Captains Newsletter July 2023

Captain's Newsletter: July 2023 July has been a very busy month. The weather has not been quite as kind to us as the previous month but the course remains in fantastic condition and lots of golf has been played. It is lovely to hear great comments on how well the course is playing and how beautiful it is. The new toilets are still on hold at the moment but I’m pleased to inform you all that the benches have been ordered and should be on the course shortly. Competitions It has been another busy month with the Honours Board competitions now at the semi-final stage. Results and next rounds can be accessed on ‘ig’. We have a number of teams and individual members involved in various fixtures at Clays and at other clubs. Best of luck to all involved. Captains day was held on July 8th and was a great success. We were extremely lucky with the weather with everyone getting back to the clubhouse before the tremendous thunderstorms struck. A big thanks from the lady captain Sue and myself to all the players who took part in supporting us on our Captains day. Thanks to my wife Dawn for sorting the registration helping to get the day off to a great start; to Patrick for setting up the gazebo and refreshments and to Lucy for selling tickets and handing out refreshments with Dawn during the day. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the charity raffle in aid of Wales Air Ambulance Trust which raised approximately £250 on the day. Thanks to Mark and the green staff the course was in fantastic condition, thanks also to Hayley and the bar staff for their excellent service once again. Well done to: Nigel Davies on winning the Seniors & Vets trophy with a net 68. Tom Pierce on winning the Captains day men’s trophy Jane Gibson on winning the Captains day ladies trophy Chris Jacques on winning the Seniors two day challenge Clays DGU team on a good display at Denbigh not quiet getting the win but still picked up some valuable away points Jane Evans and the Ping team on their ongoing success with their latest wins over Maesdu Conor Mitchell on winning the Club Championship with best Gross & myself on winning the Rowland Cup with best Net. Coming up: The Draw for JCB quarter final has been made so please check ’ig’ for the details. The Jubilee plate 2nd round has been made so please keep an eye on the notice board for further details. D. G. U. match Clays V Old Colwyn on Sunday 30th July. Best of look to Patrick and his team for that one Captains charity day, in aid of Wales ambulance trust will take place on 12th of August. This will be a fun competition for 3 or 4 players per team entry fee £10 per player with all proceeds going to the charity. There will be prizes on the day also. If any member or a company known to a member wishes to donate a prize or sponsor a hole on the course for the day please contact myself or lady Captain. We will also be holding a charity raffle on the day, I would be very grateful for any raffle prize donations, please leave them in reception or you can bring them with you on the day. Presidents day August 19th Ladies report Another busy month with HB and NWLCSA matches. In the NWLCSA matches a mixture of wins and unfortunately a couple of losses. One final match against Denbigh next week. On our Ladies Club day on Wednesday mornings, we have welcomed new ladies. Two of those new ladies have now attained handicaps and we look forward to them participating in our Wednesday competitions. The Open held on Wednesday 12th July was very successful. 42 players participated in teams, including those from Porthmadog, 2 teams from Powys, Chester, Mile End, Denbigh, Padeswood and Buckley. The weather was certainly better than predicted and sunshine broke through for most of the day. Thank you to Nigel Davies as Starter for his superb efficiency and Mick McHugh and Chris Jones for their support. Mark and his team had got the course in fantastic condition, many ladies commented on the condition of the course and enjoyed the challenging pin positions. Hayley worked hard from early in the day to ensure everyone could enjoy plenty of food and drink. My sincere thanks to all the fantastic ladies within our section, their contribution made the day possible and the success it was. Congratulations also to all our winners, first place with 73 points were Jane Evans, Jan Keen and Dawn Thompson. In second place with 70 points Eleanor Osei – Frimpong, Judy Owen and Pauline Evans from Denbigh. A close third place, also with 70 points, Nicky Bowen, Pauline Peacock and Bev Hood. Home player nearest the pin on the 5th hole was Lizzie Hart and the Away player from St Idloes, Joan Hunt who achieved a HOLE IN ONE. Joan has been playing golf for over 40 years and had never had a hole in one so she was absolutely thrilled. In addition to her nearest the pin winnings, Clays Golf Club presented her with a complimentary voucher for a round of golf for 4 people. Many of the teams have said they would like to play in The Open again next year, enjoyed the course and the hospitality they received. Our first New 2 Golf lessons have concluded. A number of participants attended regularly and appeared keen to continue. I am very grateful to Rhodri Fieldhouse for running the course. The group have been provided with a follow up plan which has included information on further lessons, mentorship and Membership options. A further course may be organised for later in the year. In the Daily Mail competition Jane Evans and Bev Hood have progressed through 6 rounds and in the Purves Cup we have now reached the semi finals. The Ping Team have won a number of matches and I wish them continued success. A number of us played at The Denbighshire Lady Captains Day at Wrexham earlier in the month and am delighted to say that Angela Thomas Williams was a worthy winner in quite appalling weather conditions. Once again the following months are busy with plenty of competitions which include HB, The Fan Jones Trophy for higher handicap players, knockout Board comps, NWLCSA match at Denbigh, and Charity Day. In August, 14 ladies have signed up for an ‘Awayday ‘ which has been arranged at Upton by Chester Golf Club, to include coffee etc on arrival, 18 holes of golf and a 2 course meal. On Friday July 28th Angela Thomas Williams is playing a continuing 72 holes of golf to raise money for The North Wales Air Ambulance. I will be playing with her for some of the rounds to support and it would be great to see as many of you on the course on that day. The link to sponsor Angela is given below. Plenty of golf to come and hopefully better weather, Sue Falcus (Lady Captain) And finally from me… Not long to go On the 28th of July, I will be taking on 72 holes of the course in aid of this year’s Captains’ charity the Wales Air Ambulance Charity. Angela Thomas-Williams will be joining me for the full 4 rounds, Lady Captain Sue Falcus will be joining in the first two rounds and Jack Whitehouse take on the final two rounds with us. Any support you can give us on the course would be very welcome. We would be very grateful if you could make a donation towards this worthwhile cause if you are able on our JustGiving page via https://www.justgiving.com/page/clays-golf-club-captains-charity-1687459963858?utm_term=nBv26kRdN or there are sponsor forms available in the foyer and upstairs in the bar area. We now have a Safeguarding /Welfare Officer in place but we still require a Junior Organiser to encourage new young members to join our club. if any members are interested, or if you know of anyone who would be interested in this role, please get in touch with me or any member of the council. Please be aware as it’s getting very busy out on the course over the next few months, please avoid slow play. Please remember the 3 R’s: Rake, Repair and Replace and most of all enjoy your golf! Kind Regards, Michael McHugh (Club Captain)