SUMMER MEETING FOR WALKER QUAICH - WEDNESDAY 15TH JULY 2026

 RESULTS

WINNER.                  Morven McLeod.                  Net 65

RUNNER UP.            Joy McLeod                          Net 71

Ladies Open Thursday 16 July 2026

The Ladies Open Day took place today eventually after a 30 minute fog delay. The sun then broke through and it became very warm. 

I would like to thank all the ladies who helped with the raffle, check-in, starting and closing the competition. Also my thanks to those who sponsored the novelty holes and all the prizes for the raffle. The table looked fabulous. 

A wonderful amount of over £400 was raised for SAMH.

Marion Munro

Mid Season Update

It seems remarkable that we are half way through the season already!

As ever, June was a busy month for the ladies at The Castle. To kick off the month we saw 19 ladies compete for the inaugural Captains' Day Ladies Quaich on Saturday 6 June, which Anne Judge won with 37 points. I am delighted to say that all lady winners were present for the prizegiving and we had a lovely, fun evening. 

On Friday 12th we welcomed 24 Past Lady Captains to the club for lunch after16 ladies played earlier in the day in a fun 12-hole competition which Sheila Biggart won, receiving the prized Past Captains'Day Waterford Door Stop. It was a chance for all present Past Captains to thank Karen Binning for her hard work and commitment as Handicap Secretary. Karen has led the Ladies Section through inordinate change, navigating the introduction of digital scoring and we all very much appreciate her efforts. Karen steps down from the committee at the end of the year.

Congratulations to Joy McLeod who triumphed in the Hospice Cup and to Alison Murray who had the best scratch score at the Spring Meeting for Captain's Prizes, and to Mary Craig who had the best net score. My thanks to everyone who took part on the day when we were blessed with surprisingly good weather.

The McLachlan Cup was won by Anne Judge and Karin Mackenzie, and warm congratulations also go to our Treasurer Morven McLeod who won the Dorie Hunter with the best net score of 72.

June saw the communication of the changes to RCGC's tee management protocols on a Saturday and Wednesday as a result of the Saturday Pilot Review. I want to thank everyone for their input and support through the consultation process and in particular for the smooth and elegant transition to the new protocols on a Wednesday.

Competition play for the Ladies Section is always in three balls. It is not however imperative that you enter the competition on a Wednesday for you to reserve a tee time, just as it is not imperative for the men to join the competition should they reserve a tee time in their reserved slot on a championship qualifying Saturday. For clarity, your playing partners in a three ball may choose to play in the competition but if you simply wish to attest their cards that is absolutely fine as part of the new arrangement.

There will be one more Saturday in the season when ladies are restricted to playing from 11.00 on a Saturday and this will be for the final qualifying stage for the Mens' Championship on Saturday 15 August. 

The Summer Greensomes is on Wednesday 29 July and there will be a pre ballot, so please enter via the sign up sheet. This is an opportunity for us to welcome players who perhaps haven't been playing in competitions this season either because they are new to competitive golf and have established a handicap for the first time or perhaps because they are new to the club and do not know many other lady members. Please do sign up. Greensomes is a lovely format for social golf and a great way to meet fellow members.

There will also be a pre-ballot for the Australian Scramble, which is on Wednesday 19 August. A sign up sheet for this event will be posted soon and everyone is encouraged to take part in this fun format.

On the course, I am delighted to report that the toilet facility is now 'up and running!' The toilet is to be found between the 6th green and 12th tee and members are asked to only dispose of toilet paper in the facility. Massive thanks to Jim Park for his tenacious oversight of the whole project from inception to installation.

Our Ladies Outing is taking place on Tuesday 1 September when we shall be visiting East Renfrewshire Golf Club. The cost per head is £36.00 for a tea or coffee with a hot roll on arrival, a round of golf and lunch. We would appreciate ladies that this is paid by bank transfer a week before the outing so that we can settle with East Renfrewshire ahead of the day. A sign up sheet will be on the board shortly and this will include the Ladies Section Bank Details. Thank you to Anne Judge for all her hard work in arranging our day out!

The Ladies Committee met last Monday and agreed to host a Ladies Lunch on Sunday 20 September so take a note in your diaries and details will follow in due course. My thanks to our Secretary, Past Captain Agnes Williamson, for taking the lead on the arrangements.

Finally, this week, on Thursday 16 July we have our Ladies Open. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our magnificent course and for lady visitors to experience our warm hospitality. Please can I ask that you consider donating to the raffle. Past Captain Marion Munro is masterminding the day and asks that donations are left in the ladies locker room. If you are able to volunteer an hour of your time on Thursday to support the team deliver this event, please contact Marion directly. I know that she will very much appreciate your time. 

My charity of choice this year is SAMH, a charity very close to my family's heart. Kerry-Anne Hastings is my daughter's best friend and SAMH is the charity that Kerry-Anne and her brother Corey have asked that we support in memory of her parents, Jenny and Scott. All proceeds from the raffle on Thursday will go to SAMH.

Here's to a successful and gloriously sunny Open Day!

Aye,

Eleanor

Friendly match v Gourock -9 July 2026

 We had a glorious day away at Gourock last Thursday 9th July for our second Friendly Match of the season.  The views from the course were spectacular and the golf was pretty good too with Ranfurly Castle  winning three of the four games.

Well played everyone !

DORIE HUNTER STROKEPLAY - WEDNESDAY 8TH JULY 2026

 RESULTS

WINNER.                       Morven McLeod.            Net 72

RUNNER UP.                 Mary Craig.                     Net 74

Fun Australian Scramble 19 August 2026

 The entry sheet will be going up shortly for this fun team event.  

It is pre-balloted with mixed handicaps.  There is no entry fee.

Summer Greensomes Stableford Wednesday 29 July 2026

 This competition will be pre-balloted.  Please add your name to the sheet on our Notice Board.

We would  like to encourage our new members and on this occasion our Gap members to take part so if you happen to know any of these ladies please encourage as best you can.

The draw will be advised nearer the time -entry on the day is £2pp

West Renfrewshire league- Ranfurly Castle v Kilmacolm home match Tuesday 7th July 2026

 Our West Renfrewshire League match was played on Tuesday at home against Kilmacolm.

In surprisingly pleasant weather, our team played well coming in with a 4/2 win.  

There is one more match left for this season , away against Ralston which has been rearranged for 

Monday 20th July.

JULY MEDAL - WEDNESDAY 1ST JULY 2026

 RESULTS

SILVER

WINNER.                              Allison Murray.          Net 76

RUNNER UP.                        Vivien Howe.             Net 77

BRONZE

WINNER                                Gillian Donaghy.        Net 67

RUNNER UP                         Kate Scott.                 Net 70

Ladies Open Thursday 16 July 2026/ updated

Ladies your help with Raffle Prizes  for our Open Day would be much appreciated 

There is a box in our Locker Room for  donations of bottles, plants and chocolates.

3 holes are normally sponsored, (nearest the pin/longest drive) 1 has been secured , vouchers best, value £20 -can you help? fingers crossed 😊

Finally, if  anyone could spare an hour on the day to help please contact Marion Munro on 07773 713486 or email mvamunro@gmail.com 

McLACHLAN CUP - WEDNESDAY 24TH JUNE 2026

 RESULTS

WINNERS           Anne Judge & Karin Mackenzie                       41 pts

Runners Up.        Anne Robinson & Sheila Swinnerton.              34 pts   

Wednesday & Saturday Tee Management Pilot

Over the past six months and particularly over the first two months of the playing season, Match & Handicap (M&H) has been monitoring the impact of opening the Tee Sheet to Lady Members on a Saturday morning before 11.00. As part of this Tee Management Pilot, M&H has also been assessing the demand and availability of tee times to Men on a Wednesday morning.

The results of the Pilot were assessed by the Board on Wednesday 17 June and their decisions shared with, and endorsed by, the Ladies Committee on Monday 22 June. The results showed that there has been ample availability of tee times for Women and Men across each of these two days of the week. The key issue is the popularity of tee slots between 08.00 and 10.00 on these days and so, to meet the needs of all concerned, the following decisions have been taken:

Wednesdays, from 8 July 2026:

1. The Tee Sheet shall be reserved for Ladies from 09.30-11.00 each Wednesday.

2. The Tee Sheet on a Wednesday shall be three balls only until 10.30. From 10.30-11.00, to allow for Ladies not wanting to play in a competition, we shall open the Tee Sheet to four balls.

3. Any member wishing to book a tee time before 09.30 or after 11.00 on a Wednesday, including Ladies wishing to play earlier or later in the day, will be able to do so on the Open Tee Sheet.

4. Any of the reserved tee times on a Wednesday that are not booked will be released onto the Open Tee Sheet at 09.00 on the preceding Monday.

Saturdays, from 4 July 2026:

1. Pilot conditions on a Saturday will be made permanent from 4 July 2026 except for:

• Men's Championship Qualifiers when the Tee Sheet will be restricted, with Ladies able to book a tee time from 11.00. There is one remaining Men's Qualifier this season on Saturday 4 July. 

• The Men's Christmas Cracker. This is a Shotgun start so the Tee Sheet will be closed to other members for the duration of the competition.

2. Ladies Championship Qualifying Saturday Medals will be held on the same day as the Gents' Qualifiers next year and the tee will be reserved for Ladies playing in the Qualifiers from 12.00-13.00. The Tee Sheet will be reviewed on the preceding Thursday at 09.00 and any unallocated tee times from this reserved hour slot will be released onto the Open Tee Sheet.

In Summary:

On a Wednesday, if you wish to play before 09.30 or after 11.00, you will be able to do so but the tee sheet will not be reserved. Please note that the tee sheet opens at 07.00 on the preceding Wednesdays and Saturdays for tee bookings.

If you wish to play in the reserved tee slot, then your booking must be made before 09.00 on the preceding Monday when the unallocated tee times will be released to other members.

There will be five Saturdays in the year when Ladies playing rights will be restricted to after 11.00. Ladies wishing to play in any of the four Saturday Championship Qualifiers, which will fall on the same day as the Men's Championship Qualifiers, will have the opportunity to book within an hour's Reserved Tee Slot from 12.00-13.00. The reserved tee times will be available until 09.00 on the preceding Thursday when the any unallocated tee times will be released to other members.

In Closing:

I appreciate that this new arrangement will take time to get used to and that each of us will need help and support in adjusting to the new protocols. By looking out for our friends, reminding each other to book our tee time in good time each week, we will quickly adapt and continue to thrive.

In setting out to represent you through this Pilot Review, as your Lady Captain, I was determined to serve both our community of Wednesday golfers and our hopefully growing group of Lady Members on a Saturday. My hope is that you find this new arrangement a gentle and enabling compromise.

If you have any questions, or would like to talk through the new arrangements, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours aye,

Eleanor Stewart

07768 647916

                     

SPRING MEETING (CAPTAIN'S PRIZES ) - WEDNESDAY 17TH JUNE 2026

 Good morning ladies, disappointed I couldn't make it yesterday . I have heard it was a fabulous day !

RESULTS

BEST SCRATCH.                 Allison Murray.          86

BEST NET.                           Mary Craig.         Net.  74

2ND NET                              Eunice Muir.        Net 75 (BIH)

3RD NET                              Sheila Biggart.    Net 75

Well played all 🏌                              

SPRING MEETING FOR CAPTAIN'S PRIZES

I am delighted to see on the Tee Sheet that we have a strong field for the Spring Meeting tomorrow.

There are two competitions running for Captain's Prizes. An eighteen hole stroke play competition and a nine hole Stableford. Both competitions are being played from the Green Tees.

The Lady Captain's Prizes will comprise:

Best Scratch Score: First Prize and Winner of the Lady Captain's Day Rose Bowl

Best Net Score: First Prize (Handicap)

Second Best Net Score: Second Prize (Handicap)

Third Best Net Score: Third Prize (Handicap)

Best Stableford Score: First Prize (9 Hole Competition).

The Prizes for the Spring Meeting will be presented at our Annual Dinner.

Karen has set both competitions up to join on the App. 

If you are playing in the 9-hole Stableford competition, please take a physical card and place it in the box at the end of your round, after first entering the competition on the App.

If you are playing in the Stroke Play Competition and would prefer not to use your 'phone on the course, please enter the competition on the App and create your scorecard before your round. This will generate a unique scorecard number for you which will allow you to enter your scores on the I Pad on the first floor landing. You will also need your Membership Number (previously called your CDH Number) which you will find on the Home Page of the App underneath your name. It is easy to use. Eunice and I entered our scores on the I Pad on Saturday no problem, so if we can do it, believe me it must be straightforward!

As ever, if you need any help, please just ask. I shall be there first thing tomorrow and if I cannot help, Ramsay will be on hand in the Pro Shop and he is always exceptionally helpful.

There is a small Lady Captain's Day gift for all participants which I would ask you to pick up in the lounge ahead of your round. I shall be there all day so please pop up ahead of your round no matter what time you are playing. 

A wee word with the Weather Gods tonight might be in order....

Until tomorrow.

Aye,

Eleanor 

HOSPICE CUP - SUNDAY 14TH JUNE 2026

 RESULTS

WINNER                    Joy McLeod                  36 pts

RUNNER UP.            Allison Murray               32 pts

SATURDAY JUNE MEDAL/QUALIFIER - SATURDAY 13TH JUNE 2026

 RERSULTS

WINNER.                  Eunice Muir.               Net 74

RUNNER UP.            Allison Murray.           Net 78

PAST CAPTAINS DAY

Despite some very difficult conditions with the weather, there were plenty of good scores for the 12hole Stableford Competition.  The winner with 26 points was Sheila Biggart

The runner up with 22 points was Marion Munro

A delicious lunch followed the morning golf, where the gathering included several ladies, who had not taken part in the competition.  All were welcomed by Captain Eleanor and memories of times past, from Carol Fell, were shared with everyone.

 

PAST CAPTAINS' LUNCH FRIDAY 12 JUNE 2026

A slight change to the draw for tomorrow. Pamela is unable to play but will join us for lunch:

09.50: Lilias Snodgrass, Joy McLeod and Vicky Rennie

10.00: Karin Mackenzie,Vivien Howe and Sheila Biggart

10.10: Mary Craig, Mary Hardie and Helen Abram

10.20: Karen Binning, Evy MacGregor, Marion Munro and Gillian Donaghy 

10.30: Evelyn McDermid, Jean Irvine, Kate Scott and Carol Reid

Format is Singles & Stableford, holes 1-12, Green Tees,  on a card and not the App.

For those not playing, lunch will be at 13.30 with a wee glass of fizz beforehand at 13.00. 

In summary, there are 17 ladies on the tee with a total of 24 Past Captains for lunch in the clubhouse.

Until tomorrow,

Eleanor 🏌

  

McLACHLAN CUP - WEDNESDAY 24TH JUNE 2026

 This is a foursomes competition for a high/low (ideally silver/bronze) handicap partnership.

Played from RED tees.

Scoring will be on cards and placed in the box on completion of round.

Entry (£2 per person) should be made in a brown envelope marked with name and competition and placed in the box.

Enter with your partner on the App in the usual way.

Anyone who wishes to play but does not have a partner, please PM me and I will try to pair you up !

Karen 

STABLEFORD AND GRANS - WEDNESDAY 10TH JUNE 2026

 RESULTS

WINNER.                              Mary Hardie.                 39 pts

RUNNER UP.                        Carol Barnes.               35 pts (bih).  

                                              Vivien Howe.                 35 pts

                                               Kate Scott.                    35 pts

Congratulations to Granny Mary who wins the trophy!