Ladies & Gentlemen, please do not adjust your sets...........this is in fact SUMMER.

 

It`s really hard to see anything clearly when you are having to peek between the tiny gap you`ve left between the `tammy` covering your forehead and the snood pulled up to the bridge of your nose. Every time I look out the window at the golf course I`m not sure if there`s been a fire sale on burkas or whether the club have just had a large intake of new members who are all Ninja`s?

One thing is for sure the choice of clothing for this time of year has required a radicalisation which has led to an insurgence from the Eye Slit movement.

I guess this continued cold snap will force people to pack their suitcase and head for warmer climbs. Unfortunately, but something we`ve become woefully accustomed to, the Scots won`t be heading to France for the Euro `16 football championships. For the first time every other home Nation has qualified for a Major Tournament. And that got me thinking……(dangerous I know)...

If only it had been the SFA in charge of the Independence and EU Referendum`s, not only would we have our own countries identity, we definitely wouldn`t be in Europe. To be honest, Gordon Strachan for First Minister would be interesting. It would certainly make Ministers Questions quite entertaining given some of his responses during press conferences and interviews. The best one being:

REPORTER: "Gordon. Gordon, can we have a quick word please???" 
GORDON: (as he drove off in his car with the window down) "VELOCITY.."


 

On the subject of Scot`s abroad, our old pal Monty was flying the Saltire flag well again in the US Seniors PGA Championship. These days he certainly is a Full Monty, but it hasn`t hindered his game and he put in a stout performance in the US Seniors PGA. Whilst his waistline seems to be changing, his temperament and supersonic hearing doesn`t.. There was more than one occasion where Crabbit Col was distracted by heavy breathing, bowel movement and the worst of all was when one of the spectators changed his mind.

But if Monty was the Cheese then his playing partner for the finally 2 rounds, and eventual winner, Rocco Mediate was the Chalk. Rocco is so chilled he makes Freddie Couples look like Corporal Jones. He also smokes Cigars that make Jimenez look like he`s nibbling on a mint Matchmaker.

One thing that wasn`t chilled Stateside was Jordan Spieth`s putter which is once again the hottest thing on the planet (after a McDonalds Apple Pie that is). Jordan got back to winning ways in the Colonial Tournament which is sponsored by Dean & DeLuca, the rich man`s Aldi.

Rich men were certainly commonplace this weekend at Wentworth with all sorts of glitterati on show at the BMW PGA Championship. The Wednesday Pro-Am was more a Pro-Celebrity,…well, when I say Celebrities I basically mean Sportsmen and Popstars. One Direction`s Niall Horan struggled to make his ball go in only one direction. Boyzone Singer, Ronan Keating managed to avoid being a Dropzone Swinger, no matter what. Old habits died hard with Ian Botham as he racked up more 6`s than 4`s. All the footballers took way too many touches to get their ball under control and John Parrot showed that he`s not lost it as he put on a masterclass of not managing to let the white ball go down on his way to building a flawless 147 score.

Somewhere in amongst all that there was a tournament going on too, and if Karlberg did golf tournaments then……..he`d probably finish second. Sweden's Rikard Karlberg ripped through the field with a closing 65, but ultimately it was too little too late as England`s Chris Wood fired a closing 69 to hold on for a 1 stroke victory. The same number it took messers Karlberg, Jamieson and Morrison to play 3 of the Par 3`s at Wentworth. 

It`s not often you get a Hat-trick of Ace`s in one event.




Speaking of Hat Tricks I`m about to make quite a few disappear..........hopefully.

 Despite me commenting on how cool it`s been of late, I`m positive and confident that the forecasters have got it correct with their prediction that it`s going to be a joyous June. So now is the time to take advantage of my:

Dress To Impress Promotion 

Here`s how it works: 

Buy any 2 Tops* (Shirts, Sweaters, Fleeces & Insulas) at FULL PRICE and take advantage of the following SAVINGS.

• FREE Cap Of Your Choice. 
• HALF PRICE Trousers 
• 30% OFF Any Belt
• 20% OFF Any Pair Of Shoes.

*To a value Of £50 or More (T`s & C`s: Account Credit & Vouchers can only be used on Full Price Items - All Discounted Items MUST be paid for in either Cash/Card/Cheque)

So at least if you can`t guarantee you play like a golfer, you can at the very least look like a golfer. 

 

Someone who definitely has been playing like a golfer this season is Paul Singer. 

Paul is someone I`ve mentioned regularly in the Competition Section (and I`m about to again this week as well). In the previous 2 seasons Paul had managed to get his handicap down 1.6 strokes from 19.0 to 17.4. All good stuff and certainly someone who was heading in the right direction with their game.

At the beginning of this season, Paul decided he was going to invest in some new irons and came for a club fitting with myself. He had heard and read good reports about the Callaway XR Irons and liked what he saw, so we set about trying to find the best combination and specification in those irons for Paul`s game.



Needless to say his handicap since has gone down quicker than Pepe`s shadow. In only 8 Competitions Paul has reduced his handicap by 3.6 strokes and collected an impressive £80 in Prize Money.

I spoke to Paul recently about how well he was playing, and he very kindly allowed me to use a few lines of what he attributed to his success.

"It`s really just down to confidence. The new irons just feel right, whether it`s because I know they fit me correctly or whether it is just because they are better than my old ones, but when I`m over the ball I feel like I`m going to hit a good shot every time. Obviously I don`t hit them all great, but even the poor ones are much less destructive. Plus I`m hitting them a good Club further which makes things easier too."


Remember that right now with my 'Complete Equipment Solution' Promotion you can take advantage of a comprehensive Fitting Session using the very latest in Fitting Technology for FREE, and a Lesson on how to improve your Technique for FREE but now, in conjunction with Callaway Golf, I am also able to add even more value to your new club purchase by including a: 

Callaway XR Hyperlite Stand Bag at HALF PRICE. (RRP = £89) 

Click here to watch a video about how a fitting from Callaway through our Complete Performance Solution could help you. 

Click here to get in touch if you would like to arrange your fitting here at Portlethen.




You also have the opportunity to take advantage of this Iron & Bag promotion in the upcoming Callaway Demo Day on the date advertised below. 

We have quite a few of the top brands coming to Portlethen in the next few weeks with their expert fitters in attendance too. 

They will all be on Appointment only basis, but can I stress these are NO OBLIGATION TO BUY 

TaylorMade - Monday, 6 June from 3pm - 7pm 
Callaway - Monday, 20 June from 3pm - 7pm 
PING - Thursday, 30 June from 3pm - 7pm 
Titleist - Friday, 15 July from 3pm - 7pm 

Click here to get in touch if you would like to book a fitting slot at any of these events.




While last Saturday the wind brought about winter temperatures, it didn`t stop the scores dropping into the 60`s either. There were no less than 21 players who broke the 70 barrier, and a further 8 players who beat their handicap. Imran Sheikh top scored in Division 1 with a 67 but only on the countback. The man in the spot light, Paul Singer, went 2 better with a 66, but it was Bill Tait who had all the bragging rights with a superb 64.

Division 1 
1st = Imran Sheikh - 75(8) - 67, 1st = David Methven - 76(9) - 67, 3rd - Andrew Tremain - 77(8) - 69 

Division 2 
1st - Paul Singer - 81(15) - 66, 2nd = David Donaldson - 81(13) - 68, 2nd = Alan Gordon - 83(15) - 68 

Division 3 
1st - Bill Tait - 92(28) - 64, 2nd - Simon Scouller - 85(20) - 65, 3rd - Thomas Stoddart - 82(16) - 66

   

   

Sunday's scoring got even better, albeit from the Yellow Tees. Nonetheless you still have to hit the ball, and the fewer times you do it the more impressive it is. Gary Esson`s 62 was made all the more impressive when you consider that was a gross 63 (7 Under Par). Grant Chalmers matched that number in Division 2 whilst Willie Wood`s 63 was just good enough to top Division 3, but only on the countback from 2 other players.

Division 1 
1st - Gary Esson - 63(1) - 62, 2nd - Stephen Cook - 69(4) - 65, 3rd - Graham Smith - 73(7) - 66 

Division 2 
1st - Grant Chalmers - 77(15) - 62, 2nd = Alejandro Correa - 81(14) - 67, 2nd = Jeff Davidson - 78(11) - 67 

Division 3 
1st = Willie Wood - 79(16) - 63, 1st = Jeff Capstick - 80(17) - 63, 1st = Graeme Westland - 85(22) - 63

   

    
 

On Wednesday in the Christie Cup, the low handicap players once again excelled in the Stableford format. Kieran Spence topped Division 1 with 42 Points, but only just from Ben Murray who scored 41 points, which off a handicap of Scratch is a gross 67. 

Top marks and the trophy however went to Eddie McDermott with a fantastic 43 points. Eddie`s hard work and lunchtime practice has certainly paid dividends, and in fact it was a 1,2,3 for some of my most recent pupils in Division 2. It would`ve been another pupil success story in Division 3 if Colin South hadn`t pipped Scott Marshall to the top spot on the countback with 37 Points.

Division 1 
1st - Kieran Spence - 42 Points, 2nd - Ben Murray - 41 Points, 3rd - Martin Shand - 39 Points 

Division 2 
1st - Eddie McDermott - 43 Points, 2nd - Graham Rennie - 39 Points, 3rd - Thomas Boyle - 37 Points 

Division 3 
1st = Colin South - 37 Points, 1st = Scott Marshall - 37 Points, 3rd - Grant Noble Turnbull - 35 Points

   

   

This past weekend we had 2 lovely days for a change. There was plenty of kids turning up to both the Development Gang and the course, whether they were playing 9 or 18 holes. In total there was 38 kids up on the range and 30 booked on the course. I'm confident to say a lot of clubs in Scotland would envy those numbers.

A lot of those who were up on the range went out on the little 5 hole course we set up around the practice ground to give them a taster. This also motivates the kids who are not quite ready when they see their friends playing. After all, most of them are working towards getting out on the big course.

On Saturday it was the Juniors Allison pairs qualifier. This is an alternate shot competition. Brandon Simpson and Ewan Brown continue their good form both coming in with a nett 67. Brandon qualified first because of count back. They both have cut their handicap by another shot. The draw will be published next week for the Allison Pairs.

Allison Pairs: CSS - Men 71, Ladies 76 

1st = Brandon Simpson - 78 (11) - 67 
1st = Ewan Brown - 77 (10) - 67 Lowest gross 
3rd - Finlay Wallace - 89 (16) - 73 
4th - Ritchie Smart - 98 (23) - 75

The Juniors were in action again on Sunday for a Pennant match away to Deeside where apparently it was twice the temperature it was here. Our minions managed a respectable draw against a lower handicap team.  

Finally, I just want to thank all the members that have taken my 2 for 1 Lesson promo and agreeing to have the lesson while an examiner is watching and marking (if they are available). 

The days and times the examiner will be up will now be emailed to those who signed up. I understand that not all will be available which is fine, and they will still get their full swing lesson. They will get the better refined version of me.


 

The Gents Pennant Team got their campaign off and running at home to Bon Accord on a cold, dull and bluster Tuesday night this week. 

Fortunately the home knowledge held firm and the guys pulled out a 3 ½ - 1 ½ victory. Their next match is this coming on Thursday away to Peterculter.




The Ladies didn`t seem to cope with the windy conditions on Saturday quite as well as the men, and I don`t think I`ve ever seen as many Stableford Adjusted scores on one results sheet.

Liz Smith conquered the conditions better than anyone to scoop the Rover Vase Trophy. 

Division 1 
1st - Elizabeth Anne Smith - 99(25) -74 
2nd = Catherine Craig - 92(16) - 76 
2nd = Barbara Tait - 98(22) - 76


 

Perhaps the Ladies got a bit frustrated with the Pace Of Play as round times ground to a worrying 4 hours 45 minutes by the end of the gents morning section. It was quite a sight to see FIVE groups of ladies 4-Balls playing the last hole. (2 groups on the Tee, 2 on the fairway and 1 on the green.) 

So with that in mind, the Club are going to trial an on Course Ranger to see if they can make the pace of play a little more snappy.

Click here to view our ranger in action.