County Juniors: Scores from 09 May 2021

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

👍👏😊

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

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

County Championship: Latest Results

Please click here for the latest scratch matchplay results.

Please click here for the latest handicap matchplay results.

Karen

Karen Stalker

Northern Division Inter-County Jamboree: NEWSFLASH

Exciting announcement … I can confirm that the Northern Division Inter-County Jamboree is going ahead at Monifieth Golf Links from Saturday 12 – Monday 14 June.

The County Captains from Angus, Perth & Kinross, and Northern Counties join me in sharing this great news. The winning team will represent the Northern Division in the Scottish County Finals at Forres at the end of August. Competition for that place will be fiercely contested at the Monifieth Jamboree.

I will be in touch with potential team members very soon to check availability and to arrange team building and practice sessions. Selector Zibby, Vice-captain Olive and I look forward to facilitating these at Meldrum House.

Here are a few early pieces of information:

• Single occupancy rooms for the team and officials are booked at the Station Hotel, Carnoustie.
• Aberdeenshire will be based at Grange and Broughty Golf Club.
• There will a practice round in the early afternoon of Friday 11 June.
• There will be no caddies during the Jamboree.
• Spectators will be welcome – but clubhouse facilities may be limited due to ongoing Covid restrictions – there may be a suggestion to bring a picnic.

Watch this space …

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA

County Championship: The Draw

The draw for the County Championship is now available within the list of 2021 Fixtures here on the website. It is preceded by guidance for entrants on “Maintaining a Covid Safe Environment” while they are taking part in the competition.

As you know, our Championship at Meldrum House Golf Club starts the ALCGA season this coming Friday. I am wishing for some lovely weather to complement the excellent condition of my home course. Our secretary Karen and our selector Zibby were my guests there today. We all agreed that the course is looking fantastic, the greens are great and pretty fast for this time of year. We have our fingers crossed for sunshine, hopefully no rain, and maybe just a moderate breeze to keep the golfing challenge alive. There is no doubt that Meldrum House will present a good test of golf and an enjoyable experience for all. Because of the pandemic, there was no Championship last year, so the event is all the more exciting this year.

It is a pity that we are not having caddies, supporters and spectators but we must be cautious as we start to move out of lockdown and continue to adhere to ongoing Covid restrictions.

Undoubtedly, the Championship will be fiercely contested by the field of 56 members and some excellent golf will be on display. Whilst some players will aspire to be County Champion, others will have their sights on the Handicap Trophy. Good luck to all the competitors.

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA

Fixtures Update: 23 April 2021

More unfortunate news, I’m afraid …

The Aboyne Club Rep was in touch earlier today to tell us that her Club has had to make the tough decision to postpone the County Open on 06 May. Like the Banchory greens, the Aboyne greens are taking an exceptionally long time to recover from the severe effects of the icy weather conditions that persisted over past weeks and months.

Everyone at Aboyne is very disappointed. I know that their disappointment will be shared by County members who were going to enter the competition in the town on Deeside that often boasts best temperatures.

The event will be re-scheduled. When confirmed, the date will be published in the website list of fixtures.

It looks as if the end of the season is going to be busier than usual … We’ll be looking for good scores after plenty time to practice!

Take care

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA

Fixtures Update: 19 April 2021

You may have noticed already on the list of 2021 Fixtures here on the website that the Banchory County Open has been postponed.

I am sure that many members are disappointed by this news, as are the Banchory County rep and her Club colleagues who had to make the decision. Because they wanted to ensure that their visitors would have the best golfing experience, they had to respond to the fact that their greens have suffered from prolonged icy conditions, and that covid restrictions are continuing to have some impact on arrangements.

Thursday 16 September was chosen as the re-scheduled date rather than a day in July when several other County events take place.

However, looking on the bright side, it’s something to look forward to later in the season …

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA

County Championship: Late Entries Available

Thank you to members who have submitted their Championship entry forms and fees by last Friday’s closing date. Regardless of handicap index, they are all guaranteed a place in the draw.

At the moment, until Friday 23 April at the latest, subject to continued availability of tee time, late entries are being accepted. They should be sent to Karen (Stalker) using the entry form that can be accessed from the list of 2021 Fixtures.

Why don’t you ‘have a go’ …

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA

New ALCGA County Team Selector

I am delighted to announce that Zibby Brown (on the right) has accepted my invitation to be our County team selector.

Zibby is replacing Laura McLardy who stood down last year. It was disappointing for Laura to miss out on the opportunity to end her second term in the role with a successful Jamboree – and optimistically County Finals. I also lost out on the chance to learn more by working alongside Laura, benefitting from her substantial knowledge and experience of selecting, including when Aberdeenshire won the Scottish finals at Kilmacolm in 2018. Thank you, Laura.

Zibby has played golf for a long time, having grown up in St Andrews. She has loved golfing over the years on different courses. Currently she is a member at Aboyne Golf Club.

Zibby on the 11th tee at Aboyne

Zibby has not played County golf for a few years now due to work commitments. However, in the past she has thoroughly enjoyed being part of it. She will always look back fondly on the time when she was fortunate enough to be selected to play in our Jamboree team at Blairgowrie.

Now Zibby is looking forward to becoming re-acquainted with ladies she has known over the years, meeting more members of the County community, and embarking on the challenge of her selector role.

Welcome to the ALCGA leadership team, Zibby.

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson

Captain, ALCGA

Amendments to the ALCGA Constitution: from 11 April 2021

At the ALCGA AGM on 11 April 2021, amendments to the Constitution were approved and adopted to take account of the introduction of the new WHS (World Handicapping System).

Each amendment replaces an old CONGU handicap with a ‘best’ corresponding new WHS Handicap Index. By adopting this approach, the Constitution remains essentially unchanged.

The fully revised Constitution can be seen on this website. However, it is worth noting here that membership is now open to all ladies and girls of handicap index 32.0 and under who satisfy the other membership criteria. Also, Division A, handicap index up to 19.0, will replace the old Silver Division and Division B, handicap index 19.1 upwards, will replace the old Bronze Division.

The ALCGA Management Committee and Officials recognise that monitoring and review of the implementation of WHS may identify the need for fine tuning of Handicap Index thresholds. Consequently, further amendments to the Constitution may be advisable in future.

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson

Captain, ALCGA

Fixtures Update: 14 April 2021

Just a wee reminder that the closing date for entries to the County Championship at Meldrum House is this coming Friday 16 April.

Entry forms are available now to download – see links on the list of fixtures – for the Aboyne Open and the Watt Duffus Trophy competition at Newburgh-on-Ythan.

Looking forward to seeing lots of members at all our County events.

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA

AGM Follow-up …

Yesterday’s AGM went well, despite being on Zoom rather than at Curl Aberdeen. Following the event, our President Ros (Roy) emailed this vote of thanks to share with everyone:

Many congratulations to you, Lorna, and Karen, Olive, and Carol, for the very smooth running of the County AGM this afternoon. A great success. My goodness what a lot of work you have all had to give us such a good update.

Not only the AGM today, Lorna, but all the hard work you and the committee have had throughout the year on our behalf.
I am sure everyone felt pleased and positive to hear how you have plans for the golfing season ahead. We have all missed seeing our golfing friends so much, and whilst realistic that that there may be unforeseen changes, we all appreciate very very much the time you have given so efficiently and successfully to County matters. 

With all our thanks, from Ros.

Thank you, Ros, for those kind words.

I would also like to share three short extracts from my 2020 Captain’s Report about personal successes during 2020:

Shannon McWilliam was selected for the 2020 Curtis Cup Squad. The Curtis Cup is postponed until August 2021.

Rachel Mathieson broke the course record at Newburgh-on-Ythan with an amazing gross score of 70. The previous record of 73 was established in 2003 by Ros Dunsmuir and Sheena Wood, then equalled in 2010 by Donna Pocock and in 2013 by Lynda Carnie – all County members.

Sammy Fanthorpe (Sammy Leslie before her August lockdown wedding on the course at Murcar) was selected as the winner of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open #MyKeyWorker Award for her positive impact on the community during lockdown. Sammy won a round of golf with Catriona Matthew at The Renaissance Club for herself and her guest, Rachel Polson.

Congratulations to Shannon, Rachel, and Sammy.

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson

Captain, ALCGA

Fixtures Update: 07 April 2021

As we proceed to confirm competitions on our Fixture List, we are assuming that Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire will both move to Covid-19 Local Protection Level 3 from 26 April when restrictions will be eased and travel across our local authority boundaries will be permitted for organised sport.

We will be liaising with Golf Clubs that are hosting our events to ensure that ALCGA can comply with the Covid safety measures that Clubs have put in place to accord with detailed guidance from Scottish Golf. For example, we will check if a Club has a Covid Officer because this has a bearing on whether playing groups have to be restricted to two households: the absence of a Covid Officer might lead to abandonment of a fixture because of the competition format or due to lack of tee times to accommodate the expected number of players.

ALCGA is very grateful to all hosting Clubs for their ongoing support. Therefore, before confirming any particular fixture, it is very important to determine that a Club, with the Club Rep where relevant, feels comfortable to organise and run the event in the current circumstances.

Having said all that, and following on from the announcement last weekend that the County Championship at Meldrum House is going ahead (subject now to the snow having melted!), I have more good news ...

County Opens

• The Ballater County Open that was scheduled originally to take place before the proposed date for the lifting of travel restrictions will now take place on Friday 24 September. The open meeting that usually starts our season will be this season’s grand finale.
• The Aboyne County Open will go ahead as scheduled.

Team Competitions

• The Watt Duffus Competition at Newburgh-on-Ythan will go ahead as scheduled.
• The venue for the Lyon Inter-Club Double Foursomes Trophy is confirmed as the Hazlehead MacKenzie Championship course. The competition will go ahead on the scheduled date.

Junior Competitions

The Junior Leadership Team (Sammy Fanthorpe, Louise Anderson, and Donna Pocock) has identified a small group of girls who are interested in participating in County golf this year. Five 18 hole junior fixtures are planned in the first instance, four of which are confirmed at:

• Murcar Strabathie
• Westhill
• Peterculter (Junior Championship)
• Portlethen

on the dates stated in the Fixture List.

Through an initiative that should have been launched in 2020, ALCGA is aiming to promote golf for local girls from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Golf Clubs by inviting them to take part in County Junior competitions thus providing opportunities to meet and compete against more young golfers. Sammy, Louise, and Donna have made a great start. More details will follow.

Entry Forms

In due course, as required, entry forms for all competitions will be available to download by clicking on the competition name on the list of Fixtures on this website.

Competition Draws

Draws will be published on this website in advance of competition dates. Information from Clubs about their Covid safety measures may be included with draws.

Sheena Wood Rosebowl

The Sheena Wood Rosebowl knockout competition which involves 8 players in individual matchplay will go ahead. Pairs of players make their own arrangements for matches. The 8 qualifiers from 2019 will be contacted soon with draw, conditions and deadline details.

I have one piece of bad news ...

Golf View League

Normally all Golf View League fixtures have to be scheduled and notified to the Captain before the end of April, with all matches taking place before the end of August (after which daylight becomes insufficient for evening matches). Travel distances can be lengthy depending on which clubs are in which of the three divisions. It is common for team players to car-share. A post-match meal concludes each fixture.

Given the number of factors that present potential problems in planning and organising matches on a reduced time scale, plus the challenges of making suitable travel and eating arrangements, the Management Committee and Officials are disappointed to announce the decision that the Golf View League will be cancelled this season.

Finally ...

Future Communications about Fixtures

Regular fixtures updates will be posted on this website and on the ALCGA Facebook page.

In the meantime, take care.

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA

ALCGA County Championship news

I am delighted to confirm that the 2021 County Championship at Meldrum House Golf Club will take place from Friday 30 April till Sunday 02 May 2021, subject to confirmation of the Scottish Government’s proposed move to Level 3 from 26 April, and in accordance with detailed guidance from Scottish Golf.

After the disappointing cancellation of all our 2020 competitions, it is really thrilling to start the season with our most prestigious event, especially since it is being held this year at my home club which has generously agreed to welcome a field of up to 74 County members to participate in the championship challenge.

Because arrangements for the event must adhere to coronavirus restrictions and associated precautions, sadly, the ALCGA Management Committee and Officials in conjunction with the Golf Manager at Meldrum House have decided that no caddies and supporters/spectators will be allowed. However, a junior player may be accompanied by one adult. Notes on covid safely measures that are in place at Meldrum House will be published with the competition draw.

It won’t be quite the same as usual but the friendly competitive spirit and camaraderie of our valued County community will be back in action. Very exciting …

The Championship entry form will be available on the website very soon.

Take care.

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA

ALCGA AGM Registration

Just a wee reminder that today is the deadline for registration for the AGM that is scheduled for Sunday 11 April at 4pm.

To register now, please make sure that you use the email details contained in the AGM papers that were circulated via Club Reps.

If you have registered to attend, the next deadlines are :

Wednesday 31 March for submission of Questions to be answered at the meeting.

Sunday 04 April for submission of Proxy Voting Forms.

It is important to note that voting on alterations to the constitution and rules of competitions "requires a majority of two-thirds of the members present" (see Constitution). 

If, for example, only 33 out of 50 registered attendees submit proxy votes then it is impossible to achieve a two-thirds majority, even if all voters support a resolution. Therefore, whatever their opinions, it is essential that all attendees submit their proxy votes to ensure that the count gives a proper reflection of views. 

ALCGA 2021 Fixture List

Almost a year on from when we started to cancel 2020 ALCGA golfing activities, we continue to encounter barriers because of the pandemic and the still unknown route out of lockdown. Whilst we can play golf, at the moment we cannot travel across local authority boundaries, notably between Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Currently this is the predominant factor that impedes ALCGA opens and other competitions from taking place as normal.

However, the Management Committee and Officials think it is important that ALCGA members are aware of our intention to proceed with our events if at all possible and of our proposed fixture dates. Therefore, we are publishing the 2021 Fixture List.

We have decided not to have fixture cards printed because of ongoing uncertainties and potential wasteful expenditure. Rather we decided that the fixture list would be circulated as a pdf file via Club Reps and will be published on the ALCGA website along with downloadable entry forms. At the moment, we are pausing entries.

The Golf View League will go ahead if local authority boundary travel and possibly car sharing restrictions are lifted in time to allow all matches to take place. Similarly, the Sheena Wood Rosebowl knock out competition will go ahead if possible.

It is really pleasing that the Junior Leadership Team has identified a small group of girls who are interested in participating in County golf. Five junior fixtures are being planned in the first instance. Confirmed details will be posted on the website.

We are continuing to monitor advice and developments from the Scottish Government and Scottish Golf and will provide updates about what is happening as soon as possible.

In the meantime, take care.

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA

Postponed 2020 ALCGA AGM

The 2020 ALCGA AGM that was postponed from November will take place by Zoom at 4pm on Sunday 11 April 2021.

Any lady or junior who was a paid up member in 2019 or who paid to join in 2020 will be eligible to attend the meeting.

Pre-registration for the meeting will be required. Registration details along with the agenda and relevant papers will be sent out soon via Club Reps.

If you are eligible and interested in attending, please put the date in your diary now. Thank you.

Please note also …

The proposed 2021 ALCGA Fixture List will be made available soon on the website and as a pdf document.

Information about arrangements for the collection of fees/subscriptions will be issued in due course.

In the meantime, please take care.

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA

Season's Greetings

Sending best wishes and festive love to all ALCGA members.

Lorna

Lorna M Johnson

ALCGA Captain

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