Enter a Team in the Odd Shaped Ball Golf Fundraising Day

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One of the most popular additions to the fixture list last year was the Odd Shaped Ball Golf Day and we are delighted to advise you that the event will be taking place again soon, being held on Saturday 19 August.

The Odd Shaped Ball has raised £18,000 for junior sport in Peebles over the past four years with Peebles Golf Club members making a great contribution to the cause, with our junior section also benefitting from the proceeds. Fundraising from this year’s Golf Day will go towards junior golf and supporting young golfers in Peebles and we would be hugely grateful if you could support our event next month.

Run by the ClubGolf coaching team, the competition is a Team Scramble format with a few twists and sporting themes, open to all members with a handicap (men, women and juniors), as well as guests from other clubs. All you need to take part is a team of four, which can also be mixed and can include guests from other clubs. If you don’t have a team of four, you can also put your name on the online entry and we’ll encourage other individuals to make up the team.

Entry costs £20 per team (payable on the day) with some fantastic prizes up for grabs, including the leading four teams and nearest the pin at each of the four short holes. Some great raffle prizes will also be on offer on the day, in addition to drinks and a BBQ on the 10th tee. Like last year, the odd obstacle may appear on the course, there may be a few suspect pin positions and alternative equipment will be provided on one of the tees!

Online entry is now available via the link below. We encourage you to take part and share this with your golfing friends – great fun is guaranteed! Individual hole sponsorship opportunities are also available – ask in the office for details.

> Book your team's tee-time

Fraser Fires Superb Score to Win Centenary Trophy | Round-Up

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Centenary Trophy champion Colin Fraser (right)

Twenty-five years on from its first playing when Jim McAuslin donned the famous ‘Red Jersey’ by winning the inaugural Centenary Trophy, Colin Fraser etched his name on Peebles’ own Claret Jug after firing a superb five-under par 65 on Saturday.

He scorched to the turn in just 31 helped by four consecutive threes from the sixth hole including an eagle at the ninth. A further birdie followed at the 13th and Fraser bounced back from a bogey at the 17th hole to seal victory with an excellent birdie at the last. He finished a shot clear of Tommy Wynn junior, who edged out Blair Cormack for the runner-up spot thanks to his better inward half.

The previous weekend saw joyous celebrations on the balcony after Stuart ‘Loose’ Boak won his first ever competition, shooting a nett 66 (28) to clinch the Scotsdale July Medal. Declan Hegarty finished second with a fine 67 (5), with Ewen Leggatt third on the same score.

PING Scottish Mixed Championship Qualifier

The last of the season's major Mixed Foursomes events was the PING Scottish Championship Qualifier, with the top 40 Scottish club qualifiers earning a spot at the finals at Gleneagles later in the year. Susan and John Brown came out on top with 39 points, with Patricia and Sandy Wood finishing runners-up on 36 points. Lorna Rutherford and Steven Waldie scored 66.4 in the Charity Mixed Foursomes competition, edging out Marny Waddell & John Elliot (67).

Ladies Round-Up

There was a great turnout of 30 competitors for the Centenary Trophy. Five ladies played below par (CSS 71) with Glynis Reid winning her second trophy in a fortnight with a fine 68(26), edging out Moira Boocock 69(22). Meanwhile, on a day of high scoring, Betty Scott won the Boocock Trophy with a score of 73(23) with Patricia Wood and Mary MacIntyre winning their respective divisions in last Monday;s Stableford competition, both with scores of 32 points.

Junior Results

Fast improving youngster Murray Aiken blew the rest of the field away to win the Cuddy Cup and Tweeddale Qualifier thanks to an incredible nett 59 (35), with Jamie Clark and Michael Smith second and third both with good scores of nett 68. Despite his handicap tumbling to 28, Aiken went onto finish second in the following week’s Junior Monthly Medal and Rotary Club Competition with a nett 72, but it was another promising youngster, Rueben Sterricks who came out on top, three shots ahead on nett 69 (27).

South of Scotland Ladies Jamboree

Peebles Golf Club were honoured to host the recent South of Scotland, a qualifier for the Scottish County finals which will be held at Glenbervie Golf Club in Stirlingshire later this year. Teams from Dumfriesshire County, Galloway County and Borders played three foursomes in the morning and six singles in the afternoon.

With some of the country’s leading ladies on show, the standard of golf was amazing to watch, a lesson in “how to strike a ball” and a barrage of birdies. The course was in fantastic order and our guests gave great feedback on the high standards of the course and the clubhouse. Unfortunately for the hosts, the Border Ladies missed out on a place in the final by just a single point, with Dumfriesshire County winning a place in the Scottish finals. Good luck to the ladies!

 

Magic Morris Fires a 63 to Win Peebles Open

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Peebles Open Champion Jamie Morris

Magical Morris Storms to Championship and Open Double

It was a weekend to remember for local golfing star Jamie Morris as he made it nine Club Championship wins on Saturday followed by a remarkable win number ten on Sunday in the Peebles Open.

Having celebrated Championship win number nine, he turned his attention to the Peebles Open on Sunday, with the event enjoying a packed field of 187 golfers from across the country. Despite starting with a double-bogey five, Jamie reached the turn in 33, thanks to a spectacular eagle two at the fourth, and finished with three consecutive birdies to romp home in just 30, for a superb 7-under par 63. It was his lowest ever round at Peebles, two shots outside Darren Howie’s course record set last year, matching the previous record held jointly by Colin Fraser and Norrie Forsyth.

Meanwhile, Eric Mapp and Jim Edgar junior took the glory in the Second Class section of the Peebles Open on Sunday. Mapp produced an fine nett 65 (19) to win the handicap section by three shots from Alan Sinclair, while Edgar’s score of 78 gave him the scratch prize, beating B Championship semi-finalist Keith McIntosh on the better inward half.

A great turnout for the club’s biggest event of the season with great feedback from members and visitors on the condition of the course. A huge thanks to Stevie Borthwick and his greenkeeping staff, as well as Competitions Convenor Mary McIntyre and her team of volunteers, who worked tirelessly throughout the day from 7.30am through to 9.30pm!

A Division - Scratch

1. J Morris (Peebles): 63

2. C Fraser (Peebles): 69

3. S Fairbairn (Torwoodlee): 70

4. J Berry (Torwoodlee) 71

B Division - Scratch

1. J Edgar (Peebles) 78 (BIH)

2. K McIntosh (Peebles) 78

3. D Gray 79 (BIH)

4. D Brotherstone (Peebles) 79

A Division - Nett

1. G Henderson (Glencorse) 68 (BIH)

2. G Porteous (Kilspindie) 68

3. G Lowther (Peebles) 69 (BIH)

4. C Young (Peebles) 69

B Division - Nett

1. E Mapp (Peebles) 65

2. Allan Sinclair (Peebles) 68 (BIH)

3. C Ronaldi (Glencorse) 68

4. M Livingstone 68

CSS: Members: 70, Visitors: 71

Club Championship Final Results

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Sheila cuthbertson won the ladies club championship for the 20th time

Win Number 20 for Champion Cuthbertson

Attention all you ladies out there who think golf is only for the younger generation. Both the Ladies Championship and the Laverock Cup (Bronze Division Championship) were won by septuagenarians!

Fairways veteran Sheila Cuthbertson overcame the challenge of Denise Richards, playing in her first final, by a margin of 5&4, to lift her 20th title. In the semi-finals, Sheila defeated Patricia Wood 5&3 and Denise overcame June-Anne Clark's challenge by two holes.

A truly inspirational Lilian Smith defeated Julie Oram, a second-time finalist, 5&3, to win the Laverock Cup for the first time. Lilian was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and only completed her treatment in February last year. In the semi-finals, Lilian beat Iris French and Julie defeated Katie Brackenridge. Congratulations to both ladies.

Morris Makes it Nine

NINE TIME CHAMPION JAMIE MORRIS

Jamie Morris etched his name on the Club Championship board for a ninth time on Saturday evening as he moved closer to TT Sanderson's record of 15 wins.

Morris, who won his first Club Championship twenty years ago, swept aside Colin Fraser in Saturday morning’s semi-final to set up a mouth-watering clash against former Scotland international Allan Turnbull, who defeated defending champion Steven Waldie in the other last four tie.

The final was a high quality match although neither player was able to get the putter working to great effect, with Morris edging clear early on before a Turnbull eagle levelled the match at the ninth. Morris got his nose in front after the turn and never relinquished his lead, holing a tricky putt down the hill at the 17th for a half, before a half in pars on the final green sealed victory with a one-hole advantage.

In the B Championship Final, Ryan Forsyth came from behind to beat Jamie Fenton 3&1, recovering from a three-hole deficit after six holes. Forsyth battled back with birdies on 8 and 9 to level the match. Fenton edged ahead with a conceded birdie at the 10th, but the turning point proved to be a Fenton three-putt at the 13th which levelled things again, as Forsyth pulled clear with wins at 14 and 15. He had a chance to win the match on the 16th but the putt slipped by, before producing a stunning sand save par to clinch it on the 17th.

FEARGHAS LOWTHER - JUNIOR CHAMPION

The C Championship proved a more one-sided affair as Keith McDonald overcame Allan Davidson in the final to secure his first title. Fearghas Lowther fought back to beat Fraser Imlah by two holes in an excellent Junior Championship Final, with both players producing excellent golf throughout the round. Imlah raced to an early lead, but Lowther finished strongly with pars at the closing five holes.

2017 Club Championship Finals | Results

Men's A: Jamie Morris beat Allan Turnbull

Semi-Finals: J Morris beat C Fraser; A Turnbull beat S Waldie

Ladies A: Sheila Cuthbertson beat Denise Richards

Semi-Finals: S. Cuthbertson beat P Wood; D Richards beat J Clark

Junior: Fearghas Lowther beat Fraser Imlah

Men's B: Ryan Forsyth beat Jamie Fenton

Ladies B: Lilian Smith beat Julie Oram

Men's C: Keith McDonald beat Allan Davidson

Congratulations to all our champions!

 

> To view all the photographs from Saturday's finals day, visit the Peebles GC facebook page

 

Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open trophy comes to Peebles Golf Club

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We're delighted to announce that the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open trophy, held by a famous list of winners including Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose and Rickie Fowler, will be on show at the club this Sunday 2nd July for the Peebles Gents Open as part of its tour around the country

Members, juniors and visitors will have the chance to get their photo taken with the trophy throughout the day, which will be on display around the 1st tee from 7.30am when the first group tees off, to late afternoon You don't have to be taking part in Sunday's event to see the trophy, so if you want a photo please come along to the clubhouse.

The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open takes place at Dundonald Links near Troon from 13 - 16 July (kids under-16 go free!) with one of the best line-ups in Europe this season including Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Adam Scott, Patrick Reed, Matt Kuchar, Andrew 'Beeeeeeef' Johnston and Jason Dufner, as well as Scottish stars Stephen Gallacher, Marc Warren and Richie Ramsay. Tickets can be purchased via the website at the link below, with concessions at £25 per day or £65 for a season ticket and standard adults tickets at £30 per day or £75 for a season ticket. 

https://www.aamscottishopen.com

Rickie Fowler and the AAM trophy

Thursday 29th June - Club Championship

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We were hoping to be able to give you some good news about tonight’s fixtures however the weather has taken its toll and we will have to cancel tonight’s Club Championship matches. Since the course closing this morning, the rain has not stopped and the course is heavily water logged. With that in mind, please see below for the amended schedule:

Club Championship fixtures

Howies at the Double as Brothers Celebrate Number One Status

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You wait for one Scotland number one to come along and suddenly two appear! That was the case this week when the latest Scottish Golf rankings came out, with Craig Howie surging to the top of the national Men’s Order of Merit, while young brother Darren’s excellent runner-up finish at the Henry Cooper Junior Masters in Kent cemented his place at the summit of the Scottish Boys Order of Merit.

After five events, Craig is more than 100 points clear of second placed Liam Johnston, having reached the last-32 of The Amateur Championship last week at Royal St George’s. Howie suffered a heart-breaking exit at the 20th hole to Norway’s Kristoffer Ventura, having qualified as the leading Scot after excellent rounds of 69 and 68 in the stroke play stages.

Younger sibling Darren was also in Kent last week and led the prestigious Henry Cooper Junior Masters after a first round 68. He slipped back in rounds two and three, a superb six-under par final round of 66 gave him an aggregate of 280, eight-under par, to finish ahead of many of England’s leading junior on second place, in an event won by his elder brother in 2012.

> View Scottish Golf Rankings

As a result of their number one standings, both players were celebrating automatic selections for their respective Scotland teams at next month’s European Amateur Team Championships (11 – 15 July). Darren will represent Scotland Boys at the famous La Manga resort in Spain, while Craig will travel to the Diamond Country Club in Austria, with Scotland’s men defending the title they won last year and aiming to become the first team to secure a hatrick of title since England achieved the feat back in 1973. Howie played a pivotal role in Scotland’s win in France last year and was undefeated in six foursomes and singles matches.

> View European Amateur Team Championships website

Draws Made for the Club Championship

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The draws have now been made for the match-play stages of the Club Championship across each category, with ties played from Monday 26 June through to the finals day on Saturday 1 July. Come and enjoy all the action and cheer on your friends throughout the week..some great matches in store.

> Club Championship

1st round ties - Wednesday 28 June

> Ladies Championship

QF tie - Wednesday 28 June

> B Championship

1st round ties - Tuesday 27 June

> Ladies B Championship

1st round ties - Monday 26 June

> C Championship

1st round ties - Monday 26 June

Practice Makes Perfect as Peebles Opens New Driving Range

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Peebles Golf Club’s reputation as one of the country’s most progressive clubs has been further enhanced with the official opening of its new driving range and swing studio last Friday.

Following the completion of a major clubhouse refurbishment earlier this year, club captain Graham Lowther cut the ribbon on its impressive new practice facilities which have been developed thanks to funding from sportscotland, Clubsport Tweeddale, Scottish Borders Community Grant Scheme, Scottish Golf and the Peebles Common Good Fund.

The new building was completed last month, featuring three covered bays, a state-of-the-art indoor PGA swing studio, with a further two outdoor Huxley all-weather bays next to the adjoining short game practice area. Floodlighting will be installed later in the season to allow winter practice, with the facility open to existing members and the local community.

Since embarking on Scottish Golf’s business planning programme four years ago, the club has grown its membership for each of the last four years, adding more than 150 new members during that period. The club also boasts a flourishing junior programme as part of the national ClubGolf initiative, winning the title of Scotland’s Junior Club of the Year in 2015, attracting an average of over 60 children every Sunday across its three coaching sessions, with junior membership also in the ascendancy.

PGA professional Steve Johnston was recruited two years ago as a key part of the business plan, introducing ‘Get into Golf’ for beginners which has helped attract a number of new female members, while the club also boasts two of Scotland’s rising young talents in brothers Craig and Darren Howie, both of whom are now competing at the top level of the amateur game on the national and international stage.

The new driving range features a swing studio, 3 additional indoor bays and 2 outdoor bays

“We are delighted to formally open our driving facilities which will offer a fantastic experience for our members, visitors and beginner golfers alike. The club has made great strides in recent years and we have built on our success by investing in the course, clubhouse and practice facilities. We are keen to support our most talented players such as Craig and Darren to give them the best opportunity to succeed, but also grow our membership by attracting more newcomers to the game through the driving range.” said Lowther.

“The club has worked hard to develop one of the best junior programmes in the country and the new facilities will help make our coaching better and our pro Steve Johnston and his assistant Jamie Allan will also benefit hugely from the improvements. Steve has quickly developed a great reputation as a coach and I’m sure he’ll get even busier as a result of the changes.” he added.

The club’s own investment has been matched with funding from its various supporting partners, with sportscotland’s Awards for All grant making a significant contribution.

Recently appointed club manager Niall Watson, who at 34 is one of the youngest golf club managers in the country, thanked sponsors and members:  “We are indebted to all our funders for helping make the driving range a reality and also to our members who continue to support us. We are striving to put Peebles Golf Club at the heart of the local community and we want everyone in the local area to benefit from using our facilities.”

The range is open to members and non-members, with tokens for 30 balls costing £2 each available to buy from the professional shop, while a new season ticket scheme will also be in operation, featuring discounts for juniors.

Club Championship Qualifying

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Congratulations to the 16 qualifiers in each of the three men's categories of the Championship. The top 15 plus defending champion Steve Waldie will compete in the Club Championship matchplay stages, with the top 16 in each of the B and C categories will contest the knock-out stages. If you cannot take part in the match play stages from 26 June to 1 July, please contact the office and the next player down will be given your place.

Leading qualifiers in the Club Championship:

Defending Champion - Steven Waldie

1. Jamie Morris 69 + 68 137

2. Allan Turnbull 65 + 73 138

3. Kris Hopkirk 75 + 66  141

4. Jordan Lamb 69 + 73 142

5. Colin Fraser 71 + 71 142

6. Norman Forsyth 69 + 75 144

7. Lewis Bryce 72 + 72 144

8. Darren Davidson 72 + 73 145

9. Robbie Dalgleish 75 + 72  147

10; Alastair Meikle 75 + 72 147

11. David Thorburn 75 + 72 147

12. David Wells 74 + 74 148

13. Kenny McKay 77 + 72 149

14. Andrew Waddell 76 + 76 152

15. Kenneth Harrison 82 + 71 153

Topping the leaderboard in the B Championship was Ryan Forsyth with rounds of 76 and 78 for a total of 154, two clear of Patrick Shields, while Les Shortreed (87, 86) led the way in the C Championship with Ian Pemberton (84, 90) in second place.

> Full Qualifying Results

Peebles Golf Club Welcomes New Caterer

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Catering update

Over the past five weeks the Board has reviewed a range of options and applications for the role of caterer at the Club.


I’m delighted to announce that we have agreed a new catering contract with Rathbone Restaurants Ltd. Rathbone own the well known Peebles restaurant “Osso” and have an excellent reputation for both high quality dining and large scale catering.


The club will benefit from the support of Ally McGrath as Executive Chef, who will be responsible for menu design and food \ service quality at the club.


The new menus will focus on fresh locally sourced food, will vary on a regular basis, and include “Golf Club fare” at prices in line with the current menus. This will not be “Osso at PGC” but both parties are committed to providing good quality food to members and their guests.


The new contract commences on Monday 22nd May and the kitchen will be closed for three days for some small layout changes, with a soft launch on Thursday 25th May. Rathbone have confirmed that they will offer employment to all existing catering and waiting staff.


Catering will be provided on a seven day per week basis over the summer and all existing function bookings will be re-confirmed with members. Catering will only be available to members (and their guests) plus visiting golfers. As is currently the case, functions will require a member to make the booking and will be subject to approval by the Committee.


The Board and Rathbone believe that this is an exciting opportunity for both parties. I am sure members will agree. Members should be aware the that Rathbone will pay rent to the Club based upon income generated from food sales. The house is not included in the contract and the Board is reviewing options for future usage.


There will be an inevitable period of disruption as the new team get used to the clubhouse and members get used to the new menus and new faces. I hope that all members will be patient and support the PGC and Rathbone teams through this exciting change.

Best Wishes

Graham Lowther
Captain