KEN LAWRENCE MEMORIAL TROPHY 2024

The Ken Lawrence Memorial Trophy was initially postponed this time last year and eventually cancelled altogether because of course closure. We have more than made up for it this year. 50 tallies went into the draw at 8.45am, including a number of our newer brethren. Just to remind everybody - all competition fees for this event are donated towards the Royal British Legion for their Poppy Day Appeal. Threeballs and Fourballs went out from the regular three tees and having a dry 18 holes, at this time of year, was the icing on the cake. From a cold start, even the sun came out mid-morning and made the effort. The course was in good condition and greenstaff have worked very hard on reducing the fallen leaves, so not too many ball searches. Given the numbers, the whole competition took a little bit longer than usual but most seniors remained for the presentation. Just before the results were announced, Mr Captain asked everyone to bow their heads following armistice lines and informed all present of the recent demise of past senior member - Lew Bush. He thanked Stuart for resolving 50 cards and then announced the top 3 scores. There wasn't to be any kitty comp prize money on this occasion as we only present to the winner. A worthy mention of the runners-up though, Richard Collier and Paul Cheetham, both returning cards with 37 points each but the winner and recipient of the Ken Lawrence Memorial Trophy (and a bottle of malt whisky) was Wyn Jenkins with 38 points. Don stepped up with his camera (David Bailey style) and not only did he shoot the presentation but the whole group as well. Of course Wyn was not the only winner, as Chris our treasurer, collected and counted the money donated and so far we have reached the sum of £391.00. There is an envelope in reception for further donations if any of our members missed the golf today and it will remain there at least until next Tuesday. When we have a final sum, a checque will be presented to a RBL representative at our AGM on Tuesday 3rd December (did you spot the plug there?). The golf was good, as was the food and banter afterwards. All in all a satisfying day all round. Pairs Bettedrball on Thursday and we start the Winter League next Tuesday. See you there.

4 BALL AND 3 BALL KITTY COMPETION RESULYS 0CTOBER 29TH 2024 FROM STUART MILES

Seniors. What looked like we were going to get very wet as we arrived this morning, it all changed as the draw was taking place, rain stopped and hazy sunshine appeared. The round was completed on a very nice Autumn day. 31 turned up this morning to play Yellow ball. 4 groups of 4 balls and 5 groups of 3 balls. Result. 4 ball. (1 prize) 1st Stewart Poole. Tony Harcombe. Stuart Leyland. Mike Hollings. 122 points. 2nd Tom McGrady. Liam Roddis. Paul Wallace-Jones. Dave. A. Jones 117 points. 3 ball (2 prizes) 1st Peter Lord. LesWilliams. Barry Dare. 112 points. 2nd Colin Evans. Wyn Jenkins. Paul Cheetham. 103 points

KITTY COMPETION RESULT OCTOBER 24TH 2024 FROM STUART MILES

eniors, Sorry for the late report, it's been an hectic day and I have only just picked up the cards from Clays for the kitty comp. Let's start with the good news, as you may have known the seniors team were away to Wrexham today in an interclub match and I am happy to report that we beat them 6 1/2 to 3 1/2. Well done to everyone, very satisfying result. Thank you to Malcolm and Tom for all their hard work in organising this match and others throughout the season. Arriving at the club for the kitty comp draw before I went to Wrexham I found a willing volunteer in Nigel Davies who said he would check the cards and sort the kitty money out for the Texas Scramble. A big thank you Nigel for stepping in and I hope you didn't get too much abuse. 26 seniors turned up and it meant 5 x 4 balls and 2 x 3 balls. Result; 4 ball's 1st Wyn Jenkins, Alan Barnsdale, Ian Ketland, Ken Hawthorn. 43.5. 2nd Jon Falcus, Graham Bryne, Tom McGrady, Peter Bowen. 43.9. (before anyone emails me, I'm not sure who won the 3 ball, I'm sure someone will let me know)

INDIVIDUAL STABLEFORD OCTOBER 22ND REPORT FROM STUART MILES

Tue, 22 Oct at 15:45 Seniors. Well after the rain at the weekend and more overnight I was pleasantly surprised to find the course open this morning. But it was and thank goodness as we had a lovely sunny pleasant Autumn day. 38 seniors put their tallies up and Individual Stableford was the order of the day. With the 16th hole closed and only 13 holes open, Don and I decided to send some groups off the 5th, which seemed to work well, except having to wait for a 3 ball who had gone out before us. They weren't slow and didn't hold us up, so while the 16th is shut we may do this in future. A very good first prize was on offer for today's competition with such good numbers. Result. 1st Dave. A. Jones 27 points. c/b. 2nd Alan Barnsdale 27 points c/b. 3rd Nigel Davies 26 points. 4th George Hughes 25 points. 5th Jon Fulcus 23 points. 6th Peter Fraser 22 points. 7th Ken Tieszen 21 points c/b. Remember that Thursday the team are away at Wrexham for an inter club match. I'm playing in the match but will come to the club first to organise the Texas Scramble which is scheduled for that day. I'm looking for a volunteer to collect the cards and divy the money out and send me a quick report please. Thank you in advance. Cheers. Stuart.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 15TH 2024 KITTY COMPETION LAS VEGAS REPORT FROM STUART MILES

Seniors, despite the murky skies and threat of rain 42 seniors put their tallies up for today's competition of Las Vegas, a really good turnout. With the numbers it was decided to have 2 competitions of 6 x 4 balls and 6 x 3 balls. Now we have delays on some of the tees as the 16th hole is shut and that can't be helped at the moment. Several 3 balls skipped holes and went to the 5th to try and ease things then came back and played the holes they missed. I will look, as was suggested, at putting groups off the 5th to see if this helps, so please bear with me. As reported by Mike and myself we have had a number of senior moments the last few games but today reached new heights. I started it, there was a discussion of past winners on the honours board, I stupidly asked why 2024 was blank, well it is still 2024. There were concerns that I deal with the kitty money and should I be allowed to handle money. But the next senior moment definitely sets new standards. Checking the cards I found I had only 5 3 ball cards in but all the money for the 3 balls. With help we established who the group were and I approached them to ask who had the card only for 2 of the players, one had gone, to look at each other and said they had thought the other was marking the card, so no card. They had been stating the scores they had on each hole, but thought someone else was marking a card. I will save them embarrassment by not naming them, but this is a first, unless of course you know different. Please keep me informed of any senior moments, that's taking that you can remember them to tell me. Results; 4 ball 1st Peter Bowen, Paul Cheetham, Graham Wright, Tony Harcombe 489 points. 2nd Stuart Leyland, Chris Roseblade, John Falcus, Mike Scott 499 points. 3 ball. 1st Barry Evans, Peter Lord, Mike Mchugh, 485 points. 2nd Mike Drake, Stewart Poole, Nigel Davies 502 points. Important note from the Captain and Don regarding Thursday's medal. There is a threat of bad weather tomorrow, please check IG to check if the course is open on Thursday, if the medal is cancelled it will not be rearranged. Also check IG or the start sheet on the web site as tee times where put in 10 minute intervals and not 8 minutes. It should have been adjusted but please check. And finally there will be no bar open on Thursday, so no food or coffee. Drinks are available from the shop or coffee machines. Thank you. Stuart.

PAIRS BETTERBALL OCTOBER 3RS 2024. REPORT FROM STUART

Seniors, well after Sunday and Monday's downpour we managed to get out. What a glorious day, sunshine, pleasantly warm and no wind. Considering the rain the course was in good condition with only holes 16 and 17 closed. 32 seniors put their tallies up and the format was pairs betterball. 4 prizes with the 4th place being decided on a countback between 3 teams and 1st and 2nd place on a count back. Results; 1st Paul Cheetham / Richard Collier 34 points. c/b. 2nd Ken Burgoyne / Mark Hughes 34 points c/b. 3rd Chris Blazdell / Tony Vesty 33 points. 4th Don Wraight / Andy Mitchell 32 points. There has been some debate about the preferred lies in the rough. I will clarify this and send an email out once it has been agreed before next Tuesday. One other item Jon Falcus was presented with his voucher for his win with his partner Nigel Davies (Nigel had already received his voucher, but pointed out that I hadn't mentioned his name when doing the presentation, sorry Nigel) in a DGU competition at Llangollen, congratulations to both of them. Nigel wanted to make a speech but thankfully his request was shouted down. Weather permitting, see you next Tuesday

CLAYS PAIR WINS DGU AUTUMN MEETING. REPORT FROM ALAN POCKLINGTON The Clays pairing of Nigel Davies and Jon Falcus were the winners last Sunday at Llangollen. This was the DGU Autumn Meeting, the final DGU event of the season. They won with the magnificent total of 47 points! Congratulations to them, and also my thanks to the other Clays players who entered the event. It was very well supported with 19 Clays pairs entering. Below is the text from the DGU Web site. Alan Pocklington AUTUMN MEETING : Report and results. Thanks to everyone who attended yesterday at Vale of Llangollen Golf Club and braved the unseasonal weather, which ranged between Storm & Tempest , a Plague of Frogs and Glorious sunshine! We witnessed our largest ever field with 150 players registered but then disrupted by 7 players failing to attend and one last minute apology. Our thanks are extended to the players who help us by shuffling around and accommodating the inevitable 'tweaks' in start times on the day. RESULTS: As seems to be the 'norm' in current events, the returned scores were remarkable, bearing in mind the weather. The winners were Davies & Falcus (Clays Golf Driving Range & Golf Course) with 47 pts, winning on countback from Tweedie & Brown (Vale of Llangollen Golf Club). Subsequent places were secured by: 3rd : Evans & Waddell (Moss Valley Golf Club - MVGC Official) 46 4th : Bull & Jones (Plassey - Holiday Park, Retail Village & Golf Course) 44 5th : Pearce & Griffiths (Vale of Llangollen Golf Club) 43 12 pairs scored 42 points or more and, as required by the WHS, their cards will be returned to their home club for handicap modification . This ends our events for the year and we thank EVERY player for their support.

CLAYS SENIORS VS WREXHAM . REPORT VIA MIKE HEALEY

Seniors - I start with a quick report regarding the non-match playing seniors. I'm not sure of exact numbers (12/13) but groups went out before today's match and organised their own kitty comp. I believe Reg Whittam took the honours but the groups were a bit scattered and not all cards came back to me. Well done all for having an extra stableford comp. Today was yet another match win for Clays Seniors against other clubs. This time it was the turn of Wrexham Golf Club, who requested home and away fixtures at the start of the year. Before the golf is mentioned, I have to sing the praises of Mark and his greenkeeping staff. I believe the course was closed for a short period on Sunday due to the downpours over several days. Plenty of work went into the course to get it ship-shape and when Malcolm visited yesterday, he was told it was playable. Indeed it was and in much better condition than any of us expected. Just before the golf, Hayley arrived early for our usual coffee but we were inexplicably thin on the ground from both teams. The unknown factor was traffic problems on the by-pass. A number of players arrived slightly after the expected start time but eventually we got everybody under way. The scores came in and Clays ran out winners 7.5 against 2.5. We held our regular Ballsweep and there were a number of prizes: Jane Evans - 2's on both12th and 17th holes Neil Gledhill - 2's on both 5th and 12th holes (Wrexham previously Clays) Andrew Chisholm - 2 on the 5th hole (Wrexham) Bottles of wine from the raffle draw were won by Tony Cooke and Huwie Griffiths (both Wrexham). Excellent food from Hayley, great rivalry and banter from the Wrexham players, good golf and a good day had by all. Thanks once again to Malcolm and Tom for their organisation. The sign up is now posted for the return match on the 24th October at Wrexham GC.