Fore Info December 2024
Spot your ball?
Contents
To jump to the section you want to read, just click on the Content titles below (Return by clicking on links after each section):
Our new Chairman: Graham Marshallsay
Club Captain News
Ladies Captain
Vets update
Juniors
Competitions and Handicaps
Rules Quiz Question and Answer
Greens News
General Managers update
Social
Winners in the 100 Club
Welcome to those new members who have joined the club during November;
David Beck, David Taylor, Simon Atkins, Andrew Hardwick and Chris Moody (5 day) and Ewan Murray (Social Extra). We hope that you all have a long and enjoyable time at the club.
This month we start with a few words from our new Chairman. For those that missed the AGM, you will see that Graham Marshallsay was elected Chair of MANCOM. Thanks to Simon Freemantle who stood in after the previous Chair stood down for family reasons.
This month saw the Captains Drive In, where traditionally the new captains are put through their paces. It was as usual a full clubhouse that witnessed their introduction and drive to the 18th. No balls hit into the car park this time (sorry Simon for bringing this up again). You can read and see photos in the Social Section.
This month is the look back and farewell from the former Captains on what was a brilliant year for the club and most importantly the Charity they supported.
I am sure I speak on behalf of all members when I thank Richard, Sandra, Ewan and Rosie for the countless hours they spent supporting us and our club. They deserve a bit of a rest…
The Greens Section is again filled with detailed info on the issues with diseases affecting our greens as well as some exciting winter projects that will improve the course for the future.
Don’t miss out on the upcoming Social Events. Read more in the Social Section.
Finally you can always access this Newsletter directly from the AGC website/About section. It is usually there from the 3rd of every month. So you don’t need to hunt David Maskery’s email each month!! No excuse for not reading it…
All that is left is to wish all readers a restful and very Merry Christmas and a Happy and successful golfing 2025.
David Marshall
Editor
newsletter@alresfordgolf.co.uk
Block your Calendar: Burns Night 2025
Saturday 18th January 7.00pm for 7.30pm
As you start to think of what you’re going to do after New Year and are looking for something to brighten up those dreary January nights, what better than an evening out with friends to enjoy a good hearty meal at one of the highlights of the social scene.
Come and enjoy our 31st Burns Supper – a uniquely Scottish experience in good company featuring whisky, haggis, neeps (mashed swede) and tatties, and a light-hearted appreciation of Scotland’s Bard, and of course, the skirl of the bagpipes
This is always a popular event in the social calendar so look out for the sign-up notice that will be posted on the Social Noticeboard on Christmas Eve. The main speakers have been confirmed and will be featured on the notice board. The menu will also be posted, so if you have any specific dietary requirements then please remember to contact the kitchen staff when you sign-up
The cost for the evening will be £39 per person which includes a three-course meal with coffee and a glass of your favourite tipple for the toasts after the meal. A vegetarian option will be available for the starter and the main. The price increase is reflective of the current rising costs of food and drink over which we have little control.
Members and guests are all welcome. Dress code is Black Tie or Highland Dress.
Contact George Clelland for further information.
Our New Chairman: Graham Marshallsay
Firstly, on behalf of all Alresford GC members, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Simon Freemantle who stepped up to lead the Management Committee as Interim Chair, and, for the huge amount of time and hard work he put into the role. The Club is in such a good position and I look forward to building on the work of not only Simon but, all who have gone before. Thank you all for putting your faith in me as your Chairman, I will try hard to treat you all with respect and to look after your interests regardless of your gender, age, membership category or playing ability.
It is fast approaching 5 years since I finished my year as your Club Captain, during that time the club has seen many changes. Aside from the refurbished clubhouse, Mark arriving as club professional and Ben taking on the bar and catering franchise the biggest change is that our membership now has over 300 new members or, looking at it another way, 45% of our current membership have joined in the last 5 years. We must be doing something right? The management of the club has been in good hands and I look forward to building on that success by incremental improvements to our offering and to retain as many of our members as is possible.
Those 300+ new members will now be saying Graham who? I’m not going to bore you with my life history (phew!), but if you see me in the bar at any time I will be happy to share it with you! In the meantime check out my Statement of Intent, it has been posted on the noticeboard for you to read but if you haven’t, you can find a copy here. Mancom Chair
The AGM took place on 29th November, for those unable to attend, here’s a very quick summary of the main points, the full minutes will be published on the website in due course.
a) A full report on the finances of the club was well received
b) The proposed subscriptions for 2025 were unanimously approved
c) Highlights from the other sub committees included new bunkers on the course in accordance with the Hawtree report, new policies and procedures introduced in compliance with guidance issued by England Golf and grateful thanks to Ron Beal for his support over the years to our IT systems
d) The amendments to the Club Rules were unanimously ratified
e) All officers were elected or ratified for their posts in 2025
f) Dave Fox provided an overview of the Water Resilience Project that was enthusiastically received
g) Finally we welcome 3 new Honorary Members – Keith Monkhouse, Malcolm Scott and John White
I will close by wishing you all a very Merry Christmas no matter how or whether you actually celebrate this time of year.
Graham Marshallsay
Chair of MANCOM
From the Club Captain
Captain Pro Challenge
Well done to Chris Spicer and Graham Marshallsay for winning this years Capt/Pro in a combined stableford match play format over 18 holes. Thank you to all involved and especially Mark Wood for giving up his time to play and members for supporting the charity. 
Charity
The choice of this charity was one of our easiest decisions to make, with Sandra Hooker (via Mike Hooker), Ewan McGregor and myself all using Cardiac Rehab facilities near Alton Sports Centre at some stage as we recovered from health setbacks. Alresford members and guests have been so generous we have raised £18,760. Yes Adrian Cobb, “he is still running”, Ewan raffled a trip on his boat plus the great support from the Vets Section and of course our ladies’ section organising raffles at the open and invitational events, Mary Rook selling ‘drive in ‘ sticks, our members entering the car park space draw, plus our first Bridge Open event organised by Tricia Palmer and Jane Macrae all contributed enormously. I can’t thank Sandra Hooker and Ewan McGregor enough for your support this year with the charity Cardiac Rehab and I are so proud of what Alresford Golf club has achieved and the difference it will make going forward.
The year has flown by but some notable events for me personally,
Captain’s Charity Day was also a huge success with 168 people taking part in the day in a mixture of Waltz’s and Texas Scramble, I personally want to say thank you to all who took part , on behalf of Sandra Hooker, Ewan McGregor, Rosie Rooney and myself because without you this event could not happen and just shows what a great club we have built, we should all be really proud. It’s great to see recent our newer members taking part and commenting on how friendly and welcoming people have been. We all had fun, and to top it off Linda Sexton had a hole in one on the 10th hole-Well done.
Captains’ Day often brings the best out of a golf club and we certainly managed that. 156 people took part from ages 13 to 89, a real credit to all our members. Andy Sibbald making and dishing up a mixture of meatballs and Coronation chicken – not together, Linda Lane, Les Thorne and my daughter Chelsea and partner Stan Jackson for helping with the cakes and drinks all day. Jamie helping in the office pre-event and on the day, plus valuable support as always from Sandra Hooker, Mary Rook and Charlie McLaughlin.
Playing with Ollie Stuart when he shot 64 (course record) and then in the Pro/Am going back out in the rain to mark Finbar Kane (Barton on Sea) card and eagle 17 and win by a shot.
For me I have saved my best event until last-
When I was asked to be captain this venue immediately came to mind, I had played it a few years after it opened and always wanted to go back but it just never seemed to happen. I visited it on my own for as reccy and walked around and knew it was the place for my Captains Trip. Sometimes you just need to be lucky, and it is fair to say East Sussex National was my lucky event. I arrived on the Monday driving through torrential rain to see the course closed. ‘Possible carry only if the sun comes out tomorrow’ I was told. Several other golf groups had left and gone home fearing the worst. Waking up the next morning the “sun” decided to show up for the first time in 2024, 25 degrees, and we were allowed to use trolleys (only on a corporate course would this happen!). With 76 golfers and 7 non-playing, we had 25 different winners over the days on the nearest the pins. David Palmer and Julie Maskery won the individual competition. The Team competition was won by Neil Gandy, Ray Chaffey, Stuart Binfield and Steve Morgan. Feedback was positive and thank you for the personal messages around the event and Linda’s help in particular.
As I near the end I want to thank David Marshall on behalf of all the contributors to the Fore magazine where most of this information is in words and pictures. A great deal of work goes into this so Thank you. It is an immense help to new and existing members to see what goes on at the club.
Finally, I am fortunate to have my brother Kevin Lane and Dad (Terry Lane) play at Alresford but it does bring its challenges. Kevin has a history of not all his clubs remaining in his bag during a round. Then dad messaged me a few days into my Captaincy “don’t tell the captain but I threw my club on 17 another …. Chip.”
Dad’s golf did not get better and in September he was all for giving up. After 4 blobs in a row kicked his ball off the 17th green and said I am giving up and going to play bowls. He promptly stood on the 18th tee, drove to the 150-yard marker (the first time we did not have to look for his ball off the tee), hit a wood on the green and holed the put for a birdie.
Why does golf do that to you?
So once again, Sandra and Ewan, thank you for making this a great year it’s been real fun working with both of you.
I often get asked have I enjoyed it? The answer is I HAVE LOVED IT.
I would finally like to wish Gary Mugford, Polly Church, Andy Gagen and Tobias Cobb well in their caption’s year. I am sure you will all do a wonderful job.
Richard Lane
Club Captain
Ladies Section
This is my last report for FORE INFO! Where has the year gone? I have to start with the first of my many Thank you’s and this is a big one – David Marshall who works so hard to put FORE INFO together and does a fantastic job in making sense of all of our reports and photos.
Golf is definitely much quieter this month we have only had two stablefords, congratulations to all the winners. Next month we have the Turkey Trot and 9 hole Christmas Texas Scramble and lunch, which I am especially looking forward with Polly and Gill doing all the organising!
We had a Hayling Trophy match with a great 3/2 win away at Worldham, I think the team are still cleaning the mud from their trollies! It makes you realise how lucky we are at Alresford. Sadly storm Bert managed to cancel both home and away matches against Cams Hall.
The first leg of the Winter Triple against Lee on Solent and Corhampton was played at Lee on Monday, we came third but we have come behind before!! We have also played the Legg Bowl at High Post after a frost delayed start sadly we came second!
The Visitors golf and golf morning was well supported and raised £205 for the Captain’s Charity, thank you to Andy Gagen and Mike Hooker for being on starter duties.
Thank you to Alicia and team for organising the Club Dinner. It was a really good night Mike and I really enjoyed the food, company and especially the magician.
Thank you to Gill and the C & H team for an excellent presentation evening.
The biggest thank you is to the ladies who played in Lady Captain team v Club Captain team, we won for the first time since 2019 and only the 3rd time in the history of the cup – Sarah Farthing, Kelly Travers, Polly Church, Jo Youngs, Alicia Hardy, Sue Pearce, Sarah Staines, Karen Fox, Sigi Hill, Elaine Capp and Rosie Rooney. The game was played in a great spirit so thank you Richard and his band of merry men and women.
Congratulations to Rosie Rooney who qualified for the European Junior Championship playing in Cadiz for the 3rdyear running, Rosie made the cut, had a great 4th round and finished 11th in a field of 30+.
We were fortunate to have Carron Schusler from the Hampshire Ladies Rules squad come and give us a “rules” session, she was very informative and entertaining and I know for a fact a great many of us learnt at least one thing we didn’t know.
If you wonder why the holly tree by the side of the 8th green is looking a bit trimmed it is because this year instead of the Christmas Bizarre , Sigi Hill, Sarah Worthington and Ann Gunn organised a Christmas wreath making demonstration with mulled wine and mince pies on offer after the 9 hole roll.
And thank you to all of you for your kind words and support this year, it has been a real privilege to be your Alresford Ladies Captain 2024.
I would also like to congratulate Club Captain, Richard Lane, Vets Captain, Ewan McGregor and Junior Captain Rosie Rooney for their very successful year, we can all relax now!!
Good luck to Polly, Gary, Andy and Tobias you will have a great year together.
Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and a very Healthy 2025
Sandra .
Sandra Hooker
Ladies Captain
Hampshire Ladies Golf
2025 – the coming year
The HLG AGM is scheduled to take place on Friday, 10th January 2025 at Basingstoke GC (tbc) and all ladies are invited to attend. Mary Rook takes on the role of President of HLG at this meeting.
Entry forms for most HLG competitions will be live on the website (www.hampshireladiesgolf.com) from 1st February 2025, but the fixtures are already on it, so get planning!
All AGC ladies and girls intending to play in the HLG County Championships at Blackmoor in May 2025, should take note of the changes to the division boundaries, as I outlined at the recent Ladies’ AGM – big changes!
In addition, a new 18-hole medal is to be introduced for + to 9.9 HI players who are over 50 and do not wish to play in the 36-hole qualifying event.
As always, your HLG Board and officers have worked hard in 2024 to organise and run competitions for every level of player to participate in, and next year will be the same.
I have been involved with HLG as your club delegate for a few years now and have enjoyed seeing more and more ladies taking up the challenge of HLG competitions. Please keep doing so in 2025!
I wish you all a very restful(!), peaceful and joy-filled Christmas with maybe a little golf thrown in!
Ann
Ann Younger
AGC Club Delegate, HLG
Vets Section
After 12 months as Vets Captain 2024 this is my final Fore report.
With regard to competitions and tournaments I have been lucky enough to oversee what has turned out to be a very successful year for the Vets.
It started in April with two Vets teams competing in the final of the Captain /Pro Challenge and which was eventually won by the partnership of Ed Tinley and Mike Garton over David Marshall and Colin Verrall
My theme throughout the year has been “How lucky we are to be members of the Vets”. Not only because we are, as AGC members, able to play on one of the most beautifully manicured and presented courses and that we have been able to play on it all year round and this in spite of the wettest summer for decades, but because, as a Vet, through the Summer Friendlies we have had the opportunity to play on some great courses in the area. Last year we added Barton-on-Sea. This year we have taken on Littlehampton and Tidworth Garrison and next year, for the first time, we will be competing on the new Basingstoke course at Dummer.
Our Summer Friendly record this year has been outstanding. Of the 37 matches played we won 60% of them halved 11% and lost only 29%. A record only beaten in 2020 when, under the Vets captaincy of Ed Tinley, we won 100% of all the Summer Friendlies played. It was Covid lockdown year and we played only one match!
All tournaments have been well subscribed and the Vets’ Invitation was again recognised by guests as the best ‘Invitation’ in the area.
We are finishing the year as we started it. In the Winter League under the Captaincy of Steve Oldham we are currently League leaders not yet having lost a single match.
The Vets AGM was held on Wednesday 13th of November,
I am very pleased to report that 2024 Vice Captain, Andy Gagen has been confirmed as Vets’ Captain 2025. Along with the appointment of David Marshall in that role of Vice Captain, like the appointment of Andy as Vice Captain last year; a really good result is always worth waiting for.
Good luck to you both. The Vets is now in really good hands for at least the next two years.
The 2024 AGM was preceded by the 18 hole AGM Trophy competition, and in the afternoon followed by presentations of the various trophies.
Pete Dowes’ partner in the Vets Invitation was Mike Gilbert of South Winchester and John Riddell’s partner in the Fred White was Chris Fuller.
Well done to all this year’s trophy winners.
Finally, in this my last Fore report as Captain of the Vets 2024, I wish to thank all of my committee members, bar staff, green staff, and particularly retiring club captain Richard Lane, all of whom have been of great support to me throughout the year.
The organising of the 40 Summer Friendlies is a large task, and thanks are also due to the large numbers of ‘hard core’ ‘Availables to Play’ Vets’ who made my task of team selection a comparatively simple one, and of course all those 139 members of the Vets, so many of whose comments made my weekly reports such a joy to prepare.
It’s my weekly “Golf Course Nature Notes” that I shall really miss doing. I hope that as a result of them, to fully enjoy our wonderful course, you remember that instead of spending all of your time staring down at a little white ball on a green background spend you some time looking around and even looking up to see what you can see against blue one.
Thank you all once again for making my year as your captain so rewarding, and such a great pleasure.
Ewan
Ewan McGregor
Vets Captain
Click here to return to Content at Top
Juniors Section
As Tobias Cobb takes over the Junior Captaincy we look forward to another full year of junior golf during the 2025 season. Many of you have made complimentary comments on the number of juniors seen out playing and with 107 members the section is growing steadily and thanks to the continued support of the Club we look forward to playing our part in representing Alresford Golf Club in inter club matches and Junior Opens across the county. I am sure we all wish Tobias, and his Vice Captain Harvey Vaughan, a successful year ahead.
I have enjoyed my year as Juniors Captain and want to thank Gareth Rees for all the hard work he has put in to support the Junior Section.
Rosie
Rosie Rooney
Juniors Captain
Click here to return to Content at Top
Competitions and Handicap Committee Report
Presentation Evening
It was great to see so many winners and supporters at Presentation Evening, celebrating in everyone’s success. The new 65” TV screen, in addition to the TV in the lounge area enhanced the visuals display on the evening allowing all present to engage in the evening’s presentations. The winner of this year’s Curly Cup, Lewis Gifford, was not able to receive his trophy on the evening but in keeping with tradition, managed to send through a video of him drinking the half pint of guinness.
Over 2/3rds of our total 78 trophies were presented on the evening. Many thanks to those that gave up their time to polish the trophies
Glassware for Collection – For those that were not able to attend Presentation Evening, but who may have won glassware mementos, please check the notice board in the Foyer and collect any glassware from the Pro Shop. Any glassware not collected by the end of the year will be considered not wanted and will be returned to stock.
Winner of Fred Morse Trophy (Most Consistent Golfer)
It is at Presentation Evening where the winner of the prestigious Fred Morse trophy is announced. This trophy is awarded to the player who has had the most consistent performance through out the year. This is not necessarily about winning each event, or even being our lowest handicap player. Data is collected on the number of competition rounds played, the competition gross scores and score differential compared to the Course Rating. No General Play rounds or data are included in the analysis. The data is completely anonymised and given to an independent panel for review and assessment to determine the winner of the trophy. Not an easy decision this year, but nevertheless unanimously agreed by the panel, the winner of this award for 2024 is Will Pakenham-Walsh. Will was both surprised (as he had not collected any other trophies on the evening!) and delighted to win this award and concluded the evening with appropriate thank you’s.
Winter 2024/25 – General Play Scores
As the course status changes frequently at this time of year, the facility to submit scores via the England Golf App will be suspended after the Turkey Trot at the beginning of December. Players may still submit scores (and scorecards) via Club Systems, provided the course is qualifying. Please keep an eye on the daily updates by the Greenstaff on the course status via the App, and course signage that is visible on the first tee. If the course is not qualifying, then no General Play rounds will be permissible. The C&H Committee complete regular checks on General Play cards and will delete and scores that are submitted on days when the course is non qualifying.
Winter League Competitions – Lombard/Mixed Winter
It is great that many Winter League matches have already taken place, making the most of the better weather. A reminder to all that League matches must conclude by 31st December 2024. Please ensure that all results of matches are written up on the appropriate sheets on the notice board(s). Please also be aware of the rules that state that no player may determine the result of a match not played. Should a match not be played for any reason, please annotate the result sheets accordingly and/or send an email to handicaps@alresfordgolf.co.uk
Members are also reminded of rule 5.2b which states:
On the day of a stroke-play competition:
- A player must not practise on the course before a round, except that the player may:
- Practise putting or chipping on or near their first teeing area.
- Practise on any practice area.
- Practise on or near the putting green of the hole just completed even if they will play that hole again on the same day (see Rule 5.5b).
- A player may practise on the course after completing play of their final round for that day.
For example, a player may not play a winter league match in the morning and then in the afternoon play a Club competition (medal or stableford).
Many thanks
Gill Freemantle
Chair Competitions & Handicap Committee, Handicap Secretary
A Look at the Rules
Question
- Using your club as a walking stick to help you get into the bunker.
- Raking footprints in the sand away from your ball and line of play.
- Touching the sand with your club behind the ball.
- Placing the rake near to where you intend to play.
- Removing a loose impediment near to your ball.
- Restoring your lie after it was altered by another player.
Greens
As we enter December the winter projects are well underway with the rebuilding of the fairway bunkers on the 17th. These will be built in the style of those on the 4th hole, liners have now been laid and the revet edges set out. If the weather cooperates the team will shape them and prepare them for turf. I for one cannot wait to see how they turn out. Simon Justice says, “Stay tuned, as the team hopes to start the 2nd tee extensions and the new bunkers on the 8th fairway throughout December.”
The soil temperatures on the last weekend of November doubled, we recorded 6 degrees on Saturday 23rd and 12 degrees on Sunday 24th! It is very unusual to go from 3 frosty mornings in a row, and cooling soils, to then flip it round to 45mm of rainfall over the weekend and an air temperature of 15 degrees.
The grass is growing again because greens typically start to grow at a soil temperature of 8-10 degrees. Although the greens have been affected by fusarium disease, it is not worsening. We plan to continue applying iron and turf hardeners through December and will apply a fungicide to prevent further disease development. Areas not affected by the disease should maintain good grass cover. The main goal is to prevent the existing scars from becoming larger. Light aeration will also be performed on the greens in December.
Members will notice posts and ropes being set up to protect play areas in front of the greens. Please use the black mats to walk up tee banks where they are provided, as these mats are there to prevent slipping during wet weather.
The team continues to battle the leaves, and we appreciated members’ patience while we waited for parts to repair the big tractor, which we use with the larger blower to clear the leaves. This is now back in action (Thankyou Adam!) The long rough has been cut and mulched down. When the opportunity arises you will see us using our collecting machine, running over it to pick up and clean through the grass. While we are not ruling out using sheep in the future, you will not see them this winter as Simon Justice and the team try a different method of thinning the rough.
Tree work will be carried out by Colin Luff on the 20th and 23rd of December. The schedule of work will be finalised closer to the dates. Trees marked with red dots will be felled, most of which are Ash suffering from dieback. Other trees will be removed to create space for their neighbours to flourish. There was very little tree damage after Storm Burt, which demonstrates that our tree management programme is effective.
Hedge maintenance is scheduled for December and January. During this time, you will see a contractor using a tractor and flail to cut back the boundary hedges. As always, please keep an eye on the daily course conditions for additional information.
Finally, some reminders. If you are using tees from the range mat area, please pick up your broken tees and place them in the bin provided by the 1st tee. The range grass tee and grass areas around the dome will remain off-limits for play through the winter.
Derek Myers
Chair Greens
General Manager’s Update
Welcome to those new members who have joined the club during November;
David Beck, David Taylor, Simon Atkins, Andrew Hardwick and Chris Moody (5 day) and Ewan Murray (Social Extra). We hope that you all have a long and enjoyable time at the club.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS 2025
ALL Subscription invoices will be emailed (or posted) to you over the coming days. If you do not receive yours by 18th December please contact the Office immediately as payment is due on 1st January.
To help us with this we would appreciate the early settlement of invoices and to ease the burden on the Office, please consider paying either online via BACS transfer or to the Office via the telephone.
If you intend not to rejoin – a telephone call or email to let us know is greatly appreciated. Simply to ignore your invoice and subsequent reminders just causes us extra work. You may have told your friends – but that doesn’t count !
Looking for a way to ease the burden of subscription renewal each year?
Why not join the ADVANCE SUBSCRIPTIONS SCHEME in 2025?
Choose any amount to pay over 10 months towards your subscription bill in 2026. Build up a credit on your account which is offset against your renewal bill due 1st January 2026. Pay as much or as little as you wish. Speak to the Office for more details and to receive an ADVANCE SUBS mandate form.
BAR & CATERING
There will be a User Forum on Wednesday 18th December at 1.30pm. We have held the last two Forums in the evening, so on this occasion we are encouraging members to join us after their morning golf. Please advise the General Manager if you are intending to come along or have anything you wish to be raised.
As of the 1st of January 2025, The Kitchen @ AGC Loyalty Scheme is changing.
Since its inception, the scheme has been based on number of visits to the bar – 1 point per visit, rather than 1 point per pound spent.
There have been numerous pieces of feedback shared across the bar (and on other forums) that members would prefer the scheme to be based on money spent and we have taken this feedback on board. We will change the scheme to this, as of the 1st January 2025.
The rewards linked to the points – ie how many points needed to redeem a reward will also be changing and a separate sheet in relation to this will come out direct from The Kitchen @ Marketing email address on Monday 9th December. If you’re subscribed to our marketing emails, you will receive this – alternatively we will display a copy on the social notice board.
We will also be introducing offers & discounts based on ‘time of day’. These promotions will be designed to encourage members to use the Bar & Catering at times when historically the clubhouse is quiet – alongside members regular weekly visits.
As always, any questions please reach out to Ben or Katie at the bar
BOXING DAY
Come and join us on Boxing Day morning between 08.54 -10.51am for a ‘roll-up’ 9 holes. Christmas ‘house guests’ are welcome to join in with members between these times at no charge.
You will be allocated a ‘team’ on arrival. Mince pies and christmas beverages will be available in the clubhouse afterwards. Full details will be posted on the Social Noticeboard shortly.
Winter is here- Be Safe on the Golf Course
Rain/Mud/Frost/Ice = slippery golf course, especially grass banks, wooden sleepers and any untreated areas.
PLEASE TAKE CARE AND KEEP TO THE PATHS WHEREVER POSSIBLE
DO NOT WALK ON SLOPES
DO NOT TAKE YOUR TROLLEYS ACROSS THE SIDES OF SLOPES AND BANKS
PLEASE ADHERE TO ANY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SIGNAGE ON THE COURSE
KEEP BUGGIES AND TROLLIES AWAY FROM THE EDGES OF GREENS AND TEES
If roads are icy in the morning on your way to the club, it is fair to assume that the car park and the paths around the club will be icy too! We do our best to grit and salt these areas but please take care.
PLEASE HELP US – please CLEAN YOUR GOLF SHOES before entering the clubhouse whether you are accessing the changing rooms, office or bar from the patio or main entrance doors.
Similarly, the shoe cleaner can be used rather than just banging your golf shoes to remove grass and mud in the car park.
Wet weather golf attire should not be worn in any of the seated areas in the clubhouse – please change out of your waterproofs or wet golf wear.
Help us keep YOUR clubhouse clean and tidy
FACEBOOK – check out our Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/alresfordgolfclub
Make sure you ‘like’ our Facebook page and you will link to it and get the regular pictures and updates on what’s happening ! Share with your friends to help us boost our online and social media profiles.
INSTAGRAM Follow our brand-new Official Instagram page.
Expect to see media content of our picturesque course, golfing competitions, fun social events, and lots more.
Make sure to follow @alresfordgolf and stay tuned for new post updates on our page.
And so, another year end approaches with some popular club events to report on and some still to look forward to.
Club dinner was well attended with fizz and fascinating magic to close out a full and successful year for Richard Lane’s club captaincy supported by Sandra, Ewan and Rosie. Social Committee thank them all for their support throughout the year, and we were relieved to see that it was a carrot and not Richard‘s head that fell off the block at the end of the night.
Captains’ drive-in this weekend was a great success with a packed club house witnessing Lisa giving Gary a lesson in domestication as she fully intends to ALSO play lots of golf during his Captaincy, Polly sporting colourful new wings to eat crackers whilst her kettle boiled; Andy Gagen achieving his fourth marathon in terms of the time it took him to put on his beloved cricket gear; and Tobias showing real promise for driving (cars and golf) as he interpreted some confusing road signs and managed to bounce his enthusiastic drive onto the 18th green. Although our new Vets captain was the only one able to hold the green, we all enjoyed a tasty carvery (and first class apple crumble) to round off a good day for the AGC and a great start to our new captains’ tenure.
Your Social Committee is gearing up for the last couple of events of the year – first is Race Night on Friday 13th (which will definitely be lucky for some!) Please do come along with ALL of your friends and family as this is usually a very lively night full of excitement and suspense. We are also looking forward to our New Year’s Eve party with a great singer and music to round off the year – please sign up on the board and join the celebrations. And looking to 2025, Les, Jim, Paul, Bill, Kim, Manda and I look forward to organising a wide variety of social events, and we are always looking for ideas and volunteers so please get in touch. Our first event is Nick (and Jane’s) Quiz on Friday 10th January so please look out for the sign up sheet! In the meantime, wishing you all a fun and frolicking Christmas season!
Thanks, Alicia
Alicia Hardy
Chair Social
TEAM GOLF
Merry Xmas from the Team Golf team! Best wishes to all and for a successful 25th year of TG in 2025!
Jan, John and Jim White
A Look at the Rules
ANSWER
Number 3. is the only situation where the player would receive a penalty, Two strokes in Stroke play or Loss of hole in Match play. See Rule 12.2
Thanks to Brian Overton for all these Rules Q and A’s. If you have any rulings questions for Brian he will answer them here in future editions, just email brian.overton@ntlworld.com
Our winners for December 2024
£100 Bob Archer
£50 Mike Bryett
£35 Prizewinners
Colin Verrall
Liz Hastings
Laurie Clark
Jennifer Clelland
Catherine Carberry
Congratulations to all our prize-winners this month in this the last draw for 2024. Both Colin and Liz are first timers on the winners list so good timing to have a little extra for a Christmas treat.
For those who may not have seen the 2023/24 100 Club Financial Report in the recent AGM papers here is a brief summary. Expenditure on club projects this year has once again been for Honours Boards with £2,570 carried over from last year being paid out in November. £3,282 was paid out in prizes with a further £785 of prize money on bar accounts being due to The Kitchen but not yet paid. This is carried over into 2025. After allowing for uncleared payments we will carry forward £13,113 to the new year.
If you are not already a member then why not round off the year by joining the 100 Club – you may win a cash prize like our members above.
Join us for as little as £1 per month
For further information about the 100 Club or for an application form please give me a call or send me an email – Pat Wallis phone 01420 564417 or email peterpat51@outlook.com Or you can pick up a form from the Office.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas
Pat Wallis
Editor: David Marshall
DISCLAIMER
The Editorial Team take no responsibility for incorrect information received from Contributors.
Social