Keeping in Touch – 13 June 2020

How are you? I thought this would a good time to say hi again and check out if you’ve had a chance to play some golf since the reopening of our courses. I’ve played a few times and have loved it. Suffice to say that I’d prefer not to comment on the standard of my golf – I think Karen and Carol said the same thing - but it was great to be out there. Because I live on my own and my person-to-person contact has been restricted mainly to looking after my aged parents both of whom have dementia, it was simply refreshing to be with a ‘real’ rather than a ‘virtual’ friend, albeit at 2 metres apart. How has your game survived lockdown?

This weekend, ALCGA officials, selector Laura, the County team, caddies and supporters should be out on the beautiful links at Monifieth where this year’s Northern Division Inter-County Jamboree should be taking place. We should be meeting friends old and new, the opposition from Angus, Northern Counties and Perth & Kinross, for the customary fiercely competitive event and our regional qualifier for the Scottish County Finals. It goes without saying that we will miss the golfing challenge but we will also miss the social get together and team camaraderie.

Of course, this County team event is not the only Covid casualty to date. We have all missed the ALCGA Opens at Ballater, Aboyne, Banchory, Fraserburgh, and Westhill, the County Championship at Meldrum House, and the Watt Duffus Trophy at Newburgh-on-Ythan – 41% of our annual fixtures in Aberdeenshire! It’s my aspiration to organise next year’s events at the venues that had to be cancelled this year, particularly because we were looking forward to visiting clubs and courses that have been absent from our itinerary for some time and others that are favourites.

During lockdown, I’ve been delighted that so many of the County Team Squad have kept in touch with me, giving me the chance to get to know the girls a little better and learn things that I didn’t know before. I already shared some of these in earlier ‘Keeping in Touch’ posts. Here are a few more ...
Fiona (Pennie) has worked in the police for 22 years – I can’t believe she’s old enough for that – now in Detective Training. When I talk about the police I’m minded to thank again all ALCGA ladies who are key workers in essential services and who continue to support and look after us all.
Gillian (MacKenzie) has decided to change career and is leaving her Christian youth leader role in July. She has no specific future plans but I’m confident that she will be guided to something that will be just right for her. Best wishes, Gillian.
Hannah (Bycroft) who lives on her own in a flat without a garden and is working from home said she would “definitely appreciate getting out on the course a lot more once this is over”. I think we all agree with you on that one, Hannah.
Rachel (Mathieson) was devastated to miss out on her SQA exams – understandable given her hard work, her motivation to do well and her desire to demonstrate her best achievements.
Robyn (Fowlie) has been driving – with her golf club not a vehicle – in the field adjacent to her house. Also, she is a talented pianist studying at Higher Grade level. I think I’ve found a leader for a County piano quartet – Robyn, Karen, Susie, Laura!
Sheena (Wood) has friends far and wide due to her successful golfing career during which she represented Scotland from 1999 till 2001 and Scottish Seniors since 2013. During lockdown, she has been developing her green fingers, growing flowers and vegetables. How did your garden grow, Sheena?
Vicki (Thom) finished maternity leave during lockdown and went back to work part-time. To quote her: “So between Corran [her one year old little boy], work, cooking, keeping on top of the house and getting our daily exercise in, the days seem to pass quickly with the routine we have going. We’re doing a 5k run with the buggy almost every other day for a quick blast of exercise while working. I’m still doing some weights in the garden for a workout when I’ve time! Filling a rucksack with books as I don’t have any weights at home! It’s very effective for squats and lunges and even kettlebell swings using the handle!” I’m exhausted just thinking about it, Vicki!

I’ve also been keeping in touch with most recent past Captain, Ann (Smart). I’m very disappointed to tell you that her chemotherapy treatment to date has not been totally effective against the lymphoma and, consequently, she has to have further treatment that will be specified soon. Given lockdown, social distancing, and isolation, Ann has faced an especially arduous time. Her attitude is always inspiring. I know that you will all join with me in sending her our very best wishes through the next stage of her journey to recovery.

Since I mentioned her in my ‘Keeping in Touch - 26 April 2020’ post, Kimberley (Beveridge) emailed me with an update on the start of her professional career, telling me that her tour fixtures have not been cancelled and that the aim is to reschedule some later in the year. She has her fingers crossed that she may get 2 or 3 competitions. Our fingers are crossed for you too, Kimbo. Please keep us posted.

Orlagh

Many of you will know Nita (Dervish-Uman) who is a very keen supporter of County events. Back in December, German wirehaired pointer puppy Orlagh joined Nita’s household all the way from Galway and has been a perfect lockdown new friend for her. I think Orlagh looks adorable and is worthy of a place in my news.

Hopefully the weather is going to perk up again soon and, along with some further easing of lockdown restrictions, our spirits will be raised as we move through the summer months. It’s great to be outdoors for fresh air and recreation but I’m really looking forward to some more normal socialising at home with family and friends.

Also I’m still looking forward to reading some of your ‘golf comeback’ stories or seeing your photos. Please email me at Lorna200LMJ@btinternet.com or message me on 07717 133397.

In the meantime, enjoy golf, make the most of the current new normality, stay well, and keep safe.

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA

Keeping in Touch – 29 May 2020

Good morning, ladies. How are you? I hope that you and yours are well and ready to take the first cautious and, I’d say, exciting steps back to a new kind of post-lockdown normality.

What a beautiful day for the reopening of our beautiful golf courses. Who knows how rusty my game is going to be? Who cares? It will be just delightful to be out there playing the game with a ‘real’ golfing friend. However, I think it’s just as well I’ll be playing social golf without the pressure of a card in my hand.

In case you need some help as you get back into the swing of things, if relevant to you, please may I remind you of the 2020 Rule Changes in Effect for Golfers Age 60+ that I introduced in my post of 26 April. Here are the others:
Rule 3.B.3 – There shall be no such thing as a lost ball. The missing ball is on or near the course and will eventually be found and pocketed by someone else, thereby making it a stolen ball. The senior player is not to compound the felony by charging himself with a penalty.
Rule 4.c.7 – If a putt passes over a hole without dropping, it is deemed to have dropped. The Law of Gravity supersedes the Rules of Golf.
Rule  5 - Putts that stop close enough to the cup that they could be blown in, may be blown in. This does not apply to balls more than three inches from the Hole. No one wants to make a mockery of the game.
Rule 6.a.9 – There is no penalty for so-called “out of bounds”. If penny-pinching golf course owners bought sufficient land this would not occur. The senior player deserves an apology, not a penalty.
Rule 7.G.15 – There is no penalty for a ball in a water hazard, as golf balls should float. Senior players should not be penalized for any shortcomings of the manufacturers.
Rule 8.k.9 – Advertisements claim that golf scores can be improved by purchasing new golf equipment. Since this is financially impractical for many senior players, one-half stroke per hole may be subtracted for using old equipment.

I would love to read any of your ‘back to golf’ stories or see your photos. Please email me at Lorna200LMJ@btinternet.com or message me on 07717 133397.
In the meantime, ENJOY GOLF and KEEP SAFE

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA

COVID-19 Coronavirus: 12 May 2020

Unfortunately, following last week’s announcement by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon about the continuation in Scotland of the ‘Stay at Home’ instruction, and taking account of the inevitable restrictions that will be in place whenever there is a return to playing golf, I have the disappointing task of telling you that the ALCGA Management Committee and officials have concluded that we must abandon all County competitions for the 2020 season.

In my message of 28 April, I outlined reasons for the cancellation of the Northern Division Inter-County Jamboree and the North of Scotland Championship. The same reasons apply now with regard to our local fixtures. My messages of 21 and 24 March listed competitions that were cancelled then. For clarity, the following competitions are affected by our most recent decision.

·         County Opens that are scheduled in July and August will be cancelled – Kemnay on 02 July, Murcar Links on 13 July, Deeside on 27 July, Newmachar on 31 July, Cruden Bay on 20 August, and Peterculter on 27 August.

·         The Tri-Am competition at Oldmeldrum on 10 July will be cancelled.

·         The Lyon Inter-Club Double Foursomes at Hazlehead MacKenzie on 03-04 August will be cancelled.

·         The Commonwealth Spoons qualifying competition at Kintore on 17 August will be cancelled.

·         The provisionally rescheduled County Championship at Meldrum House on 11-13 September will not take place.

·         The Sheena Wood Rosebowl tournament will not run in 2020. Current qualifiers will go forward to play in 2021.

If you have placed an entry for any of the above events, the relevant Club Rep or Honorary Secretary Karen will be in touch with you.

ALCGA fees will not be payable in 2020. However, we are aware that the collection of fees has been disrupted by lockdown. If you have already paid your £10 annual subscription, we are asking your Club Rep to offer you three options: donate your £10 to County funds towards 2020 expenditure; leave your £10 as early payment of your 2021 subscription; or receive a refund of your £10. If you have not yet paid your £10 subscription, you may still donate £10 via your Club Rep to the County funds. If you have already paid a £10 new or lapsed membership fee, you may choose to carry it forward to 2021 or have a refund. I am sure you will bear with your Club Rep and Honorary Treasurer Carol if there is a delay until it is practicable for them to deal with some of these transactions.

As the summer passes, we will continue to monitor advice and developments. To end on a positive note … if it emerges that there is a possibility of holding a safe event late in the season, we will aim to organise an ad hoc friendly golfing get-together to nurture the spirit and camaraderie of our valued County community.

In the meantime, please take care and keep safe.

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson

Captain, ALCGA