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The annual SGU Life Members Day was again played at Strathmore Golf Club for the third year in a row and although I played to my handicap of six, I did not cause the leaders any anxiety. An excellent golf course for an outing, wide generous fairways and easy walking. The downside is the fast sloping greens which can test even the best of putters, and three putting not uncommon if you find yourself on the wrong side of the hole. If you have not yet managed a game at Strathmore Golf Centre then pencil it in for next year, you will enjoy it. For booking information log on to their website or telephone  +44 (0)1828 633322.

My playing partner as usual for this event was Dave MacDougall from Dunkeld & Birnham Golf Club, which is also in Perthshire. Unfortunately we did not put up much of a defence, after winning last year, finishing six shots of the pace. The course was in no way to blame but the many Hornets, which appeared and hovered above your ball on every shot, were very distracting. However I’m sure 2012 will see a comeback, despite the competition becoming younger each year. Secretary – 01738 632460 – OPTION 4, PGA Professional  –  01738 632460  – OPTION 1.

RAIN, RAIN and more RAIN. The course was closed due to flooding and has been re-arranged for Saturday 10th September.

Yet again another return visit, this time to Monifieth Golf Club for their Gents’ Open. This must go down as the biggest disappointment of the year as only seventeen holes were in play due to heavy rain flooding part of the golf course. Myself and John Docherty from Stirling Golf Club could not believe that we were being asked to take part in an open golf competition which would not count towards handicapping purposes and was to be held over seventeen holes, or more correctly, over sixteen and three quarter holes. It proved to be a miserable day, not only due to the constant rain but also due to the fact that it didn’t mean anything. I don’t enter these competitions to win prizes, although it’s nice when you do, I enter opens to play other golf courses and to try and play to my handicap. So while the golf course was not at fault I felt let down by the organisers who perhaps could not, or would not, organise another date and seemed only interested in keeping our money. As I stated earlier, a BIG, BIG disappointment.

A return to Dunning Golf Club for their Gents’ Open and once again we were blessed with fine weather. Playing partners today were Colin Robertson from Falkland Golf Club and Andy Moncur from Dunkeld. I got off to a good start by hitting the flag at the first then holing from six inches for a birdie three. Seven pars followed before I completed the first nine with a bogey five for a level par 33. As Dunning is a nine hole course my task was simple, repeat my first nine score. This proved very difficult as I dropped seven strokes in the first five holes before birdies at the 15th and 17th restored some of the earlier damage. My final score was a gross 71, net 65 and in the buffer zone. Colin meantime finished with a net 66 while Andy returned a net 67. The winning net score on the day was a 56, eight strokes under the CSS of 64. The golf course, while short on length is not as easy as some may think, creating bogeys or worse when you least expect it. Definitely a course worth a visit with a friendly welcome awaiting your visit.

A return visit to Lundin Golf Club for their Senior Open along with my nephew Billy. Unfortunately neither of us coped with the windy conditions and returned incomplete cards. My playing partners faired much better with Dunfermline’s Scott MacDonald and Linlithgow’s Steve Scott both making the buffer zone with net scores of 72 and 73 respectively. As mentioned above (28th May) a must play golf course, but due to some kinky holes it is not everyone’s favourite. However it is always in excellent condition and well worth a visit. Founded in 1868 it is well known throughout the golfing world and was extensively redesigned by James Braid in 1909. Narrow fairways, bunkers, burns and ever changing winds guarantee a memorable golfing experience.

My third open in three days, this time at Glenbervie Golf Club for their annual Senior Open where I managed the buffer zone with a net score of 72. However my nephew Billy, who finished his round with an 8, returned a net score of 65 to win by one stroke, jammy person. Playing partners on the day were Glenbervie members’ John McCabe (Club Chairman) and Duncan Whyte. John had a net 76 playing off9 while Duncan finished on net 79 playing off 20. The course was in fine condition with the greens fast and true while the rough was tough. An excellent golf course overall and certainly one you should play.  For further information call the Secretary – Tel : 01324 562 605, Option 2.

The weather this time was nothing like June when I competed in the Senior Open. On my arrival at the course the wind was gusting strongly and this did not improve during the round. Playing partners were John Robertson and Alec Patrick both members of Hollandbush. After three holes John, David and I had to endure a heavy shower which lasted for two holes then repeated itself from the 8th to the 11th. Then as we began to dry out, another heavy shower caught us at the 15th and 16th where I made two sevens, ouch. Overall, I made eight pars, six bogeys and four doubles. My stay in Category 1 was short lived. The course stood up well to the rain and the putting surfaces were good. As mentioned previously, West Linton is well worth a visit. To arrange a game, telephone the secretary on 01968 660970 or the Pro Shop on 01968 660256.

A return to The Hirsel for their Gents’ Open, managed a gross 76 for a net 70 which saw me return to Category 1 status (5.4) for one day. My playing partners for the round were Eric Middlemiss (Selkirk) who unfortunately was not a prize winner, while Brian Anderson from Eyemouth Golf Club returned a gross 72 for a net 65 and second place on the day. My front nine was made up of seven pars, one bogey and a double bogey at the 5th hole where I hooked into heavy rough. My inward half was slightly better with five pars, three bogeys and a birdie at the 18th. The weather was fair with a light breeze and we completed our round in 3 hours and 40 minutes. The course was again in excellent condition, as was the food, and service by the clubhouse staff was with a smile. Golf buggies are available for hire and  can be reserved in advance by telephoning the Pro Shop on 01890 882678.

Partnered my nephew Billy at another new venue for a 4Ball Better-Ball stableford. Weather was perfect for golf and the course in fine condition. The first is a tricky dog-leg to the right requiring only a long iron or hybrid of the Tee which caught us out and we only managed one point. The second was a straightforward short par four which again saw us struggle for another point. However, we got our game in order and by the ninth had accumulated another seventeen points for a total of 19 out. The inward half saw us continue our form and we completed the nine with 23 points for a 42 point total and third place overall. Our thanks to our playing partners for making it an enjoyable day, unfortunately one of them left before we took the above photo and I subsequently lost the card with his name and club written on it. Sorry!