Senior team win away at Northop. Report from Mike Healey via Whats ap April 11th 2023

The Senior Team won 5.5 to 2.5 . Weather was sunshine and showers mixed with with very friendly opposition followed by a convival meal back in the Clubhouse.

Waltz result April 6th 2023. Courtesy of Mike Healey

The advertised Tango was changed on the day into a Waltz because of the numbers of holes open and also members who turned up. 9 x threeballs put their tallies into the draw and all enjoyed the warm sunny conditions, along with the ground improvement after maintenance and improved weather. There were three prizes for the winning teams with expected scores over 60 points: Waltz Result First: Chris Jacques, Ken Tieszen and Peter Lord 70 points Second: Keith Hawthorn, Tom Blakshaw and Peter Fraser 69 points Third: Stewart Poole, Bill Kelleher and Eric Thwaites 67 points

Peril Ball competition. Results courtesy of Mike Healey. April 4th 2023

We had been given plenty of warning about maintenance week and it has to be said that sand on greens never helps the golf on the day! It will benefit us all ultimately I'm sure. However, we persevered and the sand made little difference to the outcome. The rest of the course is drying very nicely and after a rather cool start, the blue skies appeared and we experienced a heady 14 degrees C - roll on summer. Peril Ball - what is it you may well ask? Basically a Yellow Ball competition with the normal bonus points but added differences when penalties are incurred by the holder. The troops were briefed and 9 x fourballs headed off to do battle. We did not hold a ballsweep today so there is still carry over to come. There were 3 prizes in total and the predicted score was somewhere between 90 and 100 points - read on. Peril Ball Result First: Peter Taylor, Bill Kelleher, Peter Fraser and Alan Barnsdale - 111 points Second: Dave A Jones, Peter Thomas, Ray Griffiths and Mike Healey - 101 points Third: Peter Lord, Tom Pierce, Stewart Poole and Irwin Elkin - 97 points Les Williams, Andy Mitchell, Alan Pocklington and Barry Dare also scored 97 points but missed out on countback.

Pairs both scores to count. March 30th 2023. Report via Mike Healey

There have been several reminders regarding the April medal which has now been moved from Thursday 6th April to Thursday 20th April to allow tining of greens and other ground preparation. Please check your own calendars at home. Today's Result - Yet another inclement day for our golf but playing numbers do not seem to suffer. We had 18 pairs out for a Pairs - Both to Count competition with four prizes for the winning teams. Three holes are still closed in readiness for summer competition. There was a ballsweep, well run by Peter Bowen as usual but on this occasion there were no winning 2's, so all prize money will be carried over to next week (definitely watch for numbers next Tuesday). Scoring was not brilliant today, probably due to the conditions, although Senior Captain - Chris Jacques and Ernie Williams reurned good individual cards (reflected in the winning teams). The result was as follows: Pairs - Both to Count First: Ernie Williams and Colin Brown - 60 points Second: Don Wraight and Chris Jacques - 58 points Third: Dave Palferman and Mike Hollings - 57 points (c/b) Fourth: Tom McGrady and Mick Carnell - 57 points (c/b) Download all attachments as a zip file

Seniors Texas Scramble March 28th 2023. Report via Mike Healey.

Weatherwise, we experienced rather a damp squib this morning but we soldiered on for a very enjoyable and relatively well-timed competition. 28 seniors turned out for our Texas Scramble (perfect numbers again) and all cards were returned with reasonable to good scores. There were three holes closed, so final scores were lower than usual - 3 cards in the 50's and four cards in the high 40's, with a card play-off for the runner-up place. Two team prizes were awarded as follows: Texas Scramble Result First: Jon Falcus, Richard Collier, Peter Fraser and Alan Pocklington - 48.1 Second: Mick Carnell, Bob Jarvis, Barry Dare and Andy Mitchell - 48.7 Tom McGrady, Ken Tieszen, Alan Barnsdale and Nigel Davies returned 48.7(with exactly the same team shots reduction) but lost it on countback. The Senior's Winter League was finally completed on the 21st March, as previously reported. Alan Barnsdale and Ernie Williams gave Wyn Jenkins a run for his money right up to the sixth and very last round with all scores being tight. Wyn was the final victor and after the Texas Scramble today, Retiring Club Captain, Don Wraight presented Wyn with the Winter League Trophy plus a bottle of Bombay Sapphire Gin.

Seniors Xmas tipple March 23rd 2023 Report via Mike Healey

Seniors - Another good day in the Senior calendar. What should have been the Xmas Tipple eventually arrived, everybody tippled on the ninth tee but nobody toppled on this occasion. The weather Gods allowed the competition to be played but one heavy shower, followed by a series of smaller ones just kept us on our toes. The sun eventually came out and warm conditions prevailed - that would not have happpened for the Xmas bash. The only items missing were the complimentary mince pies but I'm not sure if they were still edible from December. At this point I would add my thanks to Mike Hollings for making the spot markers with printed score sheets, which can be used in the future and also to Steve Monk for his help with the bottle prizes. 42 members entered the tally draw for the Pairs Betterball kitty competition, some with silly hats to gain extra points. 15 holes were played with hole closures on 2, 6 and 7. There were 20 cards with 30 points or more, meaning scoring was tight, plus a further 7 extra spot prizes on a variety of holes and 6 prizes in the ball sweep - read on for results: Pairs Betterball Results: First: Les Williams and Mick Carnell 39 points (c/b) Cash plus Bottles of Wine Second: Peter Bowen and Peter Taylor 39 points (c/b) Cash Third: Ernie Williams and Richard Collier 38 points Cash Fourth: Tom Pierce and Nigel Davies 37 points (c/b) Cash Fifth: Reg Peacock and Mike Healey 37 points (c/b) Cash Ball Sweep Results - Prize for 2's: Malcolm Williams, Mike Hollings (both on 1st), Richard Collier (12th), Dave Palferman (17th) and Damian Atkin x 2 (on 1st and 12th) - all Cash Spot Prizes: Nearest Pin on 1: Damian Atkin Mini Wine Nearest Pin on 5: Chris Jacques Mini Wine Longest Drive on 9: Russ Adamson Mini Wine Nearest Pin in 2 on 9: Ernie Williams Mini Wine Nearest Pin on 12: Richard Collier Mini Wine Nearest Pin on 17: Dave Palferman Mini Wine Nearest Pin in 2 on 18: Alan Barnsdale Mini Wine

6TH AND FINAL ROUND OF WINTER LEAGUE. Results courtesy of Steve Monk March 21st 2023

Today we played the sixth and final round of this year's Winter League. 13 holes of the course were open and the weather was fine throughout the morning, leading to a very pleasant game. Quite amazingly, the three leaders after Round 5 fought a good battle for the ultimate victory and finished in the top 3 places of today's round. The results today were: 1st - Wyn Jenkins, with 33 stableford points and 10 league points. 2nd - Alan Barnsdale, with 30 stableford points and 9 league points. 3rd - Ernie Williams, with 30 stableford points (on countback) and 8 league points. 4th - Peter Taylor, with 29 stableford points and 7 league points. 5th - Don Wraight, with 28 stableford points and 6 league points. 6th - George Hughes, with 27 stableford points and 5 league points. 7th - Steve Monk, with 27 stableford points (countback) and 4 league points. 8th - Mick Carnell, with 27 stableford points (countback) and 3 league points. 9th - Andrew Mitchell, with 27 stableford points (countback) and 2 league points. 10th - Reg Peacock, with 26 stableford points and 1 league point. 3 further players also scored 26 points but lost out on countback. I don't have all previous scores available so I cannot show a final table of all players' positions. I am sure Mike Healey will assemble all information and issue the final table when he returns from holiday. I can however issue the top 3 final places, as follows. 1st - Wyn Jenkins with a total of 43 league points. 2nd - Ernie Williams with 36 league points. 3rd - Alan Barnsdale with 34 league points. Well done to these 3 and also to all other players who scored points in several rounds. Finally, thanks to all who played in the various rounds through fair weather or less fair! At the last count a total of 52 of you have participated this year (12 of whom scored at least double figures of league points), which I am sure Mike Healey will be gratified by - it makes his work in organising and record keeping all worthwhile! Cheers Steve Monk

NO GOLF REPORTS THIS WEEK

Nothing to report this week as course been closed

Captains Newsletter March 2023

Captain's Newsletter: March 2023 Well here it is my last newsletter as Captain of our wonderful club. What a great honour it has been for me. I am now in my 25th year as a member of this club and what an amazing journey I have had. Having moved and relocated from West London to North Wales one of my priorities has been to find and become a member of a golf club having left Home Park golf club in Kingston and so many friends. What a friendly welcoming club this is. It has progressed to be a leading contender for the best in the area, if we are not that already. The green-staff this last month have been extremely busy preparing the course for the new competitive season which is nearly here. They have been holotined and sanded the tees, trimmed trees and used the chippings for paths and making the course attractive. Greens will be next to be holotined which will be done shortly depending on the weather, at the moment they are very fast and with Mark’s tender care can only get better. I can hear a few who will be frustrated when they are top dressed but the benefits will be well worth it in the long run. Competition sheets are online and in the foyer for all to enter. I must congratulate Alan Pocklington on producing fact sheets concerning the club competitions; I would love to see him overwhelmed with entries for the knock-outs. There are entries for the DGU team plus the Ping mixed which this year we hope enter 2 teams with your help, so please add your name if you wish to participate in this gents and ladies competition, you get to play at various courses during the heats and if successful and could end up in the semi-finals and finals at Carmarthen golf club in September. Congratulations Hayley who has passed her Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Catering and has been awarded a certificate to proudly display in the bar area together with her 5 star hygiene rating. Fully deserved and I hope very much that more members will use the facilities that she provides. Finally big thanks to ALL members who have supported the club. Julie and I in our Captaincies and hope that you will do the same for our new officers who will be voted in at the AGM on the 25th March to which you are all invited. There is an Agenda on the noticeboard together with proposals for incoming officers. Happy golfing and for the last time from me RAKE those bunkers and REPAIR those pitch marks. Don Wraight

Seniors Stableford Medal March 2nd 2023

Seniors Stableford Medal Thursday 2nd March Division 1 1st David Palferman (16) 41 2nd Michael Scott (20) 38 Division 2 1st Sean McCarthy (26) 39 2nd Bill Kelleher (23) 39 Division 3 1st Leslie Williams (32) 42 2nd Gareth Thomas (31) 36

St Davids Day 2023 competition results via Mike Healey

The Met. Office is anticipating a near-record low for rainfall in the month of February and we have been able to complete all of the scheduled calendar events, including the big one today. That said - there was some rain over the course just before play today, leaving the rough a little damp in places, but the fairways held well, play was not affected and some good scores were returned. So what was the competition to attract such numbers? Today we played the first of our majors - the Nearly St. David's Trophy, which naturally carries a Welsh theme throughout! A magnificent Trophy, entered by no fewer than 48 seniors, many sporting daffodils on the day. The troops not only played their golf but all remained for soup and sandwiches, the food being organised by Steve Monk, before the announcement of prizes. To say the afternoon was convivial is underselling the occasion. Roy Jones, Past Captain and still part-time member of the club, was present and as usual, sponsored the first prize to run alongside the Trophy - thank you Roy. There were 10 prizes in total, again brilliantly purchased and organised by Don Wraight, who always maintains the Welsh theme for this occasion. Chris Jacques, Senior Captain made a short speech before the prize-giving and Roy was on hand to present the prizes, which was preceded by the anouncement of the Ballsweep winners. The scores at the top were tight, with a lot of cards returning 35/36 points but on the day, none of them were good enough. Countback was required for all of the top 10 prize winners - read on! Ballsweep Winners: Russ Adamson - (2 on 2nd), Chris Jacques - (2 on 2nd) and Bob Jarvis - (2 on 12th). All three received £10.00 Nearly St. David's Day Trophy Results: First: Alan Barnsdale - 43 points (c/b) Trophy and Welsh Penderyn whisky Second: Mick Carnell - 43 points (c/b) Welsh gin Third: Andy Mitchell - 43 points (c/b) Welsh whisky glass and stones Fourth: Dave Palferman - 39 points (c/b) Welsh Merlyn cream licquer Fifth: Wyn Jenkins - 39 points (c/b) Welsh engraved hip flask Sixth: Richard Collier - 39 points (c/b) Welsh engraved pint glass and 3 Welsh beers Seventh: Ken Tieszen - 39 points (c/b) 12 golf balls and 1 Welsh beer Eighth: Liam Roddis - 38 points (c/b) 9 golf balls and 1 Welsh beer Ninth: Bill Kelleher - 38 points (c/b) Welsh hat, 3 golf balls and 1 Welsh beer Tenth: Chris Jacques - 38 points (c/b) 6 golf ball

Winter League as of January 31st 2023

Rank Name Nov 29th Jan 26th Jan 31st Feb 7th Feb 21st Mar 9th Total Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Points 1 Wyn Jenkins 10 3 5 5 10 33 2 Ernie Williams 7 9 7 5 28 3 Alan Barnsdale 4 6 3 8 4 25 4 Mick Carnell 10 10 20 5= Barry Dare 5 4 8 17 5= Peter Taylor 1 2 7 7 17 7 Bill Kelleher 9 6 15 8 Graham Wright 8 6 14 9= Gareth Thomas 3 5 3 11 9= Richard Collier 8 1 2 11 11 Peter Lord 10 10 12= Mike Scott 9 9 12= Nigel Davies 9 9 12= Dave A Jones 9 9 15= Andy Mitchell 6 2 8 15= Reg Peacock 8 8 17= Mike Hollings 6 1 7 17= Damian Atkin 7 7 19= Steve Graham 4 4 19= Liam Roddis 4 4 21 Colin Brown 3 3 22= Graham Bryne 2 2 22= Don Wraight 2 2 24= Peter Fraser 1 1 24= Les Williams 1 1

Winter league round 5. Results courtesy of Mike Healey

Cloudy with occasional sunshine breaking through and a chilling breeze to keep us on our toes. All repair work and drainage to the second hole has been completed, so the troops had to contend with the full eighteen holes today. The timing was good and ALL handicaps were entered correctly - thank you. The Committee members led the way round, in anticipation of a meeting immediately following the competition. Once again, there were some very good scores and the organiser is currently under the cosh with countback and card resolving. No fewer than four players registered two's in the ball sweep and they were: Mike Hollings (2nd) Don Wraight (2nd) Barry Dare (5th) and Stewart Poole (12th) - They each took a quarter share of the proceedings and there were a further six prizes for the Winter League winners. This time last year the overall WL result had been concluded after five rounds. Only three seniors can now win the Trophy - all to play for on the 9th March!!! Please find results below and WL table attached. Winter League - Round 5 Results: First: Wynn Jenkins 42 points (WL 10 pts) Second: Mike Scott 41 points (c/b) (WL 9 pts) Third: Barry Dare 41 points (c/b) (WL 8 pts) Fourth: Peter Taylor 40 points (c/b) (WL 7 pts) Fifth: Bill Kelleher 40 points (c/b) (WL 6 pts) Sixth: Ernie Williams 39 points (c/b) (WL 5 pts) Severnth: Alan Barnsdale 39 points (c/b) (WL 4 pts) Eighth: Colin Brown 37 points (c/b) (WL 3 pts) Ninth: Andy Mitchell 37 points (c/b) (WL 2 pts) Tenth: Mike Hollings 37 points (c/b) (WL 1 pt) Dave Palferman and Les Williams also carded 37 points but both missed out on countback.

Pairs Betterball results February 16th. via Mike Healey

We only had 16 holes available today because Scottish Power were cutting trees and adjusting their cables across holes 16 and 17. It mattered not. The 37 troops who turned up were paired together and set forth from a variety of new tees. Although cloudy, the sun shone through and we reached a heady 15 degs temperature - almost spring-like conditions to be playing in. Because of the numbers, three members played with 2 different partners, therefore geting two bites of the cherry. The scoring was tight at the top (remember only 16 holes) with 3 cards on 39. Alas two of them lost out on countback with the four prizes on offer. Pairs Betterball Results: First: Peter Taylor and Gareth Thomas 41 points Second: Bob Jarvis and Richard Collier 40 points (c/b) Third: Andy Mitchell and Stewart Poole 40 points (c/b) Fourth: Irwin Elkin and George Hughes 39 points (c/b) Braib Beaton/ Malcolm Williams and Alan Barnsdale/ Richard Collier just missed out on countback, also with 39 points Reply, Reply all or Forward

Texas Scramble February 14th 2023. Report via Mike Healey

. 37 members arrived for today's Texas Scramble - always a popular event. There was a reminder about handicaps and generally, there was a good feel around the clubhouse before the first tee. The predicted 13 degs and sunshine didn't exactly materialise and it warmed up a little around mid-morning. 3 x threeballs set the pace and the fourballs stayed with them, with all arriving back in good time. All the scoring was close with several cards requiring countback but as usual, there can only be so many winners. Well done all! Texas Scramble Results: First: Russ Adamson, Richard Collier, Bob Jarvis and Reg Peacock - 59.3 Second: Mick Carnell, Graham Bryne, Stuart Leyland and Nigel Davies - 59.7 Third: Don Wraight, Barry Dare and Andy Mitchell - 60.6

9x3 plus 9x2 February 9th 2023 Courtesy of Mike Healey

The weather held, the breeze was comfortable and the sun came out - just what we ordered for today's senior competition. 34 members turned out for our "9 x 3" plus "9 x 2" competition, which meant that we had to employ two ghost scores with the first two of the nine groups. A reminder was given about course management before we went to the first tee and there was a noticeable difference in overall finishing time today. Hopefully this will continue. The expected score for this format is nearly always between 90 and 100 points and six of the cards returned that, making par or better. The winning three cards scored even better for the three prizes on offer: Senior "9 x 3" plus "9 x 2" Result: First: Tom McGrady, Dave A Jones, Ernie Williams and Bob Jarvis - 111 points Second: Peter Lord, Reg Peacock, Richard Collier and Graham Bryne - 107 points Third: Stuart Leyland, Brian Beaton, Keith Hawthorn and Mick Carnell - 103 points

Winter League update after Round 4

SENIORS WINTER LEAGUE 2022/23 League Table To Date - After Round 3 Nov 29th Jan 26th Jan 31st Feb 7th Feb 21st Mar 9th Total Rank Name Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Points 1 Ernie Williams 7 9 7 23 2 Wyn Jenkins 10 3 5 18 3 Graham Wright 8 6 14 4 Alan Barnsdale 4 6 3 13 5= Mick Carnell 10 10 5= Peter Lord 10 10 7= Dave A Jones 9 9 7= Barry Dare 5 4 9 7= Richard Collier 8 1 9 7= Bill Kelleher 9 9 11= Reg Peacock 8 8 11= Gareth Thomas 3 5 8 13 Damian Atkin 7 7 14 Andy Mitchell 6 6 15 Liam Roddis 4 4 16 Peter Taylor 1 2 3 17= Graham Bryne 2 2 17= Don Wraight 2 2 19 Les Williams 1 1

Winter League 4th Round February 7th 2023, Report via Mike Healey et al

Club Captain, Don Wraight presided over the draw this morning in my absence, for which I am most grateful. 31 members threw their tallies into the bag and groups walked to their respective tees. The full course is once again open, with all repairs completed on the second hole. It was extremely chilly first thing but the sun came through and reasonably warm dry conditions prevailed for their golf. Despite a fair amount of rain earlier in the new year we have now managed to complete four rounds of the six in the Winter League series. Many of the top ten cards went to countback. Please read on for today’s results and find the up-to-date table attached: Winter League – Round 4 Results: First: Mick Carnell 40 points (10WL pts) Second: Nigel Davies 35 points (c/b) (9WL pts) Third: Alan Barnsdale 35 points (c/b) (8WL pts) Fourth: Peter Taylor 34 points (c/b) (7WL pts) Fifth: Mike Hollings 34 points (c/b) (6WL pts) Sixth: Wynn Jenkins 32 points (5WL pts) Seventh: Steve Graham 31 points (c/b) (4WL pts) Eighth: Gareth Thomas 31 points (c/b) (3WL pts) Ninth: Richard Collier 30 points (c/b) (2WL pts) Tenth: Peter Fraser: 30 points (c/b) (1WL pt) Steve Monk also carded 30 points but missed out on countback.

Captains Newsletter February 2023

Captain's Newsletter: February 2023 After a long period of bad weather and the course closure, at last we are able to hone those golf swings ready for the up-coming season. Mark and crew have been busy improving the course and removing some trees, the favourite members tree on the right of the 15th has sadly gone (I can hear the cheers). Bill Lewis has again blessed us with some new machinery so a great big thanks Bill. Noticeboards will be filling up with invitations for DGU competitions, the spring meeting will be upon us in a blink of the eye so get your names up asap if you wish to join in the competition, plus vice-captain Mick McHugh has a notice on the board for those wishing to participate in the DGU league team. It would be great to continue our run of winning the division. Tickets are on sale for my last supper dinner and dance, and are selling well. There is a limit on tables so make sure you get your ticket before the night is sold out. Posters are about the clubhouse for this and Hayley has the tickets and menu choice. Club A.G.M. is on the 25th of March the day after and I hope to see an abundance of members attending. February being a shorter month and not a lot to report apart form a plea from me. Please be courteous if you visit a bunker and honour those playing in the groups behind. I’m very certain that you do not wish to play out of a foot print yourselves and nor would others, so please rake when you leave the bunker. Have a great February; don’t forget your Valentine partners on the 14th of the month. Don

Seniors Stableford Medal February 2nd 2023

Division One Results Points x 1st Damian Atkin(18) 38 2nd Alan Barnsdale(17) 35 3rd Reg Peacock(19) 33 Division Two results 1st Michael Carnell(21) 38 2nd Keith Hawthorn(21) 38 3rd Graham Bryne(24) 38 Division Three Results Points x 1st Liam Roddis(30) 40 2nd Barry Dare(28) 35 3rd David A Jones(29) 34