RENFREWSHIRE COUNTY TRI AM STABLEFORD

Marilyn Muir, Rena Simpson and Margaret Adams
Courtesy of RLCGA

Renfrewshire Ladies' County Golf Association held their Tri Am Stableford Competition yesterday over Gleddoch Golf Course in rather miserable conditions.

13 teams competed  with two scores counting at each hole and the winners with a best inward half of 71 points.

1st: Marilyn Muir (Old Ranfurly) Rena Simpson (Kilmacolm) Margaret Adams (Gleddoch) - 71 points bih

2nd: Chris Fowler (Cowglen), Sandra Macdougall Kilmcolm) and June Irons (Caldwell) 71 points

3rd:  Anabel Kane (Kilmacolm), Alison Macnab (Lochwinnoch) and Vicky Rennie (Ranfurly Castle) 69 points

For the full results CLICK HERE 

To read the full report Click Here

WEST VETS AUTUMN MEETING AT WEST KILBRIDE

The West Vets Autumn Meeting was held at at West Kilbride yesterday and congratulations go to Rena Simpson of Kilmalcolm Golf Club who came in with a nett 70 to be the overall winner of the Autumn Meeting and the recipient of the Mary Craddock Trophy.

Gillian Kyle, East Renfrewshire GC came in with the best scratch score of 80, with May Hughes, Lanark GC runner up with 81 (last 6 holes)

To read more go to the West Vets Website

Kilmacolm Open Day Success - £510 raised for the Beatson Cancer Charity

There were 112 entries in Kilmacolm's Open Day) yesterday (19th August) and in addition to some great golf, their guests raised over £510 for Beatson Cancer Charity.

The overall winners were :

Chantal Robertson (Old Ranfurly) & Alison Templeton (Ranfurly Castle) with 43 points

The Scoreboard - Click to enlarge

 

RESULTS: )GREENSOMES STABLEFORD)

1^st Place, £75 SGU Voucher each

43 points, Chantal Robertson (Old Ranfurly) & Alison Templeton (Ranfurly Castle),

2^nd Place, £60 SGU Voucher Each

41 points, Anne Gordon (Ranfurly Castle) & Pauline MacEwen (Ranfurly Castle)

3^rd Place, £50 SGU Voucher Each

40 points (countback), Emma Morton & Corinne Morton (Stratford on Avon)

4^th Place, £40 SGU Voucher Each

40 points (countback), Una Fairley & Sheena Stewart (Irvine)

Nearest the Pin, £25 SGU Voucher

2^nd, Silver (HCI <20.5) Shui Lin Yip (Cawder)

17^th, Bronze (HCI>20.4), Angela Paterson (Old Course Ranfurly)

Longest Drive, £25 SGU Voucher

14th, Silver, Catherine Malcolm (Prestwick St Cuthbert)

7^th, Bronze, Competition declared Void, prize donated to Beatson Cancer Charity.

Thanks go to Patricia Briggs  -- Captain, Ladies Section , Kilmacolm Golf Club for the results and photographs

CARMEN GRIFFITHS WINS THE U18 SCOTTISH MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Carmen Griffiths - 2021 U 18 Scottish Strokeplay Champion
Photo Courtesy of Scottish Golf

Katie Graham - Runner up with Carmen Griffiths
Photo Courtesy of Scottish Golf

From the Scottish Golf Website 

Aboyne’s Carmen Griffiths claimed the biggest win of her successful career when she beat Hamilton’s Katie Graham 4 & 2 in the final of Scottish Girls’ Amateur Championship at Strathaven.

The 2019 European Junior Vagliano Trophy team member came into the championship in second place on the 2021 Scottish Girls’ Order of Merit and she showed why she is currently ranked only behind Curtis Cup hopeful, Hannah Darling, on that list with a series of impressive victories in her march to the final.

The new champion’s toughest match came in the second round when she was taken to the 18th hole by fellow Scottish international, Rachel Foster, from Prestwick St Nicholas but she then beat Parkstone’s Alice Webb 6 & 5 in the semi-finals before proving too strong for Graham in the afternoon.

Graham had previously knocked out top seed, Forfar’s Robyn Fowlie, in the second round and then beat Shrewsbury’s Isla McDonald-O’Brien 6 & 5 to earn her place in the final. 

Griffiths went ahead as early as the second hole of the final and was three ahead after ten holes before Graham clawed one back on the 11th. Griffith increased her lead again with wins on the 12th and 14th and though Graham won the 15th that reprieve proved to be short-lived when Griffiths sealed victory on the very next hole. 

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHPLAY SCORES

Runner up Katie Dunn with Winner Lindsay Main
Photo courtesy of Jean MacIntyre

Lindsay Main claimed a popular victory on her home course in the concurrent Scottish Girls’ Net Amateur Championship. 

The Strathaven player beat Elderslie’s Ava Graham 2 & 1 in the semi-finals and then collected the trophy following an emphatic 7 & 6 triumph over Paisley’s Katie Dunn in the final. She was pulled back to two up when Dunn won the seventh but then won five successive holes from the eighth to clinch the Aynsley Reid Salver.

Earlier Dunn had reached the final after securing a 7 & 5 victory over Lucie Barclay from Kilmacolm.

HANDICAP MATCHPLAY SCORES

Katie Graham Seals Last Grasp Win Against Top Seed

From the SG Website 

Katie Graham from Hamilton Golf Club

Katie Graham from Hamilton booked her place in the last four after beating top seed Robyn Fowlie in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Girls’ Amateur Championship at Strathaven.

Graham secured a convincing 4 & 3 victory over Royal Troon’s Freya Russell in the morning but then had to come from behind to claim a last gasp victory over Forfar’s Fowlie on the 19th hole.

Graham’s opponent in the last four is Isla McDonald-O’Brien from Shrewsbury who also had to go to the 19th hole in the morning before beating Hazlehead’s Rachel Mathieson and then defeated Ruby Watt from the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre 4 & 2 in the last eight.

In the other semi-final Aboyne’s Carmen Griffiths will face Alice Webb who plays out of Parkstone in Dorset who won against Jennifer Lynagh from Caldwell Golf Club by 2&1

Griffiths had a straightforward 8 & 7 victory over Strathmore’s Kirsten Miller in the first round but then had a much tougher test against Rachel Foster from Prestwick St Nicholas after lunch. 

Foster reached the quarter finals of the recent Scottish Women’s Amateur Championship at Gullane where she lost to eventual champion Chloe Goadby and against Griffiths she led all the way until her opponent drew level on the 15th and then went ahead for the first time in the match on the 18th hole. 

The semi-finals of the concurrent net match play competition will see Elderslie’s Ava Graham face Strathaven member Lindsay Main and Paisley’s Katie Dunne goes up against Lucie Barclay from Kilmacolm.

RESULTS : 

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHPLAY 

HANDICAP MATCHPLAY RESULTS

RENFREWSHIRE JULY COUNTY MEDAL OVER CATHCART CASTLE - GILLIAN KYLE LEADING SCRATCH

It was a much more comfortable temperature for the Renfrewshire Ladies' County July Medal at Cathcart Castle GC yesterday, with no sign of the forecasted showers. 

A smaller field of 29 players saw some good scores being returned from those who managed to avoid the many burns running through the course. 

Scratch : 

Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) 77 

 Division 1

1st Carolyn Reuben (Kilmacolm) 87 (17) 70 

2nd Jane Alexander (Cathcart Castle) 86 (15) 71 bih 

3rd Fiona Armour (Whitecraigs) 87 (16) 71 

 Division 2 

1st Brenda Duthie (Cathcart Castle) 90 (20) 70 bih 

2nd Sandra Macdougall (Kilmacolm) 91 (21) 70 

3rd Margaret Gray (Old Ranfurly) 101 (28) 73 bih 

 Click this LINK for the full divisional results, 

Thanks go to the ballot officials Marianne McKelvie, Carol Fell and Fiona Armour and to Cathcart Castle for hosting the event.

Fiona Armour RLCGA Results Secretary

GILLIAN KYLE IS IN TOP FORM IN THE RENFREWSHIRE COUNTY MEDAL OVER KILMACOLM

Sandra Macdougall, Morag Little and Pat Pennel
Winners

It was hot, hot, hot yesterday at the Renfrewshire County June Medal at Kilmacolm GC and so were the scores, with quite a bit of run on the ball and barely a breeze, quite a number of the 44 competitors took advantage of the conditions and played under their handicap. Whilst others enjoyed the fantastic views of the countryside and on too many occasions visited the rough!

Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) -- semi finalist last week at Aberdour in the Scottish Women's Seniors Championship continued her good form by having the best scratch score of the day with a one over par 73.

Congratulations go to the following winners with their excellent scores; 

Scratch

Winner: Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) 73

Division 1 (0 to 15.9)

1st Fiona Cameron (Cowglen) 79 (10) 69
2nd Morag Little (Whitecraigs) 86 (15) 71
3rd Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) 73 (1) 72 bih

Division 2 (16 +)

1st Sandra Macdougall (Kilmacolm) 90 (21) 69
2nd Patricia Pennel (Ranfurly Castle) 96 (27) 69
3rd Anita McMillan (Erskine) 94 (21) 73

(Number in brackets is the members Playing Handicap)

Click here for the full results, which you can also view in the June Medal competition on the SG App.

or if not a member of the County go to the VMS SCOREBOARD 

Thanks go to the ballot officials Marianne McKelvie and Fiona Armour and to Sandra Macdougall and Jan and Alison Macnab, who assisted members with inputting their scores into the App. 

Also to Captain Sandra Littlejohn for the above photo in the shade of some of the placed winners. Whilst Fiona Armour captured Anita McMillan after her round;

Six pints should do it !!

The final thanks goes to Kilmacolm GC for hosting the event and to the bar and catering staff for keeping us fed and watered.

Fiona Armour
RLCGA Results Secretary

Julie Wilson wins the West of Scotland Championship over Cochrane Castle

Julie Wilson - 2021 West of Scotland Champion
(photo courtesy of Jean MacIntyre)

The 2021 West of Scotland Championship took place over Cochrane Castle Golf Club yesterday (Sunday, 9th May.)

With a field of over 40 participants and the weather better than predicted, it turned out, for some, a very close competition.

Megan and Julie - Photo courtesy of Jean MacIntyre

Renfrewshire’s Julie Wilson (Williamwood) was the winner of the West of Scotland Championship Trophy with a gross 75 (bih) over Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm).  

D&A'S Lorna McClymont (Milngavie) was a close third with a gross 76.

Jodie Graham - Photo courtesy of Jean MacIntyre

Lanarkshire’s Jodie Graham (Hamilton) had a very successful day finishing her round with an eagle 2 at the 18th hole !

She won the  Handicap Trophy and  Prize with her net 73 with a better inward half from Renfrewshire's June Lockhart (Douglas Park) Julie Wilson (Williamwood) and Rosie Maguire ( Pollok Golf Club) and also was a member of the winning Lanarkshire Junior team.

Eilidh Briggs, Megan Briggs and Jennifer Rankin
Winning Team - Renfrewshire
Photo courtesy of Jean MacIntyre

The Senior Team Trophy  was won by Renfrewshire’s Eilidh Briggs, Megan Briggs (both Kilmacolm) and Jennifer Rankin (Haggs Castle) with a gross score of 154 - over Lanarkshire’s Lesley Lloyd (Ladies Golf Club Troon) Susan Woodhouse (East Kilbride) and Susan McGrenaghan (Hayston) (156).  The trophy is decided by the two best gross scores from three.

The Junior Team Trophy was won with a score of 148 (and a better inward half) by Lanarkshire’s Jodie Graham, Lindsay Main and Neve Marshall over Renfrewshire’s Jennifer Lynagh, Rosie Maguire and Ava Graham.  The trophy is decided by the best two net scores from three.

Cochrane Castle - Par 72 / CR 71.6 / Slope Rating 126

Gross Leaderboard

75 Julie Wilson (Williamwood), Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm)

76 Lorna McClymont (Milngavie)

77 Alyson McGinnigle (Williamwood)

78 Lesley Lloyd (Hayston), Susan Woodhouse (East Kilbide)

79 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), Eva O'Connor (Bothwell Castle)

Leaderboard Net Scores 

 73 - Jodie Graham [8] (Hamilton) , June Lockhart [16]  (Douglas Park), Julie Wilson [2] Williamwood , Rosie Maguire (Pollok GC) [10] 

 74 - Justine Fulton [8] (Hayston)

 75 - Jennifer Lynagh [8] (Caldwell), Alyson McGinnigle [2] (Williamwood) , Neve Marshall [16] (Cathkin Braes)

 76 - Lesley Lloyd [2] (Ladies Golf Club Troon) , Eva O'Connor [3] (Bothwell Castle)

Team Award

Senior Team Award - Renfrewshire 154

Junior Team Award - Lanarkshire 148 (bih)

Jean MacIntyre (West of Scotland Secretary) thanked  Renfrewshire’s Fiona Armour and Carol Fell for all their hard work to ensure our first attempt at running a West of Scotland Event through Scottish Golf’s Venue Management System (VMS) went according to plan

PHOTOGRAPHS  FROM JEAN MACINTYRE -- CLICK HERE 

Zibby Brown is the new Aberdeenshire County Selector

Aberdeenshire Ladies' County Golf Association is delighted to announce that Zibby Brown (pictured) has accepted their invitation to be our County team selector.

Zibby is replacing Laura McLardy who stood down last year. It was disappointing for Laura to miss out on the opportunity to end her second term in the role with a successful Jamboree – and optimistically County Finals. 

She also lost out on the chance to learn more by working alongside Laura, benefitting from her substantial knowledge and experience of selecting, including when Aberdeenshire won the Scottish finals at Kilmacolm in 2018.

To read more go to the Aberdeenshire Ladies County Website

KILMACOLM LADIES OPEN - GREENSOME STABLEFORD ENTRIES BEING TAKEN

Kilmacolm Golf Club Ladies Open -  Thursday 19 August, 

GREENSOME STABLEFORD £25 per team
Conditions Of Entry:
- A current WHS Handicap
- Maximum Handicap Index: 36, Please use Handicap Index, when asked for Handicap in form below.
- No refunds after 31 July 2021

Booking at this link  KILMACOLM LADIES OPEN DAY -- BOOKING

Scottish Golf Annual Review 2020

Douglas Park GC (See Video below)
Lynn Hain and  Morag Thomson

A year unlike any other! The Story of 2020 for Scottish Golf. - 

The Review, available download below, reports a 6.1% rise in club membership and also showcases the extensive work carried out by Scottish Golf during the COVID-19 pandemic to support our clubs in Scotland.

Karin Sharp, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Golf, said, "2020 was an incredibly tough year, but one in which we delivered significant improvements in our focused services to our members. 2021 will be about continuing to build on these improvements and to support our affiliated clubs no matter what happens."

Download their annual review at Scottish Golf -- good to see a few faces we know - Orla Rooney (Cowglen), Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) and Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Video -- Karen Ballantyne (Scottish Vets), Joanne Sharp (Captain Ayrshire LCGA) and other Lady Senior Golfers

KILMACOLM'S MEGAN BRIGGS IS INTERVIEWED ON BBC ALBA

 This week in the 360 studio, Iona Ballantyne is joined by Netball Scotland CEO, Claire Nelson, who catches up with former Scotland women’s Amateur champion golfer Megan Briggs. -- She chats about her golfing career to date and her future role as Kilmacolm Golf Club Captain in 2022. 

The episode also comes at a great time in run up to international Women's Day -- 

To view the whole video --  CLICK HERE

Kilmacolm line up former Scottish Women's champion Megan Briggs as club captain

Megan in 2009 with the Scottish Amateur Championship Trophy 

 at Kilmacolm Golf Club 

By Martin Dempster 

The Scotsman Newspaper - 15th January 2021

Former Scottish Women’s Amateur champion Megan Briggs is set to become just the second lady captain of Kilmacolm in the Renfrewshire club’s 130-year history.

Briggs, who landed her national title triumph at Southerness in 2009, was recently appointed by Rene Kleyweg as his vice-captain and will take over the main post in 2022.

The Glasgow solicitor will join Jane Macdonald, who held the position in 2016, as the club’s only lady captains, with Romy Erskine, a Scottish Girls’ international, also set to take up the junior captaincy next year.

“I see Megan embodying how we want to be seen,” said Kleyweg. “Here we have a professional in her early 30s as captain of our club. Inclusive, progressive, friendly.

“We want to help people see golf as a game for all ages and that for clubs like Kilmacolm it is more about leggings on the golf course than blazers in the clubhouse.”

Briggs will follow in the footsteps of Andrew Farmer, a former Scottish international who won both the British and Scottish Mid-Amateur Championships, in taking up the role

“I think she will help build on the ‘one club’ message that Andrew focussed on in 2019 and that I hope I will maintain this year,” added Kleyweg. “More mixed medals on a Saturday, previous men’s competitions opening up to all, captain and pro in the evenings but also the mornings to encourage all ages and genders to play etc.

“Just having more and more ladies playing on a Saturday morning and being comfortable doing so. It is also great to see honorary members putting time and effort into the club.”

In addition to Briggs - her sister Eilidh, a former Scottish Girls’ champion and Curtis Cup player, too - and Farmer, current Scotland men’s captain Matt Clark has also done his bit in flying the Kilmacolm flag on the amateur circuit.

“Matt put time in a few years ago as greens convenor and Megan now,” said Kleyweg. "Maybe this, in turn, will help encourage clubs to promote what their elite players are up to, something which members have previously taken pride in and enjoyed following.”

Though out of use at the moment due to the Covid-19 restrictions, the club recently opened a two-bay indoor studio, which has replaced the old dining room.

It is hoped the imminent launch of a new £150 Ladies’ Academy, with a three-month membership, which includes a half set of clubs and a fortnightly clinic with the club’s new professional, Stuart Roberts, will help boost an already healthy ladies’ section.

“Like many clubs, we have seen a jump in our membership, but what is amazing is how this has continued since the end of the normal playing season,” said Kleyweg.

“What we need to do post-Covid is broaden the audience for the studio. The studio may not appeal to all members, but it has already helped bring in new members.”

The club also recently announced the appointment of James McMurdo as the new head greenkeeper. He was at Prestwick for 20 years and had risen to No 2 there when he left to go down south to Tadmarton Heath in Oxfordshire.Also returning north of the border to be his right-hand man is Johnny Caldwell, a Greenock boy who is heading home from The Wisley in Surrey.

MEGAN BRIGGS - Assume nothing – you might just get a fresh perspective

Great article by Kilmacolm’s  Club Vice Captain Megan Briggs who not only is a great golfer but gives a great insight into our assumptions.........

CLICK HERE TO READ MEGANS BLOG

If you missed "Iron Women" program -- CATCH UP BBC IPLAYER

Iron Women explores the extraordinary history of women’s golf in Scotland. From the early pioneers of the 18th century, to formidable role models who challenged the patriarchal constraints of male-dominated golfing arenas, this story celebrates the trailblazers who put Scottish women’s golf firmly on the world map.

The story begins in the 18th century in Musselburgh, with recorded evidence of fishwives playing golf and competing for the prize of a creel and silk handkerchiefs. The game gathered momentum among the Victorian ladies of St Andrews from 1863, albeit under the watchful gaze of husbands and fathers who controlled the spaces women frequented, and how they used them. Transgressors such as Issette Pearson and Agnes Grainger developed strategies to create opportunities for women and thanks to their determination, the Ladies Golf Union and the Scottish Ladies Golf Association were formed in 1893 and 1904, formalising the sport and creating competition, and fundamentally, a handicap system before men.

Formidable golfers emerged, with several Scots leading the way at home and abroad. While the pioneer players were successful in increasing the visibility of women in golf, they still battled resistance with controls in play that restricted access to courses, clubs and career development. From the early heroes of Edith Orr, Dorothy Campbell and Charlotte Beddows, to Jessie Valentine, Jean Donald and Belle Robertson, women have played towards a fairer way for Scotland’s so called ‘fairer-sex'.

GO TO BBC IPLAYER -- CLICK HERE -- AVAILABLE FOR A MONTH

For those who wondered where some West of Scotland County Members were singing  -- It was after the West of Scotland County Foursomes played at Prestwick St Nicholas GC some of the players from Ayrshire, Dunbarton and Argyll, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire County sing a support song for the 2014 GB&I Curtis Cup team who are playing the 38th match at St Louis Country Club in the LADUE region of Missouri USA .  Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) was in the team  You Tube Full version video 

Orla Rooney wins the Renfrewshire County Junior Championship

The Renfrewshire Junior County Championship Final between Orla Rooney [Cowglen] and Jennifer Lynagh [Caldwell] arranged with courtesy at Erskine Golf Club had a late rescheduling due to heavy rain overnight and the closure of Erskine today.  

Both players coped well with the last minute change and the match was played at a very windy Kilmacolm Golf Club. 

Out on the Course

In difficult conditions the match saw some impressive golf,Jennifer was 1 up after 6 and after battling the wind over the remaining holes in the front nine, Orla was 2 up and the match concluded at the 15th with Orla winning 4 & 3.

Thanks to RLCGA  Captain Sandra Littlejohn for referring the match and to all the girls who participated in the knockout stages.

CLICK HERE TO SEE PRIZEGIVING

 Report and Photographs courtesy of Clair Barclay (Junior Convenor)

FAMILY AFFAIR FOR KILMACOLM AND ERSKINE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Megan and Eilidh Briggs

Megan 2020 Kilmacolm Champion

The Kilmacolm Club Championship was played last Sunday with the Briggs sisters contending the final again 

Megan the 2009 Scottish Champion and Eilidh the 2014 Curtis Cup player had a terrific match with  Megan coming out the victor to win the title for the 17th time !!

The Erskine Club Championship Finals was played at the weekend ! 

A double win for RLCGA's Janette McCartney and partner Ronnie Clark (pictured above)

Ronnie - Past Scottish Seniors Champion has been a member of the Scottish Seniors Team team for the last few years, during which time they won the Senior Men’s European Amateur Team and Home International Championships

He is the current Captain of the Scottish Seniors Men's Team 2020

Many congrats to all

ANN SMART IS AWARDED HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP BY BANCHORY GOLF CLUB

Ann Smart with her winning Aberdeenshire Team in 2018 at Kilmacolm
Click to enlarge

Banchory Golf Club is delighted to report that the Management Committee have recently recognised the significant contributions of  by Ann Smart and has awarded her Honorary Life Membership of the club. 

Ann retired from her role of Secretary at the end of the 2019 playing season and not only served the club loyally in her employment, but represented the club in numerous capacities including roles at county and national levels. 

Ann was also a past Management Committee member, a multiple Ladies Champion and Ladies Captain 2006 - 2007. As those that know Ann will attest it was not what she did for the club that is to her credit but the manner in which she did so, showing a love and enthusiasm for the game at all times.

Many congratulations Ann -- so very very well deserved 

As many will know from a previous post reported in  June - Click Here ---  Ann has been battling against lymphoma and is starting her second round of treatment tomorrow (27th July) -- Banchory's Morag Clapperton,  RLCGA Past captain June Lockhart and myself chat on zoom every Friday  and what an inspiration she is fighting this horrible disease. We all do have have great laughs with past stories on the golf course,  quizzes  and much more -- Good Luck Ann and hope to be back on the chat at the end of this week and get that game of golf eventually.  

GET WELL MESSAGE FROM ABERDEENSHIRE CAPTAIN LORNA JOHNSON

Ann, June and Morag at the 2019 RLCGA Dinner

Your Webmaster has been keeping in touch with Past Aberdeenshire's Captain, Ann Smart, her good pal Morag Clapperton and Renfrewshire Past Captain June Lockhart -- We chat every Friday evening on "ZOOM" 

As Aberdeenshire's Captain Lorna Johnson said " For those who don' t know  - unfortunately Ann has been battling against lymphoma and I am very disappointed to tell you that her chemotherapy treatment to date has not been totally effective and, consequently, she has to have further treatment that will be specified soon."

"Given lockdown, social distancing, and isolation, Ann has faced an especially arduous time. Her attitude is always inspiring. I know that you will all join with me in sending her our very best wishes through the next stage of her journey to recovery."   --- READ MORE NEWS FROM THE ABERDEENSHIRE WEBSITE

2018 County Team Champions - Aberdeenshire

Ann of course was the Captain of the Winning 2018 Scottish County Team Championship in a close battle against Renfrewshire and everyone was delighted for Ann's team and their success that year - their last victory had been 1986  -- Read More

FOR FINAL DAY PHOTOS FROM KILMACOLM CLICK HERE FOR MEMORIES

Hopefully the next lot of treatment will be successful and you need to know Ann we are very much thinking about you, and hoping that you keep fighting this rotten disease Cx 

Teasing times for Scottish golfers but too early for courses to reopen

Guilty as charged -- Your webmaster Carol
 out for a walk over Douglas Park GC !!

By Martin Dempster - Subscribe to the Scotsman Newspaper

Today's Scotsman Newspaper - Click to enlarge

Pictures flooding social media of courses looking resplendent are making this an even more frustrating period

What’s not helping, either, is social media being flooded with photographs of courses around the country looking resplendent. Taken either by green keepers as they carry out essential maintenance or club managers, they are merely having a teasing effect at the moment as golf clubs lie closed due to the ongoing threat caused by COVID-19.

Mike MacDonald, the switched-on and extremely welcoming club manager at Fortrose & Rosemarkie, posted a couple of videos on Twitter over the weekend showing the Black Isle course, with the gorse starting to bloom, in its full glory. “Just whetting our appetites,” said one person on seeing those clips, while another jokingly declared: “Please, I can’t take any more!”

Many felt the same, albeit in a totally different tone, about another short video that popped up on social media last week, this one showing what appeared to be a man and his son kicking a football back and forward in the middle of a green at West Kilbride on the Ayrshire coast as three others stood at the side and watched.

Equally infuriating was hearing a similar story about someone thinking it was acceptable to use the 18th green on the Championship Course at Carnoustie to do what was described as a “Joe Wicks’ training session”. Seriously? He was lucky, surely, not to have ended up where Jean Van de Velde wrote himself into folklore in the Barry Burn.

Four weeks into lockdown, it is no surprise to be hearing a good few people starting to ask if serious consideration should be given to those guidelines being relaxed in order to allow golf to be acceptable as a form of our permitted daily exercise. Wisconsin, where the Ryder Cup is due to be played in September, is allowing its courses to re-open later this week with restrictions in place, while Golf Australia announced on Friday that it is now satisfied that “golf can be played at minimal risk” under strict and specific safety protocols.

Pete Smith, a former Turnhouse member, moved to Australia in 2006 and currently plays his golf at Kogarah Golf Club in Sydney. There, in addition to social distancing, rakes being removed from bunkers and pieces of polyethylene foam stopping balls dropping into the bottom of holes, members have to arrive on a “just-in-time basis”, not more than 15 minutes before a booked round, then leave the club immediately afterwards. Under strict guidelines outlined by New South Wales Public Health officials, clubs face possible fines of up to Aus $55,000 for any breach of the protocols. 

“Here, the majority of golf is played in competitions, and our Wednesday and Thursday competitions are running as normal,” Smith told me. “We play in twos and tee-time intervals are a bit longer than usual. I still miss the chance to go and have a beer and a chat with my playing group at the end of the round, and other members, but being able to get out and play golf is definitely a highlight of the week when you are stuck indoors all day!

“I have not observed anyone break the social-distancing rules – and they are really easy to maintain on the golf course. My view here is golf provides a great source of exercise for many. For our older members, golf is often their main source of social interaction during the week and, whilst they can’t meet with all of their friends, they can at least enjoy company at a time that can be lonely for many people.”

Fellow Scot Craig Morrison, who has been in Perth since 2010 and is a member at Royal Perth, as well as Kilmacolm back home, is taking a different view despite golf also being an option for him at the moment. “There’s nothing better than getting on the course with your mates,” he admitted. “However, I haven’t played since Christmas and most of my regular playing partners, like me, have decided not to partake for the time being.”

Is it time for golf to be permitted again in Scotland? In my opinion, no. We are still in the grip of a pandemic, and as long as that daily exercise is only for an hour, there seems no point, even though a two-ball could get in a decent few holes in that time. Reopening courses would mean more people jumping back in cars and starting to travel around again. With another three-week lockdown having just been implemented, it’s too early for that.

Let’s be patient because there is a good chance that golf could well be something that is indeed part of a phased return to normality. Just don’t expect it to be what we were used to before the world was turned upside down. It goes without saying, of course, that you’ll need to look out those waterproofs because we all know what’s what’s going to happen when the courses are open again…