Fore Info March 2018
In this issue
See the upcoming Events Social Events section for full details.
For Your Diary
Saturday 10th March
CLUB QUIZ NIGHT (KIT’S QUIZ)
Sunday 11th March
MOTHERING SUNDAY LUNCH CARVERY
Saturday 17th March
ST. PATRICK’S NIGHT
Sunday 18th March
SPRING TEXAS SCRAMBLE (Shotgun start)
Sunday 1st April
EASTER SUNDAY CARVERY
Monday 2nd April
BANK HOLIDAY MIXED FLAG COMPETITION
– now available to 5 day members
Saturday 21st April
MURDER MYSTERY EVENING
Murder Mystery Evening
Your opportunity to rival Poirot, Miss Marple and Holmes!
From the Club Captain
The men’s season kicked off with their game against the County, which has been an annual fixture set up by David Harrison in 1972. Alresford fielded twenty category 1 & 2 players, one of whom I am pleased to say was David Harrison. A further ten higher handicappers teamed up with the County players. Bob Moore, who was playing in this event for the first time, was a little surprised and somewhat concerned to hear we were
playing off scratch! After 14 holes marvelling at the play of Darren Wright, Bob did eventually contribute by winning his only hole for the County, the 15th with a par.
The final result of 9½ to ½ in favour of the County was not surprising, especially when you consider Hampshire are the reigning English County Champions. Their Captain at this time, Martin Young, has recently been chosen as Vice Captain for the GB&I Amateur Team to play in the biennial Concession Cup against the USA.
An example of their great play was demonstrated by Colin Roope, their Captain, who birdied 5 consecutive holes on the back nine. Darren Wright, previously a European Challenge Tour player, approached the 17th with a seven iron and holed the putt for an eagle. Congratulations to Grant Thorne and Gary Mugford for playing so well to achieve our sole half point.
It was pleasing to hear the compliments from the County players regarding the condition of our course and for this we must thank Steve Privett and his team.
The draw for the County Sevens and Gales Hockley knockouts has been held. Our Sevens team is in the unfortunate position of being one of only 4 teams needing to play in the preliminary round, however, they do have a home draw against Southampton. The Gales team is also at home and play Barton on Sea. For category 1 & 2 players wishing to play in the County Sevens, please contact Grant Thorne and for those over 50 years of age with a 14 handicap or below, contact Charlie House.
The Chinese New Year Theme Evening and Quiz was a great success with 80 members and friends participating. The Chinese food was well received and for some the quiz questions did not prove as challenging as I felt they were. During the evening, we also held the draw for the Charity Parking Space and Sarah Thorne was the lucky winner. Thanks to all those members who bought tickets and thus contributed to the Captains’ Charity, ‘Transplant Sport’.
The order of play and etiquette on the first tee is often the subject of debate. The Club has always used the “ball chute system”, although we usually leave the order of play to memory rather than using our circular chute. With the exception of the Captain, Lady Captain and rotation of players who started at the 10th, no other players, whether in a competition or not, have any basis for asking to go to the front of the queue. Should a faster group be invited to go to the head of the queue, this must be approved by all groups in the queue which are ahead of this respective group. Further clarification on the etiquette of the ball chute system can be found on the notice board and also adjacent to the first tee.
Please note that the sign up sheet for the Famous Grouse Greensomes is on the men’s notice board and the sheet for the Spring Texas Scramble is on the board in the club foyer. The Scramble is for both men and ladies and is a good opportunity to meet members you may not normally play with. Handicappers of all levels are welcome.
Brian Wright
Ladies Section
Is this rain ever going to stop… especially on a Tuesday? I was getting worried that I wouldn’t have much to write about in this months’ Fore Info… at least nothing good or exciting but then…along came Monday!
You might all remember how our run in the Winter Triple wasn’t going to plan… we had not done too well at Lee and then again at Alresford. We were lying in third position, with 11 points between us and Corhampton and 13 points between us and the leaders Lee on the Solent. Then on Monday, our brilliant team went to Corhampton on a very drizzly damp and foggy day, and played their hearts out… and… wait for it… came home with the Trophy!! They finally beat Corhampton by 2 points and Lee by 5 points!
This just goes to prove you must never ever give up. I am so thrilled, and my thanks go to everyone who has played this year and especially to my Vice Captain, Sue Masser, who has done a brilliant job of organising the teams.
Unfortunately, although our Ladies played really well in the Maple Leaf match against Windlesham we lost 4:1.
So apart from that, what other news do I have for you? We held a coffee morning for members who had joined in the past year to see how they were settling in. It was nice to have such a good turnout of Academy members who are all very keen and committed to their golf. Also, one of our winter members, Caroline, has since joined the Section as a full member.
The Chinese New Year and Quiz was great fun and very well organized by Chris and Kelly. A very tasty meal was followed by a very clever quiz! During the evening we drew the winner of the Captains Charity parking space… thank you so much to all of you who supported this, we made an astounding £435! The winner was a delighted Sarah Thorne, shown here.
Please make sure you check out the notice boards in our changing room. The draws have been done for the Esme Norris and the Committee Cup. The sign-up sheet is up for the Vets and Ladies Breeze up, which is on Thursday 5th April. This is the competition when we play with a Vet not against! It’s always good fun so please put your names up!
Also, the sign up sheet for the Spring Texas Scramble (March 18th) is in the Hall and the sign up sheet for the first Mixed match against Tylney Park away (22nd April) is on the notice board.
The season is hotting up (hopefully) and getting going… so we have lots of golf to look forward to and enjoy.
Match Committee Report
Winter Leagues & Summer Knock-outs
The draws for the knock-out phases of the Winter Mixed and Lombard 4BBB were posted on the notice boards on Monday 5th February. The first round of matches in the knock-out stage must be completed by 25th March.
The draws for all the Summer Knock-outs will be done on Monday 5th March in the Clubhouse and posted on the notice boards and on the website as soon as possible thereafter.
Please remember that both parties in these draws are equally responsible for arranging the match and make sure you take notice of the closing date for each round. Note that for all knock-out competitions no extensions to the play-by dates will be granted.
Board & Trophy Competitions
I’d like to reiterate the change to entry conditions for Board & Trophy competitions which became effective on 1st January 2018.
To be eligible to win prizes, players must have a competition handicap and have submitted a score in at least 3 qualifying competitions in the current or previous calendar year. This also applies to members of a team in a team competition.
If the competition is not a knock-out, then a player who does not meet the above criteria may enter the competition for handicap purposes only.
If the competition is not a knock-out, a team which comprises one or more players who do not meet the criteria may play in the competition but will not be eligible for any prizes.
Score Cards
As the main playing season is about to start, this an appropriate time to remind everyone to please complete their competition score cards correctly. You should ensure that your card has the name of the Competition, your Name and Handicap, the Date, your Entry Number, and that you and your marker sign the card. In Foursomes and 4BBB competitions, the names and handicaps of both players must be on the card. Players whose cards are not signed or have no handicap or a higher handicap than that to which the player is entitled will be disqualified.
Cards for a Supplementary Score should be marked Supplementary Score under Competition and cards for an initial handicap should be marked For Initial Handicap under Competition. As well as Name and Date, it is essential that these cards also show which set of tees has been used.
Score cards should always be returned regardless of the circumstances. Members who persistently fail to return score cards may be sanctioned.
Men’s Winter Eclectic
In the Men’s Winter Eclectic competition, the leading score as at 20th February are:
Grant Thorne 52.5 after 9 rounds; Josh Evans 53.5 (10 rounds); Steve Pratt 54 (8); Ashley Willmott 55 (10); Dave Seager 55 (7); Richard White 56 (8); Ashley Wright 57 (6).
Can anyone overtake Grant? There are a lot of good players with many rounds still to play and plenty of time to do it. The competition closes on Sunday 25th March
George Clelland
Match Secetary
Mixed Matches 2018
Although we still seem to be in the depths of winter, it will not be long before the 2018 golf season starts in earnest…
Our first match of the season is on Sunday, 22nd April away against Tylney Park. First tee at 12 30pm. A list asking for volunteers for this match has been posted on the Mixed Match board in the foyer. Any member with a CONGU handicap is welcome to play. It is hoped that there will be a good response and that we can field a strong team. An e-mail will be sent to all those chosen to play and the team list will be posted on the board later this month. A full list of all our mixed match fixtures is on the board in the foyer. Volunteer lists for subsequent matches will be posted periodically nearer to the date of the match.
A decision has been made that Five Day members may play in the weekend matches if we are unable to field a team from amongst the Seven Day members. There will be a column on the volunteer sheet for Five Day members to sign up. No green fees will be payable. It is hoped that Five Day Members will take advantage of this opportunity to play at the weekend, both at home and away, if required.
Again this year we will be continuing with a smart/casual dress code for our match meals at home and it seems likely that other clubs are also going down this path. There will be no need for gentlemen to wear jacket and tie, unless they so wish. We are also looking at the possibility of serving brunch prior to some of our home matches, instead of having a meal afterwards. Any feedback on this (no pun intended!) would be welcome.
For more information or any queries please contact Jan Harring (07980 474 448).
A Look at the Rules
Question.
In wet weather, a player wraps a handkerchief around the grip of his club. Was he in breach of rule 14-3?
Vets Section
So here is your captain still sunning himself in New Zealand while you lot are wrapped up warm against the cold. It’s nice to be able to look at the club’s CCTV to see the conditions each morning back home. I have noticed one or two mornings of frost and one that looked very like snow (but it was about 3.00am your time so the view wasn’t very good by moonlight). So I guess there have been a few days of trolley bans, pencil bags and half sets. On the bright side, I know the back in January Steve’s team were levelling out the slope on the path behind the 17th green so I hope there haven’t been too many slip injuries in the cold weather and that you have all been enjoying your golf regardless.
Today I played at Rotorua Golf Course (in Maori it is called Arikikapakapa, which must be the weirdest name for a golf club). I lost a ball in a volcano but the rest of the round was fine, thanks for asking. In the picture the lake you can see is about 40 degrees C and the one where I lost the ball was bubbling mud. Needless to say I didn’t try to rescue it. It’s not golf for the faint hearted.
The first fixture of the season is coming up soon and you may just have time to get your name onto the board for the Captain v Vice Captain’s match on Wednesday the 7th March (Wynne will no doubt tell you if you made it in time or not). The sign up sheets for the first three matches of the summer season will also be up soon, if they are not there already. I hope you will all consider playing in at least one of the matches this year. They are good fun and I hope to be able to welcome as many of you as possible to at least one game.
Looking further ahead the vets vs ladies Breeze up will be held on Wednesday of Easter week and thats always good. Even further ahead the Vets invitation will be on 9th August. So get ‘ahead of the game’ and invite a friend to come and play at our lovely course. They wont be disappointed. There will be lots of great prizes and excellent catering – more on that later in the year.
I hope to see many of you early in March and look forward to playing at Alresford again, where a lost ball is not potentially fatal.
Chris Thompson
…from the Secretary
New Members
Welcome to the following new members who have all joined the club starting during January and February so far; Bob Archer (5 day), John Evans, Glen Feltham and Steven Cook (Winter membership), Peter Tibbitts , Florence Heath, Dodd Barrington , Ron Bligh (Social Extra) and Jacob Newland (Junior)
We hope that your time at the club will be a long and enjoyable one for all of you.
May I remind all members that we are welcoming new membership enquiries for all categories? If you know any friends or acquaintances who are thinking of joining a club or changing clubs, please do your best to sell them the benefits of Alresford.
Special Member Refferal Offer
Refer a new 5 or 7 day playing member and receive An EXTRA £50 credit on your bar card.
Speak to the Secretary for more information.
Club ‘Roll Up’
Fancy a game in the week? All members are welcome to come along to the ‘club roll-up’ on Wednesday mornings. The usual start time is 11am all year round but may change subject to any advanced tee reservations. Up to date timings are shown on the main noticeboard and on the website.
March
Wednesday 7th 11.00am TBC (Vets Capt. v Vets V-Capt.)
Wednesday 14th 1.00am
(mid-week stableford)
Wednesday 21st 11.00am
Wednesday 28th 11.00am
April
Wednesday 4th 10.30am (due to golf society)
Wednesday 11th 11.00am
Wednesday 18th 11.00am
Please note change to friday bar closing times
Over the Winter / Spring period the Clubhouse (and Bar) will close on Fridays as per the normal weekday times, unless there is an event or pre-booked function. Below is the current list of dates when the bar will be closed earlier.
Friday 2nd March
Friday 9th March
Friday 16th March
Friday 23rd March
Please check the club website and main noticeboard for changes to these dates.
Forthcoming Events Your Diary
Saturday 10th March
CLUB QUIZ NIGHT (KIT’S QUIZ)
Sunday 11th March
MOTHERING SUNDAY LUNCH CARVERY
Saturday 17th March
ST.PATRICK’S NIGHT
Sunday 18th March
SPRING TEXAS SCRAMBLE (Shotgun start)
Sunday 1st April
EASTER SUNDAY CARVERY
Monday 2nd April
BANK HOLIDAY MIXED FLAG COMPETITION
– now available to 5 day members
Saturday 21st April
MURDER MYSTERY EVENING
Spring Texas Scramble
Sunday 18th March
Shotgun start @ 8.30am
Drawn teams
£10 per team payable on the day
All 7 day members (incl. HPLS) with h/caps
are welcome to join in .
Sign up in foyer – draw will be posted on 12th March
Greensomes Flag Competition
Monday 2nd April 2018
Entry fee : £12.00pp to include a one course meal
Closing Date : Sat 24th March
Sign up form on Foyer notice board
Open to 5 & 7 Day members
Special Member Referral Offer
Refer a new 5 or 7 day playing member and receive An EXTRA £50 credit on your bar card
Speak to the Secretary for more information
Members guest green fees Special Offer
Due to the continued success of this scheme, we will offer the guest green fee discount offer again in 2018. Over the course of the season bring either 6 guests for £135 or 10 guests for £225. These will be available ONLY from the Secretary in advance (not the pro shop).
Please be aware that all ‘visits’ must be used by 31st December 2018. No refund or extension will be given on unused ‘visits’. Normal restrictions apply.
Bluebird Care sponsor Alresford GC Seniors Open and Vets Invitation
We are pleased to announce that award winning Bluebird Care have agreed to sponsor our Seniors Open and Vets Invitation events this coming summer.
Bluebird Care are Hampshire’s first Care Quality Commission (CQC) ‘Overall Outstanding’ rated Home and Live in Care provider, giving you the highest quality of care in your own home.
They will provide a presence at both events, offering information about their services as well as sponsoring additional prizes on the day.
We have attached a copy of their leaflet with this newsletter should members be interested in finding out more about the services they offer.
Captains Charity Parking Space Winner is…
…Sarah Thorne!
Thank you to everyone who participated and bought a ticket.
We raised £437 for the charity. This is a record and maybe a reflection on how difficult it can be to get a parking space at times?
World Handicap System: new details announced
The R&A and the USGA have today announced details of the new World Handicap System (WHS).
It is designed to welcome more players, to make golf easier to understand and to provide all golfers with a handicap which is portable all around the globe.
The system is expected to be launched in January 2020 and its features will include:
• A minimal number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap
• Allowing both competitive and recreational rounds to count for handicap purposes so a golfer’s handicap is more reflective of current ability
• A consistent handicap that is portable from course to course and country to country through worldwide use of the USGA Course and Slope Rating System, already successfully used in more than 80 countries
• An average-based calculation of a handicap, taken from the best eight out of the last 20 scores. The system will also be able to ‘remember’ good scores, even when they have dropped out of the last 20.
• A calculation that considers the impact that abnormal course and weather conditions on a player’s performance each day
• Daily handicap revisions, taking account of the course and weather conditions calculation
• A limit of net double bogey on the maximum hole score (for handicapping purposes only)
• A maximum handicap limit of 54.0, regardless of gender, to encourage more golfers to measure and track their performance and so increase their enjoyment of the game
Chief Executive Nick Pink commented: “We’re joining golfers around the world to welcome this new system. It shows that golf is modernizing and becoming easier to understand and I’m sure it will encourage more people to play, get a handicap and enjoy our sport, which is very good news for the future of the game.”
Facebook
check out our Facebook page
www.facebook.com/alresfordgolfclub
Do you like the regular daily posts which are currently happening? Is there anything which you feel would be useful to include?
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 our page to your friends.
Twitter follow the green staff and see what’s happening on and around the course. @GreenstaffAGC
Green News
Winter work has progressed well so far in 2018. The new turf on the 8th tee is settling in well. The enlarged and rebuilt white tee on the 5th is almost complete and looking good.
The 6th tee is the biggest challenge and will make a significant difference to this hole. I was surprised to find that despite there being 3 levels with 2 distinct and significant downslopes, there was only a drop of 12 inches from the back of the whites to the front of the reds! The old tee also had many humps and hollows. In addition, the tee was poorly aligned, pointing to the right of the green (see photo). The new tee will be flatter, more level and better aligned. Taking out the downslopes will also add an additional 8/9 feet of “useable” teeing area. We have also taken the opportunity to relocate the chalk pile from the rough to the rear of the 6th green to the rear of the practice area. We plan to move the existing spoil heap to a less intrusive position in the future.
I have often said how impressed I am with the skill and dedication of our team of greenkeepers. I was pleased to receive an e-mail from a long-standing member which included the following.
‘Felt I had to compliment the green staff on the work they are doing. Being a regular ‘walker by’ I can’t help but notice what a hard working and skilful team they are. They are operating all sorts of machinery and dealing with the irrigation system as well as the earth works.
If we had employed contractors to do the work it would have cost many thousands of pounds and they could not have done a better job!’
Please see the Twitter feed on the website. NB, you do not have to join Twitter to see this.
I write this report on Saturday 24th February and greens maintenance planned for next week. With a bitterly cold week forecast, Steve and team have decided to solid tine rather than hollow tine the greens. Recovery will be quicker, and we will hollow tine in the next planned greens maintenance.
The lads have also found time to powerwash the patio furniture and other on-course furniture in readiness for the summer. As previously advised, a path is being constructed from the 11th green to the ladies’ 12th tee.
The divot party has been a very successful addition to the diary and this year will be held on the morning of Thursday 19th of April. More details next month but the more the merrier!
Mark Tiplady
A Look at the Rules
Answer.
No. A handkerchief or towel may be wrapped around the grip. This is an exception to rule 14-3. Also, resin, powder and drying or moisturising agents may be used.
Upcoming Social Events
March
Club Quiz
Saturday 10th March 19:00
Quiz setter and MC – Kit Neilson
Teams of up to 6, £2.50 pp
Food at 7pm – Quiz at 8pm
April
Murder Mystery Dinner Show
Saturday 21st April 7pm
£29 for a 2 course meal and
an evening’s entertainment.
Your opportunity to rival Poirot,
Miss Marple and Holmes!
May – July
The Return of Team Golf
We are planning to stage this popular competition again this year for ten teams with the help of John White, who previously organised this for many years.
The full format and details, with a few slight changes from previously including more prizes, will be posted on the Social Notice Board mid-March, followed by the entry list on Thursday March 29th
Thursday evenings will be Social Golf
Opening Evening of Team Golf 17th May – ALL of the team to play.
Team pairs the following week onwards
Great fun – several prizes each week – start planning your teams.
If you are interested in taking part in any of these events please sign up on the board in the clubhouse foyer.
New to the club? On your own? Don’t know too many people?
Contact the Social Committee via carolroe@btinternet.com,
a committee member will happily introduce you to a friendly face. Everyone is welcome.
100 Club
The winners of the 100 Club prize draw for March were:
£100 Robin Good
£50 Ian Cantrill
£32 Mike Dale
£32 John Goodacre
£32 Laurie Clark
£32 Keith Turner
Congratulations to this month’s winners. The next draw will take place in the week beginning 19th March… look for the list of winners on the Secretary’s notice board.
Not a member of the 100 Club?
The objective of the Alresford Golf Club 100 Club is to raise funds for projects and items requiring capital expenditure that will enhance the Golf Course and/or the Clubhouse. Such projects would generally be considered as ‘extras’ and not necessarily be within the Club budget. The 100 Club was launched in 1987 to raise funds to augment the Centenary celebrations of the Golf Club in 1990, but at the request of the members, the 100 Club has continued to raise funds for items such as the Information Board and Clock on the 1st tee and the Automatic External Defibrillator in the Entrance Hall.
If you’re not a member of the 100 Club, you can become one for as little as £1 per month. Shares in the 100 Club are purchased for £1 per month and there is no limit on the number of shares which can be held. In general, most members have between 1 and 5 shares and pay by monthly direct debit, though it’s also possible to pay quarterly or annually. Each share is allocated a number which in entered in the monthly draw. The top prize is £100, with a second prize of £50 and four other prizes of £32. For more information contact George Clelland on 01962 735008 or george.clelland@btinternet.com, or call in to the Secretary’s office.
George Clelland
Results
Greensomes Flag Competition
Monday 2nd April 2018
Entry fee : £12.00pp to include a one course meal
Closing Date : Sat 24th March
Sign up form on Foyer notice board
Open to 5 & 7 Day members
Editor: Andy Thomsen
DISCLAIMER
The Editorial Team take no responsibility for incorrect information received from Contributors.