Graeme Bell

Hello Golfers,

I usually start my newsletter with a bit of cheer but sadly I just don't feel like being cheery. My friend tragically passed away at the weekend. His name was 'Peter Derrick' and I grew up playing golf with him. Peter was older than me but far too young at 58 to pass away. To be honest, I still can't believe he has gone. He was a feisty competitor on the course and he was also very handy at the game.

The memories I have of him are of so much fun and hilarity. I have always played golf to have fun and 'Peter' was the epitome of fun. I only have time to play in a few things a year and one was always with him. It was one of the best days and I can't believe he won’t be there this year. Peter for me was a huge part of my golfing life and I will never forget him.

I probably didn't tell him that as we were always winding each other up. It just won't be the same without him. Goodbye, my friend.

Club news

Info From Sandra Sweenie Our Lady Captain

Scottish Golf is supporting the national campaign to celebrate women and girls love of golf. Timed to coincide with the AIG Women’s British Open and with the Solheim Cup due to take place at Gleneagles in September, the media is focussed on our elite players and star performers. But we have our own stars here at East Kilbride. If you have ever questioned the many health benefits of golf let me introduce our own Dream Team: Betty Smith and Christine Gemmell who have qualified to represent the club at the R&A Coronation Foursomes Area Final on Wednesday.

Each day of Women and Girl’s Golf Week focusses on a specific aspect of women in golf and Wednesday’s topic is Health and Wellbeing. Betty and Christine became members at East Kilbride at the same time some 37 years ago and with an average age of 80, this team is the perfect example of the many benefits that a lifelong love of golf brings. Their love of golf is evident – playing through all weathers in summer and winter with continued success.

We wish them well on Wednesday.

Competition news

Junior Open

It may have rained but we had a fantastic number of juniors play in our Junior Open. A total number of 47 juniors played and this number included a number of girl golfers too. This is great to see and we a had a few of our own girls out there, 'Hannah Kelly' and 'Emma Williamson'.

Here are the final results:

Gross Score
1st (£30) - Mark Jardine (Kirkhill) - 77
2nd (£24) - Jack Barnett (East Kilbride) - 77
3rd(£16) - Rudy Brown (Kirkhill) - 78

Handicap Division 1
1st (£30) - Aidan Reilly (Drumpellier) - nett 64
2nd (£24) - Kittie Maslanka (Kirkhill) - nett 70
3rd (£16) - Lewis Russell (Drumpellier) - nett 70

Handicap Division 2
1st (£30) - Abigail McCafferty (Airdrie) - nett 64
2nd (£24) - Teresa Ho (Newton Stewart) - nett 65
3rd (£16) - Emma Williamson (East Kilbride) - nett 70

NTP 3rd (£15) - Tyler Sneddon (Strathaven)
NTP 8th (£15) - Mark Jardine (Kirkhill)

Pro's news

The Bells Visit The Circus

Some would say that my life is a circus but at the weekend ' The Bells' spent Sunday at the Circus. It's been absolute years since I had the pleasure of not being the clown for one day. My favourite part was when a raspberry Slush Puppie cost me £4. Blinking Brexit.

Shop news

We Know You Like This One

You can never have too many golf balls. So, rather than waiting until your ball pocket is close to empty, why not consider stocking up now whilst you can grab yourself a bargain?

From now until the end of August, this is what you can take advantage of through us:

3 dozen for the price of 2
Srixon balls only (except Distance)
Plain or personalised

To place your order, come in and speak to a member of the pro shop.

find out more>

1 gap, 2 gap, 3 gap, FORE!

How confident are you hitting your long irons? The lack of forgiveness can lead to inconsistent strikes and less distance. This is when filling the gaps at the top end of your bag with utility irons or hybrids could be the smartest decision you ever make – but which is right for you?

Titleist’s brand-new utility irons and hybrids are really special, and you’ll be able to get your hands on them through us in no time at all. Why do we like them so much? Well, they are seriously easy to hit and offer unbeatable performance, but there are some things you should know…

U-500 and U-510 utility irons

Quite simply, these offer more distance than a standard iron but less spin than a hybrid. Both come loaded with tungsten for incredible forgiveness, with the U-500 offering workability and precise distances whilst the U-510 boasts a high launch and increased carry from a larger head.

TS2 and TS3 hybrids

It's time to stop thinking of these hybrids as rescue clubs and begin referring to them as scoring clubs. Both offer plenty of distance and an easy to hit nature, with the TS2 providing a higher launch from a wider head and the TS3 giving us more adjustability in an iron-like profile.

So, which route should you go down? Hybrid or utility iron? Let’s give all four a go in a custom fitting session and find the one that offers you the best performance.

find out more >

A ball for every occasion

Let’s be honest: we're greedy when it comes to our golf ball, and rightly so. We don’t want to have to choose between distance or feel; instead, we want a ball that offers us the lot.

Picture the scenario

You’re out playing a round with your friends and you've just used your ball to hit a delicate flop shot over a bunker to a few feet and knocked it in for par - top job! Following a short walk to the next tee, you’re then stood on a par-5 needing to smash your Sunday best as far down the fairway as possible.

This scenario requires a ball that is versatile enough to offer you spin and feel around the greens, whilst providing explosive distance and a high launch from the tee.

Consider TP5/x from TaylorMade

Fortunately, the clever folks at TaylorMade know a thing or two about golf balls, which is why their TP5 and TP5x balls are used by some of the world's best golfers, such as McIlroy, Fowler and DJ.

Here's what you can expect from both:

TP5 - lower launch, more workable and a softer feel
TP5x - piercing ball flight and best wind performance

These are balls that you need to try, so come and speak to a member of the team for more information.

explore TP5 & TP5x >

Spotlight | PING Glide 3.0 wedges

Smooth when it's rough

There's no part of your game more important than your wedge play.

If you really want to lower your scores and reach your full potential, improving your short game is key and these beauties from PING will certainly help you on your way - as long as you're fitted for the correct grind and bounce.

The Glide 3.0 produce greater spin, a softer feel and are more forgiving than previous generations. Enough said.

find out more >

Video of the Week

With the Ashes beginning at Edgbaston this week, we thought this would be a great opportunity to show you this video as Jimmy Anderson took on Stuart Broad in the European Tour's 14 Club Challenge. Who came out on top?

I hope you have enjoyed this week's update.
We hope to see you soon
Graeme

East Kilbride Golf Club
Chapelside Road
Nerston
G74 4PF

Phone: 01355 581805

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