Rotary Am Am at Glencruitten Golf Club on 2nd June 2024
Although the weather was not as good as it had been in previous years most of the amateur golfers participating in the Rotary Club’s annual charity golf competition were able to complete their rounds in reasonably dry conditions.
The Rotary Club is always keen to acknowledge the generosity of the committee and members of Glencruitten Golf Club who make their course available for the event free of any charge. The course, thanks to the hard work of Head Greenkeeper Dougie MacIntyre and his greenkeeping team was in an excellent state. The team from Dunblane Rotary went so far as to describe the greens as being in superb condition.
Above are the winning team, "Any Hole is a Goal".
35 teams took part in the competition. In addition to Dunblane Rotary there were visiting teams from as far afield as Glasgow and Stirling. The competition saw a large number of high scores which resulted in the main competition for the Oban Times trophy being won by a quartet of local young men competing under the interesting team name of “Any Hole is a Goal”. The runners up prize of the PDK Shellfish Ltd trophy was a close tie between Team Forgrieve and the quartet representing one of the main sponsors, the Oban Times. Unfortunately for the latter, on a count back Team Forgrieve, who had some well kent senior golfers such as Neil Armour and Neil MacDougall, were found to have had a better inward half and thus were awarded the runners up berth. The unlucky Oban Times team were awarded the third team prize of the Bank of Scotland trophy sponsored by MacQueen Bros.
Dalmally Golf Club who have recently been strong supporters of the tournament entered three teams and the team of Dalmally 2 were successful in winning the prize for the leading visiting team. The final competition for the coloured ball was won by the team representing D & K Lafferty.
Although they were unsuccessful it was very pleasing to note that two ladies teams participated and returned very commendable scores. Perhaps the day when a ladies team wins the main competition is not far away.
Despite the rather damp conditions, all the competing teams kept play running to schedule, ably assisted by the ball spotting efforts of the youngsters from the Oban Sea Cadet detachment, TS Pharos, whose young and keen eyes were invaluable to the somewhat more elderly rotarians who were also doing ball spotting duties.
Rotary President Ciorsti Baxter, with the invaluable assistance of some young girls from her local Brownie group, again ran a very successful raffle. In addition Ciorsti also held a Silent Auction for a number of valuable donations from some very generous local sponsors including a signed photograph of Oban golfer Bob MacIntyre. The raffle and auction have brought in the magnificent sum of £1,550 which will be donated to Mary’s Meals the well known local charity who do such stellar international work.
The day concluded with the prizegiving being introduced by Eddie Thornton, Am Am Convenor, and presented by President Ciorsti Baxter. During the prizegiving, Ciorsti thanked all the participating teams, sponsors and donors and the golf club’s ground staff, catering and bar staff and all who contributed to making the day such an excellent event. Ciorsti also pointed out that the Am Am is the Rotary Club’s main annual fundraising event and she anticipates that a sum somewhere between £10,000 to £12,000 will be raised and the main beneficiaries of those funds will be local good causes and charities. As always the Rotary Club is keen to attract new sponsors and members and, should anyone wish to be a sponsor or to join, please contact any member of the club.
Left: President Peter and Junior Vice President and AM AM Convenor, Eddie Thornton, present some flavoured water to Malcolm Cullen for all his help support and assistance given in relation to organising the AM AM.