Scottish Golf has cancelled its first three 2021 national championships, all scheduled for April, because of the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.
The decision to call off the Scottish Boys’ Open,Scottish Girls’ Open and Scottish Women’s Open (Helen Holm) follows talks between the governing body, sportscotland and the Scottish Government.
Unlike elsewhere in the UK or Ireland, courses in Scotland are currently open. But, with restrictions still set to be in place in April, the events at Lundin, Longniddry and Royal Troon have all been scrapped.
“Following the latest update from the First Minister, and further discussions with our partners at sportscotland and the Scottish Government, it is with regret that Scottish Golf has taken the decision to cancel the hosting of our first three national championships,” said a statement. “To avoid creating additional pressure on tee-sheets at our host venues, and to give club members as much access to their course as possible, we will not be rescheduling these events.
“We will be in touch with everyone who has entered to issue a full refund in due course.”
The entire 2020 Scottish Golf schedule was scrapped because of the pandemic but the plan is to look at events individually going forward this year.
For national open events, a decision will be made at the closing date. For national closed events, it will be two weeks before the practice day and, for national club events, a call will be made one week before the start date.
Following the First Minister's latest update on COVID-19 restrictions, please note that there is no change to the current position for golf. This means:
Golf courses can remain open for play with a maximum of two players from up to two households
Outdoor coaching will be restricted to 2 people (including the coach) for those 12 years or over. Under 12s do not count towards the number so a coach can take larger groups of up to 30 U12s
Golfers must stay close to home, travel only for essential purposes (which includes golf as part of the permitted exercise activities) and in line with the new legislation
The next update is not anticipated until mid-March. Should anything change, we will keep clubs up to date on our COVID-19 page -- CLICK HERE
A practical guide that brings together a wide selection of solutions to pace of play issues, focussing on management practices, course set-up and player behaviour.
Members of Scottish golf clubs can now enter Scottish Golf’s National Championships on the Scottish Golf App and Website.
Golfers of all ages and abilities can choose to enter our events and play some of the top golf courses in Scotland such as Lundin, Royal Troon, Murcur Links, and Gullane No. 1 and No. 2.
Please share this information with your members, and, if you need more information, please click the link below.
A great way to start off the week with the announcement of TeamProDreamlatest signing as they welcome Scottish golfer 🏴 Jennifer Lynagh to their class of 2023 roster!
A member Caldwell Golf Club, Jennifer became the first junior to win her Ladies Club Championship last year in an impressive season which saw her handicap come down from 15 to 8.
She has played for the Renfrewshire Ladies County Junior team and is a former winner of the West of Scotland Championship handicap trophy, as well as being the first girl to win the Newton Shield Junior League with the Caldwell GC Junior Team.
Jennifer is a pupil at Saint Luke’s High School and would like to major in Aerospace Engineering.
Her inspiration is Anne van Dam having watched her in action at the 2019 Solheim Cup
Top Left - Elaine Moffat, Bottom Left - Brogan Clark,
Top Right - Brogan and Elaine with Fife County Captain Christine Steedman
Bottom Right - Fife Team - Fiona Hastie, Susan Jackson, Christine Steedman and Elaine Moffat
It is with much sadness to hear today that Fife Counties Past Captain & Past President Christine Steedman lost her brave fight and passed away this morning.
Christine was a great friend to many and loved her golf, she will be very sorely missed by all
She can be seen here presenting the Trophies at East of Scotland Championships at Elie in 2016 -- Read more on the oldKirkwood Golf website
Congratulations to our latest HIO Member making the ultimate shot in golf before lockdown. 1️⃣👏
Name - Anne Brownie
Club - Mortonhall Golf Club Scottish Golf
Hole - 128YDS 10th Hole
Club Used - No 6 Hybrid
Date - 28/11/20
Playing Partners - Patricia Smith & Sandra Liddle
Good Luck Anne you can now look forward to attending the National Hole In One Playoff Finals, playing for the trip of a lifetime to TPC Sawgrass. 🇺🇸✈️🏌️♂️
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.
Scott McPike welcomes Top Scottish Amateur Ladies Golfer Hazel MacGarvie (Royal Troon) in the 2nd Episode of GolfTalk.
Hazel talks about her journey in Golf so far including starting out, playing in tournaments all over the world, representing Scotland & Great Britain and her future plans in Golf.
As we turn the corner on an extremely difficult 2020, starting 2021 with additional restrictions and further uncertainty is not how anyone wanted to begin the new year.
Following today’s announcement from the First Minister and with an understanding that our affiliated clubs will need to make some adjustments to their business operations, we wanted to provide all clubs with the information we have available to us at present.
As has been the case throughout the pandemic, we have worked alongside both sportscotland and The Scottish Government to demonstrate that golf is a sport that can be played outdoors with physical distancing and increased safety measures in place. We are pleased that this continues to be recognised and from 00.01 on Tuesday 5th January:
Golf courses can remain open for play with a maximum of two players from up to two households
Golfers must stay close to home, travel only for essential purposes and in line with the new legislation
We are continuing to seek further clarification on a number of the wider aspects for sport from our partners at sportscotland and Scottish Government and as soon as we have sufficient detail with which to work, our more detailed guidance will be updated. We currently envisage being in a position to provide a more in-depth update for all affiliated clubs within the next 24 hours.
Scottish Golf asks that all golf clubs and golfers adhere to the new guidance with the same spirit and integrity that has been shown throughout the last year to ensure we can all continue to benefit from playing golf through this new period of restrictions.
You can stay up to date on all the latest information on our dedicated COVID-19 page here.
Kind Regards,
Karin Sharp, - Chief Operating Officer, Scottish Golf
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'.
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
Your Webmaster would like to wish everyone that plays golf or not a very Happy New Year -- In RLCGA and all the County Associations in Scotland , West Vets, Scottish Vets, Scottish Golf, PGA Greenlees Teams and all Clubs everywhere lets hope 2021 is a better year.
For your information - BBC ALBA 9PM SATURDAY 2ND JANUARY
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. -- YOU MAY SEE SOME GOLFERS YOU KNOW
Following the First Minister’s weekend announcement that a move to Level 4 will be implemented from 26 December, we can advise that there has been no changes advised to the previously shared sporting guidance based on each local protection level.
The Scottish Golf website remains current and the full detail of what is permitted can be found here, with further details from sportscotland on the wider sporting framework and responsibilities of COVID officers available here.
Should there be any changes advised in the days ahead, we shall of course keep you updated but in the meantime all detail on our website shows the current position for golf.
With best wishes to you and your membership for a safe festive season and collectively let’s hope for better things to come in 2021.
Heather was Scottish Champion in 1969 and in the Vagliano Team in that year. She was also the Renfrewshire County Champion 9 times, and a Scottish Ladies Internationalist in 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971.
10 years ago we wished Heather a Happy 80th Birthday and at that time her life story featured in the RLCGA County Centenary Book -- courtesy of Colin Farquharson (pages 36 - 38)
Now, her very good friend Renfrewshire Counties Liz Hale from Caldwell Golf Club has written a very nice tribute to her for her 90th birthday in 2020 which I am delighted to share --
Heather took up golf at the age of 17. Her passion, up until this point had been horse riding however, after a serious horse riding accident at the Royal Highland Show, her parents managed to persuade her to sell her horses. She was then left with a choice on whether to take up badminton or golf. Golf won.
Heather joined Caldwell Golf Club, aged 17 and in the same year, competed and won the Paisley Grammar School Championship. By 1948, Heather had a handicap and started playing in the Medals at Caldwell GC which were played on Saturday afternoons after the gents. It was during this time that Heather met Ian, her future husband.
Heather partnered a number of accomplished golfers during her career including Findlay Black (who holds the record scorecard at Caldwell GC) - playing in the final of the Daily Mail Medal Foursomes at Gleneagles and Margaret Sharp at Troon Portland and at Caldwell GC with many successes. Heather also performed with style, most notably at the Highland Open Championship, Pitlochrie, where she donned trousers, shirt, cap and glove – all in the Anderson tartan. A competitor was overheard saying; ‘My God, it’s a bag of pipes she should be playing!’.
By 1958, Heather was a scratch golfer and was chosen to play for the Renfrewshire Team which she continued to do over a span of 32 years.
In 1964, Heather’s international career took off.
Heather played for Scotland in the Home Internationals in Sweden and France. She led the team in the European Championship and then two months later, Scotland won the Home International at Western Gailes. This was when Heather defeated the National Champion of England, of Ireland and of Wales, finishing the series with 100% success and earning the honour of being asked to play for Great Britain and Ireland.
Heather’s most memorable win, of course, was at West Kilbride when she won the
Scottish Ladies’ Championship in 1969. There was a gold Medal but no prize money at that time.
However, history was made when Heather was presented with a replica owned by the late Jean McCulloch of West Kilbride. Jean had, in her earlier years, won the Scottish title on three occasions between 1913 and 1928 and it was this last replica that Heather now regards as one of her most treasured possessions.
In 1980, Heather turned professional, only the second lady professional in Scotland, at that time and then reinstated in 1985 to the amateur ranks.
In the same year, Heather received an Honourable Membership at Caldwell GC. Heather is a Ladies Caldwell GC Champion (20 times) as well as winning many other trophies. She is our current Ladies President. Heather is truly an inspiration to us all!
Since her 80th Heather still managed to play golf up until about 2016 and featured throughout the last decade with various achievements --
In 2013 She entered a competition through 'How did I do' . It was to tell a story about a memory of the 'Open'.
Heather's memory told about the time when her young daughter, Lesley, had approached Gary Player and asked for his autograph for her Mum. He was delighted to give this. At which point Lesley asked 'Would you like me to get my Mum's autograph now to give to you ?
This story made Heather one of the prize winners -- and to top it all she was informed she could bring a friend - and her friend invited was Liz Hale
A round of golf at Muirfield (with Caddy) on Thursday 20th June, just before the closing of the course to perpare for the Open.
2 nights stay at the McDonald Marine Hotel in North Berwick . (Taxi to the Course included)
Golf Clinic With Darren Clark followed by Buffet Lunch.
Dinner on Thursday Evening with 'Q and A session' with Darren Clark.
They both had a marvellous day -- the Marine was comfortable, friendly and good food. The clinic with Darren Clark was really informative and interesting - driving and short game- always something relevant you remember to take away with you.
This was followed by a wonderful buffet lunch in the Clubhouse before going out for our round of golf.
We were put into ten teams of four. As Heather and Liz were the only two ladies it was funny to see the expressions on the faces of the two Irish gentlemen who had been landed with us. They were great to play with.
The weather was good, sunshine and they each had a caddy. Heather played well which made the game enjoyable for her and Darren Clark played 2 holes with their team.
It was a great experience to play the course and made watching The Open itself more interesting.
After the game they returned to the Hotel where there was a prizegiving dinner with Darren Clark hosting a question and answer session. The men were given ties with the Claret Jug embroidered on it while Heather and Liz were each given a lovely silver brooch of the Claret Jug -- Nice keepsake.
A really enjoyable experience - a well deserved experience for Heather to add to all her very many golfing achievements. She was quite sad to come away from Muirfield.
In 2014 she was first Commonwealth Games baton bearer in her home town of Uplawmoor in East Renfrewshire. The BBC reported that -- Heather has long been an active member of the community and has been involved with the local council, the church board and the church choir. She is also an accomplished golfer, and won the Scottish Ladies Championship in 1969
It was an early start for Heather as she had to be there for 6.15am!! The carrying of the torch was at 7.30am and the rain held off. All TV cameras and eyes on Heather in her blue and white uniform as she carried the torch about 400 yards before handing it on. Quite an honour and a day to remember for Heather. Half the village turned out to see her and we were all given a lovely breakfast in the local hall afterwards. Heather had her hair done the day before and the first thing she asked her daughter on the the morning of the event was -'Is my hair alright?' She did well!!
Heather played in the West Vets Summer Meeting in 2016 over her Home course Caldwell with your webmaster who was so impressed with her still wonderful swing -- SO EASY!!
Heather, Wendy and Aileen
Later that year she was then awarded Honorary Membership of the West Vets at the 2016 AGM alongside Aileen Wilson - West Vets now have 3 honorary Members - Wendy Cameron being the 3rd - she was awarded the title in 2010
Thereafter, Heather has suffered poor health and been in and out of hospital -- She has however attended many events at Caldwell Golf Club and well looked after by her daughter Lesley.
Unfortunately she has had fall recently and has broken her hip and is back in hospital. She hopes to get home for Christmas.
We all wish Heather a Happy BIG Birthday and a speedy recovery -- and finally your webmaster Carol had wished she could have baked cake for you Heather !!
Scottish Golf is pleased to announce a full schedule of events for golfers of all ages and abilities will be returning in 2021.Following a season-long hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a full 2021 schedule will offer thousands of golfers the opportunity to play some of Scotland’s top golf courses and bid to become a National Champion.
With over 120,000 downloads of the Scottish Golf App since the start of November, the upcoming season will also see several exciting changes to enhance the player and viewer experience.
Full hole-by-hole live scoring will now be available at all Scottish Golf events for the first time as players input their scores and sign off scorecards directly on their mobile devices using the Scottish Golf App.
The App, which is free to download here, has many exciting features which entrants will be able to take full advantage of in 2021. This includes simple event entry, live scoring and an on-course Caddie which will give you accurate course information for every one of our Host Venues.
The Scottish Medal Finals will make its debut as a combined event in 2021 with affiliated clubs invited to enter three of their top-performing male and female players from both the 2019 and 2020 season’s monthly medals into one of six Regional Finals taking place during May and July.
On the day of the Regional Final, male and female players will play alongside each other with the top six net male and female qualifiers booking their place at the Home of Golf for the Grand Final which will be played over The Duke’s Course on Sunday 15 August.
The offering for club golfers continues with the hugely successful and free-to-enter R&A 9-Hole Challenge, with Milnathort once again playing host to the two-day Scottish National Final on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 June. The prize for the top four teams from the National Final is the money-can’t-buy experience of playing in the R&A 9-hole Challenge Final over Royal St. Georges on the eve of The 149th Open Championship where they will compete against fellow qualifiers from across the world for the overall title.
Completing the portfolio of National Championships for club golfers is the free-to-enter PING Scottish Mixed Championship which will this year be played over former Men’s and Women’s Scottish Open venue, Gullane No.1 on Friday 17 September. This event will see the Top 40 pairs from a National Leaderboard qualify for a great day out and some fantastic prizes courtesy of Championship sponsors PING.
Fraser Munro, Head of Events at Scottish Golf, said: “2020 has been a hugely difficult year for everyone but we are looking forward to getting back out and engaging with clubs and golfers in the new year. Entries recently opened for our newly combined Scottish Medal Finals and we have been hugely encouraged by the level of response it has received.
“As always, none of this would be possible without the support of our various stakeholders including our many host venues for allowing us access to their wonderful courses and our generous event partners for providing some outstanding prizes throughout the season.
“With more than 120,000 people having now downloaded the Scottish Golf App, our events and the information available will be more accessible than ever and we look forward to welcoming more golfers of all ages and abilities to our events going forward.”
At elite level, the domestic season tees off with the Scottish Boys’ and Girls’ Open Championships taking place 7-9 April at Lundin and Longniddry who will be celebrating their centenary.
Scottish Golf’s flagship Women’s and Men’s Amateur Championships will be staged over Gullane (4 – 6 June) and Murcar Golf Links & Portlethen (27 – 31 July) with Southerness (28 – 30 May) and the newly announced 2024 Open Championship venue Royal Troon (16-18 April) playing host to the Scottish Men’s Open and Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open Championships respectively.
Elsewhere the Scottish Senior Men’s Open Championship will take place at Duff House Royal (16-18 June), Aberdour will host the Scottish Senior Women’s Open Championship (22 – 25 June) as part of their 125th-anniversary celebrations with the Scottish Boys’ and Girls’ Amateur Championships being held at Bruntsfield Links and Strathaven in July, with Kirkcaldy and Stirling completing the offering by hosting the Scottish Boy’s U14 Open and Scottish Girl’s Open (8 – 9 August) respectively.
Participants should note that we will continue to work with our partners in Government and sportscotland to ensure that all events adhere to any restrictions in place at the time.
Entries for all 2021 Scottish Golf National Championships will open on 1st February 2021 via the Scottish Golf App and website. To see the full 2021 schedule, please click here.
It is with great sadness that I announce the death ofRenfrewshire Ladies’ County Member Nan Blair (nee Menzies)
Nan was a member of Erskine GC and thenRanfurly Castle GC and was one of the longest serving members of the County having joined in 1950 (70 years ago)
Nan, daughter of Alec Menzies who was a Scottish International golfer himself was selected to play in the Home Internationals at Royal Portrush after winning the RLCGA County Championship over Erskine in 1955 in devastating style, when she beat the West of Scotland Champion May Drummond of Paisley by 7 and 6.
In 1956 Miss Bettie Hendry (D&A) gave Nan Blair’s mother Mrs May Menzies £250 to start the West of Scotland Girls' Association.
May Menzies was the first Chairman and she was assisted by Miss Jean McCulloch (West Kilbride), Irma Douglas (Wishaw), Mrs Nell McLean and Mrs Jean Buchanan (both Ranfurly Castle) and Mrs Helen Lyon (East Renfrewshire) - Together they formed the first committee of the WOSGGA.
What insight these ladies had and because of them the association has been able to provide support and encouragement for girl golfers throughout the West of Scotland. There have been hundreds of members over the years -- some of whom have gone on to make golf their career and are well known names in the world of professional golf -- Mhairi MacKay, Janice Moodie and many more
Nan often relegated her golf to holiday golf, because of her Medical University examinations. However, intensive practice brought her game to its peak which made that year a very memorable one
She was part of the Renfrewshire Team which, in 1954, at Gleneagles won the Scottish County Finals for the first time. She was also in the winning teams in 1956 at Elie and and 1957 at Balgownie
She was then selected as Captain of the Scottish Girls’ team at the British Girls Championship at Troon Portland in 1966 - Nan who was a GP then retired and lived in Bridge of Weir where she very much enjoyed art and music
When the County had their Centenary Celebrations in 2009 Nan took pride of place with RLCGA to cut the Centenary Cake with Centenary Captain Christeen Finlayson and the other longest serving member Heather Anderson. -- See Video
We send her daughters Judith and Jane and all her family our deepest condolences
BLAIR - Nan Aged 87 years, died peacefully at Elderslie Nursing Home on Monday 30th November 2020, beloved wife of Donald, proud mother of Judith and Jane and adoring grandmother of Hannah and Rory, retired GP to many in Bridge of Weir and Houston, friend to many more. Due to current restrictions, the funeral will be private at Woodside Crematorium on Monday 14th December at 11.30am. The family would be grateful for any donations in place of flowers to Alzheimer's UK.
