Professional

This year seems to have flown by, what with the weather at Royal Birkdale, Harrington’s back-to- Club Champion Bert Ferguson, and Runner-up, John Finnigan, back Major wins, the Ryder Cup with the Captain and the amazing success of the Senior Open here at Royal (Who said the sun never shines Now the nights are drawing in, it is time to in ?). start turning our thoughts towards the Winter season. This is an ideal time to work on your It has been a great pleasure, for all my staff game, make repairs to your equipment or and me, getting to know you all, whether it perhaps change the technology that you are has been in the Professional Shop, on the using with plenty of time to bed in for the new Driving Range or playing on the Course. I season. With this in mind I have put together would like to say a big thank you for the great several exciting promotions for you to take Junior Champion Lloyd Smith, and Runner-up, support shown to date. advantage of. Andrew Thomson

PROMOTIONS

DEMO CLUB AND HIRE CLUB SALE WINTER TEACHING PACKAGES UP TO 50% OFF NORMAL PRICE CRAIGEND PACKAGE Taylor Made 3 X 1/2 HOUR LESSONS AND A 9 HOLE PLAYING LESSON Burner Driver Was £199 Now £99 ON THE CRAIGEND COURSE £99 Burner Fairway Was £129 Now £69 Burner Rescue Was £109 Now £59 PORTLAND PACKAGE Burner XD IronsWere £649 Now £329 (Steel) 4 X 1/2 HOUR LESSONS AND A 9 HOLE PLAYING LESSON Burner XD IronsWere £749 Now £379 (Graph) ON THE PORTLAND COURSE £139 Rossa Putter Was £79 Now £39 Validity Period: 01/10/08 – 31/03/09 Tourino Stand Bag Was £89 Now £39

Also Various Items From Titleist, Nike, Bobby Jones, OCTOBER/NOVEMBER SPECIAL OFFERS Mizuno and Cleveland 30% OFF RE-GRIPS Applies to 9 grips or more of Tour Velvet or Multi- Compound

2 DOZEN SRIXON ZURC/ZURS GOLF BALLS NOW ONLY £50 NORMAL PRICE £80

ROYAL TROON GOLF CLUB Troon, Ayrshire KA10 6EP SCOTLAND

Clubhouse 01292 311555 Professional 01292 310063 Fax 01292 318204 Email [email protected] Web www.royaltroon.com

Our thanks to Ken Ferguson, Derek McCabe and John McLachlan for the photographs. AUTUMN NEWS October 2008

W.S. McLeod 1915–2008 The Senior Open is now a distant memory but that wonderful week in Royal Troon Golf Club lost one of its July made a lasting impact on the most respected Members when Walter minds of many, not only in this country, McLeod passed away on Thursday 11 but, thanks to the extensive television coverage, across the world. September 2008. Success The Club has received many letters of Walter, who joined the Club in 1953, and was of St. Andrews, serving on the Rules and thanks from players, sponsors, the PGA, Honorary President from 2004 until 2007, Open Championship Committees. He was the European Seniors Tour and the had an illustrious golfing pedigree of which also the Life President of the 32 Club and a R&A. The Championship was an many Members will be unaware. In a playing member at Old Ranfurly, Ranfurly Castle outstanding success with record crowds career that spanned the Second World War, and Powfoot where he was a Life Member. and this was in no small way due to he won the Tennent Cup in 1937 and 1951, Although his sporting life was dominated by Ken Arthur and the Championship the Newlands Trophy in 1939 and 1954, the golf, Walter also represented Scotland at ice Committee, Billy McLachlan and his Edward Trophy in 1939, the Daily Telegraph hockey in 1934 and 1935 in matches team, and Mr and Mrs Maddison and (professional/ amateur) in 1951, the Royal against England, and played for the Bridge the Clubhouse staff. and Ancient Silver Cross in1965, and the of Weir team which won the Scottish League Royal and Ancient Bombay Cross in 1966. Praise in 1934/35. He was also a successful curler He also won the Irish Amateur Stroke Play As Members we are used to the superb and was President of the Bridge of Weir Competition in 1936 at Portmarnock and in quality of our , but it is still very Club in 1961/62. 1937 at Dollymount. gratifying to hear professional golfers Walter McLeod’s life was one of success, but and commentators extolling its virtues. Walter played for Scotland in the Home more importantly he was a consummate The players were also effusive in their Internationals between 1935 and 1938, and gentleman, generous and with a keen sense praise for the welcome they received in again after the War between 1947 and 1951. of humour. He was also a traditionalist and He was non-playing captain of Scotland in the Clubhouse, a courtesy which is his parting gift to Royal Troon Golf Club was 1958 and 1959, a Walker Cup selector rarely extended to them. The winner, to present an Honorary Presidents’ Board between 1962 and 1967, and again from Bruce Vaughan, made a point of which is now displayed in the clubhouse. 1969 until 1975. commenting on this in several This Board will serve as a poignant reminder interviews. In addition to Royal Troon, Walter was a of Walter, and his contribution to the game member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of golf and Royal Troon Golf Club.

An Historic Achievement Thanks are also due to the rest of our As we look forward to the Prizegiving Dinner the staff, many of our Members, and to the achievements of one Member in particular stand out. volunteers from the local clubs whose For the first time in well over a century the scratch assistance was essential in running the prizes in the Spring, Summer and Autumn Meetings tournament. were won by the same player, John Finnigan.

Although several outstanding golfers including JLC Jenkins, JE Dawson, JB Stevenson, HVS Thomson and ID Hamilton won two of the three competitions in the same year, only one, WG Stewart, managed to win all three in 1899. In response to their continuing popularity, Burns Supper the programme of Theme Nights is extended To celebrate the year of the Homecoming and the over the Winter period, starting with an 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, the Clubhouse Oriental Night on Friday 24 October. The Club will host a Burns Supper in the Clubhouse on Committee Room and the Library are also Friday 6 February 2009. The occasion will be for available for Members’ Private Dining Winter Opening Hours Members and their partners, the dress code will be Functions, subject to the normal rules for From Monday 27 October 2008 black tie and the evening will showcase the Club’s Member/Guest numbers. Monday – Friday 7.30am – 6.00pm own wealth of talent. Saturday 7.30am –11.00pm Ailsa Bar You will appreciate that numbers for this event Sunday 7.30am – 6.00pm Members are notified that, due to lack of use, will require to be limited and, so, from Monday the Ailsa Bar will not be staffed during the 10 November 2008, you may secure your place by Winter Catering Winter period from Monday to Friday. entering your name in the Burns Supper Folder on However, Members wishing drinks are asked CLUB BAR the table in the Entrance Hall and making payment to telephone orders through to the Club Bar. Soup and snacks available every day to the Secretariat on a first come, first served basis. 9.30am – 4.30pm The cost will be £25 each and this will include a FORTHCOMING SOCIAL EVENTS half bottle of wine. AILSA ROOM Annual Prize Giving Dinner Tipping: Members are reminded that the Club advocates a Soup and snacks available every day Friday 31 October 9.30am – 4.00pm policy of not giving gratuities to staff employed by the Club. New Members’ Evening Bar meals Monday – Saturday Memorabilia Thursday 20 November (no Sunday service) 12noon – 4.00pm As part of plans to upgrade areas of the Clubhouse, SMOKE ROOM Christmas Dinner Dance a display cabinet, specially designed to house our Friday 12 December growing collection of the finest Fernie clubs and Cold sandwiches and toast available artefacts, will be sited in the Ailsa Room and an every day 9.30am – 4.30pm Members’ Christmas Lunch antique library table in the Entrance Hall. Thursday 20 December DINING ROOM Members’ Cocktail Party Lunch is served every day during these hours 12noon – 2pm Thursday 1 January Monday – Friday 12noon – 2.30pm Saturday 12noon – 3.00pm Burns Supper Friday 6 February Sunday* 12noon – 2.30pm High Tea* All Members will be notified by letter of the details of available Monday–Friday 3.00pm the Christmas Dinner Dance. To secure places at Dinner * (Sat only) 6.30pm – 8.30pm other events, please refer to the notices as they appear, in the Entrance Hall to the Clubhouse. *Advance bookings only

During the Winter season, Members are Winter Course Work encouraged to carry their golf clubs if at all The most noticeable work to take place on the Old possible. Push/pull caddy carts are Course over this Winter will be some revision of the permitted, but powered carts can only be “Coffin Bunker” aspect of the 8th green. Years of The Courses used by exempt members who have been sand being lifted out of that bunker have led to a granted permission. All caddy car users significant rise in the level of the left edge of that January sunrise over the Portland Course (powered and push/pull) are respectfully green, particularly at the distal edge of the bunker reminded to observe the green directional where there is a sprinkler pop-up. Indeed that pop- lines around greens. up has had to be elevated on a number of occasions Winter Conditions over recent years. The slope at that part of the green As was the case last Winter, the Club will As we move into Autumn, plans are already is now such that there is a serious danger of the retain a ride-on golf cart for use on the in place for the Winter season. The driving mowers grounding and causing damage to the Portland Course only, although, for safety range will close at 5pm on Sunday playing surface. reasons, it may not be permitted in adverse 12 October. Winter playing conditions will weather conditions. This must be booked via come into effect on Monday 3 November. The work to be carried out this Winter will lower the Caddiemaster. Members with permission As usual that will involve a move to forward that edge slightly, but will not materially alter the to use a personal single-seat ride-on buggy yellow (Winter) tees, the introduction of hole. It will, however, necessitate the lifting of can do so but on the Portland Course only. preferred lies, and the protection of some approximately one third of the green surface. The fairways by a policy of ball lifting and Finally, can we remind all members of the turf will be carefully preserved and the same placement in the semi-rough. The Winter importance of promptly repairing all pitch material re-laid. Course manager, Billy McLachlan, green on the 8th hole will also come into marks. While this is an all year round issue, will embark on this project immediately after the operation. All stroke play competitions will it is particularly important in Winter when introduction of Winter conditions and it is intended be non-qualifying and the Stableford points the greens are softer and their powers of that the green will be back in play for the usual time system (clause 19.8) will not operate. recovery diminished. of mid-March with cash and used for payment should you Competitions wish. At present there is no disadvantage There has been a slight increase in the James Armour should you wish to continue to pay by cash. number of “no shows” for Competitions and Boys’ Amateur Golf Champion The second phase of the Swipe Card system Medals and the Committee wishes 19471947 will be launched in the new year and all to emphasise that it is the Member’s Members will be informed accordingly. responsibility to ensure he withdraws his name in the event of being unable to play. In the meantime, Members can log on to the Under Club Rule (viii) of the Strokeplay website and click on the “Accounts” section Some other areas of the Clubhouse are still relatively Rules, Members must make all alterations to to see all transactions. By clicking on the anonymous, and in an effort to imbue them with a a ballot sheet through the Secretariat. transaction number the actual chit is shown sense of our own distinctive history and tradition, Members may withdraw from Competitions on the screen. This is only available once we intend to display, in the Locker Rooms and the prior to the ballot being produced. The Members have logged on using their North Entrance Hall, a number of photographs of penalty for failing to adhere to this Rule may password! the 1923 Open and others which reflect the golfing be suspension from playing in future achievements of our own Members. Mobile Phones Competitions for a period determined by the Members are also advised that, while it is not Handicap Committee. IT permitted to use mobile phones on the As most Members will now be aware, the Club has Welcome Course or the Practice ground, it is, now introduced the next phase of the new IT We are delighted to welcome two new nevertheless prudent to take phones in Strategy and Cards can now be used for food and members of staff to the Club, Gillian “switched off ” mode on to the Courses so beverage purchase. The new system expects to see a Thriepland and Janice Beaton. Gillian has that they can be activated in the case of a card and it would be helpful if all Members replaced Sheena Moore, who left at the end mishap or to call out the Defibrillator Team. presented their card when ordering food and drink of last year, as the Financial Controller and For this purpose you may wish to store the even though you still wish to pay by cash. This will Janice will provide some much needed Clubhouse direct number 01292 310065 help the staff identify where you are sitting. As was support for Linda Kerr in the General Office. on your mobile. stated in the letter, cards may now be topped up Janice will also be responsible for keeping Handicaps our new web site up to date. CONGU have produced new rules for the retention of handicaps, essentially extending the facility of returning Supplementary Scores in order to retain your handicap. For the full text of the change, please go to the Members’ page on the website and click on “Latest News”.

Next Summer, it is intended that major work is the 2nd hole, and then, having passed the closely with our Course Manager and Green carried out on the alternative (Winter) green of the 3rd tee (again on the seaward aspect to the Sub-Committee. The signs that will be 8th hole. The intention is to raise its level by fence), down the path that parallels the 3rd erected over the next few weeks will bear approximately 30cm as, currently, it lies too near and 4th holes well away from areas of play. both the Club’s and Council’s the Winter water table. At the same time, the edges The route then crosses the 4th and 15th logos and will encourage responsible walking of the green will be softened with the intention of fairways at the level of the well worn path while warning of the dangers of golf in providing the golfer with a better shot should he (where the shelter is) between these two progress. Although they are not visible from only just miss the green from the tee. fairways before it heads over the Portland the , the Club has made a number Course to cross the railway at the footbridge of subtle alterations to the pathways to keep Coastal Path and Smugglers’ Route between the 6th green and 7th tee of that walkers away from the line of play in certain The extension of the Ayrshire Coastal Path around course. David Gray of South Ayrshire areas, for example, in front of the 3rd tee of Royal Troon Golf Club was officially opened earlier Council has been extremely helpful, working the Old Course. this Summer. Waymarked by Dr James Begg, this path takes walkers from the Prestwick Golf Course, across and along the banks of the Pow Burn, around the dunes at the back of our 7th tee and on to the beach. The Coastal Path does not impinge on our golf course at any point. Members will notice another development within the next few weeks with some official signage of the Smugglers’ Route. This route takes walkers from the gabions on the seaward side of the fence along the 1st fairway of the Old Course, around the seaward aspect of the 2nd tee, along the top of the gabions of