Is it worrying if you can`t remember much about a trip down Memory Lane?
Last week I had the pleasure of revisiting 2 significant places from my golfing life`s journey. The first port of call came last Wednesday when I stopped off at Gleneagles to be part of, the now annual, Foremost Spring Workshop. This is where Foremost, the Buying Group that I am a Member of, invite Like-Minded Professional`s to a day-long Seminar where the Business Development Team from Foremost prime us with the latest tactics & tools to make, not only, our businesses run more efficiently but also the Service Levels, Standards & Initiatives of the Golf Club and Members Experience improve.
On top of the valuable advice these guys give out on the day, the sharing of ideas, experiences (good & bad) that my fellow PGA Club Professionals all encounter at their facilities is worth its weight in gold too. If nothing else it reinforces that the challenges and similarities are there at every Golf Club, and at the same time it reiterates how passionate 99% of Club Professionals are towards producing and providing a Golfing 'Experience' for their Members in the hope that in doing so they will be provided with a worthwhile living. Something that I don`t think can be said about our Big Box Golfing Retailers or Online Companies? They only have one thing on their mind…and I can assure you it doesn`t involve remembering your name, caring about your handicap, asking after your family, hoping things are going well at work or, most significantly, improving your game.
The most interesting thing for me about Foremost`s Annual 'Meeting of Minds' is that the Scottish leg is always the last stop on their Tour of the Country. I`m not exactly sure what to make of that. Is it coincidence, or could they just not face any more after us? Or is Scotland, and in particular Gleneagles just the ideal place to bring down the curtain on a series of workshops based largely on improving service.
Being back at a venue, where I spent over 4 years, and taking part in a Workshop that was focussed on improving business awareness and implementation, I couldn`t help but be reminded of the very clear message and mission statement that Gleneagles prided its 5 Star Status on. Sure, the 3 Championship Golf Courses were as immaculate as they were inspiring, the Hotel as palatial as it was pristine, and every inch of the facilities and services the best that money could (and indeed needed to) buy. However, as every Member of Staff were drilled on, the thing that made Gleneagles a special and memorable place was the People. How the Staff treated the Guests ultimately moulded the way the Guests felt about the Resort.
So if 'People Make Places' then I believe that there is no more truer reflection of that than at a Golf Club, especially right here in Aberdeen. I`m struggling to think of an environment that can offer individuals or, more importantly, groups more than a Golf Club. Restaurants can give you a nice place to meet & eat, Bar`s give you that chance to socialise, Gym`s and Leisure Clubs allow you to gather and exercise, theatre`s or venues can put on entertainment, and some activities allow you to do that as a whole family…but at a Golf Club you can do ALL of that...sometimes even in just one day.
I know for one that many (& most) of my friendships and relationships have been carved out of a Club life. This took me to the second stop on Memory Lane last week. On Saturday I made the journey to the Golf Club where I first started playing this god forsaken game. Some Social Media chitter-chatter a few years back saw my brother organise a Reunion Golf Day for our old Junior Section. It proved so popular that it became an annual occurrence, however it always landed at a bad time for me. This year it was played before the season began so I took the opportunity to play. There is 4 years between my brother and I and that reflected in the Reunion Group that was created with anyone who played in the Glenrothes GC Junior Sections between the Years '87 -92.' This meant that the event this year was the 30th & 25th Year Anniversary of those bookend years. Numbers have fluctuated over the 4 years the event has taken place due to commitments, etc. but there have been nearly 40 different people participate. This year there were 15, but again it summed up that something special that Golf and Golf Clubs can create…longevity. All these people are still playing (some to a pretty good standard…some have plateaued at 'slightly worse!') and enjoying golf.
What was obvious was that when it came to the Après Golf, most of them definitely can`t drink as well as they used to. The accolade of being 'Last Man Standing' was probably tainted a fraction by the fact that I`m not exactly crystal clear on if I remember the whole nights goings on. Hence my opening line!
The one thing you can guarantee about Golf is that Camaraderie and those 'Golfing Relationships' can spawn from anywhere at any time. And you need look no further than our own Portlethen Gents Winter League this year for further evidence of that.
When a blank box on the entry sheet next to Bill Daniels name was filled by Eddie McDermott, who could`ve predicted that was the beginning of a successful partnership? 12 Games later and they are now the new Winter League Champions and I`m sure friends for life. And they did it in the best possible manner…by coming back from 2 down with 2 to play in the final against the defending champions (John Goate & Ryan Donaldson), before clinching it at the 1st Extra Playoff Hole.
I was hoping Mr McDermott had slammed dunked a 2nd shot at the 16th so I could`ve shoehorned in a line about 'Eddie The Eagle' but I think I`ll just sum it up as 'Bill & Ed`s Excellent Adventure.'
We also held a Pro Shop Sweep on the Saturday last weekend. It was an 18 Stableford on the full Summer Course, so the Scoring was, to quote Keanu Reeves & Waynes World 'Excellent.' as you can see.
Division 1
1st - Grant Chalmers - 43 Points
2nd - Mark Clubb - 41 Points
3rd - Scott Livingstone - 40 Points
The biggest headline though has to be saved for George Fenton who had a Hole in 1 at the 5th. And after George`s typically quiet and understated reaction to seeing the ball plop in I believe that the Club are considering changing the name of the 5th Hole from Cockburn`s Creek to Fenton`s Foghorn...and I know I was in Glenrothes at the time but I even heard the commotion down there!
One of George`s regular Winter 4, Alex Handsley, had an Ace the previous weekend on the Sunday at the 12th. Unfortunately Alex`s was just in a bounce game so he didn`t get the luxury of the Magic 2`s money offsetting the bar bill.
Maybe George will have some pennies left over to take advantage of some of my upcoming Offers? The Shop is slooooowwwwwwllllllyy taking shape and we are still awaiting a few ranges to arrive. Perhaps it is just me, perhaps we can blame Brexit for this too, but many of the companies have been very late and disjointed with their deliveries this year which is proving a bit of a headache when it comes to getting the shop as I want it and also being able to run effective Promotions.
One that should be in motion is my Bag Trade-In however, I`ve delayed it as I am still waiting for my bag deliveries from a few of the participating brands.
Titleist 4 For 3 - Purchase 3 Dozen personalised Titleist Pro V1 or Pro V1x and get one dozen FREE - Promo begins Monday, 13 March.
Motocaddy Lithium Battery Trade-In - Trade in any old electric trolley battery and receive £25 OFF a new lithium battery. - Promo begins Monday, 3 April (And not Wednesday, 1 March as I had previously mentioned.)
adidas Shoe Trade-In - Trade in your old golf shoes for up to £20 OFF a new pair of adidas - Promo begins Saturday, 1 April.
FootJoy Shoe Size Challenge - We challenge you to come into our shop and get professionally shoe fitted. If your current shoes fit correctly we will give you a FREE pair of FootJoy ProDry socks. - Promo begins Saturday, 1 April.
One golfer that definitely should be in the market during the Shoe Trade-In is this guy. Is this you?
Click here to watch video.
There are still slots available for Fitting Appointments coming up in these Brand Specific Demo Days:
TaylorMade Fitting Day
Friday, 7 April - 2pm until 4pm (US Masters Friday)
Callaway Fitting Day
Wednesday, 31 May - 2pm until 4pm
To Book a 30 Minute Fitting Appointment - Click Here
It`s certainly time to put your best foot forward, and this Saturday is the time to do it as we kick off the 'Official' Golf Season with the traditional Opening Fun Day Competition.
For those playing, here is a heads up of the day format:
- Teams of 4 (Ideally)
- £8 Per Team Entry
- Handicap 9/10`s
- Better Ball
- 2 Best Nett Scores Per Hole To Count
- Nearest The Pin @ 5th & 12th
We will also be running the Easter Egg Hunt. So keep your eyes peeled as you make your way around the course.
Anyone who finds a Golden Egg or Golden Bunny will get to keep it, but if they take a group photo or selfie with themselves and the Egg in the place where they found it, they will stand a chance of winning a Cracking Prize...but don`t Poach too many, and don`t take too long looking or you might have to`melette the group behind through!
#TeamTweet
Another thing we are running on Opening Day in an attempt to widen the exposure of the Golf Club on the Social Media platform is we are holding a secondary competition using Twitter. So for those tech savvy of you out there all we ask is that on the day you enter this Competition by Tweeting and include @portlethengc using #TeamTweet.
The Tweet with the highest number of re-tweets will win a prize. Tweet as often as you like, include pictures, videos, and stories from the day. Entries will be accepted until close of play on Saturday. Re-tweets will be counted at 9am on Monday Morning.
We will have a poster on the counter for sign-up in the morning and also have reminders on the score card and on the Nearest the Pin Signage at Holes 5 and 12.
Opening Day Offers
To mark the Opening Day of the Season, and to clear space for all the fantastic shiny new product, I am putting on some 'NOT TO BE MISSED' Deals.
Srixon Z Star & XV Balls 2016 - Better than HALF PRICE. £24 for 1 Doz or £40 for 2 Doz
Glenmuir Knitwear - HALF PRICE Now Only £30 (Includes selected Portlethen Crested Sweaters - Ladies & Gents)
Selected Sale Shoes - HALF PRICE (Ladies & Gents from as little as £20 - Limited Sizes)
Selected Sale Stand Bags - HALF PRICE From Only £40.
All 2016 Drivers & F/Ways - HALF PRICE (TaylorMade, Titleist, Wilson & Callaway)
All 2016 Wedges - HALF PRICE (Cleveland, PING & Wilson)
Star Wars Accessories - HALF PRICE (Driver & Putter Covers, Valuables Bags & Golf Ball Gift Sets)
We will also have the last few Numbered Squares up for grabs in my Masters Sweep.
Here`s a reminder of how it works:
Choose a Square on the board. This will match up with a player from the field.
These can be bought for £5 (Make sure to be quick as these sell out fast).
There will be prizes available for:
1st = £100
2nd = £80
3rd = £60
4th = £40
5th = £20
Best Score Each Round = £15
Worst Score Each Round = £15
Leading Amateur = £15 (Regardless if they miss the cut)
Leading Senior (Over 50) = £15 (Regardless if they miss the cut)
Leading Brit = £15 (Regardless if they miss the cut)
As some of you may know, the winter Alliance was here at Portlethen last week for the 1st round of the alliance championship.
We actually got a relatively calm day for it, no rain either so it was very score able. I didn't manage to take advantage though and ended up shooting 75 (+3) round my home track. However our other home player - Sean Lawrie - managed to come tied first with Greig Hutcheon on -6. Sean was the clubhouse leader by 4 shots until Greig came to the last hole and made an eagle to tie.
In 3rd place was another Portlethen player - Sam Kiloh, tied with Kevin Duncan on -2. The 2nd round of the championship is at Craibstone where Sean will be looking to claim the scratch trophy and I will need to shoot about 56 to have any chance.
Kids Parties at Portlethen Golf Club
This is a new initiative we are rolling out at Portlethen Golf Club which is ideal for Birthdays or Special Occasions. We had a couple requests for kid's parties last year and due to their success, we will now be offering this option at the golf club.
This is a 2 Hour Session where the kids, whether they have golfed before or not, will enjoy some fun golf related party games covering all the skills required in Golf. All equipment is provided and important Rules and Etiquette are covered at the beginning to ensure a safe environment. The coaching will be run by myself, and depending on numbers there will be other coaches to help out.
Availability & Dates on Request
90 Minutes Golf Coaching & Games
Lunch/Food Provided (Any Dietary Requests can be accommodated with prior notification)
Equipment provided
£15 Per Child
For more information or to book a date: Click Here
Or Call Mobile: 07833085388 (Kamran)
