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Our next venue was a little nearer home, Ratho Park Golf Club, a golf course which is always a pleasure to play.  Due to the all but flat terrain, Ratho is an easy walking course. However, the large tree population has to be avoided if you wish to have any chance of a winning score.

The imposing Clubhouse at Ratho Park is a fine Grade A listed manor house built in the Tudor style in 1824 by leading Scottish architect William Burn for John Bonnar of Ratho.  The property changed its name from Ratho House to Ratho Park when it was bought by John Dougal of Nairnshire in 1868. It remained in the ownership of the Dougal family until the 14th January 1955 when the Club’s offer of £5,000 for the house, 71 acres of estate and woodland, two lodges, a stable block and two cottages was accepted. Amazing as it may seem today, there were a considerable number of members who were not in favour of this purchase.  With my nephew Billy teeing off in the match behind I began my round with birdies at the 1st and 2nd holes. A par, followed by two bogeys brought me back to earth with a bump, as I failed to avoid those trees I mentioned earlier. However, a birdie, bogey, par, birdie finish saw me reach the turn in a one under par 34.  There appeared to be bigger, or more trees, on the inward half as I dropped four strokes from the 10th to the 15th. With all my earlier hard work looking in danger of slipping away I finished with three solid pars for a gross 72 and the best net score of the day to win the D. Porteous Trophy and another SGU voucher for £75.

Club facilities were first class. Club Secretary Deryck Scott presenting me with the David Porteous Trophy.To arrange an outing or a friendly Four Ball contact: the Secretary, Deryck A Scott on 0131 335 0069 or e-mail: secretary@rathoparkgolfclub.co.uk

  Founded in 1894 the Golf Club moved to its present location and was opened in 1953. Resulting from its location on top of the Gleniffer Braes and some 800 feet above sea-level, golfers can enjoy a view that few other courses can match.  As Billy and I drove along Braehead Road towards the foot of Gleniffer Braes we were almost on the point of turning round as the view ahead of us was a little daunting, to say the least. Our first thoughts were, will we be able to drive up this cliff?

Well we did, and it was well worth the effort, as the golf course was nothing like we had originally feared.  The course had many variations with each hole presenting new challenges, as can be seen when approaching the 5th Green pictured above.  Thankfully I was able to overcome some of these challenges, at least on a few holes, and carded a three over par 39 on the outward nine after bogeys at the 2nd, 3rd & 4th. Two further bogeys, one birdie and six pars on the inward nine saw me return a gross 75 to win the Scratch Prize worth £80.  If you wish to play a round at Paisley Golf Club then contact the Club Manager: John Devenny on – Tel: 0141 884 3903 / Fax: 0141 884 3903 or Email: paisleygolfclub@btconnect.com

Along with my nephew Billy our next event was at Binny Golf Club, based within Oatridge Campus in the West Lothian countryside, standing in its own 283-hectacre estate. Specialising in many areas including Agriculture, Animal Care and Countryside Management, the campus also includes a commercial, working farm and is the home of the Scottish National Equestrian Centre. The golf course was opened in 2000 by local golfing hero and former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher.  On our arrival there was a covering of fog over the course which delayed the start by some 45 minutes. Like other nine hole courses, the inward nine holes were played from different teeing grounds, giving the course more variety. The only drawback was that I could not find the course on my Callaway uPro Golf GPS and ultimately missed a few greens due to my poor club selection. My gross 75 however won me a voucher for the best scratch score on the day and I left with happy memories.

What a lovely golf course. Not long, but very tricky. Although the weather was not to my liking, cold and windy, I enjoyed the course but lost count of the times I came up short. Designed by Park and Sayers, with minor modifications over the years. 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,  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 7 varieties of gin and over 70 different malt whiskies. If you wish to play on this gem, then contact the club via e-mail at: bookingenquiry@kilspindiegolfclub.co.uk you will not be disappointed.

For our next event we travelled to Ayrshire and the well established Largs Golf Club.   A parkland course, which features winding burns, lush fairways, tree-lined doglegs and undulating greens. Situated in front of Kelburn Castle in the west of Scotland on the Firth of Clyde, with scenic views of the islands of Cumbrae, Bute and Arran in the background, with Arran’s Goat Fell and the ‘Sleeping Warrior’ dominating the landscape. The golf course was in excellent condition which made it easier for me as I scored 3, 3, 4, 3, 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, to reach the turn in a two under par 31. I started back with three pars, the first 5 on my card coming at the par 5 twelfth. A birdie and three pars followed before I began to play safe and finished with bogies at the 17th and 18th despite good drives on both holes. However, my net 62 was good enough to win The McMaster Trophy at my first attempt, along with a £100 Voucher. Will obviously be back in 2013, but don’t expect quite the same result, but I’ll try. The facilities toilets, showers, catering etc were first class and we were made to feel welcome, despite returning a net 62 !!   If you haven’t already played here then it is a “Must Play” course with easy walking and a good variety of holes. The first, a par 3, requires a club more than you think as it is up hill to a blind green. The rest of the course however is a very pleasant walk indeed. Contact the club / secretary on: 01475 673 594

Golf Season 2012 Yes, it is that time again, the start of another golf year.

My first Senior Open is a return visit to Scoonie Golf Club, where my nephew won in 2011. However we came away empty handed following what can only be described as a poor performance by us both. The golf course was not at its best due to our weird weather, but unlike Stirling there was grass on the greens which we missed often, and failed to make any putts of significance when we didn’t. Well it’s still early in the season. Sadly, or should I say thankfully, I have no photographic record of the day as I forgot my camera (It’s an age thing).

It actually rained today, for all of twenty minutes, but it was so mild that we only required our umbrellas. However, on my return to Stirling to compete in a Texas Scramble I discovered that the competition had been cancelled due to heavy rain. My playing partners were Akira Hasegawa (Craigielaw) and Neil Chalmers (Longniddry/Carrick Vale). Just so you know, Neil is the less colourful one. Two pars and a birdie at the short third were unfortunately followed by bogeys at the 6th, 8th and 9th as I lost the pace of the greens and three putted each of them. However no three putts on the inward nine, and a single putt at the par three 15th for a magic two, saw me return a level par 35, despite a bogey at the 18th, for a gross 73 and net score of 68, which equalled the CSS of the day.

Yet again no waterproofs required as the weather was dry and sunny with a gentle wind. My playing partners were John Semple from Haggs Castle and Eddie Greenan from Ranfurly Castle playing off 7 and 16 respectively. Both players returned net scores of 71 to make the buffer zone, while I managed to do slightly better, despite a three putt at the 12th hole. I had one of those days when I drove the ball good and got up and down on six occasions, twice from bunkers. After eight pars and one birdie on the front nine I was really enjoying myself, not only because I was playing well, but thanks to John, and in particular Eddie, who was like a one man fan club. The inward half started fine with four pars in the first five holes while my three putt at the 12th hole saw me go to level par. Then five further fours on my card was followed by my worst drive of the day at the 18th where my draw failed to materialize and I watched it go straight right into the heather lining the fairway. I managed to move it forward and hit a good pitch to within three feet, but over confident due to my earlier putting, I did not take the time to notice a sharp break to the left and missed. Eddie sounded more disappointed than me. However a gross 71 saw me eventually win the Scratch Prize and pick up a voucher for £75. I also reduced my handicap by .3 and am now playing off 5.0 exactly. Already looking forward to next year, maybe I’ll phone Eddie to see what time he will be playing. The course was in excellent condition (how can I fault it after my score) with the greens fast, but true, and I thought the wet sand in the bunkers was also excellent.

Travelled to Forfar with my two nephews Billy and Craig, along with son-in-law Guy to compete in their 4Ball Better-Ball Open competition. Unfortunately, there were a few “no shows” which meant that we did not play as a four ball. Guy and myself did, however, manage to beat the better ball score of Billy and Craig thanks to a two under par score of 67. The course was in much better condition than my last visit and Craig and Guy enjoyed their first experience of playing golf at Forfar Golf Club.  I’m sure everyone will have played here at some time, but if not, then log on to http://www.forfargolfclub.co.uk and do so now. Their booking system is all done on-line, and it only takes a few minutes to book your time/s. A credit card is required, but payment is not taken from your card unless you fail to appear, or you are booking tee times for an Open Competition. Enjoy the golf.

Another dry and sunny day welcomed my nephew Billy and I to Lochwinnoch Golf Club for their Senior Open. However, at times there was much need of local knowledge, as a number of holes required blind shots to small targets. The condition of the course and greens were very good, but a little to hilly for my liking. Overall I scored 39 on the front nine and 38 on the inward half for a six over par 77. Not a golf course I would recommend, unless you are physically fit, but as I always say, why not try it for yourself.  Their web address is: www.lochwinnochgolf.co.uk and I nearly forgot, there are Buggys available.