LORNA MCCLYMONT WINS THE D&A COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP 

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2016 TITLE HOLDER LORNA MCCLYMONT WINS THROUGH TO SEMI FINAL OF THE D&A CHAMPIONSHIP

The semi finals and final of the D&A County Championship at Cardross  and the final of the Bronze Championship take place tomorrow Wednesday 11 April 2018. 

Quarter final Results 

Lorna McClymont beat Karen Maxwell 
Fiona Rattray beat Claire Hargan  
Caroline King beat Ann Shanks 
Lori MacDonald beat Lorraine Campbell

Semi Finals 

9.00 Lorna McClymont (Milngavie) v Fiona Rattray (Douglas Park)
9.10 Caroline King v Lori MacDonald 

Finals of both Championships 
 1.30 Championship – 
 1.40 Bronze Champtionship – Barbara Cunningham v Rae Strang

IRELAND WIN THE MARY MCKENNA TROPHY IN STYLE

The Irish and the Scots

Ireland senior women's team scored a 10-2 victory over their Scottish Veteran Ladies Golf Association in the annual Mary McKenna Trophy match yesterday Sunday 9th April at Royal Belfast Golf Club. 
The Irish went 3points ahead by taking the four-ball foursomes 3.5-0.5 and emphasised their superiority by taking the singles 6.5-1.5

Lorna McKinley (Midland) scored the Scots only victory, beating Laura Webb 4 and 2. 
One other Scot had a day to remember - Frances Millar (Northern), who had a hole in one in halving her singles match against Helen Jones. 

The Winning Irish Team with Valerie Hassett (Ennis) Captain and The Mary McKenna Trophy

MARY McKENNA TROPHY MATCH Royal Belfast Golf Club. 

IRISH SENIOR WOMEN 10, SCOTTISH VETS 2 

Results: 

Four-ball foursomes (3.5-0-5) Irish names first 
Sheena McIlroy and Laura Webb bt Sheena Wood (Northern) and Elaine Moffat (Midland) 2 and 1 Suzanne Corcoran and Gertie McMullen bt Gillian Kyle (West) and Lorna McKinley (Midland) 1 hole. 
Catherine Reilly and Mary MacLaren halved with Fiona De Vries (Midland) and Lesley Lloyd (West). 
Helen Jones and Margaret McAuliffe bt Frances Millar (Northern) and Jennifer Bryan (Midland) 2 and 1. 

Singles (6.5-1.5) 
McMullen bt Lloyd 3 and 2. 
Jones halved with Millar 
McLaren bt Kyle 3 and 2 
McAuliffe bt De Vries 2 holes. 
McIlroy bt Wood 5 and 4. 
Corcoran bt Moffat 1 hole. 
Reilly bt Bryan 4 and 2 
Webb lost to McKinley 4 and 2.

D&A COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS

Leading Handicap Scores

The D&A County Championship qualifier took place over Cardross yesterday.

The best score of the day was Lorna McClymont (Milngavie) with a 76 (2) 74 

A FIRST FOR JOANNA

Joanna D'onghia has a Hole in One

Aboyne Golf Club member Joanna D'onghia was celebrating on Saturday 7th April after scoring her first Hole-in-One.

Joanna was playing in the Spring Meeting competition at Aboyne when she aced her tee shot on the Par 3 8th Hole (139 yards).

A 19-handicapper, Joanna used her 5 wood off the tee. Her playing partners were Anne Harper and Carmeen Eakin.

MANY CONGRATULATIONS JOANNA

INTERCOUNTY FOURSOMES AND COMMONWEALTH SPOONS QUALIFIER

D&A held this inter County Foursomes Qualifier on Tuesday 3rd April at Douglas Park Golf Club. Unfortunately the weather conditions were extremely bad that day which resulted in the scores being high
 The best score of the day was by local player Fiona Rattray partnered by Lori MacDonald from Cardross.
 
SCRATCH
Lori MacDonald, Cardross/Fiona Rattray DP 92
Shiela Steele, HP/ Margaret Stewart HP 94 BIH
Reserves: Marion Mason, Milngavie/Davina Lavery, Milngavie 94

HANDICAP
Mandy Allan, Milngavie/Laura Robinson, Milngavie 98 – 18 – 80
Rona Agnew, Cardross/Ann Shanks, Dumbarton 96 – 15.5 – 80.5
Marion Mason, Milngavie/Davina Lavery, Milngavie 94 – 10.5 – 83.5
Joyce McGregor, Balmore/ Morag McFarlane, Balmore 107 – 22.5 – 84.5 BIH
Reserves: Liz McLean, Dumbarton/Karen Haggarty, Dumbarton 103 – 18.5 – 84.5
Lynne MacDonald, Cardross/Rae Strang, Cardross 106 – 20.5 – 85.5

COMMONWEALTH SPOONS QUALIFIERS
Mandy Allan/Laura Robinson
Ann Shanks/Rona Agnew
Marion Mason/Davina Lavery
Sheila Steele/Margaret Stewart
Reserves: Joyce McGregor/M. McFarlane Liz McLean/ K. Haggarty

Under-16 Welsh rising star Ffion wins Scottish Girls' Open title at Monifieth

By COLIN FARQUHARSON 

Top Welsh teenage prospect Ffion Tynan, a member at Minchinhampton Golf Club and a GB and I Junior Vagliano Trophy team player, won the Scottish Girls Open championship by two strokes at Monifieth Links today.

 She also finished the leading Under-16 years player.

 Ffion's final round of five birdies also included a double bogey 6 at the 15th but her scores of 74, 72 and 72 for one-under-par aggregate of 218 over a par 73 women's course saw her run out a comfortable from two English players who were ahead of her at the start of the last day.

Rosie Belsham (Whitley Bay) and Natasha Slater (Ulverston) shared second place on 220. Rosie had scores of 72, 73 and 75, Natasha 73, 72 and 75. The highest placed Scot was Carmen Griffiths (Aboyne) who had rounds of 80, 69 and 78 for sixth place on 227.

She was the fourth best U16 player and had two birdies, seven bogeys in her final round.

 SCOTTISH U18 GIRLS OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP Monifieth Links

LEADING FINAL TOTALS par 219 (3x73). SSS 75 CSS 77 74
218 F Tynan (Minchinhampton) 74 72 72.
220 R Belsham (Whitley Bay) 72 73 75, N Slater (Ulverston) 73 72 75 221 C Whitehead (Carus Green) 78 71 72
226 E Lewis (Knowle) 80 70 76.
227 C Griffiths (Aboyne) 80 69 78.
228 B Bayles (Bishop Auckland) 78 74 76, C Heath (Huddersfield) 77 74 77 229 H C Getsdottir (Ice) 83 74 73, K Sibley (Carlisle) 78 78 74, C Neilson (Alvaneu Bad) 77 75 78.

OTHER SCOTS' TOTALS 

231 H Darling (Broomieknowe) 81 75 75, L Duncan (West Kilbride) 80 76 75, L McClymont (Milngavie) 77 74 80, K Brodie (Strathmore) 77 72 82 (T13).
233 E Hynd (Elmwood) 76 78 78 (T23)
234 E Henderson (Loretto) 78 78 78 (T28)
245 G Crawford (Gullane) 82 81 82 (T54)
246 J Taylor (Downfield) 82 73 91 (57th)

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EILIDH BRIGGS WINS THE WHITTINGHAM TROPHY BY 3 SHOTS

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Scot Eilidh Briggs followed up her ninth place finish in a big field at the Delamere Comboy Scratch Cup the previous weekend by winning the next big 36-hole open event on the English amateur women's golf calendar, the Whittington Trophy, at Whittington Heath Golf Club by three strokes this week. 

Eilidh, who plays off +3 at Kilmacolm Golf Club, had rounds of 70 and 73 for a total of one-under-par 143. The course SSS is 73 for women and the CSS for this tournament was 75 for the first round and 74 for the second.

Eilidh is pictured with the trophy and Whittington Heath Golf Club's lady president Mrs Jean Hulme.
The Scot got one hand on the trophy with an excellent opening round of two-under-par 70 and five under the CSS. That gave Eilidh a two-stroke lead from Poppy Finlay who dropped out of the picture with a second-round 84 while Eilidh went on to return a 73 for a three-strong victory from Morgan Thomas (76-70) and Caitlin Evans-Brand (74-72.

 LEADING TOTALS par 144 (2x72) SSS 73. CSS 75 74
143 Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) 70 73 -
146 Morgan Thomas (Beau Desert) 76 70,  Caitlin Evans-Brand (Yelverton) 74 72
148 Gemma Allman 74 74.
151 Holly Haslam 79 72, Melissa Wood 79 72.
152 Rhian Barton 78 72, Alexandra Giles 76 76
153 Louisa Tarn 80 73, Aimee Sawyer 79 74.
155 Ellie Darnell 77 79.
156 Poppy Finlay 72 84
158 Harriet Evans 78 80.
 59 Rebecca Dean 81 78, Olivia Jay 77 82.
160 Ciara Kelly 84 76. 161 Victoria Turner 81 80

R AND A FOUNDATION SCHOLARS TOURNAMENT

In the  the R and A Foundation Scholars' 54-hole tournament, Northern Ireland's Chloe Ryan, a student at a Madrid college, overtook leader Gemma Batty (Stirling) with a final round over the Old Course of 73, four fewer than Gemma. Ryan totalled 218, highlighted by birdies at the 12th, 13th and 17th in her final round.
Batty had a disastrous final round of 77 which included double bogeys at the 14th and 15th.
Hazel MacGarvie (Stirling) finished third on 223.

R AND A FOUNDATION SCHOLARS TOURNAMENT
First two rounds over Eden Course (par 70); Third round over Old Course, St Andrews (par 72)

WOMEN
218 C Ryan (N Ireland) 73 72 73
220 G Batty (Stirling) 74 69 77
223 H MacGarvie (Stirling) 72 75 76
226 J Ross (Queens, Belfast) 78 73 75
227 L Van Veggel (St Andrews) 75 77 75
233 C Walsh (Maynooth) 78 82 73.
234 M Dowling (Maynooth) 82 78 74
235 J Saxton (Stirling) 80 77 78
236 M Doyle (Maynooth) 82 73 81
237 P Brown (Stirling) 83 76 78, E M Laws (Stirling) 76 79 82
238 C Casey (Maynooth) 82 80 76, L Walton (Loughborough) 79 80 79.
239 M Danielsson (St Andrews) 81 79 79
240 S Burke (Ulster) 75 86 79

JENNIFER RANKINE WINS WEST GIRLS MEDAL AT GLASGOW GAILES

The 19th Hole

17 girls played in tough conditions yesterday (Monday  2nd April)  at a very cold and windy Glasgow Gailes. Fortunately it stayed dry and all the girls seemed to enjoy the experience. The lounge was noisy with chatter afterwards which was a good sign! Our thanks go to Glasgow Gailes for their warm welcome and courtesy of the course.

Scores - SSS and CSS still to be confirmed

Scratch winner - Jennifer Rankine (Haggs Castle)-72 (even with going out of bounds with her opening tee shot!)

Silver winner-Sophie Murphy (Clydebank)  90-18=72

Silver runner up-Kittie Maslanka (Kirkhill)  89-16=73

Bronze winner-Jennifer Lynagh (Caldwell)  105-35=70

Bronze runner up-Orla Rooney (Cowglen)  99-24=75

Thanks go to Allison Bell for the report and photograph

Stirling students Hazel and Laird win Scottish student titles at Lossie

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Stirling University's Hazel MacGarvie from Troon and Englishman Laird Shepherd, recent winners of the individual titles at the BUCS West of Scotland Trophy students' tournament at Western Gailes, staged a repeat performance today (Tuesday) at the 96th Scottish student golf championships over the wet and windy Moray Golf Club links at Lossiemouth.

MacGarvie, a first-year student and past winner of the Scottish U18 girls championship, won by six strokes at the end of 72 holes which she covered in 73, 67, 70 and 74 for an impressive eight-under-par total of 284.

WOMEN
par 292 
284 H MacGarvie (Stirling) 73 67 70 74
290 L Van Vegell (St Andrews) 73 75 69 73
295 G Batty (Stirling) 76 73 70 76
299 K Brown (St Andrews) 76 73 70 76
300 J Mackintosh (NE College) 74 73 70 83
301 C M Boa (UHI) 81 75 70 75
303 P Brown (Stirling) 79 72 76 76, M Fraser (Stirling) 76 74 71 82
313 S Woodhouse (Strathclyde) 77 75 82 79. 

ELEANOR CANNON -- SCOTTISH GOLF INTERVIEW

HAZEL MACGARVIE - RUNAWAY VICTORY AT WESTERN GAILES IN WEST OF SCOTLAND STUDENT TROPHY

Hazel MacGarvie and Laird Shepherd

by Colin Farquharson -

Scotland's Hazel MacGarvie and England's Laird Shepherd, both from Stirling University, secured dominating victories on Wednesday 21st March at a windswept and wet Western Gailes links in the BUCS West of Scotland Trophy students' tournament over 54 holes.

 MacGarvie, a former Scottish U18 girls champion from Troon and a first year student at Stirling, had a commanding six-shot lead going into the final round. She shot 77, equalling the best women's score in the difficult, including two birdies to claim a 10-stroke victory with a total of seven-over-par 220 (+7).

It was an impressive first Student Tour victory for MacGarvie against a strong field.

 In second place was Kirsten Brown from St Andrews University. She also signed off with a 77, thanks to a birdie at the last hole, to hold off the Irish challenge of Meadhbh Doyle from Maynooth University in Ireland. Doyle also finished with a 77.

 A CSS of 76 (reduction only) on the par 71 course shows how difficult the final-round conditions were. In the women's team event, Stirling 1’s line-up, consisting of MacGarvie, Gemma Batty and Chloe Goadby, won by 12 shots from runners-up Maynooth.

 Laird Shepherd, who is the reigning Scottish Universities champion, led going into the final round by only one stroke shot but increased his lead over the field with a fine one-under-par front nine, which included birdies at the first, fourth and seventh.

WEST OF SCOTLAND STUDENTS TROPHY SCOREBOARD
Western Gailes Golf Club, Ayrshire

TOTALS WOMEN

220 H MacGarvie (Stirling) 69 74 77.
230 K K Brown (St Andrews) 78 75 77
231 M Doyle (Maynooth) 78 76 77 232, E Metcalfe (Maynooth) 75 74 73
233 M Fraser (Stirling) 75 76 82 234 C Goadby (Stirling) 75 76 83
235 G Batty (Stirling) 79 76 80 237, P Brown (Stirling) 84 70 83, K Brodie (Scottish Golf) 76 73 88
241 L Duncan (Edinburgh) 74 75 92
245 L Van Veggel (St Andrews) 74 79 92
249 F Clark (St Andrews) 77 78 94

To read more go to the ScottishGolfView Website

SCOTTISH VETS TEAM SELECTED FOR THE MARY MCKENNA TROPHY IN IRELAND

Team for the SVLGA match v Ireland at Royal Belfast 7th - 9th April 2018 

Jennifer Bryans EAST

Fiona De Vries MIDLAND

Gillian Kyle WEST

Lesley Lloyd WEST

Lorna Mckinlay MIDLAND

Frances Millar NORTHERN

Elaine Moffat MIDLAND

Sheena Wood NORTHERN

Reserves: Donna Jackson WEST

                  Linda Allan MIDLAND

Captain : Ellie Whyte

HAZEL MACGARVIE LEADS BY SIX IN STUDENT WOMEN'S GOLF TITLE RACE

From Colin Farquharson

Hazel MacGarvie (Stirling University) extended her lead at the top of the West of Scotland Trophy students' golf tournament leaderboard to six shots after a three-over -par second round of 74 at Western Gailes Golf Club yesterday (Tuesday). 

 

A couple of birdies helped the former Scottish U18 girls champion from Ayrshire to reach the 15^th in level par , before four dropped shots over three holes threatened to allow the rest of the field back into the competition. However, MacGarvie, pictured left, bounced back to birdie the last and ensure that the competition is in her hands heading into Wednesday's final round.

Behind MacGarvie is a packed leaderboard with three competitors sitting at seven over par 149 – Kirsty Brodie (Scottish Golf), Ireland's Eleanor Metcalfe (Maynooth University) and Louise Duncan (Edinburgh University).

 

The round of the day, however, came from Stirling University’s Penny Brown, who used an eagle at the par 5 sixth to underpin a one under par 70, ensuring that she made the cut for the final day’s play.

 

In the women's team competition, the Stirling I team continue to lead at 294, five strokes clear of their second team, and nine strokes clear of third-placed Maynooth I 

 

WOMEN

143 H MacGarvie (Stirling) 69 74.

149 K Brodie (Scottish Golf) 76 73, E Metcalfe (Maynooth) 75 74, L Duncan (Edinburgh) 74 75.

151 C Goadby (Stirling) 75 76, M Fraser (Stirling) 75 76.

153 K K Brown (St Andrews) 78 75, L Van Veggel (St Andrews) 74 79.

154 P Brown (Stirling) 84 70, M Doyle (Maynooth) 78 76.

155 G Batty (Stirling) 79 76, F Clark (St Andrews) 77 78.

+Players with 155 and better qualified for final round.

WOMEN'S TEAM LEADERS

294 Stirling 1. 299 Stirling 2. 303 Maynooth 1.304 St Andrews 2. 330 Bournemouth 1.

347 St Andrews 3.

Management Appointments at Aboyne Golf Club

From Back Left: Nigel Bradburn (Marketing Convenor), John Sutherland (Men's Captain), Fraser Dunlop (Director of Golf), Justin Grant (President), Keith Gardiner (Senior Gents Captain), Scott Mackie (Junior Convenor), Brian Kinkead (Finance Convenor)

 Sadie Parkinson (Finance & Admin Assistant), Carmeen Eakin (Council Member), Liz Taylor (Ladies Captain) and Janice Innes (Ladies Vice Captain).

  Press Release  20th March 2018

 Management Appointments at Aboyne Golf Club 

The new golf season is fast approaching, andsignificant changes have occurred in the management team at Aboyne Golf Club.

Having successfully guided the Club through its recent AGM, President Scott Mackie stands down with Justin Grant taking over and Nigel Bradburn moving up to be Vice President.  Justin paid tribute "2017 was a year of significant restructuring as we repositioned Aboyne Golf Club to operate in a challenging new era. Scott has done a great job guiding the Club through some very tough decisions and necessary changes to ensure we are in good shape to take the club forward”.  

Justin went on "Having grown up in Aboyne and joined the club as a junior, it is indeed a great honour to now be elected as President. We, together with numerous other golf and sports clubs, have enormous challenges in today's economic climate dictating we must be prudent, whilst also ensuring the club’s growing reputation and national standing are maintained and pushed forward."  

Justin elaborated “Key to this vision was the appointment of Fraser Dunlop as our new Director of Golf in December having moved from his role as PGA National Academy Manager at Gleneagles.  Already Fraser is making a significant impact on our Club as we endeavour to attract more young people and novice adults to our sport.  We have an exceptionally busy and exciting season lined up with fun competitions and events to attract all ages and abilities to the club as well as hosting flagship tournaments on behalf of Scottish Golf and the R&A.”  

In further changes, John Sutherland takes on the Club Captaincy with newly appointed Finance Convenor Brian Kinkead as his Vice. John said “I am thoroughly looking forward to the season ahead, and outgoing Captain Dan Broadhead has done a great job securing the prestigious Scottish Golf North-East District Gent’s Open to be held at Aboyne this year.  It will be fantastic to see the leading amateurs play our course.”

The ladies section too sees Liz Taylor assume Club Captaincy from Sandra Findlay with Janice Innes appointed Vice Captain.  Liz said "It is a great privilege to be elected Ladies Captain of such a long-standing club that Aboyne is with all its history and community spirit. I want to thank Sandra for all her hard work over the past two years attracting major ladies’ competitions to the club.  We are delighted to have been chosen by the R&A to host the coveted LGU Coronation Foursomes Regional Finals which will bring top lady golfers from across Scotland to play our course”.  

Keith Gardiner continues in his second term as Gents Seniors Captain whist Scott Mackie continues in the role of Junior Convenor as well as becoming the House Convenor.  Scott will be overseeing the recently appointed club caterer Colin Redman whose company ‘Cecil & Mearns’ were awarded the Bar & Catering franchise. Scott said, “Colin and his team are already building up a great reputation for their food and we are keen to attract more local social members to the club to use our wonderful panoramic facilities”.   

Meanwhile out on the course, Greens Convenor David Munro said "Despite the challenging weather our Head Greenkeeper Colin Forbes and his team have done a great job undertaking an extensive tree management programme over the winter months. With such a high-profile season ahead of us it is good to see the course recovering and looking in great condition."  

Justin concluded, "As with all major restructuring programmes there are necessary personnel changes and we thank outgoing Managing Secretary Allan Taylor and PGA Professional Steven Moir for their service to the Club.  I would also like to recognise the significant contribution made by Finance Convenor Ian Anderson who has guided the club so studiously though this period of change.  We want to continue to attract a wider and more diverse audience – younger generations, families, women and those that see our golf club not purely as a venue to play golf but also as a key social hub for the community and we extend an invitation to everyone to come and view our facilities.The 2018 season is shaping up to be a particularly busy one both on and off the course!”

Contact

Nigel Bradburn

Marketing Convenor

Aboyne Golf Club, Formaston Park, Aboyne

Aberdeenshire, AB34 5HP

Tel: 013398 86328

Email:  aboynegolfclub@btconnect.com

​aboynegcmarketing@gmail.com

Aboyne Golf Club 

The oldest club on Royal Deeside, Aboyne is an immaculately maintained, challenging golf course with spectacular views of the surrounding hills & countryside.6000 yards of impeccable fairways and faultless greens - a golfer's haven.  Aboyne embraces every golfer, from beginner to Scottish International.

Our welcoming, family friendly clubhouse allows you to soothe away your cares on our sunny balconies, where you may catch a glimpse of ospreys, otters or the swans on the Loch. Aboyne is the understated jewel in Aberdeenshire's golfing crown.

Our long-established course has won many plaudits as one of the most memorable tests of inland golf in Scotland. Designed by Archie Simpson and updated by renowned architect Martin Hawtree, such is Aboyne’s unique terrain and growing reputation it has been selected in recent years by our governing body to host the Scottish Golf Women’s County Finals and the Men’s NE Open – the flagship event in the North East District calendar and a world amateur ranking event.  We have also been honoured to chosen by The R&A to host the LGU Coronation Foursomes Regional Finals in 2018.  

Come and play our unique topography and enjoy one of the most varied and respected courses in ‘The Home of Golf’. 

Visitors are delighted with the contrast found between the front and back nine.  The course presents a rich variety of memorable holes making the most of the natural variations in the terrain, which is a mix of rolling parkland with inviting fairways and elevated links-like heathland with tighter targets. Mature trees and water also come in to play on many holes.  

Aboyne Loch is a notable feature lending character and scenic beauty to the course, as well as providing a hazard to be avoided on the last hole of the relatively flat parkland front nine. Thereafter, the course changes character to rugged heathland and climbs gently, providing magnificent panoramic views over the Aberdeenshire countryside.  

Golfers are tested by one of the course's distinctive feature, which sees a few holes with undulating fairways formed around the historic geography of medieval farming.  This adds a unique terrain challenge requiring more brains than brawn to play. Lying on free-draining soil, the course enjoys a surprisingly dry micro-climate. 

Visitors, society outings and new members are most welcome with favourable rates and tee times to meet all golfing budgets.  

Mens White Tees: 6,003 yards.  Par 68.  SS 69

Ladies Red Tees: 5,362 yards.  Par 72.  SS 72

AYRSHIRE GIRLS SPRING SALVER PLAYED IN THE MINI BEAST FROM THE EAST !!

Spring was never in the air yesterday as the mini "beast from the east" attacked Ardeer Golf Course creating sub zero temperatures from the wind chill factor.   

It was bitterly cold so the competition was cut to 9 holes.   Luisa Gibson (Irvine Golf Club) (12) successfully defended the trophy recording a nett 37 with Cristina McCracken (Troon Ladies) (30), close behind on 39

Connie Greig and Melissa Graham shared the spoils in the Pre-handicap competition played over 6 holes.

Well done girls for braving the tough elements....you were amazing!

Thanks go to June Kerr for the photos and report

LADIES FASHION SHOW AT EAST RENFREWSHIRE GOLF CLUB

Ladies Fashion Display and Coaching Evening in aid of DEBRA
Tuesday 27th March 2018 - 7.00pm Ticket Price - £2 - payable on the night.

Any purchases on the night will benefit from a 10% discount and participants will also enjoy: -
Short Game Tuition - Fashion Display - Fun Golf Quiz - Playing Cards Bingo - Putting Competition

This evening is open to members and non-members.

New Rules of Golf for 2019 unveiled

The R&A and the USGA have unveiled the new Rules of Golf, to be implemented on 1 January 2019.

The R&A and the USGA finalised golf’s new Rules this month after an extensive review that included a request for feedback from the global golf community on the proposed changes. Golfers can now access the official 2019 Rules of Golf here

The process to modernise the Rules began in 2012 and was initiated to ensure that the Rules are easier to understand and apply for all golfers and to make the game more attractive and accessible for newcomers.  

While the majority of proposed Rules remain intact in the final version, several important changes to the initial proposals and further clarification of many Rules were incorporated. The most significant adjustments made following review of the feedback received from golfers around the world include:

• Dropping procedure: When taking relief (from an abnormal course condition or penalty area, for example), golfers will now drop from knee height. This will ensure consistency and simplicity in the dropping process while also preserving the randomness of the drop. (Key change: the proposed Rules released in 2017 suggested dropping from any height).
• Measuring in taking relief: The golfer’s relief area will be measured by using the longest club in his/her bag (other than a putter) to measure one club-length or two club-lengths, depending on the situation, providing a consistent process for golfers to establish his/her relief area. (Key change: the proposed Rules released in 2017 suggested a 20-inch or 80-inch standard measurement).
• Removing the penalty for a double hit:  The penalty stroke for accidentally striking the ball more than once in the course of a stroke has been removed. Golfers will simply count the one stroke they made to strike the ball.  (Key change: the proposed Rules released in 2017 included the existing one-stroke penalty).
• Balls Lost or Out of Bounds: Alternative to Stroke and Distance:  A new Local Rule will now be available in January 2019, permitting committees to allow golfers the option to drop the ball in the vicinity of where the ball is lost or out of bounds (including the nearest fairway area), under a two-stroke penalty. It addresses concerns raised at the club level about the negative impact on pace of play when a player is required to go back under stroke and distance. The Local Rule is not intended for higher levels of play, such as professional or elite level competitions. (Key change:  this is a new addition to support pace of play)

David Rickman, Executive Director – Governance at The R&A, said, “We are pleased to be introducing the new Rules of Golf after a collaborative and wide-ranging review process which has embraced the views of golfers, rules experts and administrators worldwide. We believe that the new Rules are more in tune with what golfers would like and are easier to understand and apply for everyone who enjoys playing this great game.”

“We’re thankful for the golfers, administrators and everyone in the game who took the time to provide us with great insight and thoughtful feedback,” said USGA Senior Director of Rules & Amateur Status, Thomas Pagel. “We couldn’t be more excited to introduce the new Rules ahead of their education and implementation.”

Major proposals introduced in 2017 that have been incorporated into the modernised Rules include:

• Elimination or reduction of “ball moved” penalties: There will be no penalty for accidentally moving a ball on the putting green or in searching for a ball; and a player is not responsible for causing a ball to move unless it is “virtually certain” that he or she did so.
• Relaxed putting green rules:There will be no penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits an unattended flagstick in the hole; players may putt without having the flagstick attended or removed. Players may repair spike marks and other damage made by shoes, animal damage and other damage on the putting green and there is no penalty for merely touching the line of putt.
• Relaxed rules for “penalty areas” (currently called “water hazards”): Red and yellow-marked penalty areas may cover areas of desert, jungle, lava rock, etc., in addition to areas of water; expanded use of red penalty areas where lateral relief is allowed; and there will be no penalty for moving loose impediments or touching the ground or water in a penalty area.
• Relaxed bunker rules: There will be no penalty for moving loose impediments in a bunker or for generally touching the sand with a hand or club. A limited set of restrictions (such as not grounding the club right next to the ball) is kept to preserve the challenge of playing from the sand; however, an extra relief option is added for an unplayable ball in a bunker, allowing the ball to be played from outside the bunker with a two-stroke penalty.
• Relying on player integrity: A player’s “reasonable judgment” when estimating or measuring a spot, point, line, area or distance will be upheld, even if video evidence later shows it to be wrong; and elimination of announcement procedures when lifting a ball to identify it or to see if it is damaged.
• Pace-of-play support: Reduced time for searching for a lost ball (from five minutes to three); affirmative encouragement of “ready golf” in stroke play; recommending that players take no more than 40 seconds to play a stroke and other changes intended to help with pace of  play

Presented in digital, text-based form today, the new Rules will also now be translated into more than 30 languages and readied for final delivery via print and digital formats, including searchable Rules of Golf official apps developed by The R&A and the USGA.

Three important publications, to be distributed in September, will help players as well as officials and provide interpretation and guidance in how the Rules are applied:  

• The Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf: An abridged, user-friendly set of the Rules with shorter sentences, commonly used phrases, and diagrams. Written in the “second person,” The Player’s Edition is intended to be the primary publication for golfers.
• The Rules of Golf: The full edition of the Rules will be written in the third person and include illustrations. It is intended to be a more thorough version of the revised Rules.
• The Official Guide to the Rules of Golf: This “guidebook” replaces the Decisions book and will contain information to best support committees and officials. It includes interpretations on the Rules, committee procedures (available local rules and information on establishing the terms of the competition), and the Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities. It is a comprehensive resource document intended as a supplementary publication. 

More than 30 “how-to apply” videos and a summary of the principal changes are now available at usga.org/rules.  Additional education tools will be released in September.

Players are reminded that the current edition of the Rules of Golf (2016) must be applied when playing, posting scores or competing for the remainder of 2018. The Rules of Amateur Status and the Rules of Equipment Standards were not part of this review process.

As an extension of their support of the Rules of Golf worldwide, Rolex has made a commitment to support The R&A and the USGA’s efforts to modernise golf’s Rules. The Swiss watchmaker’s contribution to excellence in golf is based on a rich heritage stretching back more than 50 years, forged through pivotal partnerships at every level of the game, from the sport’s leading professional and amateur competitions and organisations, to players at the pinnacle of their sport worldwide.

LAURA MURRAY TOP SCOT IN SOUTH AFRICA

Ashleigh Buhai wrote her name in the record books of the Investec South African Women’s Open once again, thanks to a two-stroke victory at Westlake Golf Club in Cape Town.

 The only amateur to win the national championship, twice – and the youngest to boot – fired a flawless final round 67 to win by 2 shots on nine under par (207) to realise a dream she’s had since she joined the pro ranks in 2007.

Scot Laura Murray had a final round in level par to finish tied in 26th place on 4 over par

Scot Scores
220: Laura Murray 77, 71,72
223 Jane Turner 74, 75, 74,  Kylie Henry  74, 72, 77

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE RESULTS

MEMBERS VOTE AGAINST ANNUAL AFFILIATION FEE INCREASE

From the Scottish Golf Website 

Scottish Golf Chair Eleanor Cannon has today (Saturday 10 March) expressed her “deep disappointment” after the membership voted against a proposal to increase the annual affiliation fee paid by members for the first time in five years.

At the governing body’s Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh, members voted narrowly to reject the investment proposals, leaving Scottish Golf to reduce its spending accordingly.

Eleanor Cannon said: “We are deeply disappointed that we will be making more cuts at a time when we should be growing the game not just to make clubs more sustainable, but to hand the game over to our children and their children in a much better state than we found it after 10 to 15 years of decline.

Following the optimism that emerged from the first ever ‘Future of Golf Conference’ in early December,  we were hopeful of continuing our momentum so today is a real setback for all associated with the game in this country.

“The Board will now look again at the budget and our focus will remain on the future of the game in Scotland and the legacy we leave future generations.

“The culture of decision making in Scottish golf must change and there are tough choices ahead. This has been a bruising experience for many of us, but our resolve to strengthen golf in Scotland remains unwavering.”

With growing membership, revenue and participation outlined as key objectives to make positive change as part of the governing body’s revised strategy, Cannon and her Board of Directors were left disappointed when a vote taken to increase the annual affiliation fee per playing member was rejected by Clubs, Counties and Areas at Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club.

Increasing the annual affiliation fee by £3.75 from £11.25 to £15 was outlined to help cover Scottish Golf’s shortfall in sportscotland investment of £350,000, with remaining income from the increase to be invested in front line services to help clubs become stronger and retain and grow their membership during these challenging times.

However, with a majority of over 50% required, the proposed affiliation fee increase was voted against by 270 votes to 235 (with 10 abstentions). Scottish Golf’s current voting structure is one vote per registered club. Each County and Area is allocated 10 votes each, thus carrying 44% of the overall voting share.

It means Scottish Golf continues to face significant investment challenges going forward to run the organisation, support clubs and grow participation.

Overheads have already been reduced by £700,000 since amalgamation in October 2015 – overseeing a staff headcount reduction from 48 to 32 – with more overall cuts now expected.

New chief executive Andrew McKinlay starts his position in May and Cannon added: “It is clear golf needs to adapt to the changing demands of modern lifestyles, embrace families and dramatically change cultures and behaviours to attract new audiences, particularly the female non-golfers and the younger generation.

“Under the leadership of Andrew, we will look to make this game better and stronger, but there is no doubt that today is a disappointment for the many Clubs, Counties and Areas who supported the change, as well as Scottish Golf’s Board and the staff.”

The AGM also saw the appointment of June McEwan as Scottish Golf’s new President, the first female to hold the role following amalgamation in 2015 and a fitting reward for her work as a volunteer across various levels of the game. Malcolm Mitchell was appointed as Senior Vice President and David Fleming as Junior Vice President.

With Malcolm Robertson, Roz Cuschieri, Stephen Docherty and Neil MacDonald all coming off the Board following the end of their terms, four new individuals were successfully nominated.

Brendan Dick, currently Chair of BT Scotland and Chair of The Scottish Council for Development and Industry, joins the Board, along with Sean Duffy, the newly-appointed CEO of The Wise Group. Bill Woodley, a senior executive with Deutsche Bank who sits on the Board and Audit Committee of the Tiger Woods Foundation, also takes up a Board position, joined by Lorna Brown, a procurement and supplier management professional, most recently with Sainsbury’s and The Student Loans Company.