In the true spirit of Christmas !

The following sign was displayed at a Golf Club in Bavaria, Germany.

Being typically German, the penalty for non-conformance seems quite clear and unambiguous, but what is unclear is what the Greens Staff do to you once you have been removed from the course? 

Answers please on a postcard!

Season's Greetings

 Wishing you all Season's Greetings and a successful 2016.

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Rule 14-1b Anchoring the Club

Gentlemen, on January 1st 2016 anchoring your clubs, and putter in particular will be illegal under the Rules of Golf.
There has been plenty of comment and publicity on the subject over the last couple of years, but it will apply to all golf played from 1st January 2016.  I'm not that bothered as it doesn't affect me.  There are those who say I can't putt the proper way...... GNH.

Enjoy :

Guidance for Players and Officials on Rule 14-1b

14-1b Anchoring the Club

In making a stroke, the player must not anchor the club, either “directly” or by use of an “anchor point.”

Note 1:  The club is anchored “directly” when the player intentionally holds the club or a gripping hand in contact with any part of his body, except that the player may hold the club or a gripping hand against a hand or forearm.

Note 2:  An “anchor point” exists when the player intentionally holds a forearm in contact with any part of his body to establish a gripping hand as a stable point around which the other hand may swing the club.


Explanation #1 – Basis for Prohibition on Direct Anchoring of Club

Q.  Rule 14-1b provides that, in making a stroke, the player must not directly anchor the club.  What is the basis for this prohibition?

A.  A stroke is a fundamental element that defines the game of golf and is meant to involve the player freely swinging the entire club at the ball.  Anchoring the club relieves the player from making a free swing by restricting the movement of the club as if it were physically attached to the player’s body and thereby providing extra support and stability for the stroke.

Explanation #2 – Meaning of Anchor Point

Q.  Rule 14-1b provides that a player must not anchor the club during a stroke by using an “anchor point.”  In Note 2, which defines “anchor point,” what does it mean “to hold a forearm in contact with any part of the body to establish a gripping hand as a stable point around which the other hand may swing the club?”

A.  The narrow purpose of the anchor point restriction is to prevent the player from using a forearm as an indirect means of creating the same effect as the club or a gripping hand being held against his body.  Using a forearm to “establish a gripping hand as a stable point around which the other hand may swing the club” means that each gripping hand is able to work independently of the other and for a different purpose.  The top gripping hand is removed from the swing and is stabilised by its forearm being held against the body, effectively anchoring the club as if attached to the body and creating a stable point.  Using only his other hand, the player is able to make a stroke by moving the lower portion of the club around this stable point. The practical effect of such a stroke using an anchor point is the same as a stroke with the club or a gripping hand directly anchored.



For full information go to the R&A website below:

http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Anchoring/Anchoring-Guidelines.aspx

Senior Winners 2015

Quite a few Seniors in the 2015 Trophy Winners.

Life in the old dogs yet!

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Some light Winter reading......

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Winter Golf has arrived!

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Well known Blairgowrie Senior now an exibit in Perth Museum !

 Perth Museum & Art Gallery

Alan McKirdy’s Two Pound Talk yesterday afternoon attracted around 40 visitors to hear about the changing landscape of Perthshire. It’s always a pleasure to chat to visitors who come in for the lunchtime talks, and we were delighted to discover that some of the objects on display in the museum held very personal memories for two families in the audience.

Ian and Muriel McPherson were leaving the lecture theatre after the talk, when they stopped to admire some of the photographs on the wall. Ian was surprised to see his 11-year-old self in one of them, captured while playing cricket on the North Inch in 1953. The scene, which was posed for the photographer, shows Ian (or Shorty as he was known then) along with his friends as they enjoyed a game in the scorching sun.

Unlike most of the lads, Ian has kept his shirt on and wife Muriel explained that his auburn hair meant he wouldn’t have risked exposing his pale skin to sunburn! Although the image is in black and white, Ian recognised himself by his hairstyle.

One of the most interesting facts revealed in the conversation with Ian (also known as T.I. McPherson), was that he went on to play cricket for Perthshire and Scotland between 1978 and 1982. In the photograph he is seen to the right of the wicket, in long socks with his hands ready to catch the ball as the leg slip fielder, but his preferred position was as a slow left bowler.

This image is one of several old photographs chosen to feature in our upcoming 2016 calendar, which will be on sale before Christmas.

Ian McPherson with a photo taken on the North Inch in 1953.

What a talent !

15 years ago this week golf changed forever.

In 2000 a golf ball was created that revolutionised - and, in some eyes - ruined the sport

By James Corrigan, Golf Correspondent

The ancient game has been getting in a lather about the 15th anniversary of a ball.
Except the Pro V1 is not any ball. Depending on your viewpoint it is the piece of equipment which overhauled/ruined golf. What seemed merely evolutionary can now be deemed revolutionary.
At this week’s corresponding PGA Tour event 15 years ago, 47 players in the 156-man field walked to the first tee armed with the ball officially launched by Titleist. It appeared appropriate that they were playing in Las Vegas, although they all knew this was no gamble, no plus-foured crapshoot. Testing had shown them what was possible and so this, billed the “the largest pluralistic shift of equipment at one event in golf history” was to prove it.
Six of the top 10 used the Pro V1. “Our Eureka moment,” Bill Morgan, Titleist’s vice president said. For Billy Andrade and countless others to follow, it was a miracle encapsulated in a perfect sphere, granting an extra 20 yards while also allowing the same touch around the green.
In basic terms, the Pro VI was formed of a solid core (taken from the distance balls), surrounded by a surlyn “veneer” casing (taken from the performance balls). In financial terms it became the most successful golf product of all time.
The effect was remarkable. A few months later, Phil Mickelson warned rivals not using the Pro VI they were “operating under a distinct disadvantage” and as other ball-makers followed suit so the craze transformed into the norm. At the 2000 Masters, 59 of the 95 players employed a wound ball. At the 2001 Masters, only four did. By the end of that season, not a single player using a wound ball won on any of the major tours. The curators had another item for their museums.
The buzz rose in volume as rapidly as the driving distance stats. In 2000, one player on the PGA Tour averaged more than 300 yards; 10 years later there were 21 in this category. In 2000, 60 players averaged less than 270 yards; 10 years later there was only one.
It was to be a decade in which legendary layouts, in their pure state, looked too short and were thus “tricked up” and the fury duly erupted as the governing bodies sat back and did nothing, claiming there were other factors, not least the players being better conditioned.
Jack Nicklaus, for one, was not having it. “When will they wake up?” he said. “The golf ball is way out of bounds. It is making the great golf courses obsolete.”
Gary Player remains just as vocal.The Black Knight blames the ball for most of the modern game’s perceived ills - for boring, eye-straining holes with thick rough and daft greens; for the demise of the shot-maker; for five-hour rounds which put off so many. He wonders where golf can go next, where the tee-boxes can go next.
“I’ve been joking for 15 years that Augusta can’t get any longer that they will have to go out into the streets,” Player said. “Well guess what? They’re now buying those streets.”
Augusta National is having to expand into surrounding streets
The green-jackets have the greenback to do so; the overwhelming majority of clubs are not so fortunate. And so the cabbage will thicken, the putting surfaces become more and more like marble and this once wonderfully multi-faceted sport become less and less interesting.

For those aging hill-walkers....

Unveiling of a commemorative plaque for Sir Hugh Munro at The Gateway to the Glens Museum in Kerriemuir on Friday 16th October.  David Stone, Robin Campbell & Graeme Hunter from the Scottish Mountaineering Club.  Sir Hugh was credited with recording a list / table of 283 peaks above 3,000 feet in Scotland, now known as Munro Bagging.  Some keen golfers at Blairgowrie have been known to stray off the fairways to bag a few Munros!

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Sad Announcement

HENDRY (Thomson). Peacefully, at Blairgowrie Cottage Hospital, on Saturday, October 10, 2015, Anne (nee Pinkerton), beloved wife of Len Hendry and the late Allan Thomson, much loved mum of Shona, dear mother-in-law of Alan, dearly loved sister of Frederick (Wodonga, Australia), dearest aunt and dear friend to all the family. Funeral service in Perth Crematorium on Monday, October 19, at 3 p.m., to which all friends are invited. Family flowers only, please, but donations to Blairgowrie Cottage Hospital G. P. Unit may be given at the Crematorium. No black ties, please, bright clothing preferred.     

Senior's Discounts

2015 Seniors Dinner

www.golfhistorian.co.uk/oldtom.html


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Oct Monthly Medal Winners - Wednesday 30th September

Seniors' Group members Hunter & Dow winners 

of the October Monthly Medal  Div. 2 & 3,

overlooked by Auld Tom Morris

Hello all Seniors....

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Match 27 - Royal Burgess (Home) RESULT

This was game 27 and our last match of the 2015 season, and what a great finish!

Ian McPherson and his team had a superb result at home against Royal Burgess.  We were 1 point down on the away game, so a 6.5 - 1.5 home win gave us an overall win of 10-6 for the year.    We enjoyed excellent playing conditions after one sharp shower which lasted about 20 minutes then fine windless conditions for the rest of the round.  Both courses were in superb condition.

We enjoyed an excellent after match meal provided by Paul & Jayne and look forward to meeting Royal Burgess again next year.  Ian Melville presented Ian McPherson with "The Cochrane Rose Bowl" which has been played for between our clubs since 1986 and won by Royal Burgess 17 - 12 Blairgowrie.

Many thanks to Ian McPherson for being a successful captain for the day, and a very special thank you from the whole Seniors Section for all his behind the scenes work organizing all these matches, and trying to keep us Senior Members under control, and that’s no mean task, I can assure you!   It's much appreciated.

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Match 26 - Ladybank (Away) RESULT

Oh dear, we lost !    

Ladybank 5-3 Blairgowrie.  Which makes a rather sad looking aggregate score of 5-11 to Ladybank for the year.
Anyway, the team were lucky with the weather, and the course and greens were in excellent condition.  The team enjoyed excellent hospitality and a delicious meal.   We will really have to get into training for next year !

Many thanks to Gordon McGeorge for leading the team, but for not taking the Captain’s photo, so I have inserted a picture of the "Ladybank Supporters Club" instead!   No wonder we lost.....

STOP PRESS:   Gordon eventually sent this jolly picture of the two captains, but I thought I'd just leave the picture of the lovely ladies......

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Match 27 - Royal Burgess (Home)

Well Gentlemen, this is Match 27, our last match of the 2015 season and we have non-other than our Convener Ian McPherson as our Captain for this important match against those men from Edinburgh.
However, we have a wee deficit to make up after our away loss 3.5-4.5, so it’s all to play for (Only 5 points required).

If for any reason you are unavailable please get in touch with Ian asap.

We should meet at the clubhouse at 11:45am for refreshments, a Sandwich lunch, ready for Tee-off at 1:00pm. Meal after the match.

There is just a chance that we will have good weather for our last match of the season?

For anyone playing in the Royal Burgess match, you may wish to stay on for the second “Members Forum” which will take place on the 17th September at 6.30pm and last for about 1 hour.   The agenda was sent to members by e-mail.

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Match 25 - New Club St.Andrews (Home) RESULT

Colin Blues and his team managed to turn an away loss at St. Andrews into a home win 6-2 yesterday to secure an overall win 8.5 - 7.5 for the year, and win the highly coveted “Bali Dodo Trophy”.

The match was played on a grey windless day over our two magnificent courses, followed by an excellent meal and the presentation of the “Bali Dodo trophy” to Colin Blues by Skip Godow captain of New Club St. Andrews.   Many thanks to the New Club for a most enjoyable day, and good company.

Well done team, a great result, our Convener is bristling with pride!

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Match 24 - Royal Aberdeen (Away) RESULT

Royal Aberdeen 2 - 6 Blairgowrie                    
Aggregate score: Royal Aberdeen 7.5 - 8.5 Blairgowrie

On an extremely stormy day in the North East, Iain Milne and his team managed the near impossible by turning a 5.5-2.5 loss at home in Blairgowrie into a hard fought win on the Royal Aberdeen Links, thereby securing an overall win for the year by 1 point. 

Hosted by Ken Anderson, Capt. Royal Aberdeen, the hospitality and after match meal were excellent, and much appreciated by all the hungry, wind battered players.  Other than that infernal wind, the condition of the course was superb, on this prestigious venue.
Many thanks to our hosts, Royal Aberdeen and we look forward to seeing them in Blairgowrie next year.  

So, well done team, it doesn’t get a lot better than this.  Or does it ?

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Members Forum

For anyone playing in the Royal Burgess match, you may wish to stay on for the second “Members Forum” which will take place on the 17th September at 6.30pm and last for about 1 hour.   The agenda was sent to members by e-mail on 2nd September, pm.  Even if you are not playing in the Royal Burgess match your participation would be appreciated.

The Senior Section's Annual Dinner on Thursday 1st October

The Senior Section's Annual Dinner
on Thursday 1st October

There is still room for a few more, so please be quick and book your place.

This year we have been very fortunate to acquire a very special entertainer who comes highly recommended for our dinner.

The timing will be slightly earlier this year, 6.45pm for 7.15pm and  as we are expecting a very large turnout, please respond quickly as we have to limit the numbers  to approx 80.  Dress Code will be jacket & tie.

As in previous years, those invited as well as Current Members, are New Members, Past Members and also Dad's Army.
The cost of the 3 course Dinner will once again be £30.00 per person, and this includes four bottles of wine on each table of eight.
Any wine in addition to these four bottles per table must be paid for at the bar when placing the order.

A bus will be available, if numbers are sufficient, from Perth - organised by myself,  and Scott Henderson  will look after transport if required from Dundee .  The charge for the bus will depend on the numbers using it and will be collected on the night.

As always there will not be a table plan and you will draw your table number as you enter the Dining Room, however there will be a separate table for Dad's Army.

Please advise your intentions by 18th September at the latest,

This promises to be an excellent evening, don't miss out !

Match 26 Ladybank (Away)

Gordon McGeorge is your Captain for this match.
 
Please contact Gordon & Ian McPherson asap if you are unable to play, giving your substitute and his handicap.

This is an Away Match v Ladybank Golf Club on Thursday 10th September 2015. Meet at Ladybank Golf Club at 11.15am for tee off at 12 Noon.

This is the 8th year for this fixture  -  We have been well beaten every year and  sadly we lost the first leg at home this year 6 - 2 so there is all to play for !!

Good luck,

Ian McPherson 

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Match 25 New Club St.Andrews (Home)

Colin Blues is your Captain against New Club St.Andrews, our 25th match of the season.   Meet at the clubhouse at 11:45 for a Sandwich lunch, ready for first tee-off at 12:55 on Lansdowne, and 1:00pm on Rosemount.

We are just a wee bit behind after our away game in May (2.5 - 5.5 to New Club), so we will have to pull up our socks at Home, I’m sure we are up for it!
  
Good luck

Please check that your own handicap is current. Remember it is your responsibility to play off the correct handicap on the day.

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The Senior Section's Annual Dinner

The Senior Section's Annual Dinner this year is on Thursday 1st October .

This year we have been very fortunate to acquire a very special entertainer who comes highly recommended for our dinner.

The timing will be slightly earlier this year, 6.45pm for 7.15pm and  as we are expecting a very large turnout, please respond quickly as we have to limit the numbers  to approx 80.  Dress Code will be jacket & tie.

As in previous years, those invited as well as Current Members, are New Members, Past Members and also Dad's Army.
The cost of the 3 course Dinner will once again be £30.00 per person, and this includes four bottles of wine on each table of eight.  Any wine in addition to these four bottles per table must be paid for at the bar when placing the order.

A bus will be available, if numbers are sufficient, from Perth - organised by myself, and Scott Henderson will look after transport if required from Dundee .  The charge for the bus will depend on the numbers using it and will be collected on the night.

As always there will not be a table plan and you will draw your table number as you enter the Dining Room, however there will be a separate table for Dad's Army.

So, please get this date in your diary and also please make every attempt to attend as it is always an excellent evening and a perfect way to complete the Season for the Seniors Group.  Please reply by 18th September to book your place. 

Ian McPherson

Match 23 - Panmure (Home) RESULT

 Photo: Manus McGinty

 Blairgowrie 7 - 1 Panmure

Although  this fixture between the two clubs first started in 1985, the Trophy  (The Seniors' Tankard) was not presented until 1989 and since then the results have been Panmure 12 - Blairgowrie 12,

with 2 matches drawn.  However, we won this year 9.5-6-5 !

We had to overcome a  2.5 – 5.5 deficit from the first leg earlier in the year, what a great result.

Well done to David Douglas who stepped in at the last minute for Robin Mitchell who hurt his back in a fall (recovering well).  Thanks also to the team of stalwarts for delivering such an excellent result.

The game was played in excellent weather, for once, and the courses were in tip-top condition, followed by a most enjoyable dinner provided by Jayne & Paul.

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Match 22 - Elie (Away) RESULT

  An excellent win for Blairgowrie 5-3 and an overall win 12-4.

A wet front came in from the North Sea and poured on these poor golfers all afternoon.  However, the preceding lunch, liquid refreshments and hospitality was excellent as usual, and very much appreciated by all.

So, well done to John Brodie and his team of “Aqua-Golfers” for delivering such a good result at Elie in such dire weather conditions.  It’s a Scottish Summer, after all!  

We secured the "Henderson Salver" for the winning combined home/away score in 2015.  Blairgowrie have won since it was donated in 2012.

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match 24 - Royal Aberdeen (Away)

Away Match v Royal Aberdeen Golf Club on

Thursday 3rd September 2015

The Captain for this match is Iain Milne. 

This fixture started in 1995 and the results to date do not make good reading - Aberdeen 12 Blairgowrie 6  with 1 drawn match. However although the first leg this year was  a defeat by 5.5 – 2.5 so we do have a chance - though the Royal Aberdeen course  is very difficult as you well know.

There may well be changes on the day - if there are, please inform Iain Milne asap/

The bus leaves  Broxden Park & Ride Perth at 8.00am sharp and then at the Clubhouse in Blairgowrie at 8.30am.  Please confirm if you plan to use the bus and where you will be picked up.
 

I hope you have an enjoyable day and the weather is kind to you.   

Good luck,

Ian McPherson
Seniors’ Group Convenor 

Pack your waterproofs and mitts tomorrow, but your brolly might be a problem in that brisk NW 26mph wind !

Match 4 - Glenbervie (Home) Result

On this occasion Blairgowrie were beaten into second place 2.5-5.5 by a strong Glenbervie team.
The weather, for once was perfect. This was Match 4 due to be played on 5th May but was abandoned due to extreme rain, hail and flooding.  Yes, it’s been one of those years, again!
The course and the after-match dinner were perfect, however, Ken Lumsden the captain of Glenbervie was so confident of winning that he didn’t bother to bring the “Blairbervie Trophy” !   However, being a master of improvisation, Fergus presented Glenbervie with a rather splendid Wine Cooler (empty, of course).  Sadly, in the 5 years that we have played this match we have always been 2nd.  Perhaps next year? 
Well done to Fergus and his team, it’s all about taking part.......

Thanks to Manus McGinty for the picture (A study in Beige)

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Match 23 - Panmure (Home)

Blairgowrie Golf Club Seniors’ Group
Home Match v Panmure Golf Club on Thursday 20th August 2015
Meeting at Blairgowrie at 11.45am at Clubhouse – Tee-off 1.00pm.

David Douglas is your Captain for this match, in place of Robin Mitchell who is now unable to play.  Please contact David asap if you are unable to play.

Although  this fixture between the two clubs first started in 1985, the Trophy  (The Seniors' Tankard) was not presented until 1989 and since then the results have been Panmure 12 - Blairgowrie 12, with 2 matches drawn.

The trophy is currently held by Blairgowrie  and we must endeavour  to overcome a  2.5 - 5.5 deficit from  the first leg earlier in the year.

This year, due to Lansdowne being used for a competition, all the matches in our fixture will be played on Rosemount.

As usual the pre-match procedure is as as follows:  Meet for drinks at 11.45am - 1st Tee-off at 1:00pm.  Dinner after the match.

 

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Match 21 - Senior Golfers'Society at Muirfield (Away) RESULT

Delighted to report a successful match at Muirfield against a formidable team from the Senior Golfers’ Society. We followed up last year's success with an away win by 3.5 to 2.5.

Perfect sunny conditions with a stiff breeze from SW, superb course, with lush penal rough, and as always a superb lunch and hospitality.  It’s always a challenge to play Muirfield after an excellent lunch, but we scraped through somehow….

Many thanks to James MacFarlane for guiding his team to victory at such a prestigious venue.  Well done also to the team for playing so well. 

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