Lorna
Lorna M Johnson
ALCGA Captain
Aberdeenshire Ladies County Golf News and Events
Thursday, 24 December 2020
Wednesday, 28 October 2020
ALCGA 2020 AGM
How are you? I do apologies for not being in touch for some time. I don't know how coronavirus restrictions are impacting on you but I am finding it hard to get motivated to do the things that I should be doing. I really miss having the contact that I am used to having with friends and family. However, I do have to say ‘thank goodness for golf’.
I am disappointed to be writing this message about the most recent ALCGA victim of coronavirus – not a cancellation this time but a postponement.
Although the annual AGM would usually take place before the end of December (as stated in the Constitution), due to current exceptional circumstances, after consultation with officials and with the agreement of the Management Committee, the decision has been made to postpone the 2020 AGM for a maximum of three months into 2021. The main reasons for this are as follows.
Because all ALCGA events were cancelled, there are no prizes to be presented and no competition and winners’ news from our golfing season to form the backbone of the ALCGA Annual Report. It will be totally appropriate to include other potential report items at the rescheduled AGM.
By early 2021, the World Handicap System will have been in place for a few months and there will have been time to gain some familiarity with it before reviewing and updating our ALCGA Constitution to take account of it. Changes will be required because entry to some ALCGA competitions are for 'silver' handicaps only and several of our trophies were donated and are awarded for 'silver' and 'bronze' handicap categories. Therefore, handicap thresholds will now have to be defined in WHS terms. It seems preferable to deal with this matter at the rescheduled AGM to avoid having to organise an additional EGM for this matter alone.
By early 2021, it may be clearer as to what and whether coronavirus restrictions and conditions may affect County golfing arrangements in 2021. In the meantime, we are proceeding to plan a full schedule of competitions, hopefully at the Golf Club venues that had to be cancelled this year.
By early 2021, whilst it would be really pleasing if we could meet together in person, we are assuming that large gatherings will still be banned and are investigating how we can organise and manage a virtual meeting (including cost implications) for the large number of members who normally attend the AGM.
Further details will be circulated early in the new year.
In the meantime, take care and ‘Carry On Golfing’
Lorna
Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA
Saturday, 18 July 2020
Keeping in Touch – 18 July 2020
Good evening,
ladies. I trust this next message finds you well. I had a lovely day today – a reasonably
well played round of golf at Meldrum House, mostly in sunshine, followed by a
sandwich and cup of coffee sitting on the patio at the clubhouse, catching up
with a few friends and meeting one or two new members. It was delightful – a real
pleasure to have the clubhouse open again.
Since my previous ‘Keeping in Touch’ post just over a month ago, more County events have been the victims of Covid cancellation, including the ALCGA Opens at McDonald Ellon, Kemnay, and Murcar Links, plus the Tri-Am at Oldmeldrum – another 24% of our annual fixtures in Aberdeenshire. At one point as lockdown was being eased and golf was restarting, I was beginning to wonder if some of our decisions to cancel events had been premature. However, with open competitions still forbidden and no indication of imminent change to that restriction, I think we were probably right. Roll on next season.
I do have some good news about fixtures. Jackie Brown, Angus LCGA Captain has confirmed that the 2021 Northern Division Inter-County Jamboree will take place at Monifieth Links from Saturday 12 till Monday 14 June. Accommodation is already booked for our team and officials. It’s exciting to anticipate the contest and the camaraderie.
I have
more good news to share, this time about our junior member Carmen (Griffiths),
Aboyne Golf Club, who has signed up with ProDreamUSA with a view to heading to the
USA in The Fall 2021 to pursue her golfing development and studies. Carmen emailed
me saying: “I'm
really excited about the scholarship. It's something I've been thinking about
for a long time and I’ve decided it’s definitely the right thing for me.
Academically I'm looking to study Sports and Exercise, something which I love,
with a hope to lead into Physiotherapy later. My golf plan is to continue
competing and grow as an Amateur, and follow my dream to eventually turn Pro
and make it through Q-School and gain my playing cards for the LET and LPGA.
I'll keep working hard and chasing my dreams!” Always continue to dream big, Carmen – best wishes
from us all.
What do you think of the “Me and My Golf” Cameos that I have been posting? Isn’t it interesting – but maybe not surprising – how many Dads have inspired girls to become involved and have encouraged them to stay involved in golf? In 12 out of the 20 cameos so far, Dads get a mention! Have you, like me, picked up any suggestions for practice sessions? Maybe I should concentrate on my putting more often and more systematically. Did you notice the possibly Freudian slip in my own cameo – an unintentionally amusing combination of responses which I didn’t realise when writing them. Having declared my talent for mixing gin and tonic in response to Question 9, I proceeded to declare “One too many!” in response to Question 10 – oops!
Now I have only one “Me and My Golf” cameo in reserve, ready for publication. Therefore, please join in and send me yours. I’d love to receive it. The more I have the better. Please email your responses and photos to me at eventLorna200LMJ@btinternet.com or WhatsApp them to me on 07717 133397. Thank you.
In the meantime, enjoy your golf and continue to keep safe.
Lorna
Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA
Since my previous ‘Keeping in Touch’ post just over a month ago, more County events have been the victims of Covid cancellation, including the ALCGA Opens at McDonald Ellon, Kemnay, and Murcar Links, plus the Tri-Am at Oldmeldrum – another 24% of our annual fixtures in Aberdeenshire. At one point as lockdown was being eased and golf was restarting, I was beginning to wonder if some of our decisions to cancel events had been premature. However, with open competitions still forbidden and no indication of imminent change to that restriction, I think we were probably right. Roll on next season.
I do have some good news about fixtures. Jackie Brown, Angus LCGA Captain has confirmed that the 2021 Northern Division Inter-County Jamboree will take place at Monifieth Links from Saturday 12 till Monday 14 June. Accommodation is already booked for our team and officials. It’s exciting to anticipate the contest and the camaraderie.
I have
more good news to share, this time about our junior member Carmen (Griffiths),
Aboyne Golf Club, who has signed up with ProDreamUSA with a view to heading to the
USA in The Fall 2021 to pursue her golfing development and studies. Carmen emailed
me saying: “I'm
really excited about the scholarship. It's something I've been thinking about
for a long time and I’ve decided it’s definitely the right thing for me.
Academically I'm looking to study Sports and Exercise, something which I love,
with a hope to lead into Physiotherapy later. My golf plan is to continue
competing and grow as an Amateur, and follow my dream to eventually turn Pro
and make it through Q-School and gain my playing cards for the LET and LPGA.
I'll keep working hard and chasing my dreams!” Always continue to dream big, Carmen – best wishes
from us all.What do you think of the “Me and My Golf” Cameos that I have been posting? Isn’t it interesting – but maybe not surprising – how many Dads have inspired girls to become involved and have encouraged them to stay involved in golf? In 12 out of the 20 cameos so far, Dads get a mention! Have you, like me, picked up any suggestions for practice sessions? Maybe I should concentrate on my putting more often and more systematically. Did you notice the possibly Freudian slip in my own cameo – an unintentionally amusing combination of responses which I didn’t realise when writing them. Having declared my talent for mixing gin and tonic in response to Question 9, I proceeded to declare “One too many!” in response to Question 10 – oops!
Now I have only one “Me and My Golf” cameo in reserve, ready for publication. Therefore, please join in and send me yours. I’d love to receive it. The more I have the better. Please email your responses and photos to me at eventLorna200LMJ@btinternet.com or WhatsApp them to me on 07717 133397. Thank you.
In the meantime, enjoy your golf and continue to keep safe.
Lorna
Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA
Sunday, 12 July 2020
Saturday, 20 June 2020
Thursday, 18 June 2020
Keeping in Touch – 18 June 2020
How are you today? Have you been out on the golf course? I had
an extended lesson with Neil (Marr) at Meldrum House. It was great and has
given me some tips, some things to try and to practice, and some things to
think about. So I should have potential to improve my scores …
ALCGA events normally present great opportunities to meet, chat with and get to know others in the county community. Because those chances have gone for this year, Louise (Anderson) suggested another way of getting to know a bit more about some members. She suggested a set of questions about golf and golfing reflections with the answers shared in what I have labelled “Me and My Golf” Cameos.
In the first instance, I have asked the ALCGA Leadership Team (Officials, Management Committee, and Junior Leaders) and the County Team Squad to answer these 10 questions:
I intend to post the cameos in groups, essentially in the order in which I receive them. I am finding that they are interesting, fun, and give me some food for thought. I hope that you will enjoy them too.
Please continue to keep safe.
Lorna
Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA
ALCGA events normally present great opportunities to meet, chat with and get to know others in the county community. Because those chances have gone for this year, Louise (Anderson) suggested another way of getting to know a bit more about some members. She suggested a set of questions about golf and golfing reflections with the answers shared in what I have labelled “Me and My Golf” Cameos.
In the first instance, I have asked the ALCGA Leadership Team (Officials, Management Committee, and Junior Leaders) and the County Team Squad to answer these 10 questions:
- Home Club?
- Current Handicap?
- Target Handicap?
- Age when you started to golf?
- Favourite club in the bag?
- Favourite course to play?
- Favourite practice drill?
- Who or what is the biggest influence on your game?
- Outwith golf, what’s your secret talent?
- Describe your game in three words?
I intend to post the cameos in groups, essentially in the order in which I receive them. I am finding that they are interesting, fun, and give me some food for thought. I hope that you will enjoy them too.
Please continue to keep safe.
Lorna
Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA