CHANGES to the DECISIONS on the RULES OF GOLF

Thursday, December 31, 2009

From January 1, no relief allowed from divot hole or repaired divot hole

By RON MENZIES
As usual, half way through the four-year life of an edition of The Rules of Golf, the R&A has published a new Decisions Book. This contains some 30 new decisions and amended versions of further 49 revised decisions which come into effect on January 1, 2010.
Many of these merit detailed consideration only by serious students of the rules, budding referees and quiz masters and require a thorough knowledge to understand their complexity. However, there is one change that will require immediate action by many club committees and the awareness of all golfers.
New decision 33-8/34 now removes the authority for a committee to make a local rule “providing relief without penalty from a divot hole or a repaired divot hole (i.e. filled with sand or seed mix).”
At least half the golf clubs in Scotland have such a local rule and these must be withdrawn immediately before any qualifying competitions for handicap purposes can be played.
Such a local rule contravenes Rule 13-1 which states that a ball must be played as it lies and has generally not been used in professional and major amateur competitions.
It is often mistakenly believed that this rule protects the golf course. If relief is given or indeed demanded from a seeded divot hole, a second divot hole is created and requires repair, leaving two seeded divots holes.
If the ball is played from the original hole it may require repair but only one hole remains.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE A CENTENARY BOOK - PRE ORDER NOW

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and that you managed to get where you wanted to be. The weather was a bit of a problem at times!

For those of us who saw Carol's draft of the above Book at the AGM I have to say that we were all very impressed indeed. Carol has been working on this for a year and has made a marvellous job of it. The first half of the book is up until 2008 and the second half is all about the 2009 Centenary Year (both in Renfrewshire and many events in Scotland). Plenty of stories and pictures and it was obvious that she had put so much hard work into it - it looked absolutely fantastic and I am sure the finished article will even look better.


The cost of the book is £20 only if pre ordered but will still be available to buy On line at £25 thereafter (plus postage and packaging)

I have noted underneath members who either do not have a computer or I do not have an e-mail address for. If you know them and are in contact, can you please pass on this message. Thanks.

Wishing you all the very best for a happy and healthy New Year.

Morag Turner Hon. Secretary

Members with no e-mail addresses that may wish to order :-
Rosemary Dykes, Merope Dunlop, Moyra Gordon, Rhona Graham, Elspeth Hanlon, Linda Hay, Kathleen Kane, Susan Lyons, Valerie Mackinnon, Grace Malone, Margaret McGowan, Cathy Morton, Gillian Mullen, Julie Nicol, Maureen Taggart .

NEW SLGA ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association is delighted to announce that Catriona Matthew – the first Scot to win a women’s major championship – has accepted an invitation to become a Vice President of the Association from 2010.
Emma Wilson has been named as the new President, taking over from Ethel Jack, who is retiring after three years in the post.
A three-time Scottish Amateur Champion and three-time Curtis Cup player, Matthew is Scotland’s most successful ever woman professional. She has won seven tournaments in an outstanding career, including the highlight of a first major at the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes in August.
“I was delighted to accept the post of Vice-President,” said 40-year-old Matthew. “It is always special to gain recognition in Scotland and, hopefully, I can help to generate more interest in girls’ and women’s golf. I know that programmes set up by the SLGA and Clubgolf have done a great deal over recent years to encourage more girls to take up the game and I’ll be delighted to become involved in some way.”
Shona Malcolm, SLGA Chairman, warmly welcomed Matthew’s appointment. “We are delighted that Catriona has accepted, ” she commented. “Both as an amateur and professional, she has achieved so much in the game and is respected all over the world. By taking on the role, it shows her loyalty and commitment to the game in Scotland and she will be a terrific ambassador for golf.”
Matthew, a mother to Katie (3) and Sophie (seven months), will mostly be playing on the US-based LPGA Tour in 2010 and also hopes to compete as often as possible on the Ladies’ European Tour.
Brought up in North Berwick, Matthew began her golfing career at the age of five playing on the town’s local children’s course.
Matthew will be one of 13 SLGA Vice Presidents. The others are Marigold Speir, RLCGA's Rosemary Dykes, Jean Cameron, Pat Cairns Smith, Joan Lawrence MBE, Joyce Cooper, Ethel Jack, RLCGA's Wendy Cameron, Belle Robertson MBE, Margo Bauer, Mary Greig and Nancy Chisholm MBE.

2009 Review --- The Centenary Dinner Video

Christeen --- Introduction Speech --- Part 1
Christeen --- Introduction Speech --- Part 2
Heather and Nan --- The Cutting of the Cake and Heather Speech
Trish ---- The Grace before Dinner
Christeen --- Intoduces the Top Table
Ruth Henderson --- 100 Years of Golf in Renfrewshire -- in verse
Guest Speaker Linda Ormiston --- Speech Part 1
Guest Speaker Linda Ormiston --- Speech Part 2
Guest Speaker Linda Ormiston --- Speech Part 3
Jennifer --- Vote of Thanks
Christeen --- Closing Speech

Since it is the end of 2009 I have at last managed to upload the videos that were taken at the County Centenary Dinner at the Glynhill Hotel at the start of our Centenary year. I have broken them up into sections so that you can watch them at your leisure. --- As there is about 1 hour and 15 minutes worth !!!--- However Christeen Finlayson is the star of the evening so you can laugh again !!
As you will see in the video above Ruth Henderson gives the 100 years history in verse ---

If you would like to read about all the past history and all of the Centenary year then please order your copy of the Centenary Book by clicking the link at the top of this webpage.

Please note that only pre orders taken of the book will be available at the Coffee Morning in March

2nd Round of the Winter Foursomes are completed

Despite the poor weather in November all the 2nd round ties of the Winter Foursomes have been completed on time
To see the results click on the following link --- Winter Foursomes Results

Gift Vouchers now available at Playsport Golf!

Gift Vouchers now available at Playsport Golf! If your still looking for the ideal gift for that special person then why not treat them to the Gift of Golf at Playsport Golf this Christmas... Vouchers are available for specific lessons options with members of our PGA Coaching Centre Team with some great options including our... 45 minute Winter Special studio lesson at £30 – this lessons is based in the PGA Coaching Centre studios and includes full video swing analysis and practice balls Or our fantastic.... All-in-One Lesson that includes a 30 minute studio swing analysis session, specialist Short Game lesson plus a nine hole playing lessons for only £99! If your not sure what voucher to buy, then value vouchers are also available – you choose the amount you wish to add from £10 and then let the lucky recipient decide how they want to spend it. Value vouchers can be spent on any Playsport Golf product AND also in our superb American Golf superstore so the choices are endless! Vouchers available from reception, or by calling us on 01355 575 980. Kind regards, Colin McEwan - General Manager PS. Don't forget to check out our new website

SGU/SLGA Club Seminar

Captain Trish Brown, Junior Secretary Maureen Mitchell and Webmaster Carol Fell attended a SGU/ SLGA Seminar held at Haggs Castle Golf Club today.
Among the discussion topics were the Scottish Golf Card; Central Database of Handicaps (CDH); clubgolf; Tourism; SGU Golf Central and the R&A Sustainable Golf Course Project. There was a series of short presentations from the SGU/SLGA on each of these topics, with feedback and input into the future development of our ‘Supporting Clubs’ strategy.
Further to this meeting I hope to be able to put on a slideshow of the presentation.
Meantime here are some links to websites to keep you up todate
CLUBGOLF
SCOTTISH GOLF
SPORTSCOTLAND
R&A

The Winter Foursomes -- Mary and Marion are winners

Despite all the bad weather we have had recently, winners Mary Wylie and Marion Stewart had a beautiful day yesterday to play their tie although it was very frosty and the ball was going for miles !!

Click on the link at the top of the website to see all the results so far.