SGU December e -Bulletin

Send to Committee DECEMBER 2012 - ISSUE NO 59 Welcome to the SGU Club e-bulletin Welcome to the December edition of the SGU Club e-bulletin, keeping you and your committee up-to-date with the latest news, services and resources for affiliated clubs across Scotland. It may be a quiet time of year on the playing side, but there is much activity going on behind the scenes both at clubs and here at The Duke's as we plan ahead to the 2013 golf season. Download the Latest Committee Update This month's SGU Committee Update features a look at how your club can prepare for competitive golf this winter – weather pending of course, the opportunity to win a round at Turnberry by taking part in the National Golf Monitor and details of funding available to assist you with the installation of internet tee-time booking.  »Find out more Joint Group Re-Established to Progress Amalgamation Discussions The process for exploring the possible amalgamation of the SGU and SLGA has moved forward with the re-establishment of a Joint Group while Alastair Thornton, a Sheriff (Kirkcaldy) and former solicitor, has been appointed the new independent chair of the group.  »Find out more Win £1500 for your Club's Junior Section Nominations for this year's RBS Junior Club of the Year are now open, with £1500 up for grabs to the winning club, while we are also looking for your club's unsung heroes for the RBS Volunteer of the Year Award, offering a prize of £500 for the club and £100 for the top volunteer. Shortlisted finalists will be invited as guests to the prestigious Scottish Golf Awards, where the winners will be presented on stage alongside some of the leading names in the game.  »Find out more Club Seminars Back on the Road in January Our club seminars, hosted by our Development Officers Claire Middleton, Iain Evans and John Kemp with the support of Kevin Fish, have been a big success with 168 clubs and nearly 400 delegates attending to date. We have five more to follow in the New Year. Don't miss out – book your place now! »Find out more Make Sure your Club's Details are Updated on SGU Golf Central With golfers already planning their outings and open competitions for 2013, now is the time to ensure your Club's details are up-to-date on the popular SGU Golf Centralsection of our website. With 27,000 unique users per month, the website provides your club with free marketing to prospective customers and a great way of connecting with an enthusiastic golf audience. If you need a reminder of your log-in details for SGU Golf Central, please contact Audrey Rees, Marketing Administrator on 01334 466481 or emailsgugolfcentral@scottishgolf.org. Look Back on the Golfing Year with the Scottish Golf Press SGU TV caught up with The Scotsman's Martin Dempster, The Herald's Nick Rodger, The Courier's Steve Scott and Daily Express writer Jock MacVicar, who swapped their pens for the lens to give us their views and light hearted anecdotes on a very successful year for Scottish Golf.  Definitely worth a view of their rare TV appearance...  »Find out more Take Advantage of the Year of Natural Scotland 2013 VisitScotland's third of four focus years will be 'Year of Natural Scotland' providing the opportunity to celebrate our reputation as a land of outstanding beauty and promote ways in which visitors can enjoy our beautiful landscapes, wildlife and heritage responsibly. A range of marketing tools are available to clubs to help them capitalise, while a Growth Fund will support marketing projects aimed at increasing tourism spend while showcasing natural heritage.  »Find out more PGA Coaching Audit Now Live in Scotland We would like to invite clubs to encourage their PGA professionals, assistant professionals and volunteer coaches to complete a short questionnaire, designed by the PGA to gain a better understanding of the coaching landscape in Scotland. Its findings will ensure the PGA can better support coaches and inform future coaching plans centred on retaining more adult and junior golfers. »Survey for PGA Professionals & Assistant Professionals »Survey for Volunteer Coaches Proposed Rules of Golf Change to Prohibit Use of Anchored Strokes The R&A and USGA have announced proposed changes to the Rules of Golf that would prohibit anchoring the club in making a stroke and preserve the nature of 'the Stroke' as the swinging of the entire club at the ball.  The proposed new Rule 14-1b, would: prohibit strokes made with the club or a hand gripping the club held directly against the player's body, or with a forearm held against the body to establish an anchor point that indirectly anchors the club not alter current equipment rules and would allow the continued use of all conforming golf clubs, including belly-length and long putters, provided such clubs are not anchored during a stroke Prior to taking a final decision on the proposed Rule, which would take effect on 1 January 2016, the R&A and the USGA will consider any further comments and suggestions from throughout the golf community. »Find out more Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year! We would like to wish all club managers, secretaries and committee members all the best for the forthcoming festive season and thank you for continued support of the SGU during the past 12 months. Here's to a prosperous 2013 for all clubs in Scotland...   Keep visiting scottishgolf.org for all the latest news, results, offers and information from the Scottish Golf Union. THE SGU TEAM Send to Committee Unsubscribe Now

SCOTTISH GOLF UNION, The Dukes, St Andrews, KY16 8NX Tel: +44 (0)1334 466477 | Fax: +44 (0)1334 461361 | SGU Enquiries: sgu@scottishgolf.org

SLGA-SGU AMALGAMATION

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SLGA AND SGU
The process for exploring the possible amalgamation of the Scottish Golf Union (SGU) and the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association (SLGA) has moved forward with the re-establishment of a Joint Group tasked with developing an amalgamation proposal.
Substantive discussions on the formation of a single governing body for amateur golf in Scotland can now resume in a positive atmosphere.
Alastair Thornton, a Sheriff (Kirkcaldy) and former solicitor, has been appointed as Independent Chairman of the Joint Group. Thornton, a keen golfer, was for many years a partner in the Edinburgh solicitor practice, A abd W M Urquhart, where he specialised in litigation and mediation. He is also Past President of the Law Society of Scotland.
The SGU chairman, Tom Craig, said: “The SGU, in partnership with the SLGA, is committed to working towards a unified body in the Home of Golf.
“There is a great deal of common ground, and both bodies are ready to re-commence detailed consideration by means of a Joint Group. Alastair Thornton’s credentials are impressive and we look forward to working with him.”
Shona Malcolm, SLGA Chairman, added: “Alastair expressed an enthusiasm for being involved in the process. He is an excellent choice for this role and we are confident that our discussions, as a Joint Group, will enable us to progress this already lengthy amalgamation process to a conclusion which is in the best interests of Scottish amateur golf.”

Proposed Rule Change for Long and Belly Putters

PROPOSED RULES CHANGE TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF ANCHORED STROKES
 Rule Would Take Effect on January 1, 2016, Allowing for Transitional Period.
 Belly-Length and Long Putters Would Remain as Conforming Clubs
 To read more go to the SCOTTISH GOLF VIEW WEBSITE

THE SLGA IS ADVERTISING FOR A NEW CHAIRMAN

Having served an agreed additional year following expiry of her 3 year term of office last January, the SLGA Chairman steps down at the AGM in January 2013.  We are therefore looking for a dynamic person to take the Association forward.  Click HERE for further details.
Applications are invited by Friday 7 December 2012.

SGU Video -- Pamela Pretswell gets a mention

November Issue of the SGU e-bulletin

NOVEMBER 2012 | ISSUE NO 38

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Welcome to the SGU Golfers e-bulletin The cream of European golf are sunning themselves in Dubai for the Tour finale, but there is still much to warm you all here in Scotland so keep reading to be kept up to date with all the latest news, competitions and offers from the SGU. Sandy to be Honoured at the 2013 Scottish Golf Awards Take your seat at the Glasgow Hilton on Friday 1 March and see Sandy Lyle receive a richly-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award – 25 years after his Masters win. The Scottish Golf Awards are a night not to be missed for a great evening of celebration and entertainment.  The package includes a four-course meal, wine and glass of champagne on arrival.  Book your ticket now!  »Find out more Win a Signed Paul Lawrie Book We have teamed-up with Paul Lawrie for a Christmas cracker of a competition! The former Open champion and Ryder Cup hero at Medinah has his new autobiography on the book shelves... and you can claim one of two personalized copies! To win a superb Christmas present, either for you, a family member or a friend, all you have to do is answer our question and enter. »Find out more Special Offer Winter Tee Times We have some fantastic course offers to entice you and your friends onto the course this autumn. Exclusively for members of SGU & SLGA affiliated clubs, why not play at the first Open Championship venue, Prestwick, for £280 for a fourball? Or try the fantastic test of The Duke's in St Andrews, priced just £25 for Scottish golf club members in January and February. »Find out more Want a Job in Golf? Check out our new Jobs in Golf page on the home page of the SGU website and see the latest senior vacancies. ClubGolf, the national junior programme, are currently recruiting for the roles of Scottish Golf Development Centre Project Manager and ClubGolf Events Coordinator. Falkirk and Windyhill Golf Clubs are also seeking new Club Managers.  »Find out more Win £500 as RBS Top Volunteer! As part of the 2013 Scottish Golf Awards, nominations are now open for the RBS Volunteer of the Year. Do you know any worthy candidates? Or why not self-nominate yourself? There's plenty of incentive, with £500 up for grabs for the top volunteer, plus invites to the awards night for all short-listed finalists. Download a nomination form now! »Find out more Festive Goodies in the Scottish Golf Shop Christmas is not far away now, so make sure you visit the Scottish Golf Shop to stock up on presents. Purchase clothing, caps and other accessories for the golfers in your life. You can also purchase the popular Scottish Golf Card and Life Membership via the Shop.  »Find out more Log in and register to the CDH The Scottish Golf Centralised Database of Handicaps (CDH) is live with more than 400 clubs now uploaded. If your club is on the system, you can receive your own individual, unique CDH ID Number to access and register. Among its aims, The CDH will provide a wide and vitally important range of benefits to affiliated golf club members.  »Find out more New-look Scotland Squads Announced Following a media launch in St Andrews, the SGU has announced expanded National Squads for 2012-13 with four pools now in place in pursuit of success – Men's Performance and Men's Transitional and Boys' Performance and Boys' Development. The changes have been designed to offer more players the chance to access support appropriate to their performance. »Find out more SGU Seals Four-Year Agreement with TaylorMade-Adidas Golf The SGU has extended its partnership with TaylorMade-adidas Golf, signing a notable four-year deal for the support of the National Squads with regard to clothing, shoes, equipment and accessories until the end of 2016. TaylorMade and adidas are recognised as two of the world's leading golf brands and squad players will also benefit from additional support and advice from the TMAG staff team.  »Find out more SGU Club Seminars Reminder The annual SGU Club Seminars are continuing across Scotland, so don't forget that you could attend to represent your club. This year's focus is on helping clubs run their businesses more effectively via the SGU support tools. Forthcoming seminars are at Glencorse GC (5 December) and Hirsel GC (6 December). Four representatives per club can attend.   »Find out more Are You on Camera on SGU TV? Highlights of the Belhaven Best Scottish Club Handicap Championship Grand Final 2012 are now showing on SGU TV in glorious HD format. Played at the Fairmont St Andrews, golfers from across Scotland gathered for the final showpiece. See if you are filmed in action at Scotland's biggest participation golf event. »Find out more Check out the latest Scottish Club Golfer Read a copy of the latest issue of Scottish Club Golfer magazine in clubhouses up and down the country. It features the latest news and views from the SGU and Scottish Golf as a whole. Alternatively, view the current issue on line by registering via the link.   »Find out more Meet the Press on SGU TV With the curtain coming down on the golf season, SGU TV is now screening a light-hearted chat with four well-known Scottish golf journalists as they reflect on their highlights of the year and offer some predictions for 2013. A TV experience not to be missed! »Find out more Join us on Twitter and Facebook The SGU's social media numbers continue to increase. Make sure you join us to keep up to date with the latest news across Scottish Golf – including events, players and clubs. Follow the SGU onTwitter @SGUGolf or Like us on Facebook. Keep visiting scottishgolf.org for all the latest news, results, offers and information from the Scottish Golf Union. THE SGU TEAM

SCOTTISH GOLF UNION, The Dukes, St Andrews, KY16 8NX
Tel: +44 (0)1334 466477 | Fax: +44 (0)1334 461361 | SGU Enquiries: sgu@scottishgolf.org
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IMPROVE YOUR SHORT GAME AT THE INDOOR GOLF ACADEMY

Do You Want to Improve Your Short Game? At the Indoor Academy We Guarantee it! At Glasgow Golf Centre we are passionate about golf and our aim is to help you lower your scores. Our Short Game Courses guarantee to improve your game by giving you the skills to hit the ball closer. Join one of our Short Game Courses and if you don't improve your scores you can retake the course for free as many times as you need.   Tour Professionals - Average % of Putts Holed To improve your scores you need to have a confident short game that gets you closer to the hole more often. Even the top players in the world average only 1 in 3 attempts at putts between 10-15 feet and the longer the putt the worse it gets. Inside of 10 feet things look better and once you have the skills to consistently hit it even closer the percentages start to look great. A short game course with Advanced PGA Professional Karyn Burns will have you hitting it closer more often. Having experienced one of Karyn's courses first hand I am happy to guarantee that if you don't start hitting it consistently closer you can take the course again for free until you do.    Courses run from December to allow you to get your game in great shape for the start of your next golfing year. Costing less than most people spend on a new wedge it is the best investment you can make in your game this off season. Short Game Course Details Course cost only £75 and offers the following: 1 hour Initial Individual  Assessment Lesson 3 x 1 hour group coaching sessions (max 4 people per group) 1 hour Individual Lesson and Skills Assessment Additional 1 to 1 and group coaching  as required to ensure success All practice balls included at no extra cost Equipment available if required Daytime, evening and weekend courses available  If you and your friends want to arrange your own private group we would be delighted to discuss this with you.    Call 0141 429 8622 or send an email to book your place.

The Scottish ladies Golfing Asssociation have announced their training squads for 2012 - 2013

West of Scotland's Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) and Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) are all included in the National Squad.
 Hazel McGarvie and Emma Hale from Troon are both included in the Foundation 2 squad.



The full squad lists are :-

National Squad  Lesley Atkins (Gullane Ladies), Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), Connie Jaffrey (Ladies’ Golf Club Troon), Alyson McKechin (Elderslie), Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies), Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies), Rachel Walker (Dumfries & County), Lauren Whyte (St Regulus), Clara Young (North Berwick)  Foundation 2  Eilidh Crawford (Harburn), Jillian Farrell (Cardross), Mirren Fraser (Powfoot), Emma Hale (Ladies’ Golf Club Troon), Hazel MacGarvie (Ladies’ Golf Club Troon), Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne), Charlotte Munro (Gullane Ladies), Claire Robertson (Carnoustie Ladies), Andrea Walker (Falkirk)  Foundation 1  Kirsten Brown (Strathaven), Joanne Free (Gullane Ladies), Lori MacDonald (Cardross), Katie Scott (Strathaven)

LANARKSHIRE COUNTY AGM AND PRIZEGIVING

Some of the Lanarkshire County Prizewinners at their AGM - Photo courtesy of Jean Macintyre

Back row L to R: Susan McGrenaghan, Jenny Potter, Jean Macintyre (VC), Lesley Lloyd, Janice Paterson, Roxy Brown, Karen Ward
Front row: Erin Johnston ((Junior Handicap Champion), Anne Burden (President), Fiona Scott (Captain), May Hughes (Champion), Eva O'Connor (Junior Scratch Champion)

West of Scotland's Eilidh Briggs and Mhairi McKay are off the Florida

The Stirling University squad to take part in Florida's Orange Blossom women's amateur tour in January is:
Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), Kelsey Macdonald (Nairn Dunbar), Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey), Jordana Graham (Southerness), Mhairi McKay (West Kilbride) and Georgia Gilling, a new first-year student from Essex.
All bar Eilidh Briggs will play in the Harder Hall Invitational, the South Atlantic Ladies Amateur (The Sally), and the Doherty match-play tournament.
Eilidh will return to Scotland before the match-play event to start her Second Year PE teaching placement.
Raleigh Gowrie will be in charge of the Stirling students and also two English girls who took up his open offer to any girl golfer who wanted to join the party for the trip.
They are Annabel Dimmock from Surrey and English universities international Chloe Rogers (Bucks and Chiltern University graduate). Lesley Mackay from Playsport Golf will travel with the squad as coach.

LATEST FROM SCOTTISH CLUB GOLFER

Latest Issue Online Now  SCOTLAND'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER FOR AMATEUR GOLF The latest edition of Scottish Club Golfer is now available to read for free online. You can read some of the biggest headlines from issue 59 below. Skibo open for business FOR THE first time in history, golfers will be given the chance to play the Carnegie Links course at Skibo Castle after a decision by the private, members-only club to introduce non-resident access. Read More Loretto are crowned the hickory kings LORETTO Golf Academy director Rick Valentine was crowned the World Hickory Open champion at Carnoustie, beating off stiff competition from an international field. Read More Earn more revenue & cut costs with clever device WITH bad weather affecting summer as well as winter revenues, clubs need to be more innovative, so a new device seems a logical step in the right direction. Read More Case study says clubs could save up to... The prestigious Buckinghamshire Golf Club, situated just west of London, dramatically cut its annual water bill after upgrading to the Gemini-Trident Irrigation (GTI) system from innovative irrigation brand Bailoy Products. Read More Kick-start root growth NEAL CARTER, the course manager at Chipping Norton, has completed trials of a range of probiotic dressings for greens to test the effectiveness of single, multiple and combined applications of the products. Read More It's an 'honour' to captain Euro kids SCOTLAND'S Janice Moodie has accepted the role of captain to the European Ping Junior Solheim Cup team for 2013 in Colorado. Read More Matthews accepts Curtis Cup captaincy TEGWEN MATTHEWS says she is "honoured and excited" to continue as captain of the GB&I Curtis Cup and lead the team in 2014 when it defends the trophy on American soil. Read More Wilson takes up new LGU post THE Ladies' Golf Union has announced that Trish Wilson will succeed Gillian Kirkwood as chairman at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 23 February 2013 in Dublin. Read More To register for Scottish Club Golfer Online Edition please go to www.scottishclubgolfer.com

PAMELA PRETSWELL SECURES HER EUROPEAN TOUR CARD

Pamela Pretswell

Curtis Cup star Holly Clyburn from Cleethorpes won the Banesto Tour Valencia on the second play-off hole against Spain’s Carmen Alonso at GC Escorpion on Saturday. It was only her 2nd event since turning Pro.
West of Scotland’s other Curtis Cup star Pamela Pretswell, was unable to compete in Spain due to illness, claimed the LET Access Series Order of Merit title and both France’s Marion Ricordeau and Norway’s Cecilie Lundgreen, along with Pretswell, secured their Ladies European Tour cards for the 2013 season.
LET ORDER OF MERIT FINAL LIST

MANY CONGRATULATIONS PAMELA

ANNA TELFER IS THE NEW WEST VETS CAPTAIN

West Vet's Captain Anna and Vice Captain Marion

The West Vets AGM was held at Cowglen Golf Club this afternoon - Thursday 8th November.

Fiona Roger (Ranfurly Castle) has now ended her 2 year stint as Captain and the new Captain is now Anna Telfer (Milngavie)
Marion Stewart (Kilmacolm) was announced as the new Vice Captain.

To read the report from the AGM go to the West Vets Website

RENFREWSHIRE COUNTY AGM - VICE CAPTAIN GILLIAN HAS TO STEP IN.

RLCGA Vice Captain Gillian McGinlay presents RLCGA President Eileen Gibb with a floral display

The 103rd Renfrewshire Ladies County Golf Association AGM was held at Haggs Castle Golf Club last night -- the 7th November 2012.

Captain Maureen Wodhead was unfortunately unable to be there to open the meeting due to being unwell and had been in hospital.

However Vice captain Gillian McGinlay was able top step in to role admirably and welcomed Honorary President Eileen and all the committee and members to the AGM.

Various reports were given and the presentation of Prizes took place after the AGM.

To read the full report and see some photos go to the RLCGA Website

IRIS KEYWOOD IS MADE AN HONORARY MEMBER OF D&A COUNTY

D&A County Captain Alisoun Fairbairn present Iris Keywood with her Award - Photo courtesy of D&A

Iris Keywood of Cardross Golf Club was made an Honorary Member of D&A County at the AGM on Wednesday 31st October at Douglas Park Golf Club.
Iris has been a member of D&A for some 61 years. She played in the County Team every year from 1952 until 1977, won the County Championship four times and was Runner-up five times.

 The Prizegiving took place after the AGM

D&A County Prizewinners with Captain Alisoun  - Courtesy of D&A