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| The Celebration Cake |
The candle was lit by Liz Keohone who had made the magnificent cake before the AGM started.
Secretary Sandra Macdougall stated there were 58 apologies --
She also stated that there are 180 members in the West Vets with 19 resignations and 19 new members. As of today there have been a further 8 resignations which will allow 8 new members -- Currently there are 21 on the waiting list.
With no matters arising - The adoption of the minutes of the 2017 AGM were proposed and secondedCopies of the Income and Expenditure Account for the year to 30 September 2018 were distributed by treasurer Mo Neilson and she stated that the subscription level would remain at £30.
She informed us that we had 19 new members and also that some of us liked to pay twice !! (Which of course was refunded)
This year SVLGA wished the entrance fees for Blairgowrie paid online from our account so the individual payments were paid into our account then transferred .
She than detailed the competition expenses throughout the year.
A large order of the new modern gilets was made and she thanked Chris Fowler and Mary Wylie for their hard work in making this happen. The balance in our current account seems fairly healthy and she thanked Captain June our Captain June , Secretary Sandra , and all Committee members for their help during the year . Also many thanks to Gordon MacPhail CA for auditing the accounts.
Captains Report - June Lockhart
Sadly I have to report the sudden passing in April of Maggie White of Ralston GC, after returning from holiday with close friends Morag and Bill Key. Maggie had been a member of West Vets for 23 years, and she'll be sadly missed. However on a happier note, I have to inform you of the incredible progress made by Heather Anderson. After 8.5 months in hospital with no improvement in sight, she returned home and through the efforts of her daughter, she has visited friends at Troon Portland and even Ireland.
It is also great to see Morag Key here today, after a sudden bout of debilitating illness – that piece of cake might make a big difference.
Despite over 80 members due to play in the Spring Meeting at Pollok GC, the weather was certainly not on our side. The course was playable, but it would have been foolish to subject the members to such Baltic conditions.
The only positives were the success of the block emails to competitors which informed the bulk of them of cancellation before travelling, and the agreement by Pollok GC to be a venue for 2019. Many thanks to Sandra and Chris for working on the block emails.
The Summer Meeting at Troon Portland saw 93 ladies down to play in wonderful conditions. Some excellent scores were recorded, with Alex Glennie the overall winner with a great nett 70 (bih) beating Gillian Kyle, who had an amazing gross 72.
Special mention goes to Morag Key who was not only Super Vet of the Day, but was 3rd overall with a nett 74. Colleen Brown was the Division 2 winner.
Mention should be made of the fact that 120 members applied but only 93 could be accommodated. Those of handicaps 19 and over were balloted out (as this is the Championship Qualifier) but they will not miss out again for the next few Spring and Autumn Meetings.
For future Summer Meetings, we will now apply for an extension to the tee times in an attempt to avoid this situation, and indeed this has been done for the Summer Meeting at Pollok GC.
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| Pam, Brenda, Lesley and Liz |
The Championship at Renfrew ran smoothly with Lesley Lloyd emerging victorious by beating Liz Stewart in the Final, and local member Brenda Conway beating Pam Mather of Cowglen to win the Stewart Trophy. Many thanks to all who participated at Renfrew and to supporters who turned up for the Finals.
The Autumn Meeting did at last take place at Douglas Park in September, with 64 members taking part.
The course played long due to overnight rain, and for a long time Super Vets Lana McDonald, Anne Judge and Enid Young were leading with very good scores of nett 74. However in the penultimate game, Liz Wilson came in with a superb nett 72 to win the May Craddock Trophy. Lana McDonald was the Super Vet with a nett 74 (bih), and Div 2 winner was Jennifer Gough.
We are obviously indebted to all these Golf Clubs who gave us courtesy of their courses for our Meetings and the Matchplay rounds of the Championship.
Team Matches
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| West and Midland Vets Teams with Captains - June Lockhart and Lorna Bennett |
On a sunny day in June at Cochrane Castle, the Mid West Trophy v Midlands Vets was retained by West by 5.5 to 1.5. Many thanks to all at Cochrane Castle for the use of the course and to the caterer–though the portions could have even satisfied a squad of navvies !
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| East v West vets |
Later in June, a strong West Vets team entertained East Vets for the Elise Duncan Trophy at Kilmacolm. However the East Vets achieved an excellent victory by 7 matches to 2, although 4 of the matches went to the 18th. Thanks to all at Kilmacolm, especially to Lady Captain Sara Bishop who acted as Starter, and to Club Captain Jane McDonald who kindly donated a Club crystal glass to present to East Vet Anne Brownie who got a hole-in-one at the par 3 12th.
Foursomes Match by Chris Fowler
Turnhouse Golf Club was the venue for the East v West Foursomes match, playing for the Friendship Trophy. The match was played in dry but difficult windy conditions but was a course that all players enjoyed.
The West were warmly welcomed by the East team and that friendship continued into the games.
Captain June and I decided to try and use different players for this match to give more players an opportunity to play for the West Vets team.
As a result we had 5 players representing the West for the first time, Pat Syme, Brenda Conway, Fiona Armour, Marion Mason & Sandra Littlejohn.
Therefore this is something we will likely continue next year.
The match was closely contested and finished in a halved match and West retained the trophy which they won last year at Kilmacolm
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| Alex Glennie |
At the end of June, Alex Glennie won the Scottish Seniors Strokeplay Championship at Prestwick St Nicholas for the 3rd time -- Liz Keohone had the best net score
However all 5 West Vets lost in the 1st Matchplay Round for the Championship, though 4 West Vets qualified for the Handicap Matchplay, where Joanne Sharp was narrowly defeated in the semi-final. May Hughes was winning her quarter-final, but had to retire due to a back injury. TO READ MORE GO TO THE REPORT AT THE TIME
Congratulations to Gillian Kyle, Lesley Lloyd and Liz Stewart in gaining International Selection throughout the season.
Lesley Lloyd and Gillian Kyle played in the Mary McKenna Trophy at Royal Belfast GC in April, Liz Stewart and Gillian played in the Vets Jamboree at Hexham, and Gillian played in the European Team Championship in Belgium and in the Seniors Home Internationals at Burnam and Barrow GC in early October.
2018 Irish Match.
Blairgowrie report by Marion Stewart
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| Sara Scott and Enid Young |
Unfortunately due to injury Lesley Lloyd was unable to take part in the Championship at Blairgowrie and Liz Stewart stepped in at the last minute. She started brilliantly nearly eagling the first hole by leaving her shot only 6 inches from the hole, Sheena Wood her opponent, not to to be outdone did the same at the second hole and went on to be 3 up at the turn Liz fought back but could not match her opponents putting and lost 5/4. The Championship was won by East’s Elaine Moffat a new vet.
There will be a new format in the draw next year, instead of a rolling draw it will be done on handicap. West did not do well in the Patrick Rosebowl which was won by 80 year old Flora Kerr from the borders.
The team trophy was won by East. Alex Glennie won the scratch trophy. Enid Young and Sara Scott (pictured above) were third in the Beddows Quaich- the Tuesday Greensomes. It was won by Janice Lang and Mary Miller from Midlands -
Click here for some photos - Courtesy of Karen Ballantyne
Scottish Vets Reports
Mary McKenna Trophy report by Lesley Lloyd
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| West Vets - Gillian Kyle and Lesley Lloyd |
This year’s match was played at Royal Belfast Golf Club, the oldest golf club in Ireland.
Scotland, captained by Ellie Whyte, were represented by Jennifer Bryans, Fiona De Vries, Gillian Kyle, Lesley Lloyd, Lorna McKinlay, Frances Millar, Elaine Moffat and Sheena Wood.
We set off very early on Saturday morning to catch the ferry to Larne. Our practice round was scheduled for mid-afternoon and when we arrived at the course was closed due to recent heavy rain! Following an inspection the course re-opened and we got to play.
Things did not go our way in Sunday’s fourballs and we only managed to get half a point.
In the evening we enjoyed excellent Irish hospitality and chat followed by the draw for Monday’s singles.
In the singles Ireland again proved too strong for us and were very worthy winners with the final score being 10-2.
We made home advantage count in 2017 by winning at Murcar and let’s hope we can do so again at Troon Portland in 2019.
2018 Jamboree Report for the Miller Stirling Trophy -- Report by Liz Stewart read by Lesley Lloyd
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| Scottish Vets Team - Courtesy of Karen Ballantyne |
The matches were played from Tuesday 7th August – Thursday 9th August at Hexham Golf Club, Northumberland. The parkland course with its tree lined fairways and one or two holes requiring a good set of lungs, adding to the challenge.
The team was captained by Ellie Whyte and included 4 new members; Linda Allan, Elaine Moffatt, Alison Davidson (all Midland) and Liz Stewart (West). The other team members were Jennifer Bryans (East), Gillian Kyle (West), Frances Millar and Sheena Wood (both North).
On the first day the team got off to a slow start losing the match against the North 6.5 to 2.5. Although disappointed this didn’t dampen the girls spirit and the team were upbeat and ready to face the challenge of the South the following day. Alas it was not meant to be and although there were some very good performances, with some terrific matches, the team unfortunately lost the match 6.5 to 2.5.
Day three saw the team face the Midlands. The team got off to a disappointing start, losing the morning foursomes 2 and 1. In true Scottish style the team rose to the afternoon challenge, winning four of the six single matches, giving the team a very well deserved 5 and 4 victory.
The Miller Stirling Trophy was won by the South with the runners up North lifting the Tony Moffat trophy. Scotland improved on last year’s performance by finishing third, pipping Midlands into fourth place.
Captain Ellie Whyte and Vice-Captain Karen Ballantyne are keen to introduce some new initiatives to aid the squad with their winter training and it is hoped that this will see the team progress further next year.
The 2019 Jamboree will be hosted by Miland Division and will take place at Northamptonshire County GC from Tuesday 6th – Thursday 8th August.
CLICK HERE FOR SOME PHOTOS - Courtesy of SVLGA Vice Captain Karen Ballantyne
Senior Home International --Burnham and Berrow 2018. (Report by Gillian Kyle)
The Senior Home Internationals Team for Scotland this year was again Captained by Lorna Bennett from Midland Vets.
The team comprised of Linda Allan, Alison Davidson, Lorna McKinlay and Elaine Moffat from the Midlands. Fran Millar and Sheena Wood from the North and Gillian Kyle from the West.
We met in Burnham and Berrow near Taunton on Saturday 29th September and embraced the 2 practice rounds in breezy conditions on a long, tricky links course with many crazy greens. B&B is the No 1 course in Somerset, 8th in England and 27th in the UK, with a very interesting history. Well worth a visit.
Day 1 saw us face Wales and after 3 excellent Foursomes wins in the morning, we achieved a convincing 6-2 win after the afternoon singles.
Day 2 was a different story vs England. Only half a point in the morning left us with an uphill struggle in the afternoon but final score was 3-5 which was a good result compared to previous years.
With it all to play for we faced title holders Ireland on the final day, with the wind in a totally different direction, who had 2 wins under their belts. A 2-1 win in the Foursomes was encouraging and then winning 2.5 points in the singles gave us a win 4.5-3.5.
A great result over the defending champions.
So 3 teams tied for 1st-all with 2 wins and 1 loss but Ireland had won 15 match points.
England and ourselves had won 13.5 but they had played less holes to do so! Hope that makes sense! So 3rd place for Scotland-which doesn’t sound as good but the overall result was very encouraging for 2019 when the matches take place in County Sligo in NW Ireland. - Click Here to read more
European Team Championship 2018 By Gillian Kyle
A team of 6 senior lady golfers proudly represented Scotland at Mont Garni GC, nears Mons in Belgium from the 4th-8th of September, lead by Captain Lorna Bennett.
The team was Linda Allan, Alison Davidson and Elaine Moffat, from Midlands, Frances Millar & Sheena Wood from the North and Gillian Kyle, from the West.
The golf course had suffered after the hot summer so preferred lies within a CLUB length were allowed.
The course started with 6 tight treelined holes, followed by 5 more links-style holes then 7 more treelined holes.
After the practice round and opening ceremony, the competition began.
The 1st 2 days are strokeplay with 5 scores out of the 6 to count. Top 8 teams for Flight A, next 7 for Flight B and final 3 for Flight C. With top players from all over Europe there, we really needed everyone to score in the 70s on both days to have a chance of qualifying for Flight A. (which didn’t happen)
We ended up in 9th place though, 3 shots behind 8th -The Netherlands.
We all know we just need to save 1 or 2 shots each in both of the qualifying rounds to have a chance to compete in the matchplay with the ‘big’ teams. Then anything could happen…
Day 3 saw the matchplay begin where the format is 1 foursomes and 4 singles matches. Unfortunately we got a bye on the 1st day of matchplay as Denmark had withdrawn before the start of the tournament.
We practiced but felt we lost a bit of momentum when we played Switzerland the next day. Unfortunately we lost our final singles match at the 19th to be beaten 3-2.
The Czech Republic was our final opponent to determine who would be 11th or 12th and fortunately we triumphed.
A strong German team beat Sweden in the final. We all really appreciated the opportunity to play in this great event in Belgium and thank Scottish Golf for making it possible.
So hopefully with effective practising over the winter, Scotland could finish higher up the leaderboard in 2019-wherever it may be!
Click Here to read more
DATES FOR 2019 WEST VETS AND SVLGA FIXTURES
SPRING MEETING: GLASGOW GAILES G.C. on Wed. 3rd April (Tee from 9:30 - 3pm
SUMMER MEETING: Pollok G.C. on Wed. 15th May (Tee from 9:30 - 2:30)
AUTUMN MEETING: Sandyhills G.C. on Wed. 4th September (Tee from 9:30 - 1pm)
CHAMPIONSHIP: Renfrew G.C. on Tues. 21st May and Thurs.23rd May
(First tee off time 9.30am and 1:45 pm but times will be posted on the website)
TEAM MATCHES
SINGLES MATCH V MIDLANDS Falkirk GC Monday 29th May. LOW HANDICAP SINGLES MATCH V EAST Glencorse G.C. Tuesday 25th June
FOURSOMES MATCH V EAST Cochrane Castle G.C. on Thurs. 15th August
SVLGA TEAM MATCHES
IRISH MATCH (Mary McKenna Trophy) Troon Portland on 30th March - 1st April
JAMBOREE Northampton G.C. on 5th-8th August
BLAIRGOWRIE MEETING
Championship Scroggie Cup - Landsdowne Course Sun 22nd and Mon. 23rd September
atrick Rosebowl - Rosemount Mon. 23rd September
Five Club - Wee Course Monday 23rd September
Beddows Quaich - Landsdowne Course Tuesday 24thSeptember
Captain June finished off her year by saying " Over the last 2 years as Captain, I've had nothing but the highest regard for all who have served on Committee. Firstly Marion Stewart for her year as Past Captain, May Hughes who joined us last year and Mary Wylie who must know every retailer of green jumpers in the West of Scotland. She was mightily relieved when Chris Fowler came up with the idea of the Gilets !"
"Our Treasurer Mo Neilson could teach Philip Hammond a thing or two, and Secretary Sandra Macdougall is ultra organised. They all get 2 pieces of cake !!"
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| Mo and Sandra |
She then presented Mo and Sandra with flowers and also thanked Carol Fell for all her "IT" support throughout her captaincy and presented her with a voucher for "Marks and Sparks"
She then proposed Chris Fowler as the new Captain of the West Vets and said "It has been an absolute delight (and quite a lot of fun!) dealing with Chris over the last 2 years, so it is with great pleasure that I present you with the Captain's Badge, and I'm sure you'll make a wonderful Captain."
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| Chris presents engraved glass to June |
The badge was presented to Chris who thanked June for all her hard work and felt she would be a hard act to follow.
She then presented June with a lovely engraved small vase of flowers to remember her captaincy by.
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| June (Past) Chris (Present) and May (Future) Captain |
May Hughes was proposed and seconded as the new Vice Captain and Karen Maxwell and Lynn McColl were proposed and seconded as the new committee members
The prizegiving then took place and Wendy Cameron presented the prizes. LIST OF PRIZEWINNERS
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| The Prizegiving |
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| Some of the main prizewinners |
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| Wendy Cameron presents Lesley Lloyd with the West Vets Championship Trophy |
The vote of thanks was given by West Vets champion Lesley Lloyd and Wendy also received some flowers.
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| Wendy Cameron |
With the AGM then closed this was followed by CAKE AND COFFEE.
The date of the next AGM would be Thursday 7th November 2019 at 2pm at Cowglen Golf Club.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS
