Ready to move!!

The memories of last year's severe winter still remain a legacy in the minds of most Members. While a number of greens on the Links Course were affected, excellent work from Brian and his staff saw these area brought back to normal.

However, two areas on the Hillhouse still remain in need of some TLC ...the eighth and ninth fairways. Just about to start is a programme of coring and fertilising, in preparation for the winter. While some improvement is likely to be seen in the short term, the main improvement will become obvious in the Spring of next year.

Water! ...Water! ...and more Water!!

Picture above is the main drainage pipe which been laid into the thirteenth fairway. Fed by several other artery pipes, it dispels water into the burn adjacent to the first bridge.

It will be extended another 100 metres the length of the fairway and connected to more artery pipes. There only be one exit point for the water, thus maintaining the integrity of the existing sleepers. Because of the large diameter of this main drainage pipe, it is perfectly capable of coping with the potentially large volumes of water.

With virtually no rainfall at the end of last week and into the weekend, the immediate effect of the drainage is easy seen. Water is being dispelled at a rate of 5-6 litres per minute.

With the project scheduled to continue for the next month, the contractors will move to the third fairway next, followed by the eighteenth.

Every effort is being made to keep at least seven holes on this 'loop' open at the weekends.

The Drainage Project gets underway

Last week saw a hive of activity around the Greenkeeping compound, with the delivery of many tonnes of sand and gravel not mention enough piping to run to Troon and back.

Souters, the approved contractor for the drainage project, were on site and ready to tackle the serious water problems we have been experiencing over the past few years.

Work began on the thirteenth fairway. The first turf was cut last Wednesday and with the accuracy of laser measuring the first trenches were dug and large diameter main drainage pipe laid. A series of smaller diameter feeder pipers followed. In fact, within a short space of time there was water seepage into the trench highlighting the amount of water just 'lying there'.

West Kilbride retain the Tankard

Having regained the Goldenberry Trophy last year at a wind-swept West Kilbride in appalling conditions, they completed the double and returned north still with the Tankard, which had been presented by the late John Wright.

Conditions at Kilmarnock Barassie were cold, windy but dry ...yet a stiff challenge. The Match, played as foursomes between four teams, and to a finish, was contested over the Dundonald Course, one of the three configurations available to Barassie members. With a par 69, which takes in the 'Hillhouse 9' and the 'New 9', this still an excellent test of golfing accuracy.

West Kilbride ran out winners by three holes. Match 1 went to West Kilbride by one hole; matches 2 and 3 were halved; match 4 went to West Kilbride by two holes.

The Captains' match saw a Barassie victory for David Miller and Douglas Orr by two holes.

Pictured here is the Goldenberry Trophy being presented by Barassie Captain, David Miller to Jeanette Mair the Captain of West Kilbride.

As always, the match was played in great spirit and Barassie will be looking forward to making every effort regain the Tankard in 2011.

The Goldenberry Trophy ...a bit a Club history.

The late John Wright had a vision many years ago. Being Captain of two great Ayrshire Golf Clubs, West Kilbride in 1971-72 and Kilmarnock Barassie in 1973, John wanted to encourage the mutual golfing bond that the Clubs shared and donated a silver tankard to be contested annually ...in a very specific way. There would be five matches played as foursomes, to a finish with the total 'holes up' being the winning factor. However, the Captains' match would be a social affair and only count in the event of a tie.

The trophy was named after Goldenberry Hill which overlooks the north end of West Kilbride Golf Course.

Apologies for the headgear!!!

'If you want to get ahead, get a hat.' ...was an advertising slogan in the UK in the 1940s, when most men still wore hats - caps, trilbys or bowlers - by Dunn & Co, hatmakers. It implied that, in order to advance in life, you needed a hat to help you on your way.

I somehow think this is not what they had in mind.

However, pictured here is the Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Team who secured victory over Irvine Bogside in The Ayrshire Summer League.

Kilmarnock (Barassie) - Summer League Champions 2010

Following a thrilling halved match in the first leg of the final at Irvine Bogside, The Barassie Links course posted a formidable challenge in the testing windy conditions for the deciding matches and outright winner of the eagerly contested Ayrshire Summer League Trophy. A tightly fought encounter, however, saw the home side take best advantage of their local knowledge as well as coping with the vagaries of the Ayrshire winds. Barassie took the honours with a 3 ½ - 2 ½ win, which gave an overall 6 ½ - 5 ½ result.

Stuart Miller gave the home team the perfect start by taking an early lead against Gareth Lamb in a rock solid display. Wins at 14 and 15 eventually sealed a fine 4 & 3 win. Barassie's Jamie Mackay and Bogside's John Shanks lined up in what looked like the match of the day. Jamie took the first five holes in a one-sided encounter and recording a 5 & 4 victory ...and maintained his 100% winning record in this season's matches intact.

Two matches to nil ...it was looking good for Kilmarnock Barassie!!

But Bogside had other ideas, and fightback began!!

Promising Barassie youngster Euan Walker ran up against some superlative shot-making from the visitor’s Alan Connery. Some inspired golf saw Alan build a commanding five-hole lead by the seventh. However, not to be outdone and always aware of a possible count-back position, Euan remained remarkably calm, dug in, reduced some of the deficit but despite his best efforts eventually succumbed on the 15th green.

In match four, an out of sorts Andrew Wright gifted Colin Gray the first two holes of their match before fighting back to level the contest by the fifth. However, the Irvine player’s greater consistency in the tough conditions allowed him to ease away to a crucial 4 & 2 win.

Two matches apiece ...and it's getting nervous!! Two deciding matches are out on the course.

Home Club Captain David Miller played some fine, steady golf in the anchor match to build an early lead against Gordon Dunlop. Miller. Also mindful of the potential for a count-back, David took advantage of his vast matchplay experience to build on the team lead and secure an important 5 & 4 victory for his Barassie.

Up ahead, Euan Brown, recent winner of the Fulton Trophy, and Stephen Spence were producing some top quality golf. As the overall contest developed it was clear this was likely to be the pivotal match. Brown held a two hole lead with three to play, but excellent birdies from Spence at 16 and 17 saw the match head up the 18th hole all-square. Both players found the green with their approach shots to set up birdie chances ...Spence’s effort just slipped past ...Brown nudged his tricky downhill putt to the hole side. The halve point was just enough to give Kilmarnock Barassie the narrowest of victories.

Overall an excellent Final played in great spirit throughout

A DESERVING CHARITY

On a sunny day at Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Club the Lady Captain, Helen Love is pictured handing over a cheque to Moira Robinson the local Service Manager of Alzheimer, Scotland..

A total of £1190 was raised through the generosity of Lady Members of Kilmarnock Barassie at Ladies Captain’s Prizes and the Ladies Open Day.

Helen wanted the money to be spent locally, choosing Alzheimer Scotland, based at the Rowallan Centre in Kilmarnock. as a deserving and appropriate charity.

Moira Robinson is the Service Manager at the Rowallan Centre in Kilmarnock, which provides social day care and evening care for people with dementia. They provide a range of social and therapeutic activities. Entertainment, light exercises, musical therapy, in fact any activity that service users can take part in without feeling threatened or stressed by, can be part of the session.

Well Done to everyone concerned and let's hope this donation will help Moira and the organisation keep going with the excellent help they give to those suffering from this dreadful debilitating disease.

The Greenlees Leagues ...so near and yet so far!

Pictured are just some of the Ladies who represented Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Club in the highly competitive West of Scotland Greenlees Leagues.

Though first established in 1931 by Isabel Greenlees, Barassie have been competing in the leagues for over 20 years. There are three leagues each of eight teams with the team being made of of nine players. Very much a scratch format, over the season each team will play eight matches and with relegation and promotion a key feature, every match is very keenly contested.

Back Row: (L to R)Debbie Peberdy, Ann Edgar, Lesley Barker, Rona Walker
Front Row: (L to R) Sheena Hope, Helen Love, Margaret MacGregor, Chris Auld

Milngavie Golf Club were the eventual winners of Division One. Barassie's final match was contested against old rivals Troon Ladies and a 7-2 victory allowed them to secure overall third spot, an agonising three and a half points short of golfing glory.

Maybe so near and yet so far, but there is always next year!!

A Well Done to everyone who played.

A hard-fought final of the Fulton Trophy finishes on the final green.

The Fulton Trophy is the major match-play competition contested between 'First Class' golfers - those members with a handicap of nine or less, and is played off scratch.

After taking the consolation position in the Club Championship, Euan Brown, certainly a golfing star in the making, had the desire to complete a fine season with victory in Fulton Trophy. His opponent, Club Captain David Miller, with his sets on a fifth Matchplay title, had other ideas.

It's never a bad thing to come out strongly right from the start and Euan, with his game finely honed following his year in the American college system, certainly did that. Excellent birdies at the opening two holes gave him an early, but temporary advantage.

DJM reduced the deficit with a birdie at the difficult third, halved four and five before a pin-point tee shot at the Par 3 sixth squared the match.

It was a titantic encounter with no quarter surrendered. All square at the turn ...and nine holes from glory or disappointment. as they turned to face the wind on the way home.

It didn't take el ninjo long to grab the initiative. A birdie at ten saw Euan regain a one hole advantage. Again this was short-lived as some uncharacteristic slack play from Mr Brown, combined with solid pars at eleven and twelve allowed David to take the lead for the first time in the match.

Golf can be such an unpredictable game as it can swing to either player by a matter of inches. Miller's ball just found the greenside bunker at fourteen ...he surrenders his lead ...a fine approach to fifteen saw him regain the initiative ...shaves the hole at seventeen...Brown drops a crucial twelve footer for birdie.

All-square going up the eighteenth ...two good drives. Euan's approach finds the back of the green - on the dance-floor, but some way from the band. Davis's second just misses the green on the left leaving him a tough up and down. A neat little pitch to eight feet ...will it be good enough? A beautifully weighted putt from distance by Euan leaves the game hanging in the balance and David's eight footer to take the contest to extra holes.

It slips past, missing by inches ...and with that film-star smile, we have a new champion!
Well played, Euan!!

....and the Nairn Team

Left to Right : Bill Young, James Walton, Sid Brown, George Asher, Peter Abbott, Patrick Tomisson, David Cargill, Vice-Captain: Ian Cooper, Captain:Alex Webster, Steven Chalmers, Ewan Gordon, Ian Hutcheson

AND FINALLY.........

The Kilmarnock Barassie Team (left to right)..
Findlay Rankin, Frank Nicol, Scott Faulds, Howard Kewney, Captain David Miller, Fraser Williamson, Vice-Captain Douglas Orr, George Hamilton, Gary Noonan, Billy Gibson, Norman Brown, Jim Beardall

THE PRIZE IS YOURS!!

It is exciting when a game goes to the last green. But when the outcome of the match is dependent on the last putt in the last game on the last green, it's nerve wracking. And despite a valiant effort by Barassie's anchor team, needing a win on the last to secure a halve game, they fell one stroke shot of golfing glory.

Alex Webster, the Nairn Captain, accepts the trophy from David Miller, his Barassie counterpart. Both Captain heaped praise on their players and whilst Nairn ran out victors on the day, the real winner was the continuing relationship between the two Clubs.

The contest will take place again in 2012, when both Clubs celebrate their 125th anniversary. So we can expect something a little bit special.

SHOT OF THE DAY ...from the ridiculous to the sublime!!!

Patrick Tomisson certainly danced with the golfing gods at the par 4 fifth hole. An uncharacteristic power fade onto the beach meant Patrick would need all his imagination to get anything out of this hole ...at least the tide was out.

Around 200 yards from the green and ignoring the obvious comment, "don't forget to take your sand iron", Patrick selects a rescue club. Eighty yards to the coastal wall, rolling mounds and deep bunkers separate Patrick from his quest. A smooth swing and perfect contact see the ball rising like a bird towards the green. It lands pin-high but twenty yards to the right. A Mickelson type pitch to three feet followed by an putt sees Patrick secure an amazing par 4, which was in fact a net birdie.

What a shot Patrick ...Well Done!!!

HOLE in ONE ...No 7

Colin MacGregor Snr became the darling of the Nairn team with a Hole in One at the par 3 eleventh hole. The seventh Ace in an enjoyable career, Colin was quite nonchalant about this holy grail of all golfers. "I just dinked a little rescue club," said Colin. "I knew it was close ...but delighted to pick the ball from the hole."

Sadly, Colin and his partner, Ian Hutcheson, couldn't maintain the euphoria of the occasion and went down 4 & 2 to Fraser Williamson and Jim Beardall.

Seen here with a small libation, at least he could savour some solace for some time.

Cheers, Ian ...and Well Done!!

THE RESULTS

The outcome hinged on the last putt ...on the last green ...in the last match!

DAY ONE

Nairn - George Asher & Patrick Tomisson : Barassie - Norman Brown & Jim Beardall
HALVED MATCH

Nairn - Ewan Gordon & Stephen Chalmers : Barassie - Gary Noonan & Findlay Rankin
NAIRN WIN: 3 & 1

Nairn - James Walton & David Cargill : Barassie -Fraser Williamson & Scott Faulds
BARASSIE WIN: 4 & 3

Nairn - Sid Brown & Bill Young : Barassie - Frank Nicol & Howard Kewney
HALVED MATCH

Nairn - Ian Hutcheson & Peter Abbott : Barassie - George Hamilton & Billy Gibson
NAIRN WIN: 5 & 4

Nairn - Alex Webster & Ian Cooper : Barassie - David Miller & Douglas Orr
BARASSIE WIN: 3 & 1

DAY TWO

Nairn - Alex Webster & George Asher : Barassie - David Miller & Findlay Rankin
HALVED MATCH

Nairn - Ian Cooper & Patrick Tomisson : Barassie - Douglas Orr & Norman Brown
NAIRN WIN: 4 & 3

Nairn - Sid Brown & Stephen Chalmers : Barassie - Gary Noonan & Scott Faulds
NAIRN WIN: 3 & 1

Nairn - Ian Hutcheson & Colin MacGreor : Barassie - Fraser Williamson & Jim Beadall
BARASSIE WIN 4 & 2

Nairn - David Cargill & Bill Young : Barassie - George Hamilton & Howard Kewney
BARASSIE WIN 4 & 3

Nairn - Ewan Gordon & Steven Sharp : Barassie - Frank Nicol & Billy Gibson
NAIRN WIN 1 UP

NAIRN: 6 1/2 POINTS - BARASSIE: 5 1/2 POINTS

NINE BIRDIES!! Yes, nine birdies!!!

Is Norman Brown a name feared in the northern golfing circles? ...especially after his escapades at Boat of Garten on Friday and his 72 at Nairn on Saturday.

Partnering Vice-Captain, Douglas Orr in Match

Two, NCB posted his colours to a very early mast. A straight drive followed by an below-average iron left him 25 yards short of the green. He pulls out his putter, takes again and canons an effort that damages the pin and drops for an opening birdie three.

Has our boy peaked too early? Who remembers to Dave Narey 'toe-poke' against Brazil in the 1982 World Cup? And what happened then? Will this be the 'deju vu' in golf? Will Messrs Cooper and Tomisson be the Zico and Joninho of Nairn? Six birdies in the next eight holes would say, Yes! Three more birdies on the back nine says, Yes ...again! And the shot of the day ...from the beach at the fifth hole says, Super-Yes!

The battling Ayrshire duo did, however, manage to keep the gap to two holes at the turn. Oh, the benefits of an excellent, though silent partner, Norman.

SILENCE SHOULD BE GOLDEN!

Hell hath no fury like the wounded golfer! Never make a pleasant remark at the turn when you are two down!

Birdie! ...four straight pars! ...birdie! ...and the game is closed-out 4 & 3.

Advatange Nairn.

And for good measure, Ian birdies the last ..NINE BIRDIES!!

Who chose the pairings?

First Match ...Last Green ...Final Putt??

It is always the sign of a keenly contested game of golf when the players march down the last fairway. But at one point, Captain David Miller might have been excused for thinking that it's a nice day for a game golf.

Four down at the turn, the match looked over for the Barassie Team. But DJM, who is in two match-play finals at Barassie, is not one to take things lying down. Steady, but attacking play saw the dynamic duo claw back three of the eight holes. Could Findlay Rankin maintain his re-found form and consistent putting stroke?

One down ...one to play ...can they do it?

A cannon-ball drive, left on centre was the ideal start to this 516 yard monster ...but just outside the range for a green-splitting 3-wood. A cautious lay-up meant a perfect sand wedge to the target. On in three, eight feet from the hole, but a tricky putt.

Alex and George secure a classic par and David has 96 inches between him and a halve match. Will he remember what his putting coach has been telling him?

Soft grip ...relaxed stance ...pick your spot ...smooth stroke! The putt drops and its honours even.