Highland Golf Course Open Day

Ballachulish Golf Course Celebrates with Biggest Ever Party

The Dragon’s Tooth Golf Course near Fort William celebrated its 10^th Birthday on Monday 4^th June with a massive Garden Party, enjoyed by over 300 visitors.  The sun shone for the day, as local residents and visitors from across Lochaber descended onto the estate to enjoy all that was on offer.

The day had started at first light, with early risers arriving ahead of the crowds to enjoy the free golf on offer.  The party moved into full swing from 2pm. when the organisers, Glencoe Activities, started the “tasters” of six different activities – from Segway rides to trips out on the Loch by fast boat.  The afternoon developed into a happy medley of young and old getting to grips with “crate stacking”, archery and gorge walking.  Paul Mills, owner and captain of the SeaXplorer Rib commented “It was a stunning day out on the loch, and our series of short, sharp thrill rides gave a sample of fun of a rib ride to over 100 breathless visitors!”

It was Head Greenkeeper David Lawrence who seemed to attract the biggest – and the noisiest - crowds. The youngsters queued up all afternoon for his celebrated tractor rides and the bouncy castle emptied each time the kids got sight of the returning convoy, coming over the brow of the nearby hill.  “It’s so good to see so many people enjoying the golf course” said David “and as I’m driving around all day, I’m able to see how our new 9 tees are being played.  We’ve just opened up a full 18 tees, as this 10^th year sees us move from a 9 tee course to an 18 tee one.  The new 9 tees have been two years in the making, so for me personally, it’s actually a really important day”.

With so much going on throughout the day, there was never the less an eager anticipation for the billed flypast of “Two Queens on a Segway”.  They may have arrived late, but it proved worth the wait, as two royal “look-a-likes” glided into view mounted on two Segways.  They swept across the 9^th Hole and circled the crowed, with a corgi in tow and a royal wave of the hand.  Was it coins that got thrown to the children, or sweets? And were these true royalty or the Directors in drag?  These must be questions that are left to hang, in a day that gave so many the chance to try new activities and get answers to longstanding questions on “what’s it like to . . . . ?”.

Diamond Jubilee Garden Party at Dragon's Tooth Golf Course

Monday 4^th June

 OPEN DAY - ALL WELCOME!

HRH Queen Elizabeth

Diamond Jubilee

Garden Party with Glencoe Activities at

The Dragon’s Tooth Golf Course

·       A Garden Party to which ALL are Welcome!

·       Celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee in relaxed style

·       Celebrate the 10^th Anniversary of

The Dragon’s Tooth Golf Course

·            Golf Course FREE to experience (members of Dragon’s Tooth Club on hand to accompany you for a round, if you wish)2 

Highpoints Include:

·       Pimms, Cucumber Sandwiches, Tea Scones & Cream

·         Meet Other Famous People – including Bill Bryce (Captain, Dragon’s Tooth Golf Club); Gavin Whyte (President, Ballachulish Golf Club); Mel McAskill, Chairman Ballachulish Community Council; Andrew Baxter, NEW Local Councillor.

·       See the Queen Fly Past (in fact, not one but “TWO QUEENS ON A SEGWAY” – including Corgi’s!!) 2.30pm

·         Fun and activities for all the family! ( including tractor rides; electric carts; fast boat rides with SeaXplorer, bouncy castle, archery; crate-stacking; Segway Rides ).

·         Longest Shot Competition, extraordinary prizes!

·         Dress Smart and hat-up –prizes for the most dapper

·       All Day BBQ!

Main Events from 2pm

on 4^th June

(Golf play FREE from first light)

Ends when

it must

The event is FREE.

£5 voucher for Pimms, Party Tea & 1 ride.

Many activities FREE.

Rib experience just £5! Segway etc just £2!

Call us on 01855 413 200 for more information

Email: info@GlencoeActivities.com

Fast Boat Trips, Canyoning in Scotland, Golf Fort William, Cheap Bike Hire, Segway Tours, Rib Rides, Childrens Parties, Corporate Events in Scotland, Crate Stacking, Outdoor Capital of the UK fun! Glencoe Mountain Bike Hire, Ballachulish Golf, Walks in Lochaber, Golf, Bridge Swinging in Scotland, Paintball experience, Segway Trips, Bike Hire Glencoe, Stag Parties Scotland, and so much more!

Highland Activity and Great things to do near Fort William

www.GlencoeActivities.com  www.dragonstooth.co.uk

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!