April 26th 2008
TOUGH COURSE CONDITIONS SEES LOW SCORES AT A PREMIUM
The question in, and around, the clubhouse these past few days has been “Why is the scoring so poor?” According to my “mole” on the Match & Handicap committee, who also doubles as the senior golf correspondent (you’ll never guess who it is!!), we have had only FIVE scores better than par out of 214 processed cards. On Saturday last we had 19 No Returns out of 54 starters.
Many “excuses” have been put forward about what the underlying causes are, ranging from A) getting used to not pegging-up on fairways, and bare lies B) softer sand in the bunkers C) greens not at their best D)”I was really unlucky, if it hadn’t been for that (fill in high score) on the (fill in hole) and that (repeat as necessary) on subsequent holes, I would have had a 62!!”
Well, as I’ve said before in this column about gender re-aligning your auntie; ifs , buts and maybes are fine in practice and bounce games, but with a card in your hand, and with a pencil in your pocket, the number you mark down cannot be changed, and there are no “mulligans” (second chances, like a tennis serve)in golf.
Golf is a cruel game, and some folk of dubious temperament have been known to even break clubs as their game crumbles under “pressure”, but I’m sure as the season progresses the scoring will tumble.
Yes,the fairways are bare and the greens are not at their championship best; however it must be taken into account that it is still April (as I write) and that the weather so far, whilst good, has hardly been conducive to growth. We have also carried out a programme of scarification (removing moss) which will see massive benefits come the height of the season, but which have left the fairways very “tight” indeed. We have preferred lies which should help, but only if you can find and hold a fairway. The greens will improve as we see the results of “top-dressing” and treatments, and another course-wide application of the verti-drainer will add to the long term playability of the course.
The bunkers now have soft, “proper” sand in them, and for anyone used to playing out of the somewhat difficult (concrete) texture we had all grown accustomed to, the message is clear; get used to it, or keep out of the sand.
As for being unlucky, we should all remember what Gary Player said about luck (“The more I practice, the luckier I get “) and maybe apply some of his wisdom to our own regimes.
The course is there for all of us to play, in whatever condition, on the day, and we all face the same difficulties.
M&H have posted some very interesting statistics and calculations on the notice-boards to explain how the standard scratch score (very important to a golfer) is calculated, and everyone interested should take note.
For the non-golfer, this is the score (par) for the course against which everyone’s handicap is calculated. If you score lower than, or near to (depending on your handicap category, this varies) par for the day, then your handicap will improve (lessen) or stay the same.
If you shoot a higher score than par, then it will increase. Generally it fluctuates between 67/68, but depending on several variables this may change. SS is the first thing our category one golfers look for when they post a score.
Having mentioned Mr Player and his legendary advice, it is re-assuring to note that it still holds true for even the gifted amateur golfer. A man no stranger to putting in the hours required to improve his game, and , as predicted here, getting off to a good season start, took the honours at the weekend with a fine display of golf in trying conditions. Cal Robertson, hot on the heels of a second place finish on Wednesday evening, finished ahead of the rest with an excellent nett 67. Second placed Arthur MacIntosh will be pleased to have re-kindled the form which saw him finish the winter season so strongly, and Wednesday night saw another low handicapper top the men’s division with a fine 68.
Jayne Nicolson continues her excellent early season run with her third consecutive win in the ladies section, and young Kenny MacLeod won the junior section by a comfortable two strokes.
Fastest player “knocked-out” in the match-plays (2008 award) went to John “Shilligan” Gilles when he was “disqualified” for being under-age in the Clansman Trophy. An administrative error (do I detect a trend here?) saw him enter by mistake, and the legends all breathed a sigh of relief as this loose cannon’s name was removed from the draw.
His prospective opponent (till that point) was licking his lips (don’t know why Mr Maclean?) at such a high-profile tie, and has subsequently posted a “bring-on-all-comers” notice on the board. With his next opponent coming from the winner of the Ken MacDonald versus Sandy Bruce tie, my guess is he will need steroids and a good deal of luck to progress further.
Harris G.C. and Scarista beckon this Monday coming, and there is a list in the club-house for all wishing to play to append their names to.
Senior news
Once again we were blessed with favourable weather at the start of the week before the rains (and wind) returned in the latter half. The course continues to be quite challenging and assembling a respectable score is still a problem for most of us.
One man who found the conditions to his liking was Donald ‘Bronco’
MacArthur who managed to work his inevitable Nike round the course to the tune of 38 points. Donald (it somehow doesn't sound right to be calling ‘Bronco’ by his full title) has a consistent and effective golf swing which has served him well over the years and he is rarely out of the hunt when sweep money is being distributed. His successes must surely be down to pure skill, as he will readily tell you he has never had any good luck in his whole life.
It was good to see his friend Willie Smith making a return to the course for his first ‘competitive’ round since last November.
Ladies Tuesday Medal Qualifier 22/04/2008
Jane Nicolson 72 Overall Winner
Anne Galbraith 84 Overall Runner-Up
Mary MacIver 90 Overall Third
Caledonian Medal Qualifier 23/04/2008
David Black 68 Overall Winner
Cal Robertson 69 Overall Runner-Up
Jules Folkard 69 Overall Third
Jackson Medal Qualifier 26/04/2008
Cal Robertson 67 Overall Winner
Arthur MacIntosh 68 Overall Runner-Up
Coinneach MacAulay 69 Overall Third
Junior Medal 26/04/2008
Kenneth MacLeod 70 Overall Winner
Stuart MacAulay 72 Overall Runner-Up
David L. MacLeod 83 Overall Third
Seniors Scores W/E 26/04/2008
D.R. (Bronco) MacArthur 38
Colin MacAulay 34
Robbie MacRae 34
Norrie Munro 34
Cal Robertson
David Black