HOW MANY MORE RECORDS CAN WE ACHIEVE THIS SEASON ?

My quote from 5th April  - 2014 is going to be the best year yet, mark my words.Strathmore juniors will again be re writing history. "Think positive and your dreams can become reality"  Michael proved again today that he is the number 1 junior in Perth and Kinross. After becoming stroke play Champion last year he played Craigie Hill's Sean Davidson in the semi final of the match play at Muckhart this morning and took an early lead and was 1 under par through 3 and 2 up. Although he was pegged back to 1 on 3 occasions his consistent driving and iron play eventually wore his opponent down and he ran out a comfortable 4&3 winner. The final was contested with Muckhart's Ross White last years match play Champion and with Michael finding trouble off the 1st tee and losing out to a birdie on 2 Ross made the perfect start. After missing a birdie putt on 3 to pull 1 back Michael then birdied 3 and 4 to square the match. Losing 9 and winning 10 and 11 took the lead for the first time, a superb birdie on 13 and a great up and down par on 15 took him to dormie and when his opponent flew the green on 16 Michael's victory was secured and he became the 1st Strathmore match play Champion and only the 2nd P&K player to have won both titles and the 1st to win them in different seasons. I am so proud of Michael's achievements and look forward to seeing where his golfing dreams take him.
Another 2 new juniors signed up today and I look forward to welcoming Cameron and Owen Voice.
                             
 

WHAT A GREAT START TO THE WEEKEND

Our Scratch league team travelled to Auchterarder and took on a strong home team. Michael led them out  and secured a convincing 4&3 victory. Alex was 5 up through 12 including an eagle on 10 but his opponent replied with his own eagle on 14 when driving the green and having his tee shot roll past Brads feet as he was lining up his own birdie putt !!  Alex eventually finished the match off 4&2 with a great birdie 2. Kirsty found herself up against an on form opponent and lost out 3&2 and with Brad going 1 down after being 4 up and his opponent starting his fight back with the 3rd eagle of the day and Tod who had been 2 down we needed something to happen. Brad won 15 to go all square and Tod had fought back to go 1 up on 16. Brad secured the Strathmore victory by winning 1 up and Tod took our final score to 4&1 with a great 2&1 win.
This team has the ability and belief to take Strathmore to yet another level and I am so excited to see them progress.
During the match I received a text from a very excited Amy who as I said of earlier this week " I was very impressed and can't wait to see how her scores improve" and I only had to wait for her next game - 2 shots off her handicap with a nett 68. My coaching certainly has paid off and with Amy agreeing to a 10% retainer on her future golf earnings so is my pension.
Roll on tomorrow when I go to Muckhart to support Michael in the P&K match play.
Finally we have another new member - Sophie Patterson. Can't wait to meet and welcome her to the section.  

BUSY WEEK

Amy Mitchell was first up to the challenge to lower her scores and we spent two and a half hours on Tuesday night on short game - mainly chipping round the greens. I was very impressed and can't wait to see how her scores improve. Her ball striking is excellent and highlights were to be on the fringe in 3 on the 1st, hitting the 7th green in two and hitting the pin on the 6th and finishing within a foot of the hole.
Played with Alex Simpson yesterday in the Wednesday Sweep (Yellows)  - he had 5 birdies in his 2 over par 72 and don't think he will be playing off 5 for much longer.
Saturday sees the Scratch League team of Michael, Brad, Alex, Kirsty and Tod take on Auchterarder away and with confidence high I feel another victory is on the cards.
Sunday it's Muckhart and Michael plays Craigie Hill's Sean Davidson in the morning semi final of the P&K match play and we send our best wishes and I know he will be focused and determined to make the afternoon final.
Coaching starts next week and I am looking forward to seeing how our new members get on.           

MICHAEL BRODIE BECOMES THE 2nd STRATHMORE PLAYER TO MAKE THE SEMI FINALS

5 years since Allan Easton made his semi final appearance Michael follows in his footsteps with a superb win over Comrie's Calum McGuigan. We all wish Michael the best for next Sunday and I know he will be focused on the task in hand. Alex and Brad both lost out on semi final places but should be proud of being part of another record making Strathmore performance.     

THREE MUSKATEERS AT MUCKHART MATCH PLAY

This morning Michael, Brad and Alex all won their last 16 matches 3&2, 3&2 and 3&1 and by doing so created another record, 1st time we've had 3 players in the County match play quarter finals. This afternoon Michael plays Callum McGuigan, Brad plays Alistair Wood and Alex plays Ross White let's see what happens next ?     

KIRSTY ENJOYS DEBUT

Spoke to Kirsty yesterday and although disappointed with her 2nd round score she had really enjoyed the Scottish team experience. She told me her short game and putting had not been as good on day 2 but with another 3 years of playing in the under 16's there is will be more opportunities to come. Well done from all the section and we all look forward to your next Scottish call up. 

SLGA UNDER 16 OPEN STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP 2014

Kirsty played her 1st round today teeing off on the 10th and made a solid start with 3 pars and then a birdie on 13 followed by another par before a ball out of bounds on 15 resulted in an 8 but she fought back with another 5 straight pars. Finishing 40 out and 40 in for an opening 80. Barring one hole it was a decent round and with tomorrows 2nd round to come I'm sure she will climb up the leader board. For full details of all scores click on the golfbox link -     http://scores.golfbox.dk/golfbox.aspx#/competition/10594/leaderboard