Gairloch Golf Club Spring Newsletter Opening Match 2013 There was an excellent turnout for our opening match despite it falling on an Easter weekend when many members were away. The format for the day was mixed Texas Scramble with 48 being the best score recorded by Neil MacLeod, Jo Powell, Georgie Lamond and the forever young Mike Powley. The course was in good condition despite the lack of rain and very high winds that emptied the bunkers of sand and also took down several trees in the past week. The best shot of the day was by Jenny MacDonald who had a hole-in-one at the par 3, 15th. Jenny honoured the golfing tradition by buying everyone in the clubhouse a drink. It was also our new club steward Len Campbell s first competition and he provided a first class buffet and excellent pudding. Thanks also go to all who made this a great day, a special thanks to Rhona, George, Len and Jenny.
Hole in One Jenny Jenny was asked by Angus the Club Captain at the prize-giving if she would like to talk us all through her hole in one. Jenny thought for a moment then quietly said well. there was a stiff breeze blowing from left to right and the flag was positioned on the right hand side of the green and well back. I therefore teed off on the left hand side of the box to allow for the wind. I chose my driver and aimed to bounce just on the green and allow the natural contour to roll the ball towards the flag. Angus said really? Jenny nah, I took my driver and hit it as hard as I could towards the green. Pressure is on This picture was taken at opening sides and has been deliberately unfocused to save the team any embarrassment. We all have had pressure putts to hole at some time but this putt seemed to have a life or death feel about it.
Rest of the World Team Take On Gairloch Men A rest of the world team including Tiger Woods, Ian Poulter, Rory McIlroy, and the ghost of Seve Ballesteros visited Gairloch to test themselves against the current unbeaten Gairloch men s team at the end of March. Thanks go to Pete Mitchell who had to pull a few strings and use all the influence at MacGregor s Supplies Inverness to arrange this fixture. The most surprising thing was that these world class athletes who are at the top of their profession were so down to earth and friendly. Also don t let anyone tell you alcohol and bacon rolls before a round might upset your rhythm and swing tempo, these superstars of golf were sinking pints and devouring bacon rolls like no tomorrow. Pete has promised that he will try and arrange a rematch when they are next in the area either just before the Open at Muirfield or certainly before the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. Special thanks to Jocelyn, Rhona, Kate and Anne for serving food and Angus and Neil for serving behind the bar.
APRIL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Sat 6th Gents Medal 9.30 Sat 6th Ladies Medal & Rosebowl 1 10.00 Mon 8th Juniors Medal 16.00 Tue 9th Seniors Medal 9.30 Fri 12th All Friday Nite 9 s 18.00 Sat 13th Gents Ullapool V Gairloch (away) TBA Sat 13th Ladies Medal & Rosebowl 2 10.00 Wed 17th Ladies 9 Hole Stableford 17. 30 Sat 20th Corporate Badachro Inn Invitation 8. 30 Sat 27th All Open Day 11. 00
Handicap Panel The role of the handicap panel is to allot and maintain handicaps of our members in accordance with the Unified Handicapping System. We ensure that all players handicaps are kept up to date and that all players exact and playing handicaps are displayed as soon as possible after each competition. It is important that we verify every player s scorecard following a competition for correctness and adherence to the rules. We also undertake Annual Reviews of handicaps between October and February each year and have recently completed this task for this coming season, as some of you will have discovered. Some of the time is taken up with entering new members and amending records for those members who resign from the club. This is because there is a lot of confusion at various clubs as to how this should be recorded so a phone call between clubs is required. We also prepare Handicap certificates as and when required. It is a very interesting role and one where we are learning daily. There is always something new cropping up but we each enjoy the challenges this produces. So any volunteers (male or female) to join our team would be very helpful. Enjoy 2013 Golfing Season The 2013 golf season is finally here and April signals the start of another golfing season. A new Committee is in place and have hit the deck running by refurbishing the entrance hall with the addition of new lighting. Welcome to Tyrie Sheils, Anne Crawford and Carol Turnbull to the committee so please give them all the support you can. The competitions have been arranged and Mark and Ian have worked hard over the winter preparing the course for our enjoyment in the coming months. So enjoy your golf and hope to see you on the course.