REPORT

Despite some on/off showers throughout the afternoon the children involved in our Flag events at Paul Lawrie Golf Centre coped really well with conditions and produced some excellent golf.

In the Under 10s Girls, Amy Blackadder produced a personal best to top her section by making it all the way to the 9th green.  Hannah Mair, playing in her first Flag competition finished as runner-up, just ahead of Lois Reid.

Kameron Brown headed the Under 10s Boys event, seeing off the challenge of James Jarvie (2nd) and Reece Nicol (3rd) by making it to the 8th green.

The Under 12s Girls saw Catherine Bell finish in 1st position, ahead of Isla Reid.

Declan McCaul in the Under 12s Boys made it through nine holes for the first time (and will now move in to the new Advanced Flag category).  Holing out at the 10th, Declan narrowly saw off the challenge of Peter Mair (who missed a short putt on the 10th hole to tie Declan’s effort).  Kyle Marshall & Fin Sinclair tied for 3rd place.

The Advanced Flag event witnessed another strong performance from Ollie Robertson who made it through the 11th hole.  Zack Don & Evan Walker tied for runner-up spots as they both holed-out at the 10th hole with their 36th shots

DRAW/TEE TIMES

12.20  Austin McCaul  Declan McCaul  Evan Walker

12.30  Mitchell Sinclair  Catherine Bell  Zack Don

12.40  Kyle Marshall  Ollie Robertson  Kameron Brown

12.50  Seth Malcolm  Alan Tang  Fin Sinclair

13.00  Reece Nicol  Cooper Hendry

13.10  Amy Blackadder  Lois Reid  Isla Reid

Paul Lawrie Foundation FLAG competitions are designed to introduce juniors aged 12 and under (under 12 at 1st Jan 2019 & under 10 on 1st Jan 2019 to be eligible for the U10s section) to competitive, fun golf played over shortened courses (holes typically between 100yds-250yds long).  Normally we’ll play over 9 holes.  Competitors have 36 shots to get as far around the lay-out as possible.  A flag colour-coded to their age-group and section is placed in the ground where the 36th stroke comes to rest.

No handicap is necessary for FLAG competitions.

Children must be accompanied by an adult/responsible person to assist with safety.  No prior knowledge of golf or the rules is necessary for either the child or accompanying adult.  In most circumstances, children will have to handle their own equipment (no caddies!) though, for example, if it’s very wet/cold it is acceptable for some assistance in keeping clubs as dry as possible and children warm/dry.

Modified rules of golf are used, based upon R&A/USGA Rules of Golf, allowing kids to navigate their way around the courses we play.

bunkers – after three failed attempts to escape from a bunker a competitor may throw their ball out of the buker (but only the three failed strokes will count)

maximum strokes per hole – not more than 10 strokes may be taken at any hole, including a maximum of 4 putts on any green.  If a competitor reaches the maximum number of shotts (or putts) for that hole, they progress to the next hole and continue to play until they reach their 36 shots

water/penalty area – if the ball is in water and the competitor decides to take a penalty drop out of the area, they may do so by dropping nearer the hole to prevent having to play over/across the penalty area again

ball unplayable – in addition to the normal options available, players may take relief by dropping from the unplayable spot on to an area of shorter grass (even though this may mean dropping more than the normally permitted dropping area)