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| The Greenlees Trophy Winners - Click to enlarge |
Dorothy Cartlidge (Whitecraigs Greenlees Secretary) organised the event.
All clubs from the 3 divisions within the Greenlees Trophy were represented and what a great celebration they all had They were welcomed warmly by Whitecraigs Golf Club and Lady Captain Chris Fulton with a glass of wine and a beautiful lunch to follow.
Fiona Roger the West of Scotland Greenlees Secretary then stood up after the meal and here was her speech:
May I firstly say how pleased I am that Chris, Lady Captain of Whitecraigs, a very busy lady I am sure, has been able to take the time today to join us for lunch and I thank her for her kind words of welcome. It is a great pleasure to be here today for our annual Lunch and Presentation of prizes . Chris, on behalf of all the teams in The League, please pass on our thanks to your Club Captain and committee for allowing us to hold our lunch here and also a big thank you for the very generous gesture of providing us with our pre lunch drinks.
May we all wish you a very successful and happy year of captaincy.
You may remember last year that I referred several times to a little book called ‘Life’s little instruction book’ which is full of suggestions, observations and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life. I may just throw a few more at you in the next 10 minutes!!
Here’s the first one ---Don’t eat just before giving a speech. I would be more worried about drinking too much rather than eating too much. I have eaten before speaking, and may I say that I have enjoyed lunch very much, and hope that you also have enjoyed yours?
On behalf of us all, may I thank Dorothy for the time and effort she has put into the organisation for today. A job done pleasantly and efficiently. Thank you Dorothy. To the staff both behind the scenes and front of house, thank you for looking after us so well.
The lunch in the last few years seems to have become very popular and I am sorry that it hasn’t been possible for as many people to come from the clubs as would have liked to be here, but the final figure has to be in the hands of the host club.
As you all know this is my last year as Greenlees Secretary. Anne Dunn, Kilmacolm, who is with us today, takes over from me at the AGM and Fixture Meeting in November and I hope that you will afford her the same support and patience you have all shown to me.
Quote no 2 : Resist telling people how something should be done. Instead, tell them what needs to be done. They will often surprise you with creative solutions! Good luck Anne!
This is my 4th lunch since taking over from Willeen. How many lunches did Willeen attend in her capacity as Secretary - a considerable number more than me. Were I to continue for as many years as Willeen I would be doing it from above or maybe below!! As you all know, the host club each year is in alphabetical order of the teams in the three leagues. It has been very coincidental that in my four years, the four host clubs have been, in my first year, Ranfurly Castle, my home club since the early 70s, the following year Troon – a club I have now been a member of for several years. Last year, at West Kilbride, it was the 70th year of competition for the Greenlees Trophy – a year for reminiscing and noting facts and figures - and this year Whitecraigs. Not many of you, if any, will know that I had my name on the waiting list for Whitecraigs before I joined Ranfurly. I was having dinner in Kilmacolm with Colin and Trish Brown and bemoaning the fact that I was keen to start playing golf, had had my name on the waiting list at Whitecraigs for some time, and had heard nothing. Trish said ‘why not join Ranfurly Castle – they are looking for more lady members. I contacted Whitecraigs – they had no knowledge of me ever being on their waiting list. You have guessed it -- I accepted membership at Ranfurly 3 weeks later and the rest is history!! I did however play a lot of my early golf over Whitecraigs with local friends, had many competitive, fun filled days and still always enjoy any chance I have to play the course.
On a personal note I would like to thank my long standing squash opponent from Whitecraigs Tennis and Squash Club, fellow member of Ranfurly Castle over many years and whizz kid unsurpassed on the computer. You have got it in one – Carol. Always ask a busy person to help you out.
Quote No 3: Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have the same number of hours per day as Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Theresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein
Maybe Carol won’t quite reach the heights of the aforesaid but as far as we are all concerned, in Scottish Golf, county golf, vets golf and club golf we are all so grateful for the amount of time and effort given on our behalf. Thank you Carol for all you do for us.
On behalf of us all I would like you to accept a small present.
After last year’s attention to 70 years of Greenlees Trophy, I would like this year, to read you an actual letter that was sent to a bank by an 86 year old lady. The Bank Manager thought it amusing enough to have it published in the New York Times.
Dear Sir -------------- CLICK HERE TO READ THE LETTER
Now to the real business of the day – Presentation of Trophies.
Chris, perhaps you would be good enough to present the winning teams in each division with their trophies.
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| Sheila Adams is presented with the 3rd Division Trophy |
This last season we welcomed Loudoun Gowf into the Greenlees league for the first time. I hope Sheila that your team have enjoyed their first season in the leagues
As the rules dictate, any team joining the leagues start in the 3rd Division. What a start Loudoun Gowf made. Undefeated during the season and Winners of the 3rd Division with an amazing total of 57 points, and well done to Old Ranfurly, 2nd in the Division with 45 points We wish both teams luck as they head for Division 2 next season
Sheila – please come forward to collect the Division 3 Shield.
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| Aileen Donaldson West Kilbride receives the Division 2 Trophy |
Well done West Kilbride who come top of Division 2 with 50 and a half points with Largs 2nd in the Division with 47 and a half points. They both head for Division 1 and we wish them a successful 2012 season. Largs were promoted from Division 3 last year and we congratulate them in gaining promotion again this year to Division 1.
Aileen – please come forward and collect the Division 2 Trophy.
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| Sara- Anne Bottomley (Troon Ladies) receives the Runner up Trophy |
Division 1:
Another nail biting finish to the 1st Division.
How close were Troon to knocking Milngavie of their perch? It went all the way to the very last match and 1 point separated them. Milngavie on 46.5 and Troon on 45.5
Sara-Anne – Well done Troon. Please come forward to collect the Urn, trophy for Runners up.
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| Anna Telfer - With the Greenlees Trophy |
What can I say about Milngavie. Winners of the Greenlees Trophy for the third year in succession.
Another quote from my wee book! Remember the ABC’s of success : Ability, Breaks, Courage.
You have certainly remembered the ABC’s of success over the past 5 years. Anna, congratulations and well done to all those who contributed to your success.
Chris – thank you for presenting the Trophies to all the winners.
The Greenlees Leagues are very special and I hope that all those participating in them enjoy them. They are competitive and I for one, hope they always will be, but the spirit in which they are played is equally important. For the teams being promoted, a new challenge and for the teams who find they are struggling and face relegation this coming season remember you too have a challenge but most of all remember to have fun and enjoy.
Fiona then finished off her speech with an excellent quote made by Arnold Palmer.
To see some photographs from the lunch click on the small thumbnail below and press play on the video below to hear the speeches --- Alternatively CLICK HERE to go to your Webmaster Video Channel.
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| Greenlees Trophy Presentation 2011 |
Final placings in Division 1 were :-
46.5 - Milngavie
45.5 - Troon
44.0 - Cathkin Braes
38.5 - Ranfurly Castle
37.5 - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
36.0 - Whitecraigs
30.0 - Kilmacolm
26.0 - Douglas Park - relegated
20.0 - Prestwick St Nicholas - relegated
West Kilbride (Division 2 Champions) and Largs (Division 2 Runners Up) have gained promotion to Division 1.
Williamwood and Cowglen are relegated to Division 3
Final placings in Division 2 were :-
50.5 - West Kilbride
47.5 - Largs
43.5 - Hilton Park
42.5 - Haggs Castle
36.0 - Erskine
32.5 - Cardross
32.0 - Eastwood
21.5 - Williamwood - relegated
18.0 - Cowglen - relegated
In Division 3, Loudoun Gowf Club, stormed through in their first season in the competition to take the division 3 title with ease and gain promotion along with Old Ranfurly to Division 2 for 2012.
Final placings in Division 3 were :-
57.0 - Loudoun
45.0 - Old Ranfurly
39.5 - Lanark
35.0 - Bothwell Castle
34.5 - Lenzie
30.0 - Greenock
29.0 - East Renfrewshire
27.0 - Cawder
27.0 - Cathcart Castle