullo and Tom Stevenson and again the standard of play was impressive. Tom went ahead on the first and despite never being more than 2 up and being pegged back to all square 3 times held his nerve to win 1 up. Tom’s ball striking especially off the tee was the best I’ve seen him play. On 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 16 and even 18 where he missed the fairway his distances were exceptional. Archie’s course management was as normal very consistent and he holed a number of clutch putts to keep himself in the match. Both their tee shots on 16 showed the talent these young men have. Remembering this is a 341 yard par 4, Archie was on the hump at the bottom of the green and Tom was 5 yds through the back. The quality of golf played today in very difficult windy conditions makes it more impressive and all 4 of these players have bright futures ahead. 

Makes what Dawn and I do so worthwhile to see these youngster develop and progress to this level. 

BUSY DAY

Early start with an unexpected call off due to illness. Thankfully Arthur Grewar was available to play in the Flag qualifier at North Inch for the team. His individual score of 110 was the top score out of the 24 who played. Our team finished a creditable 4th and everyone had a great time. Stevie Baxter, Mia’s dad was team manager and did a fantastic job and he was very impressed by all 4 players. At Strathmore Dawn took out Tommy Gillespie for his 3rd Handicap card and she thinks we might have unearthed our next  exceptional talent. His first WHS handicap has been confirmed at 24.9 which is the lowest first handicap we’ve had. Archie Loudon playing in the Stephen Gallacher under 12 Championship at Gogarburn finished in 20th position and should be pleased with his performance. Received a message from Newton Stewart golf club who have agreed to purchase 5 sets of clubs from our excess stock to help them develop and enhance their own schemes. Dawn and I are going on another road trip !

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI FINALS

 Semi finals of Scratch and Handicap Championship.

So proud of all eight semi finalists tonight, their camaraderie, sportsmanship, support and friendship shone through. We witnessed some great golf and some amazing scoring. In the Scratch Archie Pattullo played really well and his course management was outstanding. Jack Stevenson played well but could not match Archie’s consistency and lost out 5&4. In the other match Keegan Fergusson and Tom Stevenson’s match went to the 18th with Tom dormie. Keegan had a putt from 10 foot to square the match but it just missed. In the handicap Keir Reid got off to a nervous start against Cameron Galloway and found himself 2 down after 2 before fighting back and making the most of his 8 shots and winning 5&4 with a 4 nett 3, on what many consider the hardest par 4 on the course. The other match was between Ally Brass and Olly Stevenson, and in a closely fought match throughout, 18 holes wasn’t enough. The first extra hole has halved with a great up and down for par by Ally who was giving a shot. On the second hole Ally played an unbelievable shot from underneath low branches to nearly reach the green and using his putter from off the green secured another great up and down to win the match. 

Can’t wait for Saturdays Finals.

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Dawn and I took 6 year old Finan McCallum out for a taster session today. We started out at the chipping area, moved to the putting green then finished up taking him out onto our Leitfie Links 9 hole course. He has just become new member number 15 for 2026. He was also fitted for a full set of Golphin 728 clubs (rrp £515) and a Young Gun trolley (rrp £50) . Our annual hire charge would have been £25 for clubs and £5 for trolley but reduced from total £30 to £15 as we’re half way through the year. In his bag were balls, tees, pencil, ball marker, pitch repair tool and a glove. He will be given a free pair of size 1 golf shoes from our Free swap scheme. All done and raring to go. He was so keen him and mum headed out again. 

GREAT SCORING

Dawn and I had the pleasure to accompany Andrew Brass on his round today and what a fantastic prospect. His score of 36 points did not reflect his overall play. His par on two and his birdie on three showed his potential. His brother Alasdair pipped him by one point so he has the bragging rights tonight. Archie Pattullo had a solid 34 points which should have been better due to a bit of bad luck on 17 and 18. These three players today demonstrated how far they have progressed.

 Strathmore Junior Open result

Boys 

Scratch 

Charlie Malone - Crieff             72

Robbie Hepburn - Kinross       75

Archie Pattullo - Strathmore    75 

Kieran Wilson - Crieff               76

Handicap 

Keir Reid - Strathmore                   68

Struan Shepherd - Alyth                69

Cameron Galloway - Strathmore  71

Ethan Esson - Blairgowrie             71

Jamie Griffin - North Inch             71 

Girls 

For the first time ever we had no girl entered ? We have both Scratch and Handicap prizes and a Trophy which for 2026 will have no names on it. 

36 boys entered we had 2 no shows. 

Fantastic that all 3 Strathmore players who entered picked up prizes with Keir getting his name on the Handicap Trophy.

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Jack Ogston becomes new member number 14 for 2026.