By
We were delighted to be announced as one the very best golf clubhouses in Scotland, by Bunkered Golf Magazine in their recent issue
I would like to apologise for the later than normal report but this has been one heck of year
.
In my 28 years in green keeping I have never seen such a prolonged period of bad weather
.
The “winter kill” that many inland courses in Scotland endured was hard to take. These
conditions are normally seen in the Nordic regions or in North America.
Our greens in
particular were hit really bad with many losing at least a third of their coverage. 
5th green during May this year
We then had a very cold but dry April followed by a drought in May which meant it was very difficult
to get seed to establish in the bare areas. It wasn’t until June when we started to get frequent rain
showers which allowed the seed to germinate. Eventually these areas had filled in by the end of August but
it was a long process to get to that point. 
A rejuvenated 5th green during September
My team and I are delighted with the way the greens are performing currently but it has been a lot of
hard work especially with having a depleted team since early August . Sean has been off sick since then
and won’t be back for a while and then Douglas Black moved on to a new career after being with us for 6
years. I would like to wish Douglas all the best in his new job.
Along with holidays and staff
having to isolate we have been running with 2 full time staff over both courses and also Rob our part time
member of staff. In fact if it wasn’t for Scott Davies downing his plumbing tools from RW Bells last week
we wouldn’t have had anyone in.
A special thanks also must be made to our continuous volunteers
Alan Henderson, Mike Dickinson and Neil Panton. Also Frank Brennan at Blair Atholl. You all have been a
great help during this tough season.
On Monday the 25th of October we will commence with our greens
maintenance which will include a deep scarification and solid tine which will be followed up with a heavy
top dressing to fill in the grooves and holes. The greens will then be rolled to minimise
disruption.
Fingers crossed the weather is on our side while this takes place.
Finally I
would just like to remind all members that as we approach winter I again ask for your help in protecting
the course by keeping trolleys of tees and please keep them them off the tight turf surrounding the
greens. As always please also remember to repair pitch marks.
Please dig out your winter wheels
for your trolleys as from 1st November everyone playing the course should have these
on.
Fairway mats will come into play from 1st December so please have a look at the back of your
shed for these also, or you can purchase one from the pro shop.
Many thanks
Stuart Griffiths
Course
manager
OCTOBER 2021
Head Professional & Golf Manager Gary Casey delighted to announce the opening of our six new EV Charging points
Isla Johnston, aged only 14, and Lauren Cameron, 22, from Pitlochry Golf Club posted a winning score of 39 points in the handicap stableford foursomes format to emerge as the successful team from 16 pairings at the Eden Course.
Fellow Scottish pair Elizabeth Anderson and Andrea Johnstone from Swanston Golf Club finished runners-up on 38 points in the popular event.
After the Coronation Foursomes was cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, over 17,000 women and girls from more than 850 clubs across Great Britain and Ireland competed for the right to contest the showpiece final at the home of golf in 2021.
Amazing win
On a beautiful day, toughened with a challenging wind, Johnston and Cameron thrived in the friendly and fast team format over the renowned links. Cameron, a 19-handicapper, only returned to the sport last year while 22-handicapper Johnston has been playing at Pitlochry since the age of six.
They are one of the youngest ever pairings to have competed.
“We’re so happy, it’s amazing to win,” said Johnston. “I’ve been playing for eight years now as Pitlochry has a really good junior policy. I like going to new clubs as I play a lot of Pitlochry, so getting a change of scenery is really nice.”
Cameron, who celebrates her birthday on Thursday, added, “I think we knew we had a chance today, but I don’t think we would do it. It was great just to reach the Grand Final.
“I played golf when I was younger, then took 10 years off, and I only started again last year. We both come from families of golfers as well, so that really helps. It’s a great team event and we’ve loved competing in St Andrews and being part of this final.”
Muirfield thrill
The winning duo can now look forward to competing in the Pro-Am for the 2022 AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield thanks to their victory.
This year’s 32 finalists also enjoyed staying at the prestigious Old Course Hotel Golf Resort & Spa as part of the Grand Final experience.
Ahead of competing at Muirfield, Johnston added, “We’ve never played Muirfield before and I think I’m going to be speechless! I like Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson, Georgia Hall and Carly Booth, so hopefully they are all there playing next year.”
Cameron said, “It’s incredible to think we’re now playing at Muirfield. I don’t think it will be real until we get there.”
As part of The R&A’s drive to encourage more women and girls into playing golf, the Coronation Foursomes continues to attract all ages. The unique team competition saw local qualifying at clubs throughout the summer, with players coming through one of 16 Area Finals to seal their spot in St Andrews.
Established in 1953 to celebrate the Queen’s Coronation, the Coronation Foursomes is open to all members of affiliated golf clubs in Great Britain and Ireland who hold a hold a current World Handicap System (WHS) Index of 40.0 or under.
Look out for some top tips from our Coach Gary Casey in the upcoming issues of
Today's Golfer Magazine
After they spent the day shooting here at Pitlochry Golf Club in the glorious sunshine
