Douglas Park Ladies Section AGM

The Ladies Section of Douglas Park Golf Club held their AGM and annual Prize Giving at the Club on Saturday 26th January 2008. Past Captain, Mrs Janet Dow, presented the incoming Lady Captain, Dr. Gillian Beattie, with her Captains Brooch. Ms. Gladys Speedie is the new Vice Captain of the Ladies Section.


The 2007 Club Champion, Mrs Carol Fell (pictured above) was presented with the Championship Cup.

Mrs Anne Fergusson, Champion Runner Up, and the other 2007 trophy winners joined Carol on the steps of the Club for the group photo.
Click on the photos to see enlargements

Never Lie about your handicap

A businessman was attending a conference in Africa. He had a free day and wanted to play a round of golf. He was directed to a lovely golf course nearby which bordered on the jungle. After a short trip, he arrived at the course and asked the pro if he could get on.
"Sure," said the Pro, "What's your handicap?" Not wanting to admit that he had an 18 handicap, he decided to cut it a bit. "Well, it's 16," Jason said, "But what's the relevance since I'll be playing alone?"
"It's very important for us to know," said the pro, who then called a caddy. "Go out with this gentleman," said the pro, "his handicap is 16."
Jason was very surprised at this constant reference to his handicap. The caddy picked up Jason's bag and a large rifle; again the businessman was surprised but decided to ask no questions.
They arrived on the 1st hole, a par 4. "Please avoid those trees on the left," said the caddy. Needless to say, Jason duck-hooked his ball into the trees. He found his ball and was about to punch it out when he heard the loud crack of the rifle and a large snake fell dead from a tree above his head. The caddy stood next to him with the rifle smoking in his hand.
"That's the mamba, the most poisonous snake in all Africa. You're lucky I was here with you."
After taking a bogey, they moved to the 2nd hole, a par 5.
"Avoid those bushes on the right," says the caddy. Of course, Jason's ball went straight into the bushes. As he went to pick up his ball, he heard the loud crack of the caddy's rifle once more and a huge lion fell dead at his feet. "I've saved your life again," said the caddy.
The 3rd hole was a par 3 with a lake in front of the green. Jason's ball came up just short of the green and rolled back to the edge of the water. To take a shot, he had to stand with one foot in the lake. As he was about to swing, a large crocodile emerged from the water, and bit off most of his right leg.
As he fell to the ground bleeding and in great pain, he saw the caddy with the rifle propped at his side, looking on unconcernedly. "Why didn't you kill it?" asked the man incredulously.
"I'm sorry, sir," said the caddy, "this hole is stroke 17 ...you don't get a shot here."
That's why you should never lie about your handicap

Thanks go to Carol Whyte (Windyhill) for that one
Want some more Jokes Click Here

Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival

Please note that the dates for the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival in Murcia, Spain have already been set: February 11 to 24th

PRESS RELEASE FROM COLIN FARQUHARSON, CAL CARSON GOLF AGENCY
LEAGUE OF NATIONS ENTRY FOR FIRST HACIENDA DEL ALAMO WOMEN'S WINTER FESTIVAL

The inaugural Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival - February 10 to 23, 2008 - has attracted an entry of 50 golfers from a wide area.
Thirteen of them are professionals from Argentina, Belgium, England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain and Wales.
The professionals include Danielle Masters from Kent, who partnered Trish Johnson as England's team of two in the Women's World Cup of Golf in South Africa earlier this month
When she was an amateur Danielle played for Great Britain & Ireland in the Curtis Cup matches against the United States, as did Ireland's Claire Coughlan and Martina Gillen, other pro contestants at the Festival.
Scotland's Jenna Wilson, now a professional but still the reigning Scottish women's amateur champion, is among the entrants from the "Home of Golf."
Thirty-two entrants are amateurs from Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales plus one "local," Vicki Smith from the Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.
There was no minimum or maximum age limit on the entries and the ages range from 12-year-old Amber Ratcliffe (Royal Cromer) and 13-year-old Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough) to some senior (over-50) ladies.
There were also some entrants with very low handicaps, such as the two Scots, Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) and Michele Thomson (Ellon) who both play off +1 and are members of the Scotland women's amateur international team.
Michele, in fact, has a chance of being selected for the GB&I team for this year's Curtis Cup match over the Old Course, St Andrews at the end of May.
Six events make up the Festival programme from February 11 to 23 – two 36-hole competitions, two 18-hole stableford events and two Saturday pro-ams which will Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort residents.

"I think this could be the start of something big," said director of golf Billy Sim whose long-time friendship with fellow Scot and golf writer Colin Farquharson, the tournament organiser, led to their often discussed idea of a Women's Golf Festival coming off the drawing board and into reality in February 2008.

ENTRIES
PROFESSIONALS
Claire COUGHLAN (Ireland)
Tracey CRAIK (Scotland)
Lauren DIGGLE (Wales).
Martina GILLEN (Ireland)
Nicky LUMB (England)
Maria MARTIN LOPEZ (Spain).
Danielle MASTERS (England)
Natasha MORGAN (Wales)
Jacqueline PECOITZ (Argentina).
Marian RIORDAN (Ireland).
Katie THOMSON (Scotland).
Lien WILLEMS (Belgium).
Jenna WILSON (Scotland).

AMATEURS
Orla BARRY (Galway) handicap 5.
Lisa BARTON (Coventry) handicap 2
Jane BINNING (Frilford Heath) handicap 2.
Anna CARLING (Vale of Glamorgan) handicap 4.
Sarah CARTY (The Island, Dublin) handicap 4.
Kimberley CROOKS (Saltburn by the Sea) handicap scratch. Age 16.
Charlotte DALTON (Ladbrook Park) handicap 3. Age 18
Azimina DESMOND (Hollywood Lakes, Ireland) handicap 11. Senior.
Cara EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 8. Age 15.
Mandy EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 5.
Marion GEOGHEGAN (Navan) handicap 13.
Kate EVANS (Frilford Heath) handicap 7.
Rebecca GEE (Wellingborough) handicap 5. Age 16.
Annie GOWING (Frilford Heath) handicap 5.
Tara GRIBBEN (Warrenpoint) handicap 5. Age 16.
Eveleen HIGGINS (Laytown/Bettystown) handicap 13. Senior.
Gemma JENNINGS (Navan) handicap 12.
Mary McAREE (Navan) handicap 20.
Judy McCAIRNS (Frilford Heath) handicap 9. Senior.
Kirsten MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 20. Age 14.
Lauren MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 7. Age 17.
Mary MacLAREN (Wellingborough) handicap 4.
Meghan MacLAREN (Wellingborough) handicap 7. Age 13.
Caroline MURPHY (Grange, Dublin) handicap 9. Age 17.
Emma O'DRISCOLL (Ballybunion). Handicap 5. Age 15.
Emily OGILVY (Auchterarder) handicap +1.
Karen OGILVY (Auchterarder) handicap 16.
Amber RATCLIFFE (Royal Cromer) handicap 18. Age 12.
Carla REYNOLDS (Seapoint) handicap 5. Age 16.
Paula REYNOLDS (Seapoint) handicap 19.
Margaret ROONEY (Navan) handicap 20.
Philomena SHEERAN (Navan) handicap 20.
Vicki SMITH (Hacienda del Alamo) handicap 5.
Ami STOREY (Ponteland) handicap scratch.
Rhian Wyn THOMAS (Vale of Glamorgan) handicap 1.
Michele THOMSON (McDonald Ellon) handicap +1. .
Jane WHIRISKEY (Galway). Handicap 13.

Burns Night in your home or at the Golf Club

Can I do this at home?It's not often I give advice to folk about what to do behind closed doors – but you certainly can have fun in organising your own Burns supper. Here are ten steps to a great night for anything from four to forty folk:
Welcome your guests with a glass of Speyside malt whisky;
Say Grace before enjoying a starter of Scottish smoked salmon with a crisp white wine;
Address the Haggis (feel free to read to it – don't be shy!) and try it with mashed potatoes and turnips (and a wee bit more of that malt if there's any left!);
Serve a simple main course of Scottish steak with chips and peas, washed down by a nice ordinary Claret;
Round it off with a rich Scotch Trifle or some fine Scottish Cheeses;
Get a friend to speak for a few light hearted minutes and then lead everyone in toasting 'The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns';
Choose a poem (try 'To a Mouse') and pass the book round the guests with everyone reading one verse;
Enjoy the fellowship of your friends around the table;
Sing 'Auld Lang Syne' with a stiff glass of Islay malt as a nightcap!
Do it again next year!
Come and join in! Don't forget that Burns loved a party, so we owe it to him to make it a good one.
Alternatively all you golfers may be going to a Burns Supper or have been at one at your own Golf Club. Here are a few at Douglas Park Golf Club last weekend at their "early" Burns Supper singing a couple of songs

Here is a good article in the Glasgow Herald Today if you happen to be giving a "The Reply for the Lassies" Toast to the Lassies by Ruth Wishart in today's Glasgow Herald

Handicap Seminar at Haggs Castle or East Kilbride

The SLGA and SGU are running a series of regional handicapping seminars for all those involved at golf clubs in maintaining and administering handicaps. The seminars will include an overview of the CONGU UHS and a comprehensive presentation of the new changes incorporated in the new manual. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions. For a booking form click here

The Board of the SLGA 2008

The Board of SLGA Ltd 2008
Back Row: Shona Malcolm, Sheila Pickles, Gillian Kirkwood
Middle Row: Winifred MacCallum, Pamela MacKenzie, Beth Paterson,
Liz Miskimmin, Helen Cuthbertson, Lynne Terry
Front Row: Pat Wilson (Chairman), Ethel Jack (President), Janet Wake (Vice Chairman)

Thanks go to Gillian Kirkwood for the Photograph

Beth Paterson and Jenny McGahan elected at SLGA AGM

The SLGA AGM took place yesterday at the Quality Station Hotel Perth.
SLGA's Chairman Margaret McNaughton's informative annual report was followed by the Finance Director Lynne Terry's detailed accounts annual review. The annual report of the Scottish representatives on the Executive Council of the LGU was then given by Gillian Kirkwood

Ethel Jack was elected as President for the second year and
RLCGA's Past Captain Beth Paterson (Eastwood ) pictured above was elected on to the board by the SLGA to replace Margaret MacNaughton who retires by expiry of her term of office.

Jenny McGahan (Douglas Park) was appointed as Deputy to Gillian Kirkwood and Shona Malcolm as Scottish Representatives on the Executive Council of the Ladies' Golf Union
Three changes to the Regulations regarding County Golf were approved by large margins, and, after a clear and concise explanation of the SLGA Business Plan by Shona Malcolm , the new Rules and Regulations for SLGA Ltd were also approved.
Subscriptions for playing members of clubs will increase in 2009 will increase by 50p to £13.

Mrs Pat Wilson was then elected to be the new Chairman of the SLGA.
Isabel Crawford is re appointed as a West Division Selector

Carol Fell (Ranfurly Castle and Douglas Park) asked the board in the "any competent business" section, if County Medals were the same as Open Days for the new Congu regulation. The answer was given as yes and she said that this was impossible to administer unless you used the Home Clubs handicap computer where the competition was being played at and not use the county laptop. The SLGA said they would look into the matter and Carol has sent a report to the SLGA as requested by the new Chairman Pat Wilson. This report includes an explanation of the problem and a couple of suggestions on how to solve this issue.

The meeting closed with an entertaining vote of thanks from Helen Faulds (Douglas Park)

Mary Hardie is the new Ranfurly Castle Captain

A very successful AGM and prizegiving was held in the clubhouse on Thursday 17th January.
Mary Hardie was duly elected as our new Lady Captain. She welcomed Helen Abram as Vice Captain and Sheila Gray, Sheila Biggart and Eileen Walker as new committee members.
The AGM was followed by our usual prizegiving.
Carol Fell, Ranfurly Castle's Ladies Champion, thanked the committee for all their work throughout the year.

Book a Group Day at Mearns Golf Academy

Do you want to get a group of friends together for a day out? Or are you looking for a family-friendly post-Christmas activity? Perhaps you want to schmooze some clients? Then come to Mearns Castle Golf Academy for a weather-proof event suitable for beginners through to advanced golfers.
To read more then click on the following link Mearns Castle Golf Academy

SLGA Annual General Meeting

The SLGA AGM will be held on Saturday 19 January 2008 at 11.00 a.m. in the ballroom of the Quality Station Hotel in Perth. All the papers for the meeting were posted to clubs and counties on Wednesday 19 December.

News from Jean Campbell -- D&A Webmaster

Good Morning - or afternoon and a very happy new year to you all. We arrived here on the 5th November and it feels like a few days ago - we certainly cannot complain about the weather as this is the second time we have seen some real rain (we have had the very odd sprinkle) and Florida badly needs it.
We were told last night on the news that it is the driest it has been for more than ten years (at this time of year) and all sorts of warning were given about the use of fireworks and there was certainly plenty of them last night. We dined outside as usual and watched these fireworks coming from all over the place - then things were quiet until midnight and then the sky was lit up again and it was very nice to see. John as usual went off to bed - I like to watch the tv programme from Times Square and managed to stay awake until midnight.

Where we play golf, there are a few lakes on the course and they are so low and they have recently introduced a ban on watering of gardens - I think it is only one day a week - so this rain is so badly needed and honestly since I ain't going anywhere, I hope it rains all day long. John has been busy playing table tennis and won a couple of medals in the state championship - he has recently started playing on a Thursday night at a club in Fort Myers and the standard there is higher than the club we go to in Sarasota. The sports centre where it is held is quite a place - only two years old and just super - since I go with him as the driver!! - we both joined this place at a cost of $5 each and don't have to pay anything when we go - wish they had this sort of facility in Scotland as surely it would encourage youngsters to take part - when it is almost free!!! There is one huge area which can be used for all kinds of sports with seating and also a dividing wall and then so many other smaller rooms for a variety of activities including a computer class!!! The school which is right next to this place was built at the same time and a couple of weeks ago when we arrived we saw crowds going into the school and I found out that there was a musical concert and in I went and again was impressed with the facilities - the programme started with the youngest musicians playing fairly easy but good tunes and then on to the next group - there was a group of older singers and they joined with the school choir to sing a few numbers. We also had a girl dancing - I was just so impressed with the talent on show and all those instruments - great to see. The concert was held in a huge hall and again it had all sorts of facilities for various sports and a stage - I was sorry I was unable to wait until the end of the concert.

We have been playing golf (of course) although probably not as much as we have in the past - my golf has been a bit mixed until the last couple of times that I have played, I don't know what I am doing BUT I wish I could parcel it up and bring it home - yesterday John played his best golf since arriving and this made it more enjoyable for MEEEEE!!! We shall see what I do next time I am out.

There is a law here that dogs must be kept on a lead - we arrived home a few weeks ago - drove into the garage and then heard this awful noise across the road where there is vacant lots and then onto a canal - the dog from two houses along was attacking a heron!!! The owner was screaming at her dog and we saw the heron get up and it was making such a noise and flapping its wings - it eventually limped into the bushes but it was not nice to see. We have since received a letter from this woman saying that her dog did not touch the heron!!! She wants us to speak to her about this - but we will not have anything to do with her - we both know what we saw. These people also own two maccaws and the noise from these birds is not acceptable - if I lived next door I would pop in and slit their throats!!!!!!
Well it is still raining and it is now time to give my fingers a well earned rest!!!

Loved you dancing in your Santa outfit Carol - my sister did one for me as an elf!!! I am thinking of working on the routine for the county dinner!!!##

Best Wishes for a good and healthy 2008

Heron Defences improved in Bearsden Glasgow

Having had a few fish taken on Hogmanay (we think) --- Still not got a proper head count, we have improved our defences - so this morning when we had another visit from "Henry" the heron he was not so lucky !!
Any chance of some "Golfing" News now or will I have to set up a Bird Website !!! Please Email me your news by clicking on the link on the RHS of this webpage

Hazel wishes you all a Happy New Year

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

New Year Celebrations at Douglas Park Golf Club

Here is a short video of the bringing in of the New Year. It is also Past Captain Helen Robertson's birthday today -- so a cake was produced as well. Sorry the video is so dark but the lighting was poor.