Winter Play using Golf Mats

In response this week to a request from some Lady members re the above, the reply from the Board was as follows:
"The use of mats is not forbidden and may be used. The object is not to damage the fairways unnecessarily."
It should be noted however that Tom has no plans to stock them in the Pro Shop.
Agnes

A Winter Whole In Won for Helen!

Yesterday, during a Winter 12 hole tie between Helen Abram and Susan Reid, Helen had a hole in one at the 5th.! Of course it was a winter green, but none the less it was a special moment for both ladies as they watched the ball from the tee disappear into the hole.
Congratulations Helen from us all.
We have still to establish however if there is any truth in the rumour that there is unlimited moet tucked away behind the bar for the lady members to help celebrate this "rare occasion".......................
Agnes

Invite to Old Course Ranfurly Social Evening 9 Feb

Ladies I apologise for the 11th hour communication re above but the invite (dated 26th Jan) got lost in the unopened mail in our locker room (secretaries should not be permitted holidays!!) amongst the high number of Open Day Letters that arrive at this time of year.
I will phone The Old Course and explain but I am sure you will be made very welcome if you wish to go along.
The cost is £3, 19.30 start, and is very much based on retail therapy-golf clothes, shoes as well as a selection of handbas and jewellery.
Banish the Winter Blues!!
Agnes

Handicap Mailing from the SLGA and SGU

The 2010 Handicap Mailing addressed to Handicap Secretaries at clubs was posted on Thursday 4 February. It contains: - The 2010 Handicap Pack which includes the list of qualifying competitions for 2010 - A CONGU Manual - An order form for additional CONGU Manuals - An application form for a 9 hole course SSS - The entry form for the Scottish Match Play Foursomes (Entry Form in mailing to club)

Bridge Evening 3rd Feb 2010

62 people braved the snowy conditions for a fun evening of bridge.
The format being the same as previous years, with 16 tables divided equally between the two lounges. Due to the increasingly poor weather conditions the evening finished earlier than normal with the last hand being called at 21.45.
Lady Captain, Agnes Williamson presented the prizes.

The prize winners were as follows:
The Grand Slam was won by Graham Peacock and Heather Davidson.
First prize with 2950 points was won by Sue Murphy.
Second prize with 2570 points was won by Liz Crichton.
Third prize with 2250 points was won by Kay Black.
A joint fourth prize with 1460 points was won by Anne Jenkins and Jean Atkinson.
The lucky chairs were won by Jean Atkinson and Mike Abram.
Unfortunately due to my lack of understanding of Bridge ,there was some confusion on the night but hopefully all prize winners will have received their prizes.

Thanks to Agnes and Sheila for their help organising the supper. Thanks to Nicola and Tom and their team behind the bar for all their hard work.

Thanks to the Bridge of Weir Ladies Bridge Club and other players for the use of their tables. Finally, a very big thank you to everyone who supported this evening, it always greatly appreciated.

Winter Greensomes/Winter 12 hole knockout Updates

Winter Greensomes semi-finals will be played betweeen:
Rosemary Ogilive/Evelyn Mcdermid v Vicky Rennie/Morag Cunningham
Mary Hardie/Helen Abram v Vivien Howe/Margaret Parrott.
Weather permitting, the semis should be played by the 28th February, the Final by the 31st March (not on winter greens)

Winter 12 hole knockout.
The quarter finals will be played between:
Margaret Gray v Elizabeth Jessop
Anne Judge v Marion Munro
Helen Abram v Susan Reid
Jane Dickie v Shona Gray.

Again, weather permitting they should be played by the 10th February, the semis by the 3rd March and the final by the 17th March.

Social Evening -- Saturday 6th February

FRANK ROBB IS BACK!!!!!!!!!
Due to popular demand for one night only!!!!!!!
Saturday 6th February
After his recent success at the Annual Gentleman's Dinner, we welcome the return of Frank Robb to perform and evening set for both ladies and gents!
Frank is an authority on everything Robert Burns and he will incorporate Burns into his act.
Included in the price is a choice of Haggis, Neeps & Tatties or Mince, Neeps and Tatties!!!
Tickets strictly limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Tickets £20.00.........book at the bar!!
For more details call Jack Snell on 07788136910 or email jjacksnell@aol.com

To read all about it click on the following link SOCIAL EVENING

Lauren loses to fellow Scot - Jane Turner

Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University student Jane Turner (Craigielaw) beat fellow Scot Lauren Mackin in Doherty-Jones Challenge Cup women's amateur match-play tournament, the third event on the Orange Blossom Tour, at Coral Ridge Country Club, Fort Lauderdale.
Lauren who now lives in Majorca was beaten by 5 and 4. To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

Lauren is 5th qualifier in Florida's Next Event

Jane Turner (Craigielaw) now plays Majorca-based Scot Lauren Mackin (Ranfurly Castle) who was the leading European and fifth qualifier at Coral Ridge Country Club, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
This is the third event on Florida's Orange Blossom women's amateur tour.
To read the full results and report go to the
Gillian Kirkwood Website

Bridge Evening Wednesday 3 February 2010

The Bridge Evening is due to take place as above, starting at 7.30pm, tables are available at a cost of £24, payable on the night. Please add your name to the notice on the Golf Club Notice board in the entrance hall if you can join us!.

SLGA AGM

Linda MacDougall, Agnes Williamson, Helen Abram and Karin Mckenzie- Click to enlarge

Ranfurly Castle was well represented at the SLGA AGM which was held on Saturday 16 January 2010 in the Gannochy Suite, Dewars Centre, Perth.
Linda MacDougall (Secretary), Agnes Williamson (Captain), Karin Mckenzie (Vice Captain) and Helen Abram (Past Captain) were all there to see Emma Wilson take over as President of the SLGA from Ethel Jack. Catriona Matthew was elected as a Vice-President of the SLGA.
All the proposals at the AGM were passed.
Notice, Agenda and Report of the Board of Directors
Proposed Revised Rules & Regulations
Documents relating to the resolution proposed by the Ladies' Golf Union are also available:
LGU Proposal for Reorganisation
LGU Draft Rules
LGUCL Articles of Association

To read the full report go to the West of Scotland Website

Lauren in top 20 in Florida

In the South Atlantic Ladies Amateur stroke-play champonship - at Oceanside Country Club, Ormond Beach in Florida yesterday, Majorca-based Scot, Lauren Mackin, a member at Ranfurly Castle tied for 17th place with Scotland internationalist Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) on 307. Lauren had steady rounds of 79, 75, 75 and 78 and could be a contender for a first Scotland cap if she came back to her home land for the "Helen Holm" in April or the Scottish Ladies'(Close) Championship at Craigielaw in May, with the proviso, of course, that she did as well in either or both events.
To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

Ladies Section AGM -- Agnes Williamson is our new Captain

Captain Agnes Williamson, Ladies Champion Natasha Qayum and Past Captain Helen Abram (Click to enlarge)

The Ladies Section 80th AGM was held this evening with a "Winter Wonderland" backdrop. Given the snow, there was a very good turnout to hear Lady Captain Helen Abram review the year. Retiring from the committee were Mary Hardie, Fiona Scott, Sheila Gray, Vivien Howe and Margaret Gray. Thank you ladies!
4 new committee members were elected, Lesley Robertson, Marilynn Muirhead, Jane Dickie and Marilyn Mirner. Welcome ladies!
The new Lady Captain Agnes Williamson took the the chair and proceeded with the remaining business of the evening. She was delighted to announce Karin Mckenzie as her Vice-Captain.
On completion of the prizes, the Ladies Champion, Natasha Qayum, gave an excellent Vote of Thanks and then tea and chocolate brownies were served.
Finally, should you wish to hear our moment of fame, on this morning's Chris Evans Radio 2 show we got a mention!. Visit his website and listen to his 14th January programme, we are mentioned within the first few minutes --- 2 minutes to be exact . Intrigued? Good..:) It is available to listen to for the next 6 days.. so dont delay! -- Click on the links above

Lauren Mackin doing well in "The Sally"

Ranfurly Castle's Majorca-based Lauren Mackin is continuing her good form in the South Atlantic Ladies Amateur Championship - "The Sally" for short - after finishing third of the Europeans competing in last week's Harder Hall Women's Invitational, the first event on the Orange Blossom Women's Amateur Tour in Florida.
Lauren had a 79 today, which put her comfortably in among the leading returns.
To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

THE RLCGA Centenary Book-- Pre Orders

The Renfrewshire County Centenary Book can be Pre Ordered on the RLCGA Website.

Although it is mainly about Renfrewshire there are many of the Events in 2009 that happened around the West of Scotland and Scotland that are included in this 200 page book.

There are also lots of photographs from most of the events and many Ranfurly Castle players are in the book

Ranfurly Castle's Lauren Mackin still playing good golf

Majorca-based Lauren Mackin, who is still a Ranfurly Castle member was the third-best of the Europeans on 308 after the final round of The 55th Harder Hall Women's Invitational which was held at Harder Hall Country Club, Sebring, Florida this week.
Lauren Mackin (San Augustin, Spain & Ranfurly Castle) 74, 78, 78, 78, 308
To read the full report go to the Gillian Kirkwood Website

Tom has a January Sale

To read all about it Click on the following link
January News

SLGA AGM 2010

The Annual General Meeting of Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association Ltd will take place at 11.00 am on Saturday 16 January 2010 in the Gannochy Suite, Dewars Centre, Perth.Papers for the meeting have been posted to clubs and are also available here:
Notice, Agenda and Report of the Board of Directors
Minutes of the 2009 AGM
Accounts to 30 September 2009
Proposed Revised Rules & Regulations
Documents relating to the resolution proposed by the Ladies' Golf Union are also available:
LGU Proposal for Reorganisation
LGU Draft Rules
LGUCL Articles of Association

CHANGES to the DECISIONS on the RULES OF GOLF

CHANGES to the DECISIONS on the RULES OF GOLF
From January 1, no relief allowed from divot hole or repaired divot hole

As usual, half way through the four-year life of an edition of The Rules of Golf, the R&A has published a new Decisions Book. This contains some 30 new decisions and amended versions of further 49 revised decisions which come into effect on January 1, 2010.
Many of these merit detailed consideration only by serious students of the rules, budding referees and quiz masters and require a thorough knowledge to understand their complexity. However, there is one change that will require immediate action by many club committees and the awareness of all golfers.
New decision 33-8/34 now removes the authority for a committee to make a local rule “providing relief without penalty from a divot hole or a repaired divot hole (i.e. filled with sand or seed mix).”
At least half the golf clubs in Scotland have such a local rule and these must be withdrawn immediately before any qualifying competitions for handicap purposes can be played.
Such a local rule contravenes Rule 13-1 which states that a ball must be played as it lies and has generally not been used in professional and major amateur competitions.
It is often mistakenly believed that this rule protects the golf course. If relief is given or indeed demanded from a seeded divot hole, a second divot hole is created and requires repair, leaving two seeded divots holes.
If the ball is played from the original hole it may require repair but only one hole remains.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS

Wishing all our Readers at Ranfurly Castle a Happy New Year.

Click on the following link to see your --- NEW YEAR CARD