Hickory fun

After an interesting talk by Chris Homer of past Masters Old Links Golf and practice session with the hickory clubs on Friday night, we all descended upon the Club in a variety of guises on a glorious morning. Around 50 members took part in the hickory challenge, and everyone commented how enjoyable the experience had been.


Whether the opportunity to play as the game was 100 years ago, or the chance to have a bit of fun, all who took part thoroughly enjoyed it. Many found that they could hit the ball quite well, and that the course had been pleasantly quiet, the usual titanium fuelled explosions from the tees being absent. This must have been something of a boost to Richard Drummond, who apparently had been up late, and was very tired. And had a sore head. Mind you, he did cut a dash on the course, the only kilt on show.


The fashions were of the highest quality, and thanks to Alistair Walker of JRS in Perth, the event has been well documented. Also thanks to Mark Pirie for playing the 16 more times than is good for anyone, particularly when money is involved.

Well done to Ron Harriman, Alistair Dingwall and Stephen Carruthers, who are all obviously much older than they look, playing well enough to earn a trip to the Hickory World Championships at Gullane in September, with Mark.

Mike Lang picked up a hickory putter, thanks to the account that he opened at House of Bruar - his problems on the green now surely a distant memory.

A busy weekend

See the Club website for news of the Junior festival held over the weekend - well done to Mike Lang, Fiona Seaton and Mark Pirie for co-ordinating an excellent event. There were 42 participants, many of whom are not currently members, so we hope to see some new faces on Monday and Tuesday nights, starting this week.

As well as the Saturday Medal, we also had the first of our inter-club matches, against Alyth, on the Sunday. A very enjoyable afternoon was had by all, Pitlochry posting a convincing victory. Particular highlights of my match included partner Bert McKay's unorthodox efforts to escape a bunker on the 4th, involving a header and a poor attempt at a bicycle kick.

Thanks to John, Janine and co in the Clubhouse, for looking after the Juniors and their parents over the weekend, and the excellent meal after the match with Alyth.

I think we all recognised the fantastic condition which the course was in over the weekend - I bumped into Chris on Sunday night and he modestly suggested that it was mainly down to the good weather, but I know that he was out on Saturday and Sunday nights watering the greens, and we can see the work that has gone in over the winter - credit to the green-keeping staff, for this time of year, the course is looking better than it has in a long time.