FRIENDSHIP IS EVERYTHING

Huge thanks to a mate from 40 plus years ago. Jim and I caught up on Facebook and when he saw what was happening at Strathmore with the my club Hire Scheme he wanted to help. Today he donated a set of irons, 2 drivers and a 3 and 5 wood and in the next couple of weeks is flying out to Spain to bring back another set of irons. Was great to catch up today and it’s what golf brings to life. 

KEIR PASSES TEST WITH FLYING COLOURS

Dawn had played alongside Keir on Sunday and had said how well he had done. Tonight I decided to take him out to play the 10th on the Rannaleroch. He hit a tremendous drive from the yellow tees 150 yards up the right hand side of the fairway. We decided he should hit a six iron but it ran into the bunker. I asked him to hit a five iron and  this shot was perfect and finished 10ft from the pin. His first putt was great for weight and left him a tap in 4 for par. Keir proved tonight that he is definitely more than ready for an upgrade and we are going to take him out for 18 to confirm. Aged only 7 he already is showing so much promise and with many Golf Clubs not even allowing children under 8 to join it proves again why Strathmore’s policy of no age restrictions works and allows kids of any age to enjoy golf. He has been a member for nearly 3 years and played in both our Flag and GolfSixes teams this year but is about to take the next step from Fun Handicap on Leitfie to Full Congu Handicap on Rannaleroch and who knows what next over the years. Took Callum, Kian and Nate out with Keir on 1st and 2nd for a quick Texas Scramble and they managed an easy par followed by another 5. Bella and Lottie really impressed tonight and their swings are text book and if we can get them out playing more often on the course could be exceptional. 

WEEKEND UPDATE

Unfortunately Kirsten’s trip to Islay didn’t go to plan. After a disappointing score on Saturday she started Sundays round in good spirit but in her own words “lost a few too many shots on the back 9”  Great experience and she will take the positives and move on. Back at headquarters Keegan took the honours on Saturday and reduced his handicap by a shot. Sunday saw another Family Fun Day with Callum, Owen and Dawn taking the honours with a level par 27. 

SO MUCH HAPPENING

Message from Kirsten Miller received tonight - 

Just letting you know that I am away to Islay this weekend for the final of the race to the Machrie! Really looking forward to playing and spending time with the other players. Also got some good news today that I have been selected as SportScotland Young Ambassador for Perth Academy for this year which I’m so excited about!

Great news on both fronts. Also took delivery of some extra clubs today to enhance some of the sets we had already purchased to fill distance gaps. 

Our first junior section match play league game took place tonight which was introduced because all the P&K County Match Play events had been cancelled and I did not want our juniors missing out on the valuable experience that match play brings. Keegan Fergusson played Lewis Smith and with some great scoring including 1 par and 6 bogies recorded the first win. This is so exciting as it brings another dimension to their games. 

ANOTHER GREAT NIGHT AT THE COACHING

Over the past 3 weeks Angus has been working on grips, stance and swings whilst we have covered pitching, chipping and putting and tonight we put it all to the test on Leitfie. Really impressed by everyone and some of the improvements are amazing. The consistency in the putting was a major factor and Dawns schooling techniques are making the difference with the players taking more care by marking the ball, working out the slopes, lining up the lines on the ball to the target line, using the lines on the putter and then using their judgement of pace to consistently get the ball closer to the hole or on many occasions into the hole. Jack, Kier, Lewis and Rory members of our GolfSixes team were presented with their Silver Medals and Certificates. 

SILVER LINING

Weather was perfect for the final GolfSixes event. We used the Leitfie course and set it up so we had 6 holes. We used the 1st, 4th, 6th and 9th and played from the 2nd tee to 3rd green and 7th tee to 8th green. Scoring was great with Crieff coming top with 125 points, Strathmore came 2nd with 123 ahead of Auchterarder with 122 and Pitlochry with 116. Tom Wolfe from Pitlochry had to play as a single but scored an amazing 41 points. James Soppit won the nearest the pin on the 1st. James and Sophie Goult from Auchterarder recorded the only 2. In the overall cumulative scores Crieff came top with 16 points and secured the trophy and Gold medals, Strathmore came 2nd with 10.5 points to pick up the Silver medals with Auchterarder 3rd on 8 points and Pitlochry 4th with 5.5 points. 

GOOD SCORING TODAY

Conan took the honours today just one shot ahead of Archie, so impressed by the play I witnessed. Archie was so consistent off the tee and was unlucky a couple of times with putts but so much potential. Conan was in the group ahead so didn’t see much of it up close but obviously had a great round. Blair was brilliant assisting at the coaching and I am seeing a very mature young man developing into what will be a great Captain next year. His encouragement is inspirational and Cameron is showing the same enthusiasm to assist and I personally am so proud to seeing both boys willing to put so much back into golf.