Yellow ball. May 31st 2022. Report via Steve Monk

Today we played a Yellow Ball competition with 8 x fourball teams. Although rain was promised in most weather forecasts, the morning turned out to be dry and umbrellas were never in evidence, conditions proving to be very good. Results were: 1st - Peter Taylor, Brian Beaton, Bob Jarvis and Liam Roddis, with 177 points. 2nd - Mike Parks, Stewart Poole, Tony Jackson and Colin Evans, with 172 points. Following the game, Don Wraight, Club Captain, presented the Wales Seniors Greensomes Trophy for 2021 to winners Damian Atkin and Stewart Poole.

Well done to Damian and Stewart and to all of today's winners too.

Unknown Stableford Pairs results from Mike Healey May 26th 2022

Today's Golf - Wasn't the course great today? Not only did it look good but it played well and the greens just carry on improving. Warm but breezy conditions did not make a dent on the golf itself and the odd sprinkling of rain proved the BBC forecast wrong again. 31 seniors placed tallies in the draw so we had an odd number for Unknown Pairs. One player had two bites of the cherry but it didn't matter because all partners were random anyway. Each card on arrival back in the clubhouse received a specific number and the scores were totalled. The following pairs made the prize money: Unknown Stableford Pairs: First: Brian Beaton (42pts) and Reg Peacock (42pts) Total 84pts Second: Colin Evans (36pts) and Ernie Williams (40pts) Total 76pts Third: Tony Jackson (42pts) and Alan Bottomley (33pts) Total 75pts Fourth: Fred Court (34pts) and Harold Hughes (40pts) Total 74 pts

Texas scramble results May 24th 2022. Courtesy of Mike Healey

Today's Texas Scramble Result The course just seems to be getting better each week and the greens are not far from being in tip top condition for the coming summer season. Showers were forecast and boy, when they arrived, they were fast and furious. I'm glad to add that they were also intermittent and most of us came in dryish! Overall we played in warm if not sunny conditions. Once again, quite a few members were involved with knockout matches (some more successful than others I might add) but it did not deplete numbers. No fewer than 36 seniors put their tallies into the draw for our Texas Scramble. Three teams were still a little confused over handicap percentages and reductions but we resolved their cards and the following results were recorded: First: Peter Taylor, Billy Spilsted, John Kelty, Keith Hawthorn score - 53.1 Second: Gareth Thomas, Mike Parks, Ken Tieszen, Tony Jackson score - 54.6 Third : Peter Bowen, Mike Hollings, Tom McGrady, Andy Mitchell score - 55.2

Best 3 scores from 4 May 19th 2022. Report from Mike Healey and Steve Monk.

eniors - in my absence, can I thank Steve Monk for the following report: 35 players turned up for today's Senior's kitty competition, which was an alternative to the originally planned 'Unknown Pairs'. Instead we played a 'Best 3 scores from 4' competition, with the Unknown Pairs being moved to next week. 9 x 4-ball teams participated, with one team fielding a 'Ghost Player' using the recently introduced method for scoring this non-existent 4th team member. Results were: 1st - David Jones, Ernie Williams, Mick Carnell and Stan Roberts, with 130 points. 2nd - Bill Kelleher, Tony Jackson, Wyn Jenkins and Peter Fraser, with 126 points. 3rd - Nigel Davies, Richard Collier, Stewart Poole and Harold Hughes, with 123 points

Gemini Trophy May 17th 2022. Report via Mike Healey

The weather remained blowy but warm today allowing us pleasant conditions to play in. Once again, the course looked and played in good condition despite some overnight rain. We had been warned about the fertiliser granules on the greens and although they slowed the putting a little, they didn't seem to make much difference. The Gemini Trophy is unusual in that it is strokeplay with two players adding their nett scores together for an overall combined score. We asked members to enter their scores into the computer but teething troubles with the new software put an end to that. Worry not - the data has been recorded elsewhere. It is worth noting also that this competition is a non-qualifier as playing partners are able to confer during the playing process. Only two members shot a 2 in the ballsweep - both on the fifth hole and both within seconds of each other. Congratulations go to Alan Barnsdale and Tom McGrady. Overall, 44 members teed from the first and this time the result follows in reverse order: Fifth Place: Alan Bottomley (74) and Mick Carnell (71) Combined nett score -145 Fourth Place: Andy Mitchell (76) and David Jones (68) Combined nett score - 144 Third Place: Stuart Leyland (71) and Tony Harcombe (71) Combined nett score - 142 Second Place: Alan Barnsdale (72) and Mike Healey (69) Combined nett score - 141 and the Winners of this year's Gemini Trophy are.................. First Place: Mike Hollings (69) and Dave Palferman (68) Combined nett score - 137

Home match vs Old Padeswood and kitty competition May 1th 2022. Report from Mike Healey

A good day for all of our members who played in the home match against Old Padeswood. The weather held throughout, although the breeze did increase mid-morning, making conditions somewhat chilly at one stage. The course was in very good condition and the opposition were not only complimentary about conditions but a very sociable bunch to play against. Congratulations must go to the team, as we have continued with our winning ways in defeating the opposition by 9 matches to 1. Hayley provided a very good 2 course meal (as usual) and the conviviality flowed. The opposition Ladies Captain turned out to support her team (without playing) and with speeches from captains and prizes at the end, the whole day was a complete success. Raffle bottles of wine were won by Ron Braid (OP) and another OP member whose name escapes me. 2’s golfballs in the ball sweep were won by Andy Turner (OP), Alan Bottomley and Mick Carnell. Our thanks also go to Tom Pierce for donning the mantle and taking on the responsibility for organisation in Mal Williams’ absence. Well done all. And for those Clays members not involved in the match…………. An impromptu kitty comp transpired with Steve Monk leading from the front – almost literally!! 11 seniors put their tallies up on the board and an individual game of Stableford took place: Stableford Kitty Comp First: Peter Taylor 37 points Second: Wynn Jenkins 35 points Third: Steve Monk 34 points

Seniors both scores count May 10th 2022. Report from Mike Healey.

Mike's better Half was in serious trouble first thing this morning. She told me that the forecast was light cloud with intermittent sunshine. The shorts came on for me and several other seniors but the umbrellas also appeared for the "intermittent showers". The sun did eventually shine forth and the group competition saw a pleasurable ending. 31 tallies went into the draw, so one lucky person had two bites of the cherry at the front of the crowd. Tony Harcombe was the only player to shoot a 2 (on the second) but alas, we did not run a ballsweep on this occasion. It makes no never mind because he won in the top pair anyway. There were four prizes today and the winners were as follows: Pairs - Both Scores to Count First: Tony Harcombe & Mike Healey 72 points (c/b) Second: Colin Brown & Peter Fraser 72 points (c/b) Third: Harold Hughes & Brian Beaton 70 points Fourth: George Hughes & Alan Barnsdale 66 points There were three other very respectable cards on 65 points. Match v Old Padeswood on Thursday 12th. Book your own tees or there might possibly be some spaces after both teams in the match have teed off. Don't forget the Gemini Trophy sign up for next week.

Seniors Monthly Medal May 5th 2022

Seniors Monthly Medal May 5th 2022 Div 1 1 Chris Jacques 79-9-70 2 Derek Jones 89-17-72 3 Wyn Jenkins 90-18-72 Div 2 1 Tom McGrady 89-24-65 2 Pauline Peacock 92-25-67 3 William Kelleher 88-21-67 Div 3 1 Steve Monk 94-29-65 2 David Fergus 101-29-72 3 Peter Bowen 108-35-73

Bonus ball April 3rd 2022. Report from Mike Healey

With competition first-round deadlines looming, quite a few seniors were involved elsewhere on the course this morning. That said, there were still 32 participants to take part in the Bonus Ball kitty comp. The forecast rain at 1.00pm did not materialise and with ongoing mowing taking place, the course is really starting to get into shape. There were a number of two's recorded but unfortunately, we did not run a ballsweep on this occasion. There was an outright winning team but three cards were within 3 points of each other for runner-up spot. There were only two prizes today. See you all for the medal on Thursday. Bonus Ball (Fourball): First: Russ adamson, Bill Kelleher, Mike Drake, Nigel Davies 181 points Second: Fred Court, Alan Pocklington, Peter Thomas, Liam Roddis 172 points

Captains Newsletter May 2022

Published on 2nd May 2022 May has arrived with warmer weather and the prospect of good golf dressed in summer clothing. Greens are still being worked on, and due to this nicer drier weather greenstaff have been hampered with no rain to wash the sand in, although as I write this a shower is falling. Please stay patient and it will not be too long before they are back to their best. To help maintain your golf course can I remind members to insure that you rake the bunkers after using them, what a pain it is when your ball lands in a foot print? Replace those divots and repair those pitch marks and our course will be top dollar. This month sees lots of Club competitions being played and opportunities to represent the Club in many ways. A GUW team qualifier was played at the weekend and the top 8 players will be split into two teams to go on to a regional final and if successful then go to Celtic Manor in August of this year, good luck to you all. Seniors have started their matches and were successful in beating Old Padeswood away 8/2 well done to them and good luck in the forthcoming return match on the 12th. Ladies have played their Challenge Bowl and congratulations to Gillian Williams who beat Lady Captain Julie Hanmer-Price on countback to claim the trophy both scoring 38 points. We have exciting times ahead with the launch of the Intelligent Golf Management system on the 11th of May. This will be replacing the BRS system and will make life a lot easier for the lads in reception and us members. Josh will be sending out details very soon on how to operate the new system and there is also an app that you can download onto your devices if you so wish. Please remember to have a pint or a coffee after your game and get that clubhouse buzzing. Don Wraight Captain