Happy New Year

  A  Good New Year to you all.   Let's hope 2021 will be a better year for all of us.  I certainly hope we can  all have a get together at some point before October!!!

Margaret Kerr

Ladies Captain

Happy Christmas

 

By now you will all have received our Captain’s email covering the new rules from Boxing Day at the Club.  Do please appreciate that if you wish to play golf over the duration of the lockdown period, you need to extract your clubs etc.  from the bag store as it will be not be in use.

I have asked the office to give the ladies a block of 30 minutes starting at 9.57 a.m. on a Tuesday so that they can get their names in and ensure a tee time for play as the course is getting increasingly busy.  Joan suggested that the ladies should just turn up and play but James’ email to members asks that everyone requires to book their time and be on the booking sheet with everyone turning up no earlier than 10 minutes before the tee off time.

You will now know that I have taken over as House Convenor for 2021 along with my duties as Ladies Captain.   During the lockdown, the clubhouse is to be deep cleaned and I have already made a list of the things I would like to see altered along with the work inside and outside the clubhouse that I see require to be carried out.   If there is anything you think should be drawn to my attention, please do not hesitate to email and I will try my best to help.

A newsletter from the Club has just been circulated to everyone and whilst all competition golf is suspended meantime, I look forward to seeing you all on the golf courses whenever you can.

I take this opportunity of wishing you all a Merry Christmas and  a good New Year. 

Happy golfing with hopefully a handicap reduction!

 

Margaret Kerr, Ladies Captain

 

Winter League results +

Having just received the printout from Dawn, here are the results of the Winter League played on Rosemount on 20th November.  I note there is another good turnout for Friday this week.

Division 1 winner Sheila Bruce - net 47

Division 2 winner Erica Espley - net 50.

Wee Course winner - Jean Laburn with 19 points

An another subject altogether, Margaret Hunter is wondering if anyone can let her know the name of the lady on the far right at the back  in the picture below.   If you do know, can you please either let Margaret or myself know.

Margaret Kerr, Ladies Captain.

Ladies Winter League

Today we had a record number of ladies playing on Lansdowne in our first round for  the Stanley Clark Trophy.  Whilst the weather was cold with a bit of a breeze, it was dry and good scores were recorded.

Division 1 winner was Susan Arbuckle with a net 48

Division 2 winner was Elaine Robson with a net 50.

Anna Carson was the winner of the Wee Course winter league with 18 stableford points (after  countback).   

Well done to you all - it was grand to have such a large turnout.

Margaret Kerr, Ladies Captain

Stableford winners and more information

 

On 6^th November, the ladies played a non counting stableford competition on the most beautiful day of our Autumn.  There was a very good entry and the winners were Barbara Lyburn (Division 1) (39 points bih);  Susan Arbuckle was 2^nd also with 39 points;   Erica Espley (Division 2)   with 36 points and 2^nd was Gill Tissell (34 points bih).  The scene around the loch was stunning; not a ripple on the water making it look like a glass mirror, and so we asked Gill to take a photograph.     Here is one view and another with Kathy Cameron in action on the 16^th tee.

 

 

The Ladies Committee have been unable to hold monthly indoor meetings due to the Covid19 regulations but have instead discussed various matters by email and made decisions.  

The Turkey Trot had a very good entry number of ladies this year and so we agreed that it would be fairer to give gift cards for 1^st and 2^nd in each division rather than an overall 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd.  The rules will therefore be altered accordingly.

I see there are more names entered for the competition on  Friday 13^th November than time slots booked – I have asked Dawn to extend the times available and make sure all the ladies are included in the draw.

For the winter league and also the Wee Course winter league, because of the pandemic,  we are to give a voucher at the end of the season to the lady with the best six scores (with count backs on last cards if required) for play on Rosemount  and on the Wee Course rather than hand out golf balls on the day but we will continue when possible to take photographs of the winners  for the blog.  The Stanley Clark Trophy will still be played on Lansdowne on the 2^nd and 4^th Friday of the month per the current rules.   Also, because of the Covid19 rules in place regarding the handling of paper, there will be no winter ringer or eclectic competitions held this year.

The Club is not to hold an annual prizegiving but the list of prize winners is displayed on our noticeboard in the upstairs locker room and will also be online. The Report & Accounts booklet will be available on 19th November.  The AGM will be a virtual one and the information regarding this is now online.    

Unfortunately, this year we will be not hold our Christmas Lunch but our caterers, Gary and Elaine continue to provide excellent meals  and will be continuing with their delivery service.   

This is a unique year - we can only hope that things will be different by the end of March 2021.

  

Margaret Kerr, Ladies Captain.

Up to date winners and competition on 6th November

  

The new system at the Club will not be in place for our competition on 6^th November so  instead this will be played as  a non-counting stableford competition.  

The Winter League will start on Lansdowne on 13th November - this will be the first round for the Stanley Clark Trophy;   please enter online as usual and a draw will be done by the office.

Congratulations to Susan Arbuckle for winning the Medal Winners Medal but all the  players deserve a medal  for playing the full round on Lansdowne in such adverse weather conditions.

The Turkey Trot had an extremely good entry with £68 collected. First prize of £35 goes to Barbara Lyburn with 35 points; second prize of £20  goes to Mary Miller (33 points bih); and third prize of £13 to Liz Fertacz (33 points).

Margaret Kerr

Ladies Captain

Latest Updates

Following a good entry, congratulations to Sheila Bruce who is the first winner of the Centenary Medal beating Katie Chapman with a better inward half.   Hopefully, all being nearly normal, this will revert back to a Friday competition next year, probably played for in August.

I see there are a good number of ladies playing  on Friday in the Turkey Trot - remember there is an entry fee for this.  As usual, we have M & S gift cards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

As emails were sent out to you all from the Club, the winter league commences on 13th instead of the 6th November - the Club have intimated they require more time for the world handicap system to be put in place.  Instead, on the 6th we have a non-counting stableford competition - book your own times and partners for this one.

The medal winners' draw has been done and they are to play in the Medal Winners competition on Saturday 31st October on Lansdowne commencing at 12.03 p.m.

As you know, Steven's last day with us will be this Friday and I am sure all the ladies join with me in wishing him every success in the future.

I will keep you all  up to date with further news.

Margaret Kerr, Ladies Captain.

Ladies Operating Procedures

 

I understand many of you are unable to open the Ladies Section Operating Procedures online so I have appended them here.   They are designed to replace the former Ladies Section Management Agreement.

Margaret Kerr, Ladies Captain

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The Blairgowrie Golf Club – Operating Procedures for the Ladies Section

Club Rule 2.2 states:- “The Ladies Captain will be elected at a meeting other than at an AGM or Special General Meeting, attended only by the  lady Full Members.  The meeting will be arranged and managed by the Ladies as they determine.”

The meeting will be called the Ladies Annual Meeting and will be held during the month of October.

Any motion or nominations for candidates for the offices of Ladies Captain, Ladies Vice Captain and members of the Ladies Committee must be duly proposed and seconded by full lady members and intimated in writing to the Club’s Managing Secretary not later than 15th September in each year. In the event of the number of nominations for committee exceeding the number of vacancies, a vote will be required to elect the required number.   A notice listing any candidate will be posted on the notice boards. 

The Ladies Committee will display on the notice boards not later than 22nd September a notice intimating the date, time and place of the Annual Meeting along with any nominations, proposals or motions (in relation to the Ladies competitions or events) it intends to place before the Annual Meeting.   Any nomination, proposal or motion made by the Ladies Committee will be deemed to have been duly proposed and seconded. 

At that meeting, the Lady members will elect their own representative or Ladies Captain and shall also elect their own sub-committee with Operating Procedures in line with the Club Rules.  Twenty-five of the Ladies Section who are full members of the Club will form a quorum.    It will primarily focus on the appointment of the Ladies office bearers and Committee members; Any subject relating to the running of the Ladies Section competitions or events may be discussed at the Annual Meeting but any query, proposal or motion outwith ladies’ competitions will not be accepted but will be forwarded to the main Committee for review or discussion at the AGM.

The Ladies Committee will comprise: Ladies Captain, Ladies Vice Captain and three other lady full members elected by the Ladies but this is the minimum requirement to ensure the section runs efficiently.   Additional Committee members may be co-opted if it is deemed necessary by the Ladies Captain or representative.

The Ladies Captain and Ladies Vice Captain will be elected for one year.  If a vacancy occurs in respect of these positions for whatever reason during the year, these positions may be filled by one of the other members of the Ladies Committee by a simple majority vote within that Committee but only for the period to the next Annual or Special Meeting of the Ladies Section.  The three members of the Ladies Committee will be elected for a period of two years and will be eligible for re-election for a second period of two years.  After having served for four years, they will not be eligible for re-election until the expiry of one year.  However, they will be eligible for election to Ladies Captain or Ladies Vice Captain.  If any member of the Ladies Committee vacates office, the Ladies Committee may select a full lady member to fill the position until the next Annual Meeting.

The function of the Ladies Committee is to ensure the overall smooth running of the Ladies Section (which includes all lady members of the Wee Course) and ensure prominent representation of the ladies at the Blairgowrie Golf Club.  The Ladies Committee is represented on the main Committee by the Ladies Captain or representative. 

The Ladies Committee will meet regularly as necessary.  Any questions arising will be decided by a majority of votes with the Lady Captain of the meeting having a casting vote in addition to a deliberative vote.   The quorum for meetings of the Ladies Committee will be three.

The Ladies Section will adhere to the Operating Procedures and will at all times operate within the Rules and Bye-Laws of the Club.  In the event of any dispute within the Ladies Section, the matter will be brought to the next available Committee meeting for discussion and resolution.  The Committee’s decision will be final. 

None of the foregoing clauses will be repealed or altered or added to and no new clauses made except with the concurrence of two thirds of the full lady members present and voting at an Annual or Special Meeting of the Ladies Section called for that purpose and always subject to the approval of the main Committee.

 Ladies Committee - October  2020

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Centenary Medal - 20th October

Just a quick reminder that the Centenary Medal is scheduled for 20th October.   Ladies should book their own partners and times and let the Pro Shop know before play that this wish to play for this.   Play can be in 2s, 3s or 4s.  The alternate day for this is Sunday 18th October.

Best of luck to you all.

Margaret Kerr, Ladies Captain.

Ladies Tri-Am Open

We had 81 ladies taking part in the Tri-Am Open held on Thursday, 8th October.  The ladies enjoyed a dry and sunny day but there was a shower of rain towards the end of play; however some excellent scores were recorded.  Due to the social distancing regulations, there was a lack of the  usual buzz in the clubhouse which marred the day.   My thanks to all the ladies who helped on the reception desk.

Scratch Winners – Fiona Johnston (Blairgowrie) Fiona Hill & Aileen Baker (both Crail)

1^st Handicap Winners – Mary Hope, Susan Arbuckle & Maureen Brass (all Blairgowrie)

2^nd Handicap Winners – Liz Fertacz, Heather Anderson & Gillian Wallace (all Blairgowrie)

3^rd Handicap Winners -  Linda McDonald & L. Bennett (both Ladybank ) & Linda Dyball (Pitreavie)

4^th Handicap Winners -  Wendy Edwards (Forfar),  Lesley Pert & Fiona Anderson (both Edzell)

5^th Handicap Winners – Sheila Bruce & Janice Lang (both Blairgowrie) and Anne Mailer (Pitlochry)

Nearest the 15^th Pin – Angela Kerr (Edzell) and Nearest the 17^th Pin - Janet Thompson (St. Regulus)

Here are some pictures :-

On another note, Gillian Wallace won the Karrinyup Spoon today.   Mary Miller won the Jessie Valentine Trophy from Liz Fertacz and Brenda Clough won the Coronation Trophy from Jacqui Landsburgh.

We await news from the Club about the new handicap system which should commence on 2nd November.   The Winter Leagues commence on 6th November  on Rosemount and on the Wee Course.  Please enter online as previously.  This year, we will play Winter League on Rosemount and the Stanley Clark Trophy on Lansdowne.    No ringers or eclectics will be played and no prizes given out until the end of the season but I look forward to seeing you all socially every week after play.    

Notice has gone out to all members regarding the AGM on 3rd December.

Margaret Kerr, Ladies Captain.

Some More Information

It may come as news to some ladies that we have three divisions for handicap purposes for all competitions i.e. Handicap 1 to 20.4 is now Gold; Handicap 20.5 to 36.4 is now Silver; and 36.5 to 54 is now Bronze.  You may have noticed this on the results sheets which Dawn has been posting on the downstairs notice board. 

The Ladies Operating Principles have now been finalised and are currently with the Rules Review Committee for approval.   Once they are, they will be emailed to all lady members and then passed to the Managing Secretary to go to the Club Committee and Annual General Meeting.

Please note that any lady who plays in the allotted times on the alternate days is deemed to have entered the competition and if she fails to return her card, it will be recorded as a No Return.

There are one or two spaces available for the Tri-Am  and there is still time to enter a team -  the Tri-Am is  to be held on Thursday, 8th October.  

Congratulations and good luck to the finalists, Mary Miller and Liz Fertacz playing  for the Jessie Valentine Trophy and to  Jacqui Landsburgh and Brenda Clough playing for the Coronation Trophy.

The Centenary Medal is to be played for on Tuesday, 20th October on Rosemount - ladies should book their own times and partners and tell the Pro Shop that they are competing.  The alternate day for this will be  Sunday, 18th October.   The winner is the lady with the best net score overall.   

The draft Ladies Fixtures (including Wee Course) for 2021 have now gone to the office with dates mirroring this year as far as possible.

With the Covid19 restrictions at present in place, our Committee meetings are not permitted but I will  keep you updated as best I can on current matters.  Please let a member of  the Committee know if  you have any queries or there is anything you want to report.  

Margaret Kerr - Ladies Captain 

 

Ladies,

Please note that you can  can read a short  history of the Blairgowrie Ladies Golf Club on the main Club website under News and Events. As requested by Robin Duncan, Margaret Hunter wrote the story and it took her quite an amount of time to do so.  There are also four pictures to help you see what the old days looked like.     We think it would  be  good to share the story with Ladies so please do take the time to have a look at the article.

Margaret Kerr, Ladies Captain

News and Annual Meeting information

Finally, we managed last Friday to get Sheila Ritchie's photograph with the Patience Trophy for her Hole in One and I have updated the book which is kept in the trophy cabinet in the Clubhouse.

I obtained permission to present a silver medal for the centenary of the formation of The Blairgowrie Ladies Golf Club in 1920.  This is to be played for on Tuesday 20th October.  Ladies should book their own times and partners and indicate at the Pro Shop if they wish to play for this.  Thereafter, the medal will be played for annually.   Here is what it looks like.

 9th October was the original date for the Ladies Annual Meeting but as we are unable to hold this, the Ladies Committee elected to keep to this date for the sake of notices, etc.  In view of this, Steven Morgan will be sending out a notice to all ladies (with a copy on our notice boards) to keep them informed.  We have approved the 2019 Annual Meeting Minutes and nomination forms have been passed to Steven for Nora and myself to continue for 2021.  The Minutes will be posted online within the next few days.  You will all have heard that the Club Committee have set aside the Ladies Management Agreement - a replacement document called Operating Principles for the Ladies Section will be made  available to the ladies once completed and approved.

In the meantime, please keep alert and stay safe.

Margaret Kerr, Ladies Captain

Ladies Championships

The ladies enjoyed a fine, dry afternoon for their championship rounds today.  I have to thank Russell Martin, Gents Competition Secretary who announced the ladies on the tee.  It was great to see a number of our ladies coming along to support the players.   Due to the current pandemic when space was limited to a maximum of 25 people  in the dining room  it was decided that the ladies would hold their very short prizegiving first to allow the gents to have full capacity for theirs.  My thanks to Steven for setting up the trophies.   The results are as follows:-

Division 1 Champion        -  Emily Aird; Runner Up Susan Arbuckle

Division 2 Champion        - Winner Katie Chapman; Runner Up Gillian Tissell

Sophie's Trophy Champion - Jacqui Landsburgh; Runner Up Julienne Christie-Henry

My grateful thanks go to Nora Bennet and Jo Stewart who were referees.  The matches were close and it gave me great pleasure to referee the Championship game and witness some very fine golf.

Emily gave a short speech with a vote of thanks thereafter.   

Margaret Kerr

Ladies Captain

Latest news - Championships and Tri-Am

 All of you will by now  have read our Captain's email regarding Coronavirus Covid19  rules and regulations for our Club.    New signs have been placed around the clubhouse to make it a safe environment  for all of us.  Remember when entering the clubhouse to ensure you sanitise your hands and if you are not registered to play golf, you require to write your details on the sheet provided.  Please also be more  aware of the one way system in place as it is so easy to forget we should not be leaving the clubhouse by the front entrance.

Some ladies had requested that the ladies run an open competition for ladies.  With this in mind, I suggested a Ladies Tri-am Open which has been met with approval from the Club and I have placed a poster  on the downstairs notice board.  The Tri-am is to be held on Thursday 8th October from 8 a.m.  and only to 1.30 p.m. in view of the lack of evening light - the cost is £60 per team.    Booking is available online and already quite a few teams have entered.  The link for booking is 

https://blair.theblairgowriegolfclub.co.uk/opens/

The Ladies Championship knock out rounds are almost complete in time for the finals on Sunday 30th August - please note the ladies start at 12.30 p.m.  This year, after play we will hold a small presentation of prizes either on the patio or in the dining room.  Players and referrees will be provided with meal vouchers for use at another time. Best of luck to you all and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Margaret Kerr, 

Ladies Captain

LADIES PAST CAPTAINS' DAY 18/08/2020

CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO ENLARGE

 

Lady Captain, Margaret Kerr, hosted the annual Past Captains  Competition and Lunch today on Rosemount.  Ladies played for the Muriel Rae Claret Jug and the winner was Janice Lang,  with 33 points, off 7/8 handicap allowance.   Nora Hay won the Wee Course prize. 

We adhered to strict social distancing rules which meant the usual table layout in the dining room for the Past Captains' Lunch was not possible, but we enjoyed a lovely meal and managed to chat, albeit from a distance.  Many ladies in the Club are not aware that this is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Blairgowrie Ladies Golf Club in September 1920.  Up until then the ladies affairs were handled by the  Gents Committee. The first Lady Captain was Mrs Coupar of Ryefield and she and her Committee took charge of arranging matches and competition for the ladies.  Our Lady Captain will have more to add to this subject shortly.

Traditionally a photograph of all Past Captains attending  the annual lunch is taken, but with social distancing in place, we decided to give that a miss!  The afternoon ended with a Vote of Thanks from Janice Lang.

Ready to go......

Competitions - Latest updates

Now that  everyone has a copy of the Fixtures for August, September and October, you will see that our first round for the Championships will be held on Friday 7th August with the second round on 14th August.  There are alternative days for these and other competitions.   Once the  draws are done for the preliminary knock-out rounds,  please organise to play the various rounds as soon as possible.  You will have until Friday 28th August to complete these, with the finals being held on Lansdowne on Sunday 30th August.

The Senior Stableford on 4th August and Senior Medal on Tuesday 18th August are open to gents and ladies with more of these during September and October.  Ladies pay a £1 entry for their  sweep which will be paid out in two sections - the first being up to 20 handicap and the second for handicap of 21 and over.  The age limit for  ladies is 55 and over.  This is a counting competition for handicap purposes.  These are trials and if successful, will be included on a regular basis for the Senior ladies next year.

On Tuesday 11th we will be playing our Summer Meeting for the Thistle Bowl.   There is no alternate day for this as time is short and there is still sufficient daylight to enable ladies to play in the evening.

Further Mixed competitions will be intimated shortly.

There is to be a white board at the foot of the stairs  with the ladies'  and wee course ladies' competition draws and results for you all to check.  Our Wee Course ladies should get into the habit of entering online or at the Pro Shop for every Friday competition and check online or on the notice board on a Wednesday afternoon for the draw showing their partner(s) and time of play.  Please ensure you  all check in at the Pro Shop before play.

The  computer for entering scores  in the Clubhouse will be operational from 1st August.  You need to sanitize your hands before using this.

There is still time to enter the  draw for the mixed competition for the Lyle Trophy -  the entry sheet for this is on the board at the foot of the stairs.

I wish you all good golfing  for the remainder of the season.

Margaret Kerr
Ladies Captain

Mixed Foursomes - Lyle Trophy

Regarding entry for the Mixed Foursomes knock-out competition for the Lyle Trophy, the entry form is now displayed on the notice board at the bottom of the stairs in the Clubhouse.    Entries close on 2nd August, 2020.

Margaret Kerr

Ladies Captain.

Mixed Foursomes - Lyle Trophy

It has been decided that the Mixed Foursomes knock-out competition for the Lyle Trophy can go ahead.   There is an entry form at the bottom of the stairs in the Club and if you and your partner wish to enter, this should be completed by 2nd August at the latest.

Margaret Kerr

Ladies Captain

Hole in One

Congratulations go to Sheila Ritchie who had a hole in one on the 3^rd Hole on Rosemount during the first of our stableford competitions on Friday, 17^th July.  It was her first hole in one and her partners were Jacqui Landsburgh and Barbara Lyburn.   We will organise a photograph shortly.

The Ladies Fixtures start on 2nd August.  We are trying to include as many trophy competitions and medals as time will allow.    However, some competitions will not proceed and the Ladies Annual Meeting  has been left out as it may not go ahead due to social distancing.   This will be monitored and if and when it is to go ahead, all ladies will be notified. 

Online booking times reserved for the ladies will be reinstated.     Wee Course ladies should enter online or at the Pro Shop within the times reserved for Friday competitions.   The office will do the draw and post it online and also within the Clubhouse.

The main competition is our championships which will consist of two qualifying rounds only as time is short, one on Rosemount and the other on Lansdowne.  The first round will be on Friday 7th August with the alternative day on 2nd August.  The second round will be one week later.  Those qualifying will be notified and all preliminary matches require to be played by Friday 28th  as the finals are to be held on Sunday 30th August. 

Please note, you require to notify the office or Pro Shop to put your name forward when you win a round of any matchplay competition until  we are allowed to use the computer in the Clubhouse.

Margaret Kerr
Ladies Captain

New Fixtures

It is grand to see so many of our ladies and Wee Course ladies entering the July fixtures and knock outs and from today, it will be so good  for us all to meet socially in the clubhouse. 

I believe the August fixtures are being finalised and should be emailed to us all very soon.  It is proposed that we only have 2 qualifying rounds for the ladies' championships, one on Rosemount and one on Lansdowne and  I have requested that most of the competitions for trophies will be included and hopefully played for by the end of October.

Neil in the Pro Shop has asked me to remind you all of the new stock from Green Lamb and Abacus to name but two.  Here is a selection of what is on offer but please look in the shop and speak with Neil who will be happy to help.  If there is any size or colour he does not have in stock, he can order it specially for you.

Margaret Kerr
Ladies Captain

Some good news

It is good to see so many ladies back on the courses and enjoying a little more by way of recreation. 

By now.  You will already have received the email issued from the Club detailing the draws and dates for playing the knock-out rounds for the Jessie Valentine and Coronation trophies.  I wish you all good luck for these.  Please make sure you play by the date stated as under no circumstances will there be any extensions.

 I know quite a few of you will be looking forward to getting back to playing competition golf an to this end, whilst the original fixtures for July have been cancelled, you should all receive an email from the Club by the end of the week detailing some strokeplay competitions which have been put in place for the latter half of July for the ladies, including Wee Course ladies.

The competitions are designed purely to try and accommodate members and ease us all back into counting competitions for handicap purposes.   Ladies require to book their own times and partners and in the case of the Wee Course ladies, these will be on a turn up and play basis only.  This will only be for July and from 1^st August, we will be playing our championship rounds, medals and the other trophies and you will receive notification from the Club of the these.    We will do our best to incorporate as many trophy competitions as possible before the end of the playing season but please understand there may be a few casualties as a result of the shorter time available.

Peter Inglis, our Captain has intimated that the Flora Scott (Mr. & Mrs) competition should go ahead on Sunday, 19^th July commencing at 1.06 p.m. on Lansdowne as this would involve only two households playing together.  There will be no entry fee nor sweep for this.

In the meantime, I hope all this information will be of some help.

P.S.   The last picture was of the 9^th Hole on the Wee Course.

Margaret Kerr

Ladies Captain

A taste for golf

By now, most of you will have had at least a few holes of golf and I hope it  was thoroughly enjoyable.

You will all have seen the email from the Club telling us that some knock out competitions should be held in July and  that  on Thursday we will be told of further easing of  lockdown measures by the Government which will mean welcome changes to our Club guidelines.  I believe the Club are to issue a revised edition of the fixtures from 1st August showing us what competitions will be allowed and I look forward to seeing this when it is published.

I would draw your attention to the club web page under News and Events where I understand Robin Duncan has  been permitted to distribute this paper  to members,  with the Club's approval to add historical notes on a monthly basis and so create an interest in our club history for our members.   If any of you wish have a topic you wish to add, please get in touch with either myself or Robin so that it can be included.

Last week's photo was of the 12th hole, taken from the path leading to the ladies' thirteenth tee.  This week, I wonder how many of you will recognise this one -

Margaret Kerr
Lady Captain

June easing of lockdown

It is a couple of weeks since I last wrote  and that was entirely due to our Captain and the Golf Club issuing various emails regarding the easing of lockdown and the latest rules governing our return to golf.   I appreciate not all of our ladies are playing yet but hopefully, it will not be too long before you are all back enjoying the courses.  I am unsure at this stage when competitive golf will commence but no doubt we will all be notified in good time and we can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

 
The last time I put up a photograph of a hole and a few of you have wondered where it was.   Well, it was  taken from the left side of the first green on Rosemount showing the two bunkers on the lefthand side. 

Just to keep your interest going meantime, here is another one.

Stay safe everyone.

Margaret Kerr
Lady Captain

Fingers crossed

Well, another eternity has passed but there is a glimmer of hope that we might all get back to golfing again at the end of May or beginning of June.  You will all have heard from the Club with the rules governing play once we are eased from lockdown.  I am sure you will be happy to abide by them just so long as we get out on the courses!  I think we can just about remember what it looks like - can you guess where the undernoted is?

Stay safe and keep your fingers crossed!!


Margaret Kerr
Lady Captain.

5th May

And today was such a lovely day for our Ladies Invitation Day and such a pity we couldn't see it enjoyed!

Thinking forward, as the Jacques Leglise and Junior Vagliano competitions have been cancelled by the R & A, I asked the office to have the ladies medal, scheduled in our fixtures for Thursday 27th August, to be played Friday 28th on Rosemount.  One for the diary and hopefully we will once again be back playing some competitions by then.

I attach a photograph taken by Dave near the greenkeepers' shed this afternoon whilst he was having a walk.  It seems the wildlife and deer are also enjoying a peaceful time.

Stay well and stay safe at home.

Margaret Kerr
Lady Captain

6th week of lockdown

It is with sadness that I have to intimate the passing away last week of Joy Niven and more recently, Sheila Brodie.  Both these ladies were long standing members of the Blairgowrie Golf Club and  our thoughts are with their families at this difficult time.

Now that we are into the sixth week of lockdown, our thoughts are turning to when some of the restrictions we are facing are lifted which might include allowing us access to our courses for golf rather than just a walk - although how many times have we said it was a good walk spoilt!   Little did we think we would have such a long time away from our favourite game but  I hope it won't be too much longer before we can at least wave to each other  as we pass on the other fairway!

I  read that Covid19 has increased in the Tayside area and I know  you are all keeping as safe as you can. 

Margaret Kerr
Lady Captain

Here we are again

Well, here we are again in lockdown for a further three weeks and our fixtures for May have been abandoned.  Hopefully, I will be able to carry out some duties as Lady Captain eventually.  The sun continues to shine - I can't remember the last time we had rain but I don't think I could bear it if,  once we are back in the golfing saddle, the rain starts and forgets to stop.

I don't know about you, but I have finished spring cleaning inside and outside our house, the garden has never had this much care and attention and we have discovered  many local walks we didn't know existed!  I am sure you will all be in the same situation,keeping busy as much as possible. 

One piece of good news is that Vice-captain Nora has a new great-grandson and she could not be prouder.  We send our heartiest congratulations and wish all her family well.

Please keep well and safe.  We'll meet again, don't know when .....


Margaret Kerr
Lady Captain

Happy Easter

Well, here we are in our third week of lockdown and it’s Good Friday - we are fortunate that the day is dry and fair  and we can at least enjoy our daily walk and getting out to the garden.  It is a pity we cannot be with our families at this time but at least we are helping to keep them safe.

When passing, what we can see of the courses look very inviting and should be in pristine condition  when we eventually get back to playing them.    The Senior Gents v Ladies match would have taken part yesterday and so this means the ladies who last won the trophy, the Columbine Cup, will hold on to it. Today would have been our first Friday medal – how we would have loved today’s weather for that.

The Club Committee will keep us further informed  when they are able to do so regarding the restrictions on the closure of the courses and Clubhouse -  we look forward to hearing from them and hopefully seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.

Happy Easter to you all.

Yours

Margaret Kerr

Lady Captain

Ladies Opening Day – Lady Captain v Vice-Captain - 3rd April 2020

I couldn’t just let it go unmarked so thought I would share this with you.  

As the honour is all mine  at 9.30 a.m. I  am about to tee off the first shot -  long and straight -  not on the Rosemount course  but at a different location i.e. my rear garden.

Not quite what was planned for the opening match.     Hopefully, it has just been postponed to a later date rather than cancelled.

Keep your swing going and stay safe.

The morning was frosty and as you can see, there was a sheet of ice on the birdie bath.

Margaret Kerr

Lady Captain

From the Lady Captain

Hello to you all and after surviving our first week of lockdown, I hope you are all keeping safe and well and finding lots of things to do.   However, a walk doesn’t quite fit the bill and doesn’t constitute the same exercise as a round of golf - when Dave and I walked past the Club on Friday afternoon, it was quite eerie to see the courses and car park empty with on-one around.

It can only be hoped that our government lifts the restriction as soon as is possible and at least we can enjoy getting on to the courses once again.  That at least would relieve some of the tedium of being housebound.

At present, the Clubhouse and courses are closed until Easter at the earliest and who knows how much longer we will have to endure these conditions.

In the meantime, stay safe everyone and I’ll keep you up to date as much as I can.

Margaret Kerr

Lady Captain

Ladies Friendly Matches

We have received notice from quite a few clubs who have requested cancellation of their friendly matches either at home or away.   It has therefore been decided, under current circumstances, to cancel all friendly matches including the Handicap League matches for 2020 with the proviso that the same matches will be played in 2021 on roughly the same dates. 

It is hoped that later in the season, when  golf is once again possible and if time allows that some of the friendly matches can  be organised with local clubs.

Please spread the word.

Best regards to you all and be safe.

Margaret Kerr
Lady Captain

Ladies Knock Out competitions

The office have said they have taken the sheets down from the Ladies Locker Room - they were due to close on 5th April but because the Clubhouse is closed and no-one will have access before then, if any ladies have not entered their names and wish to do so, they should email Joan on her usual office email address and she will enter their names.  This will ensure the draws are ready for publishing whenever the office is free to do so.

Stay safe.

Margaret Kerr
Lady Captain

No Ladies block bookings for Fridays

The Office have confirmed there will be no block bookings for ladies on a Friday.  This means you will require to book your own times with your own partner/s on whichever course if you wish to play on a Friday.

Margaret Kerr
Lady Captain

Friendly Matches in May and Ladies Invitation Day

I have been in touch with the Office who have confirmed it would be a good idea to cancel all friendly matches in May and also the Ladies Invitation Day on 5th May.  The Invitation Day is too close to the end of April to enable us to get it organised properly and so it makes sense to cancel it now before any more entries are received.

Please note your diaries accordingly.

Hope this finds you all well and staying safe.

Margaret Kerr
Lady Captain.

Ladies Group Coaching Classes

Neil Cameron, our Professional, has asked me to tell you that he is not comfortable holding more ladies group coaching classes at this time, but will continue with them when it is safe to do so. 

Neil will telephone tomorrow to inform all the ladies who have entered their names for these classes.


Margaret Kerr
Lady Captain

Ladies Section Competition Results

The results are as follows for -

Friday 13th March     Mad March Medley.

Winners Janice Lang
               Merrie Rutherford
               Liz Ridsdale

Ladies Winter League - Best six scores recorded

Winner             Gill Tissell.  –      271

Runner Up       Katie Chapman -  272

Stanley Clark Trophy – Best 3 net scores

Winner                       Katie Chapman  130
Runner Up                 June Dargie        132

Margaret Kerr

Lady Captain

News regarding Ladies Fixtures

As you will all have received an email from the Club by now, you will have noted that all our fixtures have been cancelled from now until the end of April.

The Texas Scramble scheduled for Friday 20th is cancelled but a draw has been done giving ladies the opportunity to turn up and play at their alloted times.  The 3 club & Putter competition for the  27th March will also not go ahead.  If ladies wish they should book their own times and partners.

The Office have confirmed that all friendly and handicap matches are cancelled for April and they will be looking at May at a later date.  We will all be kept informed.

Please do take time to read the guidance email sent to you all from the Club on 18th March.

Please stay safe - we will all get through this difficult period.

Margaret Kerr
Lady Captain

Cancellation of Ladies Fixtures

This is the directive issued by the Club today.   Further cancellations of fixtures are also to be put in place but the Club will shortly  issue emails to you all and keep you informed about those.

Dear Member,

Once again, in line with the ever evolving coronavirus epidemic we have decided to POSTPONE the below upcoming events: 

• Wee Course Ladies Coffee Morning | Wednesday 18^th March
• Ladies Social Get Together | Friday 20^th March
• New Members Welcome Evening | Thursday 26^th March
• ‘My Pathway To Golf’ Junior Evening | Wednesday 1^st April

The ever-increasing risks associated with the widespread coronavirus have led us to this decision.  When we are in a position to reschedule these events we will notify members accordingly.

With thanks,
Blairgowrie Golf Club



Margaret Kerr,
Lady Captain.

Coronavirus

Ladies,

Please rest assured that everyone at  The Blairgowrie Golf Cub are taking measures to ensure our safety whilst at the Club and will keep us all updated. 

At present, there are no cancellations to any of our planned Fixtures and so the Wee Course Ladies Coffee morning and the Get Together on Friday this week will go ahead as scheduled.   These will be held in the dining room which provides the most space for such gatherings.

If any future  Fixtures are to be cancelled, everyone will be informed by the Club.

Margaret Kerr
Lady Captain.

The Columbine Cup Draw

Nora Bennet and I  made  the Draw for the Senior Gents v Blairgowrie Ladies (for the Columbine Cup) today.

Senior Gents v Ladies 

The Columbine Cup

Ladies Draw – 9^th April, 2020

The following pairings are to be played both on Rosemount and Lansdowne.

Rosemount

1.       Eileen McMurray & Margaret Kerr (Captain)

2.       Heather Anderson & Jo Stewart

3.       Elaine Smith & Caroline Dracup

4.       Nora Bennet & Gill Tissell

5.       Gillian Wallace & Heather Dawson

Lansdowne

1.       Liz Fertacz & Brenda Kerr

2.       Jane Cameron & Meriel Walker

3.       Fiona Johnston & Hilary Inglis

4.       Sheila Bruce & Jacqui Landsburgh

5.       Janice Lang & Katie Chapman

Reserves        Elaine Robson and Ruth Watson

Please meet at 11.45 a.m. for a Sandwich Lunch.   Play will commence at 1 p.m. and there will be a meal after the golf in the dining room.  The cost for this is £20 each and this will be collected at your table during the meal.

Could you please wear Club jumpers for the match.   You can change after the match if you so wish.

Margaret Kerr

Ladies Captain