The Stenhouse Quaich Golf Society is a social organisation with a history dating back over 50 years. The society is steeped in the traditions established by it’s predecessors which are remembered each year over two days in October when the society gathers at Royal Lytham & St. Annes golf club. This rich history provides a firm foundation for the society as it evolves and moves forward with new layers of tradition, members, competitions and noteworthy exploits welcomed and celebrated in the surroundings of one of the world’s finest golf courses.
Currently members compete in a variety of competitions:
The Blyth Putter – an individual strokeplay medal competition played on Friday morning. Players are allowed 95% of their course handicap, subject to a maximum handicap of 21.
The Sinclair Salver – named for previous society Chairman and renowned amateur golfer Sandy Sinclair, this is awarded to the lowest gross score during the Blythe Putter.
Paul Freeley Cup – named in memory of founding member Paul Freeley and is played on Thursday, this is an individual stableford competition played off 95% course handicap.
John Young Goblets – a better-ball stableford pairs competition played on Thursday, players are awarded 85% of their course handicaps subject to maximum of 18. The competition is named in memory of a previous Managing Director of one of the legacy sponsoring companies
Stenhouse Quaich – a three-man team competition with team members drawn at random over dinner on Thursday night. Net scores from the Blythe Putter are aggregated with the lowest team score winning.
The Ron Amy Trophy – established by lifetime President Ron Amy and affectionately known as ‘The RAT’, this is a Greensomes pairs stableford competition played on Friday afternoon. Handicaps are calculated by combining 60% of the lower course handicap and 40% of the higher.
Committee Members
Secretary
Frazer Clark
As Secretary, Frazer is responsible for the management and organisation of the society, including the annual meeting. A fine golfer and excellent administrator, his relaxed demeaner belies the energy and enthusiasm he brings to the running of the SQGS. Frazer is a past winner of both the Paul Freeley Cup and John Young Goblets, and is the central character in one of the society’s most enduring legends.
Home club
Hindhead Golf Club
“Friendship with the members, their guests and the golf club underscore everything the SQGS is about. And we continue to be blessed with an enduring relationship with such revered clubs as Ganton and Royal Lytham & St Annes. ”
captain
Chris (Spider) Aeschlimann
Responsible for ensuring on-course golfing activities are conducted in an appropriate manner Spider is an excellent golfer. Renowned for his ‘Spanish hands’ and lack of back-swing Spider is a serial winner, with his first win coming in the 1990 edition of the Blythe Putter his success in winning the RAT in 2019 means he has the distinction of being the first member to have held all of the society’s trophies at one time or another, a feat only achieved by one other member since.
Home club
Most recently The Addington Golf Club
“No comment at this stage”
president
Ron Amy
Ron’s involvement with the society dates back to the mid-1990’s and his patronage and support through the intervening years has ensured it’s survival and growth. As President he not only supports the maintenance of the traditions upon which the society were founded but sees to it that the society evolves and new ones are established, generously donating the Ron Amy Trophy, a Greensomes competition played on Friday afternoons.
Ron, too, is a multiple winner having held the Paul Freeley Cup, Stenhouse Quaich and John Young Goblets at different times.
Home club
Cruden Bay
Also a member at Royal Aberdeen
“What a privilege it is to be a member of a society with over 60 years tradition of playing at Royal Lytham and St. Annes, and Ganton GC - long may it continue”
“Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated”