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We returned to Kilmacolm yet again and were not disappointed, unless you look at our scores. I am still in amazement as each time I play here I am at a loss as to why I do not score better than I do. Playing partners today are Rae McIntyre (Douglas Park) and Kevin Faulkner (Troon), whom I parnered at Largs in May. Conditions on the day were good as we set off. The first two holes were straight forward pars before a double bogey at the 3rd was recorded for zero points. The next six holes saw me record twelve points for an outward 16pts. The inward half was not as straight forward as I was hoping for, although I picked up 9pts in three holes, I only added a further 5pts over the remaining six holes and to rub salt in it, I lost my ball at the last.                        Nephew Bill also struggled on the day, but at least he won this competition in 2011 (Jammy Git). I can say this because I don’t think he reads this. Not a long course, but tricky, so if you want a fun game, then this is the place to visit. Contact details are Telephone: 01505 872139 or send an e-mail to secretary@kilmacolmgolfclub.com      Let me know your score and I will try to beat it in 2014.

We returned to Balbirnie Park for their Senior Open and soon discovered that the speed of their  greens were the fastest we have so far putted on. My playing partners were Doug Low and Don Wilson, both Balbirnie members.

I soon found out just how fast the greens were with the downhill putts scary fast, almost guaranteeing a three putt every time as I found to my cost at the 3rd and 4th, running up double bogey’s each time. For the remaining sixteen holes I was only two over par, finishing with a gross 77 and a net 71 to equal the CSS of the day. My playing partners were both Balbirnie members and their local knowledge proved to be worth at least four strokes. Nephew Billy managed a good score, finishing with a net 67 to win his age group by one stroke, well done. His playing partners were Hamish McKay (centre) and Peter Jackson, both from Kinross Golf Club.

The clubhouse is well presented and very modern while the serving staff behind the bar and kitchen polite and attentive. Toilets/ shower area clean and tidy.

Another course neither Bill or myself have played. Lovely clubhouse and our coffee and rolls were served by a smiling face, which is always nice to see so early in the morning. The weather was again hot and windy, making the hard fairways and firm greens difficult to find as distances with club selection was pure guesswork. As always, someone comes in with a net 62, and it was home member Jim Scott (no relation) who won by no fewer than six strokes. The day however was not a total loss as I picked up a SGU voucher (£20) for winning the scratch prize in my age group with an 80. While the firm conditions were at times frustrating we still enjoyed the course and decided we would like to return when it is a bit softer. As usual though, you should make up your own mind, so phone (+44)131 667 9665 or Email the Club Secretary to arrange a game and let me know what you think.

A first time visit for both Billy and myself. Unfortunately it was very windy, making the firm greens and firm fairways unpredictable. Our threesome was made up with another visitor, Ian Printy from Kingsknowe Golf Club.

The Club are delighted to have produced two Ryder Cup Captains in Eric Brown and Bernard Gallacher. Eric captained the side in 1969 and 1971 and Bernard in 1991, 1993 and 1995. Secretary: Gerard Flannigan Tel: 01506 630505 or email: bathgate.golfclub@lineone.net

Another nice day for a game of golf. Following our usual coffee and rolls we prepared for the off. My playing partners were my nephew Billy and Dumbarton member Harry Morgan playing off a handicap of twelve. Pars at the 1st & 2nd were followed by a bogey at the 3rd, due to a hard bounce through the green. Another hard bounce at the par three 4th finished in heavy rough at the back of the green from where I was fortunate to find it. With no place to take a drop, other than go back to the tee, I took two more shots to reach the putting surface, where I managed to take two putts for an easy 5. A birdie three at the 5th hole repaired some of the damage, and I followed this with eleven straight pars before finding a bunker off the tee at the 17th and was happy to make a bogey. However I managed to save my worst drive of the day till the 18th, finding an unplayable lie in the trees to the right of the fairway, from where I ran up a double bogey 6 but still managed to win the £60 scratch prize in my age group. Harry finished with an 85 for a net 73 while Billy returned an incomplete card.

This is a great little course and one I hope to play for many years to come. A definite must play for anyone who has not already had the pleasure. For bookings telephone the Secretary on: +44 (0)1389 765 995 or send an email to: secretary@dumbartongolfclub.co.uk You will not regret it.

Well it’s nearly 7.30am and time to begin the defence of my title. (Will be happy to make the buffer zone.) Playing with my nephew Billy and Ian Fell (13) from Mortonhall Golf Club we set off, bang on time.

Conditions were as good as you would wish for, but unfortunately my opening drive was a big draw into the trees on the left. Unable to play towards the green I knocked out to the fairway and chipped close enough to make my par. At the second hole I was not so fortunate as I once again missed the fairway to the left and could only watch in amazement as my pitch failed to bounce forward as expected, and stopped just short of the downhill slope towards the pin, from where I three putted, ouch! Over the seven remaining holes I dropped only one stroke, at the 4th, and birdied the 9th for a one over par 36. My inward half was a complete disaster as I carded bogies at the 10th, 13th, 15th and 16th before managing a double bogey at the par four 17th after hitting my drive into an unplayable lie. However, my gross 76 won the Scratch Prize (£50) in my age group, while my net 69 saw me finish in 6th spot overall, not too shabby.  The greens were the fastest I have putted on this year and the facilities and service were their usual high standard. This is a must play course, so telephone 0131 335 0069 (Option 1) or e-mail secretary@rathoparkgolfclub.co.uk , and do it soon.

What a lovely morning to play golf. The clubhouse is almost brand new, having been rebuilt in 2011 after a fire the year before completely destroyed the building and is in pristine condition, as you can see from the photo’s. As is our custom, we arrived an hour before our start time of 10.00am, only to discover that the kitchen did not open till 10.00am. A bit disappointing for an Open Competition as those playing later would likely have had time for breakfast and would be unlikely to require food, while we had risen early to ensure our arrival and still have time to eat.

Our fellow competitors today, are Mat Donaghy and Tom McCone, both members of Burnfield Golf Club. After we had all driven off at the first hole, both Mat and Tom began to think that my nephew Billy was the lower handicap between us, as he had hit his tee shot long and straight, while I had found the trees on the right. Unfortunately after Billy thinned his approach twenty yards through the green Mat and Tom were no longer in any doubt. The golf course is well laid out, with some really good holes, however as this was our first time we became lost between the green and the next tee on a few occasions. Not for the first time, at opens this year, the greens were a bit on the slow side and also several bunkers we visited either required to be better raked or more sand added to give a consistent depth.

The above comments did not reflect on our scores as all four of us hit a number of poor shots on the day. Overall, the service was good, lunch was very good and our playing partners were fun. Thanks guys.

For anyone wishing to visit East Kilbride, which I recommend, you can book on-line or telephone: Secretary – 01355 581800 or Professional: 01355 581805. Provided the weather is reasonable this is another golf course you will enjoy, and we will be returning on Friday 16th August to participate in the Senior Open. (Must remember to take filled rolls for our breakfast.)

This was by far the best day of the year for playing golf, warm sunshine and that typical links breeze, making the day well worth the visit. Also making it worthwhile was my good-natured playing partner Derek Miller, a three handicapper from Murrayfield Golf Club.

Derek also enquired about David Smith from Stirling as he had competed in team matches alongside David when representing Scotland against the North of England. On the day, I played well for twelve holes but a number of mistakes from the 13th to the 16th saw me drop five strokes. However, a par, birdie finish took away some of the pain. My net score of 67, which equalled the CSS, saw me finish eighth on the day, but missing out on a prize due to my poor inward half. Derek meanwhile, never really got to grips with the slow greens and completed his round with a gross 77. My nephew Billy, who was told by a friend recently, that he had never seen the name Scott on any club Champions boards will be surprised to learn that the name B. Scott is on the Champions board at Kilspindie Golf Club, and here is the evidence. Golf has been played over this piece of links land prior to 1850, but it was not until 26 November 1898 that the links was officially opened by Luffness Golf Club and re-named Kilspindie Golf Club in 1899.

If after your round you fancy a wee dram then you may be spoilt for choice as the bar currently stocks over 70 Malt Whiskies.

My first visit to Auchterarder in a few years saw me finish with a Net 69, one under the CSS of 70, after an outward half of 40 which began par birdie. This was followed by five straight bogies and two pars. My inward half was played mostly in rain and again started par, birdie. Four further bogey’s and three pars saw me cover the inward half in 36, which lost out to second place on the B.I.H. However, I was rewarded with .2 off my exact handicap and an £80 Voucher for winning the scratch prize. Once again I would like to thank my playing partners, John Paton (Auchterarder) and Ian Morton (Downfield) for their friendly company and encouragement throughout the round. The lunch was very tasty, thank you John, and despite the weather I will certainly return in 2014. My nephew Billy had another bad day, with a score of twelve over par at the par 3’s and a further twelve over par at the par 4’s.

To contact the Golf Club Tel: 01764 662804 or e-mail the secretary at secretary@auchterardergolf.co.uk

Well worth a visit, and if the weather is good then you will have an excellent day to remember.

The scene of my surprising win in 2012 with a net score of 62 was by all accounts a disappointment. Felt like I struck the ball okay, but could not make myself hit the ball hard enough on the greens. My playing partners, Kevin Faulkener and Tom Denham also struggled with the pace and we each managed to go up .1 with ease. The good news was that my nephew Billy returned a net score of 73, just one stroke outside the buffer zone, and could well be cut as he had two 7’s and an 8 at three of the par 4’s. If you wish to book golf at Largs then contact the club Professional Andy Fullen at the following email address: professional@largsgolfclub.co.uk  or by  telephone on 01475 686 192.