Fore Info February 2023
Content
- Interview of the month: Gunnel Berry
- An update from the Chair: important updates on our club
- Club and Ladies Captain News: news and results
- Rules Quiz Question and Answer: your golf bag falls over, moving your ball. Penalty?
- Competitions: Summer Knockouts: key deadlines, don’t miss out
- Juniors: upcoming roll ups and first Trophy dates
- Vets update: competition news and winners
- Social : a review of last month and future events- don’t miss the signups
- Greens News: find about the weather related course issues- why we were closed
- Winners in the 100 Club: did you win?
Lots in this edition and in particular our Lapland loving Gunnel Berry’s backstory. Any rumours that she was Santa’s physio are unsubstantiated. This month is also key for some ‘sign up’ dates for all Summer Knockouts and Social events. All the opportunities are there to improve your ‘member experience’. Are you getting the most out of your membership? We are so much more than just a golf course…
Thanks to those that emailed me with ideas for future editions. We are in particular looking at the column formatting to make an optimal choice both for users on laptops and phones. Enjoy the read, keep in touch.
David Marshall
Editor
Message to all members who are former students of Peter Symond’s College, Winchester.
Hello to those who attended the above when it was a Grammar School (you will be at least 60!) and those who came after into the Sixth Form College.
For many years, we have run two events annually – the annual Symondians Championship, and a Triangular match against Old Tauntonians and Old Edwardians. Both of these events have been held at Hockley GC and date back many decades.
Those of us who enjoy these events and the company have made a decision to extend our “repertoire” to add Alresford GC and Royal Winchester GC into the diary. These will be done under the auspices of “The Symondians Golf Society” (details coming in the Symondians website).
Therefore we are asking any member of Alresford GC, and/or their friends to consider joining us at Alresford on Weds 19thApril 2023 at 2pm. Should you then wish to join us in some or all of the remaining programme, we would be absolutely delighted.
For further details, please contact Jim Bulloch on 07891 452015
The best thing since Abba: our dancing Queen? our new Ladies Captain
Many of you might wonder what Swedish leadership style looks like.
Now we have a Swedish Ladies Captain we are going to find out. I spent some time with Gunnel (pronounced ‘goo nell’ not [sally] gunnel, rhyming with tunnel) and uncovered some surprising things about this quiet spoken, Abba fan.
Editor: So Gunnel, I hear you are not Alresford born and bred. Tell us about yourself.
Gunnel: I was born in Sweden and spent my childhood 5 hours south of Stockholm on the Baltic coast.
I loved sport and realised I had some skills (U16 hurdles county champion and 5th in U16 Swedish Championship Discus). Whilst doing an exchange student visit to the US, I got onto the honours list for the Iowa State in the 60 yard dash! Unfortunately glandular fever took its toll and I was unable to carry on athletics. I trained as a physiotherapist in London and practised back in Lapland, one of my favourite parts of Sweden. Great food, great people, great countryside. I met my English husband Peter on an Austrian ski holiday and we moved to set up a family (2 kids) together in Surrey/Hampshire. Apart from a year on island of Borneo we have lived in the same house in Preston Candover.
Editor: So you are still a physiotherapist?
Gunnel: No I am retired now but for many years I worked in the NHS and in private clinics and founded a new approach called Reflex Therapy, a method of rehabilitation to counteract effects of whiplash injuries. I have written and contributed to several books. I have always kept myself busy by volunteering at the school in the parents association and as church warden. I also worked for the blind by taking them on cross-country holidays in Norway and Finland. Winter sports including cross country skiing and long distance skating have always been my passion. Peter has been active too as a keen mountaineer, rower and sailor. He even took part in the Americas Cup.
Editor: How did you get into golf?
Gunnel: Some colleagues at work were leaving one day to play and asked me to join. It was just a short local course near Bordon but got me started.
Editor: Firstly tell us what is the role of Ladies Captain?
Gunnel: There is a lot in the job description but for me the primary role is to represent the ladies section and be our spokesperson.
Editor: What are some of the best things about the role?
Gunnel: I am so lucky to have such a great team working with me. Captaincy is not an individual but a team responsibility. I am looking forward to meeting members and it is my chance to give back to the club through my work.
Editor: What are the biggest challenges you have faced so far as Captain?
Gunnel: There is a lot of admin to sift through which can be tiresome. As a new Captain I need to build up working relationships with staff and members to earn their trust. I found the ‘drive-in’ a bit of a challenge!
Editor: Although I know nothing fazes you! What annoys you most ?
Gunnel: The ‘club diary’ has several sources and systems of accessibility which I find confusing and frustrating. Clutter in the ladies changing room does annoy me at times, as well as seeing lots of broken tees and litter on the course. I think I am not alone on the broken tees issue but how many members pick up broken tees and put in the box by the tee?
Editor: Not many. I am on the Greens Committee and Simon says the broken tee boxes are very rarely used at all. Let’s campaign together on this….
Editor: Tee bookings are contentious. Would you bring back tee bookings permanently or scrap them?
Gunnel: I would definitely not scrap the Tee booking system. They are a great help for people to assure their time out on the course. The course can reach its full potential with visiting green fee paying guests to balance the books – they wont come on an ad hoc basis but only if they know when to start play. Having a booking system helps to utilise the course fully and most importantly helps new members slot into empty slots and find new partners. Tee bookings have been commonplace across Europe for years so we are just catching up.
Editor: What are your aspirations for the Ladies Section?
Gunnel: My overall goal is to help the ladies section reach its full potential and keeping members happy. During COVID times like other clubs the activity of members was curtailed. Less golf and less social events meant we lost our mojo. Now with things almost back to normal I am keen to get our ladies back to winning ways and enjoying the social aspect of the club. Whether it be the lower, mid or higher handicap ladies we want to raise the reputation of AGC. Last year we started to excel and I am sure this year will be even better.
Secondly I would like to see more integration of ladies into the club rollup on a Wednesday. At first it might seem intimidating teeing it up with big hitting men but we ladies can score very well and enjoy golf and the apres golf.
Finally I would like to make the ladies section a welcoming space for old and new members
Quickfire Q and A
Your biggest sporting achievement?
5th in Swedish U16 Discus Championships
Favourite holiday destination
Lapland
Favourite Food?
Pancakes, blueberries and yoghurt
Favourite drink after a round?
Mug of Tea
Favourite Movie?
Doctor Zhivago
Favourite singer(s)?
Temptations
If you had only one thing to take on a desert island what would it be and why?
(there is enough food, water)
Photo of my family and a bible. The ‘old’ and ‘new’ integrates with generations reminding ourselves of what is important in life.
Management Corner
Continuous Improvement at Alresford Golf Club
It is clear that we wish take advantage of our course and improved facilities developing these further to ensure that Alresford Golf Club is regarded as one of the best golf clubs in Hampshire. That aspiration has been described in a couple of ways;
- To be in the top ten golf clubs in Hampshire
- To be the best downland course in Hampshire
To achieve our aspiration continued investment in course and facilities is required. Continuous improvements must be well-planned and included in our annual budgets to ensure affordability.
The Management Committee has therefore implemented two working parties; Continuous Improvement (Course) to be led by Chair of Greens – Derek Myers, Continuous Improvement (Built Environment) to be led by Chair of House – Alan Farrell
The two working parties will report into the Management Committee with defined three-year plans.
Honorary Membership
The Management Committee decided that the criteria for Honorary Membership needed to be reviewed, together with the process for nominating people for this prestigious and advantageous status at the Club. The review will be carried out ‘at arm’s length’ from the Management Committee and will be led by Nick Duncan. Nick was formally chair of Planning & Development at our Club and has been a member for more than 30-years, so is well placed to consult across our Club prior to making full recommendations back to the Management Committee.
Visitor, Guest and Society Green Fee income
Our Club has purposefully and successfully targeted increased membership, year-on-year, for the past three years. Winter course capacity was an issue when covid restrictions were in place for two years but this has now eased somewhat as members get back to more normal lives which include. The Club also removed the HPLS scheme and Winter Membership scheme to prioritise our growing number of full members.
Our visitor green fee income has reduced by 25% in recent years due to Covid and the priority use of the course by members. We need to ensure that the Club is attracting the right balance of income from members and visitors yet still prioritise members’ golf.
We need to examine and implement ways to attract visitor green fees at the times which are least popular with members. We can see through the tee times data regular slots when the course is under utilised and we have visual evidence for course usage when tee times are not in use.
Tee Times are supervised through the Captain’s Committee who receive feedback from members about the current system. They receive comments in support of tee times and opposing feedback not in support of feedback – as always we have differing views across our Club. The Management Committee has asked the Captain’s Committee to consider the business-need of providing confirmed tee times for visitors so that we can attract the green fee income enjoyed in pre-covid years.
Clubhouse Development & Members’ Loans
The Club owes its members £506,000 following the issue of loan notes to fund the Clubhouse development. At the outset the Club sought to raise £800,000 to fund the development split between; £300,000 from the Club’s cash reserves and £500,000 in members’ loan notes which was ultimately exceeded by just £6000.
It is important to understand that the club planned perfectly for the project making the very best use of the limited, available funds.
- The Club had perfectly predicted, to within 0.75%, the funds that would be available to fund the development.
- The Club has then delivered the Clubhouse Development to within 1% of budgeted costs which is remarkable within contemporary, inflationary times. The Club is yet to receive the final bill from Ascia, however, we maintain tight and effective management of the costs through our retained Quantity Surveyor.
- The Clubhouse is now more popular than ever on a day-to-day basis and events are better attended by a more inclusive cross-section of the Club, including social members. Food and Beverage sales are likely to be around 150% of previous levels when the Club managed the bar, and trained and managed bar staff.
- The Club budgeted in full for VAT to be applied to Clubhouse Development costs, but was aware that some of the VAT may be reclaimable. The Club is in the process of finalising that VAT reclaim which may result in around 15 to 20% of the VAT paid being reclaimed.
The Club now needs to balance continued development of our course and facilities and the need to make interest payments on loan notes and indeed repay the £506,000 debt to members in the coming years. Our budgets have been well-set and well-managed by David Crawshaw – Chair of Finance to prioritise administration of Members’ loans; respecting and achieving our well-set budgets is delivering effective, scheduled repayment of Members’ Loan notes.
Canopy Sails
The canopy for the patio continues to be an issue of cost. The provision and installation of the canopy was removed from the overall builder’s contract as was the associated, estimated cost of £12,000, due disagreement between the Club and our contractor. The Club has been trying to source the sails direct, but has received an estimate for more than double to budgeted cost. The Management Committee, through its robust governance and procedures, has not approved that increased cost. Alan Farrell, Chair of the House Committee, is now avidly leading on a review of the design for the canopy sails and indeed obtaining competitive estimates. Whilst it is still hoped to have canopy sails in place for the Spring this year, the Management Committee cannot accept the current, estimated cost.
Membership Renewals
Thank you to all members who have helped the Club by making their 2023 subscriptions on-time, it is much appreciated. This is a very busy time of year for the office working hard to finalise all of our memberships.
The Club budgets to lose about 9% of its members each year, which again appears to be accurate for 2023 renewals. Ultimately this will result in around 50 vacancies for full members that we seek to fill during the golfing year. Given increased household costs, this carries more risk than filling last year’s vacancies.
However, I am predicting a fantastic golfing year at our Club. We have all been so restricted by the weather this winter, and not been able to get out onto the course as much as we might have liked. I know that this has not reduced the workload of our Greens Team who are preparing for the course for the golfing year ahead.
Looking Ahead
So, I wish you all a brilliant golfing year in 2023 and look forward to us all enjoying our wonderful course, and excellent Clubhouse facilities and service. Sadly, we lose Imy and Harriet from the Clubhouse in February as they head off travelling, we wish them well and assure them of a warm welcome whenever they return. On behalf of the Club, thank you for making such a difference!
Robert White
Chairman of the Management Committee
From the Club Captain
January, not an easy month for golf!
Congratulations to all those who qualified from their league in the Lombard and Mixed Winter competitions. Onto the knockout stages and perhaps some better weather.
There are many events that I to look forward to this year, one of the first is the Men v Hampshire County match on 12th February. This fixture was created 52 years ago, two matches have been cancelled in its tenure, so this is the 50th fixture. For those of you who do not know the history; David Harrison OBE created this match in 1971 when he was Hampshire Captain. David has been an outstanding amateur golfer having won the Hampshire County Championship a record six times, played for the Hampshire team for over twenty years and twice won The Golf Illustrated Gold Vase (a prestigious amateur scratch stroke play tournament, both times he won at Sunningdale).
Along with David’s amateur golfing successes he joined the R&A in 1981, serving on several committees and as a qualified official he has acted as referee on many big occasions, including The Open Championship, The Masters, US Open and championships across Europe and Japan. In 2007 David received the ultimate honour of becoming Captain of the R&A. As well as his work at the R&A, he has held high-profile positions with the English Golf Union, the International Golf Federation, was president of the Association of Golf Club Secretaries and chairman of the Championship Committee of the European Golf Association. In 2010, he was awarded the OBE for services to golf.
We at Alresford, still to this day, could not be more proud of David. Therefore it is no surprise that I am delighted that David, at the age of 86, will again play for Alresford against the County. Considering the significant anniversary, we have a larger field of 48 players this year which will be followed by a celebratory dinner with several Alresford Past Captains and Hampshire Golf dignitaries joining us.
I hope for dry weather and a few more degrees than now, but more importantly I ask for understanding from members for the tee restrictions on the day. The 1st tee will be closed for 18 holes from 8:45am but 9 holes can be played until 10:40am. The 1st and 10th tees need to be clear for an 11am two-tee start. For a window, the 1st tee will open again for members from midday and close around 12.45pm to allow those who started on the 10th to move onto the front 9 holes. Both ClubV1 and the online diary will be updated with the finer details. Thank you in advance.
On other matters, I thoroughly enjoyed the New Year’s Eve celebrations and mid-January Quiz evening (thank you Ben) and then Burns Night. The events at the club attract such a wide audience of varying ages. Well done to the Social Committee who are getting the events pitched just right and thanks to George and Jennifer Clelland for Burns Night. Please check your availability for the February events.
Simon Freemantle
Club Captain
Ladies Section
This month has been overwhelmed with challenging weather conditions such as rain, freezing temperatures and temporary greens resulting in plenty of cancelled competitions, e.g. Maple Leaf: vs Blacknest (H), Hayling: – vs Stoneham (H) , Winter Triple at Lee-on-Solent (the course needs 2 weeks to dry out after heavy rain). Postponed matches will be played at a later date.
Matches Played:
5th Jan Maple Leaf vs Army (A) – lost 2:3 , only just.
6th Jan Legg Bowl vs Blacknest (H) – won 12 holes up.
14th Jan Pro Mixed Stableford: Won by Jo Youngs
17th Jan Pro Ladies: No entries.
Ladies Roll-up: 3rd Jan: No finishes 24th January 21 people signed up but many fell away due to the weather and frozen temporary greens
Social: Quiz evening – full house, great evening; Burn’s Night 74 members attended seeing the haggis carried in to playing Bagpipes and joint singing of Auld Lang Syne. Very enjoyable.
Other:
- AGM of Hampshire Ladies Golf at Royal Winchester GC attended by our representative Ann Younger, Jill England outgoing Captain and Jane Scott President for the HLG. Rosemary Verrall received the Stoneham Plate for runner’s up in the Stoneham Cup 2022.
- Cynthia Mariner is the Alresford GC winner and if her scores are good enough she will qualify for a place in the area final to be played at Royal Winchester GC on 2nd July that could lead to a place in the Race for Woodhall Spa Final in August 2023.
- 8th Jan ‘The Captain’s Hour’. 2 new and 1 old member joined the Ladies Captain – for a coffee and chat on the sofa.
- Bridge Club activities are ongoing.
With my very best wishes,
Gunnel
Lady Captain
Competitions and Handicap Committee Report
Winter 2022/23 – Competitions and General Play
The winter Pro’s Stableford competition schedule continues as follows
Saturday 4th February – Mixed 18 hole (Men yellow/Ladies Red)
Tuesday 7th February – Ladies 9 hole
Wednesday 15th February – Mixed 18 hole (Men yellow/Ladies Red)
Additional Non Qualifying (play the course as you find it) competitions may be added – details will be posted in the weekly Member’s Update.
These competitions have a £3 entry fee for 18 holes or £2 for 9 hole competitions. The mixed and men’s competitions also have an optional 2’s club (cost £2 for 18 holes, £1 for 9 holes). Each of the above are Pro’s Stableford competitions and any winnings will be credited to Pro Shop accounts.
As a reminder, Greenstaff will update the App of a daily basis as to whether the courses is qualifying or not, and the course signage will be visible on the first tee, clearly stating whether the course is deemed qualifying or not. The decision taken at the time of posting the course status if final and will NOT change after that time.
The C&H Committee really would appreciate your help and only submit general play cards on a day when the course is deemed qualifying – please refer to the daily App notification.
Winter Knockouts
The League stages of the Mixed Winter Foursomes and Men’s Lombard 4BBB league matches have now concluded and the knockout draw for the qualifying teams has been drawn. Please see note board for details.
Summer Knockouts
Entry for the following knockouts is now open.
|
Entry Closes |
Knockout Commences |
|
| Company Cup
(by invitation) |
26th February 23 | 6th March 23 |
|
Cooper (Men’s Foursomes) |
5th March 23 | 13th March 23 |
|
Rotherham (Mixed drawn Foursomes) |
5th March 23 | 13th March 23 |
Entry for the following competitions will open on 13th February 2023
| Entry Closes | Knockout Commences | |
| Wessex | 26th March 23 | 26th March 23 |
|
Ross (Over 50s) |
3rd April 2023 | 3rd April 2023 |
Entry for all the knockout competitions will be via the Club V1 App/HowDidiDo. From the Dashboard; select the appropriate knockouts and select the drop down arrow and “view details” and then “enter knockout”. The £3 entry fee will be deducted from your members gold card on entry.
Gill Freemantle
Chair Competitions & Handicap Committee, Handicap Secretary
A Look at the Rules
Question
A player walks up besides their ball and places their carry bag alongside. After a short time while thinking of what shot to play, their carry bag falls over and moves the ball. Is the player subject to a penalty?
Juniors Section
Oscar Vaughan
Juniors Captain
Vets Section
January was a quiet month for the Vets following the hectic period before Christmas. The Rollups have been badly affected by the weather but none have been cancelled despite the wet conditions early in the month being followed immediately by cold and frosty conditions in mid January
Two Winter League matches were completed with mixed fortunes. Against Salisbury and South Wilts we managed our first win of the campaign with a 2.5:1.5 victory, but could only manage a 2:2 draw at home against South Winchester. The final game of this second match was finely balanced approaching the last couple of holes when the opposition, first timers to Alresford, birdied both the 17’th and 18’th to win 1 up and to draw the match. Such is golf!
So our record to date is 1 Win, 2 Halved and 2 Lost.
Towards the end of the month the weather struck again and two league matches were cancelled. I had planned a photo of the Alresford team about to take on Hockley at home but with the return of frosty conditions the match was postponed (for the second time). Instead the photo just shows the course minus the players. Two days later the away match against Corhampton was also postponed due to the weather.
Our thoughts are now turning to the new season which will start with the Vets Captain v Vice Captain Competition on 8 March, then the first Summer Friendly match (home to Petersfield) the following week and the Vets & Ladies Breeze-up the week after. All members of the Vets Section with a handicap can take part in the matches and competitions, our aim is to grow the number of Vets who participate in the matches so if you would like to give it a go please contact me or simply sign up on ClubV1.
Steve Oldham
Vets Captain
General Manager’s Update
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the following members who have all joined us since 1st January; Neil Adams, Julian Cox, Katie Adlington, Lucy Harby, Tony Jones, Nigel Kaye, Simon Clews, Patrick Ker, Eben and Jill Wilson (7 day), Greg Wood, David Jones, Michael Richards, Geoff Shannon and James Bellis (5 day) , Ben Ludlam and Daniel Rolfe ( Intermediate) and Julia Hockey (Academy).
Welcome to Alresford and we hope you enjoy your time at the club.
CLUB ‘ROLL UP’
Fancy a game during the week? All members are welcome to come along to the informal ‘club roll-up’ on Wednesday mornings. There is a tee reservation between 11.00-12.00 – members wishing to take part should meet at the starters hut from approx. 10.45am for allocation of groups. As per the times highlighted for the Ladies and Vets Sections, we politely ask members to show courtesy to those who wish to play in this ‘roll up’ at this time. If you do not wish to play with this group please choose another time if possible. If there continues to be a limited use of this time, then the Captains Committee will review the tee allocation.
CLUB DIARY – IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Members should have noticed that the club diary icon within the Club V1 app, now contains details of matches, golf societies etc. Finally it does now link with our google calendar and so reflects the full club dairy with any tee reservations for matches or golf societies.
HISTORY BOOKS
Have you finished all your box sets, read all your Christmas present books and now looking for something to occupy your time?
Did you know that we have copies of the History of Alresford Golf Club available for purchase from the Office at a cost of £10.
This is a fascinating insight into how the club was established and its transition from 9 hole course to the 18 hole course we have today. There are stories and memories from members past and present as well as photos. It’s a great coffee table book !
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
Follow us at https://www.instagram.com/alresford_golf_club/
SHEEP ON THE COURSE
the sheep are baaaaaaack. Social distancing still applies.
All members are reminded that entry into the sheep enclosure is not permitted.
Members with pace makers must stay away from the electric fence.
Any part of the general area of the course which is being used as a sheep enclosure is defined as an abnormal ground condition all of which is a no play zone. Rule 16.1f applies and free relief must be taken under Rule 16.1b. The nearest point of complete relief should be identified and a substitute ball must be dropped and come to rest in the relief area.
If it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in the sheep enclosure, then Rule 16.1b applies. The player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b using the estimated point where the ball crosses the edge of the sheep enclosure as the spot of the ball for the purposes of finding the nearest point of complete relief. If, however, it is not known or virtually certain that the ball came to rest in the sheep enclosure, the ball is lost and the player must take stroke and distance relief under Rule 18.2.
WINTER IS HERE: BE SAFE
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.
David Maskery
General Manager
Social
It is good to see so many members and guests attend the Social events. Since the reopening of the clubhouse, SoCom have held 2 quizzes, a music night, a race night, NYE and the Club dinner and I am pleased to report that we have had 300+ different members and guests attending these events. A fantastic response from the members.
A quiet start to the year and on Friday 13th January we had ‘Ben’s Quiz’ with again 90+ attending. Slightly different format to the usual quiz with ‘Play Your Cards Right’ at the interval for a James Ward-Prowse Southampton football shirt or a 4 ball at Hayling Island. After a few attempts to win either of these including first out of the hat, our Club Captain, it was eventually won by Dave Buckland who chose the football shirt and immediately donated it for the captain to auction at a later date. A very generous gesture. Although it was not a fund-raising event, the night raised £680 for the Clubs charity mainly due to the additional raffle tickets purchased for the donated shirt.
Saturday 11th February – Valentines Dinner with a ‘Mr & Mrs’ Question and Answer Comparison Competition
Team Golf
Save the Date – 16th February 5pm
The new season is fast approaching as we all look forward to some enjoyable nine hole Summer evening golf. Therefore in order that members fully understand TG, we are holding an informal evening’s gathering on Thursday 16th February from 5pm to 7pm, to be available to talk members through the format and rules. This should be also be particularly helpful to newer members and all those who may wish to join in and meet other members.
Captains will be able to commence entering their teams on the Thursday 2nd of March with entries closing on the 2nd of April or sooner, if we reach our maximum of 12 teams.
The transfer window is therefore OPEN!
TG Dates 2023
The season starts with the first event on Thursday 27th of April which will be the first round of the TG Championship, when everyone plays and the best four scores from each team count. The second round being played the week after the league finishes, on 20th July .
The League starts on the 4th of May and continues for the next eleven weeks, the last week being the 13th July.
Further information will be circulated in due course.
We look forward to seeing you and another year of fun golf!
John, Jan, and Jim White
Organisers on behalf of the Social Committee.
A full house of members and guests sat down to our 29th Burns Supper on Saturday 21st January.
The traditional haggis, neeps and tatties was preceded by whipped Westcombe goats cheese and followed by a cranachan, coffee and mints. The haggis, adorned with a large sprig of heather, was paraded through the assembled company to the pipes played by David Pickworth, and then addressed and toasted by George Clelland.
The main speech and toast, The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns, was proposed by Carol Roe who gave the audience an outline of Burns’ life and works from the hard graft and poverty of tenant farming to the sophistication of Edinburgh high society and then finally to the graft of His Majesty’s Customs & Excise, plus producing or adapting nearly 400 poems and songs … quite a lot in 37 years. The Toast to the Lassies was proposed by Alistair Gray. While acknowledging Burns’ undoubted charms with the opposite sex, would he still be as successful in the present day and would perceive any change or progress in the rights of women. Ladies Captain, Gunnel Berry, dressed in a colourful traditional Swedish outfit, gave the reply to Alistair’s toast. With a cleverly worded speech Gunnel gave gentle poke at the vagaries of men’s behaviour and attitudes which brought the formal part of the evening to an end. The evening concluded with closing remarks from Club Captain Simon Freemantle, followed by everyone giving a hearty rendition of Auld Lang Syne.
I would like to give my personal thanks to all those who contributed to the success of the evening. My thanks go to Jennifer Clelland for delivering the Selkirk Grace; Mike White for proposing the Loyal Toast; Ben Shaughnessy and all the kitchen and serving staff; our piper David Pickworth and of course, the principal speakers, Carol Roe, Alistair Gray and Gunnel Berry.
George Clelland
Greens
I feel like the last month has been dominated by weather unsuitable for golf or perhaps I’m becoming a fair-weather golfer, either way I’ve only managed to play a few times since I wrote my last FORE contribution. As I write this the course has reopened after a two-day closure, something that rarely happens. Hopefully all members felt that we communicated the reasons for the closures clearly, I particularly liked the ‘root shear’ video starring Ben Goodyear! Those of you that missed it can still see the video on the club Facebook page and USGA video explaining it.
https://www.facebook.com/alresfordgolfclub/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liXz4yJZc1U
We asked our Course Manager, Simon Justice, to attend the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition in Harrogate this week. There will be a fuller report from Simon in future editions but the main takeaways from the event were that golf courses will be hit with further restrictions in machinery, chemical use and water usage. It is nothing we do not already know, but certainly something that will keep us on our toes over the coming years.
With frost in the ground our greenkeeping team have focussed on tree work, principally to the right of the 17th and around the car park and wedge range. They have also given the compound yard by the 10th hole a tidy up and carried out some more machinery maintenance, plus some winter housekeeping such as touching up the paint work on the yardage discs.
Those of you that have used the wedge range recently will have noticed that the new Huxley green is in play. As the weather improves, we will be working to further improve the condition of the sward and bunkers, plus completing the construction of the 5th tee and the extension of the grass tee on the range in time for the season.
Coming up, the Sport Turf Research Institute (STRI) will visit AGC to carry out a short review of the course, about half a day. They will be able to advise our Course Manager on the management of the sward. This is not unusual for top golf clubs to routinely consult advisors and bodies such as the STRI, agronomists, course architects, Natural England, etc on a regular basis, if only to confirm they are on the right track.
Finally, the Course Manager, in due course, will be asking for volunteers to help the green keeping team with some specific tasks over the coming year. So, if you are interested in helping to maintain our course, or perhaps help with course maintenance week or maintain the flower bed by the first tee, keep your eye out for communications from Simon!
Derek Myers
Chair Greens Committee
A Look at the Rules
Answer
No. As the carry bag did not fall over as soon as the player put it down, It is assumed that the golf bag fell over due to natural forces. The player must replace the ball before taking their next shot. See Rule Clarification 9.2b/1
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 the editor.
Pro’s Corner
NEW MEMBER OF PRO SHOP TEAM
Liam Spencer will be joining the Pro Shop Team on February 7th 2023.
Liam’s background consists of 7 years in the golfing industry, developing his skillset in multiple areas of the golfing world. Liam is enthusiastic to showcase everything he has learnt in the first year of being professional from product knowledge to helping you with your game!
Liam will also be coaching, and his diary will be open for bookings very shortly. We are very much looking forward in welcoming Liam to the AGC family.
TIP OF THE MONTH
As the big thaw is going to be happening over the coming days I thought it would be a great idea to give you a few tips and hints with your short game when it comes to playing off the wet softer fairways.
Click on the links below to watch the videos and I do hope they help you to enjoy your golf a little more through the Winter Months.
Chipping Tip – (1) How to Chip a Golf Ball in Winter Conditions – YouTube
Pitching Tip – (1) Pitching Golf Ball off Wet Soggy Lies – YouTube
Ex Rental Trollies for sale.
We are selling our electric rental trollies as we have a new fleet coming in very soon.
We only have 3 of these for sale so first come first served.
Motocaddy M5 GPS Ultra Lithium Battery
2 Years Old
Retail Price £995.00
Our Price £475.00
Still in Warranty, so you have full peace of mind.
CUSTOM FIT FOR A BETTER GAME
All the new products from Callaway, TaylorMade and Ping have now landed in the Pro Shop and are available for custom fitting.
The new products look amazing and the feedback from my early fittings have been outstanding with the results. Faster ball speeds, extra distance and in some cases an extra 35 yards with the Driver.
If you would like a custom fitting, then please contact the pro shop and book in today.
OFFERS OF THE MONTH
Buy a Galvin green waterproof suit and receive a Galvin green Gore-Tex bucket rain hat worth £55.00 Free of Charge.
Buy a Ladies crested waterproof Footjoy Jacket and receive a Free Crested Bobble Hat worth £19.95.
Titleist Pro V1’s – Buy a Dozen Pro V1’s for £45.00 Now only £38.00. Buy two dozen for £70.00 or 3 dozen for £99.00.
Titleist AVX – Buy a Dozen Pro AVX for £45.00 Now only £38.00. Buy two dozen for £70.00 or 3 dozen for £99.00.
PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE
Your Professional Shop at Alresford Golf Club Price Matches with the big online retailers like American Golf and Clubhouse Golf. In some cases, we are cheaper than the online retailers, for example, Footboy Premier Shoes are £159.99 in our shop and online they are £169.99 saving you £10.00.
So next time you are looking at making your next purchase, please consider us as we always give a warm and professional service.
Thank you as always for all your support and look forward in seeing you all very soon.
Mark Wood
Head Professional
100 Club
The men scoop the prizes for February
Our winners in the 100 Club prize draw for February 2023
£100 Steve Johnson
£50 Bob Archer
£35 Prizewinners
Trevor Nice
Jane Scott
Barry Norgate
Mike Pigott
Ron Markwick
Congratulations to our February winners. The men have been lucky this month with Jane as our sole representative for the ladies.
A little look back at winners in 2022 showed that 13 members appeared twice and 2 appeared three times in the random draw – always with different share numbers except on three occasions. Seven members were drawn as winners for the very first time since joining the 100 Club. As always – you have to be in to win it!
A date for your diaries – Friday 28 July is the date for the 100 Club annual Summer Stableford and Evening Meal. Keep the date and join in with other 100 Club members.
Why not make 2023 the year you join the 100 Club – you may win a cash prize.
If you would like to be part of the 100 Club and actively contribute towards future enhancements to our golf club facilities, and have the chance of winning a cash prize each month, then why not join us. If you are already a member then please encourage your fellow golfers to join us too.
The monthly draw will now be for seven cash prizes: £100, £50 and five at £35.
Each share cost £1 per month paid for by monthly standing order and there is no limit to the number you can purchase. Members generally have between 1 and 10 shares with 5 being the most common holding.
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.
Pat Wallis
Editor: David Marshall
DISCLAIMER
The Editorial Team take no responsibility for incorrect information received from Contributors.
