2 NEW HANDICAPS

Luke Clarke and Drew Scarlett both attained their first CDH handicaps of 26.8 and 31.5 respectively, both have great potential and I expect to see these handicaps reducing significantly. It’s great to have another two players wanting to play competitively. It important as they can be added to squads for team events. 

In tough conditions today Alasdair won by 3 points from Louis. 

Tomorrow Strathmore host the P&K GolfNines event with 6 Strathmore pairings playing. It’s going to be exciting to see how they perform. Currently we are on a huge learning curve and the response we have had from the players is incredible. The potential we have unlocked is great for the future and the next seven days will show who far they have come. 

NEVER FORGETS HIS ROOTS

Brilliant to have past junior member Cormack Sharpe come along tonight before he heads back to Minnesota on Sunday. He took out Stuart Duncan to give him a some tips and guidance and I’m sure having witnessed his display tonight that he will have definitely inspired him. Cormack hit 2 irons on the first to the back of the green for his first birdie and followed it up with another five birdies on 9, 10, 12, 13 and 15, where he found the green with his tee shot. 

Cormack was very interested in how things are going within the junior section and we had a great chat going round. He was also telling us about his experiences of playing University golf and all the travelling they have to do, especially during the Winter when they can’t play at home. He played with Peter Uihlein recently in The Open qualifier, and finished 1 shot ahead of him, the following week Peter picked up $500,000 for finishing 30th on the LIV tour. He also played a round with Bryson DeChambeau when his team played at Bryson’s home course and asked to join them. It’s amazing all the things he has achieved so far and when I asked him what the highlight of the season was for him, his answer was being picked for Scotland to play in the Home Internationals. 

It’s fantastic to have been involved in his very early development and an honour that he respects this enough to give up his time to help us out. The sign of a true sportsman and genuinely good man. 

FINAL NIGHT OF 2024 COACHING

Huge thanks to PGA professional Kathryn Imrie who held her last coaching session of 2024 tonight. Her enthusiasm and coaching techniques have meant that the quality coaching Strathmore Golf Centre provides included in Junior membership has continued. She has introduced the “Mary Poppins Umbrella” chipping practice target landing area, the impact bag, the launch monitor and used different putting routines which the juniors have all responded positively to. We are already looking forward to the Spring of 2025 to welcome her back to continue with the progression and development of our players. She heads off on Monday to continue her role as a selector for the Curtis Cup. It’s been a real bonus having someone with so much experience coaching this year, with the Flag team reaching the National final and one of our Bell Salver teams playing their semi final on the same day, it is a reflection of what improvements they are making. 

Euan Tuddenham achieved his second certificate and a fun handicap of 38. Ben Soutar also achieved his second certificate and a fun handicap of 36 and has reduced this twice to 33. They can now play Leitfie Summer and Winter League. 

Fraser Cruikshank is the latest to join our Club Hire Scheme and took possession of a full set of Golphin 728 clubs and a trolley. He also got a pair of shoes from our free swap scheme. Leo Walker also upgraded his pair tonight. 

CONFIRMATION

Strathmore will play North Inch in the semi final of the Bell Salver at Auchterarder on Sunday the 1st of September while over the fence at Gleneagles our Flag Team will be playing in the National final. 

The Bell Salver team for Auchterarder is Stuart Duncan, Archie Pattullo, Louis Purdie and Cameron Galloway. Non travelling reserve is Andrew Watt. If they are successful it’s back to Gleneagles on the 8th. 

The Flag team for Gleneagles is James Thom, Andrew Brass, Seamus Sangerman and Leighton Thomas. They have already become hero’s by being the first Strathmore team to reach a National final but can they go one step further ? 

It’s Strathmore’s Super Sunday so I might need to borrow a helicopter so I can keep track of what’s going on. 

FANTASTIC LAST SATURDAY COACHING SESSIONS

Kathryn concentrated on pitching and chipping first today before moving onto improving driving consistency. It’s great to see the developments the juniors are making and them understanding the why’s and how’s. Using a variety of different clubs around the green is the key, and as she explained, the best players in the world use their whole bag of clubs to pull off certain shots. 5 attended each of the 3 sessions and all of them made the best of it. 6 played Suumer League today and 2 put in second cards for handicap. Cammy pipped Keegan with a bih, both on 39 points followed by Andrew on 35. Both Luke and Drew will become valuable members of the section and seem very keen to get involved. Fraser will be next to join our Club Hire Scheme. 

We host the P&K GolfNines next Sunday and with 6 pairings playing it’s going to be a great experience for the youngsters. Crieff and Muckhart are sending 4 pairings with North Inch 2. 

Conan Reid, Junior Captain who had a “hole in one” donated 3 cases of juice for the youngsters to celebrate his achievement. 

COACHING VERY WELL ATTENDED TONIGHT

10 attended the first session with 3 of them going out on the course. Forbes Cowan who was hitting it so well last week played Leitfie in 39 minutes, scored 49, achieved his 2nd Certificate and now has a fun handicap of 44. He can now play in the Leitfie Summer and Winter leagues. He has been in our GolfSixes squad this year playing twice and I believe that it won’t be long until he’s ready for a full WHS handicap. Again we had 10 in the second session with 2 of them going out on the course. Andrew Coulson  upgraded his hire clubs on Kathryn’s advice as his strength and swing speed is so good. So much progress is being shown by these youngster. Bunker play followed by pitching was done first tonight before going back into the range to work on swings. 5 attended the last group and everyone is improving. 

Phoebe and Archie swapped to bigger shoes from our free swap scheme and Callum is next. 

SCOTTISH UNDER 14 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Archie Pattullo showed today his resilience after getting off to poor start. 9 over par through the front nine he steadied the ship and came back in level par. He shot 1 under his handicap so should be very proud of his recovery and hopefully tomorrow he can put in another good score. It just shows how you should never give up and Archie proved that today.