Dunning Golf Update w/e 11th April 2015
Wee Henry McPherson stylishly kitted out for golf at Dunning during the recent warm weather. Nice shorts Henry, but not sure those shoes are regulation golf footware.
April Medal
The temperature was way up on last week, the wind speed was way down …and, as a consequence, so was the scoring. Leading the charge and overall winner of the April Medal was Bob West with a fine net 57. He’s rewarded with a 3 shot handicap cut. Rough justice according to Bob. Well deserved justice according to the rest of us. A field of 78 golfers participated on the day. A great number but slightly less than the number booked to play. Unfortunately there were a number of on the day cancellations and no shows. My colleagues in the Match Secretary’s Secret Police have asked me to advise all gents to be more considerate and “play the game” (literally). Tee times on Saturday mornings are very precious. Only book one if you actually intend to play. That way we can all have the opportunity to enjoy our competition golf and save the Secret Police from invoking avoidable punishment. Consistent “no shows” will have their booking rights removed, so they tell me.
This weekend we move onto the first round of the prestigious Rollo Spoon. The competition will run over the next three Saturdays with the best two scores from three counting. In addition, the top 16 gross scores will qualify for the Dunning Scratch Matchplay Championship. Defending his Rollo Spoon from last year is Jack Cahalin. Previously known as Young Jack Cahalin, Jack now loses the “Young” tag as he moves onto the ripe old age of 15 this year. His tag passes to brother Tom, henceforth to be known as Young Tom Cahalin – an equally talented golfer and a much more youthful 12 this year. Their not so talented father, Jonathan, will continue to be known as Old Jonathan Cahalin.
And finally on the competition front, sign up sheets will be going up in the Gents Changing Room this weekend for our three handicap Matchplay competitions:
- The Alexander Cup and the Colonel George Cup – both Singles with full handicap allowance
- The Patterson Quaich – Pairs competition in Foursomes (format). If it’s not obvious, you’ll need a partner for this! #Justsaying.
The sign up sheets will be removed on the May Bank Holiday weekend so the draws can be made. Both Singles winners qualify for the Grand Slam of Golf.
For the Ladies
Their first Monthly Medal was played this week with Anita Simmons topping the charts with an excellent net 61. She also incurs a deserved 3 shot handicap cut – something her Mixed Pairs partner, Russell Henderson, will no doubt be congratulating her on.
For the first time this season, we have been allocating a small number of tee times on Saturday afternoons to accommodate those Ladies who are unable to participate in the regular Tuesday competitions. Take up has been slow to date so it has been agreed that any unused tee times will be converted back to the Gents Medal if not taken by Friday mornings. There will always remain at least one tee time for those Ladies who may wish to make a last minute playing decision.
It has been reported to me that a few Ladies are having trouble finding their way around the new, leading edge, (supposedly) much easier to navigate Dunning Golf Club web site. The temptation to make any point about lady drivers and direction finding will be resisted. I’m just not going there, mainly because there are probably a few guys having exactly the same issues, but not admitting it. That’s just a bloke thing. To help, here’s a quick Satnav Special piece of help. Most of the areas you will need to access on a regular basis can be found via the Members tab. These include:
- Member On Line Booking
- Master Scoreboard
- Course Status
- Diary
- Fixtures
The Fixtures tab provides a lot of useful information – not just our Fixture lists but helpful stuff on playing in competitions at Dunning eg Ladies Draw information.
The other area to access regularly is News, which provides the most up to date info on what’s happening in all sections of the Club including a copy of this weekly blog (if you can possibly bear to read it twice).
US Masters Mixed Texas Scramble
The above turned out to be an incredibly successful event with ten teams of four participating in gorgeous weather last Wednesday. It was particularly good to see so many new members as well as members new to competitions taking part – after all, they were the target audience for this event. The winning team comprised two such golfers from the “new “ category – Norrie Stewart and Cheryl Davies along with established members, Peter Adamson and Corinna Hill.
We are running five of these events this year, the next one being on Wednesday 17thJune – the US Open Mixed Texas Scramble. There’s a theme here! Make it a date in your diary.
Forthcoming Attractions
Coming soon to a golf course near you in Dunning:
- Gents Summer League, the Race to Fairmont, starts on Thursday 7th May
- The Gents Invitational Pairs – first of four Invitational Saturdays – takes place on Saturday 9th May. Find yourself a Guest to play with and book your tee time now. The booking form is open.
- First Round of the Mixed Pairs (including the Roy Smith Memorial Trophy) is on Sunday 10th May with a 9.30am shotgun start. Let the Starters know if you would like to play but want us to arrange a partner.
Soooooooo much going on.
Enjoy the tropical weather while it lasts.
Alan Hill
Match and Handicap Secretary
Lovely photograph taken by Sandy Hunter, apparently on his way to work one morning last week. There is a view that it may have been taken as he left the Kirkstyle late one night. The two occasions could, of course , be one and the same .
