Many thanks to all the Juniors and Parents who have sent me thank-you cards and/or given presents to me, including the flag signed by all the Players which now hangs in my study, for organising the recent trip to Pinehurst. It was my pleasure to lead such a fine group of young Players and Co-Leaders. I hope there will be many more such trips. Meanwhile the work goes on – today – a Zoom call with Jenny Potter of Golf Genius and Jack Rogan setting up the new season, then a meeting with the new Longniddry Junior Convenor James Neil, and then an online 3 hours Child Protection Officer course. I need a proper holiday in Pinehurst now! 

An ELJGL Team of 12 Boys recently took on a strong Team from Pinecrest High School, over the famous No.4 course at Pinehurst, North Carolina. Girls from the School were not allowed to take part due to the later start of the Girls’ official season, so our 4 Girls headed off to Pine Needles again for another round over the venue for last years US Womens Open, with helpers Shona, Stuart and Helen.

The Players competed for the Duncan McLean Trophy, donated by the League in memory of a former Gullane Junior Champion, who tragically died in his early 20s from a brain tumour. Duncan is shown in the featured image with his Dad Iain, when he competed at Pinehurst in the US Kids World Championships.

The result was close with Pinecrest winning by 3.5 points to 2.5 points in the better ball matchplay format. The match was played in great spirit and many friendships were made. Photos below – names to follow. The Bermuda grass looks dead but it is only dormant for a few months and was in excellent condition.

Stephen Gallacher has been appointed as Captain of the European Junior Ryder Cup Team for the match in Italy in September 2023. The press article here, gives details of all the qualifying events which will count for selection of 6 Boys and 6 Girls for the mixed Team to play the USA. The singles matches will be played on the Marco Simone course where the actual Ryder Cup will take place. We are hopeful that Grace Crawford a West Links (North Berwick) Junior play her way onto this Team by right, or by way of a Captains pick. 

Dear Junior Golf contacts (all bcc’d) – THANKS FROM DAVE!

I was very honoured this year to receive the Sir Henry Cotton Award from The Golf Foundation for “meritorious services to Junior Golf over a sustained period.” I received the award at a golf day at The London Club in Kent, from Nick Dougherty, the new, and youngest ever, President of the Golf Foundation, who presented the trophy to probably the oldest ever winner! (TBC) Each Club in the East Lothian Junior Golf League would not function were it not for the dedication of their Junior Convenors who, by their often unsung efforts, have ensured that the future of their Golf Clubs and our League is secure. I would like to dedicate my award to all of them.

Needless to say, much has changed, for the better, since I was a Junior in East Lothian in the 1960s! The game of golf has given me so much enjoyment, and so many friends, over my 65 years of playing this challenging game.

I have been the volunteer Secretary of the East Lothian Junior Golf League for 18 years and before that I was Junior Convenor at The Glen Golf Club for 9 years. I was nominated by Ric Foulner and Douglas Connon, so I give my thanks to them.

It has been my absolute pleasure to have given my time and encouragement to the thousands of Junior Players who have participated in the East Lothian Junior League during my tenure. My role in the League gives me immense satisfaction in seeing young people enjoying playing golf and competing, making friends and socialising, and becoming healthy and mature adults. The League adheres to the Nine Core Values -see these on our website.  

Frequent participation in our events, we hope, will ensure our Players will remain in the game of Golf for the rest of their lives, and easily return to golf if they ever have a lapse from playing it.

I would like to thank all our past and present Players who have taken part in our events, including those who represented us in the Watson Cup Matches and those who have been on trips to Pinehurst.

I am grateful not just to all the Junior Convenors, I have had the pleasure to work with, but also to the many Club Secretaries/GMs, Professionals, Members, and all the Staff at the East Lothian and other Scottish Clubs who have assisted me and who have hosted the 200+ events the League has run over the last 18 years. Without their commitment and assistance, the League would not have developed as it has, into one of the most competitive and successful Junior Leagues in Scotland. On my behalf, and on behalf of the League, I would like to thank all the above mentioned parties and also to the following groups:- Parents, Patrons, Webmasters, Auditors, Starters, Helpers at Host Clubs, Watson Cup Committees, Pinehurst Trip Leaders, and the Managers and Staff at Golf Genius.

We liaise with, and depend on many individuals who have supported and contributed to our League in various ways, including Paul Gibson, John McMillan, Ian Howarth, Karin Sharp, Fraser Munro, Stuart Clayton, Kate Green, Katy McNicoll, Gareth Jack, Eamonn John, Brendon Pyle, David Henderson, Douglas Connon, Scott Knowles, Stuart Johnston, Duncan Weir, Russell Shepherd, Dan van Horn, Chris Vonderkall, Russell Gray, Tom Watson, Ben Zeigler, Mike Whitaker, Catriona Matthew, DJ Russell, John Paramor, Andrew Coltart, Bernard Gallacher, Iain Holt, Chris Bridle at Adidas, and members of the Press, Cameron Ritchie, Martin Dempster, Ron Green Jnr, and all our many friends in Pinehurst and South Carolina. Apologies to any parties I may have missed out from this list. But if you have received this email, you know we also appreciate your support.

I would also like to express special thanks on behalf of the League to all our various Donors, some of whom prefer to remain anonymous. Having substantial funds mean we can provide, and subsidise, some fantastic opportunities for Juniors, such as taking part in the biennial Watson Cup Match vs. South Carolina Juniors, and in our annual trips to Pinehurst in February. With these funds, we can also improve our equipment, subsidise coaching, and increase all the other benefits and prizes for the Players who take part in the free-to-enter events in our League.

Thanks to all those who have complimented me on the work I do for Juniors golfers. My retirement beckons in 2025, the League’s 50th anniversary, when I will be donating a new Trophy for the League Championship, as the current trophy donated by the Ben Sayers Company, sadly needs replacing. Now that my role workload is shared with the (much younger) Jack Rogan, my role should be less time-consuming, and I am very grateful to Jack for volunteering.

An extensive report on the results in 2022, with details of some amazing individual and team performances, is attached, if you have the time to peruse it. There is a copy on this website.

Lastly, the award presentation! I have a memento which is now in position on display in our home.

A reminder for all our Juniors when the 2026 season starts. “The First Tee” is a Junior Program in the USA. They promote these 9 core values to which all of our Junior golfers should aspire!

Attached is the list for Team Winners and the Orders of Merit in the East Lothian Junior League, for 2023. In total, 110 Players took part this year but this number was slightly down on previous years. Congratulations to Jack Collingswood who scooped the top Scratch Prize with an amazingly consistent run of scoring with four 1st places. at MDs! Rory McArdle topped the Handicap OOM but was only 4 points ahead of Kole Henderson and Sam Ratcliffe. Both OOM lists, scratch and handicap, can be seen on the Golf Genius App, under “Member Portal,” and then “Season Points.” Choose Scratch or Handicap season standings.

Attached is the prize list for the Orders of Merit in the East Lothian Junior League, for 2022. In total, 113 Players took part this year but this number was slightly down on previous years. Congratulations to Sean Gallacher who scooped the top Scratch Prize with an amazingly consistent run of scoring. Hudson Blair, aged 11, astonished everyone, with totals of 49 and 44 points at the last 2 Match Days, to win the Handicap OOM. He even caught the Secretary napping, as he had assumed that Cameron Brown had won this, so this error has now been rectified. Both OOM lists, scratch and handicap, can be seen on the Golf Genius App, under “Member Portal,” and then “Season Points.” Choose Scratch or Handicap season standings.

The Match at The West Links on Tuesday the 23rd August was drawn 2.5 – 2.5. Please see photos attached. Report to follow.

More news from the US Kids – Ryan Killorn finished 4th in the 11 year old section by scoring an impressive 72 round Craigielaw in the final round. Ryan had previously won Gullane’s U14s Club Championship Championship with a gross 66 round No.3! Photos below. Well done Ryan!

Five of East Lothian’s Clubs, The Glen, Longniddry, Craigielaw, Musselburgh and Royal Musselburgh played host to around 600 Juniors from all around the world, who were competing in the US Kids Golf European Championships. The week climaxed in a Match between all the winners and runners-up in the older age categories, for the Van Horn Cup. All the scores can be seen on the US Kids website here.

The draw for the Cup match, and photos can be seen below. Aidan Lawson was playing in the top match in the four ball format, and with partner Jack Conroy, finished 5 under par to score a point for their Team. Aidan’s Dad John was an excellent caddie, especially in the chilly conditions! The League Secretary later met up with the US Kids Golf founder, Dan Van Horn, and Director Chris Vonderkall, who have again kindly promised to make a donation to the League which will be used to subsidise the costs of our League’s next trip to Pinehurst. Thanks Dan and Chris!

Ryan with his trophy from the US Kids and his scorecard from the Gullane Championships showing his 66!