STRATHMORE GOLF CENTRE’S WHS HANDICAP INCENTIVE

Following on from the Centre fitting Top Tracer to all booths at their Floodlit Driving Range they introduced a WHS Handicap incentive scheme. Players with WHS Handicaps receive 5 DigiCards and those with single figure handicaps receive an additional 5. Those gaining new handicaps and anyone becoming single figures receive the 5 DigiCards. 

Congratulations to Olly Whelan, Finn Whelan and Cameron Robertson on achieving WHS Handicaps and Jack Stevenson who now has a single figure handicap. 

More practice leads to lower handicaps but start on the putting green, move to the chipping area before hitting balls on the range. 

BELL SALVER

We travelled up to Crieff today to play our league match. Archie Pattullo played really well but found giving away 5 shots just a bit too much and lost out 2&1. Keegan Fergusson kept up his good form and despite giving away 3 shots won 4&2. Tom Stevenson was giving away 2 shots and took his game to the 16th before losing out 3&2. Olly Stevenson played out last and was getting 10 shots but his opponent played very well and he lost out 4&2. Not the result we were looking for but next Sunday we play our final league match and with a result against North Inch at Strathmore we should qualify for the semi finals. 

BUSY DAY AT THE CLUB

5th Club Championship qualifier and Keegan Fergusson showed his class in very windy conditions and a slow round, due to the course being very busy. His gross 80 nett 72 was very impressive. Cameron Robertson played his third card for handicap and he is delighted with his WHS 27.8, he can now enter all Club, County and Open events but has played himself out of the GolfSixes. Was great to see loads of juniors out playing on Leitfie today and it’s encouraging as numbers playing in Saturday competitions has dropped off and we need more players to step up. 

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Connor Braid and Bobby Gillespie became new members 12 and 13 for 2026 and both were fitted for hire sets today. Connor was up first and took possession of a full set of Jaxx clubs along with a trolley. He is relatively new to golf but after a few quick tips he was hitting some very good shots and shows a lot of potential. I had already met up with Bobby and his dad Scott, who is also a member, earlier this week and knew what size he required. The Golphin 112’s were a perfect fit and he was hitting his irons an extra 10 yards further and his driver distance had increased by up to 20 yards. His swing speed increased by 15% which shows how having the correct equipment is so important. Bobby donated his previous set to our hire scheme which is much appreciated and it just confirms the benefits of hiring and not buying during the growing years. 

Can’t wait to see who these two players progress.

WHAT A NIGHT

Route 36 is definitely the way to go. First up our new leader is now Arthur Grewar, playing the Yellow’s he shot 36 to progress to the White tees. So pleased for Cameron Duncan who missed out last week by one shot but made no mistake tonight smashing it with a fantastic 32. He had an eagle 2 on 7 and narrowly missed 2 holes in one. He went back out again to play two more holes. Disappointed for Vikram Prasad who shot 41 last week, but improved it to 37, only missing out by one shot. I’m sure he will be determined to do it next time. Keir McNicoll improved last weeks score by 3 shots and will be practicing his putting before his next attempt. Ellis decided to have a go at the Yellow’s but will try the Red’s next time. Spent a bit of time with Archie Puttullo on his putting and driving and hopefully a couple of tips I gave him will assist his obvious improvement. 

Had a very interesting call from Jeremy Teehan from Newton Stewart Golf Club who have recently adopted my Club Hire Scheme. It’s unbelievable the success that Clubs are having. 

GOLFSIXES

We hosted the GolfSixes today and last night I received a call from Muthill saying they were a pairing short so big shout out to Strathmore’s Hunter and Blairgowrie’s Max who stood in at short notice. It’s a fun event so better that all the spaces are filled. North Inch were the winners today and Strathmore tied 3rd. Ollie and Vikram made their debuts and from the feedback I’ve received everyone had a great time. I sold another 5 sets of our ex hire clubs to King James V1 to allow them to reopen their junior membership as they had run out ! What a success in attracting new kids to golf they are having, fantastic to see. When Dawn and I got back to the Clubhouse we received another full set of irons and other assorted clubs from member Anke. These generous donations really help out our Section. 

BUSY SATURDAY

First up 2 sessions of coaching, great to see the improvements being made. Hunter swapped his golf shoes for a bigger size after outgrowing his last pair. Keegan Fergusson won today’s Medal, in very difficult conditions, by 2 shots. Connor Braid became new member number 12 for 2026 and will be fitted for a set of our hire clubs and a trolley on Thursday. Jack reported that Cameron had played well on Thursday night. His putting was good as well as his iron play but his driving needs a quick fix at the coaching, spoke to his dad tonight and we think it’s just a tweak to his ball positioning, easy fix. Olly Whelan is the latest junior to achieve a WHS handicap, 48.5. He will play next week along with his brother Finn in their first competition. Angus Palmer and Archie Loudon unfortunately both lost out on the 16th in the P&K match play scratch and handicap respectively at Muckhart but it was an achievement to reach the last 8. 

THURSDAY COACHING

Phoebe and Lucy benefited tonight when the other four in their group didn’t appear. Both are showing a lot of promise and hopefully they will start playing more. The second group all arrived and had a great session working on their swings and chipping, Looks like Hugo and Jack have both outgrown their hire sets so we will swap them over next week. 

ROUTE 36 IS DEFINITELY THE WAY TO GO

So much excitement at the on course sessions tonight. Vikram started with a seven but shot a superb 41 including 3 pars and 2 birdies and was desperate to go back out for another go. Arthur had his first par and first birdie and along with Lucy who also had her first par are already planning to try again on Saturday. Keir who only joined 2 weeks ago struggled with his putting but is keen to get back out as well. Saoirse pipped Shay by one shot and her 30 is the new Course record score after the 5-6pm session. Tom Stevenson arrived at the second session and thanked us for calling off last week’s coaching due to a weather warning. The weather wasn’t a bad as predicted and he went out to play and had his first hole in one. It was achieved on the sixth and fortunately he seen it going in as the pin was not in the dip. If the coaching had went ahead it wouldn’t have happened ! Tom and Jack took Cameron out to assess his game on Rannaleroch and I’m waiting the report. Next up was Arthur who shot 32 including 2 eagles !! Disappointed for Cameron who missed out by one shot but with 6 pars and 1 birdie can be very confident he will do it next time. Frederick is now the new record holder with 28 including 6 birdies and 1 eagle. Hugo will also progress to the Yellow tees thanks to 4 birdies. It’s amazing the enthusiasm and I am really excited for the future. The best ideas are often the simplest. 

THE OTHER FOUR CARDS RECEIVED AND LOADS MORE SUCCESSES

First up Rory Murray, 2nd Certificate achieved and Fun Handicap of 42 (21 over 9 holes) next up John Gillan, 1st and 2nd Certificates achieved and Fun Handicap of 48 (24 over 9 holes). Mia Baxter also achieved her 2nd Certificate and a Fun Handicap of 54 (27 over 9 holes). Last up was Hugo Lynch and because everyone wanted to play from the full tees he did as well. Bit of a tall order but I was very impressed by his short game and putting. I went down this afternoon to watch the back nine of the Barrie Douglas Masters, met Angus Palmer and we had a chat about his play over the three days. Unfortunately both he and Archie Pattullo didn’t have their best rounds but I’m sure both will take the positives from the experience and move on. Before I left I spotted Hugo on the 9th green on Leitfie which I was delighted to see. I went over for a chat and asked him if he had played Route 36 ? He hadn’t but had played from the full tees again. His score was good apart from 2 holes so I also had a chat with his mum regarding how Route 36 works and I’m sure he will progress very quickly and have more fun in achieving par score playing on the shortened course. What the most impressive thing was him getting out again and determined to get better. Total respect. 

ROUTE 36 AND SO MUCH MORE

Tonight we started our on Course sessions and what a success. First up was Forbes and Harry and delighted to announce that both have progressed from the Red tees to the Yellow tees at their first attempt. Forbes shot 35, including 4 birdies, and Harry 36 with 7 pars. This is so exciting to see these youngsters achieving goals, if Aaron Rai success can be replicated, who knows how far these kids can progress. Next up in the second group was Aoife and Jack who both played the full Leitfie course and both achieved Fun Handicaps of 42 (21 over 9 holes) and 44 (22 over 9 holes) respectively. Still waiting on the other 4 cards but hopefully we have similar results. 

NEW WHS HANDICAP

Finn Whelan with 36.2 becomes our latest junior to gain a WHS handicap. Accompanied him and Joe Frullani out on the course yesterday and both boys played well. Finn’s development area is his putting and I’m sure practicing the drills he has been shown at the coaching will help. I was very impressed by Joe his all round game is very strong and with the Ice Hockey season coming to an end hopefully he can play more golf. His 37 points topped the scoring and I look forward to seeing his progress over the summer. On Thursday night we held the fourth Club Championship qualifier with Tom Stevenson returning the best gross score of 80 and Olly Stevenson returning the best nett of 64. Both received handicap cuts of 12.9 to 12 and 25.2 to 22.8. 

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Keir McNicoll became new member number eleven for 2026. Tonight before coaching he was fitted for a full set of Golphin 112 clubs from our hire scheme along with a 3 wheel push trolley, £30 per annum, what a deal. He also took possession of a Free pair of golf shoes from our swap scheme. All set and ready for his first coaching session. 

THAT’S BEEN A BUSY WEEK

Seven very productive coaching sessions this week. We are so fortunate to have such experienced and knowledgeable professionals who relate so easily with the youngsters. The progress this year has been impressive and I believe that our future is definitely in safe hands. Today we held the Russell Bailey Shield Greensomes and Keir Reid and I shot 5 under net to win the event. Tomorrow it’s a short trip to Blairgowrie for the GolfSixes. 

GREAT WEEKEND

Keegan Fergusson had his first outing at a Junior Tour Scotland, 54 hole event, at Alyth. He performed well finishing 11th gross and 6th net. 77 this afternoon was his best score and he will take loads of positives from the experience. At home Keir Reid had 35 stableford points to win Saturday’s Summer League. PGA professional Rory Tinker has agreed to take over the remaining Spring Coaching, as Kathryn has returned to California, and I was very impressed with his ideas and use of technology. 

FIRST OUTING FOR GOLFSIXES

North Inch hosted the first GolfSixes event for 2026. All Strathmore team players were making their debuts and I am delighted to say they all loved it. Although it's designed to be a "fun event" scores are recorded and as a Team Strathmore finished a respectable 4th, only 7 shots behind the winners. Crieff 130, Blairgowrie 126, North Inch 125, Strathmore 123, King James V1 107 and Muthill 101. Jack Short teamed up with Cameron Robertson and John Gillan with Rory Murray. Arthur Grewar and Finlay Dalgleish made up the third pair, and their score of 45, tied the Best Pairing score of the day. On the three holes we watched them tee off Arthur hit the green every time. Great to see them all enjoy the experience and hopefully it will get them all out playing more often. 

     

     

Archie Pattullo took the scratch honours with a fantastic round of 75, which included 4 birdies. In the handicap division 3 shots covered 5 players. Jack Stevenson nett 71 pipped Archie Pattullo with a better back 9. Keir Reid was one shot behind on 72. Olly Stevenson 73 and Cameron Galloway on 74. Kathryn Imrie completed week one of the coaching with 7 x 1 hour sessions taking place. She concentrated on putting, chipping and driving after being inspired by the Drive, Chip and Putt Event held at Augusta before the Masters. 

FIRST ROUND OF CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

Archie Pattullo took the scratch honours with a fantastic round of 75, which included 4 birdies. In the handicap division 3 shots covered 5 players. Jack Stevenson nett 71 pipped Archie Pattullo with a better back 9. Keir Reid was one shot behind on 72. Olly Stevenson 73 and Cameron Galloway on 74. Kathryn Imrie completed week one of the coaching with 7 x 1 hour sessions taking place. She concentrated on putting, chipping and driving after being inspired by the Drive, Chip and Putt Event held at Augusta before the Masters. 

BELL SALVER RESULT

Played our first League match tonight v Auchterarder and what a fantastic start in our attempt to retain the trophy we won last year. Archie Pattullo, coming off the back of making the cut in the Stephen Gallacher Foundation Trophy at Alyth, and completing the final 36 holes yesterday. He shot 76, 76, 74 and 77 and in doing so reduced his handicap to 4.1. Tonight he won 3&2 and was 2 under par gross through 16, and it could have been better !! His ball striking has improved so much during the winter and his commitment is paying off. Tom Stevenson playing out 3rd secured another 3&2 win. Olly Stevenson playing out 4th was 4 up through 4 and his fantastic short game kept him ahead and he finished it off on 14 with a 5&4 win securing our overall win. Big brother Jack Stevenson’s game went up the last where he holed a ten footer for the clean sweep. 4 v 0 couldn’t be a better start. We wish Auchterarder every success in their next matches. They played well especially Alfie who unfortunately came up against an in form Archie. Matches were played in the best of spirits with good shots from all players being appreciated. 

WHAT A SATURDAY

Where do I start. Played with Keegan Fergusson today and what a transformation, his ball striking has improved so much and his overall play was very impressive. He had a bit of bad luck and just a couple of mistakes but overall his win today was richly deserved. Along the road at Alyth GC, vice Captain Archie Pattullo, playing in the Stephen Gallacher Foundation Trophy made the cut for tomorrow’s final 36 holes. Unfortunately another Strathmore member Angus Palmer missed the cut. Back on Leitfie Jack Short achieved his first Fun Handicap of 26 (13 over 9 holes) and had his first par, along with his sister they will be having a trial on Rannaleroch to see if they are ready to upgrade. P&K Ladies held their Scratch Championship quarter finals today with 3 ex Strathmore Juniors making the semi finals.