I have the luxury of writing this weeks newsletter enjoying some sunshine (Wednesday) and watching the kids play in my back garden, sounds beautiful doesn't it!? The reality is i am trying to stop them from fighting and my wife has a list of duties still to be done during this lockdown... not so nice now is it? I like you am very hopeful to hear some good news about our return to golf here in Scotland, with some courses in England and Ireland re-opening, I am confident that we have everything in place for a return at Stirling Golf Club. Golf also made a return to our TV screens at the weekend as Rory McIlroy and co teed it up on Sunday in a special fundraising event in Florida. Talking of players, our video of the week showcases some of the craziest moments to have ever happened on the PGA Tour and is well worth scrolling down this newsletter for a watch. Stay safe and enjoy the read.
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Golf is back Golf made returned to our TV screens on Sunday evening as Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson took on Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff at the TaylorMade Driving Relief in Florida, raising over $4 million for charities helping with relief efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic. Understandably, the quality of golf wasn’t at its highest but it made for fascinating viewing. Players wearing microphones and carrying their bags, no spectators lining the fairways, and a golf course in pristine condition. The players competed in a skins match, with extra money raised for birdies, eagles as well as a couple of long drive challenges – Wolff launched massive drives of 356 and 368 yards to take the honours here. With the final six skins rolling over with each hole halved, a 120-yard nearest-the-pin shootout was needed to decide the overall winners. The result? Rory showing why he’s the world number one by knocking a wedge to within 12-feet to secure victory for him and DJ. It was great to see some live golf back on TV and for such a tremendous cause. If you watched it, we’d love to know what you thought. Did you enjoy hearing what the players were saying to each other? Would you like to see more events like this? Do you think golf missed an opportunity to showcase gender equality? Let us know here.
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Plans For The Future I have now received some guidance from the PGA about what services we are allowed to offer when government lockdown restrictions are relaxed here in Scotland, please have a look below! - Coaching - one to one coaching will be allowed from all 3 coaches here at the club, at present our online booking system is still down but when we get the nod, I will open this facility back up again!
- Club Fitting - again it looks like this will be available although in slightly different circumstances, I will personally be doing ALL fittings short term, Although more encouragement will be made to potential customers to take clubs out and try them for themselves on the golf course. We have a huge number of demo clubs, right across the range available for everyone to try!
- Group Coaching /Juniors - We will not be offering any group coaching in the short term, i am still hopeful that we will be able to get all group coaching classes back up and running later in the year though.
- Retail - Thankfully we will be able to operate this facility to everyone at the club, The shop is full of new apparel ranges and lots of different products including all essentials for the game. We have taken all the necessary precautions around the shop and will have the doors open! in addition we will also be offering a click and collect service where you can order online through my website or simply phone ahead to the shop before any visit, if you are not comfortable coming in, we will come out to you! where possible club accounts and card payments will be encouraged.
- Clubhouse - All members information will come through from the club before we start playing again, what i can tell you is that the Pro Shop will be open on our return, my team and I are desperate to see you all again and welcome you back to our great club!
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News From Scott My turn this week! I hope you are all staying safe in these rather strange times and fingers crossed we could be back in the next couple of weeks. I have been up to the club to check on the shop a few times and have to say the course and new practice area look superb, it’s going to be real treat getting back out there. It’s not only golf that I have to look forward too. My wife and I are expecting our first child in November, certainly one of the better lockdown stories. I have been trying to keep myself busy as possible, webinars, trying to keep fit and anything that could be painted in the house has been painted! I have not had a chance to hit many shots during lockdown so I am a little concerned what the first tee shot will have in store. I might get a video so you can all have a laugh at my expense, only fair considering I get to watch all of yours during the year! I have to say I am missing being around the club, coaching the juniors and members has become a huge part of my time at Stirling. Hopefully we can get back to some kind of normality in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, stay safe and I look forward to seeing you all again soon. Scott |
When you get the chance to venture back onto the course for a game of golf, we want you to get as much enjoyment out of it as possible whilst following social distancing guidelines. It might not be for right now but something to consider for the future is Motocaddy’s range of stylish and compact (can easily fit in your boot alongside your clubs) electric trolleys. They have some fantastic options at affordable prices, all of which will take the strain off your back and allow you to walk the course in comfort!
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