Captains Newsletter August 2023

Captain's Newsletter: August 2023 Another month has passed and we are now entering the final weeks of the Honours Board competition season. August has been a particularly busy month and the course is in amazing condition considering some of the unseasonal weather we have had this passed month. The Toilet project is undergoing negotiations with Mr and Mrs Lewis, but I’m pleased to inform you that the new benches are now on the course situated on 6th, 9th and 15th tees. Competitions Captains charity day was held on the 12th of August, and was a great success. We were extremely lucky with the weather again. Thanks to my wife Dawn for sorting the registration once again and helping to get the day off to a great start; to Patrick for setting up the gazebo and the refreshments and to Joanna and Lucy for selling tickets and handing out refreshments with Dawn during the day. A massive thanks to all the players who took part on the day, also thanks to everyone who donated raffle prizes, bought tickets and gave donations for the refreshments on the course. The day raised in excess £1000 for the Wales Air Ambulance Trust. Thanks to Mark and the green keeping staff on presenting the course in fantastic condition, thanks also to Hayley and the bar staff for their excellent service once again. Well done to: . Mike Hollings on winning County Captains day at Wrexham Matthew Nicholas on winning on Presidents Day Clive Davies and David Palferman on winning senior’s open with Alan Bottomley and Mike Carnell taking 2nd place Clays DGU team, and to captain Patrick on picking a winning team gaining a wonderful 7 – 1 victory over Old Colwyn Craig Yarwood and his team for winning on charity Day and Patrick McHugh’s team for coming second. Coming up: Saturday August 26th - Neil Harden Memorial Trophy Tuesday August 29th - Seniors match V Holywell (A) September 2nd and 3rd - Honours Board Finals weekend Sunday 24th September - DGU Autumm Meeting JCB draw has been made please check on IG for the details The Jubilee Plate next round has been made so please keep an eye on the notice board for further details. Ladies report Once again it has been a busy month of golf in the Ladies Section. The Honours Board Knockout Competitions are reaching the final stages with just one semi -final still to play. We wish the best of luck to all those who are have reached the Finals, amongst those playing are Shan Stapley and Christine Evans v Jayne Gibson and Angela Thomas Williams in the Ladies Betterball, Jayne Gibson and Mike D Jones v Jane Evans and Graham Davidson Clarke in the mixed foursomes and in the Aber Rose Bowl, Jayne Gibson v Jane Evans or Christine Evans. At our Club Championship weekend we congratulated the winner of the best gross score, Angela Thomas Williams and Jayne Gibson in winning the Harcombe Trophy with the best nett score. Our Charity Day to support North Wales Air Ambulance Service was a huge success and we were delighted that Debra Syma from the organisation joined us for the start of the event and she will be joining us again at The Captains Last Supper in March. Together with the 72 hole golf marathon organised by Angela Thomas Williams a significant amount of money has been raised. Our thanks to everyone who supported these events. The series of NWLCSA matches concluded at Denbigh earlier in the month. Whilst it was a very close match, the team missed out on the final hole in a number of the matches. Our final position in the Division is yet to be announced. The Lady Captain’s Away day was a great success at Upton by Chester Golf Club. Twelve ladies were able to join the day and we received a very warm welcome from everyone at The Club. We enjoyed playing a tricky course with some interesting challenges, in a format of individual and team competitions, nearest the pin in one on a Par 3 and nearest the pin in 2 on a par 4, had good weather and enjoyed a relaxed meal afterwards in the Clubhouse. Following the success of the Ladies Open, I am pleased that a number of entrants from other Clubs who played have expressed interest in taking part in the Competition again next year. An article reviewing the day and recognising Joan’s Hole in One at Clays Golf Club is to be published in the September/October edition of The Golfers local paper. In late July, The Fan Jones Trophy was won by Debbie Scott. Forthcoming competitions still to look forward to include The Welsh Dragon Brooch, a Tri match against Llanymynech and Mile End and our final Honours Board Competition, The Allington Hughes Salver which will conclude our Section season of competitions. An annual exchange day with Denbigh is scheduled on 29th August and we will be welcoming 31 ladies back to Clays for a return visit on August 30th. Jane Evans and Bev Hood have been successful in reaching the final 16 of The Daily Mail Foursomes competition and are scheduled to play Greenmount Golf Club in their next round, I wish them continued success. In the Purves Cup, Jane and myself are through to the finals to be played at Abergele at the beginning of October. Plans for the golfing season into the coming months are being made in which we hope to include more weekly kitty competitions and of course dare I say our ‘tinsel trail’ in November. Thank you once again to everyone at The Club for their continued support, Sue Falcus (Lady Captain) And finally from me… On the 28th of July, Angela Thomas-Williams joined me in completing a 72 hole marathon in aid of this year’s Captains’ charity the Wales Air Ambulance Trust. Lady Captain Sue Falcus completed the first two rounds and Jack Whitehouse completed the final two rounds with us, and Vice Captain Patrick Mchugh joined us on the first round. We are extremely grateful for your generosity in sponsoring us, helping to raise £1,061 to date. https://www.justgiving.com/page/clays-golf-club-captains-charity-1687459963858?utm_term=nBv26kRdN Please be aware as it’s getting very busy out on the course over the next few months, please avoid slow play. I know all our members consistently use the 3 R’s: Rake, Repair and Replace. Can I ask all members to be vigilant and report any players not adhering to course etiquette to Josh at reception, as it is most frustrating for you all to have your games unnecessarily spoilt by this. We have discussed at council the possibility of giving out a simple course etiquette leaflet to guests as they register to play. Please let me know if you have any thoughts or other ideas to help with this issue. And most of all enjoy your golf! Kind Regards, Michael McHugh (Club Captain)