WelcomeWe are a few weeks into the lockdown and I think we are mostly coping pretty well but I see quite a lot of you on my daily walks and I know you are all missing your golf. I've put together another wee email with some photos and stories from the club's history. The family and I have been getting on great at home and I think the missus is finally getting used to having me there so much. It was rotten to miss the Masters at the weekend but we had our own little Masters Sunday in the back garden (pic above). Rowan better get used going into the sand if she's going to be my caddy. Take care everyone and enjoy the read Sandy McD Memories - Hitlers BunkerSome of you may not be aware but the bunker 20 yards short of the 18th green has a sinister history. During World War II the most bombed areas in the UK outside of London were Peterhead and Aberdeen. These were obviously big ports and large food distribution hubs for the rest of the country, so were perfect targets to damage our infrastructure. Some of the young German pilots flying over from Norway would panic as they flew over foreign land and would just dump their payload early. One of those stray bombs landed on our 18th fairway about 80 years ago and was later defused and dug out by the Ministry of Defence. The remaining crater was not filled in but instead turned into a bunker. So, the next time you curse your luck for ruining your scorecard there, take comfort in the fact that the “designer” of this course feature also met his demise in a bunker. McD GC Memories - UpdateI had previously posted this picture on Facebook to try and identify the two players competing in an 80's Mens Club Championship Final. The consensus was that it was Mike Gillan and probably Ronnie Wells but I had some confirmation after last weeks email was sent out. Edwin and Kathleen Riddell wrote to me to let me know that it was Mike Gillan but that he was actually playing against their son, Gary. Gary was born and raised in Ellon and was an excellent golfer winning the Junior Championship in 1983 and the Mens Championship here against Mike in 1987. He would also win the men’s championship at Cruden Bay that year too. A scratch golfer but his biggest sporting talent was football and he would go from the Aberdeen squad under Fergie, to signing for Dunfermline Athletic. Under the management of Jim Leishman, Gary helped the Pars return to the top tier of Scottish football by winning the then First Division Championship. Tragically, only weeks after their title winning celebrations, Gary passed away. He was running in the Dunfermline Half Marathon to raise money for the families of the Hillsborough disaster when he was struck down at the tender age of 22. "He died doing good for others" remarked his former Dunfermline manager at a recent tribute. Undoubtedly one of Ellon’s greatest sporting stars. Here is the newspaper report from his Club Championsip victory. McD GC Memories - Abercrombie TeamsHere is the McDonald Abercrombie team from 1991. Top row. Colin Grant Jnr, Mike Gillan, Jim Peace, Ronnie Wells Bottom row. Eric Sim, Hamish King, Craig McGill, Raymond Pennie I know almost all these men and can I say with the deepest respect, time has not been kind. McD GC Memories - Pennant TeamsThis is from the same year as the Abercrombie picture above. The junior Felicity Team were playing Strathlene in the final at Duffhouse. I’m glad to say they were victorious. Top row. Bob Jamieson, Jamie Hutchison, Malcolm Adam, Kevin Milne, Bill McConachie (junior convenor) Bottom Row. Matthew Duncan, Mark Grant, Iain Castles McD GC Memories - Scottish Fancy DressHere is the ladies section in 1991 attending a Scottish Fancy Dress Night. I'm sure there will be lots of faces in there that you will recognise. Moira Ironside and Joy Grant (captain) are on the left and George Ironside (captain) is on the far right. Dr. Martin Pucci is also pictured. I not sure if he is there in a professional or social capacity. See if you can spot my head assistant Andrea in there. I will for sure be getting this picture blown up and put in the shop window. Course UpdateI had a wee blether with Bill (from a distance) this morning when I came into the shop. The greenkeepers have been directed by the greenkeepers association that they are to work under "essential maintenance guidelines". This means that the greens are allowed to be cut three times a week (maximum), fairways and tees once a week. No course improvement work is allowed to be done at this time. The staff are working on a rota system so their interaction is limited. The course itself is extremely dry for this time of year but Bill is pleased with it's progress. Sandy's Memories - Twa NumptiesIt was Friday the 18th of December 2009 and I was in my first year here. It was cold when I came in that morning and the forecast was ominous. Those who had their name down for a game had all phoned and cancelled and the only person I'd seen by 11am was the postie. Enter, twa numpties! Snow was already falling when Mike Owen and Jim O'Brien came into the shop dressed for an expedition. "Hi guys" I said, surprised to see them. "You're not actually going out are you?" "We're going to give it 9 holes and see how it goes" came the reply. I obviously gave them some stick and once they left I chuckled and shook my head with a mixture of incredulity and admiration. The snow continued and I saw not a soul for the next 90mins until Jim and Mike finished the front 9. They were walking up through the car park so I assumed they were coming up to tell me how ridiculous the playing conditions were and how silly it had been to go out in the first place. Nope! The twa numpties just kept walking past the shop and headed for the 10th tee. Another nine holes!!! I was going to go out and take a photo of them teeing off but the weather was genuinely that bad that I didn't bother. I kept checking with the bar staff to see if they'd come in early but no, they played the entire round. I never bothered to ask who actually won the match but going by their expressions from this photo afterwards, Jim might have just edged it. Now when I call them twa numpties, I say this with great affection because I have enjoyed both their company many a time over pint (or twa). Mike sadly passed away four years ago and he is dearly missed here at the club. I think about him often but especially when I see a flurry of snow. The 1991 photos were supplied by Colin Grant Snr and the Gary Riddell article was supplied by Edwin and Kathleen Riddell. If you have any photo's or stories you'd like me to share then please email me at sandyairdjnr@hotmail.co.uk I can come round and pick up the photo's or you can drop them off at my house. aw' the best. |