Sunshine and showers, sunshine and showers all we get is sunshine and showers. But at least we get sunshine I suppose but when we get showers, holy Toledo we get thrashed upon. In Linlithgow, we do have a slight microclimate and get away with some of the bad weather but we certainly got it at the weekend. This was slap bang in the middle of the Club Championship Qualifiers on Saturday and Sunday. The rain was of biblical proportions and our greens stayed true and firm. Turn the clock back 2 years and the course would have been unplayable-fact. This is testament to what Grant and his staff have been doing over the years and as one of our members said on Twitter;

'The Championship qualifying on what can only be described as a Championship course'

Our neighbouring clubs had to cancel their competitions due to their courses being unplayable, so again the work we are doing is helping us so much.

The conditions on Saturday could only be described as horrific and many competitors walked off. Many of you found your waterproofs were not up to the job, so you know where I am if you need me! I tip my hat to all of you who finished on Saturday and here are the ones who managed to qualify for the big event this week. Best of luck to you all! The draw can be seen below.

 
HIT IT MILES WITH THIS SIMPLE TIP

If you ever wondered why some players hit it further than others or why your friends hit it further than you, then watch my weekly video below. It will really be an eye opener for you and I guarantee that you will gain yards!!! CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO NOW.

THE GENTS TEAM GETS POINTS ON THE BOARD

Last week I mentioned that we could do with supporting the club teams more and how the Gents team were struggling after their promotion to the top division last year. Well, they thumped Uphall on Friday and they managed to get a fan to watch them. That fan was the Senior Team manager 'Bob Greirson' and well done Bob for taking the time to support the boys. Colin Brown has done a very good job managing the gent's team at such short notice and has been trying to get the clubs best players to play for the team. Some haven't been keen for different reasons but I would appeal to them all to get behind the team and put yourselves forward for the last two games. If we can get some more points on the board then we can stay in the top division and build on it for next year. We will as a club try to prepare better for next year and hopefully bring some kudos back when playing for the team. I would again ask you all to come up and support the boys again this Friday if you can.

WHAM BAM TAM

Tam Mackay (below left) has had a pretty dreadful last few weeks with his beloved Hibernian Football Club being relegated from the Scottish Premiership. Just when you think that Lady Luck doesn't know your number, she sends you a quick text message with 2 kisses at the end of it. Tam picked up this text on the 10th last Sunday when he aced his tee shot right in the hole. Booooooooooom! Tam said that it was the strike of his life and a heck of a lot better than any of the Hibs penalties last week.

WHATS UP DOC?

A man who always has a habit of putting smile on everyone's face at the club, put a smile on his own last week by winning the Medal. Jim Doherty (above right) a man with more jokes than a Christmas cracker factory scooped first prize and a bursting brown envelope. Jim has struggled with recurring back injury over the years and it's great to see him doing well. Well done Jim!

THE US OPEN

The next major of the year is upon us and it's the US Open. It's being held at Pinehurst and it will also be holding the Ladies US Open straight after the men's and it will be the first time in history that both competitions will be held at the same venue in the same year. I am full of facts and here's another one, the last time the Open was held there the Kiwi 'Michael Campbell' won it by 2 shots from Tiger Woods. Since then he hasn't been able to hit a cows bottom with a banjo, so here's hoping he returns to form soon. My tip for the Masters was Jordan Speith and he did well, my tip for the US Open is Dustin Johnston, so get your dollar on Dustin!

PROS DAY SATURDAY JULY 5TH 2014

There are many days in your calendar that are special, birthdays, anniversaries etc. But not one is bigger than Professionals Day. The day where everyone plays for biggest prize fund of the year. You can play with members, guests or both as long as they have a valid handicap. The format last year of a Texas Scramble(team of 4) was a huge hit and this will be the same format this year. There will be a few changes to make it more interesting for everyone. Teams can be made up of men, women or both.The entry is £10 each and all of the entry fund will be paid out in prizes on the day. There will also be mystery prizes which will blow you all away.

Last year saw Professionals day break all sorts of records at Linlithgow

o Biggest filed ever for a one day competition. 
o Most empty bottles of Budweiser found on a golf course. 
o Biggest prize fund

This year we hope to go one better and launch a man a man into space, Phil nearly achieved this last year after having 4 pints of Best and a Babysham. I will be keeping him under control with a teaser this year, I can assure you.

Just as last year, entries will be taken on a first come first serve basis and tee times can only be secured when payment is made. So if you have a particular tee time you would like then please click here or come into the shop as soon as you can.

VIVA BRAZIL

This week the World Cup starts and we are not blinking in it. So that's about it! Apart from the fact that throughout the World Cup I will be running special promotions. I will be using my twitter account @gbellgolf to announce these deals, so get a twitter account and you can get involved in the fun and the deals!