Captain’s Information Board
NEW: October
Winston Jones
It was an honor and a privilege to represent not just the Seniors but the whole Club at Winston’s funeral! Winston’s family were very grateful and really comforted by the tremendous turnout and support we gave on that day and by Malcom’s kind words which I spoke on everyone’s behalf!
Golfing Highlights
It’s great to report Terry Henshaw’s hole in one on the 6th in a Monday Club competition. His first in 15 years of trying.
Likewise, Brain Bailey after a period of injury and rehabilitation securing an eagle on the 5th in a similar competition.
Special Events
Captain’s Clash
The weather was brilliant, the pre match breakfast went down well and there was much banter before the start. The format seemed to work especially equal handicaps going up against each other and the result as hoped, wasn’t really known until the last group came in. The average scores of 31.4 for my team and 31.9 for Terry’s showed how closely fought it was. The day was summed up for me when one member approached me and said “I don’t often give out praise, but I can say that today has been the best day I have enjoyed in the last 12 months”!
Cheers! David
NEW: 11 September 2024
Putting Final 2024 – Finalists Information
Congratulations on winning through to the Putting Final!
Wednesday 18th 5pm start (practice from 4pm)
You will be competing on a knock out basis on the putting green. Each player should have with him a ‘caddie’ to mark their score and advise as appropriate. You will use your own ball and putter.
The format will be a knockout! After each of 4 rounds the player in last place will be eliminated. Round 5 will see the final 2 players going head-to-head on a match play basis. If after 6 holes the scores are tied. Play will continue around the course again on a ‘sudden death’ basis until a winner emerges.
Each player will receive a prize and the winner crowned Champion Putter of the Year winning the Trophy.
Layout
NB Players-caddies and Refs will assemble on the carpark side of the green.
There will be course A and course B (Reverse direction) The route from hole to hole will ensure a variation in length of putts and green slopes experienced. 2 putts each round will begin on the fringe of the green.
Start points will be marked by a numbered disc + a small plastic disc ball marker beside, to show the exact position of where the ball should be placed. Each flag will be numbered 1-6
After each round these markers will be re-positioned.
Timings
The final is due to start at 5pm. The green will be closed to all members at 4pm. Finalists may practice until 4.30 at which point no further practice will be allowed. (You will need to provide your own balls for this).
Play
Players will draw at the start of each round by choosing 1 of 6 playing cards.
Player 1 will begin at hole 1 and putt until the ball is in the hole. The caddie will record the score and they will move on to hole 2. After hole 2 is completed Player 2 will begin and so on until all players have started to play. After completing a round, the player will hand in the score card signed by himself and the caddie to the scorer.
Round 2 will commence in the same way with the 5 remaining players but around course B,
once the markers have been repositioned. This, will be repeated for rounds 3 and 4.
NB If 2 or more players have an equal score there will be a putt off around 5 points of the central hole. From each point the player will get 1 putt only to put the ball into the hole. The winner(s) will progress to the next round.
After round 4 the 2 remaining players will putt-off in the final round, with a draw for who goes first. The referee will draw to determine which course A or B will be used. The 2 players will contest each hole side by side with the player furthest from the hole putting first each time. The winner of the first hole will go first on hole 2 (and so on).
If after 6 holes the scores are equal the players will repeat the process around the second course but on a ‘sudden death’ basis. If after a further 6 holes the scores are still equal, the winner will be decided by a ‘sudden death’ one long putt at one hole with the nearest putt being the winner.
Good luck
2 August 2024
Inter Club Match V Southwell
‘Swept Away!’
Southwell Golf Course is one of the more challenging courses we play! Surrounded by the race course, fences and railings, interspersed with water and reeds and then moving into narrow fairways and imposing trees all culminating in the infamous ‘domed greens!
However, we arrived on the Tuesday full of optimism (at least the Captain was) with half the team ‘on fire’ after excellent podium performances in the Monday Club Stableford.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before ‘home advantage in every sense’ began to tell and although most games were close fought Southwell ‘ran out’ 6 – 1 winners.
The main highlight was the performance of David Insley and the ‘youthful’ Steve Crawley, the latter holding his nerve to win the match by I hole with the last putt on the 18th! Neil Clark and Rob MacDonald (in this first match this season) did really well to only go down by 1 hole and John Lowton and Garth Hallam lost 2 & 1. The Captain and Peter Brookes were undone 3 – 1 as were Richrd Hone and Warren Elliott and Martin Crookes and Stuart Murry lost 3-2. Regretfully Mike Woodhead and Kelvin Day did not have enough holes to press opponents on 16 and 29 shots and they lost 8 & 6.
The second ‘shot of the day’ goes to Peter Brookes (also in his first match) with a 126 yard 9 iron over the lake and reeds, landing deftly on one of the hardest greens to ‘hold a ball’ on, to win the hole with a fine birdie.
The second highlight from a very sunny day, finishing at the local Bromley Pub by the river (Southwell’s Clubhouse yet to open after flooding last October), was the Captain stepping up to receive the Nearest the Pin prize (pipping the all too frequent contender Richard Hone).
Let’s hope we can return the experience to Southwell in our last match of the season in September!
NB some players have yet to re-register for this match! Please would you do so!
A big thanks to Mike Woodhead and John Lowton who stepped in at short notice to make up the team!
Thanks! David
Next match v Springwater Home Wednesday 14th August
Inter Club Match Norwood
‘CLEAN SWEEP’!
Smarting from Tuesday’s defeat those playing their second consecutive match were determined to redress the balance, (at least I hope they were )! We beat Norwood twice last year and had a fine win away just two weeks ago.
Ramsdale was looking it’s finest with the bunkers raked beautifully in preparation for the Pro-Am event that was to follow us out! The Captain who landed in three of them during his round did a fine and precise job of raking, to set an example for the future!
The Team responded superbly to the challenge and handed Norwood a 5 – 1 drubbing!
The Captain ably lead by Richard Hone recorded his 5th win of the season finishing 2 & 1. David Insley and Stu Murry won 4 – 3, David Dandie and Garth Hallam 5 – 3, Malc Voce and John Lowton 6 -4, Kevin Till and Terry Crofts 5 – 3.
Unfortunately, Alfredo Dasceco and George Walsh were facing Norwood’s ‘bearded destroyer’ (27 hc) and despite some fine birdies and pars went down 5-3.
‘Shots of the day’ were too numerous to record so all in all a very satisfactory performance all round!
The day finished on another highlight when David Insley stepped up this time to receive the Nearest the Pin prize (once again pipping the all too frequent contender Richard Hone ).
Thanks to Kevin Till for ‘stepping in’ at late notice and well done to all!
I would ask all team players to check their registrations for the 4 remaining matches which are all at home and make any adjustments as the necessary.
Thank you! David
Next match v Springwater Home Wednesday 14th August
12 July 2024 – Captain’s Away Day
A very rewarding and enjoyable day in so many ways! Great company, friendly banter, adequate weather, lovely clubhouse, superb staff, good food and drink and a wonderfully challenging picturesque golf course, set up at it’s most difficult for the weekend Championships! Thanks to my superb team for help, advice and support in organizing this great annual event! Thanks to all the sponsors and prize givers and all who attended! Congratulations to the winners”! DH
May – Captain’s Comments
Matches
It has been a busy month with 6 matches played, including a first fixture against Ormonde Fields away. We were well received and look forward to many more matches against them. I think I have been forgiven for doing a ‘runner’ and leaving without paying for the meals!
Although we have yet to win more than one match, team-spirit has been excellent and the standard of golf generally outstanding with some very close fought games. We have celebrated a variety of ‘special shots’ varying from thunderous drives to short knee trembling putts.
Thank you to the players for your continued support and apologies if you have been disappointed in missing out on particular games. We have 12 matches remaining (+ a special players event) so there will be plenty more opportunities.
Putting Competition
The Competition is gaining momentum with Richard Hone taking a well-deserved lead after the second round. However, there are only 3 shots separating the top 7 places, so very early days yet. Special mention to Neil Harris who tops the Eclectic Leaderboard with 14 single putts. This was brought about by a run of 11 singles in the last round. Outstanding!
Now the greens are settling down green reading is going to play an even greater part in the outcome so good luck to everyone!
The second Workshop was cancelled due to lack of interest.
Captain’s Away Day
Thanks to everyone who signed up for this special day at Market Rasen Golf Club!
There are now only 5 places still available, so don’t miss the chance of playing on this Championship course at last year’s price!
Thanks for your continued support, advice and friendship!
Cheers! David
April – Captain’s Comments
Matches
The start to the competitive season has been less than satisfactory with a number of unforeseen circumstances! We’ve still got 16 matches to find teams for and I have been able to persuade both Chilwell and Oakmere to field teams of 16.
I would reiterate my commitment to doing the ‘best job’ for everyone and look forward to some overdue success in the matches to come and celebrating more ‘Shots of the Day’
PS, when clubs DO NOT provide bacon butties on arrival, it will be indicated on your emails in LARGE PRINT!).
Putting Competition
Well done to those who struggled round the first Medal Comp and kept a steady club on the greens. Special mention must go to Brian Bailey who’s shown he’s ‘still got it’ after a long lay off with injury, topping the Leader and Eclectic boards, sharing the lead with 30 putts! Sharing second spot of course, none other than the redoubtable Garth Hallam! To those who ‘missed out’ it’s the best 4 from 6 so plenty of time to catch up! To enter the Putting Competition and/or the Putting Workshops – Click Here
Well done also to the short game specialists perfecting the art of “Fringe Golf”!
Putting Workshop
The first Workshop with Matt Buckley was excellent with 10 attendees. There are possibly 2 more that can be arranged with Will and Jack giving you two different perspectives on this ‘art’. It would be a shame not to use this brilliant source of knowledge, all for a ‘fiver a go’!
Captain’s Away Day
Thanks to everyone who signed up for this special day at Market Rasen Golf Club. There are still 11 places available, so don’t miss out on the chance of playing in this event. To enter the Captain’s Away Day – Click Here
17 April 2024 – Inter Club Match
Bulwell Forest
Once again ‘mudless’ conditions with firm, goodish greens meant for some consistent golf. It was great to welcome David Jack and Paul Strudwick to the team for the first time and special mention must go to Dave Clark for agreeing to play for Bulwell and then to be moved into the team (to cover a late drop out), also to Alfredo Daseco ‘Dax’ also agreeing to play for Bulwell.
Unfortunately, after a brilliant first tee shot the Captain, failed to lead the way, even though well supported by a battling Mr Strudwick, we were given a master class in simple’ down the middle golf’ by Veteran Dennis Fleet who was equally good close to the flag, meaning our efforts to win the match ended prematurely!
The next 6 matches were all close with Winston and Garth missing out on the 18th green with the last putt, but still no wins!
Our single win was provided by Dave Clark and Kelvin Day who secured a great result also on the last green. Ironically Kelvin played for Bulwell last year. Perhaps there is a future selection strategy here?
Shot of the day – Malc’s 153 yard, 7 iron to within 2 inches of the pin on the 13th! They made him finish it!!!It was great to field a team of 16 and hope we can redress the balance (after this 162-126 points defeat) when Bulwell come to us in September.
Thanks to all players, Cheers – David
Next Match Mapperley – Away Friday 3rd May
11 April 2024 – Inter Club Matches – Report
We played College Pines away last Monday, and we enjoyed the best golfing conditions in months with dry fairways and fast and fairly even greens.
Pin positions were challenging and a number of the home players performed extremely well, taking advantage of their preferred Stableford scoring
method.
However full credit to the Ramsdale team for battling hard right to the 18th green, especially Dave Insley who closed out his match partnering Malc Voce, securing a draw with the last putt of the round!
Special mention also to Paul Felstead and John Lowton for achieving our only victory. Also to Kevin Till for ably supporting an erratic
Captain!
Next Match
Bulwell Forest Away – Wednesday 17th April
11 April 2024 – Inter-Club matches Selection Challenge
One of the more challenging duties of the Seniors Captain is the selection of players and pairings for the 2024 season of friendly matches home and away.
We are very fortunate to have not only a good selection of clubs to play against, but also a large pool of registered players to call upon. Selecting twenty teams requires a fair and equitable process.
So that you can better understand my team selections I would like to share with you the main criteria I will adopt, with a view to winning as many matches as possible whilst also giving everyone a memorable 2024 season of competitive and enjoyable matches
Criteria
Player availability
A mix and balance of high and low handicaps.
Previous historic and successful pairings.
As the season unfolds, consideration of performance and current form.
Playing against the same opposition home and away.
A fair spread of games per player over the season where possible.
Playing in at least one of the first three matches registered for.
Filling a place on short notice, deserving selection for next match.
Overall record of supporting team matches and players