Yellow ball. May 31st 2022. Report via Steve Monk

Today we played a Yellow Ball competition with 8 x fourball teams. Although rain was promised in most weather forecasts, the morning turned out to be dry and umbrellas were never in evidence, conditions proving to be very good. Results were: 1st - Peter Taylor, Brian Beaton, Bob Jarvis and Liam Roddis, with 177 points. 2nd - Mike Parks, Stewart Poole, Tony Jackson and Colin Evans, with 172 points. Following the game, Don Wraight, Club Captain, presented the Wales Seniors Greensomes Trophy for 2021 to winners Damian Atkin and Stewart Poole.

Well done to Damian and Stewart and to all of today's winners too.

Unknown Stableford Pairs results from Mike Healey May 26th 2022

Today's Golf - Wasn't the course great today? Not only did it look good but it played well and the greens just carry on improving. Warm but breezy conditions did not make a dent on the golf itself and the odd sprinkling of rain proved the BBC forecast wrong again. 31 seniors placed tallies in the draw so we had an odd number for Unknown Pairs. One player had two bites of the cherry but it didn't matter because all partners were random anyway. Each card on arrival back in the clubhouse received a specific number and the scores were totalled. The following pairs made the prize money: Unknown Stableford Pairs: First: Brian Beaton (42pts) and Reg Peacock (42pts) Total 84pts Second: Colin Evans (36pts) and Ernie Williams (40pts) Total 76pts Third: Tony Jackson (42pts) and Alan Bottomley (33pts) Total 75pts Fourth: Fred Court (34pts) and Harold Hughes (40pts) Total 74 pts

Texas scramble results May 24th 2022. Courtesy of Mike Healey

Today's Texas Scramble Result The course just seems to be getting better each week and the greens are not far from being in tip top condition for the coming summer season. Showers were forecast and boy, when they arrived, they were fast and furious. I'm glad to add that they were also intermittent and most of us came in dryish! Overall we played in warm if not sunny conditions. Once again, quite a few members were involved with knockout matches (some more successful than others I might add) but it did not deplete numbers. No fewer than 36 seniors put their tallies into the draw for our Texas Scramble. Three teams were still a little confused over handicap percentages and reductions but we resolved their cards and the following results were recorded: First: Peter Taylor, Billy Spilsted, John Kelty, Keith Hawthorn score - 53.1 Second: Gareth Thomas, Mike Parks, Ken Tieszen, Tony Jackson score - 54.6 Third : Peter Bowen, Mike Hollings, Tom McGrady, Andy Mitchell score - 55.2

Best 3 scores from 4 May 19th 2022. Report from Mike Healey and Steve Monk.

eniors - in my absence, can I thank Steve Monk for the following report: 35 players turned up for today's Senior's kitty competition, which was an alternative to the originally planned 'Unknown Pairs'. Instead we played a 'Best 3 scores from 4' competition, with the Unknown Pairs being moved to next week. 9 x 4-ball teams participated, with one team fielding a 'Ghost Player' using the recently introduced method for scoring this non-existent 4th team member. Results were: 1st - David Jones, Ernie Williams, Mick Carnell and Stan Roberts, with 130 points. 2nd - Bill Kelleher, Tony Jackson, Wyn Jenkins and Peter Fraser, with 126 points. 3rd - Nigel Davies, Richard Collier, Stewart Poole and Harold Hughes, with 123 points

Gemini Trophy May 17th 2022. Report via Mike Healey

The weather remained blowy but warm today allowing us pleasant conditions to play in. Once again, the course looked and played in good condition despite some overnight rain. We had been warned about the fertiliser granules on the greens and although they slowed the putting a little, they didn't seem to make much difference. The Gemini Trophy is unusual in that it is strokeplay with two players adding their nett scores together for an overall combined score. We asked members to enter their scores into the computer but teething troubles with the new software put an end to that. Worry not - the data has been recorded elsewhere. It is worth noting also that this competition is a non-qualifier as playing partners are able to confer during the playing process. Only two members shot a 2 in the ballsweep - both on the fifth hole and both within seconds of each other. Congratulations go to Alan Barnsdale and Tom McGrady. Overall, 44 members teed from the first and this time the result follows in reverse order: Fifth Place: Alan Bottomley (74) and Mick Carnell (71) Combined nett score -145 Fourth Place: Andy Mitchell (76) and David Jones (68) Combined nett score - 144 Third Place: Stuart Leyland (71) and Tony Harcombe (71) Combined nett score - 142 Second Place: Alan Barnsdale (72) and Mike Healey (69) Combined nett score - 141 and the Winners of this year's Gemini Trophy are.................. First Place: Mike Hollings (69) and Dave Palferman (68) Combined nett score - 137

Home match vs Old Padeswood and kitty competition May 1th 2022. Report from Mike Healey

A good day for all of our members who played in the home match against Old Padeswood. The weather held throughout, although the breeze did increase mid-morning, making conditions somewhat chilly at one stage. The course was in very good condition and the opposition were not only complimentary about conditions but a very sociable bunch to play against. Congratulations must go to the team, as we have continued with our winning ways in defeating the opposition by 9 matches to 1. Hayley provided a very good 2 course meal (as usual) and the conviviality flowed. The opposition Ladies Captain turned out to support her team (without playing) and with speeches from captains and prizes at the end, the whole day was a complete success. Raffle bottles of wine were won by Ron Braid (OP) and another OP member whose name escapes me. 2’s golfballs in the ball sweep were won by Andy Turner (OP), Alan Bottomley and Mick Carnell. Our thanks also go to Tom Pierce for donning the mantle and taking on the responsibility for organisation in Mal Williams’ absence. Well done all. And for those Clays members not involved in the match…………. An impromptu kitty comp transpired with Steve Monk leading from the front – almost literally!! 11 seniors put their tallies up on the board and an individual game of Stableford took place: Stableford Kitty Comp First: Peter Taylor 37 points Second: Wynn Jenkins 35 points Third: Steve Monk 34 points

Seniors both scores count May 10th 2022. Report from Mike Healey.

Mike's better Half was in serious trouble first thing this morning. She told me that the forecast was light cloud with intermittent sunshine. The shorts came on for me and several other seniors but the umbrellas also appeared for the "intermittent showers". The sun did eventually shine forth and the group competition saw a pleasurable ending. 31 tallies went into the draw, so one lucky person had two bites of the cherry at the front of the crowd. Tony Harcombe was the only player to shoot a 2 (on the second) but alas, we did not run a ballsweep on this occasion. It makes no never mind because he won in the top pair anyway. There were four prizes today and the winners were as follows: Pairs - Both Scores to Count First: Tony Harcombe & Mike Healey 72 points (c/b) Second: Colin Brown & Peter Fraser 72 points (c/b) Third: Harold Hughes & Brian Beaton 70 points Fourth: George Hughes & Alan Barnsdale 66 points There were three other very respectable cards on 65 points. Match v Old Padeswood on Thursday 12th. Book your own tees or there might possibly be some spaces after both teams in the match have teed off. Don't forget the Gemini Trophy sign up for next week.

Seniors Monthly Medal May 5th 2022

Seniors Monthly Medal May 5th 2022 Div 1 1 Chris Jacques 79-9-70 2 Derek Jones 89-17-72 3 Wyn Jenkins 90-18-72 Div 2 1 Tom McGrady 89-24-65 2 Pauline Peacock 92-25-67 3 William Kelleher 88-21-67 Div 3 1 Steve Monk 94-29-65 2 David Fergus 101-29-72 3 Peter Bowen 108-35-73

Bonus ball April 3rd 2022. Report from Mike Healey

With competition first-round deadlines looming, quite a few seniors were involved elsewhere on the course this morning. That said, there were still 32 participants to take part in the Bonus Ball kitty comp. The forecast rain at 1.00pm did not materialise and with ongoing mowing taking place, the course is really starting to get into shape. There were a number of two's recorded but unfortunately, we did not run a ballsweep on this occasion. There was an outright winning team but three cards were within 3 points of each other for runner-up spot. There were only two prizes today. See you all for the medal on Thursday. Bonus Ball (Fourball): First: Russ adamson, Bill Kelleher, Mike Drake, Nigel Davies 181 points Second: Fred Court, Alan Pocklington, Peter Thomas, Liam Roddis 172 points

Captains Newsletter May 2022

Published on 2nd May 2022 May has arrived with warmer weather and the prospect of good golf dressed in summer clothing. Greens are still being worked on, and due to this nicer drier weather greenstaff have been hampered with no rain to wash the sand in, although as I write this a shower is falling. Please stay patient and it will not be too long before they are back to their best. To help maintain your golf course can I remind members to insure that you rake the bunkers after using them, what a pain it is when your ball lands in a foot print? Replace those divots and repair those pitch marks and our course will be top dollar. This month sees lots of Club competitions being played and opportunities to represent the Club in many ways. A GUW team qualifier was played at the weekend and the top 8 players will be split into two teams to go on to a regional final and if successful then go to Celtic Manor in August of this year, good luck to you all. Seniors have started their matches and were successful in beating Old Padeswood away 8/2 well done to them and good luck in the forthcoming return match on the 12th. Ladies have played their Challenge Bowl and congratulations to Gillian Williams who beat Lady Captain Julie Hanmer-Price on countback to claim the trophy both scoring 38 points. We have exciting times ahead with the launch of the Intelligent Golf Management system on the 11th of May. This will be replacing the BRS system and will make life a lot easier for the lads in reception and us members. Josh will be sending out details very soon on how to operate the new system and there is also an app that you can download onto your devices if you so wish. Please remember to have a pint or a coffee after your game and get that clubhouse buzzing. Don Wraight Captain

Welsh Greensomes qualifier April 28th.Report from Mike Healey

Another good day for the Section. The forecast was always cool with a gentle breeze and that is how it remained. No fewer than 45 members turned out for our Welsh Greensomes Qualifier. Before the result, can I record my thanks to Irwin Elkin for relinquishing his pairing position and marking one of the group cards. 22 pairs took part overall in the Greensomes, but not all qualifiers. It was also played as a kitty competition with five prizes. The following results came in for the kitty comp - read on for the Qualifier Result. Greensomes Result: First: Ernie Williams and Keith Hawthorn 43 points Second: Mike Drake and Steve Monk 42 points (c/b) Third: Bill Kelleher and Chris Jacques 42 points (c/b) Fourth: Peter Fraser and Harold Hughes 41 points (c/b) Fifth: Peter Taylor and Barry Evans 41 points (c/b) Dave Palferman and Richard Collier just missed out (also on 41 points (c/b) Welsh Greensomes Qualifier - The winnining pair above are unable to travel to the Welsh finals, which are being held this year at Llanishen Golf Club, on the outskirts of Cardiff (15th September). The Clays Senior representatives will therefore be Mike Drake and Steve Monk. We all wish them well going forward. Mention also of our Reserve Pair - Bill Kelleher and Chris Jacques whose entry has to be submitted. I will follow this result up with your monthly calendar for May,

Individual Stableford qualifier April 26th 2022. Report from Mike Healey

No fewer than 42 members put their tallies in for the draw this morning and there were a number of very good scorecards returned at the end. We started off in a fairly cool breeze but the sunshine broke through on occasions, leaving a warm temperature and benign conditions to play our golf in. There were seven prizes in total and they were distributed amongst the following members: Individual Stableford Qualifier: First: Ernie Williams 43 points Second: Brian Beaton 40 points Third: Peter Fraser 39 points Fourth: Alan Barnsdale 38 points Fifth: Les Williams 37 points (c/b) Sixth: Mike Drake 37 points (c/b) Seventh: Reg Peacock 36 points (c/b) * Three other players also registered 36 points In the Ballsweep - Three players registered 2's: Bob Jarvis (2nd Hole), Andy Mitchell (2nd Hole), Nigel Davies (5th Hole)

Result of Padeswood match April 22nd 2022 from Malcolm Williams

We continued our winning streak with an 8-2 victory against Old Padeswood away today. Their course was in excellent condition and the usual banter ensued throughout with an enjoyable meal afterwards. Two’s were achieved by Mike Scott, Richard Collier, Barry Dare and Nev. Bassett. Our next fixture is at home to Old Padeswood on Thursday, 12th May – please sign up as soon as possible on the Notice Board in the Club.

Pairs betterball results from Mike Healey/Steve Monk April 22nd 2022

Mike is very much very much in Steve Monk's debt for resolving cards and sending the below report: Today turned out to be a great day for golf. 16 pairs competed in a Pairs Betterball kitty competition. Before giving the list of winners, I must report that a hole-in-one was recorded today by one of our players on the 12th hole. Keith Hawthorn hit a really sweet 6-iron from the tee. It sailed beautifully towards the green on a line slightly left of the flag, landing just at the front edge of the green. After pitching, the ball took a kick slightly right, bounced a couple of times before commencing a roll and finally disappearing down the hole! Excellent shot. For those of us in opposition, the slight downside was that the shot earned Keith and his partner 5 stableford points!! As for the results, they were as follows.... 1st - Dave Palferman and Keith Hawthorn with 47 points. 2nd - Irwin Elkin and Andrew Mitchell with 44 points. 3rd - Barry Evans and Tom McGrady with 43 points. 4th - Mike Hollings and Reg Peacock with the best countback score from 4 pairs with 40 points. Keith after his ace can be seen in picture below.

Multiplier April 19th 2022. Report from Mike Healey

This e-mail is in 2 parts. Firstly - a reminder to sign up for the Welsh Greensomes on the 28th April (£5.00 per couple). It will be run as a kitty comp on the day and anyone can play in the greensomes but members who have signed up to the Welsh competition will receive priority on the tees. Secondly - Multiplier Result. The forecast, beforehand, was cool and cloudy but it turned out anything but. The wind was almost non-existent and rather warm conditions meant that shirt sleeves came to the fore. 34 members entered the draw this morning for the Multiplier. Once again - two sections were required, with 2 prizes for the Threeballs and 1 prize for the Fourballs. Multiplier - Threeballs: First: Don Wraight, Mike Parks, Mike Hollings 96 points Second: Peter Fraser, Alan Bottomley, Mike Drake 93 points Third: Brian Beaton, Graham Wright, Tony Harecombe 85 points Multiplier - Fourballs: First: Tom McGrady, Rodney Evans, Peter Thomas, Alan Barnsdale 105 points Second: Stuart Leyland, John Kelty, Bill Spilsted, Peter Taylor 99 points Third: Chris Jacques, Peter Regan, Andy Mitchell, Barry Evans 96 points In the 2's sweep the following were carded Tony Harcombe - 2 on the 5th Don Wraight - 2 on the 12th

3 and four ball Texas scramble April 14th 2022. Report via Mike Healey

The torrential rain from Tuesday had soaked away just in time for the greens to receive top dressing! We knew it was coming, so there was a contingency plan if work was taking place on our particular playing hole. The weather was cloudy but warm and conditions made for a pleasant round of golf, despite the odd unavoidable mound of sand on the greens. 41 Seniors appeared for the draw and we split into threes and fours for 2 separate Texas Scrambles. There were two prizes for each section. Threeball Texas Scramble: First: Tony Harcombe, Mike Hollings, Mick Carnell 59.2 Second: Jon Falcus, Les Williams, Barry Dare 61.9 Third: Bob Jarvis, Peter Fraser, Mike Healey 63.8 Fourball Texas Scramble: First: Don Wraight, Graham Bryne, Stan Roberts, Richard Collier 57.6 Second: Keith Hawthorn, Bill Kelleher, Wyn Jenkins, Dave A Jones 57.9 Third: Stewart Poole, Ernie Williams, Nigel Davies, Steve Monk 58.0

Winter league first 3 results 2022

Third photo shows Mike Carnell who won the competition Second photo shows Bill Kelleher whon came second First photo shows Alan Bottomley who came third div class="separator" style="clear: both;">

Peril Ball results April 12th 2022. Report from Mike Healey

How did we know that a ball was in standing water, further down the course? Because there were two ducks paddling next to it!! The forecast had been heavy showers with sunny intervals in between. We ended up with persistent rain for exactly three hours and there was not much mention of the sun when the cards were returned to the clubhouse. A quick explanation of the newly tried "Peril Ball" was the order of the day and 25 stalwarts took to the fairways to do the business. Again, because of numbers, we split into threes and fours and there was only one prize for each of the sections. Despite a few damp patches returning on clothing, we received a number of positive comments on the format and my thanks go to Mike Hollings for the original suggestion. Peril Ball will re-appear later in the year. There was only one x 2 in the ball sweep and the kitty ended up in Nigel Davies' hands after his two on the fifth. Whatever you do - don't ask him who won the Grand National sweep at the weekend. Peril Ball Threeballs: First: Don Wraight (Club Captain), Liam Roddis, Graham Bryne 86points Second: Les Williams, Jon Falcus, Ken Tieszen 74points Third: Graham Wright, Alan Barndsdale, Mike Healey 73points Peril Ball Fourballs: First: Steve Monk, Mick Carnell, Alan Pocklington, Barry Dare 108points Second: Ivan Corlett, Peter Regan, Tom McGrady, Andy Mitchell 93points Third: Mike Hollings, Nigel Davies, Alan Bottomley, Steve Graham 92points

Photos from Captains Drive in 2022

Captains Newsletter from Don Wraight April 2022

Captains Newsletter: April 2022 Published on 8th April 2022 On behalf of Lady Captain Julie Hanmer-Price and myself, we wish to thank those that supported The Captain’s “Drive Ins” on Saturday. It was lovely to see so many members either playing or watching the dazzling display that was put on by Vice Captains, Sue Falcus and Mick McHugh. You could say that the proceedings went off with a bang! Both Captains having to drive off with older clubs and exploding golf balls! Our actual drives were on the fairway, with a combined yardage of 317yds. The “Guess the Combined Yardage” went to past Captain Nigel Davies who guessed 318 yds. Congratulations to the winner of the Ladies Drive in Nicola Bowen with a score of 33pts and to Anthony Norris with an incredible 43pts winning the Men’s Drive In. Weather was cool but bright and the course was, and is, in fantastic condition, so a massive thanks to Mark and team who worked so tirelessly on Friday to make the course so great. This brings me to remind members that to keep the course so well there will be course maintenance work taking place beginning on April 11th for the week. Please allow the green staff to continue with their work without hindrance and if necessary move to the next hole to continue with your round. Those that are in various knockout competitions will see the various draws on HDID, which are to be played within those dates, so please make sure these are played which will allow the competitions to progress without any hiccups. Seniors have their draws inside the tally cabinet and again, please play by the allotted dates. April sees the introduction to the dreaded white tee markers, denoting the start of the playing season. There will be an abundance of competitions and chances to represent the Club in the coming months so please support these and you may be victorious and have a trophy together with your name on the honours boards. Our aim this year will be to have members support the club and those that help provide a great service to all of us. Josh, Russ and Andy, in reception, Ben in the shop, who has a fantastic display of goods to purchase at good prices. Our coaching staff, Gareth James, Richard Edwards, Steve Priest and Rhodri Fieldhouse, who have all the equipment and knowledge to improve your game. Not forgetting Hayley, who not only supplies us with good food but also a bar service. It would be great to see more members use the clubhouse and get that buzz back that we used to have before the lockdowns. This is the place to get to know other members, enjoy some banter and a coffee or pint or two! Lastly if anyone has ideas on how to improve the social side of the club I would be interested to hear their views or any other ideas. This is YOUR club so let’s have your views on what you would like to see happen if possible. Don Wraight Club Captain