Snow is falling!

For those of you who haven't noticed yet, there is a lot of snow out there and a lot of golf courses are closed - bah humbug! As I headed round Tesco today, there was an announcement that due to the snow they are going to be open until 7.30 pm on Christmas Eve. Wow, I thought, the snow is causing chaos in Tesco, what about the Midlothian Winter Foursomes? Only 2 x third round ties have been played so far and a further 6 have still to be played. Will the players be able to find their yellow or orange balls in the snow? Will the power trolleys be able to cope with the depth of snow? And if the answers to those questions are no, when will the snow disappear and golfing life return to normal?

Whilst having these thoughts and trying to decide whether to go for 1 or 2 bottles of gin, the decision was made to extend the 3rd round "play-by" date by 1 week, at the moment. So, please note, the third round has been moved from January 10th 2010 to January 17th 2010, in the hope that a further week will alleviate any snow problems. Any further decision which may be needed will be taken in the New Year.

In the meantime, Merry Christmas to all of our members. We hope you have a wonderful day on Friday and a great New Year which brings good weather and good golfing!

Braid coaching

Today brought the last coaching at the Braids Driving Range for 2009. 22 girls turned up and all were in great, jovial mood. The Christmas treat of a chocolate had to be earned as Suzie put the girls' putting skills to the test. They had to sink 3 putts in a row to earn a sweetie and boy did the girls bring out their competitive spirit and succeed! It is great to see them all enjoying themselves, laughing and chatting away with one another.

Their swings and ball striking have greatly improved over the year thanks to the dedication of Ian Young, Mark Berrie, Paul Malone and Sandy Stephen. There is going to be some great golfers amongst them. Our thanks to the professionals and also, this month, to Sandra Hennessy to turned up to give a helping hand.

We hope you all have a great Christmas and New Year and we will see you back at Braids on 10th January for the first coaching session of 2010.

Main and Junior Squads

Great fun was had yesterday when a season ending, main and junior squad get together was held at the Hermitage Golf Club. Luckily, a 1 pm tee-time was set and, as the clouds parted, we took to the course on the best part of the day. The junior squad members drew for partners and to, make things a wee bit more interesting, their senior partners were only allowed 4 clubs and a putter. Some of the scores were better than others but everyone enjoyed their game and there was good mixing and banter. Thanks to Karen Marshall, everyone was a winner and received a selection box - even the President, Selector and Captain spectators!

1st Louise Fraser & Hannah Scott
2nd Claire Hargan & Sally Naysmith
3rd Karen Marshall & Heather Tumblety
4th Kirsten Blackwood & Katherine Fisher
5th Hilary Laughland & Kirsty Simpson
6th Gillian Simpson &, junior of the day, Mary Richardson

Junior / Adult Golf Competition

Juniors who took part in the junior/adult competition.

(apologies to Emily Rigg who was omitted, somehow, from the photo - not quite sure how!)

What a great morning we had this morning. The sun shone, it was warm and not too windy as the juniors took to the Princes Course for the annual junior/adult foursomes. 14 girls had managed to persuade an adult not to be shy and to join them in the fun event. The groups were sent on their way by Margaret Rodgers with the juniors driving at the first. There was a nearest the pin in 2 at the 6th hole and a nearest the pin in 1 shot at the 9th. Great fun was had and as ever, everyone had a story to tell by the end. Emma and Ricky Morrison scored a birdie 2 at the 6th and put an end to anyone else getting any closer! At the 8th hole, one adult drove into the trees. The junior progressed the ball very well down the hole, for the adult to then have an unmentionable back into the trees immediately on his right. The President and Captain were blamed for this as they were watching! Another pair were through the back of the 212 yard 2nd hole in 2 but found themselves in a hole. Thinking, it wasn't actually lying that badly and could easily be chopped out of the hole, the adult had a swipe and ...... missed! The junior had a swipe and ...... missed. Eventually they progressed on to the 3rd hole, a quintuple bogey on their card. I must add, the rest of their card was very good with 3 pars, 4 bogeys and a double bogey. Some adults have been warned that they will need to practice if they want to make another appearance next year! Our thanks to Wendy Nicholson who kindly stepped in to partner one of the girls. This was apparently a popular move, her golf was very much admired by the girls, the opponent threatening to drop her mother next year in favour of a squad member!

(Sorry girls, I seem to have had a complete disaster with my camera today!)

The results were:

Nearest the pin in 2 at 6th - Emma & Ricky Morrison

Nearest the pin at 9th - Alexandra Massey

1st Scratch - Heather & Jim Laing 39

1st Handicap - Alexandra & Louise Massey 49 - 18; net 31 (bl6)

2nd Handicap - Emily & Julie Rigg 45 - 14; net 31

3rd Handicap - Julia Smith & Wendy Nicholson 42 - 10; net 32 (bl6)

MCLGA AGM

The Midlothian AGM and prize giving was held last night at Liberton Golf Club. A good turn out of members saw the AGM pass without any problems. The golf season was rounded up by Captain Tracy Laughland while Treasurer Maureen McLeod, ably assisted by our Auditor, Brenda Russell, presented the Accounts for the 2008/09 year, Secretary Agnes Leslie presented her report of the competitions and membership standing, and Junior Secretary Kate Rorke summarised the junior activities during 2008/09. There being no proposals, the Office Bearers were re-elected with the audience aghast that Agnes will be moving into her 9th year as Honorary Secretary. Under AOCB, Gillian Kirkwood gave an update on the progress of the Centenary book. It was hoped to have this completed by the AGM but with there being so much information, it is taking longer than expected and will be out as soon as possible. It was hoped that members would bear with Gillian for it's completion.

The annual prize giving followed with the juniors present to collect their prizes before the year's prize winners, including the Centenary Tri-am winners, were announced.

Junior / Adult Golf competition

The annual junior/adult golf competition will take place on Sunday 15th November 2009 at the Princes Course. Places are still available so if anyone else would like to join in this fun 9-hole game, please contact Tracy and let her know to add you and your partner to the starting sheet.

The starting times are as follows:

10.30 am Lisa Macpherson & Sharon Macpherson
10.30 am Alexandra Massey & Louise Massey
10:37 am Joanna Lamb & Scott Macpherson
10:37 am Anna Massey & Ed Massey
10:44 am Carla Maran & Charlie Maran
10:44 am Heather Laing & Jim Laing
10:51 am Jane Finlay & Alan Finlay
10:51 am Emma Morrison & Ricky Morrison
10:58 am Sophie Aitchison & Elaine Aitchison
10:58 am Julia Smith & Wendy Nicholson
11:05 am Emily Rigg & Julie Rigg
11:05 am Caitlin Turner & Adrienne Turner
11:12 am Holly Gordon & Craig Gordon
11:12 am Heather Kynoch & Douglas Kynoch
11:12 am Ella Whitaker & Lynne Whitaker

Please check in at the starter's box at the Princes Course 15 min before your tee time.
Juniors will drive at the first hole.
Prizes will be given for best scratch and handicap scores as well as nearest the pin in 2 shots (on/off the green) at the 6th hole and nearest the pin in 1 shot (on/off the green) at the 9th hole.

The prize giving will be in the room at the top of the Braids Driving Range as soon as possible after the finish of play.

Good luck to all those playing and let's hope this dry weather continues to the weekend.

MCLGA AGM

Please note that the Annual General Meeting of the Midlothian County Ladies' Golf Association is to be held this Wednesday (i.e. 11th November) at Liberton Golf Club at 7.30 pm. The annual prize giving will take place on completion of the AGM.

Please also note that a raffle will be held in aid of the County Juniors and all raffle prizes will be gratefully received on the night.