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. 

LIKE MOTHER - LIKE DAUGHTER !!

Nancy Chisholm and Jessie Donaldson at the County Jamboree at Haggs Castle Golf Club in 2014

Lindsay Chisholm

A surgeon who trekked through the snow for almost three hours to operate on a cancer patient has been called a "superwoman" by the man she treated.

Consultant surgeon Lindsey Chisholm walked eight miles from her home in the West of Glasgow to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley despite a red alert for snow.

Does this name CHISHOLM - RING A BELL  - She is the daughter of  Ayrshire’s Nancy Chisholm. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE STORY AND LINDSAY BEING INTERVIEWED -- COURTESY OF THE BBC

ALTERNATIVELY WATCH THE VIDEO ON FACEBOOK 

Nancy was  honoured in the Queens Birthday Honours List with the award of an M.B.E. for voluntary contribution to ladies golf in 2012

She was an Honorary Vice President of both the Ladies Golf Union and Scottish ladies' Golfing Association and  served as LGU chairman in 1997 and Scottish Ladies Golfing Association president from 2003-2007.

A lifelong member of Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club, which she joined as a junior member, Nancy

A former Ladies Club Captain, and Club Champion of St. Nicholas ladies on no fewer than 10 occasions, Nancy held many senior positions in ladies golf at a national and international level, as well as undertaking refereeing duties at many major international amateur event

She received the M.B.E. in recognition of her many years of voluntary work on behalf of ladies golf and golfers.

In 2004, Prestwick St. Nicholas conferred Honorary Membership on Nancy in recognition of her outstanding contribution to golf in Scotland and further afield.

Nancy is also a member and past captain of West Kilbride Ladies, a club which holds her in equally high esteem as St. Nicholas for her contribution to club and country over the years.

So perhaps the saying Like Mother - Like Daughter  is a fitting saying - since it is MOTHERS DAY tomorrow !!

RHODESIA CUP WINNERS AT TROON

Jean Sloan with Fiona and Lorna

Troon Ladies first cup competition of 2018 - Rhodesia Cup was played yesterday-- A beautiful day for golf (as long as you had 5 layers on) and around 70 ladies playing.

4 teams tied but fortunately we won on a count back over the last 6 holes.  Cheers to Fiona McKellar and Lorna Alexander for a great day out.

Thanks Jean for your news and well done everyone 

KYLIE, LAURA AND JANE ALL MAKE THE CUT IN SOUTH AFRICA

Germany’s Karolin Lampert consolidated her opening round with a solid 69 to hold the clubhouse lead in the Investec South African Women’s Open in Cape Town.

At five-under-par, she holds a one stroke advantage over the first-round leader Ashleigh Buhai, who shot a 71 in benign and gloriously sunny conditions.

Scot Kylie Henry had a level par 72 today and is tied in 12th place on 2 over par and Laura Murray a 1 under par 71 to be tied in 30th place

Scot Scores:
Par 72
146: Kylie Henry 74,72
148 Laura Murray 77,71
149: Jane Turner 74, 75

Missed Cut
153: Kelsey Macdonald 78, 75
155: Carly Booth 78, 77

  CLICK HERE FOR SCORES

GILLIAN KYLE RECEIVES HONORARY MEMBERSHIP OF EAST RENFREWSHIRE GOLF CLUB.

Gillian receives a momento from East Renfrewshire Lady Captain Celia Joyce

Gillian Kyle was delighted to receive Honorary Membership at the 95th AGM as East Renfrewshire GC has been a very big part of her life for around 40 years. The challenging course helped improve her golf over the years and she is very proud to represent the club in all the teams and competitions that she has played in at Club, County, National and at International level.

Her Dad (Jack Inglis) started her off in the game and still takes a great interest today. Her initial aim was to win the Club Championship once, but gradually started targeting the records of the ladies who had won it multiple times (Brenda Livingston, Jenny Addison and of course Ann Prentice to name but a few). Never did she really expect to achieve this as each final was a well contested match. She gained confidence from each win which helped when playing in other competitions.

Lowering her handicap (presently 2.2) enabled selection for the Renfrewshire County team which lead to a higher level of competition. Turning 50 opened even more doors and the International events have been another experience that she could only have dreamt of. It’s a short career though and as Gillian says "there is always a young 49 year old waiting in the wings to steal a place on the team".

Gillian thanked her family and all the East Renfrewshire members, especially the Ladies, for their continued support by taking such an interest in her golf at the recent AGM and looks forward to representing East Renfrewshire for a long time to come.

Gillian's Golfing CV

• Member of East Renfrewshire since 1977
• East Renfrewshire Lady Champion 18 times, beating the previous record of 17 times held by Ann Prentice
• East Renfrewshire Lady Captain 2009-10 and has served on the Ladies Handicap Committee since 2012 and continues to do so
• Won the Troon Ladies Championship twice
• Wife of our new Vice Captain (Cammy), the mother of our current Club Champion (Alistair) and probably the mother of the future Ladies Club Champion (Sophie)!

RLCGA

• Been Renfrewshire Ladies County Golf Association Team Member since 2005 with Renfrewshire winning the West of Scotland Inter-County matches 8 times in those 13 years
• Was the Scottish County Finals winner in the Renfrewshire Ladies County Golf Association Team in 2010 & 2017
• The Renfrewshire Ladies County Golf Association Junior Convener from 2004-06 and again took up this post in 2016 to present
• The Renfrewshire Ladies County Golf Association Champion in 2015
• The Renfrewshire Ladies County Golf Association Captain from 2015-17

SVLGA

• The Scottish Veteran Ladies West Champion in 2016
• Selected for Scottish Veteran Ladies Team for their Jamboree in 2015 at Sherwood Forest, 2016 at Panmure and 2017 at Frilford Heath

Scottish Golf

• Member of the Scottish Ladies Senior Team for the European Team Championships in 2015 in Lithuania, 2016 in Poland and 2017 in Slovakia
•  Member of the Scottish Ladies Senior Team for the Home Internationals in 2016 at Alyth and 2017 at Newport, Wales

KYLIE AND JANE ARE LEADING SCOTS AFTER ROUND ONE IN SOUTH AFRICA

4 Scots are playing Westlake Golf Club to race into the first round lead of the R2-million Investec South African Women’s Open

LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72. Players from S Africa unless stated
69 A Buhai
70 B Bredenham (Namibia), S Banon (Spn), K Lampert (Ger)
71 K Matharu (Eng)
72 L Fuenfstueck (Ger), F Parker (Eng), M Haddioui (Morocco), M Molle (Fra), C Chevalier (Fra), I Samu.
73 C Wolf (Austria), S Resin (Nor), F Cuturi, A Dimmock (Eng), S Bregman, U Wikstrom (Fin), L Altmann (Brazil), A Menendez (Mex),  E-J Ji (Spn), L Hall (Wales)

SCOTS' SCORES
Par 72
74 Kylie Henry, Jane Turner (T24)
77 Laura Murray (T69)
78 Kelsey Macdonald, Carly Booth (T87)

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

To read more go the the Scottish Golf View website

Connie Jaffrey in Contention for Arnold Palmer Cup

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State senior women's golfer Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies)

 is one of 25 international women in contention to compete in the Arnold Palmer Cup, the Golf Coaches Association of America announced Thursday.
 
Jaffrey, a native of Kilwinning, Scotland, was ranked No. 15 among international women thanks to a No. 46 showing in the latest Golfstat national rankings. Using Golfstat's NCAA Player Ranking as a base, the Arnold Palmer Cup Ranking awards bonus points for wins and high finishes and a penalty for poor finishes. The ranking also contains a strength of schedule component.
 
Holding an 18-5 record against current members of the top 100, Jaffrey's current season stroke average of 71.43 is tops in school history by over two strokes. She has totaled three top-five finishes this year, including victories in the Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational in September and Maryb S. Kauth Invitational in October.

For more information visit www.arnoldpalmercup.com.

JILLIAN FARRELL POSTS THE BEST ROUND

Jillian Farrell

Scots Jillian Farrell from Dumbarton and Dundee's Heather Munro finished joint 12th and 27th respectively in the US women's college circuit tournament, the River Landing Classic at Wallace, North Carolina today.

Jillian Farrell (Cardross) posted the best round of the day for Charlotte with her two-under 70, the second-straight round in red figures for the freshman. Opening up on six, Farrell drained a birdie on seven before doing so again on 10 to start two-under. After back-to-back bogies on 11 and 12, and one more on 14, Farrell sat at one-over with six holes to play. Three birdies on half of those six holes, all par four in length, shot Farrell up to a T-12th finish making one of the largest jumps of the day.

Heather Munro, is in her fourth and final year at Elon University, Phoenix,

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

K-State’s Connie Jaffrey Finishes Sixth in Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz. – Coming off a pair of under-par rounds on Monday, Kansas State senior women's golfer Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) turned in an even-par 72 score to finish in sixth place after the final round of the Arizona Wildcat Invitational on Tuesday at the par-72, 6,519-yard Sewailo Golf Club.

Jaffrey concluded the event with a 54-hole score of 3-under par 213 – tied for the ninth lowest tournament score in school history – as the Wildcats finished in 13^th place at 38-over par 902.

"Connie had another solid finish," head coach Kristi Knight said. "She played very well today. Darby (Deans) had a very good round today as well. I am very happy for her."

Jaffrey recorded her fourth top-10 finish this year and 13^th of her career to move into a tie for second place in school history

LOUDOUN GOWF PAIR WIN AYRSHIRE COUNTY WINTER FOURSOMES

From L to R - Liz Wilson (Captain) Aileen Anderson, Sheila Adams,
Helen Craig and Irene Papworth

Due to temporary greens in play at Prestwick St Nicholas, the final of the Ayrshire County Winter Foursomes was played over Kilmarnock Barassie.  

When it was played in February— It was a dry but extremely cold day with everyone well wrapped up against the elements!

The final was between the Loudoun Gowf pair Aileen Anderson and Sheila Adams against the West Kilbride’s Helen Craig and Irene Papworth (Skelmorlie) 

To the match itself, Helen and Irene got off to a flying start with a great putt to win the first hole.  However, Sheila and Aileen hit some great form, including a birdie at the Railway hole, to end the front nine 4 up!

They stretched their lead to 5 after the 11th but a fantastic fight back from Helen and Irene, winning 5 of the next 6 holes took them to the 18th all square.

Extra holes looked on the cards but a 2 putt from long range was good enough for Sheila and Aileen to win by one hole.

To read more and see some photos go to the Ayrshire Ladies' County Website

KYLIE FINISHES IN 24th PLACE IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

England’s Meghan MacLaren held her overnight lead to win the Women’s New South Wales Open and claim her first Ladies European Tour title in Australia.

MacLaren, 23, from Northamptonshire, carded a level par final round in hot and humid conditions to finish on 10-under-par at Coffs Harbour Golf Club.

Scot Kylie Henry had a 1 under par 70 to finish  on +1 and tied  24th 

Michele Thomson had a 2 over par 73 in the final round to finish tied in 37th place 

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE SCORES

MICHELE AND KYLIE TIED 32nd AFTER 3rd ROUND IN NEW SOUTH WALES OPEN

England’s Meghan MacLaren fired her best score on the Ladies European Tour – a six-under-par 65 – to move to 10-under-par (203) and take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the Women’s New South Wales Open in Australia.

Scot Michele Thomson had a 1 under par 70 and Kylie Henry a 3 over par 74 to be tied in 32nd place on 215 

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE SCORES

SCOTTISH GOLF AGM POSTPONED

Many thanks to you all for your continued support in the extraordinary weather conditions. The number of proxy votes returned has been high and we are appreciative that so many of you have taken the opportunity to ensure that your vote was lodged ahead of today's cut off time.

 Quite apart from the care and consideration of our members' safety, it is important that the right democratic decisions are taken and for that we need everyone who wishes to attend the AGM to be able to attend.

I am advised by our lawyers that, as the AGM for Sunday has been properly and validly called, it is (strangely, even by our lawyers' own admission) not possible legally to cancel the meeting.

However, given the weather conditions and the importance of shareholder participation and discussion of the matters and resolutions proposed at this Sunday's AGM, I propose to open the AGM myself on Sunday and, with sufficient proxies already received to constitute a quorum, I propose to exercise the discretion delegated to me under our articles to adjourn the meeting to Saturday 10 March 2018, at the same time and venue as the original notification outlined.

 The extenuating weather circumstances have brought about an unprecedented position, which we have had to work with to the best of our ability, taking into account the travel advice and also venue availability for an alternative date.

I would also note that Sunday 11 March is Mothering Sunday, traditionally a family day for our members.

 I hope you agree that this is a fair and sensible decision and I very much hope to see you at the reconvened AGM on Saturday 10 March 2018.

 Yours sincerely Eleanor Cannon Chair

A Message from Scottish Women in Sport: Lunch and Awards have been cancelled

The Scottish Women in Sport was to induct some of our past and present 'Pioneers of Sport' into our Hall of Fame’ on Sunday 4th March at a ladies lunch in Glasgow.  Belle Robertson was  representing Women's Golf.

However Sundays event has now been cancelled.

Apologies but the consensus of opinion is that it is better to cancel the event now and re-schedule. 

My apologies for any inconvenience, however given the current travel chaos in Scotland, the safety of everyone travelling has to be the priority. 

I will be speaking to the Hotel today to establish a re-arranged date in April and will be in touch with you all later to advise you.

 Many thanks for your support, I hope the re-arranged date is suitable to all.

Regards 

Kylie sharing 20th place in New South Wales Open

Scots Kylie (Walker) Henry and Michele Thomson are sharing 20th and 48th positions respectively after two rounds of the New South Wales Women's Open at Coffs Harbour.

Kylie has had rounds of 72 and 69 for 141; Michele 71 and 74 for 145, which was the limit mark for beating the cut. Justine Dreher (France) (67-69) and amateur Jihye Park (Australia) (72-64) are sharing a one-stroke lead on six-under-par 136 over the par-71 course.

Two strokes cover the leading five players.

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORESCLICK HERE

Hannah and Shannon finish joint 15th on South Africa's Sunshine Ladies Tour

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Grantown-on-Spey's Hannah McCook and Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) shared 15th place on two-over 212 at the conclusion of the 54-hole Sunshine Ladies Tour's Supersport Ladies Challenge at Wild Coast Sun Country Club, Port Edward.
Hannah reeled off three 71s in a row while Shannon had scores of 69, 71 and 73.
Swaziland professional Nobuhle Damini won the first cash prize with a five-under-total of 205, made up of rounds of 64, 69 and 72.
England's Kiran Matharu was the leading non-South African player. She finished fourth on 208 with scores of 68, 70 and 70.

SUNSHINE LADIES TOUR'S SUPERSPORT LADIES CHALLENGE
Wild Coast Sun Country Club, Port Edward

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
par 210 (3x70) Players from S Africa unless stated
205 N Damini (Swazi) 64 69 72.
206 L Assad 67 70 68
207 M Eaton 69 65 73
208 K Matharu (Eng) 68 79 79

SELECTED TOTALS
210 R Goodall (Eng) 68 70 72 (T8)
212 H Davis (Eng) 69 76 67 (T12)
213 H McCook (Sco) (am) 71 71 71, S McWilliam (Sco) (am) 69 71 73 (T15)
215 R Davies (Eng) 73 70 72 (T18)
218 L Taylor (Eng) 73 70 75 (T27)

GREENOCK GOLF CLUB OPEN DAY

Greenock Golf Club Ladies’ Open Greensome is on Thursday 21st June, 2018

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR ENTRY FORM

Get into Golf coaching

Women and Girls - Would you like to learn to play golf or improve your golf skills?

We’re looking for women and girls to book into the below 6 session coaching block starting in March with PGA Pro Jane Connachan.

Some of the female members of Haddington Golf Club will be also supporting at the sessions and hope to invite you to some short hole fun competitions and social get togethers.

Then read more  —-   CLICK HERE

Scottish Golf Chair Eleanor Cannon Answers Your Questions Ahead of the AGM

The Scottish Golf Annual General Meeting takes place this Sunday 4 March at Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club near Edinburgh.

They have taken the opportunity to speak to Scottish Golf's Chair Eleanor Cannon ahead of the meeting, to answer some of the questions that have been coming in from clubs regarding the AGM structure, the various votes taking place and the progress made since 'The Future of Golf in Scotland' conference in December.

To read the full all details go to the Scottish Golf Website

STILL TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR THE SCOTTISH WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME LUNCH -- SUPPORT BELLE ROBERTSON AND GOLF

CarolFell Ladies Golf News : BELLE ROBERTSON IS GOING TO BE AT THE SCOTTISH WO...:

 STILL TIME TO GET YOUR TICKET

CONNIE JAFFREY HAS A CAREER LOW 66

PEORIA, Ariz. – Kansas State senior women's golfer Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) had a strong showing on Monday to propel her to a fifth-place finish during the final round of the Westbrook Spring Invitational at the par-72, 6,252-yard Westbrook Village Golf Club.

Jaffrey tied a career low during the final round by shooting a 6-under par 66 to finish with a 54-hole score of 8-under par 208. Both her third-round and tournament scores were the third lowest in school history. The Kilwinning, Scotland, native recorded nine birdies on Monday, including six on the back nine.

Jaffrey's performance helped the Wildcats card a 5-under par 283 in the final round, good enough for the third-lowest 54-hole score in team history. The Wildcats moved up one spot on Monday as they finished in eighth place at 8-under par 856.

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL REPORT

WEST GIRLS WIN FIRST MATCH OF 2018

Dumbartonshire Golf Union U14 Boys 1.5 : West Girls 2.5 

(played over Balmore GC by kind permission)

Megan Docherty & Katie Graham  : won

Sophie Kyle & Katy Hill : won

Claire McLaughlin & Freya Russell : beaten

Jodie Graham & Taylor White : half match

Great day to be playing golf and great result for the girls . 

Thanks to Bob Collison , Dumbartonshire U14 Boys and Balmore GC for arranging this match . 

Well done to all the girls 👍🏌️‍♀️👌

Thanks go to Allison Bell for the results

BELLE ROBERTSON IS THE GUEST SPEAKER AT DOUGLAS PARK'S SWEDISH "ABBA" EVENING

Belle Robertson and Douglas Park Ladies Captain Anne Reid

The Douglas Park Choir -- Click on picture to see album of the evening

100 Douglas Park Golf Club Lady Members had a a very enjoyable evening on Friday at their Annual social evening held in the Club House.

Belle Robertson MBE who is an Honorary Member of Douglas Park was the guest Speaker.

The "Douglas Park Choir" was the "Abba "entertainment  which had a Swedish Theme to the night.

 CLICK HERE TO SEE ALBUM OF THE EVENING  --

Photos are also on Facebook -- Click Here

BELLE ROBERTSON IS GOING TO BE AT THE SCOTTISH WOMEN IN SPORT HALL OF FAME -- INDUCTION LADIES LUNCH

 D&A's Belle with Karen Maxwell and Ann Wilson

We all know now that #GirlsDoSport - and that more opportunities are occuring ever day to encourage more and more women and girls to particpate. However at Scottish Women in Sport, we believe it is important in order to move forward and continue to accelerate change, we take time to recognise the many female pioneers in sport who have largely gone unnoticed.

Recording our sporting history is an important part of moving forward and yet there are still many pioneers who go unrecognised.

This year Scottish Women in Sport will induct some of our past and present 'Pioneers of Sport' into our Hall of Fame’ on Sunday 4th March at a ladies lunch in Glasgow. Belle Robertson will be representing Women's Golf.
This will be, in part, our contribution to International Women’s Day, #PressForProgress which is on Thursday 8th March.

You can sign up to join us on the day. A delicious afternoon tea with a glass of prosecco on arrival, an Inspirational speaker, the awards themselves will be followed by some music.

Come and join us and help us keep alive the memory of those who battled to get an opportunity to participate in sport and those who are currently leading the way.
CLICK HER TO GET A TICKET AND COME AND SUPPORT BELLE AND WOMEN'S GOLF

SHEENA MURCHIE FROM LAMLASH LEADS THE AYRSHIRE LADIES RANKING AFTER WEEK 7

The MyGolfRanking.net AYRSHIRE GOLFERS of WEEK18/07 are SHEENA MURCHIE (Lamlash Ladies) who ascends to NUMBER ONE on the MGR Ayrshire Ladies Ranking and COLIN KNOX of Prestwick St Cuthbert Golf Club who climbs to NUMBER ONE on the MGR Ayrshire Men’s Ranking.

 ​

AYRSHIRE LADIES

1 Sheena Murchie (Lamlash) 960 points

2 Susan Butchard (Brodick) 890 

3 Sally Hamilton (Loudoun Gowf) 825 

4 Alison Uppal (Prestwick St Cuthbert) 806 

5 Linda Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) 788 

6 Margaret Dalziel (Loudoun Gowf) 719 

7 Ann Clark (Prestwick St Cuthbert) 715 

8 Roz McCulloch (Girvan) 708 

9 Elinor Heggie (Girvan) 704 

10 Ann May (Brodick) 700

AYRSHIRE CLUBS – LADIES

1 Brodick 717 points

2 Prestwick St Cuthbert 703 

3 Girvan 699 

4 Lamlash 551 

5 Ballochmyle 479 

AYRSHIRE MEN

1 Colin Knox (Prestwick St Cuthbert) 1269 points

2 Martin Riddall (New Cumnock) 1163 

3 Jamie Rankin (Ballochmyle) 1014 

4 Andrew Carroll (Drongan) 989 

5 Neil McBride (Kilmarnock (Barassie)) 986 

6 Andrew Campbell (Kilmarnock (Barassie)) 959 

7 Graeme Gimson (Prestwick St Cuthbert) 953 

8 W F Wilson (Ballochmyle) 950 

9 C Adams (Irvine) 943

10 David Cunningham (Ayr Carrick) 940

AYRSHIRE CLUBS – MEN

1 Kilmarnock (Barassie) 734 points

2 Brodick 714

3 Ayr Carrick 705 

4 Ballochmyle 704 

5 Girvan 701

For up-to-date ranking lists of participating clubs the full Regional, National and International Rankings and how it works visit www.mygolfranking.net. The MyGolfRanking service is free to clubs and members so

CLUB SECRETARIES PLEASE EMAIL THIS TO YOUR MEMBERS in order that they may sign in.

Seven points arising from the new World Handicap System

From the National Club Golfer Website

It’s finally here. After a build up that would shame a heavyweight title fight, the R&A and USGA today announced the key principles of the new World Handicap System.

Set to be implemented in 2020, the two governing bodies say it is designed to “provide all golfers with a consistent measure of playing ability”.

There are six handicapping systems around the globe at present, including CONGU in the UK, and all were reviewed before the new World Handicap System was established.

So what are the major features of the new system, what questions do they raise and how might they affect our competitions? Let’s take a look…

Worldwide use of the USGA course and slope rating system

The worst kept secret in amateur golf is finally revealed. Anyone with half a brain knew that slope was going to become the standard and, in actuality, the work to prepare for this has been under way in the UK for some time.

Anyone notice that your course has been re-rated recently? That process, which has been ongoing for a couple of years now, has seen layouts looked at in line with USGA standards.

So what is course and slope rating? A course rating, in the simplest terms, is the number that indicates the difficulty of a golf course when played by a scratch golfer under normal weather conditions.

It’s based on yardage and other obstacles that affect how difficult scoring may be to that scratch player.

The rating is usually close to a course’s par and goes up depending on how difficult the course is. The figure is the number of strokes taken to one decimal place. So, while a course might be a par of 71, it’s course rating could be 71.3.

Slope, meanwhile, is the number that estimates how difficult a course is to a ‘bogey’ golfer. In USGA terms, a bogey golfer is a player “who has a course handicap of approximately 20 on a course of standard difficulty”.

The course slope ranges from 55, which is considered simple, to 155. The higher the score, the more difficult the course.

Understand? Hmm…

Many golfers, misunderstanding the system a touch, believe that slope will automatically see their handicaps increase. But that may not be the case.

If the new USGA course rating, and slope rating, consider your club course to be easier than the current CONGU rating, then your handicaps are going down.

Calculating handicaps on an average

The R&A and USGA say handicaps will be calculated using the best eight of the last 20 scores and “factoring in memory of demonstrated ability for better responsiveness and control”.

There’s a couple of questions here. Why eight scores? Is that an arbitrary number or is there a method behind using that particular figure?

What on earth does “factoring in memory of demonstrated ability for better responsiveness and control” mean?

Does it mean that if someone remembers I scored 40 points in the April Stableford then my average can be adjusted based on the fact I have ‘demonstrated’ my ability to shoot that score in the past?

It might. But reading further, however, it appears the aim is to suggest something of the opposite – that a temporary loss of form “should not automatically lead to an excessive increase in handicap”.

Allowing both competitive and recreational rounds to count for handicap ability

This is the thing that is going to get some golfers excited. By excited, I mean angry.

Just over a year ago, when England Golf announced that clubs should monitor roll-ups and swindles during non-qualifying periods in order to crack down on potential ‘bandits’ there was an outcry – both from clubs who thought they’d have to administer it and players.

I know of some clubs, and organisations, who simply refused to take on the guidelines.

What is crucial when allowing recreational rounds to count for handicaps is how it is administered.

Given that the governing body’s announcement merely outlines the proposal, little is revealed about how that will actually happen.

I’ve little problem with a golfer who has a good round putting in a retrospective card for handicap purposes. I’ve always felt the need to declare a supplementary before going out was tedious.

But just as the supplementary system is routinely abused by players looking to quickly edge their handicap up, so the use of recreational rounds – particularly when they count for a mark that’s made up of average scores – will need to be tightly policed.

And it’s clubs, not the new handicap administrators, who will have to do that.

The other key thing to consider is: if you are going to allow recreational rounds to count, doesn’t everyone have to do it?

I’m not sure if a situation where some are putting in recreational scores, and some aren’t, wouldn’t skew the system.

Couldn’t some players just protect their marks by not using recreational rounds, while others see far more volatile moves because every score counts?

A minimal number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap

This will be 54 holes and the crucial bit is that it can be from any combination of 18-hole and 9-hole rounds – although associations will be able to set their own minimums.

This is already the case with CONGU, although 18-holes is the preferred option and is required at some clubs.

There seems no reason, though, in this era of everyone apparently not having enough time to play golf, to force players to play a trio of successive 18-hole rounds to gain a handicap.

The 54-hole recommendation offers a little bit more flexibility and that is to be welcomed.

How course and weather conditions will apply

The R&A and USGA says there will be a “calculation that considers the impact that abnormal course and weather conditions might have on a player’s performance each day” and “daily handicap revisions, taking account of the course and weather conditions calculation”.

I think we already see something of the former in our CONGU competitions. It’s competition standard scratch.

In added notes on the R&A’s website, it’s stated that “the new system will consider the impact of daily course or weather conditions on each golfer’s performance. Such adjustments will be conservative and will only be made when there is a clear evidence that an adjustment is warranted”.

By submitting a score “as soon as practicable after the completing the round” – The R&A advise before midnight on the day of play – it can then be included in the daily Course Conditions Adjustment Calculation.

The point of this is to allow players to have an updated handicap the very next time they play.

A limit of nett double bogey on the maximum hole score (for handicapping purposes only)

Nothing much to see here. This goes by the sleek name of the ‘Stableford/Nett Double Bogey Adjustment’ in medals. In Stableford, of course, you just pick up.

A maximum handicap limit of 54.0 to encourage more golfers to measure and track their performance

CONGU brought this in from January 1 to a predictable outcry. Anyone hoping 54-handicappers would go away can now be assured they are here to stay.