30/7/2023

Braids United Weekly Update

Welcome to the Issue 24 of the weekly Braids United Email. 

Reminder 1 - You can sign up 4-5 weeks ahead (9th September Ye Monks final is open now) but if possible, please sign up at least 2 weeks ahead to guarantee a tee time! 

Reminder 2 - Murray Dunbar Silloth - Two weeks left to get your partner organised and enter this event. Just add your name and their name to the time sheet. You should be able to search for them in the app.

Club and Council News

Leith Links 1st August - Event cancelled due to Lothian Boys Event taking place. 

Murray Dunbar Silloth - Volunteers sought to provide a dish to feed 4-6 people. Please reply to this email to let us know if you can help out and we will put you in touch with the food co-ordinators. 

Autumn Outing - The club has booked 18 holes at the Woll golf club - Woll Golf Club on Sunday 17th September. Tee times will be from 12:30pm. If you want to play, add your name to the tee sheet on the app which is open now. If more than 24 sign up we will try to get extra times but if not, will conduct a draw. Coffee/Roll on arrival, 18 holes, 2 course meal, £45 a head. 

Latest Results

Tuesday 25th July - Leith Links Round 9

1st Les Cranston - 40 points

2nd Walter Grieve - 38 points

3rd Mark Robertson - 35 points

In tough conditions, Les Cranston defied the weather to win by 2 shots. Overall standings attached with 3 rounds left. Andy Chalmers leads by 2 from Stevie Pennel, with Andy White giving chase. The rest have a lot of work to do to catch up!

Saturday 29th July - Ye Monks Round 2

1st Roger Lockhart - net 63

2nd Les Cranston - net 68 

3rd Glenn Marsters - net 68

Les pips Glenn on countback to finish in the prizes for the 2nd time this week, but when it's your day, it's your day and Roger Lockhart cantered to an impressive 5 shot victory including a chip in at the 8th for a rare 2 on that hole! Well done Roger! Only 5 players with two scores in so far in the overall, but a long way to go.

 Upcoming Fixtures

Tuesday 1st August - Lothian Boys event - NO CLUB GOLF

Thursday 3rd August - Wee Braids 9 hole stableford - Tee times around 5pm

Friday 4th August - Mixed Foursomes qualifier 

Saturday 5th August - August Medal/Ye Monks Round 3 - Tee times from 11:40

Tuesday 8th August - Leith Links Round 10

Saturday 12th August - Murray Dunbar Silloth - Tee times on the app, sign up open!

Tuesday 15th August - Leith Links Round 11

Saturday 19th August - Harrison Open - Entry form attached

Dates for your Diary

Saturday 12th August - Murray Dunbar Silloth

Saturday 9th September - Ye Monks Final

Sunday 17th September - Autumn Outing to the Woll - Tee times from 12:30pm

Friday 17th November - Annual Dinner and Prizegiving

16/7/2022

All Things Braid United 22

Welcome to the Issue 22 of the weekly Braids United Email. 

Lots coming up in July and August with the Ye Monks Championship, Harrison Open and Murray Dunbar Silloth. Take note of the dates! 

Club and Council News

Murray Dunbar Silloth - Entries now welcome! 

Saturday 12th August sees the annual return of one of the highlights of the season with our silloth event. This is our designated 'courtesy of the course event' given by Edinburgh Leisure. Pairings should consist of a BU member and a guest who will play for free. £5 sweep on the day with nearest the pins and longest drives on offer. Those without friends can play togteher but can't win the trophy. 

Please enter via the app and add your guests name in the same tee slot. (Click on Add Player, then search by surname) Anyone struggling with this can reply to this email and I will enter the pair. Tee times are subject to change and will be confirmed a week before the event. Volunteers will be sought for catering assitance in the coming weeks.

Ye Monks

The first round of the Ye Monks competition takes place this coming Saturday. For newer members, or those that need a reminder, it's your best 2 net scores out of the first 4 rounds that you carry into the final round. The final, traditionally, sees the top 8 go out in the last two groups to put a bit of pressure on for the title with your final round adding to your best 2. It's one of the hardest competitions to win so good luck!

Harrison Open

The Harrison Open takes place on Saturday 19th August. Entries for this event must be sent to the Harrison Golf Club directly and an entry form is attached with all the instructions, You can enter via email to the club, providing you pay your entry fee via bank transfer. Entry is £15 and there are some sizeable prizes. There will be no club golf at the Braids on that day but there may be a BU outing for those that want a week off the hill - watch this space. 

Latest Results

BHA Knockouts

Commiserations to Captain Dougie Aitken, who lost 2&1 in the Silver section final, narrowly failing to defend his title from last year. 

Congratulations go to Chris Wixon who bested fellow clubmate Mandy Munro in the bronze final. 

Bogey Competition

A relatively small field for a Saturday contested this competition with quite a few being away on holiday or taking the week off. Charlie Monheim proved he was stronger than the course, taking the title. Full results attached. 

Upcoming Fixtures

Tuesday 18th July - Leith Links Round 8

Saturday 22nd July - Ye Monks Round 1 - Tee times from 11:40

Tuesday 25th July - Leith Links Round 9

Saturday 29th July - Ye Monks Round 2 - Tee times from 11:40

Tuesday 1st August - Leith Links Round 10

Saturday 5th August - August Medal and Ye Monks Round 3 - Tee times from 11:40

Dates for your Diary

Friday 28th July - Team match versus Heriots at the Braids - Tee times from 5pm, interested players to email Ross Dewar

Murray Dunbar Invitation Silloth - Saturday 12th August - Entries now open, sign up in clubhouse next week or sign up via the app. 

Harrison Open - Saturday 19th August - Entry form attached

Annual Dinner and Prizegiving - Friday 17th November in the Clubhouse. 

1/7/2023

All Things Braids United 21

Braids United Weekly Update

Welcome to the Issue 21 of the weekly Braids United Email. 

Reminder: Sign up 2 weeks in advance, Only 5 players registered for Saturday 15th and Saturday 22nd at time of this email! 

Club and Council News

The Sandy Rennie Draw is attached, with one half of the draw racing along now at the semi-final stage. The other side has a couple of matches in round 3 to be completed this week. 

There is an additonal fixture on the list, with the Mixed Foursomes event on Friday 4th August over the 18 holes of the Braids. It's a stableford event, with the top pair being eligible to enter the Scottish Mixed Foursomes at Crail. If you are interested in playing, contact Vice-Captain Chris Donkin who will pair you up. Both players must be members of Braids United. 

Ghost/Extra Scorecards: If a player has one of these sitting on their app, they should now have the option to delete it. Just go to Scorecards, swipe the offending card to the left, and it will ask for a reason you are deleting. Pop something in, and hopefully, it should remove it from the system.

Reminder: Make sure you create your card on the app before going out to play in a competition, even if you are scoring on paper. That way you can enter and save the score when you come in on your app, or on the ipad in the clubhouse. 

Latest Results

Saturday 1st July - July Medal

1st Michael Ahern - 73

2nd Andrew Chalmers - 74

3rd Stevie Pennel - 74

Brutal conditions with consistent 35-45mph winds made for tough golf and meant half the field failed to get the ball round safely. It was reflected in the scoring as well, with a net 73 winning a medal for the first time in a long time. Well done to the three morning players who stood on the podium, with only 25-35mph winds to contend with! Three players skillfully (or miraculously) bagged a 2 - well done to Alan Hay, Jim Fish and Stevie Pennel. 

Upcoming Fixtures

Tuesday 4th July - Leith Links Round 7

Thursday 6th July - Wee Braids 9 Hole Social - Tee times around 5pm, soup and scones after

Saturday 8th July - BHA Championships - Tee times TBC

Tuesday 11th July - BHA Knockouts - No Club Golf

Saturday 15th July - Bogey Comp - Tee times from 11:40am

Tuesday 18th July - Leith Links Round 9

Saturday 22nd July - Ye Monks Round 1 - Tee times from 11:40am

Dates for your Diary

NEW COMP - Mixed Foursomes - Friday 4th August - Tee times from 4.30pm onwards 

Saturday 12th August - Murray Dunbar Invitational Silloth

Autumn Outing - TBC

Annual Dinner - Friday 17th November

22/6/2023 

Championship Finalists and Texas Scramble Teams

Club Championship Finals

The semi-finals of the club championship were completed tonight and the updated draw is attached. Congratulations to all the winners and good luck to all 6 of our finalists who play on Saturday afternoon

In the C Championship at 1.10pm, Jordan Shirley will take on past winner Mark Munro

In the B Championship at 1.20pm, SImon Manson will take on Derek Brown ensuring a new name on the trophy

In the Club Championship at 1.30pm, Craig Howieson will take on the defending club champion Gordon Brown

Please do consider coming out to support the players, and if you are playing in the Texas Scramble earlier in the day, please do come out to watch the last few holes of the championship and celebrate our club champions

 Texas Scramble Rules and Teams

Tee-times as below

Team 1 - 7am - Les Cranston, Daniel Sim, Ian Walker, Stevie Pennel

Team 2- 11:40am - Alan Mcintosh, Jim Fish, Chris Wixon, Chris Donkin

Team 3 - 11:50am - Alan Hay, David Paton, Wilf Mitchell, Jim Monan

Team 4 - 12:00pm - Andy White, Walter Grieve, Neil Burgoyne, Paul Campbell

Team 5 - 12:10pm - Glenn Marsters, Douglas Aitken, Graeme Thomson, Liam Baird (new member)

Reserve: Neil Porter

If 3 more players wish to play, they will form a 6th team along with myself, otherwise will be reserves. There will not be mixed 3 and 4 person teams - in case of any drop outs or calls offs I will step in. Thanks. 

Rules: All players must have 4 tee shots each with no requirement for a par 3 (it's a friendly scramble)

Choose the tee shot you are using, and mark it within 6 inches. The player who's tee shot is chosen plays first. If the ball was in the fairway, each player in the group can place the ball within 6 inches of the marker. If anywhere else on the course, the ball must be dropped and then played as it lies, no nearer the hole. Balls on the green must be played from the same spot

If a player holes out, that ball is the team score - i.e. if you have a tap in for a par and your teamates haven't had their biride attempt yet, don't just knock it in, otherwise that's a par on the card! 

11/6/2023

All Things Braids United 18

Braids United Weekly Update

Welcome to the Issue 18 of the weekly Braids United Email. 

Latest results and fixtures below.

Sign up now for Satruday 17th - last chance to put a score in for the club championships. Sign up also open for finals day Texas Scramble and the July Medal.

Club and Council News

New Sign-up process

Please now sign up for Saturday golf 2-4 weeks ahead of time by booking a tee time on the Scottish Golf App and the club will book your tee time with Edinburgh Leisure for you. It's a one-step process instead of the old 3-steps so it's much easier. Saturdays over summer are quite busy with the other clubs and members of the public, so sign up early to avoid missing out.

Ladies Tee Change

Following feedback from our members, the council have decided to move the ladies tees on Saturday games to the red tees. This is in line with the majority of other clubs mixed competittions and will hopefully encourage greater numbers of our female members to partake. 

Club Championship Knockouts

If you are not playing in the final round of the qualifiers next week, but have two scores in already and are in the top 8 in your section, please let the Secretary know if you can make the knockouts the following week by replying to this email. The default days are Tuesday 20th in the evening, Thursday 22nd in the evening and the finals on Saturday 24th in the afternoon from 1pm. You MUST be available at those times, but can arrange with your opponent to play earlier by mutual agreement. 

Tuesday Sweeps

The council have noted that the sweep pots on Tuesday nights are considerably smaller than the number of entrants to the competiton. While the sweep is not compulsory, it is assumed you are in it unless you opt-out in advance. Please ensure you make this clear to your playing partners before teeing off, otherwise, even if you have a bad round, you should be contributing your £3 and leaving it in the clubhouse. This will avoid accusations of only putting it in when you score well. Thank you. 

Latest Results

Tuesday 6th June - Leith Links Round 5

1st Andy White - 38 points

2nd Robert Cran - 36 points

3rd Andrew Chalmers - 36 points

Saturday 10th June - Baby Hope Appeal Mixed Greensomes

1st Ross Dewar and Sally Brian 42 points

2nd Mark Aitken and Leslie McPherson 41 (on countback)

3rd Wilf Mitchell and Sheila Cornes 41

The event raised a fantastic £1080 for the appeal. Thank you from the Vice-Captain to all the volunteers who provided food, and their time on the day to make it such a success. Picture of the winners attached. 

Upcoming Fixtures

Tuesday 13th June - Leith Links Round 6 - Yellow Tees (Stableford) 

Saturday 17th June - Final Round Club Championship - White/Red Tees (Strokeplay) - Tee times from 11:40am

Tuesday 20th June - Club Championships Quarter-Finals

Thursday 22nd June - Club Championships Semi-Finals

Saturday 24th June - Club Championship Finals and Texas Scramble for eveyone else 

Dates for your Diary

Club Championship Qualifying Rounds - 13th May, 3rd June, 17th June 

Club Championship Quarter Finals and Semi FInals - 18th-23rd June (default days are Tuesday 20th and Thursday 22nd)

Club Championship Finals - 24th June

Murray Dunbar Invitation Silloth - Saturday 12th August

Annual Dinner and Prizegiving - Friday 17th November in the Clubhouse. 

3/6/2023

The current Braids United Saturday system is not working...

Dear all, 

Apparently we were 20 minutes behind getting off today. First I've heard of it. 

I'm sending this to all members because I'm fed up of players signing up last minute and causing a headache for the starters etc. 

Yes it's frustrating that Edinburgh Leisure don't give us our times, but I asked members to enter events or book a tee time in advance on the Scottish golf app previously and hardly anyone did. Comps are open a month before as is the tee sheet. 

We need to start taking some responsibility and EL have offered a solution to avoid random players being booked in with us. 

Please take this as a kick up the arse to sign up in advance for events and I can submit the list to the starter 2 weeks before. I.e. SIGN UP NOW for the 17th June qualifier. 

Neil,

An exasperated Secretary

2/6/2023

Saturday 3 June - Avoiding Slow Play

On Behalf of the Committee

Dear members, with a large field set to play in the afternoon and all groups likely to be four balls the committee would like to remind everyone about their responsibility to avoid slow play. Please be considerate of your fellow members, the wider playing public and those on post golf rota by maintaining a good pace of play at all times, which in short means keeping up with the group ahead and letting the group behind through if you are holding up the course. A reminder of a club rule introduced a few years ago that the group behind holds the right to request to play through a group that is holding them up if they have lost more than a hole on the group ahead.

Remember this doesn't mean rush your golf shots, just be mindful of the many small things that every player needs to do over the course of a round to keep the collective group moving. Play well everyone and enjoy your round.

Braids United Committee

14/5/2023

All Things Braids United 15

Braids United Weekly Update

Welcome to the Issue 15 of the weekly Braids United Email. 

Reminder - Sign up now for Summer Eclectics - reply to this email

See E-mail thread from Andy White for sweeps at Carricknowe and Silverknowes the next two Saturdays. Details below.

Club and Council News

Summer Eclectic: The council have been slightly late in organising this event, but we plan to run two separate eclectics this year. One will be all white tee comps on Saturdays and one for Tuesday night Leith Links. All players will be able to see their eclectic scratch score online and periodically, the secretary will publish a handicap version via the newsletter. They will be based on 0.6 x your handicap as of 5th May 2023.

If you want to play for the cash prize, it's £5 per eclectic. Please reply to this email stating if you want to enter one or both, and you will be sent account details to transfer the money in to. All players will be added to the spreadsheet whether you play for the money or not. Deadline for cash entries: 31st May. 

Scottish Golf App Update: Please if you haven't done so already, download the latest update for the Scottish Golf App. It was released on 7th May. It was very pleasing to see so many players booking a tee time and signing up for the event via the app this weekend. Just remember, book your tee time with Edinburgh Leisure, choose a tee time on the app, then enter the relevant event (and it will automatically pick up your tee time.) 

Latest Results

Tuesday 9th May - Leith Links Round 2

1st Chris Wixon - 42 points

2nd Andy White - 38 points

3rd Graeme Blackwood - 37 points (better back 9)

Saturday 13th May - May Medal and Club Championship Round 1

1st Rory Brese - 75-10 = 65

2nd Craig Howieson - 75 -7 = 68 (better back 9)

3rd Douglas Aitken - 83-15 = 68

New Member Rory Brese rocked up for his first competition with the club and produced his hottest golf on the hottest day of the year so far - he will fit in well for sure and has already booked his place at the annual dinner.

 A fantastic 38 players took to the hill for the first of 3 high pressure rounds trying to qualify for the championships - some flourished and some wilted in the heat! Fear not, still two more rounds to go for those yet to put a score in - but remember, don't NR! 

Full results for the Medal, Two's and the club championships standings after round 1 are attached. Mick Ahern and Martin Rutherford won the nearest the pins, thanks to Ian Meyer for donating the prizes and thanks to Mark Munro for a lengthy shift in the kitchen.

Upcoming Fixtures

Tuesday  16th May - Leith Links Round 3 - Yellow Tees (stableford)

Saturday 20th May - Carricknowe away day - Book a time from 11:40am and add your name to the google sheet here BU Away-day sign up

The Dispatch Trophy team play early morning if anyone wants to head to the Braids to support. If they win, they have a 2nd match in the afternoon. 

Saturday 27th May - Silverknowes away day - Book a time from 12:30pm and add your name to the above sheet (booking opens Thursday 18th May at 8pm)

Tuesday 30th May - Leith Links Round 4 - Yellow Tees (stabletford)

Saturday 3rd June - June Medal and Championship Round 2 - White Tees (strokeplay) - Tee times from 11:40am 

Dates for your Diary

Club Championship Qualifying Rounds -3rd June, 17th June 

Club Championship Quarter Finals and Semi FInals - 18th-23rd June (default days are Tuesday 20th and Thursday 22nd)

Club Championship Finals and Texas Scramble - 24th June

Baby Hope Appeal Mixed Greensomes - Saturday 10th June

Murray Dunbar Invitation Silloth - Saturday 12th August

Annual Dinner and Prizegiving - Friday 17th November in the Clubhouse. 

6/5/2023

All Things Braids United 14

Braids United Weekly Update

Welcome to the Issue 14 of the weekly Braids United Email. 

Club champs info below. Please take note.

Summer Eclectics Launched. Action required if you want to take part. 

Club and Council News

Club Championship Handicap Bands:  With the switch to the World Handicap System and the move to handicap index, the council have simplified the banding for the A, B and C sectiions as follows:

A: 0 to 10.0 index

B: 10.1 to 18.0

C: 18.1 +

The top 8 scratch scores qualify for the A regardless of the band you are in. If you are 10.0 or below you can only qualify for the A, 10.1-18 the A or the B, and 18.1+ the A or the C only. Top 8 in bands B and C will qualify for the knockouts. As a reminder, it's 2 of your best 3 scores and you must be free to play on the default knock out days the week after the final qualifier. 

Thanks from the Captain: At the recent council meeting, the Captain wanted to pass on his thanks to all members on the club rota system. This had been well observed by all members on the rota and everyone has really leaned into the ethos of what being part of Braids United is all about. Thank you. 

The minutes of the March council meeting are now on the website. 

Yellow Tee Comps: The council recently agreed to have some competitions as Yellow Tees for this season on a trial basis. This is partly to try and have speedier rounds, partly for our higher handicap members to have more opportunity to join in and partly for a bit of variety. The designated competitions are: The Leith Links (tuesday nights), The RNLI Medal, the David Ramsay Stableford and the Bogey Competition. We will review this at the AGM in December. 

Summer Eclectic: The council have been slightly late in organising this event, but we plan to run two separate eclectics this year. One will be all white tee comps on Saturdays and one for Tuesday night Leith Links. All players will be able to see their eclectic scratch score online and periodically, the secretary will publish a handicap version via the newsletter. They will be based on 0.6 x your handicap as of 5th May 2023.

If you want to play for the cash prize, it's £5 per eclectic. Please reply to this email stating if you want to enter one or both, and you will be sent account details to transfer the money in to. All players will be added to the spreadsheet whether you play for the money or not. Deadline for cash entries: 31st May. 

Latest Results

Tuesday 2nd May - Leith Links Round 1

1st Simon Manson - 43 points

2nd Steven Pennel - 42 points

3rd Mark Munro - 40 points

Thuirsday 4th May - 9 Hole Wee Braids Social

1st Amanda Munro - 17 points

Friday 5th May - Braids United v Caermount 

On an incredibly foggy night with the course barely playable, the BU triumphed 2.5 to 1.5. Butchers pies possibly the highlight of the evening for many. 

Saturday 6th May - May Medal - CANCELLED DUE TO FOG 

Upcoming Fixtures

Tuesday 9th May - Leith Links Round 2 - Yellow Tees (Stableford) 

Saturday 13th May - May Medal + Round 1 Club Championship - White Tees (Strokeplay) - Tee times from 11:40am

Tuesday 16th May - Leith Links Round 3 - Yellow Tees (Stableford) 

Saturday 20th May - 1st Round Dispatch Trophy - No club golf at Braids. Away day being organised at other Edinburgh Leisure Course - Separate comms to follow

Tuesday 23rd May - Dispatch Trophy - No club golf. 

Saturday 27th May - Disptach trophy semi-final/finals - No club golf at Braids. Away day round 2. Await comms.  

Dates for your Diary

Club Championship Qualifying Rounds - 13th May, 3rd June, 17th June 

Club Championship Quarter Finals and Semi FInals - 18th-23rd June (default days are Tuesday 20th and Thursday 22nd)

Club Championship Finals - 24th June

Baby Hope Appeal Mixed Greensomes - Saturday 10th June

Murray Dunbar Invitation Silloth - Saturday 12th August

Annual Dinner and Prizegiving - Friday 17th November in the Clubhouse.

17/4/2023

All Things Braids United 12

Braids United Weekly Update

Welcome to the Issue 12 of the weekly Braids United Email. This email will include the latest results and standings, the next fixtures and any important dates for your diary/club news. If you want off the mailing list, just reply to let me know. Please note, the next edition will be released in 2 weeks time following the Spring Outing.

Club and Council News

Scottish Pairs Stableford - THIS TUESDAY at WEE BRAIDS. Grab a partner and book a time from around 5:20pm. Combined 9 hole stableford quaifier to Scottish final at Dundas Park (near Queensferry) and top 3 there go to Royal Liverpool on Monday of Open week. 

Spring outing - 21 signed up, so if you put your name down, you have a place. 3 spaces left, first come, first served. Separate email from Mark Robertson to follow. 

Latest Results

Saturday 16th April - Two-Person Scramble

1st Place - Fraser Rennie/ Mark Robertson - 62 less 4 for nett 58!

2nd Place - Simon Manson/ Stuart Kennedy - 65 less 6 for a nett 59

3rd Place - Stevie Pennel/ George Ackroyd - 65 less 3 for a nett 62

A superb early morning display from Mark and Fraser saw them run away with the sweep, but the first victim of not paying your fees goes to Fraser who isn't eligible for the trophy. That goes to Simon and Stuart. Well done to all 3 pairs for impressive scoring and commisserations to WIlf and Sandy who also had a nett 62 but a worse back 9. The rest of the field was at least 4 shots back. 

Upcoming Fixtures

Tuesday 18th April - Wee Braids Combined Stableford - Tee times from 5:20pm

Saturday 22nd April - Saturday Sweep - Tee times from 11:40am

Saturday 29th April - RNLI Medal - Tee times from 11:40am

Sunday 30th April - Spring outing to Leven - Details to follow for those signed up

Saturday 6th May - May Medal - Tee times from 11:40am

Scottish Golf App Update 

Tee times - After much testing, the easiest way to add yourself to the tee sheet in the app, is to go in under "Tee Booking", choose the day you are booking for, and pick a slot. The actual time on a Saturday, as always, will be randomly allocated as your arrive at the club. Once you have your tee time, enter the event on the app and it will automatically pick up your tee booking. 

Scorecards for Competition - To create your own competition scorecard, click on "Bookings" on the home screen, select the appropriate event you have entered, then select "Create Scorecard" from the box that pops up. Don't create the scorecard from the "Scorecards" tab. This should be done only for general play scores. 

The secretary is away next week, so assistance will be limited with scoring for those playing. Please create cards as above, and results can be found on the scottish golf website here after scores have been entered - Braids United Scottish Golf Page

1/4/2023 All Things Braids United - 10

Braids United Weekly Update

Welcome to the Issue 10 of the weekly Braids United Email. This is a BUMPER edition, so take it all in, there's a lot of info for the start of the season. Just hit reply on this email to send any questions to the Secretary

Club and Council News

The draw for the Sandy Rennie Trophy is attached to this newsletter. There have been a fantastic 49 entries, meaning 17 first round ties and 15 second round ties have been drawn, with one player awaiting the winner of a first round. The deadline for each round is the end of the next 6 months. The rules of the competition are also attached. Two Golden rules: 1) Don't wait until the deadline, arrange your ties NOW! 2) You can not play this competition at the same time as another competition - it's against the rules of golf unless in exceptional circumstances. It's also a club major, so should be treated as such. Other than that, good luck to all players. Results to the vice-captain as per attached rules sheet. (p.s. anyone that hasn't paid their membership fees before playing their first round will be DQ'ed from the competition - you have been warned!)

Spring Outing - There is a sign up sheet in clubhouse for the outing on Sunday 30th April at Leven Golf Club. Tee times from 12pm. £60 cost including food and golf. The club will arrange prizes for the day. If you aren't up at the club, names to myself or Mark Robertson and we will add you. If oversubscribed we will try to get extra times, and then draw a ballot of names. Sign up by 15th April. 

New Tee rules for High Handicappers - The council realise that for some higher handicappers, the White tees are quite daunting at the Braids and have decided for this season to allow any player who has a course handicap of 36 or above from the White Tees, to choose to "tee-it-forward" and play off the Yellows or Reds.  For Ladies, this is an index of 30.4 or higher and for Gents this is an index of 34.1 or higher. This will only apply to competitions off the White Tees and is that players choice.

Alongside this, a number of other comps outside of the medals/majors will be considered for play off the yellow or even red tees for a bit of variety. 

Finally, good luck to both teams representing the club the next two Sundays. Firstly v Heriots FP's at Gullane on the 2nd and then at home to the Western GC on the 9th. Results next Sunday night for both will be reported here. 

Latest Results

Saturday 1st April - April Medal

1st Place -  Simon Manson - 81 - 14 = 67

2nd Place - Ian Meyer - 78 - 10 = 68

3rd Place - James Myles - 78 - 8 - 70

Lucky 2's - Mark Robertson on 17 for the whole pot.

The curtain raiser for the official start of the season and back to playing off the tips didn't disappoint with 31 players making it out onto the course. Congratulations to Simon who makes up for his narrow loss last week with a win in the medal and books his place at the dinner.  

Upcoming Fixtures

Thursday 6th April - 9 Hole Wee Braids Stableford Social

Tee times from 17:30

Saturday 8th April - Heriot's Trophy (Spring Meeting) - Tee times from 11:40

Saturday 15th April - Two-Person Scamble - Tee times from 11:40 

Rules attached - Please email with your partner and both sign up on the app. You can bring a guest if you wish but let me know who it is and their club ideally. If you are happy playing with anyone, I will pair you up on the day, no need to email in. Random partnerships make it more fun if you ask me! 

Tuesday 18th April - Scottish Pairs Stableford 9 Hole Qualifier (Wee Braids) - Tee times from 17:30 - details to follow

Saturday 22nd April - Saturday Sweep - Tee times from 11:40

Dates for your Diary

End of each month - Deadline for each Sandy Rennie Round!

Spring Outing to Leven - 30th April - Sign up by 16th April to be considered for a place! 

19/3/2023 All Things Braids United 8

Braids United Weekly Update

Welcome to the Issue 08 of the weekly Braids United Email. This email will include the latest results and standings, the next fixtures and any important dates for your diary/club news. Get in touch with the Club Secretary if you want to see any additional content.

Club and Council News

The Winter Foursomes has reached the later stages with Alan McIntosh and David Paton taking on Chris Wixon and Alex Campbell in the final. Best of luck to both pairs. 

Competitions are now open for entry via the Scottish Golf App for April and will be updated regularly. The app is being updated all the time, so watch this spaces for any changes going forward. 

A new fixture this year is the monthly Wee Braids 9 Holer, on the first Thursday evening every month. This is designed to by a social event for all abilities with food in the clubhouse afterwards. The first one is Thursday 6th April. Tee times from around 5pm.

A reminder to get those Sandy Rennie Individual Matchplay entries in to the vice captain, Deadline 29th March.

Latest Results

Saturday 18th March - Winter League

1st Place - Andrew Chalmers - 42 points

2nd Place - Sandy Myles - 40 points

Again, Four players had a single 2 on the card, so the prize pot rolls over to the final week. Any two will win a share unless someone has two of them on their own! 

Les Cranston stretched his lead this week for the first time in a little while and now sits on 200 points. Graeme Thomson in 2nd on 196 and Glenn Marsters in 3rd on 195. Looking ominous for anyone else now, and will need a superb round from Graeme or Glenn to catch the long time leader. 

In the ecelctic, Neil Porter has finally been pushed in to 2nd place, with Simon Manson improving by 2 shots to sit on 49. Les Crainston imrpoved to 51 to sit in 3rd, meaning this competition goes down to the wire. Have to be something special for anyone outside the top 3 to get a look in. 

Upcoming Fixtures

Saturday 25th March - Winter League Final Round - Tee times from 11:40am

Saturday 1st April - April Medal - Tee times from 11:40am

Saturday 8th April - Heriots Trophy (Spring Meeting) - Tee times from 11:40am

Saturday 15th April - Two-Person Scramble - Details to follow

Saturday 22nd April - Saturday Sweep - Tee times from 11:40am

Dates for your Diary

Wedneday 29th March - Deadling for Sandy Rennie individual matchplay/summer singles competiton. - Entries to the Vice-Captain Chris Donkin - chris@donkinitex.co.uk . No Late Entries accepted! 

Thursday 30th March - Next Council Meeting - please give any items for discussion by the council to the Secretary. Remember, it's your club, have your say! 

Sunday 30th April - Spring Outing to Leven Links - Details to follow.  (Thanks to eagle-eyed readers who spotted it said Saturday for the last two weeks)

13/3/2023 All Things Braids United

Braids United Weekly Update

Welcome to the Issue 07 of the weekly Braids United Email. This email will include the latest results and standings, the next fixtures and any important dates for your diary/club news. Get in touch with the Club Secretary if you want to see any additional content.

Club and Council News

The latest Winter Foursomes draw is attached, with Alan McIntosh and David Paton in the final awaiting the winners of Rutherford/Bhopal and Wixon/Campbell due to be played this Friday. We may finish the winter foursomes in the winter for the first time in a few years.... watch this space! 

As a reminder, we have added a lot of members onto the rota lists at the club, so thank you for getting involved and helping out. For full guidelines refer to last weeks email. 

There is a new team match launching this year versus our nearest neighbours, the Edinburgh Western Golf Club for the Braids Tryst Mashie Trophy. Names to Graeme Blackwood for consideration. Sunday 9th April is the date for the home leg (Easter Sunday just in case you might have plans). Approx 9:30am start. timberbusharchitects@gmail.com if you want to be considered. 

As a reminder, Winter league sign up here - https://signup.com/go/tHsGUAA

App sign up from April Medal onwards. 

Please remember to book a time with Edinburgh Leisure, and to check in before playing, (or after if you have gone out with the dawn patrol)

Latest Results

Saturday 11th March - Winter League

1st Place - Brian Donkin - 38 points

2nd Place - Stevie Pennel - 37 points (better back 9)

Four players with 2's this week so a rollover to next week.

Les Cranston remains in the lead on 198 5 points clear and it's looking ominous for everyone else. 

Neil Porter still leads the eclectic on 50, with Simon Manson closing to within 1 shot. There is maybe 7 players in with chance of snatching it. 

Upcoming Fixtures

Saturday 18th March - Winter League - Tee times from 11:40am

Saturday 25th March - Winter League Final Round - Tee times from 11:40am

Saturday 1st April - April Medal - Tee times from 11:40am

Saturday 8th April - Heriots Trophy (Spring Meeting) - Tee times from 11:40am

Saturday 15th April - Two-Person Scramble

Dates for your Diary - 2023 Season Highlights

Wedneday 29th March - Deadling for Sandy Rennie individual matchplay/summer singles competiton. - Entries to the Vice-Captain Chris Donkin - chris@donkinitex.co.uk . No Late Entries accepted! 

Saturday 30th April - Spring Outing to Leven Links - Details to follow. 

5/3/2023

Braids United Weekly Update

Welcome to the Issue 06 of the weekly Braids United Email. Get in touch with the Club Secretary if you want to see any additional content or if you want removed from the list.

Club and Council News

Club Rota -  The Council has once again added any member who has been in the club for over 12 months back on the the club rota (with a few exceptions for those who don't play very often at all). For those newer to the club, you may not be aware, but the food post-golf each week and the organising of the draw pre-golf are all done by volunteer members on a rota system. The more members we have on the list, the less time we need to take a turn at it. I have attached Rota guidelines to this email so you know what is expected when it;s your turn and it's all run through the club website.

You can remove yourself if you really, really don't want to do it, but the club is only as strong as it is because of the input of all it's members making it what it is. If everyone stays on the list, you will get called up twice a year max which is a lot better than someone doing it every month. Please read the attached guidelines so you understand how it all works. 

Winter League Sign-up - Just a reminder that the remaining three winter leagues are using sign up.com at the following link - Braids United Sign Up - Please remember to book a time with Edinburgh Lesiure as we don't currently have a club block booking - this will apply to every event unless told otherwise. From the April Medal, we will be using the Scottish Golf App in full, but you can sign up for it now if you like. 

 Latest Results

Saturday 4th March - BHA Winter Shield

It was reported to the Secretary that the Scratch section was won by the Western, ending the Harrison dominance of this event. The BU came 3rd. 

The Handicap winners were the Thistle, with the BU finishing 4th.

Despite the disappointing showing, we did win both the nearest the pins for the scracth players at 2 and 17 - Well done to Glenn Marsters and Martin Rutherford.

Sunday 5th March - March Medal

1st - Andy White - A superb 73-11 for a nett 62

2nd - Craig Howieson - An excellent 72-7 for a nett 65 (better inward half)

3rd - Glenn Marsters - Also an excellent 72-7 for a nett 65

2's - Craig Howieson (9,17), Dan Sim (2), Neil Burgoyne (9), Ian Walker (9), Alan Mcintosh (17) 

The full results are attached, along with the Twos. These can be found on the Scottish Golf Webpage. - Scottish Golf - Just go to Golfer Login, sign in with your membership details (you can ask the site to remember you) and then click on "Competitions" to see all the results. Alternatively you can search for Braids United Golf Club and find the competitons that way. Hopefully, in time, they will appear on the app itself. 

Upcoming Fixtures

Saturday 11th March - Winter League - Tee times from 11:40am

Saturday 18th March - Winter League - Tee times from 11:40am

Saturday 25th March - Winter League Final - Tee times from 11:40am

Saturday 1st April - April Medal - Tee times from 11:40am (official start of the season)

Saturday 8th April - Spring Meeting for the Heriots Trophy

Dates for your Diary

Wedneday 29th March - Deadling for Sandy Rennie individual matchplay/summer singles competiton. - Entries to the Vice-Captain Chris Donkin - chris@donkinitex.co.uk . No Late Entries accepted! 

Saturday 30th April - Spring Outing to Leven Links - Details to follow. 

18/2/2023 Braids United Weekly Update

Welcome to the Issue 04 of the weekly Braids United Email. This email will include the latest results and standings, the next fixtures and any important dates for your diary/club news. Get in touch with the Club Secretary if you want to see any additional content.

Club and Council News

BHA Winter Shield - Thanks for all the responses so far, we now have 19 names which is excellent, You have until tomorrow to put your name down before we choose the sides. Remember, the March medal is on the Sunday of the same weekend. 

Scottish Golf App Events Tab - Scottish golf have said the Events tab has been delayed a week due to some minor tweaks being made during testing, The club are still hopeful of it being up and running for the March Medal, which is likely to be the first counter of the winter as the white tees are mostly back to where they should be. 

Latest Results

Saturday 18th February - Winter League

1st Place - Roger Lockhart - 40 points - for the 2nd week running!

2nd Place - Jordan Shirley - 39 points

Special mention to Alan McIntosh with a scratch 72 and Glenn Marsters continuing his hot streak with a scratch 70. Superb golf in dreich conditions. 

Only one player with a 2 this week, Sandy Myles on the 13th with a very near miss for a hole-in-one. 

Overall, Les remains on 198 points chased by Graeme Thomson on 190 who is joined by Glenn on the same score, with Simon Manson still on 189 joined by Alan McIntosh - bunching up for the minor places.  

Neil Porter improves by one in the eclectic with 50 strokes stretching his lead slightly. Three players on 53 as it stands with 4 rounds left. 

Upcoming Fixtures

Saturday 25th February - Winter League - Tee times from 11:40am

Saturday 4th March - BHA Winter Shield - Tee times from 07:30am-10:30am

(Hosted by Edinburgh Western Golf Club - e-mail the secretary to be considered - no regular club golf planned)

Sunday 5th March - March Medal - Tee times from 10:00am

Saturday 11th March - Winter League - Tee times from 11:40am

Dates for your Diary - 2023 Season Highlights

Club Championship Qualifying Rounds - 13th May, 3rd June, 17th June 

Club Championship Quarter Finals and Semi FInals - 18th-23rd June (default days are Tuesday 20th and Thursday 22nd)

Club Championship Finals - 24th June

Spring Outing - Sunday 30th April - Leven Links Golf Course

Autumn Outing - Sunday 24th September - PROVISIONAL DATE TBC

Baby Hope Appeal Mixed Greensomes - Saturday 10th June

Murray Dunbar Invitation Silloth - Saturday 12th August

Annual Dinner and Prizegiving - Friday 17th November in the Clubhouse. 

5/2/2023 Braids United Weekly Update

Welcome to the Issue 02 of the weekly email. This email will include the latest results and standings, the next fixtures and any important dates for your diary/club news. Get in touch with the Club Secretary if you want to see any additional content. 

Club and Council News

A reminder to all players to sign up for each weeks event with Edinburgh Leisure AND the club sign up page, so we know to expect you. This helps those on pre-rota duty manage the draw. See the link below. 

Club Sign Up Page

We are hopeful that the "Events" tab on the new Scottish Golf App will be up and runnng in about a week or so, with practice use of it for the last two Winter Leagues in February, and the first competition to use it officially, the March Medal. Again, watch this space for any developments. 

A Message from Winter Foursomes Organiser, Mark Munro - "The Winter Fourseomes draw is attached, please make every effort to play your ties as soon as possible to prevent this turning into the Autumn Foursomes! The deadline for the Quarter Finals is actually today! (The last 2nd round match is being played on Tuesday). Thank you"

Latest Results

Saturday 4th February - Winter League

1st Place - Stuart Kennedy - 39 points

2nd Place - Graeme Blackwood - 38 points

Two players had 2's this week so this pot rolls over to next week once again. 

Overall, Les Cranston still leads the way on 194 points from 5 rounds, improving by 5 from last week so will take some catching. Neil Porter still leads the eclectic with 51 strokes. 

Sunday 5th February - February Medal

1st - Brian Donkin - 66

2nd - Roger Lockhart - 67

3rd - Stevie Pennel - 68

Three 2's won £3 each - Graeme Thomson at the 2nd, Ron Hastings and Brian Donkin both at the 9th

Nearest the pins - Graeme Thomson at the 2nd, Walter Grieve at the 9th and 17th and Neil Porter at the 13th. 

Upcoming Fixtures

Saturday 11th February - Winter League - Tee times from 11:40am

Saturday 18th February - Winter League - Tee times from 11:40am

Saturday 25th February - Winter League - Tee times from 11:40am

Saturday 4th March - BHA Winter Shield - Tee times from 8am - The club will be looking for 18 players - 8 scratch and 10 handicap - to play against the other 3 hill clubs - no regular club golf today, but course will be open to casual round after 10:30am. More details to follow. 

Sunday 5th March - March Medal - Tee times from 10am 

Dates for your Diary - 2023 Season Highlights

Club Championship Qualifying Rounds - 13th May, 3rd June, 17th June 

Club Championship Quarter Finals and Semi FInals - 18th-23rd June (default days are Tuesday 20th and Thursday 22nd)

Club Championship Finals - 24th June

Spring Outing - Sunday 16th April - PROVISIONAL DATE TBC

Autumn Outing - Sunday 24th September - PROVISIONAL DATE TBC

Baby Hope Appeal Mixed Greensomes - Saturday 10th June

Murray Dunbar Invitation Silloth - Saturday 12th August

Annual Dinner and Prizegiving - Friday 17th November in the Clubhouse. 

Re: Braids Utd Quiz Update

14/1/2023

Last call for entries for Friday's quiz. We now have 7 teams participating with Team Donkin entering the fray! Let me know if you'd like to take part.

Cheers, Glenn

8/1/2023 

Dear members, we have a few spaces remaining for the quiz on Friday 20 January (see email below for details).

Entries received so far from:

Team Mitchell

Team Wixon

Team Dewar

Team Aitken

Team White

Team Robertson

Still time to gather a team of egg heads so let me know if you want to enter!

Thanks, Glenn

1/1/2023

Dear members, Happy New Year and wishing everyone the best for 2023!

As mentioned by Chris in his earlier email, the next social event on the calendar is our quiz night taking place at the club on the evening of Friday 20 January. The event will follow a similar format to the quiz nights held in pre covid times, so it's teams of 4 people with £10 entry per team. To encourage members to bring up guests, teams made up of all Braids Utd members will be charged £20 for being lazy (and friendless)! There will be prizes for the top teams on the night with a small donation made to club funds.

Due to the space in the club room we can accommodate up to ten teams, so please email me if you'd like to enter a team. In the event we are over subscribed places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The quiz master is our very own intellect supreme Alan Hay, so choose your team mates wisely and based on their IQ. 

I'll confirm the arrangements in the lead up to the night.

Thanks, Glenn

29/12/2022 Hind Cup and Currie Bowl

Dear all,

Further to the Captain's last email, an update on the festive competitions and the latest on Scottish Golf registration. 

Saturday 31st December - Hind Cup and Winter League

This will now be a double header, off the YELLOW TEES, and stableford. Please bring a prize to win a prize, preferably wrapped. WInner chooses first down to last place who gets what is left! Nearest the pins on the day for those playing at lunchtime, tee times from 11:40 (but we might start early tee time permitting) 

Tuesday 3rd January - Currie Bowl

Also off YELLOW TEES and stableford, tee times from 10am. I have two volunteers for food so far, but looking for at least two more for the 16 players signed up. Let me know if you fancy putting together a curry for 4 people, otherwise you might have to suffer my attempt, and no one wants that! 

Saturday 7th January - Winter League

Tee times from 11:40am, yellow tees, stableford

Sunday 8th January - January Medal

Tee times from 10am, White Tees, Strokeplay

Scottish Golf Registration

Everyone should have had an email asking them to register for the new Scottish Golf Website. If anyone missed it, the link for instructions on how to do so is here

https://youtu.be/x3k1Wu9zjKk

You will need your CDH number which is on the club website, or on the scottish golf app.

The new app will be launching on the 9th January, with the old one expiring 31st December - because of this a couple of asks please 

1) Scoring - all scoring will be done manually for the next couple of weeks, so please record your score on a card - we will not be applying the 95% rule to handicaps, so just use your course handicap and we will apply that across the competition. 

2) Sign up - Please sign up, if you can, for the Hind Cup and Currie Bowl on the current app. For the Currie bowl after Saturday, if you want to play, please drop me an email. I will ask for a separate email list for the following weekend events, after which, the new app should be up and running. Please DO NOT email me yet for the 7th and 8th January. 

Many thanks

Neil Porter

Honorary Secretary