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.
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
