I am writing this weeks newsletter live from the 36 hole Championship Saturday at East Kilbride Golf Club. I've been out in the thick of witnessing some great golf, eagles galore, wrong balls being hit and a players balls being lodged up a tree-Ouch! The sun was out and that meant that we were subjected to horrendous pairs of shorts and legs that wouldn't look out of place in a packet of twiglets! 

  

The course was playing so tough and when the greens are more slippery than an MP's expenses, we know we've got a tough championship. Ex Champion and last years runner up Stuart Taylor told me that the scoring was the highest for 25 years.

The first round leader was Kenny Gallagher with a 71 and he was 2 clear of a few players on 73. One of these players was Stef Heap who managed to tame the front nine of his 1st round in 33 shots. Just for the record he only scored one par on the front 9, so I wish the sky sports cameras were on him to see the fireworks. The second round saw the course snarl its teeth like an angry Alsatian as many players fell on their swords during the final round battle. 

The best round of the afternoon saw Ross Hinzelwood reach the two round total of 147 which was good enough for him to earn a play off against Iain Duff. The play off was one that wouldn't have been out of place at the Open. Ross took a 2 shot lead down the final play off hole and in my opinion he played the hole as I would have played it if I had a 2 shot lead, trying to force Iain to make a birdie into a very strong wind. He was unlucky as his 3 shot hopped through the green into a difficult lie. His chip ran on past the hole and Iain had to make his putt from off the green to force a sudden death play off. Bet Fred, Coral and Paddy Power were offering long odds as Iain pulled the trigger. The ball shot of the putter face like Ben Johnston after a trip to his local Chemist. It made it's way towards the hole as many held their breath, it smacked the back of the hole, shot up around 2 inches in the air and finished at the bottom of the cup. The crowd let out a roar and onto the 1st they went. Two slightly offline tee shots saw both boys scramble to try and make a par. Iain did and Ross didn't. Iain Duff was crowned East Kilbride Gents Champion 2015!! Well done Iain and well done to Ross who took defeat so well and acted like a true gentleman.

 
I really can't believe it is approaching the end of August. I know that this might depress many of you but it's exactly a year since I applied for this job. I'm still in shock I got an interview and I know many of you are totally shocked I got it. In all seriousness I am so pleased I am here and thank you all for your support and not hitting the unsubscribe button of this newsletter. No matter what I will try and lighten up the darkest of skies and never take myself too serious.

For a full list of scores please click here.



THE COURSE GRANTS THE TREASURER A 2 AT THE 1ST 

A man who's life revolves around numbers sure didn't need a calculator to total his score at the 1st hole of the Club Championship. Grant Burke our Treasurer holed his second shot at the first with his trusty 5 iron. He didn't see it going in and didn't believe it until he stepped over the hole to see his beloved ball in the hole below. This is why Grant is so good when it comes to subscription time. He only counts things when he sees them with his own eyes. Well done Grant as you can say that you were leading the Club Championship after 1 hole and to be honest he was leading it after 9 for most of the morning with his outward half of 37!! 


THE TREBLE ARRIVES AT EAST KILBRIDE 

Many sportsman and women try in vain to achieve treble status but here at East Kilbride we have trebles for breakfast. We have had Kenny Gallagher winning the Gents County Stroke Play, Cammy Boomer winning the Youths Strokeplay and now we have young John Woodhouse (pictured in the blue sweater above) as the Matchplay Champion. John defeated +3 handicapper Ed Wood last week in the County Final and boy didn't he do well. Rumour has it his dad bought the whole club a drink after the game. I now just have to find out how many people were actually there! Well done John and Douglas you owe me a drink!! This is such an amazing achievement for our club to have 3 county champions in the one year and I very much doubt if this has ever happened before. 

PARKINSON'S CHARITY - THANK YOU ALL 

During my Professionals Day we held a raffle in aid of a charity close to my family's heart. It is called Michael's Movers for Parkinson and my late father in law John spent some wonderful times at the events organised by the charity. We raised £300 and my wife this week went down to present them with the money with her mum. It really meant a lot to Hilary and I and the support you all showed was tremendous. So from all of us and the charity , I would like thank you all for your generosity.

ROSS GUNNING BREAKS 100 

Young Ross Gunning is one of our most keen Junior members and has a hair style that most of us men could only dream of. Ross has been working on his game so much during the summer and reached a milestone this week has he broke 100 round the course. He was so chuffed and such an achievement deserves to be heralded in the Bell Weekly Newsletter. Well done Ross on the hair but most of al the score! 

THE AUTUMN/WINTER FOOTJOY APPAREL RANGE WILL LAND SOON 

I have decided to add FootJoy to our clothing range for Autumn/Winter and it is seriously good. It's classy, trendy and coms at a very attractive price point. This will arrive at the start of September, so keep your eyes peeled. 

LADIES AND JUNIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP THIS SUNDAY 

The Junior Boys Championship will be played over 2 rounds on Sunday 16 August 2015. In addition, the Ladies Silver and Bronze Championships will also be played that day. Tee-off times are between 08.03 and 10.02 and between 11.33 and 14.35 a joint prize giving will take place at approximately 19.00hrs - subject to the need for any Play-off holes. The ladies and the boys would welcome the support of anyone who can make it along on the day.

Click here to get in touch.