Latest News - Scottish Seniors

Now that the season has reached the halfway point, this is a good time to assess and potentially boost your fitness levels - not only so you can maintain form but also to guard against injury.

Mind Body Golf, the Troon-based consultancy run by Scottish Seniors  Internationalist Paul Moultrie, has agreed to run another block of online fitness classes exclusively for SSGS members.  

The four, one hour-long Zoom sessions will begin this Monday, August 3 at 9:00am, with the rest following on consecutive weeks.

They are an opportunity for members to improve and maintain their fitness and flexibility for optimal performance for the remainder of the season.

All exercises taught in the sessions are designed specifically to improve the golf swing.

Members who have taken part so far have reported impressive improvement in their strength and flexibility.

Paul, the 2024 Senior Order of Merit champion, is offering SSGS members a discounted rate of £30 for all four classes.

Part of the proceeds raised from the classes is being donated to Prostate Cancer UK.

Any member who has already taken part and wants to continue, or for those wishing to join for the first time, can register by clicking HERE.

Further information about other services offered by Mind Body Golf can be found on its website www.mindbodygolf.co.uk

Note: For the avoidance of doubt, Mind Body Golf is the organisation with whom members will be interacting. Accordingly, the SSGS does not hold any liability in respect of this offer.

All the very best to our Super Seniors Scratch and Super Seniors Handicap teams who are playing in the ESGA 2026 European Super Seniors Championship and Cup at Hyvinkää in Finland from June 30th to July 3rd.

The European Seniors Golf Association (ESGA) promotes both scratch and handicap team golf for four age groups; 55+, 65+, 70-74 and 75+, and it now has over 20 Association members, including the UKSGA representing England and Wales. The SSGS is not a member of the ESGA and the ESGA hopes that our special invite to the Finland event will be a small first step towards the SSGS joining in the future.

The Super Seniors teams for this event, which have been selected through the Super Seniors 2025 order of merit process, are as follows:-

Scratch:

Ian Brotherston, playing captain, Dumfries and County

Laurie Chancellor, Inverness

John Fraser, Royal Burgess 

Lindsay Gordon, Turnhouse

David Imrie, Lundin Links

Tom McLevy, Blairgowrie

Handicap:

Brian Bingham, Royal Troon 

Robin Cockburn, Gullane

Colin Halcrow, Largs

John Johnston, Wishaw

Neil McGarva, Kilmacolm

Les McLaughlin, East Kilbride

Ian Jeen, non-playing captain, New Club, St Andrews.”

See also comment from ESGA.

At the Kytäjä Golf Club in Hyinkää we will be joined by players from Scotland (SSGS) who accepted our invitation to play in the Super Seniors. They will have teams in both the Championship and the Cup but, not being ESGA members, will not be eligible for the Ivan Maura or the Adriaan de Bruin trophies. Instead, we are going to run in parallel, an Open tournament in both scratch and handicap competitions. All teams will take part in the Open competitions and the winning team will receive a special trophy to be retained by the winning Association. I’m confident our friends from Scotland will receive a warm welcome from all ESGA members, enjoy the competition and make new friends!

DUNCAN HAMILTON  - FORMER SOCIETY STALWART AND CHAMPION DIES PEACEFULLY IN AUSTRALIA

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of former SSGS stalwart Duncan Hamilton.

Duncan, who played in society events over a number of years and is a former Scotland internationalist, passed away in Australia after losing his battle with cancer.

The retired Edinburgh solicitor moved Down Under with his partner a number of years ago. He died peacefully with his two sons by his side.

As an accomplished young player, Duncan won the Lothian Boys Championship in 1976 while a member of Royal Burgess. He was also a member of Newbattle, Dunbar and Mortonhall, the latter being the club he represented while competing as a senior.

In 2015 he was jointly crowned Central Scotland Senior Champion with former international team captain Ronnie Clark.

Duncan was a Lothians County player and a member of the Mortonhall squad which won the prestigious Dispatch Trophy in 2018 and successfully defended it the following year.

Graeme Millar, one of his closest friends, said:  ‘It was one of Duncan’s last wishes that his ashes be spread over Braid Hills where he spent so many happy times. He will be sorely missed by his golfing companions in Australia and here in Scotland.’

ANOTHER CHANCE TO GET IN SHAPE FOR THE SEASON AHEAD

Following the success of Mind Body Golf’s online fitness and flexibility classes exclusively for SSGS members, founder Paul Moultrie has agreed to run two more programmes to help players get in peak shape for the start of the new season. 

Members who signed up for the four weekly classes run over January into February, were full of praise for the expert tuition. 

‘The exercises were challenging without being over-taxing,’ said one participant,  ‘and I was impressed by the way Paul explained how each exercise related to specific movements in the golf swing.’

As before, MBG is offering two one-hour classes, one of which will run on four consecutive Mondays from 23^rd February at 9am; the other on four consecutive Tuesdays from 24^th February at 6.30pm.

The Troon-based consultancy is offering the classes exclusively to SSGS members at a 25% discount. Each online class (hosted via ZOOM) will be limited to a maximum of 12 players, so if you want to take advantage of this offer, sign up for the classes today!

The cost for all four sessions is only £30 and you can enrol by clicking HERE.

Any SSGS member who might prefer one-to-one fitness and flexibility tuition, or would like to take advantage of MBG’s exclusive Inner Caddie Programme - online or in person - is being offered a 10% discount on regular fees. If interested, drop an email to MBG at info@mindbodygolf.co.uk.

Further information about all services offered by MBG can be found on its website, www.mindbodygolf.co.uk

You may recall that Paul, who has been successfully treated for prostate cancer, raised around £14,000 in sponsorship from SSGS members, and the wider golfing community, for Prostate Cancer UK by running the London Marathon in 2024.

As an ongoing commitment to the charity, a percentage of all funds that Paul raises through his business interests goes to Prostate Cancer UK. Accordingly, by taking up this offer to enhance your own golf fitness and flexibility, you will be helping an organisation that supports thousands of men across the UK. (www.prostatecancerukuk.org) 

          PRAISE FOR MIND BODY GOLF

                 “The online fitness and flexibility classes run by Mind Body Golf were the ideal preparation for the new season ahead. The great thing about Paul’s instruction is that it is all golf specific. If you want the opportunity to play your best, enjoy your golf and stay injury-free, this is the way to do it”   

              “The programme of exercises have made me raring to go. From Paul’s instruction, I’ve developed my own fitness plan and feel ready to give it my best shot”

Note: Mind Body Golf is the organisation with whom members will be interacting. Accordingly, the SSGS does not hold any liability in respect of this offer.

STILL TIME TO SIGN UP AND GET YOURSELF FIT AND READY FOR THE NEW SEASON

If you’re feeling a bit sluggish after the excesses of the festive season, there’s still time to get yourself in peak physical shape for the start of the new golfing season.

Why not enrol for a four-week online programme of fitness and flexibility classes being offered exclusively to SSGS members by Troon-based consultancy Mind Body Golf?

The classes will be led by MBG founder and owner Paul Moultrie who is offering them at a generous 25% discount as a thank you to the society of which he is a prominent member and keen supporter.

There are still a few places left on each of the two classes, one of which will run on four consecutive Mondays from January 12th at 9am, the other on consecutive Tuesday from January 13th, starting at 6.30pm.

The cost for all four sessions is £30 and you can enrol by clicking here.

But don’t delay. Each class will be limited to 12 golfers on a first-come-first-served basis and to ensure participants receive close tuition and optimum benefit.

Click here to find out more and book your spot.

Any SSGS member who might prefer one-to-one fitness and flexibility tuition, or would like to take advantage of MBG’s exclusive Inner Caddie Programme - online or in person - is being offered a 10% discount on regular fees. If interested, drop an email to MBG at info@mindbodygolf.co.uk.

Further information about all services offered by MBG can be found on its website, www.mindbodygolf.co.uk

You may recall that Paul, who has been successfully treated for prostate cancer, raised around £14,000 in sponsorship from SSGS members, and the wider golfing community, for Prostate Cancer UK by running the London Marathon in 2024.

As an ongoing commitment to the charity, a percentage of all funds that Paul raises through his business interests goes to Prostate Cancer UK. Accordingly, by taking up this offer to enhance your own golf fitness and flexibility, you will be helping an organisation that supports thousands of men across the UK. (www.prostatecancerukuk.org)

Note: For the avoidance of doubt, Mind Body Golf is the organisation with whom members will be interacting. Accordingly, the SSGS does not hold any liability in respect of this offer.

GALLACHER CROWNED SCOTTISH SENIORS MATCHPLAY CHAMPION - AND TOPS THE ORDER OR MERIT

Scotland internationalist Kenny Gallacher made it a double celebration when he won the Scottish Seniors Matchplay Championship at Strathmore, guaranteeing him top slot in the national Order of Merit table.

The East Kilbride stalwart defeated three-times champion John Mathers in a final in which both players had to battle heavy rain and wind as well as each other.

The match came to an end at the 15th hole, securing a 4&3 victory for Gallacher after he had chipped in at the long, difficult 14th for a birdie three. The result denied Mathers a fourth successive matchplay title, but he was magnanimous in defeat.

‘I am disappointed to have fallen at the final hurdle, but in Kenny I lost to the best player of this year,’ he said.

Gallacher, who was first capped for Scotland in 2018, said: ‘Last year after my performance at the British Seniors I was so fed up with my game I seriously thought about chucking competitive golf. I stopped practising and just started playing for fun. And then things started to turn around. I was enjoying my golf again and thankfully the results followed.

‘John is a great champion, having won this trophy for the last three years. This win, and being back in the Scottish team, tops off a very satisfying season for me.’

In the semi-finals, Mathers took on new Scotland cap Graham Bell who, in the quarter-finals, beat reigning Order of Merit champion Paul Moultrie. Mathers, aiming for his fourth successive matchplay championship, came through 2&1.

The second semi-final went all the way to the fourth extra hole before Gallacher and two-times matchplay champion Stewart Henderson could be separated, with Gallacher holing a bunker shot to progress to the final.

In the other quarter-finals, Henderson beat Stirling’s Phil Hendry while Scotland team player David Thomson and Gallacher had to go to the 19th before the latter clinched the tie with a birdie.

Last year’s Super Seniors handicap champion Lindsay Gordon contested the scratch final against Inverness’s Laurie Chancellor. Again, the match had to go to extra time before Gordon claimed the title at the 19th for a spectacular double.

The Super Seniors handicap final was between Kilmacolm’s Neil McGarva (9) and Ian Jeen (3), New Club St Andrews, with McGarva emerging victorious with a 3&1 win.

The finalists, as well as the Super Seniors contending for third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth places, had to battle heavy rain and gusting winds as Storm Amy made her presence felt.

The championship trophies were presented by Society Chairman Alan Michie who thanked competitors and all at Strathmore Golf Centre for hosting the championship for the second consecutive year.

Accepting the Super Seniors scratch trophy, Lindsay Gordon paid special thanks to competitions secretary Ian Kerr for all his hard work during the championship as well as throughout the year.

Gallacher’s victory means he tops this year’s Order of Merit table for players aged 50 to 64. Laurie Chancellor is crowned Super Seniors’ Order of Merit champion. Congratulations to both for magnificent performances throughout the season.

The Society is grateful to all at Strathmore Golf Centre for hosting the championships and for their excellent hospitality. Special thanks, also, to the greenstaff for presenting the course in top-class condition despite some challenging weather conditions.

Ken Gallacher (East Kilbride) emerged as narrow winner of the 2025 Seniors Order of Merit following his victory in the Matchplay at Strathmore.

Going into the final event of the year, Graham Bell (Bathgate) was leading the race, but his defeat in the semi-finals at Strathmore by defending matchplay champion, John Mathers (Haggs Castle) left the door slightly ajar for Ken to take advantage, but only if he could defeat  John in the final. The final was played in terrible weather courtesy of Storm Amy, but Ken capped of an excellent year by holding his nerve to win by a margin of 4&3. 

Graham had an excellent 1st year in the seniors and only missed out on top slot by 40 points. He did have the consolation however of winning the Handicap Order of Merit for 2025 by an even slimmer margin of 13 points from Ken Milligan (Kingsfield Golf Centre)

In the Super Seniors Order of Merits, Laurie Chancellor (Inverness) was a clear winner of the scratch OOM with a total of 1595 points, some 3685 points ahead of David Imrie (Lundin) who finished in 2nd place.

In the Handicap OOM Colin Halcrow (Largs) was the winner on 830 points, 35 points ahead of David Imrie (Lundin) in 2nd place.

Congratulations to all the winners and to all other players who competed throughout the year.

The fifth annual match between Scottish Super-senior (over 65) and UK Super-seniors (England and over 65) took place at Haggs Castle Golf Club on Monday 1^st September and Tuesday 2^nd September. The club hospitality was exemplary. The course was in excellent condition. The players coped well with a course meandering through trees with numerous tricky dogleg holes. Intermittent rain and wind added to the challenge for the players.  Scotland won the match 6 and a half to 3 and a half. The real winner, however, was the camaraderie between the teams and the wonderful welcome from Haggs Castle Golf Club. The photograph shows the two teams along with club captain Craig Morrison.

Brian Bingham 

The event was held between 5-th August at Strathmore Golf Centre. As always the course was in excellent condition and the players were well looked after in the clubhouse throughout the 3 days of competition.
We again made some changes to the format for both the main draw and the Super Seniors draws in response to members that played in the matchplay events last year. The 32 qualifiers in the main draw were divided into 8 groups of 4 on an Order of Merit ranking basis with each player playing 3 group games before the top 8 moved through to the knockout stages through to the final. 
In the Super Supers events we introduced a scratch event in addition to the usual handicap matchplay event for the top 8 qualifiers from the respective Super Seniors scratch and handicap Order of Merits. In each event, the 8 players contested matches each day to arrive at event winners through to the players in 8th place.

John Mathers (Cathcart Castle GC) beat Derek Paton (Dunnikier Park  GC) 3&2 in the final to win the matchplay for the 3rd year in a row....an outstanding achievement by John.

In the Super Seniors matchplays, the scratch event was won by Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & County GC) beating Willie Irvine (Lanark GC) at the 19th. In the handicap event the winner was Lindsay Gordon (Turnhouse Ltd) who beat Neil McGarva (Kilmacolm GC) 4&3.

Congratulations to John, Ian and Lindsay, and thank you to all the players for supporting the event.

Should also mention that Rob Ford had a hole-in-1 at the 6th on Tuesday....well done Bob!

A big thank you to David Norman, his green keepers and all the staff in the clubhouse and pro shop at Strathmore Golf Centre for helping make the event a success.
We are planning to check with John Mathers to see when he is on holiday next year so that we can hold the event when he is away, and give someone else a chance!!

The 2024 AGM is due to take place at the Autumn Meeting in August. As 
advised in the Members Update in April, there are Committee members that 
have stepped down this year or will be stepping down at the AGM. We need 

nominations to fill these positions urgently so that everything is approved at 

the AGM and in place for the 2025 Tour and beyond. 

Failure to fill all positions would be a serious issue for the continued success 
of the SSGS Tour. 

The 2024 Committee: 

• Chairman: Ronnie Clark (stepping down at AGM) 

•  Secretary: Ian Johnston (stepping down at AGM) 

•  Tournament Secretary: Ian Kerr
  

• Treasurer: Jim Patterson
  

• Area Rep West: Jim Devaney (stepping down at AGM)
  

• Area Rep Central: Vacant (Alex Hogg has stepped down)
  

• Area Rep East: Bill Barclay (stepping down at AGM – Ian Jeen and Derek 
  Paton have agreed to take up the role from the AGM)
  

• Area Rep South: Ian Fraser (stepping down end July)
  

• Area Rep North: Gordon Grimmer (in position and will be ratified at the AGM) 

Other Attendees: 

Honorary President: George Rodaks 

Honorary Vice-Presidents: Jim and Peter Kinloch 

Super Seniors 

There is also a Super Seniors Sub-Group in place that is led by John Fraser. John 
and the group have done a great job in developing interest in Super Seniors 
golf with increased fields for the 4 main SS events, a new scratch and handicap 
matchplay event, the successful 54-hole Masters event on great golf courses 
and 3 matches against England, Wales, and Spain. 

John will also be stepping down from the Sub-Group at the AGM and we 
therefore, require someone to step up and lead the Sub-Group. At the AGM we 
will propose the Sub-Group Leader position is added to the SSGS Committee. 

We therefore require nominations for Chairman, Secretary, Area Reps Central, 
West and South, and a Super Seniors Rep. 

Key tasks for each role:- 

Chairman: Chair Committee meetings and generally ensure SSGS is managed 
well, all issues are dealt with in a timely manner and continue to improve and 
develop the Tour. 

Secretary: Meeting agendas and minutes, co-ordinate Tour schedule and work 
with Area Reps and club venues, produce prize vouchers and winner 
summaries, organise medals and trophies, engraving, update SSGS Facebook 
page (can be covered), and deal with any member issues that arise. 

Area Reps: Secure course venues for events, complete event checklists, contact 
point for members in the area with any issues and liaise with the 
secretary/committee accordingly. 

Super Seniors Rep: lead the Super Seniors Sub-Group and continue to develop 
SS events as interest continues to grow. 

Any member interested in taking up any of the vacancies can of course contact 
those stepping down - Ronnie, Ian, John or any of the Area Reps – for an 
informal chat about their roles. 

There is no doubt the SSGS Tour has continued to grow and develop over the 
past few years with increased interest and improvements along the way, but 
this has also meant organising and managing the Tour takes time and effort 
from members that have volunteered to make sure members can just turn up 
for events and enjoy their golf. Hopefully some members will now step up to 
fill these vacancies and ensure the continued success of the SSGS Tour. 

Please come forward and play your part in supporting SSGS - we would ask 
for nominations by 31st July. 

 Ronnie Clark 
SSGS Chairman 

SUPER SENIORS TEAM VICTORIOUS IN WALES

Day 2 resulted in a 2.5 v 2.5 tie so the SSGS team won the match 5.5 v 4.5. Congratulations to the SSGS on winning the match and to Wales Seniors for hosting the inaugural match which will hopefully continue to take place in future years.  Big thank you to Royal St David's Golf Club for hosting the match and their hospitality throughout the 2 days.

13th May Results from day 1.

Scotland 3 Wales 2 

Lindsay Gordon/Ian Brotherston won

Lindsay Blair/Ian Jean halved

William Irvine/John Fraser won 

Ian Angus/Roy Lumsden halved

Brian Bingham/Jay  Aman lost

15th April: SUPER SENIOR TEAM ANNOUNCED V WALES

As many of  you know the Super Seniors team have arranged three matches this year.

Team Captain John Fraser has announced the team for the first of these against Wales to be held on Monday, 13 and Tuesday 14 May at Royal St. David’s Golf Club. This is the first match we have held against Wales.

The team is; Jalil Aman; Ian Angus; Lindsay Blair; Brian Bingham; Ian Brotherston; John Fraser; Lindsay Gordon; William Irvine; Ian Jeen and  Roy Lumsden 

We congratulate all those selected and we are sure they will represent the Society well both on and off the course.

Good luck lads and bring it home.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Archie and David have been an integral part of SSGS Tour events since 2008, providing event check-in and scoring, and starter positions. As our members know, they have decided to retire from their roles at the end of this season and will be sorely missed.

At their last event at the Super Seniors International Masters at Luffness New Golf Club, we presented Archie and David with SSGS engraved crystal decanters and glasses in recognition of their service. We also passed on 2 cheques for £1600 from the SSGS Just-giving page we set up to give our members the opportunity to show their appreciation.  On behalf of Archie and David, thank you to the 125 members who contributed and they were overwhelmed by the generosity.

We wish Archie and David a long and relaxed retirement and thank them again for their long and distinguished support of the SSGS Tour.

See below for message we received from Archie & Dave:

David and I are overwhelmed by the generosity of the Society and the Members for their appreciation of our efforts and their best wishes given to us.

It has been a privilege and a pleasure to have been associated with the Society since our first event at Glasgow Gailes in 2009.

We have met and befriended many people during that period, rubbed shoulders with the best senior amateur golfers in the country, been to golf courses that we may otherwise never have visited and have always been well looked after.

We are the one’s you see when you pick up your cards or when you  are waiting to get started on your round, but all of the Hard work has previously been done by the Committee. The Area Reps who  organise the Courses, Ian Kerr who  organises the Competitions and Communications to the Players, and the various people who ensure the distribution of vouchers and payments.

We wish the Society continued success in the future and we wish the Players continued enjoyment of the friendly competition that the SSGS provides.

Ous grateful thanks for the Presentation.

 And. Thanks for the Memories.

David and Archie

1st Sept 2023:    SCOTTISH SENIORS INTERNATIONAL MASTERS

This year's event was held at Luffness New Golf Club last week. The winner of the Masters Trophy was Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & County) with rounds of 70,75,73 for 218  -  a fantastic performance by Ian and a win by 8 shots. In 2nd place on the better 3rd round was Willie Irvine (Lanark) with rounds of 79,73,74 for 226, and in 3rd was Lindsay Blair (Grangemouth) with 74,76,76 also for 226. 

In the Handicap Section, the winner of the Handicap Masters Trophy was Shaun McCarroll (Cathcart Castle) with net rounds of 69,73,70 for 212. In 2nd place was Dougie Greenhaugh (Luffness New) with 71,71,72 for 214, and in 3rd was Adrian Donkersley (Wales) with 71,73,71 for 215.

A big thank you to Luffness New GC for hosting the event and to John Fraser and his Super Seniors Group for organising it. Also thank you to Ian, Archie and David for their usual support throughout the event.

Congratulation to Ian and Shaun on their trophy wins and to all the medal and prize voucher winners! We look forward to next year's event which will be held at Glasgow Gailes.  

Pictured below is IAN receiving his trophy from Luffness New Golf Club Captain, Colin Scott.  Shaun was not available and his picture will be updated later.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

27th August:                 SSGS v UKSGA MATCH 2023
This year's challenge match between the Scottish Seniors Golfing Society and the UK Senior Golf Association will take place at Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society on the 4th & 5th September. John Fraser will again Captain the SSGS Team, and Steve Mason will Captain the UKSGA Team. Congratulations to all the players selected to both teams and it is sure to be another competitive and friendly encounter.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

26th August:     2023 ORDERS OF MERIT

With the competition of the Autumn Meeting at Elgin, the final positions in the main Order of Merits have been decided.

The winner of the 2023 Order of Merit was DEREK PATON (DUNNIKIER PARK) with final points total of 876. Derek had a very consistent season with wins in the Scottish Seniors Open, as well as strong showings in our Presidents Cup at Montrose, and the South of Scotland Open at Southerness. In second place was ROBERT JENKINS (ROYAL TROON), on 775, and PAUL MOULTRIE (ROYAL TROON) in 3rd place on 702.

The winner of the Handicap Order of Merit was DAVID THOMSON (PUMPHERSTON GOLF CLUB), with points total of 312, narrowly pushing LAURIE CHANCELLOR (INVERNESS GOLF CLUB) into 2nd place on 277. The margin between 2^nd and 3^rd couldn’t have been any closer with only 1 point separating Laurie with 3rd place taken by LINDSAY TAYLOR (KIRRIEMUIR GOLF CLUB) on 276.

Congratulations to Derek and David on a successful season.

SUPER SENIORS OOM’S

The final events for the Super Seniors will not be concluded until the Super Seniors Autumn meeting at Buchanan Castle on 14/15^th September.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

See photos of finalists and winners receiving their trophies from SSGS Chairman, Ronnie Clark