HAMISH MCTAVISH CUP

What a fantastic round of golf in very windy conditions. Angus shot a gross 78 nett 64 to win the Hamish McTavish Cup by 7 shots. He puts in so much practice and this score was always coming. Great turnout today with 9 playing in the competition and 2 playing for handicap. 

LETTER FROM CONVENOR

We are nearly 4 weeks into the season and so much is happening. 

Great to see so many out playing but only Andrew, Kieran and Leighton have returned Leitfie Summer League cards. With the Leitfie Flag Championship taking place on Sunday 12th May there is plenty of time for everyone without a WHS (World Handicap System) to get practicing, this event is a lot of fun and ideal for measuring improvement.

Coaching started on Wednesday with 30 juniors attending the 3 sessions. Kathryn was really impressed by the standard our players are at. She opened each session with a quick introduction of herself and where golf's journey had taken her. She followed that with the importance that she and other professionals make in preparation for playing or practicing by demonstrating warm up techniques. After a few team building exercises and games she headed for the putting green and explained the importance of understanding the putting stroke. Again the teams rotated round with a different skill to be developed. Then it was back to the chipping area to concentrate on accuracy and control. As the weeks progress the programme will include range work and on course development.  

Annie became our 9th new member for the season and attended her 1st coaching session. 

6,5,4,3,2 ? No it's not a countdown but our free golf shoe swap scheme merry go round. Tommy needed size 6’s, his 5’s went to Callum who’s 4’s went to Annie who’s 3’s went to Cameron who's 2 are back in stock. Another brilliant idea working so well.

Isla Primary School - 5 girls from primary's 3 and 4 have booked in for a Taster session on the 9th May

On Sunday 5th May we host our first GolfSixes League match when we welcome Blairgowrie, Kinross and North Inch. We have a squad of 12 and Noah, Seamus, Hunter, Callum, Tommy and Jayden will make up the first team of 6. 

For our Rannaleroch players we have entered 2 teams into the 2024 Bell Salver and I will be organising squads for this soon. We have 9 players entered into the Hamish McTavish Cup on Saturday with Drew and Shay playing for their handicaps. Turnouts have been very encouraging with up to 12 playing regularly. 

We took delivery of the rangefinder we are adding to our hire scheme and will be offering these to players who we believe will benefit from using them.   

Finally Conan and Keir will be playing in the Junior Tour Scotland event at Forfar. Pleased that both boys have gained entry and this is just another step in their progression.

FIRST COACHING SESSION OF 2024

Totally impressed by Kathryn Imrie tonight, her professionalism shone through and more importantly the juniors loved it. She started all three sessions with a quick introduction of herself and where golf’s journey had taken her. She then used her and other pros preparation techniques to a warm up first before having a few team building games and then headed for the putting green.

 I believe this approach will install a tried and tested routine into their pre game routine. After explaining and demonstrating the concepts of putting the teams competed against each other in challenges again bringing a fun element into what is probably the most important part of golf if you want to score well. 

She then took them to the pitching area where she had set up open umbrellas as small targets (Kirsty Brodie past Strathmore junior and Scottish Internationalist did this all the time) Again the youngster were split into team groups and loved the competitive edge. 

Kathryn hadn’t realised the standard our juniors were performing at, which is testament to Gareth Couzens and all we have done over the years, and although we had a few new members attending tonight she now has a better idea and will take this into account. 

Personally I agree with the putting and short game approach as a starter. As the weeks progress she has a programme to include range and finally on course work. 

Can’t wait to see the progress. 

BACK UP ON HIS FEET

Just had a video from Jeni, Keegan is up on his feet and walking with crutches and will be home in his own bed tonight after his knee operation today. To add to the good news Euan became new member number 8 for the season. 

ANOTHER LEARNING CURVE

Today playing the semi final of the Bell Salver our team did their best but unfortunately lost out to Auchterarder. Cammy lost out Nick, who was 1 under par through 13. Conan lost to Lucas on the 17th, Keegan unfortunately had to concede to James after being one down after 17 and we wish him all the best for a quick recovery from his scheduled knee operation tomorrow. Keir secured a fantastic halved match with Angus, dormie 2 after 16 he had already secured a point but Angus nearly holed out his tee shot on 17 and birdied the hole and then birdied 18 ! Proud of how all our players performed. 

We received a generous donation of £75 from Strathord Inn, Stanley, whose darts team played at golf at Strathmore yesterday. Huge shout out to Grant Duff and Scott Shilliday. 

Past Junior Captain Megan Ashley finished joint 6th in the Helen Holm at Troon and Katy Alexander who started at Strathmore finished tied 19th. 

Overall not a bad day, and then another enquiry for membership !! 

WHAT A WEEK

Let’s start with today. Taster session for Euan who looks like he will be new member no 8 for the season. Then Tom upgraded his hire set and scored 38 Stableford points in the afternoon to prove they work. The Summer League today was won by Keegan with 39 points, it’s bitter sweet for him as he plays tomorrow in the Bells Salver semi final, now off a lower handicap, but he is a player in great form with more handicap cuts to come, but should we qualify he will miss the final at Gleneagles as as he has to undergo surgery on his knee on Monday and will be unable to play for a few weeks. We wish him a speedy and full recovery. All our results can be found in the Courier and Blairgowrie Advertiser. We have decided to enter the Home Nations Inter Club Championship as we now have a squad of players capable of competing at this level. We are also busy organising a GolfSixes squad giving a chance to our younger players who show commitment to our Leitfie competitions and introduce them to a competitive team format. Had a call from Ladybank Golf Club this week for some advise and through that we are arranging a reciprocal annual match between our Clubs. Thank you Craig Martin and Ladybank PGA professional Sandy Smith. Megan Ashley a past Junior Captain at Strathmore was after day 1 the leading Scot and after day 2 is currently one shot off the lead in the Helen Holm at Troon. Finally recent members Scott Manpherson and Tracey Shanks of Gordana Graphics generously donated £500 to the Juniors, we are going to purchase range finders to add to our hire scheme and these will be offered to juniors who we believe would benefit from having them. Tomorrow it’s off the Alyth Golf Club for the Bell Salver semi final against Auchterarder and may the best team win. 

BIG WEEK OFF WITH A BANG

Ben has become our 7th new member of 2024 and we look forward to meeting him soon. Spaces on the coaching sessions are filling up fast. There were some handicap cuts from Saturday, which is amazing considering the conditions. This Sunday sees Strathmore B team play Auchterarder in the semi final of the Bell Salver at Alyth. The team is Cameron Redden, Conan Reid, Keegan Fergusson, Keir Reid with Alasdair Brass as reserve. With the final taking place at Gleneagles the following Saturday this gives the team all the incentive they need and I am confident the team will play their hearts out for each other.