Covid Guidelines --- Friday 12th March

 Following our latest COVID-19 update, we have worked with our partners at sportscotland and the Scottish Government to gain final approval on our updated guidance.

We have now achieved sign-off on our updated guidance which is available here.

Clubs should note that from Friday 12 March: 

• Golf courses with a designated COVID Officer can permit organised golf for members who live within the local authority area. Play can take place in four-balls with no restrictions on the number of households. 
   
• Golf courses without a designated COVID Officer, or where members are crossing a local authority boundary to play, can remain open for play with a maximum of four players from two households. 
   
• For groups over the age of 12, coaching should not exceed group sizes of 15. 
   
• For groups under the age of 12, coaching should not exceed group sizes of 30. 

Since our last update, we have received several queries relating to the new group numbers and limits. We wish to provide clubs with further clarity on this. 
 
The guidance to permit 4-ball play from 4 different households to members who live within the local authority area is in-line with new sport-specific guidance developed by sportscotland and the Scottish Government for organised sport. Cross-border travel from one local authority area to another for organised sport is not currently permitted.
 
Within the latest guidance, golf continues to be considered a form of informal exercise, where participants are permitted to travel up to five miles from their local authority boundary to take part. However, where this is the case, household limits of 4 people from 2 households apply.
 
Scottish Golf does not set the rules or parameters for these distinctions. However, we will continue to provide feedback on their practicalities for our member clubs. In comparison with most other sports across Scotland, we are in a unique and fortunate position to benefit from being identified as both organised sport and informal exercise at this time. 
 
We remind all clubs and golfers in Scotland that we remain in a privileged position, with courses across the country remaining open for play. Being able to benefit from playing golf should not be taken for granted, and we kindly ask that all clubs and golfers adhere to the latest guidance to ensure we can continue to make positive progress out of lockdown. 

Keep up to date on our latest COVID-19 updates here. 
 
Thank you for your continued co-operation and understanding. 

Kind Regards,
Karin Sharp, Chief Operating Officer, Scottish Golf

COVID UPDATE - SCOTTISH GOLF - 10th March 2021

Following the First Minister’s latest update on COVID-19 restrictions, Scottish Golf welcomes the news that we are continuing to progress through the road map out of lockdown.

Within an hour of the First Minister’s update, Scottish Golf submitted updated guidance to our partners at sportscotland and the Scottish Government. As has been the case throughout the pandemic, this final check can take some time as further details are considered and legislation published. 

These checks remain ongoing and must be complete before we can share a full updated version of our guidance to affiliated golf clubs for implementation across the country. However, we do appreciate that clubs require time to make operational changes ahead of any changes coming into place so we have provided this update until such time as we are given the green light to publish a full updated guidance grid.

Guidance previously allowed golfers to travel up to five miles outside their local authority area to take part in informal exercise using household rules. 

Yesterday’s announcement to allow organised sport will allow four-ball play with no restrictions on the number of households; however, this is only applicable to members who live within the golf club’s local authority area. 

Where golfers are required to travel up to five miles across a local authority boundary, players will be required to adhere to informal exercise guidance which is subject to household limits of 4 players from 2 households. 

Therefore, changes announced yesterday mean that from Friday 12 March:

• Golf courses with a designated COVID Officer can permit organised golf for members who live within the local authority area. Play can take place in four-balls with no restrictions on the number of households. 
   
• Golf courses without a designated COVID Officer, or where members are crossing a local authority boundary to play, can remain open for play with a maximum of four players from two households. 
   
• For groups over the age of 12, coaching should not exceed group sizes of 15. 
   
• For groups under the age of 12, coaching should not exceed group sizes of 30. 

We anticipate further guidance from our partners at sportscotland and the Scottish Government relating to children and young people. We will communicate these updates to all clubs as soon as possible.

We also look forward to a more substantive update from the First Minister next week relating to the return to a protection levels approach. That update is likely to include more details for clubhouses, retail and travel and will again be subject to the same sign-off process as outlined above.  

In the meantime, it is important to remind all golfers that they must remain close to home, travelling only for essential purposes in line with the current travel legislation. 

Keep up to date on all the latest COVID-19 updates on our dedicated webpage here.

Kind Regards,
Scottish Golf

OLD RANFURLY HONOUR THEIR MOST SUCCESSFUL LADY GOLFER - WILMA AITKEN

Wilma Leburn nee Aitken

 
International Woman’s Day was yesterday 8th March and to celebrate the day -  Old Ranfurly shared the achievements  of their most successful lady-Wilma (Aitken) Leburn

• Scottish Girls Champion 1975,1977
• Scottish U19 Stroke play 1977
• Scottish girl international 1975-1977
• Helen Holm Scottish Stroke Play Champion 1978,80,82
• Low Amateur Colgate European PGA 1978
• Scottish Girls Team Winners 1979
• Scottish International Team 1978-83, 1985
• British Ladies Championship runner up 1981
• GB Team V Europe 1981,83
• West of Scotland girls Champion 1975,77,78
• Scottish international team European Championship 1978,81,83
• Wentworth Scratch Trophy (course record 66) 1982
• West of Scotland Ladies Champion 1978-81
• British Girls Champion 1977
• Junior European Championship Winners 1980
• Carlsberg WPGA winner 1980
• World Record 9 consecutive birdies August 1981 🏆
• Runner up Scottish Ladies Championship 1981
• GB Team Spanish Championship 1981,82
• Curtis Cup GB v USA 1982
• Renfrewshire Ladies Champion 1978-82
• Old Ranfurly Champion 1975-84,87,88,91

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE EXTRACT FROM THE RLCGA CENTENARY BOOK (taken from the Old Ranfurly Centenary book in 2005 written by Drew McKenzie 

Scottish Golf Annual Review 2020

Douglas Park GC (See Video below)
Lynn Hain and  Morag Thomson

A year unlike any other! The Story of 2020 for Scottish Golf. - 

The Review, available download below, reports a 6.1% rise in club membership and also showcases the extensive work carried out by Scottish Golf during the COVID-19 pandemic to support our clubs in Scotland.

Karin Sharp, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Golf, said, "2020 was an incredibly tough year, but one in which we delivered significant improvements in our focused services to our members. 2021 will be about continuing to build on these improvements and to support our affiliated clubs no matter what happens."

Download their annual review at Scottish Golf -- good to see a few faces we know - Orla Rooney (Cowglen), Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) and Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Video -- Karen Ballantyne (Scottish Vets), Joanne Sharp (Captain Ayrshire LCGA) and other Lady Senior Golfers

The Death of Lady Marjory MacSween - A golfing Tribute

It is with great sadness that I have to announce the sudden death of Lady Marjory MacSween (nee Brown) who was well known to many in the West of Scotland golfing circles and beyond. 

Marjory was brought up in Strathaven, attended Hamilton Academy and was School Captain.  Although she was very sporty and was Captain of the hockey team, she was also very clever and went on to study medicine at Glasgow University.

It was there that she met Roddy MacSween a fellow medical student and married him in 1961.

Marjory became a dermatologist and like her husband was a fine golfer, and supported him in all his professional activities.

She also had a great love of Kintyre with the MacSween cottage in Southend which they restored from an old ruined cottage.

She had a special friendship with Scotland’s Belle Robertson (Dunaverty, Troon Ladies and Dunbartonshire and Argyll Ladies' County Golf Association), Jennifer Mack (Renfrewshire Ladies’ County Golf Association)  and also with Isabel Crawford (SLGA and Ayrshire Ladies’ County Golf Association) who all had known her for many years and enjoyed holidays down in Southend, Kintyre.

She had a very interesting life and had many friends world-wide. She was devoted to her husband and son Gordon and daughter Ruth - all golfers of course! - and to her five grandchildren 2 in Canada and 3 in England. 

She was a  member of Dunaverty, The Ladies Golf Club Troon, Past member of East Renfrewshire Golf Club where she was Ladies’ Captain in 1985 and Strathaven Golf Club where she was Ladies' Captain in 1976

She was also an active past member of Renfrewshire Ladies’ County Golf Association. 

She played in the West of Scotland Greenlees Team,  a past Greenlees Team Captain 

and a Past Ladies’ Captain of Dunaverty. 

She won many trophies and her biggest highlight of her golfing career was reaching the final of the Renfrewshire Ladies’ County Championship in 1999 played over Whitecraigs Golf Club. She played Donna Jackson on that day and although she lost was amazed and so very proud to have made such an achievement.

From the RLCGA General Meeting Minutes (3rd November 1999).

The Captain’s AGM Report stated:

The Championship was played at Whitecraigs amidst snow storms.  Dr Marjory MacSween stormed her way to the final beating shell-shocked county team members on the way.  In the final against Donna Jackson, Donna played like a true champion but credit goes to Marjory who did not go down without a fight.

Some Tributes 

Jennifer Mack (Haggs Castle, Troon Ladies, Dunaverty)

Marjory and I first met in the late 50's when we were both holidaying in Southend, Kintyre.  Marjory's father Dr Brown had a caravan just over the wall from Jock McVicar's house. Jock has been a close friend of the family for many years.   

Isabel Crawford was also a regular at that time as she had relations living in Southend.    I then found myself working for Marjory in the mid 60's when she was in the Dermatology Department of the Western Infirmary.   I admired her enormously as she seemed to cope with so many things and was super-efficient in all aspects of her life.     Over the years we played countless games of golf over Dunaverty, a course very dear to both of us.  Marjory was a very down to earth person and a wonderful source of information about so many things.    She was great at telling a story and it was always interspersed with humour.    

She was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren who so loved spending time with their 'Granny Mac'!    

In the words of her daughter in law, she was so bright, bubbly, caring and never complained in spite of her many health issues.       

She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.’.

Sallie Harkness (Haggs Castle, Troon Ladies) 

Marjory joined the Saturday (old) Girls playing at Troon and we also would play on Wednesdays. If the weather was poor we usually went for lunch at Parklands or Loks or the Orchard Park. Marjory was great company whether on the golf course or at the lunch table. She loved Troon but was before a member at East Renfrewshire Golf Club 

In recent years Marjory was attending the Victoria for regular blood transfusions but she did not let her illness get her down and continued with golf when she could. She was still driving her car, busy in the kitchen and garden and keeping in touch via the internet using  FaceTime, Zoom and e-mails.

It’s hard to believe that she is no longer with us for her departure was very sudden. We all miss her for we shall not see her like again.

Isabel Crawford (Ayrshire Ladies’ County Golf Association) 

I had known Marjory for over 60 years!

We holidayed at Southend in July, Marjory in August … her caravan was always parked at the end of Dunaverty beach to be near Angus and Jean MacVicar (their son Jock, became the long-time renowned Scottish Daily Express golf journalist)

They were great friends and Marjory and her sister Anne were often to be found in Achnamara for a wee bit of home baking while their father fished in the local rivers and lochs.

It was really that association that encouraged both Marjory and Roddy to play golf.

It was Angus MacVicar who encouraged Marjory to play and they had many keenly fought rounds over Dunaverty.

Marjory loved Southend and thoroughly enjoyed being there with her family … she was a very welcoming hostess, extremely kind to many local events and to villagers and took pleasure in keeping up with all village news and gossip !

Her zest for life, her lovely sense of fun and humour, and her keen interest in folk in Kintyre made her a popular semi local !

Her influence will be felt in this part of the world for many years

Carol Fell (Renfrewshire Ladies’ County Golf Association)

I met Marjory through East Renfrewshire Golf Club and playing County Golf. 

Roddy’s end of life care in 2015 was in Mearnskirk Hospital in Newton Mearns as was my mothers. Marjory and I used to chat on numerous occasions and even at these sad times she did make me laugh. I remember one day looking out of Mum’s bedroom window and seeing  Marjory’s daughter Ruth and her new husband on their wedding day, the sun shining and all the family sitting with Roddy out in the hospital gardens — It was such a special day for them all. 

She was a very special person and will be missed by so many including all those from RLCGA that knew her so well

Anne Jamieson (Strathaven Golf Club Ladies Section) - Marjory joined as member in 1956 and was Ladies' Captain on 1976. She played in our annual Past Captains’ Competition until a few years ago and regular visited the club with her sister Anne until lockdown. She will be fondly remembered by those who all knew her.

Donna Jackson (RLCGA and Troon Ladies)

Marjory was a lovely lady, and so sorry to hear the sad news — and I do remember that County Championship final at Whitecraigs played in the snow — which brought it all back !! Always enjoyed a wee chat when down at Troon playing on a Saturday with the Saturday Girls.

From the Glasgow Herald  Isabel Dawson said -- We remember her with real affection, it is only a few weeks since she addressed the haggis for us at our Lunch and Social Club for people living with dementia, using the Burns book presented to her mother at Glasgow High School 100 years ago. Marjory had been a committed volunteer at the club for many years. As we remembered her it was with thankfulness for the fun and laughter she brought into our lives

GLASGOW HERALD --- MACSWEEN - Lady Marjory With heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing of Lady Marjory MacSween. Wife of the late Professor Sir Roddy MacSween, irreplaceable mother of Ruth and Gordon, mother-in-law to Graeme and Jo, beloved Granny Mac to grandchildren Ben, Tess, Jamie, Sammy and Alex, she will be missed by all. She was a true force of nature in her time, and those who knew her will miss her joie de vivre, her soup, her baking, and her general enthusiasm for all things, especially family, friends, golf, and garden. Determined, strong, competitive, witty, and sharp as a tac to the end, her legendary putt-sinking, card-sharpening and crossword-solving skills and her utterly indomitable spirit will live on for some time, we suspect. A fitting Celebration of Life will be held at a later date - Ruth and Gordon will confirm when lock down allows   

CLICK HERE TO PRINT OR DOWNLOAD THIS TRIBUTE 

From Gordon MacSween (Son)

Just to say thanks to you all for contributing to this fantastic tribute to Mum - both in writing it and creating the stories themselves! 

 I remember Mum calling in after each round of the Renfewshire Ladies' County Championships with another scalp for team MacSween - one of the many things she did that continue to inspire me and her grandchildren. 

 These stories are so heartwarming to hear, and we're looking forward to more when we can all meet to celebrate Mum's life - hopefully in September.

KILMACOLM'S MEGAN BRIGGS IS INTERVIEWED ON BBC ALBA

 This week in the 360 studio, Iona Ballantyne is joined by Netball Scotland CEO, Claire Nelson, who catches up with former Scotland women’s Amateur champion golfer Megan Briggs. -- She chats about her golfing career to date and her future role as Kilmacolm Golf Club Captain in 2022. 

The episode also comes at a great time in run up to international Women's Day -- 

To view the whole video --  CLICK HERE

WEST VETS SPRING MEETING IS CANCELLED DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS

Following a West Vets Committee Meeting on Monday 1st March 2021 it was decided due to the current restrictions we are all in at the moment and also the uncertainty of what the next steps are, the decision was made to cancel the Spring Meeting at Lanark GC on the 7th April. 

At the moment, the rest of the Fixtures remain in place. CLICK HERE 

To read more go to the West Vets Website

World Handicap System (WHS) ZOOM PANEL MEETING

 With the first full season under the World Handicap System (WHS) approaching, our next Zoom Panel Call will provide club officials with everything they need to be ready.

Scottish Golf’s Handicapping and Course Rating team will answer some of the most frequently asked questions from clubs since WHS went live. They will also cover the key features and resources available, including: 

• WHS CDH Tools  
• CDH Number Management 
• WHS Competition Advice 
• Stroke Indices 
• Hive Learning 

You can find out more by accessing the WHS section on the Scottish Golf website.

The Zoom Panel Call takes place on Thursday 11th March at 3pm and attendees can submit their WHS questions when registering and our team will do their best to answer as many as possible.

Registration closes at 5pm on Wednesday 10th March and you will receive information regarding access to the call shortly after this time.

If you cannot attend, please do not worry, as we will record the session and make it available to watch online.

Book Your Place

Scottish Golf cancels first three national events in 2021 due to COVID restrictions

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.

Latest COVID-19 Update

 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

R&A -- PACE OF PLAY MANUAL AN INTERESTING READ

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.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE R&A WEBSITE

STIRLINGHIRE & CLACKMANNAN GOLFERS of Week 6 - 2021

STIRLINGSHIRE & CLACKMANNAN WOMEN

1 Gillian Ping (Falkirk GC) 1181 points

2 Hazel Hume (Tillicoultry) 1144

3 Ava Patterson (Tulliallan) 1133

4 Alison Davidson (Stirling) 1119

5 Jean Cosgrove (Falkirk Tryst) 1113

6 Laura Bissett (Braehead) 1111

7 Lorna Brown (Dunblane New) 1070

8 Janice Bridgeman (Grangemouth) 1056 

9 Jean Leitch (Buchanan Castle) 1033

10 Lorna Buchanan (Buchanan Castle) 1031 

11 Melanie Dunsmore (Dunblane New) 1024 

12 C S M Goodwin (Glenbervie) 1023

13 Margaret Kenny (Tillicoultry) 1011

14 Lynn Parsler (Braehead) 1010

15 Olivia Borwick (Braehead) 996

STIRLINGSHIRE & CLACKMANNAN WOMEN CLUBS

1 Tillicoultry 1026

2 Braehead 997

3 Grangemouth 959 

4 Bridge of Allan 936 

5 Glenbervie 922

6 Buchanan Castle 897

ENTRIES OPEN FOR THE 2021 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

Entries Open For 2021 National Championships

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.

Click For More Information

RENFREWSHIRE'S JENNIFER LYNAGH FROM CALDWELL SIGNS UP TO JOIN TEAMPRODREAM USA

A great way to start off the week with the announcement of TeamProDream latest 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

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT JENNIFER

GET THE RULES FROM CLAIRE HARGAN IN THE R&A RULES SKOOL OPEN

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE R&A WEBSITE  -- FOR THE QUESTIONS AND QUIZ AND ALSO WATCH THE VIDEO THERE  

SHAEEN AHMAD of BALMORE LADIES leads the Dunbartonshire & Argyll Ladies MGRanking Week 4 - 2021

 DUNBARTONSHIRE/ARGYLL LADIES

1 Shaeen Ahmad (Balmore) 1157 points

2 Gayna McGreish (Balmore) 1117

3 Carol Maclarty (Taynuilt) 1103

4 Monica Stewart (Douglas Park) 1089

5 Nicola Madden (Hilton Park) 1083

Gemma Canham (Helensburgh) 1052

7 Barbara Walker (Bearsden) 1050

8 Rhona Murison (Douglas Park) 1025

9 Nichola Kidd (Dunaverty) 990

10 Carol Fell (Douglas Park) 976

11 Elspeth Mulholland (Hilton Park) 951

12 Carol Bews (Helensburgh) 935

13 Justine Fulton (Hayston) 928

14 Pauline McMillan (Bearsden) 927

15 Anne Terry (Douglas Park) 925

DUNBARTONSHIRE/ARGYLL LADIES CLUBS

1 Balmore 990

2 Bearsden 869

3 Douglas Park 860

4 Taynuilt 853

5 Clober 848

6 Hilton Park 843

The MGRanking WEST OF SCOTLAND COUNTIES CLUB of Week 4 - 2021 is BALMORE LADIES.

WEST OF SCOTLAND COUNTIES GOLFERS

1 Madeleine Macgregor (Hamilton) 1327 points

2 Megan Docherty (Bishopbriggs) 1173

3 Jackie Carty (Hollandbush) 1163

4 Shaeen Ahmad (Balmore) 1157

5 Isabell Donnelly (Gleddoch) 1150

6 Anne-Marie Livingstone (Cawder) 1133

7 Gayna McGreish (Balmore) 1117

8 Luisa Gibson (Irvine) 1099

9 Monica Stewart (Douglas Park) 1089

10 Nicola Madden (Hilton Park) 1083

11 Melissa Boyle (Cawder) 1075

12 Katie Graham (Hamilton) 1066

13 Lynn Forsyth (Paisley) 1061

14 Susan Morrow (Caldwell) 1060

15 Jennifer Weir (Cawder) 1058

16 Gemma Canham (Helensburgh) 1052

17 Barbara Walker (Bearsden) 1050

18 Lesley Watson (Cathkin Braes) 1046

19 Gillian Gowers (Loudoun Gowf) 1044

20 Jan Kidd (Carluke) 1038

WEST OF SCOTLAND COUNTIES CLUBS

1 Balmore 990 points

2 Loudoun Gowf 983

3 Playsport GC 940

4 Bishopbriggs 931

5 Caldwell 926

6 Wishaw 921

7 Cawder 898

8 Carluke 897

9 Old Course Ranfurly 893

10 Lanark 890

11 Colville Park 875

12 Airdrie 874

13 Bearsden 869

14 Largs 864

15 Bothwell Castle 862

16 Douglas Park 860

17 Clober 848

18 Hilton Park 843

19 Dullatur 840

20 Dunaverty 839 

MyGolfRanking.net SCOTLAND GOLFERS of Week 2021/03

SCOTLAND LADIES

1 Madeleine Macgregor (Hamilton) 1327 points

2 Lynn Cranston (Liberton) 1292

3 Alyson Phillips (Oldmeldrum) 1213

4 Nicky Graham (Baberton) 1184

5 Gillian Ping (Falkirk GC) 1181

6 Megan Docherty (Bishopbriggs) 1173

7 Jackie Carty (Hollandbush) 1163

8 Shaeen Ahmad (Balmore) 1157

9 Isabell Donnelly (Gleddoch) 1150

10 Hazel Hume (Tillicoultry) 1144

11 Alison Gray (Elmwood) 1141

12 Emily Aird (Blairgowrie) 1140

13 Dianne Watson (Leven Ladies) 1135 

T14 Anne-Marie Livingstone (Cawder) 1133 & Ava Paterson (Tulliallan) 1133

SCOTLAND LADIES CLUBS

1 Tillicoultry 1026

2 Braehead 997

3 Balmore 990

4 Loudoun Gowf 983 

5 Grangemouth 959 

6 Pitlochry 951

Past Fife Captain and Past President Christine Steedman has died

                                              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 old Kirkwood Golf website

She was also part of the Midlands Vets team who played against a West Vets Team in 2019 at Falkirk in the MID WEST TROPHY MATCH -- Click Here for photos

ANNE BROWNIE’S ACE HAS QUALIFIED HER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN HER A TRIP TO TPC SAWGRASS.

🚨 HOLE IN ONE ALERT 🚨 

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. 🇺🇸✈️🏌️‍♂️

Kilmacolm line up former Scottish Women's champion Megan Briggs as club captain

Megan in 2009 with the Scottish Amateur Championship Trophy 

 at Kilmacolm Golf Club 

By Martin Dempster 

The Scotsman Newspaper - 15th January 2021

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.

LISTEN TO AYRSHIRE'S HAZEL MCGARVIE ON GOLF TALK

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. 

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW 

MYGOLFRANKING - WEEK 1 IN 2021

MyGolfRanking.net SCOTLAND GOLFER of Week 2021/01 is MADELEINE MACGREGOR of HAMILTON LADIES who remains NUMBER ONE on SCOTLAND Ladies MGRanking

SCOTLAND LADIES

1 Madeleine Macgregor (Hamilton) 1327 points 

2 Lynn Cranston (Liberton) 1292

3 Alyson Phillips (Oldmeldrum) 1213

4 Nicky Graham (Baberton) 1184

5 Gillian Ping (Falkirk GC) 1181

6 Megan Docherty (Bishopbriggs) 1173

7 Dianne Watson (Leven Ladies) 1167

8 Jackie Carty (Hollandbush) 1163

9 Shaeen Ahmad (Balmore) 1157

10 Isabell Donnelly (Gleddoch) 1150

11 Hazel Hume (Tillicoultry) 1144

12 Margaret Parr (Merchants of Edinburgh) 1142 

13 Emily Aird (Blairgowrie) 1140

14 Ava Paterson (Tulliallan) 1133

15 Alison Gray (Elmwood) 1132

SCOTLAND LADIES CLUBS 

1 Tillicoultry 1026

2 Braehead 997

3 Balmore 990

4 Loudoun Gowf 979

5 Grangemouth 959

6 Pitlochry 951

MEGAN BRIGGS - Assume nothing – you might just get a fresh perspective

Great article by Kilmacolm’s  Club Vice Captain Megan Briggs who not only is a great golfer but gives a great insight into our assumptions.........

CLICK HERE TO READ MEGANS BLOG

COVID - 19 UPDATE - 4th January 2021

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

If you missed "Iron Women" program -- CATCH UP BBC IPLAYER

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'.

GO TO BBC IPLAYER -- CLICK HERE -- AVAILABLE FOR A MONTH

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 

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL GOLFERS AND READERS OF THIS WEBSITE

 

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 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Report from today's Press and Journal Newspaper

The Glasgow Herald 2nd January 2021