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Alford wins Spey Valley
clubgolf Pro-Am

3 August 2009

Aberdeenshire’s Alford Golf Club, winner of last year’s Junior Club of the Year award, showed themselves to be as adept under the pressure of competition as they are at junior development.

One of 20 teams in this year’s Scottish Hydro Challenge clubgolf Pro-Am at Spey Valley, a fixture which grows in popularity each year and attracted clubgolf volunteer coaches from the far corners of Scotland, Alford’s score of 59 saw them squeak home one ahead of a composite team from Duns and Eyemouth, who themselves finished a mere point ahead of another Aberdeenshire team, Aboyne.

The Alford line up was Colin Hood, David Dawson and Ali Officer. Together with Scottish professional golfer, Ross Cameron, they made the perfect team.

“Ross made the day a fantastic experience for us,” said Colin Hood, Alford’s coach co-ordinator. “He not only put us at ease but guided us around what was a tricky course. I am sure it was down to his relaxed but professional manner that allowed us to play well and ultimately win.”

“To get his knowledge of the game as well as the course was fantastic and that certainly aided us to victory.”

From Ellon in Grampian, where clubgolf has been taken up by an impressive number of clubs (and coincidentally, clubs from Grampian have won the last three clubgolf Pro-Ams), Ross is fully aware of what the programme means both locally and nationally.

“I was very aware everybody playing was a clubgolf volunteer,” he said. “I think it’s great that they are helping the juniors at their clubs so I was definitely going to make sure the guys I was with had the best time they could.

“The three I was with were very good guys, they played great and we gelled together. I wanted to help them as much as possible. I gave them a little bit of help on a particular type of shot, made some suggestions on their swings and gave them general encouragement and small pointers.

“We shot 59 which was 12 under par and a tremendous score.”

Now in its fourth year the Pro-Am is a reward for some of the volunteer coaches who have played an essential part in the boom in junior golf which Scotland is enjoying thanks to clubgolf.

It is also intended as an opportunity for clubgolf volunteer coaches to meet and share ideas on junior coaching.

“The opportunity to network with other clubgolf coaches from across Scotland is invaluable,” said Colin Hood.

“To be able to speak to clubgolf volunteers as far away as Stranraer and Orkney was a great opportunity. Alford’s junior set up is doing fantastically well but it was reassuring to find out that we are all experiencing similar ups and downs during our coaching.

“I would absolutely recommend the Pro-Am to anybody. It’s not just the experience of playing in the Pro-Am, and on a great course, but to mix with everyone else.

“As a competitor, the day seemed to run flawlessly and we were treated to first class service both at the course and within the hotel. I realise that these events don't organise themselves and it was obvious that a lot of time and effort was put into the running of the day.

“It is not often that the average club golfer is presented with the chance to play in a Pro-Am, especially of the calibre of the Challenge Tour. We would like to thank everyone that helped organise and took part in the event.”

Scottish Hydro Challenge clubgolf Pro-Am results

1st team: Alford GC (Colin Hood, David Dawson, Ali Officer and Pro, Ross Cameron) won dinner B&B for four at Macdonald Spey Valley plus golf at Spey Valley

2nd team: Duns and Eyemouth GC (Duncan Ross, Graham Clark, Bob Holmes and Pro, Tim Dykes) won golf for four at Gleneagles

3rd team: Aboyne GC (Robert Bruce, Ian Anderson, Stuart Gilfillan and Pro, Adrien Bernadet) won ECCO shoe vouchers

4th team: Stranraer won Glenmuir shirts and sweaters

Longest drive men’s winner, Iain Campbell (McDonald Ellon GC) won a Glenmuir boxed set

Longest drive ladies’ winner, Hayley Carruthers (Pitlochry GC) won a Glenmuir boxed set

Nearest the pin men’s winner, Brian Shanks (Kintore GC) won a Glenmuir boxed set

Nearest the pin ladies’ winner, Jeani Hunter (Bonar Bridge & Ardgay GC) won a Glenmuir boxed set