The course continues to benefit from the gradual improvement in weather conditions, with recent rainfall and slightly higher temperatures helping growth.

The new out of bounds marker posts are in place on the left side of the first hole.

Members, guests and visiting golfers should please note the course risk assessment document which can also be found under the ‘Club’ heading on the home page.

Winners with Anne Griffin, presenting the trophy.

Thanks to Tricia Chillas for organising the event this year.

Happily the weather stayed dry, which meant that the children could enjoy some time out on the practice area and the putting green, learning the basics of the golf swing, chipping and putting.  Professional coaching was provided by staff from Active Stirling and ClubGolf.   Then volunteers from the Ladies’ and Gents’ sections took each group on a tour of the club, watching players driving off on the 1^st, and trying to achieve a Par 3 on the 14^th with the added pressure of a young but appreciative audience!  A short quiz about the club and a glass of juice rounded off the day.

The course looked wonderful, and it was clearly a great experience for the children to come and visit a proper course, and see techniques which they have been learning being put into practice.  They certainly had lots of questions!  We hope that some of them will come back for the ClubGolf coaching being offered here in May/June, and then take their golf further in the future.

Many thanks to all those who helped during the week, especially those who have offered to help again next year!

There was an excellent turnout of 230 on Friday and Saturday for the Tennent Cup Stableford Competition. The competition scratch score for Friday was 74 and on Saturday the CSS was 73

The winner of Division 1, with the best score of the week-end was Douglas Todd who ended up on 42 points and the highlight of his round was a net albatross on the par five fifth. In second place was Darek Kunecki on 38 points and joint third were Alex Giannandrea and Andrew Ion jnr.

In Division 2 the winner on 37 points was Norrie McGregor with David Morrison second and tied for third were Brian McVean and Barry Patterson.

The Division 3 winners all played on the Friday with Robin Burgess winning this section with 39 points. Sidney Stewart on 37 points was second and George Buchanan with 36 points was third.

Players are reminded to complete their cards on the computer and then place in their respective handicap section. If the computer is not working they must mark this on their card.

Report on Stirling Golf Club’s Opening Day on Saturday 24 March 2012.

The new season was officially launched on Saturday with 160 gent, lady and junior members taking part in the traditional Captain versus Vice Captain competitions. The men were off first at 9.30 led by new Captain, Murray Macmillan, who disappointed many by hitting an excellent drive up the middle. This set the tone for his team who eventually prevailed over James Todd’s side by 4 holes.

The Junior Captain, Matthew Tortolano and reigning club champion Russell Stewart had a particularly busy day, first competing in the gent’s event and then leading their respective teams in the juniors’ two-ball foursome competition.

Fifty ladies took part in the afternoon with an age range spanning 70 years, from the veterans to promising junior players Alison MacFarlane, Samantha McDairmid and Emily Bain, proving that golf can be enjoyed by players of all ages.  Members were divided into two teams, representing this year’s Lady Captain, Catriona Brown and her Vice Captain, Rose Graham.  On a sunny afternoon, the nine-hole greensomes competition was won quite convincingly by the Captain’s team, 8 points to 4.  But everyone was a winner, with chocolate eggs and Easter bunnies distributed to all competitors at the prizegiving tea.

Saturday was rounded off with a delicious Italian meal at the clubhouse, hosted by “Il Capitano” Murray MacMillan. A busy weekend was capped by good performances by both teams playing in the Mail on Sunday Classic tournament.  The gents lost narrowly at home to a powerful Glenbervie side while the ladies had a dramatic win at Braehead.  Elma Leisk sank a long putt to tie the match at 2½:2½, and Linda Mathewson secured the win at the first sudden death extra hole.  The ladies now go through to Round 4.

The build up to the official opening of the 2012 season
continued with the popular Famous Grouse Fourball competition. Health and
Safety considerations meant that the start was signalled by a klaxon rather
than the traditional shotgun.

Of the 50 teams involved, no fewer than 15 broke 70 and the
winning places had to be decided on a countback. Pacesetters at the halfway
stage were Jim Kinnear / Graeme Buchanan with six birdies and three pars,
closely followed by Colin Griffin / Maurice McCann and Brendan Watt / Kenny
McLean. The former had birdie 2s at both short holes while the latter’s card
featured net eagles at the 5^th and 7^th.   They recorded yet another eagle at the 18^th
but their challenge had been dealt a fatal blow when they racked up an 8 at the
13^th. Colin and Maurice had further birdies at 11 and 12 but their
failure to better par at any of the last six holes was to cost them dear on the
countback.

Jim and Graeme were also unable to replicate their form on
the inward half and bogeys at 15 and 16 saw them finish two shots off the pace.
The eventual winners, Tom Stewart / Pat Mooney, had a relatively quiet start,
shooting seven pars and two birdies on the front nine to reach the turn in 34.
Further birdies at 11 and 13 maintained their momentum and they finished
strongly with birdies at the last two holes to complete a six-under par 66.
John Cattigan / Rab Sneddon matched Tom and Pat’s outward half and then
recorded four successive birdies from the 10^th to forge ahead. Like
Colin and Maurice, however, they played the remaining holes in level par to
finish on 66 but lost out on the title by virtue of an inferior last 6 holes.

The longest drive prize went to Fraser MacDonald while
Richard Park won the award for nearest-the-pin at the 6^th.

Results

1^st – Tom Stewart and Pat Mooney 66

2^nd – John Cattigan and Rab Sneddon – 66

3^rd – Colin Griffin and Maurice McCann – 66

Come along and try it for yourself – and enjoy the views of the course at the same time.

Services
One of the best stocked shops in the Central Belt of Scotland will ensure that all your golfing needs are catered for. This includes a full range of golf equipment and clothing, including a good selection of ladies items.

Personalised & Corporate Gifts
A large selection of promotional goods is available. All items can be branded with your company logo as required (4-6 weeks required for delivery).

Golf Clinics & Tuition
Ian and Cameron can deal with all your requirements and, along with our excellent practice facilities, lessons come highly recommended.

Video playback analysis on individual lessons.

Lessons cost from £25.

Group Clinics for visiting parties available, contact pro shop for more details.

Lessons can be booked by calling the pro shop direct on 01786 471490

Custom Fitting Service
Golf club custom fitting is available with fully qualified staff. All major brands are stocked and fitted for. Book an appointment and improve your golf today!

Hire Services
Golf buggies, trolleys, hire clubs are all available on request. To reserve a buggy it is best to book in advance.

Shop Hours
Open seven days a week. 8.30am-4.00pm in Winter, and 8.00am-7.00pm in Summer. Telephone 01786 471490

email  Ian.collins@foremostgolf.com

Click here to visit the Pro’s website

Also on the evening, we thanked James Todd for his hard work as Junior Captain for 2010/11 and welcomed Matthew Tortolano as the new Junior Captain for 2011/12.  Matthew will play a key role in encouraging all young players, and in representing the section in the Club and beyond.

Russell Stewart was presented with the Championship Trophy that he won earlier in the year, in the final against Matthew Tortolano, as well as the Strokeplay Trophy. 

The Junior Player of the Year Trophy was awarded to Taylor Ross, who has reduced his handicap from 28 to 23 this year, played in 9 medal competitions and won 5 medal competitions.  Well done Taylor.

Junior Convener Lesley Campbell gave a brief report, saying that in 2012 there would be a team approach to organising golf for young people, and hoped that some parents would volunteer to help from time to time.  Jim McKerchar has already volunteered to organise the annual St Andrew Match for juniors.  Over the winter, we intend to organise a few fun competitions and some coaching to keep the swings going for next season.  There might even be another Quiz Night!

Many thanks go to the catering and bar staff, our captain David Fallow, and last – but not least – to Hendry Campbell our quiz master. 

Russell was presented with the Championship Trophy

Winners "In a League of their Own"