328 September 2022 - Gryffe Advertizer

Renfrewshire Golf Union
Stuart Dickson wins Freedman Trophy - Renfrewshire Boys Match Play Championship
The final of the competition was played at Kilmacolm Golf Club on Sunday 14th August and conditions
on the day were good for golf with a light wind and a continuation of the recent warm weather with hard
running ground.
The final matched Alexander Farmer – Kilmacolm, the holder, against Stuart Dickson – Fereneze and this
turned out to be a classic encounter by 2 of the finest boys within the RGU.
On the 18th both hit their tee shots left with Dickson finding a poor lie in the semi rough and his second
shot went through the green. Farmer was safely on the green in 2 and when Dickson hit a poor pitch and
failed to hole his next shot, 2 putts by Farmer was enough to take the match to extra holes.
The 19th was halved in par with Farmer having the better opportunity for birdie after Dickson missed from
distance.
On the short 20th both players found the rear left hand bunker with their
tee shots, but Farmer took 2 shots to recover while Dickson only just got
out, but from about 15 feet holed his putt for par and victory. A tense St Columba’s
and thrilling final played in a great spirit by both players with some very
fine golf.
The Small School with Big Achievements
In the morning semi-final Alexander Farmer beat his club mate Struan
Brooksbank 4/3, while Stuart Dickson beat Ashton McKechan – Paisley by
5/4 both boys conceding 2 and 3 years to their opponents. Quarter Final
losers were Hugh Shiels jnr – East Renfrewshire, Ryan Jackson – Elderslie
and Ross Anderson -Williamwood.
Renfrewshire Golf Union thanks Kilmacolm Golf Club for their continued
support of the event and the Freedman family though Alison Murray for
attendance and in presenting the trophy.
Boys Champion of Champions
Played at Paisley Golf Club in
July and once again generously
sponsored by Greenlaw Garage,
Paisley, on a day when the
weather was blustery and damp,
the final of the Renfrewshire
Golf Union Boys Champion of
Champions took place.
In the Final Rhys McIlroy – Elderslie
faced Stuart Dickson - Fereneze.
In the semi-finals Dickson beat Alexander Farmer – Kilmacolm by 2/1 and
McIlroy beat Neil Rainey – Erskine 7/6
In the previous round Stuart defeated Tom Hepburn – Williamwood 2/1
while Rhys defeated Toby Mathers – East Renfrewshire 4/3.
Rhys left in early August to take up a golf scholarship in the USA in
Tennessee and we wish him the good luck in this.
With a school roll of around 600, our school’s size is its strength.
We are an all-through school with many of our pupils having been part of
the school community since they were three years old. This means that
they are known, not just by name, but by their interests, their strengths,
and their achievements.
It is this knowledge that allows the school to ensure that its educational
ethos is borne out in the experience of our young people and, by
extension, their exam results. We tailor the curriculum and learning
journey to suit each child’s individual needs to ensure that every young
person becomes the best version of themselves they can be.
Our results once again prove the invaluable benefit of small class sizes,
with subjects such as Music, Latin and Art enjoying 100% A grades at
National 5. Indeed, pupils studying Music achieved 100% A Band 1
grades across all levels – National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher – in the
2022 exam diet.
There is a similar picture in core subjects, with 67% of pupils achieving an
A in Higher English and 60% in Higher Maths.
We are a school with traditional values, but a thoroughly modern outlook.
From the gifted musicians, linguists, philosophers and mathematicians to
the scientists, engineers, gymnasts and mountaineers, every pupil in the
school aspires to greatness and so many of them achieve on national and
international stages. It is frequently said that for a school of our size we
‘punch above our weight’. But it is precisely because of its size that its
pupils achieve all they do.
If you are considering a Columban education for your child, please do
not hesitate to email admissions@st-columbas.org to arrange a tour inperson.
Next Deadline...
#329 October 2022: 14th September
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