Summer Greensomes

Please see below the draw for the Summer Greensomes on Wednesday.

09.30: Vivien Howe & Pat Pennel with Denise Cowan & Chris Minto

09.40: Gillian Donaghy & Senga Nixon with Eleanor Stewart & Carol Reid

09.50: Anne Robinson & Maureen Cook with Roisin Black & Eileen Walker

10.00: Anne Judge & Alison Coats with Agnes Williamson & Lilias Snodgrass

10.10: Mary Craig & Vicky Rennie with Marion Munro & Carol Barnes

10.20: Joy McLeod & Rosemary Ogilvie with Eunice Muir & Karin Mackenzie

To reserve these tee slots in advance, a Group Booking was created on the App. To view your booking, go onto the Home Page of the Scottish Golf App and scroll down to Your Bookings and you will find your pairings.

The competition is a Team competition and will be managed via manual cards. Please place £2 entry fee into an envelope in the box.

Cards with your team handicap calculation will be ready for you to pick up in the Ladies Locker Room ahead of your round. Please enter your gross scores and place your cards in the box at the end of your round.

This is a Stableford competition, played off the Green Tees. Each player must have a minimum of six drives.

So delighted to have such a full field. Enjoy this super, friendly format.

Any queries please get in touch. 

I shall be at the club early on Wednesday.

Eleanor

07768 647916

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

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

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 

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 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 

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 🏌

  

 

LADIES UPDATE JUNE 2026

As we say goodbye to May, an update from the month and a look ahead to June.

Firstly, congratulations to Jan MacNab for a successful County Championship here at Ranfurly Castle from 6th-8th May. Craig and the team had prepared the course with excellence. Indeed, there were many compliments from players and spectators alike for both the quality of the course and for the warm welcome extended to everyone from our team and members at The Castle. Warm congratulations to Melissa Keay from Ralston, who established a new course record in her first ever round on the course, and who went on to win a closely fought final against Jennifer Rankine from Haggs. It took a birdie at the second extra hole for Melissa to win the championship for the very first time. How Jennifer managed to get out of the ‘bundai’ to the right of the second green with her third shot, taking the final to the 20th green, was genius. Elaine Robb, Troon Ladies, won the Irvine handicap competition and Jean Irvine was there to present the trophy at the prizegiving. Thank you to everyone for your hospitality and support over the three days and for an excellent turnout for the final. 

Thursday 14th May brought great fun and camaraderie to the Ranfurly Lounge with our very own Ladies Country & Western Evening. Pete and Cath led us through our paces on the dancefloor quite brilliantly and Leanna and the team served up a delicious lasagna followed by a cuppa and a cupcake. Thank you to everyone for their raffle prizes. Everyone was a winner and we managed to break even on the night. A special thanks to Anne Judge for her hard work in pulling the evening together.

We have all been busy on the golf course, some with more shots than others! A special shout out to Denise Cowan for a magnificent eagle at the 3rd. It was quite a joy to behold, even though Morven and I spent a wee bit of time looking for her ball before finding it in the hole!

As we look forward to June, Saturday 6th we have Captains’ Day. Fraser invited the Ladies Section to share in the day by having both a Men’s and a Ladies competition on the day. It would be great to have a robust field of ladies, however I appreciate that for many ladies, competition day is a Wednesday, preferring a bounce game on a Saturday. I have gifted a modest quaich for the winner along with prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in a Stableford format. There will also be prizes for the ladies for Nearest the Pin at the 14th and for the Straightest Drive at the 18th. Thank you to everyone who chooses to sign up on the day.

For our Ladies Section, it is an established practice that competition play is in three balls, and I appreciate your support in maintaining this discipline on a Saturday when the Men’s Section choose to open competition play up to four balls, usually only in the afternoon. I note that there are four balls going out on Captains’ Day morning. My hope is that this will not slow play down for the ladies who are playing in three balls.

Our annual Ladies Past Captains’ Lunch is on Friday 12th June. 36 of our Past Captains have been invited to play 12 holes ahead of lunch in the clubhouse. Many of our Past Captains continue to play an important role in supporting the Ladies Committee in their endeavours and this is an opportunity for us all to thank this community of members, past and present, for their contribution to our Ladies Section.

Past Lady Captain Kate Scott is doing an outstanding job as Junior Convenor, inspiring the development of nearly 100 junior members at the club. This takes an inordinate amount of hard work and commitment. Many parents are part of Kate’s support network, however not all parents have experience of golf and so are unable to provide technical scoring support on the course. Kate is finding herself stretched in different directions, particularly on Sundays when there are competitions both at home and at other clubs. Please can I ask you to consider volunteering in support of our Junior Section. All of us contributing one Sunday afternoon of our time throughout the season would be tremendously helpful.

The Spring Meeting for Captain’s Prizes, essentially the Ranfurly Castle Ladies Section’s Captain’s Day, is on Wednesday 17th June. This is a Strokeplay competition with prizes for:

1. The best Scratch Score 

2. The best Silver Net Score

3. The best Bronze Net Score

There will also be a 9-hole Stableford competition and prize for ladies who would prefer not to play 18 holes.

I am very much looking forward to welcoming as full a field as possible on the day. For our working ladies, please remember you can take part at any time during the day to suit your schedule. Please let me know if you intend to play in the competition, and I shall make sure I am there to greet you on the 1st tee with a goody bag.

Sunday 21st June, we have the David Reid Mixed Greensomes. This is a great opportunity for members to play with family or friends from other clubs in a sociable, competitive format. I am delighted to be playing with my big brother Gordon, who so patiently taught me to play the game of golf many moons ago.

In closing, warm congratulations to Past Captains Pamela Mackenzie and Eileen Walker who celebrate very special birthdays this month, and to immediate Past Captain Pauline MacEwen who heads off to France early tomorrow morning for her daughter Morven's wedding.

It is our June Committee Meeting tonight. Please do let me, or any other committee member, know of any item that you would like raised going forward. We are here to serve you, our members.

Yours aye,

Eleanor 

07768 647916

LADY CAPTAIN'S MAY UPDATE

As we enter into a busy and hopefully glorious golfing week, my first update as Lady Captain.

Firstly warm congratulations to Anne Judge and Marion Munro for winning the County Winter Foursomes against Fiona Cameron and Jane Garvil from Cowglen. The final was played at Kilmacolm Golf Club and Anne and Marion won 4 & 3. Congratulations also go to Jan Macnab who, with Jeanette McCartney from Kilmacolm, came 2nd in the Handicap competition and 3rd in the Scratch at the recent County Foursomes at Cochrane Castle. 

Today we are hosting Troon Ladies in our first Greenlees Match of the season. Good luck girls, we are all rooting for you!

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week, we are welcoming Renfrewshire Ladies County Golf Association Championships. Thank you to you all for supporting our hosting of this event and in doing so giving up your Wednesday golf this week. The final tees off at 2.30 on Friday and the County Captain, our very own Jan Macnab, extends a warm welcome to those who would like to join the finalists on Friday. 

A wee reminder that this Saturday, the 9th, we have our May Saturday Medal which is also a Championship Qualifier.

It is not long until our Ladies Country and Western Evening on Thursday 14 May, 18.00-20.30. Come along and join in the fun and please encourage friends and family to join us. It's a night for us girls to simply enjoy a wee bit of line dancing if you fancy and a bite to eat as a season opener for the ladies section. Thank you to Anne Judge for organising. Please book your place with Leanna.

We are also planning a Sunday Ladies Lunch through the summer. Watch this space for a date once finalised.

Tomorrow evening is our May Committee Meeting. Please do let a committee member know if there is any subject that you would like raised or discussed. Our committee members are Pauline MacEwen, Agnes Williamson, Karen Binning, Morven McLeod, Sheila Swinnerton, Anne Judge, Denise Cowan, Roisin Black and myself.

In closing, a big shout out to Pauline who won her first Silver Medal last week scoring her first ever competitive round in the 80s at the club. Pauline, you are such an inspiration to all new lady golfers, proving that hard work and dedication gets that handicap dropping and the silverware mounting in no time.

Finally, Happy Big Birthday to Carol Reid on Friday. Love and warm congratulations from us all.

Enjoy your golf, ladies!

Eleanor 07768 647916.

DOROTHY HODGART DEATH

 I have informed of the recent passing of Dorothy Hodgart, who was the captain of the Ladies Section from 1977-78.  Dorothy was aged 96.  We would like to pass on our condolences to all her family.  

The funeral will take place on 15th December at 2pm at Woodside Crematorium, Paisley.

Pat Walker Memorial Service

I have been advised that there will be a memorial service for Pat Walker to be held on Thursday 23rd October at 2pm at the Old Course GC.  Pat was a longstanding member at Ranfurly Castle GC and also a ladies past captain.   

PUTT & PROSECCO

Putt & Prosecco is returning.

Next Saturday, 17th May, Ethan & I are hosting a social evening from 5-6.30pm which will involve some putting & some prosecco.  The event is open to lady members as well as lady guests.  Ethan has promised to organise some challenges.  The weather is set fair and hopefully we can have a good turn out. 

Poster & sign -up sheet are in the ladies locker room so please add your names.

Pauline.

NEW YEAR REMINDERS

I hope that you have had a most enjoyable Christmas and that the New Year brings you health, happiness and success in all you do, but especially Golf!

A quick reminder to save the following dates. 

Saturday 4th January 

Transfer of Captaincy from Earle Donaghy to Alan McIntyre and the Shotgun Texas Scramble. Teams of 4 required, but let Ethan know if you need playing partners.  Sign up in the Pro shop. Coffee and morning rolls from 8.30am before the handover and golf at 9.30am. 

Saturday 25th January 

Ladies 95th AGM and Prize Giving. 10.30am for 11.00am start. All lady members should have received email notification. Please join us. 

NEW LADIES EMAIL

 For your information, there has been a new email address created for the ladies section. Please update your records accordingly.

ranfurlycastleladies@outlook.com

APRIL MEDAL - WEDNESDAY 3RD APRIL

Unfortunately, our April Medal will not count for handicap purposes. The course will not be ready for medal play , until next Saturday 6th April. As this is now the second year in a row, that the course has not been ready for the first ladies medal of the year, next year we will move it back a week in the fixture list.

There will be no entry fee on Wednesday - please use to practice creating your card and entering your score.

Happy Easter All

HOLE IN ONE

Congratulations to Morag Cunningham who had a Hole in One at the temporary green on the 14th hole!  Well done Morag.

Xmas 9 Hole and Lunch

 Can I ask that you bring some cash with you to the Xmas lunch.  We will be playing Spot the Ball to raise some more much needed funds for the Red Cross.  Thank you all in anticipation.   Joy

WINTER 12 HOLE KNOCKOUT

The entry sheet for the 12 Hole Winter Knockout is now on the notice board.  Please sign up as soon as posssible if you are interested in playing.  For anyone who would like to enter but will not be in the Club before 19th October please just send Joy a message and she will add your name.