Childrens' Golf Talent in the Highlands of Scotland with Dragon's Tooth Golf Course nr Fort William

 

A golf festival organised by Dragon's Tooth Golf Course in Ballachulish and High Life Highland's Active Schools team succeeded in putting golf clubs in the hands of 50 children this week.

The festival was for Primary 6 and 7 pupils from every school in a 30 mile radius - from Kinlochleven, Ballachulish, Glencoe, Onich and Duror - and marks  the finale of coaching in schools this spring through ClubGolf, the national junior golf programme supported by RBS, and backed by 18-times Major champion Jack Nicklaus.

Tracey Jeffrey and fellow Active Schools Co-ordinator, Roz Newman provide the driving force behind ClubGolf in schools and delivering the introductory game to Primary 5, 6 and 7 pupils .  The advantage of having a course like Dragon's Tooth supporting their schools' programme, with qualified coaches and a fully structured programme, cannot be understated.

"Having Dragon's Tooth delivering ClubGolf coaching means that there is a pathway between the introductions we offer in schools and a local community club," said Tracey. 

"The club has great facilities that are on the doorstep of many families and they have a fabulous Wednesday night junior programme which starts in May."

This week's festival gave a thorough introduction to golf at a club, with workshops covering putting, pitching, chipping activities and course management, plus a golf etiquette lesson from greenskeeper David Lawrence.

"The emphasis of the day was fun and participation serving as an introduction to the course, especially for those who are not familiar with it," continued Tracey.

"We are grateful to the course for welcoming us and letting us use their excellent facilities, and to the staff and volunteers who give up their time to help make the festival a success.

"The festival is a crucial link in developing a golf pathway, and is the only one to do so in the area.  Last year two children from the club's junior programme attended a schools' competition in Fort William.  The Dragon's Tooth coaches are looking to increase similar opportunities for competitive play as part of their programme this year."

Dragon's Tooth already offers its facilities free of charge for all ClubGolf related activities and goes the extra mile in encouraging lifelong participation for youngsters by offering heavily discounted annual memberships for those involved in its junior programme.

Over the coming weeks the club's coaches will be running a series of weekly induction evenings aimed at youngster across the area.

"Holding festivals like this week's are really important for us," said Dragon's Tooth's Director, Laurence Young.  "Having  every primary school in the area attending helps increase the awareness in the community of the club and all that we offer, particularly for the juniors.

"The golf course is eager to support community engagement at all ages and levels of ability.  The ClubGolf work in local primary schools is well established and we appreciate the driving force of the High Life Highland team in making this happen."

Said ClubGolf Regional Manager Willie MacKay, "Working with Dragon's Tooth Golf Club has been successful because of the good communication and cooperation between Active Schools, coaches, the club's secretary and owner, Laurence Young. Praise also needs to go to the greenskeeper, David Lawrence, who has improved the playing conditions and set out the course so well for junior sessions."

Rob Eyton-Jones

New Year's Day Stags Head Competition

Six hardy golfers braved the elements for the annual New Year’s Day Stags Head Competition this year.   Despite playing in driving rain and one of the heaviest hail stone shower I think we had this winter, Sue Watson, Dave Crilley and Graham Hayden all of the Dragons Tooth Golf Club and Paul Mills son Rory and Jay Wilson on behalf of the Combined Services, Ballachulish both thoroughly enjoyed themselves AND achieved very  respectable scores.

Ladies

Sue Watson – 38

Men’s

Graham Hayden –33

Jay Wilson –37

Dave Crilley –39

Ruairidh Mills –47

Paul Mills –50

Winter Golf and Bistro Secial Offer

With winter fast comming upon us, there is no need to store those clubs at the back of the garage!!

For December to February we are running a special promotion to help you keep those clubs in play throughout the year.

9 holes with a breakfast roll and a cup of coffee - £13.50

18 holes with a breakfast roll and a cup of coffee - £18.50

9 holes with a combo lunch - £15.00

18 holes with a combo lunch - £20.00

9 holes with a brekfast roll, cuppa & a combbo lunch - £18.50

18 holes with a breakfast roll, cuppa & a combo lunch - £23.50

Until the end of December we will be including free club hire.

For further information, either give us a call on 01855-811-695 or pop in for a chat.

Winter Play at the Dragons Tooth

WINTER PLAY

The Greenkeepers work hard to create a special experience for you.  Please help us all to protect and improve the course through the wet, cold winter!

·       On the Greens, pitch marks encourage disease.  PLEASE repair your pitch marks.

 ·       On the Fairways, please use tee pegs or mats (mats are available from The Club House).

 

·       If your ball plugs on the fairway, just clean it then place it to the side and play from there.

 

·       It’s especially important in winter to please repair divots.

 

·       To ensure the condition of the fairways, please refrain from using electric trolleys or hand buggies.

 

Thank you for your support.  We really don’t want to go onto Winter Greens . . . . .

For those unsure of how to repair a pitchmark, here is a quick reminder:

1. Discard the loose piece of turf taken out by the ball
2. insert the pitchmark repairer tool outside the back of the pitchmark
3. lever the turf towards the centre of the pitchmark
4. Repeat this motion from all sides of the pitchmark
5. Gently tap the repaired area with your putter.   This action stretches undamaged turf over the pitchmark, providing instant recovery.

ChemEGA Cup Winner

Last year’s winner, Rory McArthur, presenting Gordon with ChemEGA Cup.

Throughout the golfing season, we get many groups wanting to hold their own competitions here with us at The Dragons Tooth.   One such group was the Chemical Engineering Golf Association of Edinburgh University.  Despite the miserable weather we had in May, they battled through the rain with Gordon Wallace emerging as this year’s winner!

A group mug shot!

Stableford Golf Prize and Winter Events at Dragon's Tooth Golf Course, Glencoe, Fort William

The Secretary of the Dragon's Tooth Golf Club has recently sent the following note out to members of the Dragons Tooth Golf Club, at Ballachulish near Glencoe, in the Scottish Highlands.  The home of great West Coast Golf also has a vibrant local golf membership club.  Members having been enjoying a Stableford Golf Competition over recent weeks, and local golfers from as far afield as Duror, Glencoe and Fort William have been enjoying some remarkable golf at the well-loved golf course in the Highlands of Scotland.   The Stableford Golf Prize winner is shortly to be announced!

West Coast Golfers wishing to join the Club, or any of the golf social events below, should contact Terry. 

Hi Everyone,

This is to let you know that the last officially organised Monday Night Stableford will take place on 26^th September, after which there will be a prize giving for the person who has won most often. As it is getting dark earlier we will expect to send out the first groups around 5:30.

Your Committee will be running the following events over the winter and hope for your support.

29^th October: afternoon “crazy” golf match over 9 holes followed by a barbeque if is raining or an indoor buffet if it is fine!!!!

12^th November: Quiz night

10^th December:   A themed food night. (Ticketed event)

14^th January:  Quiz night

11^th February:  A themed food night. (Ticketed event)

10^th March: Quiz night

I will remind everyone nearer each event and it would be appreciated if you booked your place early so that we know numbers for catering.

Regards

Terry G 

Terry Goodwin
Secretary
Dragon's Tooth Golf Club
Tel: 01855 811 104
Mobile 07802 774 047

HOLE IN ONE!

On Saturday 14th July, Christian Christoephler, holidaying in Scotland from Germany, hit the most covated shot in golf - A HOLE IN ONE!
With only one lesson under his belt, Christian credited his glorious shot on the 7th to many hours playing golf games on his games console.
Being only the 3rd person (we know of) to get a hole in one at The Dragons Tooth Golf Course, this is quite the achievement.  Well done Christian!