Friday 28 May 2021

County Opens: NEWSFLASH – 28 May 2021

The first County Open of 2021 takes place at Westhill Golf Club on Thursday 10 June. The entry form is available on this website under Fixtures. If you are quick you will make the closing date. Otherwise, County Rep Julie will be accepting late entries.

The McDonald Ellon County Open also takes place in June on Friday 25. Why don’t you book your space now? As usual, the entry form is available under Fixtures.

I look forward to seeing you at Westhill, Ellon or both …

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA

Watt Duffus: The 2021 Story

A week and a half after the event, here is the short story of the 2021 Watt Duffus Competition that took place at Newburgh-on-Ythan Golf Club on Monday 17 May when Murcar Links 1 were the victors.


The Golf

Twenty teams from fifteen different clubs took part – a super turnout. It was a bright blustery morning, with the wind providing a significant challenge but the sun keeping it from being too cold. However, later in the day when the sun dipped, it was very cold and several ladies came in looking bluer than the sky.

The course was in very good order. The greens were fast, true and testing. For those who had time to take in the scenery, it was beautiful with the dunes, the beach, the sea, and the yellow whins in the vicinity.

Golf was enjoyed and played in suitably competitive spirit. Scores generally were high because of the weather conditions. Deserving winners emerged. Full results can be seen under Fixtures on this web page. Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions, there was no official prize giving with photographs. However, when we receive winners’ photos, we will share them with you.

The Mrs Watt Duffus Trophy for Best Team Scratch Score was retained and taken home for the second year running by Murcar Links 1 (Jasmine Mackintosh, Rachel Polson, Sammy Fanthorpe, Donna Pocock), who finished far in the lead with a gross 233, appreciably outplaying all others. Congratulations, Team Murcar Links 1.

Deeside 1 (Susie MacLeod, Thelma Beattie, Anne Harper, Suzanne Middleton) won the Handicap Trophy for the Best Team Nett Score with a very well-achieved total of 224. Congratulations, Team Deeside 1.

ALCGA Captain Lorna (Johnson) grabbing an opportune moment to present the Team Handicap Trophy to Susie with Susanne (left) and Thelma (right) looking on.


Jasmine Mackintosh (Murcar Links 1) won the Mrs J P Kennaway Cup for the Best Individual Scratch Score with a most notable gross par 72. Congratulations, Jasmine.

Fenneke Wolters-Sinke (Aboyne) won the Individual Handicap Trophy for the Best Individaul Nett Score with an excellent nett par 72. Congratulations, Fenneke.


Thanks …

Many thanks must be put on record.

First of all, thanks to Newburgh-on-Ythan Golf Club. Thanks to:
  • the Club Council for granting ALCGA courtesy of the course, a very generous contribution with 80 rounds of golf taking place
  • Club Manager Paul Manson for his substantial support and help in making arrangements to ensure smooth running of our event and for his assistance on the day
  • the green keeping team for their efforts in presenting the course in great condition
  • The View restaurant team for their catering and hospitality.

Next, thanks to various ALCGA officials and members. Thanks to:
  • Management Committee members Susie (MacLeod) and Louise (Anderson) for coordinating and making advance plans to guarantee that the day would run efficiently: thanks too for their commitment throughout the long day of the event.
  • President Ros (Roy) for her dedication to the starter’s role and for welcoming all players to the chilly first tee
  • Honorary Secretary Karen (Stalker) for dealing with entries, the draw, scoring and results, in particular for getting all competitors briefed and ready to use VMS – an impressively successful venture.


Final Comment …

It was exciting to have so many County ladies back in action at this always popular fixture. I think that the format of the competition with its team and individual elements makes it especially interesting and appealing. Above all, it’s just terrific to be back seeing everyone in person.
Next team opportunity is the Tri-am at Oldmeldrum Golf Club on Friday 09 July. Hope to see you there.

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA

Thursday 13 May 2021

County Championship: The 2021 Story

I can’t believe it is now eleven days since the prestigious 2021 County Championship ended with Rachel Polson taking home the trophy. Here is the story of how she and other trophy winners got there ...

Vice-captain Olive, Runner-up Robyn, President Ros, Captain Lorna, Champion Rachel


The 2021 County Championship took place at Meldrum House from Friday 30 April until Sunday 02 May.


The Golf

For the Qualifying Round on Friday, the weather brought a day of all seasons – brief sunshine, lots of cloud, wind, bitter coldness, some rain, and a hail shower. Scores reflected the tough weather conditions and the fact that Meldrum House posed a challenging test of golf. In particular, many players found the large, contoured, relatively fast greens very tricky. Perhaps local knowledge of the greens helped five home players to make it the next rounds! Rachel Mathieson (Hazlehead) posted an impressive score of 74 to take leading qualifier position.

Congratulations, Rachel

On Saturday, the Scratch and Handicap match play stages commenced. It was disappointing that current Covid protection levels and restrictions meant that we had to disallow caddies and spectators. However, officials, in particular those of us with the team squad in mind, observed much outstanding golf. Matches were played in great competitive spirit and deserving winners emerged. Full results can be seen under Fixtures on this web page.

Sunday morning saw the final match of the Handicap Trophy with Elaine Pirie (Meldrum House) beating Melanie Clark (Hazlehead) 5&3.

Congratulations, Elaine

The semi-finals of the Championship event also took place on Sunday morning. Both matches were very close. Robyn Fowlie (Forfar) narrowly beat Rachel Mathieson at the 19th, and Rachel Polson (Murcar Links) narrowly beat Carmen Griffiths (Aboyne) 2&1.

Congratulations, Rachel and Carmen, the semi-finalist trophy winners

The stage was set for Sunday afternoon with both Robyn and Rachel  competing in the Championship final for the first time. It was a hard fought match, all square until the 5th where Robyn went one up until Rachel brought it back to all square at the 6th. Rachel birdied the 9th to be one up at the turn until Robyn brought it back to all square with a birdie at the 11th. Rachel birdied the 12th, holed a long putt to birdie the 14th then started to creep away from Robyn. It was a pity that so few of us witnessed the display of excellent golf that ended with Rachel gaining victory at the 16th hole.

Congratulations to finalists Robyn and Rachel in the sunshine beside the 16th green

In Alan Brown’s page in last Tuesday’s Evening Express, Rachel gave her account of her Championship experience. These comments stood out for me:

“I don’t feel as though there is any pressure on me to perform well all of the time any more and my mindset has definitely changed for the better on the course. That being said, I knew this could be the first and only time I reached the final, never mind win it. I had to give myself a bit of a ‘talking to’ and managed to win 14th, 15th and 16th to win the match 4&2.”

“Obviously, I’m absolutely delighted with the win … and a little shocked.” 

I don’t think we are shocked, Rachel, and we are definitely delighted for you.

Congratulations, Champion Rachel


Thanks …

Many thanks must be put on record.

First of all, thanks to Meldrum House. Thanks to:
  • Owners and Directors, in particular Chairman Bob Edwards, for granting ALCGA courtesy of the course, a very significant contribution with 98 rounds of golf taking place over the three days
  • Golf Manager David Mann for his significant support and help in making arrangements to ensure smooth running of our event and Professional Iain Donaldson for his day-to-day assistance
  • Course Manager Kenny Harper and Head Greenkeeper Stewart Addison and their team for their efforts in presenting a beautiful course in excellent condition
  • Lesley Morrison and the catering team for their hospitality
  • Club Vice Captain Mark Kelly for being starter on a very cold Friday morning
  • Club member Liz Barrack for her help on qualifying day
  • Club Captain Scott Mackay – assisted by his daughter Maisy - for refereeing the Championship final. 

Next, thanks to various ALCGA officials and members. Thanks to:
  • Honorary Secretary Karen (Stalker) who refereed the Handicap Final, who deals with entries, the draws, scoring and results, and who decided this year to embark on using Scottish Golf’s VMS (Venue Management System) which required all players’ details to be checked and input so that scores could be processed and published, including live leader boards – quite an achievement – congratulations and huge thanks, Karen
  • President Ros (Roy) for her commitment to welcoming all players to the very cold first tee on Friday and to officiating when prizes were awarded
  • Management Committee member Fiona (Campbell) for her help
  • Selector Zibby (Brown) and Vice-captain Olive (Robb) for talent spotting with me
  • all competitors who, of course, are at the heart of the Championship success story.

Final Comment …

We are very fortunate in Aberdeenshire to have so many enthusiastic, supportive and gifted golfers. Our County Champion is always worthy of the accolade, with Rachel Polson taking that 2021 honour.

The Championship always provides a great opportunity to see many of our potential Jamboree team members in action. We were not disappointed by the standard of golf in 2021.

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA

Monday 10 May 2021

County Juniors: Scores from 09 May 2021


I’m sure you agree … didn’t the girls do really well?
👍👏😊

Sunday 9 May 2021

County Juniors: NEWSFLASH - 09 May 2021

Exciting morning … I watched the first Juniors’ competition of 2021 starting this morning at Murcar Strabathie. It was a delight to watch 6 girls tee off, not just because they all played beautiful shots but because it is several years since we have had such a big junior field. As well as our junior stalwarts Rachel and Robyn, today we welcomed Alice, Beth, Holly, and Ruby.

Sammy Fanthorpe, ALCGA Junior Secretary, has worked hard to make contact with all the young players, to motivate them to be part of our County community, to plan and run the competition. Thank you, Sammy - and your helpers Donna (Pocock) and Louise (Anderson).

Other thanks … Thanks to Murcar Links Golf Club for courtesy of the course. Thanks to Honorary Secretary Karen (Stalker) for setting up the competition for scoring on VMS. Thanks to the girls’ parents for their encouragement and support. Thanks to the competitors - an essential part of the event.

I look forward to hearing all about the golf later today.

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA

Sunday 2 May 2021

County Championship: Congratulations

Champion Rachel

Huge congratulations to Rachel Polson of Murcar Links who became our 2021 ALCGA County Champion when she won 4&2 against Robyn Fowlie of Forfar in a match that was fiercely contested by both players who played excellent golf.

Rachel (right) and Robyn (left)

Accompanied by similar comments, congratulations too to Elaine Pirie of Meldrum House who secured the 2021 ALCGA Handicap Championship by winning 5&3 in her match against Melanie Clarke of Hazlehead.

Elaine (right) and Melanie (left)

You will have to wait till later in the week to read more of the Championship story. I feel really tired and need my bed soon – and I haven’t played any golf, unlike the ladies above who have played 4 or 5 rounds in 3 days!!

Once again – congratulations to our champions and runners-up.

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA