Tuesday June 30th 2020

Lovely day for golf today. Warm and sunny. It was the first time back for Derek since before the lock down.

Nice to see so many members out playing and observing social distancing. The course was in lovely condition and work was going on on the 7th fairway to improve the drainage. A photo later will show what work is going on. 

However after Derek and playing partner Alan Pocklington left the course Derek went the wrong way back to the car park only to be told by Russ to go back and take the correct exit...naughty Derek.

Derek managed to score a gross 2 on the 5th, 

Some photos and videos of the day below.

Message from Fred Court regarding Deven 2021

Although the Manor is not open as yet, Fred has made a provisional booking 24 persons from Sunday 13th June 2021 to Friday 18th.

Unfortunately we do not qualify for the early booking discount, the cost therefore will be the full amount £396.00 plus £10.00 competition fund. Please advise if you wish to take up one of the reservations. Priority will be for Clays members and regular guests listed last year. Fred

 

In recent times my Email address book will be inaccurate due to new incoming members and members leaving, please pass on the above message

Buggies now available June 25th 2020 and drainage work on 7th hole as of June 29th

We now have 3 buggies for rent

 

Best regards,

 

Golf Reception Team

******

Drainage work on the 7th hole is due to start on Monday 29th June.

Please be aware of heavy plant and men working in the area.

Thank you

The Claysgolf Team

Priors Hayes Open August 18th 2020

Tony Harcombe has had confirmation from Priors Hayes that the Open will take place as scheduled on the 18th August.
Those who have booked to continue to show up.
Anyone wishing to enter please see or contact Tony or alternatively contact Priors Hayes.

Don

Updates via Josh about Senior Medal and competitions July 2020

Following the Minister of Wales latest covid 19 review it seems at present that we remain as we are regarding groups we can play in. I am still hopeful that by the Seniors medal on the 9th July we may get to play at least in 3’s in which case I intend to move some tee times so that we can condense the competition and make it easier to collate the results. Scores should be entered by the HDID system if your able to access.

14th is the Seniors/Vets trophy and following week 21/23 July the 2 day Challenge.
We intend to run these competitions. Entry is FREE
All you need to do is to contact myself via email at donwraight@msn.com to let me know that you wish to enter.
A draw will be made prior to the event and you will be notified via the BRS booking system of your tee time.
In the meantime enjoy your golf and stay safe.

Don

Some photos via Don Wraight on Tuesday June 16th 2020

Photos show Andrew Mitchell and Ron Roberts on the 5th hole

Storm June 14th 2020 and weekend results

Due to the storm this afternoon, the golf course condition quickly became unplayable. Therefore if you signed in to the competition but didn’t manage to finish your round, you will now have until Tuesday to submit a score. This weekends results will be posted out on Wednesday.

Driving Range Update

We are pleased to inform you that the driving range will re-open as of 9am tomorrow morning. Before visiting the range, please ensure you read our updated COVID-19 guidelines on our website by clicking on the link below...

https://claysgolf.co.uk/coronavirus/

Best regards,

Josh

Entry to Clays Honours Board Match play Competition now open.

Entry to our Honours Board Matchplay Competitions is now open! Dear Derek, There’s now more competition golf for you to take part in this season... The following Singles Honours Board Matchplay Knockout Competitions are now open to enter and will be played over the remainder of the season until Finals Weekend which will now take place on Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th September 2020. Scratch Cup No handicap limit, played off scratch. Challenge Cup For handicaps 0 - 17. Full handicap difference. Aber Shield For handicaps 18 and above. Full handicap difference. How much is each competition to enter? All of the above competitions are FREE of charge for 2020! How to do you enter? If you require more information about the above competitions or would like to enter please contact your competition secretary; Paul Lloyd directly... Email - ps_lloyd@yahoo.co.uk Mobile - 07487848403 Paul will send you confirmation of your entry. The deadline for entries is Tuesday 30th June 2020 and the draw for all competitions will be carried out on Wednesday 1st July. Best regards, Josh

Seniors Medal July 9th 2020. Update from Barry Dare

Clay Seniors Medal July 9^th

 

Good Afternoon everyone, all being well, we are in a position to run our first qualifying medal of the year. There are however a few small changes made to make it run smoothly, whilst keeping within government, golf union, and CONGU guidelines. Below I do my best to outline how to proceed, as briefly as possible.

 

 

Booking

 

Please e mail Don on  donwraight@msn.com or if that’s not possible phone on 07899 721228, to be allocated a tee time for the medal.  Bookings will be made in line with current guidelines (ie currently 2 ball) . Don will let you know your tee time.

To play in the medal you will be allocated a playing partner who is also playing Senior medal.

If you have already booked a tee time for this date, you will still need to e mail Don to be entered into the medal start sheet, and you will still require a partner.

 

Score information

 

There are slight changes to this within the guidelines.

 

You keep you partners score and your own score in the normal way.

 

At the end of the round, you verbally agree scores for both of you, without exchanging cards or requiring exchange of signatures.

 

The card information can then be transferred directly to Howdidido by app, more information will come through after this weekend from Josh, this is much preferred as it saves a mass of information transfer by Peter Bowen.

 

If however it is not possible for you to transfer by the app, please e mail your scores either by using a excel spreadsheet which Don will send out, or send a photo of your card, to nickypeter2609@outlook.com . In the unlikely event that you can do none of these please phone Peter with you results.

 

Money & Prizes

 

There will be no payment for this medal, and therefore no Prizes (nor 2’s)

 

 

Local rules

 

If you wish you can pick and place in a bunker within 6” but no nearer the flag, without smoothing the sand beforehand, bunkers should be tended afterwards as best you can with you club or shoes.

 

To enter the competition you need to have been entered on the start sheet for the competition as set out above.

 

That’s it, go for it!

 

 

Just one small note however, I have been asked to remind you all to pay your Golf Union fees ( a final reminder will be sent soon) and also to make sure you have paid your Seniors subs. Without these we will not be able to process your scores.

 

If you know anyone who cannot use email please try to let them know.

 

If you need help or advice on any of these points, just email me on barry_dare@btconnect.com

 

 

Good Luck and Take Care

 

Barry

Competition Golf returning. Message from Josh June 5th 2020

Competition golf will be returning as of Saturday 13th June!

Now we are back to playing in either two or three balls, we are going to be running a series of Stableford competitions throughout June & July at the weekend.

Every member who has a handicap and paid their handicap fees will be eligible to enter.

There will be a total of 5 weekends for you to submit a score towards the series.

Weekend 1 - Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th June
Weekend 2 - Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st June
Weekend 3 - Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th June
Weekend 4 - Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th July
Weekend 5 - Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th July

You can choose from either a Saturday or Sunday to enter a score for each weekend. To give you flexibility, you can choose from one weekend to the next which day you decide to submit a score.

The best 4 out 5 weekend scores of the series will determine the prize winners.

The format

All weekends will be played as...

- Stableford
- Full handicap
- White tees for men
- Red tees for ladies
- We will endeavour to keep all competitions as qualifiers.
- An updated list of COVID-19 local rules will be published next week.

The total cost will be £20 for all 5 weekends. There will be no ballsweeps.

50% of entry monies will be used to pay for brand new contactless ball retrieving devices. 50% will be paid out in prizes.

How will it work?

Step 1

Pay for your entry online before Friday 12th June. Simply click the link below to enter...

https://claysgolf.co.uk/product/weekend-stableford-series/

Step 2

Book your tee times as normal. You will need to ensure you play with another member with a handicap to mark your score. On arrival of your tee time, tell us you’re submitting your score for the weekend series. Your marker will need to keep a record of your score. We suggest using an app to do this or printing off a scorecard online to avoid swapping cards with each other.

Step 3

On completion of your round, your marker will then need to submit your scores hole by hole to a member of the team at the Golf Reception window. As general a rule we do not require you to sign for your score. A member of staff will then input your scores into our scoring system, Howdidido. Your card can then be disposed of.

We hope you can support the club and enter this new form of contactless competition golf.

If the take up to this is well received, we will then look to start a midweek series.

Best regards,

Josh

Message from Barry Dare June 3rd 2020

Clays Seniors Update

 

 

I write to you today a brief note, on almost the first day of rain since the lockdown began. It is certainly needed, and more!

 

I have seen quite a number of you at the golf club in the last few days, during our slow return to some sort of golfing normality. It has certainly been great to see familiar faces going around the course, and back enjoying the game.

 

For those of you who are still not able to return, however, our thoughts are with you at this time. When you are able to come back, it may help you to know that, in my experience, I have seen no deviation from the government guidelines, either going from the car to the tee, nor on the course.

 

I have been greeted and briefed on every occasion by Russ or Josh, and the speed of play around the course has been great.

 

The first tentative moves have been made to make the course acceptable for competitions, and this is clearly the next step.

 

Our ability to restart kitty completion format may need to come sometime after competitions start, as we need to consider carefully how to move forward with that stage, and may well need  to take note of guidance from the government, and the club.

 

A number of you will know that this coming Sunday would have seen the start of our annual trip to Devon, perhaps that’s why the rain has arrived!

 

I personally was really sorry to see it cancelled, but before we turn our thoughts to booking a place for next year, I would like to thank Fred Court, who has booked, administered, and run the whole thing for many years. His work is very much appreciated, and has not been made less because we are not going this time. Thanks Fred, good work.

 

Take Care Everyone

 

Barry

Captains Newsletter May 2020

Your Captains Newsletter is now available online. Simply click the link below...

https://claysgolf.co.uk/captains-newsletter-may-2/

Best regards,

Clays Golf Team

More updates from Josh May 30th 2020

Great news! You will be pleased to know the rules on playing in singles has now changed. Our COVID-19 web page has been updated, giving you all of the latest guidelines and grouping information. Simply click the link below to find out more.

https://claysgolf.co.uk/coronavirus/

No doubt you will now want to merge your future bookings. Please ensure you remove your single bookings so that others can make use of them times.

With more traffic arriving at the club please do not arrive more than 10 minutes before your tee time and after finishing your round please leave immediately to avoid groups congregating.

Coaching & Practice Facilities

We are still waiting on clarification on whether the driving range can re-open. An update on all practice facilities will be sent out as soon as we have more information.

Individual Coaching can now be resumed, if you would like to book a golf lesson please get in touch with Gareth James, Richard Edwards or Steve Priest directly to book a lesson. They will also give you the guidelines on how coaching can be undertaken.

Competitions

We are currently working on a process for starting up competitions again, we will have more information regarding this early in the week.

Best regards,

Josh

Michael McHugh ace May 20th 2020

Mick played his first game during lock down and using a 5 hybrid holed out on the par 3 17th. Despite the holes being lipped his ball managed somehow to go into the hole.

Some pictures of his achievement below. Mick donated £20 to Captains Charity.

 

Message from Don Wraight May 24th 2020

Hi everyone, I do hope that you are enjoying being back playing golf at Clays. I think you can all agree that the greenkeepers have been doing a great job in keeping the course in great condition, Speaking to Mark he tells me, and as a bit of a gardener myself, greens need water. Rain at a nice constant fall rather than the bowser flooding the greens. We have what we have and in fairness I think they are coming on.
GUW have informed us that the Welsh Men's & Ladies team championships, Victory Shield and Ping mixed foursome have all bee cancelled for 2020. Any other updates will be relayed as we progress through these tough times.
Please please follow the Governments guide lines and adhere to playing as single games unless you have a member of the household you can team up with. Failure to follow these guidelines could result in closure of the club, something we can well do without.
I do believe we could get better news this coming week regarding play, so until then stay safe and enjoy getting back to playing the course

Don Wraight Vice Captain

Steve Monk golf photos May 21st 2020

Steve Monk had his first game of golf today and, because the 2 guys who were next in line behind him both gave up on the 15th, Steve had time to take a couple of photos on the 18th. (Attached). The 2nd one was taken on the crown of the 18th's big right bend, looking along the approach to the green. The 1st  is of Steve on the 18th green, taken by him using his camera's self-timer.

May 19th 2020. Some pictures on the course courtesy on Don Wraight

Golf started again today Monday May 18th 2020

After a long lay off due to lock down golf recommenced  today albeit with strict precautions and guidelines.

Senior Bob Brown scored a nett 46. Players were only allowed a partner from the same household otherwise players played solo. Bob reported the course was drying out well and hence there was good run on the ball.

Tomorrow is Seniors day and tee times have to be prebooked and once again only solo golf allowed unless players from same family

Latest update about Clays from Josh opening on Monday May 18th..... May 14th 2020

I am pleased to tell you that the golf course will be re-opened as of Monday 18th May from 9am.

Please click on the link below to read our Guidance, Booking Policy and Social Distancing Rules.

https://claysgolf.co.uk/coronavirus/

Members Bookings

You will notice that all future bookings have been cancelled. Due to the amount of bookings which don’t meet our new guidance and for us to monitor who is playing with who, we now require you to re-book your tee times using the guidance we have set out on our website.

Online tee bookings for MEMBERS ONLY will open again from 8pm on Thursday 14th May.

Our members are our priority and you will notice in our booking policy that we have restricted visitors from booking before 11am any day of the week.

I'd like to stress a few things regarding visitor bookings.

- Visitors are not allowed to book online and are only allowed to play on their own. They do not have the option of playing with their household members.

- Visitors will need to call to book so that we can assess on where they are travelling from. If we feel they are not local they will be refused a booking.

- Pre payment is also required.

- We've allowed visitors to book so that we can maximise on revenue. I’m sure you will appreciate these are tough times. A minimum price green fee of £25 is in force.

- If we feel there are too many visitors booked on that we can’t meet the demand for members we will of course restrict visitors to a minimum.

- Visitors won't be allowed to book onto the golf course until Tuesday. Monday will be for members only.

I urge you now to read the guidelines we have set out on our website. This is the first time we have ever had to put these guidelines in place.

Please be patient with us, we are all human, working towards a common goal to ensure yours and our safety.

Look forward to seeing you next week.

Best regards,

Josh

Further Clays Golf update from Josh May 12th 2020

You will be pleased to know we have now been given the green light by Wales Golf and the Welsh Government to open the golf course.

It is our intention to open ASAP however their still remains a lot of unanswered questions which we need to clarify first.

We will update you as soon as possible.

Best regards,

Josh

Message from Josh regarding playing golf during present lock down May 11th 2020

Message below from Josh


I am sure you will have no doubt heard the Prime Minister's update last night regarding the easing of the lock down rules in ENGLAND.

Sadly, for WALES the lock down continues. On Friday, First Minister, Mark Drakeford announced a further 3 week extension to the current lock down rules. This is the first time the rules in England and Wales have differed.

Therefore golf clubs in Wales are still unable to open. However the signs are encouraging that golf will return for us from early June.

Hopefully this clarifies the current situation.

Once we are given the go ahead, we will be open.

Stay safe,

Josh

Photos of the course from Stewart Poole May 7th 2020

Today Stewart went to the course to paint some of the 150 and 100 yard boxes. He said course looked lovely and sent the following photos.

Course news from Josh May 4th 2020

Firstly, I’d like to update you with some of the things which have been improved at the golf club whilst the lockdown continues.

Two of our fantastic members Chris Jones (Trig) and Howard Lloyd have kindly donated two brand new flag poles. The poles have now been erected adjacent to the putting green. The Welsh Dragon is flying high on one and NHS ‘We thank you’ on the other. You can see some images of the new flags poles on our Facebook page. A huge thank you to Chris and Howard for your amazing generosity.

Car Park Revamp

Tomorrow, the car park is getting revamped with brand new white lines. Each parking bay will be increased in size, giving you more room to manoeuvre and to get your clubs in and out of your car.

The two disabled parking bays will move over to the main section of the car park and the wall and surround opposite to the golf reception and clubhouse entrance will be used to park our golf buggies, making the car park a much safer place to drive around.

Driving Range

Mr Lewis has been making some improvements to the driving range. A new net is coming together down the right hand side of the range. This will hopefully stop all the faders and slicers (Don Wraight, Andrew Mitchell) hitting our range balls into our neighbours field!

On the Golf Course

The green-keepers are continuing to keep the golf course cut and maintained and with the current weather forecast you should see a huge improvement on your return. A number of bunkers have been dug out and re-sanded and the bunkers on the banks of the 18th hole have been filled in.

New Website

You will notice our website is now in maintenance mode. We are currently upgrading it with a fresh design and updating it with our new membership, society packages green fees, images, latest news and COVID-19 information for when we return to business. The new website will be going live on Monday 11th May.

In the Bar & Restaurant

Phil & Gaynor have been busy in the bar, adding a lick of paint to the serving area, windows, walls and tables. Hayley is also continuing with her takeaways and deliveries. If you would like to place an order, please visit her Hayl’z Catering facebook page.
 
Membership Fees

Thank you to everyone who has paid their fees for the 2020-2021 season. The deadline for all members to pay their fees is Sunday 10th May. Any member who hasn’t renewed by this date will unfortunately lose out on the frozen pricing and will have to pay the increased pricing as of Monday 11th May.

Handicap Fees

The Clays Golf Members Club Council is now requesting payment for all members who wish to renew or obtain a handicap for the 2020-2021 season...

Please note the following...

- Handicap fees are not included your membership package.
- Payment of £30 is only required if you intend on renewing or obtaining a golf handicap.
- Away members are only required to pay the £15 Members levy.
- The Denbighshire Golf Union have waived their fee for all male members for the forthcoming season.

At the moment payment can only be made by Online Bank Transfer.

Account Number: 42557584
Sort Code: 40-47-26
Reference: Your Full Name
_____

Opening of the Golf Course

A date is yet to be set by the Government to allow us to legally re-open. We are hoping the Prime Ministers news conference on Thursday 7th May will be positive and at a minimum we can get the golf course back open for you asap.

Once we are safe to open our facilities, a detailed list of safety measures, opening and closing times and staffing information will be sent out to ensure we are all playing our part to adhere to the Government's guidelines and stop the spread of the Coronavirus.

In the meantime, stay safe, stay at home and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Best regards,

Josh

Enjoy this video April 28th 2020

https://youtu.be/1kyizstu36E in Dubai

Captains Newsletter April 28th 2020

Dave Palferman's first Captains Newsletter is now available. Simply click the link below to read it online...

https://claysgolf.co.uk/captains-newsletter-april-2/

Best regards,

Josh

Message from Josh April 27th 2020

I hope this email finds you safe and well.

I'm sure you will be asking the question; when is the golf course going to be open again? Unfortunately, at this moment in time we don't have an answer to this. You will of course be the first to know once we do.

The following statement below has been issued today from Wales Golf.

"Despite recent media speculation and related rumours nothing has either been agreed or announced regarding a date golf can re-start in Wales or the protocols which will need to be strictly adhered to once it does.

Wales Golf’s position remains consistent with when the current restrictions were put in place in that it is fully supportive of the current government directives/advice and that it will continue to work closely with the R&A, other GB&I golf bodies and relevant government departments in developing and agreeing the necessary protocols to help ensure that golf is as ready as it can be re-start when it is deemed safe to do so by the appropriate authorities."

Best regards,

Josh

Don on the course April 24th 2020

Don Wraight went to the course today and took several videos and photos.

Videos will be posted below. Rather like Peter Allis golf were they have an old golfer on the course commentating Ken Brown ,,,,,,   so Don on The Course here and he does a great job.

Below fruit trees on 12th tee

Don on 7th fairway below

Message from Josh regarding renewing membership April 21st 2020

Message below from Josh about renewing memberships


I hope you are keeping safe and well.

If you haven't yet paid your fees but are intending to do so simply click the link below for the available ways to pay...

https://claysgolf.co.uk/membership-renewal/

Best regards,

Josh

Message from Barry Dare April 16th 2020

Dear Senior,

It has now been 3 weeks since I wrote to you last, and it looks in all likelyhood that we are somewhere in the middle of the Caronavirus total lockdown period. Looking at all the charts and figures that come through daily we should perhaps be encouraged to see the first signs that the infection levels have stopped rising.

For those of us who have been asked to stay at home beyond the lockdown period because of our age or health problems, and for those of us who are just taking part in the government lockdown, this is the time to be most careful, Please take every care at this time.

Now enough of that!

The Golf Course has dried out nicely at present, with a small exception on the 7th hole, Mark and his team are currently hollow coring, and top dressing. Hayley is also working hard on take away food, and is running a great teatime menu also.

Mike Hollings has made in excess of 50 masks on his 3 D Printer to date, which are bound for deserving wearers in the NHS or beyond. Just a thought Mike, could you make an enormous one to cover the buggy in the rain?

Malcolm has been in touch with all his Senior Match counterparts and tells me that all matches are currently cancelled until July at the earliest, we will talk again about them nearer that time, but so far no Clays golfer has lost a match!

Tony Harcombe tells me that, at present two opens have been cancelled, Malkins Bank on 12th May, and Arscott on 14th May, he will return any cheques when he next sees you, by the way he phoned in from the Bahamas!

You may have noticed that the Club AGM this year was replaced with an e mail to all members, and the Captains Drive in was also cancelled, as a result of this we have had a change of Captains without any real fanfare.

I would like to take this opportunity to pass on our thanks to Nigel Davies for his great work during the last 12 months, he has seen us through a difficult period in our golf clubs history with typical enthusiasm and humour. Thanks Nigel, welcome back to the Seniors!

I should also say a deep congratulations to Dave Palferman as our new Club Captain, and also good luck to Don Wraight as his Vice Captain, I wish you both every success.

Take Care Everyone, and I hope to see you soon

Barry

Videos via Don Wraight of course during lock down April 2020

Some Neil Diamond singing in these

https://youtu.be/qxnETrhOIAE

See Neil Diamond in link above

News from Seniors committee members April 2nd 2020

Derek received a courtesy call from Malcolm Williams this morning. Nice to hear from him. Our Seniors captain has allocated the committee members the names of Seniors for them to be contacted and check on how each one is. Lovely gesture. Keep safe everyone. Best wishes Derek

Membership fees for 2020.....message via Josh April 2nd 2020

Message below from Josh regarding fees


Thank you for the amazing response to my last email regarding the renewal of your golf membership fees.

Please be aware that we will not be printing and posting out our annual membership invoices this year.

Simply click the link below for the available ways you can pay your fees...

https://claysgolf.co.uk/membership-renewal/

Members who pay by Direct Debit

Your membership payments will continue as normal unless you tell us otherwise.

Corporate Golf Memberships

All corporate golf membership organisers will receive their 2020-2021 invoices via email by 10/04/2020.

Best regards,

Josh

Message from Josh regarding 2020 AGM

This years AGM Reports are now available online for your viewing. Simply click the link below to read more...

https://claysgolf.co.uk/agm-report-march-2020/

Congratulations to both Dave and Christine on becoming our captains for the 2020 - 2021 season and on behalf of the staff at Clays Golf we wish you all the best for the year ahead.

Best regards,

Josh