Centenary mark at Highland club

Jun 16 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THE celebratory dinner was a hit but the centenary season at Pitlochry Golf Club is still in full swing.

The Highland Perthshire club has already held a clubhouse dinner following the opening match in March, an enjoyable hickory challenge competition in April, and a Grand Match with 150 participants from different clubs in May, with Pitlochry Ladies Golf Club organising a similar event.

Club captain David Downie said: “The centenary weekend started with our last medal of the first 100 years, dinner on the Friday evening, and then the centenary competition contested by over 100 golfers.”

The inaugural trophies were won by Landi Pattinson for Pitlochry Ladies Golf Club; Lee Grant lifted the gents trophy; and Grant Stewart won the junior prize, and fittingly, became the first Pitlochry Centenary Champion, winning the specially designed trophy provided by the Carruthers family.

“The competition was followed by a barbecue, treasure hunt and disco – all making for a very enjoyable evening in the clubhouse,” said David.

On the Sunday, Pitlochry hosted teams from the other Scottish clubs founded in 1909 – Hopeman, Kirriemuir, Loudon Gowf, Murcar Links, Strathtay, Tarbet and Troon St Meddans were all competing for the Challenge Trophy.

Home advantage helped Pitlochry lift the inaugural trophy. The event was such a success that the venue for 2010 was drawn in the clubhouse, with Hopeman delighted to play hosts next year.

David added: “The next major golfing event in our Centenary calendar is the Junior Highland Open on Sunday, June 21, followed by the Ladies Highland Open from July 6-10.

“Then we have the Men’s Highland Open from August 2-7, for which a special Centenary programme is being put in place. The entry already exceeding that of recent years and further details are available at www.thehighlandopen.com

“The club would like to recognise the efforts of Chris Hodgson, head greenkeeper, and his team, for the condition and presentation of the course in this special year.”

Other forthcoming Opens include the Mixed Greensomes on Saturday, July 11; the Open Team Texas Scramble on Sunday, August 16; the Ladies Open on August 23; the Sandy Robertson Classic Men's Open on Saturday, September 19, immediately preceding the inaugural Willie Fernie (Scotch Foursomes) Quaich on Sunday, September 20.

David said: “All in all, it has proved a very successful Centenary season thus far, with plenty still to offer in the coming months, for members and visitors alike.”

For further information, contact the secretaries on 01796 472314 (gents/juniors) or 01796 472653 (ladies).