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Greetings from Stuart Wilson

Portlethen Golf Club - PGA Golf Professional

Typical!! Only Scotland can get done `fur hand baw!!` in RUGBY!!

Yes, we took on the best that the Southern Hemisphere has to offer and were within the gable end of a rizzla paper away from knocking out one of the Rugby World Cup favourites, Australia! 2 points up with less than 2 minutes remaining and Frenchman, Craig Joubert, the matches `Gendarme` ironically gave Australia a crucial penalty for an Offside that ultimately came off the `Wrongarm`! One flash of Bernard Foleys boot, a few seconds later and we were dumped out like a flea ridden duvet!

As a Scotsman I`m gutted for my Nation, and as a novice Rugby `fan` I`ll leave the ins and outs of the referees decisions to the experts but even to me the thought of someone getting Sin Binned for a "DELIBERATE knock on" in Rugby is almost as ludicrous as a DELIBERATE Fresh Air Shot in Golf!!

So the curse of glorious failure blankets the Nation once more and it`s the Scots who are sent homeward to think again! Meanwhile Australia waltz like Matilda into the Semi Finals along with their Antipodean cousins, New Zealand. South America is represented by Argentina and the Quartet is made up by South Africa, who have managed to get over their humiliation at the hands of Japan and now Pearl Harbour ambitions of winning the whole event in the final a week on Saturday.

Speaking of Finales, the curtain came down on the Summer Golf season here at Portlethen last week. It has absolutely flown in from my perspective! 252 Medal Competitions between Gents, Juniors, Ladies & Seniors have all come and gone and all that's left is to commemorate the prize winners, congratulate the Champions and commiserate all those others! The Annual Prize Giving, as you may have already read, has moved from its usual Friday night slot to Saturday 7th November this year. I`m very much looking forward to experiencing my first Portlethen Prize Giving and I hope you will all be out in force to join in the celebrations.

Whilst there were no Trophies up for grabs in the last week we did managed to get all the remaining Medals played in some better than expected weather.

Wednesday saw the end of the Midweek Walk On`s with Steven Wallace finishing off a season of great progress by topping DIV 1. John Goate perhaps wishes that the season could keep going as he has recently found a bit of form as he topped DIV 2 and George Donaldson won DIV 3.

WALK ON MEDAL Wednesday 14th October `15

Click here to see the results.

Photos-Steven Wallace, Clark Brechin, Alan Simpson, John Goate, Jim Steel, Stuart McLaughlin, Walter Thompson

Saturday was the final hurrah for the White Tees before they went into hibernation for the Winter. Derek Forbes ended the season on a high by clinching DIV 1. Dino Becci finally got the `breaking 80` monkey off his back enroute to topping DIV 2 and Aaron Watson claimed DIV 3.

WALK ON MEDAL Saturday 17th October `15

Click here to see the results.

Photos-Derek Forbes, Hugh Murdoch, Dino Becci, Alan Mitchell, Ian Hay, Bill Tait, Ray Summers

And then there was one! The Sunday Walk On was the last Handicap Counter for the year. It was Junior, Scott D`Agostino who showed the men how it`s done in DIV 1. Glen Emslie showed the youngsters how it`s done in DIV 2, whilst Stan Lenort showed the right handers how it`s done in DIV 3.

WALK ON MEDAL Sunday 18th October `15

Click here to see the results.

Photos-Ian Greig, Ian Cruickshank, Mike Cameron, Glen Emslie, Stan Lenort, Grant Chalmers

Play now switches to the Winter Fours which run every other weekend starting from this Saturday. The weeks sandwiched in between will have a Pro Shop Sweep to play in , however be aware that if any of the Winter League Weekends are affected by the weather they will have priority the following weekend so the matches can be played. The Leagues are now finalised so unfortunately you are not able to join them now, however the Competition Rules do allow for Substitutes in the absence of a named player so if you would like to be considered for this then let us know in the Pro Shop and we can advise the Teams if they are needing stand ins.

Many things happen at the end of a Season, one of which is the Annual Handicap Review where everyone`s Competitive performances are analysed by the Handicap System and recommended adjustments (if required) are given. The system also allows us to calculate the "Order Of Merit" Winner for the person who has performed the consistent best throughout all the Medals, and also, via a special formula even more special than Tony the Tigers Frosties formula, to determine the `Most Improved` Golfer. Both of these Titles will be announced and Awarded at the Prize Giving.

The Improvement Formula was also used by myself to determine which one of my 2015 Pupils was worthy of my "GAME IMPROVEMENT CHAMPION" Award!

To qualify for this Award Golfers were asked to sign up for the following Lesson Package.

"The Game Changer" - 4 x 45 Minute Lessons
Lesson 1 - Full Swing Analysis
Lesson 2 - Pitching & Chipping
Lesson 3 - Bunkers
Lesson 4 - Putting

Everyone who signed up for this Package had their Handicap Progress recorded until the end of August The Player who achieved the BIGGEST PERCENTAGE IMPROVEMENT on their Handicap would be crowned my "GAME IMPROVEMENT CHAMPION" and receive a Commemorative Sweater, Certificate and an All-Expenses Paid Away Golf Day with myself.

I`m pleased to say that the Player & Pupil who Improved the most during that period was Imran Sheikh. Imran brought his Handicap down by a whole 3 strokes from 10.5 to 7.5 and was a whisker away from getting down to 7. Imran is probably a good example to many of you out there in that virtually every we did with his technique was subtle adjustments, and more improving his knowledge and understanding of his own techniques. His short game deficiencies were more through not knowing than not able, and opening his mind to what he was capable of rather than him doubting his ability was just as powerful.

I`m highlighting these things because I`m still aware that there is a preconception that if you come for a Lesson then you will be stripped bare and asked to rebuild in text book fashion to be like Justin Rose. That`s not how I Teach. I take each individuals technique, learning style, lifestyle, physical attributes and ambition and tailor my advice to them in a hope that they can achieve their desired potential.

I`m pleased to say that in the period that the "GAME IMPROVEMENT CHAMPION" Promotion ran I had 29 Pupils who all reduced their Handicaps by some margin. And having looked at the Season as a whole there have been 63 Golfers (Gents, Ladies & Juniors) who have invested in instruction and all finished with a lower Handicap than they started the Season. If Golf is your thing and you want to enjoy it more the fast track way to that is to do it better! Lessons, good Lessons can unlock your potential with the need for major surgery.

Sometimes, the best time of year to make worthwhile and lasting improvements is during the off season. I will still be very much available for Lessons throughout the Winter months and while there won`t be as much evening availability I will now, with the quieter playing schedule, be able to offer Weekend Afternoons on top of Weekdays. I will be putting together some Winter specific Development Packages that might be quite attractive to those of you looking to work on your Games so stay tuned for them.

The talk of shorter days means only one thing! And this is my reminder to you all that the Clocks change on Saturday night/Sunday morning and they go BACK!! (Aka lose an hour!!) So as of Sunday it`s officially Winter, and the Shop will be on Winter Hours as well.

PRO SHOP WINTER HOURS
Mon-Fri: 8.30am - 4.00pm
Sat/Sun: 8.00am - 4.00pm

I`ll be honest and say I`m not too disappointed to be in winter as it`s been a long, busy and enjoyable first season. But with the Season over and winter upon us it allows me to take a little, but much needed time off to recharge my batteries.

Speaking of recharging batteries I took delivery of a very exciting piece of kit this week. An Astratec M69CM might not mean an awful lot to many of you but it is the very latest in Battery Testing Equipment. This is one important piece of the jigsaw as I build up the Trolley Servicing and Repairs department. I will soon be going to Motocaddy to be put through their Tech Training.

But in the meantime the Battery Testing Service will be available and my new addition is capable of testing both Lead Acid & Lithium Batteries. Here is how that Service will work.

Battery Test - £10*
*If the Battery Fails you will be able to use that £10 as a Voucher/Credit off the cost of a new Battery.

Powered Trolleys is an area I`d like to highlight again in my business, as it`s an area that causes me great frustration. I can and do provide as extensive a range of Powered and Push Trolleys. I`ve chosen two of the best, most popular and most reputable Trolley Brands on the market in Motocaddy and Powakaddy and I KNOW that I can deliver any of the Trolleys in their Ranges at the best prices, the prices you will see in any high street/walk in store or anywhere on the internet. But I also KNOW that I can provide them with superior value and service to you, my Members, than anywhere else can. All I hope for is the opportunity to do that!

So I like to take this opportunity to remind you of the exceptional value that I can add to any Motorised Trolley purchased from me.

I call it my "Keep You Rolling" Policy.

Buy any Powered Trolley from me and receive for FREE.

Hassle Free Delivery (If Trolley Needs Ordered)
Unpacked & Checked
Battery Charged Ready For Use
Sale Recorded Against Account (No Need To Retain Proof Of Purchase - Essential For Any Future Warranty Claims)
Account & Multi Payment Facility
Roll Back Recovery: In Warranty Issues - Use Of Replacement Trolley While Problem Solved
Roll Back Recovery: Out Of Warranty Issues - Use Of Replacement Trolley While Repairs Carried Out.
Trade In Facility
You Become A "Powered Up" Partner And Are Entitled To 10% OFF All Trolley Accessories

All the Golfing Gossip from the Powder Room" by Aileen McVey The Pro Shops 1st Lady

Well my holiday to Dubai was fab and I won`t lie I was a little sad to be coming back, but I perked right up when I got some goods news when I arrived back to work. As Stuart mentioned for the gents, the Ladies also award a Prize for The Most Improved Golfer of the year and I was absolutely gobsmacked when I heard that I had won this year!

Given that my golf basically took a back seat as I focussed on my training for the Ride The North Charity Cycle I`m delighted that what I thought was a poor season has ended with a real highlight. I`m now definitely coming to the Prize Giving Night on Saturday 7th November.

The Ladies Winter 4`s also start like the men this weekend but I`ll leave that to the 7 Day Ladies!

After the Prize Giving it`s the Ladies Christmas Lunch which is next up on Tuesday 8th December.

The fantastic weather (fantastic for July never mind October) has seen the course maintain a fantastic condition at a time where usually it`s quality would start to weather slightly with the move into Winter. However, other than the leaves shedding from the trees and typically heavy morning dew, the playing conditions are as good as ever. However Winter precautions are always important and the Greenstaff have started their prep. The Yellow Tees are the Tee of the day now and volatile wear and tear areas will be getting roped and cordoned off.

The Buggies will be put into winter storage at the end of this month which will more than likely coincide with the "Lift To The Side" requirement from the fairway.

The area at the 15th Burn has started it`s make-over with the guys getting the turf lifted. This is to be treated as G.U.R with a Free drop COMPULSORY. The same applies for any ball landing on the prepared Winter Greens.

Likewise the Official Seniors Season is over but we are finishing off with a fun & friendly (hopefully) Mixed Seniors Texas Scramble this Thursday. Tune in next week to find out all the gossip….if there isn`t any we`ll make some up!

There's not too much to report on this week as the season is officially over. However it is great to see some juniors taking advantage of the October holidays and coming up to play and practice pretty much everyday.

And as the seasons over it means the studying period has started for me again. All the assignments are done online with exams at St Andrews in April. We also go down to the Belfry for a week of classes and do some practical exams. This is my 3rd and final year of the PGA Degree. This year's modules are:

Golf Coaching 2
Sports Science
Managing a Golf Business
Personal & Career Development
Advanced Custom Fitting & Equipment Technology

So as the winter hours are in place next week, I will have no excuse to get studying! As you may realise this is not my favourite time of the year!

In the build up to Christmas I will be letting you know of all the great Gift ideas I will have available for the golfer in your family (That might well be you so the only `Hint` you need to drop is for your loved ones to make our Store their first port of call for your Golfing Gift!)

Open 7 Days, FREE Parking, no queues and a convenient exchange service if required. Some great gift ideas have started to arrive already. Back by popular demand are the Portlethen Saltire Zip Sweater by Glenmuir - ONLY £65 (REMEMBER - We have a great selection of Crested Sweaters and you can choose any colour, style or Logo type you want and they will still be delivered in time for Christmas)

Glenmuir have also supplied great Gift Box Sets, whether it be Socks for Him or Her or a cosy Hat & Scarf Set!

Our Portlethen Range also features Crested Umbrellas, Shoe Bags, Holdalls, Caps and Scorecard Holders.

Layer up for the colder weather too with everything from Baselayers, Thermal or Lined Sweaters, Fleece and insulated Outerlayers, Waterproofs and of course Beanies, Snoods and Mitts!