Some LIGHT-hearted night fun at Tain Golf Club

FROM MAGI VASS

Tain Golf Club Secretary 

We had a great fun evening of “night golf” in the dark last weeken, organised by our pro, Stuart Morrison (BIG thanks to him for that and also for the report below)

Three years ago I bought flashing golf balls in an attempt to create a evening of golf in the dark. Up here the golfing season is relatively short and I thought it would be a good idea to try something during the “off” season to bring the members down to support the club when they otherwise would not. The winters that followed after purchasing the balls stopped the event happening but on Friday I managed to make it happen. 

On Friday morning there was 1.5 inches of snow lying on the course and it was looking doubtful we would manage to go ahead. I decided that the snow wouldn’t be too much of a hindrance as playing golf in the dark was farcical enough so what did in matter if there was a little snow on the ground! 

We swept the snow from the winter greens and tested the balls in the snow and they worked fine so I made sure everybody knew it was going ahead. By the time 5.30pm came round we had had a big defrost and the snow had melted away leaving the ground still a little firm but in good condition. 

Twenty-four golfers, playing in six four-balls, played foursomes golf over five holes - the 1st, 2nd, 16th, 17th and 18th. There were fluorescent glow sticks marking the tees, attached to the flags and put into the holes. 

As it is so dark down at the golf club, with very little light pollution, the quality of the glow sticks was superb. You could see the 1st flag glowing from over 400yd away. 

All the players required a torch and had fluorescent wrist bands to help them see. Some of the members got right into the spirit of the event as one of them went down the fairway lit up and flashing better than most Christmas trees I’ve seen. 

A number of spectators came down to the club to watch and with the clubhouse lights off you were able to see the balls going through the air like tracer bullets as if the RAF were bombing on the range beyond the course! 

Everybody thoroughly enjoyed it and gathered in the clubhouse for a meal that was included in the entry fee where I did a short prizegiving. The plan is to do it again in February and be better prepared to allow more people to play.

Tain Golf Club has a new members offer of full membership for £295 + Bar Levy for 2013. 

What happened on Friday night highlighted the fun that we try to have at Tain and that we are active in trying to provide events for the members all year round to help increase the value of their membership.

 

Magi Vass