Mid “Summer” Match Update
So I did plan on making these monthly but I won’t lie, I’ve been mental busy helping grow our membership (more on that later) managing the competitions and trying to fulfil all of my own golf commitments, throw in a couple of family breaks/holidays, now being the Renfrewshire County team manager and the thing that pays the mortgage (my actual job) then maybe I overcommitted on the monthly thing, and anyway you hear enough from me week to week.
Let’s crack on and start with the really positive stuff……..
Junior Success
It’s been another Fleming Watson season to remember for our juniors, regaining the title we’d lost last year and re-affirming our domination of the league, not just in the recent past but since it’s inception many decades ago. Whilst most of the credit of course goes to Ethan, Calum, Ashton, Aaron, Ayden, Ryan, Evan(s), Ryan, Zak and Lucas a special mention to Vice Captain Tommy Kelly for his leadership of the team. Great to see some of the younger members of the team secure a league winners medal, the Macaulay boys are champions at age 7 & 9. How many more might they win??
Junior Development
We’re taking baby steps on the development of the next generation of juniors at Fereneze, not only developing everyone to be great players (which of course would be ideal) but just to get them involved in the game of golf in the hope they enjoy it and play it for life (at Fereneze too). Honorary member Clare Marie Macaulay has taken the lead on the coaching and development
- Thursday night coaching sessions for kids of all ages and abilities.
- Hosted our first flag event in a few years with winners progressing to regional finals.
- 1st Medal.
- Took part in our first ever Scottish Golf Junior Sixes event last night at Fereneze v Kirkhill and East Kilbride.
There’s much more to do. For the remainder of this season we’re looking to:
- Re-introduce the Harelaw Shield
- Re-introduce the Gordon Murray Trophy
- Take part in 2 more Golf Sixes events
- Take part in Golf Nines
- Possibly bring back the James Adair Salver (Senior/Junior)
This is an area a number of us are passionate about and, in my opinion, the health of a golf clubs junior section is probably a good indicator of the health of a golf club overall. The convener at Kirkhill was telling me 4 years ago they had 8 juniors and now they have 78. This is definitely a case of the more the merrier in terms of support so get in touch if you’d like to help out.
You can find out more about Scottish Golf’s development events here.
Competitions
By my reckoning we’re now about halfway through the season in terms of competitions played. I’m delighted that participation across the same events last year is up 8.5% for 2024. As ever the team events have proved popular but so have the Saturday stroke play events. I’ve noticed that more people are finishing and collecting FerEx points than has been the case over the last couple of years. We return to FerEx action this Saturday but perhaps more importantly also have the 2nd of our Club Championship and President’s Cup qualifiers.
Saturday’s Pro’s Day was a personal highlight, having the opportunity to partner my daughter who’s now showing an interest in golf and has got her first handicap. Her dad was definitely the weakest link in the team.
Captain Paul Stewart also advised us that his Captain’s Charity Day was also a complete success for our chosen charity this year the My Name’s Doddie Foundation, thanks to all of the efforts of members to make that a memorable day also. The place looked superb decked in the Doddie Weir tartan.
FerEx Leader Rescues a Birdie at 6
Not content with having an excellent season that’s seen him partner Andy Reid to the Fereneze Rosebowl, lead the FerEx standings and also making his debut team appearance at reserve at Williamwood last Friday Simon Leonard is also interrupting his rounds to complete rescue missions…….poor thing it was just looking for it’s friends Stuart DUCKson and Richie FOWLer!
New Members
More people enjoying what Fereneze has to offer is always a good thing and of course growing our membership helps secure the clubs long term future. Our membership across all categories has grown by just under 17% since the beginning of January. Working alongside the committee as Match & Membership Secretary I aim to offer all of our members the best possible membership and competition experience.
For Your Diaries
- Gents Senior Team Open (Over 55s) – Wednesday 24th July
- Gents Fereneze Open – Saturday 3rd August
And Finally….
Despite some comments to the contrary I’m still a few years short of playing in the events mentioned below, however I am enjoying playing in some away events again (thinking ahead to the Seniors) so you might not see me about at weekends quite as much over the next few weeks but as the most contactable/mobile Match Secretary in world golf I’ll still get back to you as soon as I can with any queries.
“Davie, are you playing in the McPherson?” “Davie, are you teeing off later in the Senior Open”
Enjoy the second half of your summer golf season, here’s hoping for a sustained spell of decent weather.
Davie