The 2010 Season ~ Year-end Report As promised 2010 was a different experience for Junior golfers at Dollar and I thought it worthwhile adding up what was achieved and giving hearty thanks to the many people who made it happen. The objective this year was to establish a new programme for Dollar Juniors by becoming a clubgolf centre. During this year we qualified five PGA Level 1 Coaches to deliver basic skills teaching to Stage 1 of the Player Pathway. To help fund training and the equipment needed a £500 grant was obtained from the Golf Foundation. Part of that funding has gone towards the superimposed 18 hole par 3 mini course which scales down the many challenges of Dollar for our young players. Our thanks to greens convener Charlie Murray and head greenkeeper Rick Sayer who enthusiastically implemented the mini course plan and to John McMillan who created the course card. The Club Captain and the Club Council deserve full appreciation for supporting the various new proposals. So, with a supportive Club Council and the clubgolf structure in place, it was all systems go. Here are some highlights from 2010: Membership (and fees) up 40% to 60 and family membership increased. Over 20 coaching sessions delivered during April through to October. Thanks to Dollar Academy, use of the Newfield pitches as a driving range. Six sessions from a PGA Pro funded by the Golf Foundation. Thanks to Bobby Watson use of the junior Explanar swing machine. Three Club Open Events run to boost local awareness and recruit members. The first Dollar Open clubgolf Flag and family Texas Scramble event on 10th October which used the Mini Course and was attended by 30 entries from far and wide – thanks to Peter Muss who sponsored the event and to the many ladies members who rallied round to help supervise. Dollar’s own clubgolf sponsored day on the Gleneagles practice areas followed by a round on the Wee Course. We believe all this effort has provided a significant boost to the reputation of the club as well as sowing the seeds of the great game for our new Junior members. I am sure the Junior members and parents would wish to thank the coaching team of Christine and Barbara Malcolm, Ian Galloway, Vic Allan, Stephen Leitch, Matt McKillop, Alastair Simpson plus the Smith family which has supplied junior captain, Jamie, team manager Ben and Robert who has helped the handicap juniors take their first steps competition golf. Our aim is make golf fun and fulfilling ........ well certainly fun. Planning for the 2011 season is already underway when we will build on the achievements of this year and apply the lessons learnt. In all the Junior website has carried 21 separate editions of Junior News. Donald Malcolm 1st December 2010

Juniors News ~ 10th October 2010 SEASON ENDS WITH AN OPEN EVENT SUCCESS Dollar Junior Mini Course raises the flag .... thanks to greenkeepers Rick Sayer and Willie Glass the Mini Course target greens received new markings. Mandy Martin at clubgolf Central Region provided us with a fully Dollar customised ‘Flag’ competition DIY kit. The clubgolf Flag idea allows non handicap players to compete within two stages. Playing over the nine hole course each player has 45 strokes before placing a flag at where that shot landed. The winner is the furthest flag least shots. There are 4 target greens. Shots ending inside the yellow circle equates to one putt, shots inside the white circle eqates to 2 putts. Hitting to five real greens gives plenty of short game practice, especially the "Trickie 5th" with the new water hazard in play. The players had plenty of Season Ticket Spectators as their gallery. The Flag Competition .... entries came from near and far with 16 players competing for big prizes - thanks to our generous sponsor Peter Muss. Dollar ladies once more answered the call for help as Flag competition scorers and they deserve the thanks of both players and parents. Christine Malcolm leads the first flight, thank you. Lady Captain Carol Caren – thank you. Carol Hak, I know we can’t see you properly but thank you. With Janette McMillan is Jan King – thank you. Jim King from Muckhart – many thanks Jim. Barbara Malcolm gets a break from registration and some fresh air. Club Captain Dug Bradley kindly awarded prizes to all the competitors with the leading prize-winners as under: Stage 2 (Experienced) Winner - Calum Erskine (Grangemouth) Runner-up - Andrew Duthie (Muckhart) Stage 1 (Beginner) Winner - Hamzah Olla (Muckhart) Runner-up - Fraser Candlish (Harburn) The Family Texas Scramble Competition .... This was a new idea and well done to Calum and Drew for playing both the flag and Texas Scramble events. There were 5 teams with the leading outfit led by Fingal Hall. Everyone was a winner in what looked like a great way to have a family outing. Son and father partnership. The back room workers .... as well as the course scorers there was a team of back room organizers. Many thanks to Jan King from Muckhart GC whose experience helped get the show on the move. The reassuring Dr Ian Galloway’s first aid cover was thankfully never needed. In the boiler room of Registration was Barbara and Matt who handled the helpdesk like veterans. Christine was leader board scribe and general helper throughout the day, including aiding in retrieving the many cones marking the way. Behind the scenes - the Boiler Room.

Juniors News ~ 20th September 2010 Coaching at Dollar Update .... Gregor Able delivered his 6th session on Monday 20th September with a putting clinic on the 2nd green for the Stage 2 squad. Everything starts with the grip. On the 1st green .... Stephen took charge of the early start Stage 1ers. We have yet one more early-starter in golf. Welcome to Abbey. The big line up for the future. Meanwhile .... Barbara let the Stage 1ers from Tait/McNabb hit long balls off the mats at Newfield. Well done boys!

Juniors News ~ 23rd August 2010 PGA Pro Coaching at Dollar .... Gregor Able delivered his 3rd & 4th sessions with a new coaching tool being the main focus. Our thanks to club member Bobby Watson, who has provided the clubgolf coaching squad with an Explanar system suitable for our Stage 1 players. The value of the Explanar is shown as Gregor explains the shape of the golf swing to our Stage 2 prospects. Gregor explains to the older boys the theory of the golf swing plane using the Explanar system and a couple of clubs which you see on the ground. For a full explanation of the secrets of perfect golf – ask our coaching squad. The Stage 1 golfers get an insight into the perfect follow through Gregor explains the importance of keeping the head steady to the Stage 1ers.

Juniors News ~ 3rd August 2010 PGA Pro Coaching at Dollar .... Gregor Able was at Dollar to deliver his 2nd session. Using a video system and laptop Gregor got to work dismantling the full swing of our Stage 2 players to create more consistent results. There were no complaints and the results began to show. On camera with Gregor Able. Instant feedback. Matt is all ears. Afterwards Gregor spent time with the Stage 1 youngsters putting right the basic swing path. Christine and Barbara keep the 'Stage 1ers' busy. One of the junior section’s nine year olds gets Gregor’s attention.

Juniors News ~ 27 July 2010 Dollar visits Gleneagles thanks to clubgolf .... one of the clubgolf ‘goodies’ is a sponsored visit to Gleneagles involving use of the practice facilities and a round at the ‘Wee Course’. So on Sunday 18th July a group assembled at the well kempt grounds amidst helicopter lifts for guests at the hotel to the Open at St Andrews. The Anderson Brothers at the 9th on the Wee Course – well played all! Dollar juniors make use of a free basket of balls and use of the superb practice facilities. On the tee practice for our young enthusiasts. No 1 group on the 1st tee - a mixed greensome led by Junior Captain Jamie Smith. A winning player needs a winning caddy. The Williamson Brothers, supporting coaches Barbara and Robert with part time caddy and full time mother Suzanne. PGA Pro Coaching at Dollar …. with the support of the Golf Foundation we announce the involvement of Gregor Able from Shawpark in 6 sessions which started 26th July. Gregor took a group of 7 through the basics with some new stuff on gaining consistency. Next week he is bringing his video equipment to record the ‘before’ in a ‘before and after’ coaching aid. Our thanks to Gregor for his infectious enthusiasm and eye for individual improvement. What a bonus! What golfers do with their backsides. Getting the set up right. Grip sorted. The perfect follow through.

Juniors News ~ 1 July 2010 Enthusiasts from the Academy’s fisrt clubgolf class are taken through the basic chipping skills by Matt and Christine around the 1st green. Christine calls, "Ball pick up time!" Future champ Ben focuses on Barbara’s directions as Junior Captain Jamie watches on. Who cares about a bit of rain? Alistair keeps dry anyway. Junior Scorecard. Some action on the 6th tee.

Juniors News ~ 21 June 2010 ‘Shortest day evening 2010 on Dollar’s Golf Course’ and start of the Mini Course for our young enthusiasts. ‘Mastering the Short Game’ – this is the very short but extra tricky 5th Hole with a hazard waiting for an overweight chip. ‘Teamwork’ - the Texas Scramble format is a good confidence booster for our mixed ability teams. ‘Start them Young’ is what we want. On Monday half the players were under 12.

Dollar vs Alloa ~ June 2010 The Venue Alloa Golf Club, Schawpark, a favoured side that included a scratch golfer, John Salmond. First off was Neil Cameron, followed by Jamie and Ben Smith playing off scratch. Gregor Donald and Iain Dornan came next playing handicap. The home side did not have it easy but came through with wins except for Ben who held his opponent to a draw.

Dollar Gala ~ 5th June 2010 We ran a stand at the Dollar Gala on Saturday 5th June. Thanks to Christine and Barbara Malcolm who along with two volunteers from Tait/McNabb, Matt and Conor, kept young and old amused. Thanks also to Dollar Academy for loan the clubgolf equipment that enabled us to provide a putting and pitching experience. Christine testing her pitching obstacle course – note yellow bunker and water hazard before the clubgolf targets. Matt and Conor from Tait/McNabb help the clubgolf young guns. Conor, the putting wizard, spreads the word.

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