The decision to move this year's East Kilbride Rotary golf AMAM from July to early September was confirmed as the correct choice when early last Friday there was a clear sky and the prospect of dry weather throughout the day although the wind did pick up later on. At 10.30am last Friday the first team to tee off at East Kilbride Golf Club was DiversyCare with another 21 teams of four golfers following on with the last team, Caledonian Plywood Company, teeing off at 2.26pm.
As teams arrived they were welcomed by Agnes Wilson, Jean Harvey and Rotarian Jim Anderson who were checking in the teams, handing out score cards and selling raffle tickets. All the golfers had a short break at the 8th hole for a feast of hamburger or hamburger with cheese barbecued and served with light refreshment by Rotarians George McGraw and Tom Wilson Frances McGraw stood in for Tom later in the day
After handing in their team scores and picking up a team photograph, courtesy of John Murphy, each team adjourned to the dining room where golf club chef, Brian, had prepared a delicious two course meal for all the wearied and hungry participants.
Many of the teams stayed on after the meal for the prize giving, raffle, auction and a beer or two. David Brown from East Kilbride Rotary Club compered the evening revealing his skills not only as a compere but a frustrated auctioneer.
The Ladies longest drive was won by East Kilbride member Gail Campbell, men's longest drive by Matthew McCulloch from Portpatrick, nearest the pin at the 8th hole was won by Ronnie Faill from Portpatrick and nearest to the pin at the 17th John Murray from team Shiller Ltd
The winning team was Clyde Fasteners comprising Stephen Morrison, Alastair Renny, Kenneth Soutar and Douglas Woodhouse with a score of 126. Runner up in second place with a score of 127 was team Shiller Ltd with William Donnelly and Co. in 3rd place with a score of 131.
A special raffle of a weekend use of an MX5 donated by Phoenix and an overnight stay at the luxury Barony Castle Hotel donated by Antelsys Ltd was won by Jimmy Paterson from Stranraer.
Among the auction items were a Partick Thistle signed ball plus tickets, Balblair 2nd release malt whisky and a Galloway Golf weekend. The generosity of the golfers was quite staggering raising a total auction sum of £1,500 with one item bid going for £550.
The evening was concluded by East Kilbride Golf Club Captain, Alastair Renny, thanking the staff, all the helpers and in particular Gail and David Brown for organising and the running the AMAM. However the principal winners were the East Kilbride & District Dementia Carers Group and the Christmas Toys for Kids who will share in the £4000 raised by the AMAM. East Kilbride Rotary Club in partnership with Chesapeake in East Kilbride purchase toys each year for those children who due to whatever circumstances will not receive a gift at Christmas