FREQUENCY OF HANDICAP INDEX UPDATE -- DAY 4

The handicap calculation will take place every night at a specific time and a golfer’s new Handicap Index will be calculated ready for the following day. 

It is therefore important that a player submits their score as soon as possible on the day of play, after completion of their round and before midnight (local time).

Golfers must input their gross score for every hole played. If a golfer’s score is not submitted on the day of play it will not be used in the Playing Conditions Calculation.

A golfer will be able to view their new Handicap Index on the Scottish Golf Platform (via the Scottish Golf Website or App) or through their own golf club.

Under WHS, one of the key aims is to provide golfers with more opportunities to submit counting scores.  

Some of the factors that will mean a score is considered acceptable for handicapping purposes, as outlined in the new Rules of Handicapping, include:

• In an authorized format of play; (Strokeplay, Stableford and Par/Bogey).

• Over a minimum number of holes, (9 for 9 holes and 10 for 18 holes) all scores will be scaled up into an 18-hole differential.

• By the Rules of Golf.

• With at least one other person.

• On a course with a current Course Rating and Slope Rating. 

• During an active season.

• Certified in accordance with Rules of Handicapping

Players must pre-register their intent to submit a score in general play for handicap purposes. General play is a significant benefit under WHS, allowing golfers to, so long as they pre-register and play the game by the WHS requirements, submit any round of golf from any golf course on the globe.  This is a massive opportunity for golfers who wish to consume their golf this way all year round and opens up new opportunities to maintain and obtain a handicap. General play scores can be submitted directly through the Scottish Golf App.

Such pre-registration must be made before the player starts the round, and in the manner prescribed by the Handicap Committee or Scottish Golf.

To find out more about the key features of WHS, click here.

Course and Playing Handicap - WHS - Day 3

 

What is a Course Handicap?

Your Course Handicap will be the number of strokes a player receives, before handicap allowances, from a specific set of tees as determined by the Slope Rating: 

Course Handicap = Handicap Index x slope rating/ 113

For example, for a golfer with a Handicap Index of 12.0, playing a course with a Slope Rating of 127, the calculation would be:

12.0 x (127/113) = 13.5 (14)

Note -  This is the handicap you will put and your card and use when submitting a score, this the important handicap to remember!

Playing Handicap 

The Playing Handicap adjusted for any handicap allowances or Terms of the Competition. It represents the actual number of strokes the player gives or receives for the format of golf being played

Playing Handicap = Course Handicap x Handicap Allowance 

For example, using the above example where the golfer has a Course Handicap of 13.5 and playing a competition with a 95% handicap allowance, the calculation for Playing Handicap would be:

13.5 x 0.95 = 12.8 (13)

Note- This handicap is solely used for the purpose of calculating competition results or when working out allowances for a specific format of play.

Handicap Allowance 

The percentage of a Course Handicap recommended to create equity for all players participating in a specific format of play. See below a list of all formats of play and the recommended. Go to the Scottish Golf Website 

So the most important points to remember are

Lorraine Campbell and Laura McGeachy with the 2019 - 2020 D&A Winter County Foursomes

 

The delayed final of this years D&A Winter Foursomes (2019 - 2020) was played on Sunday 18th October 2020 at Douglas Park Golf Club,

The  Finalists were Lorraine Campbell (Cardross) and Laura McGeachy (Haggs Castle) v Karen McIlvaney (Hilton Park) and Audrey Adams (Hilton Park) 

In a close encounter Lorraine and Laura won at the 17th Hole - Many congratulations 

WHAT IS YOUR HANDICAP ? - CALCULATING YOUR HANDICAP INDEX UNDER WHS -- DAY 2

One of the most common questions golfers will ask each other is, “what is your handicap?”

Under WHS, the way in which a handicap is calculated will change slightly, and golfers will receive a new Handicap Index.

A Handicap Index is designed to represent your demonstrated ability.  It is calculated by averaging the best 8 score differentials out of the most recent 20 within your scoring record. Can be made up of both competition and general play scores.

If your record does not have 20 scores on it already, a modified calculation will be carried out to provide you with a Handicap Index.  This table highlights how this will be done.

A Handicap Index will be the measure of a player’s demonstrated ability calculated against the Slope Rating of a golf course of standard playing difficulty (that is, a course with a Slope Rating of 113).

Your Handicap Index provides you with a portable measure of your demonstrated playing ability that is consistent with how all other golfers will be measured around the world. It can be used to track your progress and to play in a casual or a competitive round with any other player from course to course and country to country.

How do I get one?

For new players:

Once you have joined a golf club and you have submitted scores from a total of 54 holes, made up of 9 or 18-hole scores, you will be allocated an initial Handicap Index. 

You are then able to return competition and general play scores (pre-registered).

For existing club members:

We will be using you existing scores on you CDH record to calculate your Handicap Index

What is a score differential? 

The difference between a player’s adjusted gross score and the Course Rating, taking account of Slope Rating. It is the value ‘played to’ on a specific course on a specific day. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

To find out more about some of the other key features of WHS,  -- CLICK HERE

Milngavie's Lorna McClymont retains the Scottish U21 Championship

A record-breaking Faldo Series Europe season concluded in Scotland last week at Ladybank Golf Club. on the 14th October.  

105 elite junior golfers teed it up for the Scotland Girls and Boys Championship, where the wild conditions only made things more interesting. 

 

But the temperamental autumn weather didn't stop the girls giving it there all, and eventually Scotland's Lorna McClymont who successfully defended her title as the U21s championship for the second year in a row. Megan Docherty (Bishopbriggs) was in 3rd Place 

 The Milngavie golfer joins only a handful of players who have ever managed to win back-to-back titles. 

In the Under 16's Grace Crawford tied in 3rd place

LEADING FINAL SCORES : CLICK TO ENLARGE

Under 21's category:

CLICK TO ENLARGE 

in the Under 16's category : 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Freya Russell wins the Ayrshire Girls Championship

Freya Russell, Royal Troon, is the new Ayrshire girls champion after an impressive performance at Darley on Saturday 17th October on a lovely Autumn day.

Runner up in the championship was Katie Ronnie, Royal Troon.

SCOTTISH GOLF - WHS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN BEGINS TODAY - THE PURPOSE OF THE WHS

 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Scottish Golf, the governing body for the game in Scotland, has launched its awareness campaign to help educate golfers of all levels about the new World Handicap System (WHS), set to be launched on 2nd November 2020. 

Scotland is the home of golf, with the sport first being played in the 15th century, and this new campaign will provide valuable and insightful information ahead of the changes to how handicaps will be calculated.

WHS aims to offer one, unified system around the world for the first time, giving golfers the ability to obtain and maintain a Handicap Index and use this anytime, anywhere around the world. The system will take playing conditions, course, and slope ratings into account, with a player’s best eight scores in the past 20 games played counting towards their Handicap Index.

The Scottish Golf’s campaign, goes live from today Monday 19th October .

This week, the campaign will focus on: 

• Purpose of WHS 
• Handicap Index 
• Course & Playing Handicap 
• Frequency of Handicap Index Updates 
• Acceptable Scores

In week two, you will receive further assets that will focus on:

• Course & Sloping Rating
• Playing Conditions Calculations (PPC)
• Exceptional Score Reduction
• Soft and Hard Cap
• WHS Summary for Golfers 

DAY 1 -- The purpose of the WHS

With WHS coming into play in Scotland on 2nd November 2020, many golfers across Scotland will be asking, “why are we moving to a new Handicap system?”

WHS aims to provide maximum enjoyment for all who play the game. The new system will enable players of any ability, from anywhere in the world, to play and compete with others on a fair basis. This will be the case whether in competition, or during a casual round. 

WHS will encourage as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a handicap and once a golfer has their handicap, players of differing abilities, genders, and nationalities will be able to take their handicap to any course in the world where they will be able to compete on a fair basis. 

Another key aim of WHS is that it will indicate, with accuracy, the score a golfer is reasonably capable of achieving on any course around the world, playing under normal conditions.

Grace Crawford wins the 2020 East of Scotland Championship

From the Midlothian’s Website  and East Lothians Website 

The conditions were great for the players in the East of Scotland Championship over the Jubilee course, St. Andrews today Sunday 18th October. 

 The Team event was not held this year due to some extra restrictions being asked by the First Minister from some Health Board areas.

East Lothians Grace Crawford had an excellent scratch score of 73 to be crowned East of Scotland Champion 2020. 

In her round Grace used a  putter borrowed from her brother and had 4 birdies and 12 pars.

She won by two shots from fellow County member Clara Young, North Berwick who had a 75 

Elaine Moffat, St Regulus, was 3rd with a 79.

Ayrshire’s Claire McLaughlin receives the Jessica Smith Endowed Scholarship

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Lindsey Wilson women's golf sophomore Claire McLaughlin (West Kilbride) has been named the Jessica Smith Endowed Scholarship recipient.

McLaughlin is the second recipient of the endowed scholarship named after former Blue Raider Jessica Smith, who tragically passed away in an automobile accident on October 2, 2016.

McLaughlin, a Kilwinning, Scotland, native, says she is honored to be chosen for the scholarship.

"I am incredibly thankful to receive the Jessica Smith Endowed Scholarship," McLaughlin said. "This scholarship provides me an opportunity to continue my education here at Lindsey Wilson while playing a sport I truly love. I am forever grateful to the Smith family for their generosity to our golf program and for selecting me for this scholarship."

Read the full story by  CLICKING HERE

West of Scotland MyGolRanking week 41- 2020

AYRSHIRE LADIES

1 Luisa Gibson (Irvine) 1224 points

2 Arlene Sinclair (Irvine) 1037

3 Gillian Gowers (Loudoun Gowf) 1029

4 Aileen Anderson (Loudoun Gowf) 1001 

5 Eileen Munro (Loudoun Gowf) 990

6 Audrey Thompson (Loudoun Gowf) 969

7 Fran Hadden (Kilmarnock(Barassie)) 959

8 Anne Burns (Loudoun Gowf) 950

9 Kelly McNee (Loudoun Gowf) 931

10 Margaret-Ann McCrorie (Irvine) 930

11 Liz Keohone (Loudoun Gowf) 927

T12 Robina Gilbertson (Prestwick St Nicholas) & Joanne Sharp (Kilmarnock(Barassie)) 906

14 Jennifer Linklater (Largs) 905

15 Rona Walker (Kilmarnock(Barassie)) 901

AYRSHIRE LADIES CLUBS 

1 Loudoun Gowf 978

2 Irvine 924

3 West Kilbride 835

4 Largs 829

5 Kilmarnock (Barassie) 820

DUNBARTONSHIRE/ARGYLL LADIES

1 Shaeen Ahmad (Balmore) 1157 points

2 Gayna McGreish (Balmore) 1117

3 Carrie Irvine (Bearsden) 1109

4 Carol Maclarty (Taynuilt) 1103

5 Nicola Madden (Hilton Park) 1083

6 Justine Fulton (Hayston) 1074

7 Gemma Canham (Helensburgh) 1052

8 Rhona Murison (Douglas Park) 1025

9 Andrea Torrie (Bearsden) 1015

10 Nichola Kidd (Dunaverty) 990

11 Monica Stewart (Douglas Park) 986

12 Carol Fell (Douglas Park) 976

13 Barbara Walker (Bearsden) 962

14 Elspeth Mulholland (Hilton Park) 951

15 Ailie MacBrayne (Dunaverty) 937

DUNBARTONSHIRE/ARGYLL LADIES CLUBS

1 Balmore 990

2 Hayston 878

3 Bearsden 866

4 Taynuilt 865

5 Douglas Park 850

LANARKSHIRE LADIES

1 Madeleine Macgregor (Hamilton) 1327 points

2 Megan Docherty (Bishopbriggs) 1173

3 Jackie Carty (Hollandbush) 1158

4 Anne-Marie Livingstone (Cawder) 1133

5 Melissa Boyle (Cawder) 1075

6 Katie Graham (Hamilton) 1066

7 Jennifer Weir (Cawder) 1058

8 Lesley Watson (Cathkin Braes) 1046

9 Suzanne Woodman (Cathkin Braes) 1041

10 Jan Kidd (Carluke) 1038

11 Hayley McPherson (Bishopbriggs) 1014

12 Alice Brown (Bothwell Castle) 1002

13 Catrina Pickard (Wishaw) 993

14 Jackie Ross (Airdrie) 992

15 Nichola Craig (Lanark) 975

LANARKSHIRE LADIES CLUBS

1 Bishopbriggs 931

2 Wishaw 929

3 Carluke 915

4 Cawder 898

5 Lanark 890

RENFREWSHIRE LADIES

1 Isabell Donnelly (Gleddoch) 1143 points

2 Lynn Forsyth (Paisley) 1117

3 Susan Morrow (Caldwell) 1060

4 Laura McGeachy (Haggs Castle) 1051

5 Susan Ramsay (Haggs Castle) 969

6 Jennifer Rankine (Haggs Castle) 968

7 Gillian Lavety (Old Course Ranfurly) 947

8 Birgit Clark (Old Course Ranfurly) 930

9 Moira Holt (Caldwell) 929

10 Ann McKenzie (Old Course Ranfurly) 927

11 Sandra Bell (Old Course Ranfurly) 905

12 Susan Ferguson (Caldwell) 903

13 Marion Downie (Old Course Ranfurly) 898

14 Jennifer Owen (Old Course Ranfurly) 889

15 Fiona Macphee (Old Course Ranfurly) 888

RENFREWSHIRE LADIES CLUBS

1 Caldwell 926

2 Haggs Castle 920

3 Old Course Ranfurly 893

4 Paisley 875

5 Gleddoch 745

Rachel Mathieson beats ladies’ course record at Newburgh-on-Ythan to bag trip to Spain

Congratulations to 17 year old Rachel Mathieson (pictured above) from Hazelhead on breaking the ladies course record  at Newburgh-on-Ythan Golf Club last month as she won the Junior European Open Qualifying event. Her 2 under par 70 beat the old course record of 73 that had stood since 2003. 

The previous ladies’ record holders were Ros Dunsmuir and Sheena Wood (both 2003), Donna Pocock (2008) and Lynda Carnie (2013).

The teenager is now set to fly out to the Alcaidesa Links Resort in Cadiz to play in the 28th Junior European Open 2020 Champions Week Finals in February.

The round earned Rachel a scratch six-shot success over Megan Docherty, of Bishopbriggs, and a net 66 off her handicap of four.

Newburgh captain Jonathan Dobson said: “We’re delighted to congratulate Rachel on her fantastic score. Our members have set some pretty high standards and it’s brilliant to see young players, like Rachel, raising the bar even higher.

“We’re also pleased to see her qualify and wish her the best of luck.

“It’s fantastic to see Scottish juniors competing in international events and I’m sure this will be an inspiration to other young north-east players.”

Read the full story by CLICKING HERE

Thanks go to Laura McLardy for this news

SOME R&A - WORLD HANDICAPPING RESOURCES

A key feature of The World Handicap System is that handicaps are now calculated in the same way across the world ⛳️ -- The R&A website have some new links on there now 

 

Work out your course handicap with their calculator here and look up link for different courses 

 COURSE HANDICAP CALCULATOR (using your Handicap Index when available or if you have got a rough idea of what yours is at the moment) 

LOOK UP A COURSE FOR SLOPE AND COURSE RATING - (Put in Scotland and then the course)  -- There may be variations as time goes on

SOME SHORT VIDEOS IF YOU CLICK THIS LINK FROM THE R@A

DRESS THE PART GOLFING TROUSERS AND MORE

Looking for some good golf trousers --  Then why not take a look at the Robell range above 

Unfortunately the shop has to close in Muirend on the southside of Glasgow at the end of October but has these fleeced lined trousers plus there is other clothing at 40% off. 

I'm sure many golfing  ladies would like them. - Why not pop in if you can or look online by clicking on the link below

SHOP AT DRESS THE PART

Scottish golfing couple go head-to-head in title battle at Loch Lomond

Bragging rights were on the line in the Henry household last weekend, when LET player Kylie Henry and husband Scott, a Challenge Tour card holder, went head-to-head in a title battle. 

 

The final was played over 18 holes at Loch Lomond in the Big Johnsons Tour Matchplay, an event set up this year by John Henry, Scott's younger brother, to provide a playing opportunity for home-based pros in a Covid-hit season. 

 Kylie, a two-time LET winner, beat former Walker Cup player Michael Stewart at Mar Hall in her semi-final, while Scott defeated Sean Lawrie on his home patch at Portlethan. 

 The final was an exceedingly close affair with Scott winning at the 19th !!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE HIGHLIGHTS

Orla Rooney wins the Renfrewshire County Junior Championship

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

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

Out on the Course

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

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

CLICK HERE TO SEE PRIZEGIVING

 Report and Photographs courtesy of Clair Barclay (Junior Convenor)

Megan Docherty wins the Stephen Gallacher Vase at Cardrona Golf Club

 On 10th and 11th October the Stephen Gallacher Foundation Vase Event was held at the Macdonald Cardrona GC, Peebles:

 Many congratulations go to Megan Docherty (Bishopbriggs) who won by 1 shot from Grace Crawford (North Berwick)

LEADERBOARD

1 MEGAN DOCHERTY (BISHOPBRIGGS) 80 75 - 155
2 GRACE CRAWFORD (NORTH BERWICK) 79 77 - 156
3 FREYA RUSSELL (ROYAL TROON) 80 80 -  160
4 RACHEL MATHIESON (HAZLEHEAD) 80 82 - 162
5 OLRLA ROONEY(COWGLEN) 81 83 -  164
6 ROBYN FOWLIE (EDZELL) 82 84 -  166
7 SOPHIE MURPHY (GLASGOW GOLF CLUB) 79 88 -  167

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE RESULTS

West of Scotland MyGolfRanking Week 40 - 2020

AYRSHIRE LADIES

1 Luisa Gibson (Irvine) 1224 points

2 Arlene Sinclair (Irvine) 1037

3 Gillian Gowers (Loudoun Gowf) 1032

4 Aileen Anderson (Loudoun Gowf) 1020 

5 Audrey Thompson (Loudoun Gowf) 1015

6 Margaret-Ann McCrorie (Irvine) 968

7 Anne Burns (Loudoun Gowf) 950

8 Eileen Munro (Loudoun Gowf) 946

T9 Jan Flint (Troon Welbeck) 920 & Liz Keohone (Loudoun Gowf) 920

11 Robina Gilbertson (Prestwick St Nicholas) 906 

12 Jennifer Linklater (Largs) 905

13 Rona Walker (Kilmarnock(Barassie)) 901 

14 Pauline Patrick (Irvine) 893

15 Maria Carling (Prestwick St Nicholas) 891

AYRSHIRE LADIES CLUBS 

1 Loudoun Gowf 980

2 Irvine 955

3 Largs 859

4 West Kilbride 826

5 Kilmarnock (Barassie) 800

DUNBARTONSHIRE/ARGYLL LADIES 

1 Shaeen Ahmad (Balmore) 1157 points 

2 Gayna McGreish (Balmore) 1117

3 Carrie Irvine (Bearsden) 1110

4 Andrea Torrie (Bearsden) 1106

5 Carol Maclarty (Taynuilt) 1103

6 Nicola Madden (Hilton Park) 1083

7 Justine Fulton (Hayston) 1074

8 Gemma Canham (Helensburgh) 1052 

9 Rhona Murison (Douglas Park) 1025 

10 Nichola Kidd (Dunaverty) 990

11 Monica Stewart (Douglas Park) 986 

12 Carol Fell (Douglas Park) 976

13 Elspeth Mulholland (Hilton Park) 951 

14 Barbara Walker (Bearsden) 943 

15 Ailie MacBrayne (Dunaverty) 937

DUNBARTONSHIRE/ARGYLL LADIES CLUBS 

1 Balmore 990

2 Bearsden 873

3 Taynuilt 865

T4 Douglas Park 850 & Dunaverty 850

LANARKSHIRE LADIES

1 Madeleine Macgregor (Hamilton) 1327 points 

2 Megan Docherty (Bishopbriggs) 1173

3 Jackie Carty (Hollandbush) 1163

4 Anne-Marie Livingstone (Cawder) 1133

5 Melissa Boyle (Cawder) 1075

6 Katie Graham (Hamilton) 1066

7 Jennifer Weir (Cawder) 1058

8 Lesley Watson (Cathkin Braes) 1046

9 Suzanne Woodman (Cathkin Braes) 1041 

10 Jan Kidd (Carluke) 1038

11 Hayley McPherson (Bishopbriggs) 1014

12 Catrina Pickard (Wishaw) 1004

13 Alice Brown (Bothwell Castle) 1002

14 Jackie Ross (Airdrie) 992

15 Karen Charnley (Wishaw) 980

LANARKSHIRE LADIES CLUBS 

1 Bishopbriggs 942

2 Wishaw 930

3 Carluke 918

4 Cawder 898

5 Lanark 890

RENFREWSHIRE LADIES

1 Lynn Forsyth (Paisley) 1117 points

2 Susan Morrow (Caldwell) 1060

3 Laura McGeachy (Haggs Castle) 1051

4 Isabell Donnelly (Gleddoch) 993

5 Susan Ramsay (Haggs Castle) 969

6 Jennifer Rankine (Haggs Castle) 968

7 Gillian Lavety (Old Course Ranfurly) 947

8 Ann McKenzie (Old Course Ranfurly) 941 

9 Birgit Clark (Old Course Ranfurly) 930

10 Moira Holt (Caldwell) 929

11 Fiona Macphee (Old Course Ranfurly) 919 

12 Sandra Bell (Old Course Ranfurly) 905 

13 Susan Ferguson (Caldwell) 903

14 Marion Downie (Old Course Ranfurly) 898 

15 Margaret Richardson (Erskine) 864

RENFREWSHIRE LADIES CLUBS 

1 Caldwell 926

2 Haggs Castle 919

3 Old Course Ranfurly 888

4 Paisley 875

5 East Renfrewshire 

SCOTTISH GOLF WHS WEBINAR IS A SELL OUT

 

From the Scottish Golf Website

With just 24 days to go until the new World Handicap System (WHS) comes into play in Scotland, 500 golfers from across the country benefitted from Scottish Golf’s latest Zoom Panel Call.

Hosted by Scottish Golf’s Club Business Manager, Iain Evans, golfers from across Scotland had the opportunity to hear from, and pose questions to, Scottish Golf’s Handicapping and Course Rating Team of David Kernohan and Adam Phillips.

The call, which was available on a first-come, first-serve basis, was the first sell-out webinar hosted by Scottish Golf and is now available to view by CLICKING THIS LINK  or viewing on the video below

Scottish Golf has also produced an FAQ document to support golfer education and this can be accessed HERE 

The slides from this Call can also be accessed HERE

David Kernohan, Handicapping and Course Rating at Scottish Golf said, “As we near the implementation of WHS in Scotland, we were delighted with the overwhelming response to this week’s call.

“We understand that golfer education is crucial over the next 12 months and we will continue to provide additional opportunities for golfers to learn more.

Following the huge demand for this week’s call, we are also looking at options to expand our Zoom Panel Call capacity to ensure more golfers can tune-in to these sessions live.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE POSTS ABOUT THE WHS

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO KNOW ABOUT THE WORLD HANDICAPPING SYSTEM - PODCAST

The World Handicap System and one of the biggest changes to the way we play the game in decades comes into force on November 2. 

 The dreaded .1 will disappear forever and our handicaps will apply the world over, whether we’re playing at our HOME CLUB , OUR AWAY CLUB, the Old Course, or that bucket list layout in Florida. 

However, if you still don’t know your course rating from your slope, your hard cap from your playing conditions calculation, then -- David Kernohan who is the handicapping and course rating officer for Scottish Golf and is leading the way in implementing the new system in Scotland 

He gives us a beginners’ guide to WHS and answers some of your questions too in this excellent podcast that was made.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN 

COVID UPDATE BY SCOTTISH GOLF - 7TH OCTOBER 2020

 

Following the First Minister’s latest update in Parliament on Wednesday 7 October, Scottish Golf has been in dialogue with our partners at sportscotland and the Scottish Government to obtain further clarity about the new national restrictions being implemented across Scotland and how these might impact private member clubs.

On-course golf activities can continue under our current Phase 3 Guidance, with up to four players from four different households allowed to participate together. There are no changes to access to toilet facilities, locker rooms or professional shops which can continue to be utilised provided all appropriate measures, such as use of face masks, increased sanitation are adhered to. 

The key changes that apply to all golf club, are the hospitality restrictions which apply to private members clubs across the country. These are summarised below and are effective from 6pm on Friday 9^th October 2020:

• Pubs and licensed cafes in five Scottish health board areas - Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire & Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley - must shut to all but takeaway customers
   
• In other parts of Scotland not mentioned above, pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes can operate 6am to 6pm but cannot serve alcohol indoors during that time. These premises can sell alcohol outdoors until 10pm. 
   
• Rules on gatherings remain the same with a maximum of six people from two households permitted.  

The changes announced vary across different regions of the country and we would encourage all clubs to familiarise themselves with the latest guidance and how it may impact their operations. These measures are in place for an initial 16-day period and will be reviewed thereafter by the Scottish Government. 

Scottish Golf remains in dialogue with sportscotland and the Scottish Government to seek further clarification on the potential impact of restrictions on indoor activity for driving ranges and swing rooms. Further information will be provided as and when it is received from government.
 
We would like to thank all clubs and golfers across Scotland for your ongoing adherence to the latest guidance during these trying times. Scottish Golf will continue to keep all involved in the game updated via our dedicated COVID-19 webpage which can be accessed here.

Kind regards,
Karin Sharp, Chief Operating Office

SCOTTISH VETS PREPARE FOR 2021

Gillian Kyle with SVLGA Squad at East Renfrewshire Golf Club
Click to enlarge

Photos courtesy go Gillian Kyle
Click to enlarge

The Scottish Veteran Ladies' Golf Association (SVLGA)  had to cancel their team events but it’s never to soon to prepare for 2021. 

Their 2020 squad of players have started winter matches by visiting East Renfrewshire GC, home club of Gillian Kyle. 

Karen Ballantyne (SVLGA Captain) thanked  Gillian for arranging this and to the club for their hospitality and said."Looking at the scores, our players have been working hard on their games during the past few months."

MYGOLFRANKING - Week 39 - 2030

AYRSHIRE LADIES

1 Luisa Gibson (Irvine) 1224 points

2 Arlene Sinclair (Irvine) 1037

3 Gillian Gowers (Loudoun Gowf) 1032

4 Audrey Thompson (Loudoun Gowf) 1015 

5 Aileen Anderson (Loudoun Gowf) 998

6 Sheila McDougall (Prestwick St Nicholas) 973 

7 Liz Keohone (Loudoun Gowf) 920

8 Jennifer Linklater (Largs) 905

9 Margaret-Ann McCrorie (Irvine) 902

10 Rona Walker (Kilmarnock(Barassie)) 901 

11 Alison Powell (Largs) 891

12 Joanne Sharp (Kilmarnock(Barassie)) 889 

13 Marie Clare (Largs) 888

14 Eileen Munro (Loudoun Gowf) 881

15 Jennifer Bell (West Kilbride) 869

AYRSHIRE LADIES CLUBS 

1 Loudoun Gowf 945

2 Irvine 938

3 Largs 855

4 West Kilbride 826

5 Kilmarnock (Barassie) 797 

DUNBARTONSHIRE/ARGYLL LADIES 

1 Shaeen Ahmad (Balmore) 1247 points 2 

Andrea Torrie (Bearsden) 1219

3 Nicola Madden (Hilton Park) 1139

4 Carol Maclarty (Taynuilt) 1103

5 Carrie Irvine (Bearsden) 1097

6 Justine Fulton (Hayston) 1074

7 Gayna McGreish (Balmore) 1054

8 Gemma Canham (Helensburgh) 1048 

9 Nichola Kidd (Dunaverty) 990

10 Elspeth Mulholland (Hilton Park) 976 

11 Ailie MacBrayne (Dunaverty) 937 

12 Barbara Walker (Bearsden) 933

13 Anne Terry (Douglas Park) 925

14 Tracy McColgan (Hilton Park) 912 

15 Lindsay Garrett (Dunaverty) 892

DUNBARTONSHIRE/ARGYLL LADIES CLUBS 

1 Balmore 996

2 Bearsden 871

3 Taynuilt 865

4 Dunaverty 850

5 Hayston 842

LANARKSHIRE LADIES

1 Madeleine Macgregor (Hamilton) 1327 points 

2 Megan Docherty (Bishopbriggs) 1173

3 Jackie Carty (Hollandbush) 1163

4 Anne-Marie Livingstone (Cawder) 1133

5 Lesley Watson (Cathkin Braes) 1082

6 Melissa Boyle (Cawder) 1075

7 Katie Graham (Hamilton) 1066

8 Jennifer Weir (Cawder) 1058

9 Catrina Pickard (Wishaw) 1054

10 Suzanne Woodman (Cathkin Braes) 1051 

11 Margaret Wright (Carluke) 1004

12 Jackie Ross (Airdrie) 992

13 Joan Anderson (Carluke) 988

14 Nichola Craig (Lanark) 986

15 Louise Thom (Bishopbriggs) 969

LANARKSHIRE LADIES CLUBS 

1 Wishaw 943

2 Bishopbriggs 930

3 Carluke 904

4 Cawder 898

5 Colville Park 875

RENFREWSHIRE LADIES

1 Lynn Forsyth (Paisley) 1117 points

2 Susan Morrow (Caldwell) 1106

3 Laura McGeachy (Haggs Castle) 1051

4 Susan Ramsay (Haggs Castle) 969

5 Jennifer Rankine (Haggs Castle) 968

6 Ann McKenzie (Old Course Ranfurly) 966 

7 Gillian Lavety (Old Course Ranfurly) 947

8 Birgit Clark (Old Course Ranfurly) 930

9 Moira Holt (Caldwell) 929

10 Fiona Macphee (Old Course Ranfurly) 919 

11 Susan Ferguson (Caldwell) 914

12 Sandra Bell (Old Course Ranfurly) 899 

13 Marion Downie (Old Course Ranfurly) 898 

T14 Pamela Buttar (Paisley) 846 & Fiona Cameron (Cowglen) 846

RENFREWSHIRE LADIES CLUBS 

1 Caldwell 940

2 Haggs Castle 919

3 Old Course Ranfurly 885

4 Paisley 875

5 Ralston 717