LOCKDOWN BLOG

I hope everyone is healthy and managing to keep occupied in this bizarre lockdown world we now live in.

Every day I lament the fact that there is no golf, when the weather is so gorgeous. Hopefully our great course will be in stunning condition when we are able to get back to it (a sneak peek tells me that the 8th, 9th and 11th greens are all now re-laid, so hopefully will bed-in soon).

Here are some course photos from recent days. Please email me your pics if you have any good ones, particularly of the lovely daffodils when they were out (I missed seeing those) and I can post them here.

Meanwhile, away from the course several of our lady members have had lockdown birthdays. Celebrations will not have been as normal, but big congratulations to Moira Wilson and Marion Reid, who have celebrated special big birthdays. Hope to see you back on the course soon in your 9th decade 😃🎂🎂🎂

LADIES UPDATE

Ladies you will all be expecting this news but for the avoidance of doubt...

1) The planned supper and rules night on April 2nd will not now go ahead.

2) Wednesday's Winter Greensomes competition has been cancelled and there will be no ladies competitions organised until further notice.

3) Casual golf will continue, taking into account the guidance issued in the recent Board email.

As the weather improves, I hope many of us can enjoy this casual golf as a way to keep our morale up over the coming weeks.

Look after yourselves, everyone.

Jan

Golf and Government Advice re COVID19

Ladies, you will have by now seen the recent government advice about “social distancing” and we need to give serious consideration to how this will affect our golfing life over the next few months.

Obviously, the health and wellbeing of all members is our primary consideration. Many of our lady golfers are in a government identified “risk” category but at the same time they are well and active and would wish to keep exercising. Golf, like walking, is one of the activities which it may be possible to continue under certain conditions.

The situation is fast moving and official advice changes almost daily. In the first instance, we have decided to cancel the 12 hole 5-club competition scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday 18th March, while we take time to consider the best advice.

It may for instance be possible, come the competition season, to have no ballots but for players who are well, want fresh air and choose to do so, to play by arrangement throughout the day while still managing to achieve social distancing.

It is likely that the planned supper evening on April 2nd will have to be cancelled.

This is all very disappointing but this is an unprecedented time and our wish is for everybody to stay healthy.

All further updates on these matters will be published on the Blog.

New Email address

Maureen Cook has changed her email address.  For those with the yellow address book please change it to:-  maureen.a.cook@virginmedia.com

BRIDGE AFTERNOON WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2020

Thanks to everyone who attended this year's Bridge Drive on Wednesday 26th February.

The whole event seemed a great success with 17 tables of players, all of whom enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea, and some of whom enjoyed some fabulous cards.

Several couples made small slams, only to be eclipsed by Robin Scott and Alistair Forsyth who had a Grand Slam (we can't remember the last time this was achieved!)

The bridge winners were:

• 1st Kay Black - 2700 points
• 2nd Elspeth Osbourne - 2650 points
• 3rd Dorothy Simpson - 2307 points

Sincere thanks to Vicky Rennie who coordinated the whole event, together with her team of helpers including Joy McLeod and Maureen Cook. Thanks also to the large team of bakers and sandwich makers who provided the afternoon tea, which was much commented on and appreciated.

We would all like to thank Simon, Mandy and the rest of the catering team who provided the tea, coffee and scones and then donated the whole proceeds for these back to the raffle charity. Thanks to everyone who donated raffle prizes and bought tickets. A total of £255 was raised for Glasgow Samaritans.

AFTERNOON TEA

Judging by the noise, the 34 ladies who attended the afternooon tea yesterday enjoyed their afternoon.
A lovley spread was provided by our caterers which was enjoyed along with the chat.   A lovely way to spend another wet afternoon!

BRIDGE AFTERNOON

The Ranfurly Castle Bridge Afternoon is coming up this month, on Wednesday 26th February, 1.30 for 2pm start. The cost is £30 for a table for four.

If you would like to play and have not already booked a table, please sign up on the Main Notice Board or contact Vicky Rennie to reserve a table. It promises to be a fun afternoon of cards with a delicious Afternoon Tea prepared and served by members of the Ladies Section.

LADIES HARD AT WORK

Sunday 19th January saw 7 ladies putting in a tough shift of gardening work outside the Clubhouse.
Well done girls, what a difference a bit of weeding and tidying up makes!
I'm sure all the members would like to thank you for your hard work.

     BEFORE:

     AFTER:

Volunteers to help out the gardening team always welcome!

90th AGM

Saturday 18th January saw the Ladies section host the 90th AGM.  Approximately 45 ladies gathered in the dining room where Captain Jan welcomed everyone.  Various reports were given covering events of the past year before Jan introduced Gillian Donaghy as her Vice Captain and welcomed her to the post.  2019 was a difficult year for Jan with no Vice Captain but, with the help of many of the members, she survived and is generously giving her time to continue as Captain for anoher year.  She thanked both Sheila Biggart and Marion Munro for their services as they departed from the committee and welcomed Anne Gordon and Helen Abram as new members to replace them.
A congratulations Birthday card was sent to Ronnie MacLaren who has reached the grand age of 100, our oldest Past Captain.
The meeting continued with Jan presenting the prizes and Trophies to the winners from the last seasons golf.
Finally two dates for next month were given for people to put in their diary:-
Wed 19th February - Afternoon Tea event and Wed 26th February - Bridge Afternoon.
Look out for sheets in the locker room to sign up if you are interested and further information will follow shortly.

CAPTAINS' DRIVE-IN 2020

Thanks to everyone who came along on Sunday 12th January to witness the new Captains' Drive-In.

2019 Captain David Stewart handed over the badge of office to Eunice Muir, who then introduced the 2020 Gents Vice Captain, Brian McLaughlin.

Eunice, Brian and Lady Captain Jan later hit their tee shots off the first tee in front of a cheering audience (all balls in play, but Jan's disappointingly in the bunker!).

We were then very lucky with a dry and pleasant weather window for the 9 hole stableford competition. This year's winner of the Captains Quaich was Joy McLeod with 24pts, narrowly beating Kevin Barr and last year's winner Martin McGoldrick.

Well done Joy, a good start to the season for the Ladies!

BREAKFAST ON 3rd JANUARY

Ladies, just a little reminder that everyone is invited to come to the Club on 3rd January 2020 for breakfast, a chat and, maybe, a little golf if wanted.  Time is 10.00-10.15am.
It would be helpful if you could contact Joy before hand if you plan to come along, but don't worry if that is not possible.  Looking forward to seeing anyone who is free for a catch up and a Happy New Year to you all when it comes.

LADIES AGM AND PRIZEGIVING

The Ladies Section AGM and Prizegiving will be held in the clubhouse on Saturday 18th January 2020, at 10.45 for 11am.

All ladies who are eligible to attend have been emailed paperwork for the meeting and there are copies available for inspection on the Notice Board in the Ladies Locker Room.

XMAS FUN!

There might not have been any golf because of the heavy rain but, great fun was had playing the entertaining quiz organised by Jan.  Everyone turned up in Festive dress - the jumper sales must have increased this year - but Anne Judge decided that a Xmas jumper was not nearly good enough as can be seen from the following photo.  Well done Anne!

Golf Teams of 3 were joined by ladies who had not intended to play golf anyway, but were prepared to put their general knowledge to the test.  No horrible head scratching questions this year, just a range of topics with plenty of possible answers for all the team to contribute to.   The overal winning team was decided by playing Family Fortunes and consisted of  Sheila Biggart, Evelyn MacDermid and Morag Cunningham - congratulations all.
40 Ladies then enjoyed lunch and chat upstairs, perhaps the first mince pie of the season for many of us, along with coffee or tea, rounded off the occasion.

NO GOLF THIS MORNING

Predictably, the weather is not pleasant for golf this morning.

We will revert to Plan B and meet at 11.15am prior to our Christmas Lunch.

If the weather dries up this afternoon, anyone feeling they have missed out on their golf can always have a few holes after lunch.

See you all later

Jan

XMAS 9 HOLES AND LUNCH - WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER 2019

The 9 holes of golf will be Stableford "Yellow Ball" format in teams of three. Holes 1-3 & 13-18. Please see draw below.

Lunch will be 12.30 for 12.45pm, price £7.50, for soup and half sandwich combo plus tea/coffee and mince pie. Please bring the exact money if possible.

In the event of a very wet day, a decision on the golf will be made and blogged by 9.15am. If there is no golf, we will meet at 11.15am for some pre-lunch games.

DRAW
1st tee 10.15 Sheila Biggart, Morag Cunningham, Evelyn McDermid
1st tee 10.22 Mary Craig, Joy McLeod, Jane Dickie
1st tee 10.30 Marion Munro, Jean Irvine, Gillian Donaghy
13th tee 10.15 Pamela MacKenzie, Mary Hardie, Chris Minto
13th tee 10.22 Anne Judge, Rosemary Reedie, Alison Templeton
16th tee 10.15 Lilias Snodgrass, Pat Pennel, Morven McLeod
16th tee 10.22 Maureen Cook, Rosemary Ogilvie, Mary Irving
16th tee 10.30 Anne Robinson, Karin MacKenzie, Vicky Rennie

Any problems, please contact Jan

RLCGA SUCCESS FOR RANFURLY CASTLE

Anne Judge, Pearl Orr and Marion Munro
Winter Foursomes Winners

Sheila Shaw Pearl Orr and Jan Macnab

The 110th Renfrewshire Ladies' County Golf Association AGM was held at Haggs Castle Golf Club last Wednesday evening  -- the 6th November 2019. -- READ FULL REPORT

Ranfurly Castle's players performed well in this years County Competitions and received their prizes from RLCGA's President Pearl Orr after the AGM.

Ranfurly Castle Main Winners
Winter Foursomes 2018/19
Winners: Anne Judge and Marion Munro, Ranfurly Castle
Runners Up: Jan Macnab, Ranfurly Castle and Sheila Shaw, Caldwell

Spring Meeting Scratch and Division 1 Winner: Jan Macnab,
June Medal Winner: Jan Macnab 
July Medal Winner : Anne Judge

Rosebowl Winner: Jan Macnab,

Triam Winners: Jan Macnab, Ranfurly Castle, Morag Turner, Kilmacolm, Margaret Gray, Old Ranfurly

Unfortunately Jan's partner Sheila took unwell just after receiving the Winter Foursomes runners up award and Jan did not get presented her Rosebowl Winners Trophy as she was helping look after Sheila with others at the time and the prize giving was moved through to another room. Sheila has since recovered.  

Report by Carol Fell (as requested)

LADIES DINNER

On Wednesday 23rd October 43 ladies enjoyed a lovely evening at the annual dinner.  Despite all the disruptive work being carried out fitting new windows in both the smoke room and mixed lounge, Simon, Mandy and their team coped amazingly. No one would have known how the room had looked only a couple of hours before everyone arrived! Judging by the noise level, everyone had a good time.
Jan welcomed everyone and presented the Fun Competition prizes before giving a little explanation of how she proposes to run the Ladies Section next season in light of the fact that there is no Vice Captain to take over in January.
As usual Jean Irvine has taken a very good selection of photos of the evening.

ALTERNATE FINAL SWING (12 holes) 19/10/2019

2 ladies played in this very last competition of the season on a day of very pleasant autumn weather.
No winter greens!

Winner:       Louise Cooper   16 pts
Runner Up: Morag Cunningham 9 ptts

FINAL SWING (12 holes) 16 OCTOBER 2019

8 Ladies played early afternoon (four played the red course and four played the green course,  (the morning weather was very wet). There were 5  winter greens.

Winner: Karen Binning (count back) 24 points

Runner Up: Anne Judge 24 points.

Updated 19/10/19, apologies , my error.

What an amazing rainbow!

SCRAMBLE TODAY CANCELLED

Once again the horrid rain has scuppered our plans for a fun day. The Australian Scramble scheduled for today, Wednesday 9th October, has had to be cancelled.

If anyone fancies coming to the club for lunch, there will be a few of us there from 12.15pm.