LLANDRIDNOD WELLS MATCH NEWS

Seniors - yet a third report from yesterday. Tony Vesty and John Maxted were sent on their way to Llandrindod Wells for the revised Welsh Greensomes Final. The original date had to be postponed because of a water-logged course. They travelled down a second time and were paired against a couple from Tenby. Tony informs me that they started well over the first four holes but the weather became increasingly inclement and their playing partners, after five holes declared that there was no way that they would stay out any longer. The weather was a complete washout, they were soaked and cold through to the bone and waterproofs only seemed to delay the soaking rather than prevent it. Without another pairing to mark their card, Tony and John were obliged to call it a day also. I dare say there would be other pairings walking in as well. A result was obtained but the best score was only 31 points, so who knows if they might possibly have been able to carry on. The morning had been similar to ours in Wrexham, when the ladies competition managed to both start early and finished without weather disruption. It was the dreaded afternoon rain that spoilt proceedings for everybody. I offered both Tony and John my commiserations on their two journeys down there but I know they will be chomping at the bit to play Greensomes next year. Mike

MESSAGE FROM MIKE SENIORS CAPTAIN

Seniors - I am on my run-in to the end of my tenure as your leader and have to say, still thoroughly enjoying the support and camaraderie it entails, especially around matches. I missed the home game against Wrexham a fortnight ago but made up for it today at their place. When I say made up for it - Paul Wallace-Jones and myself won our game alongside Peter Fraser and Reg Peacock. Another two pairs secured halves for Clays but alas we went down overall by 3 games to 7 - Well done Wrexham! The atmosphere was superb throughout, games were certainly close and our hosts could not have been more generous. The course played well, the greens had been fine-tyned but were superb to play on and we all came in to a plate of chilli, rice and chips. Their hospitality was second to none. The only downside was a wicked squall round about 1.15pm when a cloudburst just soaked everybody. Continuous rain thereafter literally put a damper on proceedings. Just to cheer us up - Paul Cheetham won nearest the Pin and both Reg and Peter won a bottle of wine for the best score from the away team. It is all the more sad that the Senior match season has come to an end for 2025 but rest assured that Malcolm Williams has already put the 2026 calendar together and it will appear on the board soon to book your dates. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Malcolm and Tom Pierce for their organisation throughout the year, co-ordinating fixtures, selection of teams, collection of match fees and organising all the prizes. I hope to be able to play on the team next year as a normal player (if selected that is?) See you all next week. Mike

REVISED WELSH GREESOMES FINAL

Seniors - yet a third report from yesterday. Tony Vesty and John Maxted were sent on their way to Llandrindod Wells for the revised Welsh Greensomes Final. The original date had to be postponed because of a water-logged course. They travelled down a second time and were paired against a couple from Tenby. Tony informs me that they started well over the first four holes but the weather became increasingly inclement and their playing partners, after five holes declared that there was no way that they would stay out any longer. The weather was a complete washout, they were soaked and cold through to the bone and waterproofs only seemed to delay the soaking rather than prevent it. Without another pairing to mark their card, Tony and John were obliged to call it a day also. I dare say there would be other pairings walking in as well. A result was obtained but the best score was only 31 points, so who knows if they might possibly have been able to carry on. The morning had been similar to ours in Wrexham, when the ladies competition managed to both start early and finished without weather disruption. It was the dreaded afternoon rain that spoilt proceedings for everybody. I offered both Tony and John my commiserations on their two journeys down there but I know they will be chomping at the bit to play Greensomes next year. Mike

KITTY COMPETION VIA DON WRAIGHT

Report Number Two - I thank Don for organising the kitty comp at Clays this morning and this is his report: 10 seniors turned up for the Senior kitty comp. With a non-permeable number, we decided on an individual stableford - 2 x 3 balls and 1 x 4 ball. Some managed to get round before a hefty shower hit the final holes, otherwise a pleasantmorning. Greens were being treated with a fine fertiliser. First: Don Wraight 34 points Second: John Kelty 31 points Third: Alan Barnsdale 29 points

KITTY COMPETION RESULT VIA STUART

Subject: Tuesday Kitty Comp. Good afternoon Seniors. Committee day so pairs better ball was scheduled with committee members out first, but with numbers as they were, good turn out again, 41 it was changed to 3 balls with best 2 scores to count, Don and the Captain volunteered to go out first and have their own individual knock. Weather and course still holding up and still warmish, shorts and tee shirts still on show. Thanks again to Steve Monk who collected the money, sorted the cards and dished the prize money out. No further notes so results as follows. 1st AlanBottomley, Chris Roseblade, Irwin Elkin 85 points. 2nd Andy Mitchell, Ernie Williams, Richard Collier 81 points c/b. 3rd Wyn Jenkins, Ken Burgoyne, Paul Wallace-Jones 81 points c/b. Bonus Ball Thursday. Stuart.

BONUS BALL RESULT

Seniors - just another day at the office! We seem to get a lot of odd numbers for kitty comps and today was no exception. 37 tallies went in so a threeball and fourball comp. Ran simultaneous;ly for a Bonus Ball. The weather has been cloudy all week and possible isolated showers were forecast but did not materialise. Low pressure next week so get your waterproofs ready. The threeballs obviously went out first and arrived back very early. Only 0ne prize for the three threeballs and that was won by: Threeball Bonus Ball Result: Winners - Bob Jarvis, Steve Graham and Ken Tieszen (135 points) The Fourball carried two prizes and was hotly contested. Fourball Bonus Ball Result: Winners - Don Wraight, Fred Court, Peter Fraser and Jon Falcus (163 points) Runners Up - Andy Mitchell, Mick Carnell, Tony Vesty anf Neil Gledhill (160 points)

REPORT ON INDIVIDUAL STABLEFORD AND MATCH VS WREXHAM

Seniors - I am stressed with Thursdays, as all the information seems to arrive as I am going out. That said - here are today's results: Firstly, Don organised the non-match players for an Individual Stableford and I thank him for the report: Result and report for the kitty comp today. 11 Seniors played in an individual stableford on a fresh morning when the sun shone on very few occasions. Conditions were good, greens lovely and scores pretty much even across the board. Dave ( Mole) Jones enjoyed a terrific 2 on the 11th hole. Blocked out partially by the trees on the corner, he hit his iron low under and around the branches up onto the green and in the hole for a 4 pointer. Not good enough to win though. Results: 1st Alan Bottomley 39 points 2nd Steve Monk 33 points (c/b) 3rd Ernie Williams 33 points (c/b) Don I thank Malcolm who then contacted me regarding the match versus our neighbours Wrexham. Having won both home and away last year, there was a bit of acidity between the factions. Malcolm informs me that we just managed to scrape a victory 9 - 1 in matches. He added a special mention for the 1 (Tom Pierce and Richard Collier). All matches were played in a sporting manner and of course, food was excellent as normal. Two 2's were scored - both by Club Captain - Paul Wallace Jones on the 5th and 12th. He has balls coming out of his ears. We are looking forwards now to the return fixture at Wrexham on the 23rd of the month and we have been informed that they are undefeated fo the entire season. Bring it on! Great Day!!!

REDDISH VAL OPEN AND SENIORS KITTY COMPETION

With 20 players visiting Reddish Vale Golf Club today, to play in their Open competition, a further 25 turned up at Clays to play a Senior's kitty competion. Because 25 does not divide easily by either 2, 3, or 4, a couple of players offered to play a round but not as part of the comp (thanks to Chris Jacques and Alan Barnsdale for this gesture). We needed only one to do this, so the 24 remaining were drawn into 8 x 3-balls to play a 'Best 2 scores at each hole' team comp. Weather was fine and warm, an almost undetectable gentle breeze, and course conditions were as expected for mid-autumn - softer ground with less run on the ball than in the summer months but otherwise very good. Prizewinners were.... 1st - Fred Court, Chris Blazdell and Steve Graham with a total of 82 points 2nd - Andy Mitchell, George Hughes and Mike Drake with 79 points. Steve Monk 16 of us made the trip to Stockport for the Reddish Vale Senior Open. We played Am/Am format with the best two scores to count. The course was certainly a tester in terms of quirky fairways and literally hidden greens. Some of us vowed to re-visit but only with ropes and crampons for some of the inclines. The River Tame snakes its way right through the course, although water hazards did not really come into play. I have to add that the greens were magnificent and the putting on show was one features of the day. We stood on the first tee and remembered Mike Hollings to the starter who knew Mike. It was his recommendation last year that we visited the club - we thought about you Mike. Despite the problems we faced, some good scores were returned and having thanked Brian for the booking, we will have to rely on him to update us with the club results. For our own personal competition, the best two teams were: First: Tom Pierce, Mal Williams, Jane Evans and Graham Davidson Clarke - 87 points Second: Chris Trig Jones, Mick McHugh, Paul Wallace Jones and Mick Carnell - 83 points For Stuart Miles' Senior moment book, your senior Captain only had to make one u-turn in Stockport after circumnavigating a roundabout twice before finding the M60. See you all next week.

CRAIG YARWOOD MEMORIAL DAY OCTOBER 12TH 2025

Hi Derek, We are holding a Memorial Competition in honour of Craig Yarwood, who sadly passed away last year. The event will take place on Sunday 12th October, with tee times starting from 11am. This will be a friendly and heartfelt occasion to remember Craig and the many good times shared both on and off the course. There will be prizes kindly provided by Fairway Golf UK, and proceeds from the day will go towards funding a memorial bench to be placed on the course in Craig’s memory. We hope as many members as possible will join us to celebrate Craig’s life and his love of the game. To sign up, please email Chris Mcateer - mcateer.chris@gmail.com or Josh Green - josh@claysgolf.co.uk Best regards, Clays Golf Team

SEPTEMBER 2025 MEDAL RESULTS

Seniors - I begin this report with a hearty congratulations to Vic Rogerson - the sole winner of yesterday's ballsweep. His two was produced on the twelth hole and he says the drinks are on him! As we approach our Club Mystery Murder night (tickets still available) I pose two questions - (1) Who do you think missed a relatively short putt on the second hole for a two? (clue - he scored 34 points) and (2) who do you think found his watch in an internal pocket of his golf bag? I will let you peruse those mysteries as you read on. As storm Amy arrives to test us, it appears to be bypassing our area currently and yesterday's weather was very pleasant - short sleeves were to the fore. The wormcasts were prominent and affected some play although we have now moved to Winter rules with preferred lies but overall - pleasant conditions. I thanked Mark for all his work and he informed me that there will be extra work in the next two weeks on the raising/building of two ladies tees. I am assuming there will be temporary tees for all - moved forward of the work. The scores yesterday were tight at the top of Div 1 and Div 3 but a magnificent score in Div 2 by Tony Harcombe blew us all out of the water - read on. Yesterday's medal results: Division 1 - First: Mike Scott - 35 pts (c/b), Second: Damian Atkin - 35 pts (c/b), Third: Gwynn Evans - 34 pts Division 2 - First: Tony Harcombe - 43 pts, Second: Les Williams - 32 pts (c/b), Third: Peter Fraser - 32 pts (c/b) Division 3 - First: Fred Court - 35 pts, Second: Peter Bowen - 34 pts (c/b), Third: Stuart Leyland - 34 pts (c/b)