Scottish Seniors Golfing Society programme for 2016

By GORDON THOMSON
The Scottish Seniors Golfing Society has once again arranged an excellent fixture  programme, sponsored by McCrea Financial Services, for the coming season as follows

April 23-24: Meeting - Monifieth Links

May 12-13: North of Scotland Seniors Open - Elgin

June 2-3: East of Scotland Seniors Open-  Edzell 

June 30-July 1: West of Scotland of Scotland Seniors Open-  West Kilbride

July 7-8: Central Scotland Seniors Open - Glenbervie

July 11-15: Match-play Championship – Panmure 

July 28-29: South of Scotland Seniors Open – Southerness

August 4-5: Super Seniors Championship (over 65) – Strathmore

August 25-26: Autumn Meeting – Nairn Dunbar

September 8:  Finals Day -  Blairgowrie 

September 22: Area Team Championship - Largs October 16-21: Spanish Seniors Festival –Hacienda del Alamo, Murcia

All events are sponsored by McCrea Financial Services.

   

Ronnie Clark (Erskine) will be hoping for a repeat of his 2015 Order of Merit title win but will face stiff competition from a strong group of players including former winners of the title in Ian Brotherston (Dumfries and County), Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) and David Gardner  (Broomieknowe ) as well as leading players, John Fraser (Royal Burgess), Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) and Nick Robson (Meldrum House).

The influx of new members reaching the entry age of 50 usually introduces some excellent players. Last year saw Keith Reilly (Silverknowes) winning twice in his first year and he will almost certainly be a force in 2016.

Senior international Lindsay Blair (Grangemouth) defends the Handicap Order of Merit title and Tom Sirel (Largs) defends the Super Seniors (over 65) title.

An interesting development in the world of senior golf has seen the European Golf Association lower the age limit to 50 for its events from this year. It is unclear if and when the UK home unions will follow suit  but that prospect will no doubt have caught the eyes of those players around the age of 50 keen to extend their competitive horizons.

Formed in November 2006, the Scottish Seniors Golfing Society is the brainchild of former amateur international Gordon MacDonald. It was formed to meet a significant demand for high level competition for senior amateur golfers still keen to test their games at a high level.
The standard of golf is high with many former Walker Cup and Scottish internationals involved. All the events take place in a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere on good courses. There are age group prizes and separate order of merit titles on a handicap basis and for members over the age of 65.

Membership of the Society is open to golfers over the age of 50 with handicaps of 9.4 or less. Further details can be obtained via the website –www.scottish seniorsgolf.com or by contacting Ian Kerr at admin@scottishseniorsgolf.com.