Am-Am Golf Competition

Joint Statement by the Rotary Club of Bridge of Allan & Dunblane and Dunblane New Golf Club

Both Clubs are concerned that there are misleading statements circulating in the town as to why the Rotary Am-Am was cancelled.

The Am-Am is a very important and successful event, raising considerable  sums over the years for the Strathcarron Hospice . It is organized by the Rotary Club with the active and substantial support of the Golf Club, its members and the community. This has been a hugely successful partnership. It is important therefore to avoid misunderstandings that there is clarity as to who took the decisions and the reasons for doing so that the partnership can continue to prosper.

The Am Am was cancelled on Sunday evening 29^th July by the Rotary Club Hospice Committee. This was the second time this year that the event was cancelled due to bad weather.

The action was taken following discussions with the Golf Club and weather forecasts for the following week. 40mm of rain was forecast for Wednesday. Consequently there was a possibility of the course being closed on Thursday and with the Caterers requiring adequate time to order and prepare the food, the decision was taken to cancel the Am-Am.

Had the Rotary Club taken the decision on Sunday not to cancel the event and the course had been declared unplayable on Thursday morning, the Rotary Club would have been faced with a substantial bill for perishable food and other costs. The cancellation of the event in June had incurred similar losses.

This decision was not taken lightly. The event raises around £15000 each year for Strathcarron Hospice but based on the risk of heavy rain, an unplayable course and substantial losses by the Rotary Club,  the Clubs view was we had no option but to cancel the event.

We are grateful to the companies and individuals who have generously confirmed their donation of sponsorship monies and entry fees for this year. This will enable a contribution to be made to the Hospice funds. In the meantime the Rotary Club is actively reviewing how we might raise further funds  to minimize the loss of income to Strathcarron Hospice

Iain Smith                                                                   Wallace Clarke Chairman

President Bridge of Allan & Dunblane Rotary Club           Dunblane New Golf Club