The Swinging Sixties: Can senior golfers really improve
with age? Foreword by David Livingstone former Sky Sports Golf presenter
https://amzn.eu/d/hJDhF3P
A book featuring some of the society's leading players and
their approach to the game has just been published.
The Swinging Sixties - can senior golfers really improve with age? has
been written by SSGS member Ian McKerron after a year-long research project.
McKerron, who most of you will know as one of our starter/scorers, interviewed
15 SSGS members and four women from the SSWGA about how they've risen to the
top of seniors golf.
The book looks at their approach to aspects of the game such as physical
fitness, mental application and pre-round preparation.
Among the players who took part in the project are Scotland's most
successful senior amateur Ronnie Clark; 2024 Senior Order of Merit champion
Paul Moultrie; and three-times Senior Matchplay winner and leading sports
psychologist Dr John Mathers.
McKerron, a former Fleet Street journalist, said: 'The book was inspired by the
great Tom Watson when he came within a whisker of winning The Open in 2009,
just a few months short of his 60th birthday. But the idea didn't really
crystalise until I joined the SSGS and realised what a huge reservoir talent it
represented.
'It's not, of course, an instructional book. But I hope it does offer an
insight into how top senior amateurs not only maintain performance but, in many
cases, continue to improve as they grow older.'
The book is available to purchase as a paperback on Amazon. https://amzn.eu/d/hJDhF3P
The new season approaches for the Scottish Super Senior members of the Scottish Seniors. There is a sub-committee for the super-seniors that feeds into the main committee. This sub-committee is to help with the planning of Super-senior events and the organisation of international matches. The committee comprises:
Brian Bingham – representative main committee
Ian Brotherston – international team captain and lead selector
John Fraser – financial matters & sponsorship
Lindsay Gordon – order of merit
Roy Lumsden – councillor
In 2025 we have 6 events, specifically for super-seniors, in addition to the regular seniors events:
Spring meeting, Tulliallan, Wednesday, Thursday, April 30, May 1. Last year slightly wet underfoot but fast well-prepared greens!
Summer meeting, West Linton, Monday, Tuesday, June 2nd, 3rd. One of the toughest last 3 holes – level par for those 3 is a result!
Super-senior open, Lochmaben, Thursday, Friday, July 10th, 11th New venue, very scenic around loch, part James Braid design.
International masters, Irvine Bogside, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday August 27,28,29. Entry gives you all 3 rounds.
3,4,5 an interesting start to a James Braid design links course with views to Arran.
Autumn meeting, Ratho Park, Tuesday, Wednesday, September 9th, 10th A lovely. Secluded, tree lined parkland course with a Jacobean style clubhouse built in 1824!
Match play, Strathmore, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday October 1st, 2nd 3rd.
The 4th, 6th and 14th are stand out holes.
Entry to the above events through the online entry forms within the COMPETITIONS TAB above.
There are 3 international matches in 2025 with selection, mostly, dependent on position in Super Senior order of merit.
Wales, Gullane, Monday, Tuesday May 12th, 13th with practice Sunday 11th May.
A 12-man team. Selection for this team is, largely, dependant on the order of merit results for 2024. The team will be selected on 1st May at the conclusion of the Tulliallan spring meeting.
UK Seniors, Haggs Castle, Monday, Tuesday September 1st,2nd with practice Sunday 31st August.
A 10-man team that will be selected on 19th August at conclusion of Hamilton Autumn Meeting.
Spain, El Saler, Monday 6th October to Thursday 9th October
A 12-man team. It is likely that 9 of the places will be identified at the conclusion of the seniors’ event at Powfoot on 18th July with the last 3 spots confirmed on 19th August at conclusion of Hamilton Autumn Meeting.
Team selection is, largely, based on position in the order of merit. Ian Brotherston, as team captain, however shall have the last word on selection. It is worth noting that although this 2025 team selection takes place before autumn meeting, international masters and match play the position in the 2025 order of merit will feed into selection for internationals early in the 2026 season.
The international team events benefit from some sponsorship. John Fraser is very active in that sphere. The teams would benefit from further sponsorship. Please talk to John if you could help.
We are looking for venues for 2026. Please let any members of the committee know if you have a suggestion. I can be reached at BJGBingham@aol.com
Brian Bingham
for the Super-senior sub committee,
January 2025
PAUL MOULTRIE TOPS ORDER OF MERIT TABLE AFTER CHALLENGING YEAR
Heartiest congratulations to Paul Moultrie who, barely a year after being diagnosed with prostate cancer, has won the race for the 2024 Order of Merit title.
Royal Troon member Paul, 59, finally topped the table after securing three runner-up spots in succession and a third place last year. Victory was secured at the Autumn Meeting at Hamilton Golf Club where local member and fellow Scotland internationalist Stewart Henderson was narrowly squeezed into second place. Royal Troon member Robert Jenkins finished third, a handful of points behind Stewart.
After his win, Paul said:‘Having been runner-up in the Order of Merit three years in a row, to come out on top for the first time this year of all years is really something special for me.’
The Net Order of Merit was won by JALIL AMAN (GRANGEMOUTH GOLF CLUB) on 419 points, just 24 points ahead of 2nd placed Phil Hendry (Stirling G C), with Bill MacMillan (Bonnyton G C) third a further 33 points behind.
The Super Seniors OOM concluded with the Autumn meeting at Buchanan Castle.
In the Scratch OOM the clear winner by a considerable margin was JOHN FRASER (ROYAL BURGESS GOLFING SOCIETY) with William Irvine (Lanark G C) in 2nd place on 1185 points with Lindsay Blair (Grangemouth G C) in 3rd spot, on 1100.
The Net OOM was very close with 3 possible winners going into the last event. At the end of the day BILLY ERSKINE (KILSYTH LENNOX G C) emerged victorious on 1060 points, with Jalil Aman (Grangemouth G C) in 2nd place on 965 and Ian White (Lundin Links G C) 3rd on 895.
Congratulations to our members that have been selected to represent SSGS in the upcoming team matches against UKSGA at Alwoodley Golf Club on Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th September, and against Spain at Southerness Golf Club on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th October.
Good luck to our Team Captain John Fraser and his team for what should be competitive and enjoyable matches!
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
“I want to extend a huge thank you to all the members of the
Scottish Seniors Golfing Society who supported my London Marathon fund-raising
effort for Prostate Cancer UK.
We started with a target of raising £5,000.Through the
amazing generosity of the SSGS membership, as well as many other supporters,
the total accumulated so far is just under £13,000. Magnificent!
My heartfelt gratitude to you all for supporting such a
worthwhile cause. Your contributions will help make the early detection and
successful treatment of prostate cancer more of a reality for many men in the
future.
If anyone wants to add to the fund-raising pot, the Just Giving page is still open until the end of June. justgiving.com/page/paul-moultrie-london-marathon-2024
With regard to my own journey, I am currently undergoing hormone therapy treatment which will continue for about a further 18 months. I completed my radiotherapy at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow on April 15, six days before the London Marathon. I am extremely grateful to the staff at both the Beatson and Ayr Hospitals for their world-class service, care and expertise.
This was my fourth London Marathon. While it was a memorable experience, I can safely say it will be my last….until the next time!
My sincere thanks again for all your support, including the many messages of encouragement I received.
I look forward to seeing everyone on a golf course as the season continues.”
Kind regards
Paul
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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.