ANOTHER BUSY WEEKEND

Yesterday got off to a great start. I have run a couple of sessions on a Saturday and Sunday mornings over the last couple of weeks, but have been disappointed by the numbers participating. In saying that those who came along have improved so much. Euan Tuddenham came along today and I was able to spend a lot of time on his ball positioning, chipping, pitching and putting and what a difference, you could see his confidence grow as he took it all on board. Hunter McQueen came along yesterday and his improvements are evident, he practices and plays and is getting very close to upgrading to Rannaleroch. He has grown a bit and his strength has improved, bright future ahead as he doesn’t lack confidence. Ellis has attended the last two weeks and his attention to detail is turning his game around. Today after a great drive which resulted in a five left him needing a seven on the ninth to achieve his first Certificate, he was on the green in four (including an unusual for him fresh air shot) and with three putts to secure it, he unfortunately didn’t make it, but oh so close. He will achieve it soon. Finally up was Darcy Fleming, and last week she was struggling but listened and learned. She teed off yesterday and hit her drive straight down the middle. A great chip onto the green and three putts to secure a five. An easy seven up the last secured her first Certificate which was so unlikely last week. So proud of her, she listens and wants to get better and by understanding how.

After fitting Jack Stevenson for a replacement driver from our hire scheme, which using our section trackman is becoming so much easier. Dawn and I headed to Alyth GC to see how our five players were doing. Cameron Galloway, Struan Shepherd, Jessica Sievwright, Louis Purdie and Archie Pattullo all played well and Archie was so unlucky, a par on 18 would have booked him a space in the final in Spain but unfortunately he didn’t make it. A gross 76 was still a great score. 

Finally congratulations to Angus Palmer who captained the P&K Boys Team to a third place in the Scottish Area Team Championship at Hamilton today.

WHAT A COUPLE OF DAYS

Yesterday Keegan Fergusson shot a fantastic gross 78 nett 68 and lowered his handicap once again. Great season he is having and his improvement has been impressive. 

Today Strathmore hosted the P&K Autumn Meeting with 28 players trying to secure their 2026  Gleneagles Scholarships. We are delighted to confirm Archie Pattullo, who was in a strong position, took 8th place and enough points to qualify. He follows in the footstep’s of Allan Easton, who was the first Strathmore Junior to receive it, and had it 2 years running. Many more Strathmore juniors followed, including recently, Alex Simpson and Kirsty Brodie who both received it multiple times. Angus Palmer and Archie Loudon still hold outside chances, so still all to play for.  

This morning Darcy Fleming, Mia Baxter and Ellis Murray came along to our extra sessions and I was very impressed with them all. They listened and took everything in and the improvements were impressive. This could be the start of of our future teams. 

We have two huge Team events, potentially three, coming up and these are the climax to an amazing season. Looking forward to the these with anticipation as I know Strathmore Juniors never fail to surprise, and we have very strong teams available. 

EXCITING MONTH COMING UP, AND MAYBE TWO

The Scottish Boys Area Team Championship will take place at Hamilton Golf Club on the 14th of September. The team to represent Perth and Kinross at the event are:

• Cameron Russell – Crieff Golf Club
• Angus Palmer (Boys Team Captain) – Strathmore Golf Centre
• Robbie Hepburn – Kinross Golf Club
• Luke Ross – Dunning Golf Club

Congratulations to Angus on his selection as Team Captain, which is a huge honour. 

This Sunday the 7th of September sees Strathmore host the P&K Junior Autumn meeting with Archie Pattullo in a strong position to secure his place in the Gleneagles Scholarship by picking up some points in the Scratch. Archie Loudon will be hoping so as it increases his chances in the Handicap section. Angus Palmer and Louis Purdie hold chances of getting a spot but both need top spots in the next 3 events. 

Sunday the 14th sees the Junior European Open take place at Alyth with four Strathmore players entered. This is a Scratch event with the top two boys and one girl qualifying for the finals in Spain. There are 10 places available to the best ten handicap players overall. 

Sunday 21st sees a 3 way clash. We have the semi final of the Junior Team Golf Championship at Braehead and I would like to field a strong team as we have a chance to reach another National Final. Murrayshall are hosting their rescheduled Junior Open and Carnoustie are hosting the Alfred Dunhill Schools qualifier. We have Juniors entered in both but hopefully this Sunday will make options clearer. I support all our players in whatever they decide to participate in however supporting team events is necessary and appreciated. 

Sunday 28th we’ve qualified to the Scottish Junior Team Championship at North Berwick and this is huge for us. A chance for Strathmore Juniors to not only be the best in P&K but in Scotland.  

We have had seven new enquiries for membership in the last two weeks and Callan Mackie achieved his first WHS handicap of 34.3 after joining just two weeks ago. Success breeds success.

JUNIOR TEAM GOLF

Dawn and I traveled down to Duddingston Golf Club today, more with hope than expectation. Our four lowest handicap players were unavailable, so with one gross score counting towards the team score along with four nett scores we knew it was going to be difficult. We only had five players up to two days ago, after a late call off,  but Saoirse Sangerman agreed to play although she was outside the maximum handicap. Archie Pattullo led the team out today and played his part by returning a gross 79. Louis Purdie after losing a ball with his first tee shot, showed his resilience to return our first nett score. Jack Stevenson was only 3 over at the turn and we started to think maybe just maybe. Tom Stevenson was also doing ok. Archie Loudon was struggling as was Saoirse but both dug in and kept going. They announced the best gross score and best handicap scores first and the went onto the team scores. With only 4 shots between 5th and 2nd place it was going to be close. Stirling finished 5th, Royal Burgess finished 4th and we were pipped by Turnhouse on 6th score count back. Every Strathmore players score counted in what was another amazing day for our Juniors. These youngster never fail to surprise me but their tenacity and never say die attitude is what makes it so special. Now it’s the semi finals at Alloa on the 21st of September which clashes with the Murrayshall Junior Open, a qualifier for the Gleneagles Scholarship. I have already spoken to both Archie’s and Louis, who all have realistic chances of qualifying, and am happy for them to miss the semi finals at Alloa, but that leaves me with a problem that I’ve to have a team for the 21st. I’m sure others can step up to the plate and let’s see what happens. 

BUSY SATURDAY

First up huge thank you to Lesley and Graham Haynes who for the second time have donated a selection of equipment to our Club Hire Scheme. Two Callaway trolley bags, Benross VX05 irons 5- SW, Adam a12 os 4- SW, 3 Wood. Also 2 Callaway drivers, X Hot 11.5 and Hyper X 11. All clubs have regular graphite shafts so ideal for older boys and girls. I am always grateful for the generosity of Strathmore members and others who know about our scheme and it makes it possible for us to cater for youths in our section and keeps golf affordable, and making sure they are still playing with appropriate equipment. Next up was Summer League on Rannaleroch and Callan Mackie getting his third card in for handicap. I went out with him and Archie Louden and had so much fun and a lot of laughs. Archie played a shot on the second hole which was reminiscent of a top professional. From 20yds short of the green to a back pin position, he hit a 60 degree wedge which on the second bounce had so much spin, only momentum allowed it to dribble down to the hole, leaving a tap in par. Impressive for an 11 year old. Callan had his first par on the 10th and I believe he has a bright future. Both boys never stopped chatting all the way round but I did have to remind them on a couple of occasions that I was about to play my shot so it was time to be quiet. A learning curve and teaching etiquette so all good. Keir Reid led the field today with Keegan Fergusson taking second place. Finally last night myself and past Junior Scratch Champion and Captain Allan Easton played our way into the Gents Foursomes Final with a 5&4 win. The success of the Juniors has maybe inspired us ! 

BELL SALVER FINAL

For the first time in history 2 teams from the same club competed in the Perth and Kinross County Golf Junior Bell Salver. Strathmore 1 was led out by Keegan Fergusson and Strathmore 2 by Stuart Duncan. Keegan got ahead early and Stuart found it hard to peg him back especially as Keegan has improved his length off the tee and was getting 5 shots. Keir Reid was next up against Archie Pattullo and this game proved to be very close with the lead changing. Struan Shepherd was getting 17 shots from Louis Purdie and making it tough but putting was going to be key in this game. Olly Stevenson was last out against Joseph Frullani and was giving 6 shots. Olly was behind early and with Joe out driving him consistently was finding it really tough and their match was the first to finish. 

Keegan squared the match by winning against Stuart. Keir was 3 down with 3 to play but fought back to secure a fantastic halved match. Struan had been 3 down but fought back to be all square on 12, which included a 50ft putt from off the green on 11. He found the water on 13 and also lost 14. Louis won 15 to go dormie but found the rough and an horrendous lie on 16. He got the ball back into play and his 3rd shot was just short of the putting surface, but with Struan on the green in 2 it looked as though the game would go on. Struan putted first and left it a bit short. As I said this game came down to putting and when Louis rolled his putt in from off the green, Struan had to hole his for the match to go on but unfortunately just missed and Strathmore 2 won the Trophy 2.5 v 1.5. 

All players should be so proud of their performances. Dawn and I certainly are. Their progress collectively is amazing. Not only those who played but all the 16 squad members who played in previous League matches. Without everyone’s contributions this wouldn’t have happened so although Strathmore 2 won the Trophy. Strathmore Juniors en masse were all winners today and I will never forget how much this meant to me personally. Seeing these youngsters progress and their games improve is what makes it all worthwhile. I would also like to thank Jessica Sievwright who came down to support her teammates and Past Junior Captains Cameron Redden and Conan Reid who also took time out to give their support. 

With three new membership enquiries yesterday and another one whilst I was walking round today we might need three teams for next year. 

Spoke to new member Callan Mackie’s dad and during the conversation he mentioned that the half set of clubs he bought at Christmas maybe were needing replaced and he was thinking of buying another set. I told him about our Club Hire Scheme and explained how it worked. I met them on Saturday before they went out for a round. Measured him for clubs and fitted him for a full 11 club set of Golphin left handed 134’s rrp £590 our annual hire charge is £25 per annum, told him as we were into August £15 was fine but he was so delighted he gave me £20 and donated his set back into the Scheme. This is why the Scheme makes so much sense, buying clubs which youngsters can outgrow within months makes no sense when the hire option is there. Dawn and I took Callan out for his 2nd card and were encouraged that after a nervous start he settled down and hit a lot of good shots. Huge potential for an eleven year old and he is keen to come out on a Saturday to play competitive golf and get his handicap.