Fore Info June 2021
Editorial
Although it may be too early to say things are getting back to normal, AGC is coming back to life. The photo above shows a ‘far from normal’ shot. A visitor’s ball landed on the wall and he played it! Before George calls ‘rule infringement’, it was just a friendly game but he entertained us on the terrace and was applauded after getting back on the green.
Don’t miss the June update from Rob White on the Tee Times and Planning update. If you really want to help your club, help us find bar/catering support staff or volunteer yourself. John will be happy to train you.
This edition brings insight to the Captains role, through the interview with Ladies Captain, Di Peisley. The first of the Captains interviews. We need a flow of future captains so I hope some of you might aspire to put on the special jacket and help your club.
Plenty to report on the state of the course in Bob’s Greens Corner, which I hear is the first read for many of you. Learn about the tarpaulins across the course in the evenings.
With the Club Championship coming soon, make sure you also read George’s important update.
Finally it is great to hear that Alresford is making history on a number of external competition fronts. We do really have a club to be proud of. Our full membership is a sign of our success. Welcome all new readers!
My sponsored ‘Golf Handicap Chasedown’ for the Captains Charities reached over £500. Thanks to all who did or will contribute online or on the noticeboard/office. Keep it coming. The Chairmans big donation still to come!
If you have ideas to further improve Fore Info, please email me at newsletter@alresfordgolf.co.uk or look me up on the club directory for a chat.
David Marshall
Editor
Management Corner
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Tee Times
As has become customary over the past 15 months; we await announcements from central Government and golfing authorities on Covid restrictions that may subside on June 21st or indeed may not.
You will recall that Tee Times have been in place under emergency measures throughout the pandemic, when the course has been open. If golfing authorities permit the removal of Tee Times we will remove the need to book ahead at the earliest possible opportunity, but of course it may take a few days to sort out. We will of course provide full information at that time.
The emergency Tee Times have become a bit of a ‘marmite’ subject; some members love them and some members hate them. At this democratic members’ Club it is important that all members have the opportunity to voice their own opinions and to be heard equally, therefore; the Club will hold a full members’ consultation on Tee Times at the appropriate time.
So; we will return to ‘roll up’ golf should authorities permit, and then consult on the future so that the will of our full members can be carried. Any permanent changes to our traditional ‘roll up’ golf will need to be voted in/out at a General Meeting of the Club.
The Management Committee and the Captains Committee will work together to ensure that any consultation is open, transparent, democratic and in the best interests of the Club.
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Clubhouse Development
The decision on planning permission for the proposed Clubhouse Development Project is scheduled to be made by 8th June 2021; we have not received any information to suggest that the decision is not running to time. Therefore; I very much hope to be able to provide you further updates throughout June through the General Manager and of course our subject matter expert; Sue Masser- Chair of the House Committee.
Key Members
Bob Moore – Chair of Greens, alerted me to the number of members who signed up instantly to assist with the leather-jacket grubs issue by volunteering to cover a different green each evening. Its just amazing; how willing members are to get involved in so many voluntary activities; marshalling the course, acting as starters, building the new starter’s hut….it goes on-and-on.
So…a huge thank you to all our Key Members, you make our Club so unique!
Robert White
Chair of the Management Committee
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Our Ladies Captain: putting members first
Di Peisley in the interview hotseat
Many of you might wonder what life is like as a Captain of Alresford Golf Club. Maybe you aspire to be Captain or just wonder what on earth they do all the time?
In this edition I get to better understand the role through the eyes of our present Ladies Captain, Di Peisley. She gives us a peak into the highs and lows of her captains year and I also get to uncover her off course skills and experiences. Quite a talented lady! Enjoy the read.
So Di, I hear you are not Alresford born and bred. Tell us about yourself.
Yes David, I am an Australian citizen but have lived in the UK since 1974. My ex-husband moved us to London for work. I stayed, with our 3 children but he has since gone back. We soon moved to Hampshire where the family joined in village life and continued our love and pursuit of equestrian activities. For a few years I ran an Equestrian Centre as well as having occasional B&B guests. Although I still love horses its now just the daughter and grand daughter that ride. I subsequently decided to take up golf and soon joined Alresford.
A busy family life…I have always been an artist, having studied and worked as a teacher in Sydney and the UK. Now I just love all artistic activities ‘collages’ at present are my speciality.
How did you get into golf?
Well my parents were both keen golfers. In fact my mother was twice Club Champion at her course in Sydney. Despite their passion for golf, growing up, I only had eyes for horses! A friend suggested that I join her and begin to play golf and and I was hooked, playing initially at Worldham, Avington and Four Marks.
Firstly tell us what is the role of Ladies Captain?
I see my role as taking care of our ladies. Making sure they enjoy their golf as well as their social time at the club. It is critical to me that new members feel at home and quickly find playing partners and friends.
As Alresford Ladies ambassador I need to be at as many Alresford matches as possible to welcome and where possible, play too. The Captain is a key supporter to the Ladies Teams and attends away games whenever possible.
A key part of the role is chairing the Ladies Committee meetings and attending Captains Committee Meetings. Not always the most fun time but it gives you great insight and input into the workings of the club. I am proud of the smooth running of all the committees, although opinions often differ, and the great volunteers we have in the ladies section.
It is wonderful to be able to raise money for Our Charities and also help with the organisation of many different events held in the year.
| Present Role |
Ladies Captain, Alresford Golf Club 2020/21 Artist (BA, MA Southampton Uni.) |
| Married | Formerly |
| Children | Three (Andrew, Samantha, Fionna) |
| Hobbies | Reading, Bridge, Gardening and of course Golf |
| Golf Handicap | 20.3 |
What are some of the best things about the role?
Well I get lots of opportunity to play golf, usually averaging 2-3 times a week. I get to know most members and play with many I never did before. But the best part is the assigned CAR PARKING SPACE!
What are the biggest challenges you have faced so far as Captain?
COVID has affected all of us in some way and much of the captains activities were curtailed. Let’s hope that’s soon behind us.
We have some tough decisions to make in the Ladies Committee. Sometimes I have to make unwelcome calls but what I believe is the best for the Club at this time. I have learned you can’t satisfy or please everyone. Although at times it is tempting to spill the beans, sorry I cannot! We have a large Ladies section and I hope to keep the majority as happy and contented as possible.
At present I miss the Ladies Roll ups as it is a chance for the members to mix and get to know and play with different people.
Most members are extremely supportive and Past Captains are a wonderful source of information and help. They have experienced many of the difficulties one faces at times.
What annoys you most ? Maybe something about those slow men?
It is a shame that some members are not aware of play behind them. Letting faster players though would help everyone. Slow play, unrepaired pitch marks and unraked bunkers are all things that upset everyone, but we still see it every week.
We Ladies have our Tuesday morning unofficial (9-11 am) slot but we get some men booking, despite a David Maskery request not to. That bugs me! Our Ladies would not dare to turn up when we know some of the men have regular times that they play.
It would be great if all members treated each other with courtesy and respect at all times.
What would you like to change if you could?
As a keen dog lover, I would love to see the club rules follow those at Liphook , Hockley, or Hankley Common and allow dogs on a lead. My wire haired daschund would love it although he would need to mature and become more obedient before this could occur.
Tee bookings are contentious. Would you bring back tee bookings permanently?
Tee bookings are great to ensure you don’t spend too long waiting to play. Also one then knows how many hours one is committed. This should be a bonus for those who work or have young families. Given that we have a full club and now more playing, we may have issues once booking is removed. I have waited sometimes up to an hour on the first tee before booking was introduced. I know this is an extremely contentious issue but I would like to see some blocked booking zones for example ladies on Tuesdays (9-11 am). This allows mixing but in a managed way and a chance for the Ladies to play their competitions without interruption. Maybe this would make way for other sections.
What are your aspirations for the Ladies Section?
I really want to make the Ladies Section ‘inclusive’ where everyone feels comfortable and has fun. Whether that be low handicap match players, right through to those happy to just be enjoying the course and companionship. I would like to see the higher handicappers who are new to golf included in all events and encouraged and helped by some of the better players. After all we all had to begin and I can remember being helped so much in my early years at the Club by many lower handicappers who all joined the Saturday morning Ladies roll up. I believe we have a reputation for being a friendly club and one of the largest ladies sections in Hampshire! As captain I want to reinforce this great legacy.
Quickfire Q and A
Your biggest golfing achievement?
Two holes in 1 (10th ) in a single year, 2 others since, on the 6 th and 13 th.
Favourite holiday destination
Italy: I love the people, culture and the food
Favourite Food?
Oysters
Favourite drink after a round?
Gunners (Lime, ginger ale and bitters)
Favourite Movie?
Pride and Prejudice
Favourite singer(s)?
Pavarotti, Bob Marley and many others.
If you had only one thing to take on a desert island what would it be and why?
A magic freezer that would produce unlimited ice cream in the desired flavour on demand. This has been a favourite wish of mine ever since I first read the Australian story of the Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay
From the Club Captain
There is an increased feeling of normality returning as we see knockout matches taking place (thank you for avoiding busy times where possible), team matches, visitors and societies and Team Golf on Thursday evenings.
Our Ladies had a most successful and enjoyable time at Corhampton in the Hampshire Ladies Golf Championships. Di will cover this in her report but congratulations to all who took part. We hope for more success next year when Alresford host this highly prestigious event.
The Mens Scratch Team opened their season with an away fixture in the Annodata National Match Play at Horsham GC. The sideways rain and ‘blowy’ wind finally relented as the last group tee’d off and all matches were keenly contested. Two halved matches and three wins meant an overall 4 v 1 result in Alresford’s favour, which puts us through to round 2.
On Saturday 28th May, we start the EAGG scratch group matches away to Corhampton with following fixtures against Waterlooville, Hartley Wintney and Andover to come and of course the County 7s, where we have received a bye into the second round. The Scratch League fixtures are being finalised and will be found on Club V1. Thanks to the team and good golfing.
The Men’s friendly team took on Hayling Island in a gale and heavy rain! Arguably the greatest challenge in Hampshire and unsurprising lost 5-0.
Lady Captain Di and I were pleased to play in the Mixed friendly fixture at Petersfield. Although this fixture was also affected by weather, it was most enjoyable, and we were just pipped 4½ – 3½. These are good fun fixtures so if you would like to take part, please add your name to the list on the notice board or contact Marion or Alan Bruce direct.
Vice-Captain Simon has been active working with our new male members. We have a New Male Member evening of 9 holes of golf on Tuesday 15th June and hope to see many new chaps, with support from longer serving members. The Ladies and Vets have good systems in place to help new members to integrate and we expect this to evolve for gentlemen over the coming years.
The Captain-Pro challenge is proving to be extremely popular. Mark and I have enjoyed all our matches and it’s particularly good for Mark to meet members on the course. Remember, we accept challenges from any pair of members, 4BBB matchplay. Pairs who beat the Captain-Pro will play off to be the first winners of the Captain-Pro Challenge Trophy, which you will see in the ProShop, above the workshop door. We suggest a minimum donation of £20 to the Captains Charity for these matches.
Your Captains are all looking forward to seeing everyone on Captain’s Charity Day, Sunday 6th June. The sign-up sheet is almost full. Please be sure to reserve your food (BBQ with chicken kebab, Robinsons Burger and Sausage plus salads). Teams of 4, all playing from the yellow tees, prizes for winning morning and afternoon teams. The long overdue Captains Drive-In will take place around 7:00-7:30pm. Please bring cash!! There will be a big raffle, putting comp, silent auctions, and other fun activities. Thank you for all donated prizes.
Happy golfing!
Tip
Ladies Section
The past month has been fairly busy whilst settling in to the new normality with our regular competitions and others being introduced. Team Golf has also begun kindly organised by John White.
A number of our ladies took part in Hampshire Ladies Golf Championships at Corehampton in May with some excellent results. Despite the appalling weather conditions, Karen Fox won the Hampshire Challenge Bowl, Rosie Rooney (13 years old) was Runner Up in the Hampshire Challenge Salver, and Sarah Densham came 3rd in the one day Division 2 Competition. Others qualified and managed to get through to the second and third rounds including Jane Scott, Polly Church and Liz Williams a great Alresford achievement. Allena Doley who is a member at West Meon and Alresford was runner up to Karen. Congratulations to all.
A number of us played in the Petersfield Mixed Match kindly organised by Marion Bruce and although wet was an enjoyable afternoon.
The Mary Anderson Trophy was efficiently organised and run, at a distance, by Linda Wager who is busy at home looking after Paul. Despite not being in situ she managed to arrange an extremely enjoyable and successful day with 59 ladies taking part. The winners were Jackie Coulson and Fi Garber, followed by Kim Johnson with Alicia Hardy, and Liz Williams with Nancy Brooke.
The following day 28 ladies played at Goodwood Park Course on our Away Day, excellently organised by last years winning team of Sue Masser, Sarah Staines and Jennifer Clelland. A racing theme was chosen with teams of four aptly named and given odds.Teams embraced the idea by dressing in colours, one even sporting pink tails. The organisers have to be congratulated for unintentionally treating us to a wonderful air display whilst playing.
Sue seems Partial to Away Day organisation as her team of Jane Henry, Ann Gunn and Alicia Hardy won the day so we eagerly anticipate what venue they choose for us next year.
I look forward to June the 21st when hopefully all restrictions are lifted and we can begin to enjoy the full Club calendar.
Congratulations to all the May Stableford and Medal winners.
The Ladies Invitation shall take part on the 29th June and I do hope as many ladies as possible will enter as it is a fun day and a great way to entertain golfing friends.
Di Peisley
Match Committee Report
Club Championships
Entry for players with a handicap index of 12.0 (men) or 20.0 (ladies) has now closed. For those with higher handicaps there are still qualification rounds on 5th/8th June for the ladies and 12th June for the men. Remember you need to book/reserve a place in the appropriate Championship Qualifying Entry competition before your play in the actual qualifying round.
The allocation of playing groups and tee-times will be made as soon as possible after the 12th June so that competitors will receive an email with their start time for Saturday 26th June as least a week beforehand. You will not have book tee times for either the Saturday or the Sunday as the course will be closed for casual play until at least 3:30pm on both days. Those players who do not make the cut to play in the Championships will be notified separately by email. If there are withdrawals on Wednesday or Thursday then those places will be filled by the next players who were on the list.
Once the last group has handed in their cards on the Saturday, the Men’s and Ladies’ competition organisers will compile the scores for Round 1. The Men’s and Ladies’ playing groups will be revised separately based on the gross scores from Round 1. The order of play for Round 2 will be in descending order of Round 1 scores. This start sheet will be emailed to all competitors on Saturday evening. It will be the responsibility of each player to know their start time on Sunday morning. The first start time for both Round 1 and Round 2 will be 08:00am.
On each day of the competition, players should register and collect their score cards from the Scorer’s Table in the Dining Room. Entry to the Men’s Championship sweepstake will be available in the Pro’s Shop. Within 5 minutes of completion of each round, players should return their cards to the Scorer’s Table and ensure they have agreed with the scorer that the card is correct before leaving.
Given the format of the Championship, players who fail to turn up for the 2nd round will cause significant disruption to the running of the competition. Consequently, and based on our experience of other 2-day competitions, we are making it a condition of competition that unless a player notifies the Committee by 4:00pm on the Saturday that they will be unable to play in Round 2, he/she will be excluded from all competitions, and knock-outs until 1st August 2021.
Scorecards
We’ve now been able to play for some 12 weeks since the transition to WHS and it became a requirement that you had to put your Course Handicap on your scorecard. Effectively this has been the only change to what should be on your scorecard, as things like your name, signature, an identified marker, plus date and competition name have always been required or asked for. The Committee has decided that from 1st June we will enforce this Rule of Golf and disqualify from the competition any player who fails to put his/her Course Handicap on their scorecard. You may, if you wish, include your Handicap Index and/or Playing Handicap but these are not required.
George Clelland
Chair of Match and Handicap Committee
Mixed Matches
The first mixed match has been played and the next match is a home game against Hockley on 2nd June. The full list of matches and dates is on the Mixed notice board at the golf club.
There are 2 sign up sheets on the notice board and the North Hants sign up sheet will be posted soon. The teams for the Hockley and Cowdray Park matches have been selected. The matches until the end of July are:
Hockley Home Wednesday 2nd June at 2.00pm
Cowdray Park Away Monday 14th June at 12.00noon
Royal Winchester Home Friday 2nd July at 2.00pm
Rowlands Castle Away Sunday 18th July at 9.30am
North Hants Away Sunday 25th July at 1.00pm
If you are unable to get to the club to sign up you can ask the office to do it or contact Marion or Alan Bruce and you can be added to the list. The sign up sheets close 3 weeks before a match.
Any club member with a CONGU handicap is welcome to sign up to play. All the matches are played in a friendly manner and everyone is welcome, no matter what their handicap. It is hoped that members who haven’t played before will join in and sign up for the opportunity to play mixed golf both at home and on some very enjoyable away courses. Playing partners are drawn as part of team selection.
The match teams will be communicated by posting the team list on the Mixed notice board and an email will be sent to all individuals involved. Team members are requested to play in team colours of white shirts and navy jumpers.
A decision has been made that Five Day members may play in the weekend matches if we are unable to field a team from the Seven Day members. There will be a section on the sheet for Five Day members to sign up. Green fees will not be required.
All matches will include a meal. For home matches we expect to continue with a smart/casual dress code for our match meals.
For more information or any queries please contact Marion or Alan Bruce.
A Look at the Rules
Question.
A player plays a shot from just short of the green. They shank the shot and their ball hits their caddie standing on the green to the side. The ball then deflects off the caddie and rolls across the green and into the hole.
Which of these rulings is correct?
A. The player has holed out but must add one penalty shot.
B. The player has holed out but must add two penalty shots.
C. The player has holed out with no penalty shots.
D. The player must replay the shot with no penalty.
Vets Section
Last month saw us play the traditional season opener ‘Captain versus Vice Captain’ four ball better ball match. A match that is normally played in March which had to be postponed but fortunately we were able to rearrange. With 48 members of the Section taking part, and despite an early start and threatening rain, all games were played in a friendly but competitive spirit with many being very close and could indeed have gone either way. The match was however halved, each team scoring 6 points a piece. This was the first time in the history of the match that it has been halved and ended a run of victories for the Vice Captains team with the round of the day being played by Ed Tinley which contained 10 pars and resulted in a win of 7 & 6 for Ed and his playing partner Philip Green against the pairing of Terry Lane and Dudley George who could only watch with little defence to such consistent scoring. A great round by Ed, which had only one double bogey on his card, and that no doubt he will remember for a long time to come.
It was also really good to be able to welcome a number of new members to the Club playing in a Vets event for their first time and very much look forward to them playing in more events during the remainder of the season. The further easing of some lockdown restrictions on the 17th May coincided with our away fixture against Petersfield. Once again we were fortunate with the weather as the rain kindly held off until after we finished our games. Regrettably home advantage proved to much for us and we lost the match 6:2 making it now played 2 lost 2. However the result seemed to be of little importance as everyone commented on just how good it was, once again, to be back eating indoors and enjoying the good company that the interclub friendlies so often provide. This coming month of June is a busy one with 4 matches in total scheduled against Waterlooville (a), Corhampton (a), Hockley (h), Weybrook Park (h) and I am very much looking forward to recording our first win! Although the teams for Waterlooville and Corhampton have been chosen if you wish to be considered for any of the others, or would like more information on the fixtures for the rest of the season, then please either email me or add your name to the sign up sheets on the Vets Notice Board. All 3 of our Knock Out Competitions are now well underway and thank you to all players involved for arranging your games so promptly as it really does help to avoid congestion later on in the competitions especially if you are playing in all three KO’s. A reminder that entries to the Romsey’s Seniors Open, an individual stableford, on the 5th July closes on 7th June. More details are available on the Vets Notice Board if you wish to enter.
Gareth Rees
Vets Captain
General Manager’s Update
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the following new members who have all joined the club during May ; Shaun Butler (7 day) , William Locke (Academy), Finton Cobb, Teddy Richardson, Archie Williams and Nell Murray (Juniors).
Also welcome back to Paul Kettley and Andrew Chandler who have resumed their playing memberships after a few years ‘rest’.
We hope that your time at the club will be a long and enjoyable one for all of you.
END OF COVID RESTRICTIONS
We will confirm the end of restrictions scheduled for 21st June as soon as we are given the FINAL confirmation via England Golf and any Government announcement. We expect this to be a few days before the scheduled date to allow for any adjustments to operating procedures. However please be aware that given the re-surgence of the virus in certain areas the end to restrictions in their entirety is not guaranteed at this stage and we may find that some golfing guidelines remain in place – let us all hope that this is not the case!
DRIVING RANGE
The driving range will close each Wednesday evening at 7.30pm (last balls dispensed at 7.00pm). This is to allow a full ball collection in preparation for grass cutting early Thursday morning before opening. This will help us ensure we do not damage range balls with the mowers and so reduce the number of balls available. Thank you for your understanding. The practice areas are available for use at any time.
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/
CLUBHOUSE/ BAR & CATERING OPENING TIMES –
Outside and Inside table service will be available for drinks /coffee from the bar. Please be patient whist we take and prepare your orders. During busy periods we are increasing our staffing levels but there is a limit to how fast we can pour drinks. Please DO NOT approach the bar for service.
The bar will now be open from 11.00am – 8.00pm (8.45pm on Thursdays after Team Golf). The Clubhouse will close at 8.15pm. Opening times will be continually reviewed.
Members are reminded NOT TO MOVE tables around the patio or grass area – they are placed specifically to ensure compliance to social distancing. Maximum group size must be 6 people at the moment.
Inside seating is restricted to a total of 48 people. At busy times or when bad weather, Members are requested to limit their time at inside tables to 45min. to allow others to make use of the inside space.
Covid compliance checks have been reported in the area – please do not put your club at risk of breaking the regulations.
Catering will resume from Tuesday 1st June.
Opening Times;
Monday – Fridays 10.30am – 6.00pm
Saturday 9.00am – 6.00pm
Sunday 9.00am – 5.00pm
These times will be subject to review dependant on member’s support. Please welcome and support our new caterer, Stephen Richardson, during this difficult period and whilst he is ‘finding his feet’.
David Maskery
General Manager
Social
Upcoming Events Reminder…
6th June – Captains’ Drive In (Part of Captain’s Charity Day)
19th June – Dawn Patrol (For those early risers!)
30th August- Par 3 Competition
4th September – Soultown
Saturday 4TH SEPTEMBER 2021
Watch out for ticket information & details
Mike Battisson
Chair of the Social Committee
TEAM GOLF 2021 – TG’21
Team Golf
We are well under way following the completion of the first and second rounds. Under very difficult conditions with high winds and threatening rain for the first round, the winning teams mostly scored 18 points. The highest score winning a sleeve of golf balls each, was a magnificent 24 points due to three birdies by Jim White and high scoring by his partner Steve Johnson representing the White Sharks. In spite of the weather most players enjoyed the evening especially as we are now allowed back in the clubhouse – quite like old times!
Results – 20th May First Round
Winners White Sharks 24 points
Ups’n Downs 18 pts
Free’n Easy 18 pts
Rakes Progress 18 pts
Maybe Summer is here at last, as the second round was played in much more seasonal weather, glorious sunshine and no wind, producing some good scores again. Masser Mates took highest score winning the golf balls with Sue Masser their Captain and Mary Panter scoring 20 points. Following the golf, most players enjoyed the evening sun on a full terrace. Next week our chef should be in operation so evening meals will be available.
Results – 27th May Second Round
Winners Massers Mates 20 points
White Sharks 17
Eagles & Birdies 17
Rabble without Applause 17
Pro- Corner
Mark’s Five Top Tips
- Know your iron distances. Just by knowing how far you actually hit each club in the bag can save you up to 5 shots in a round of golf. Make it a priory to know exactly how far each club carries, use launch monitors and range finders as this will quickly and easily identify your yardages for you.
- Love your wedges. Carry 3 wedges in your golf bag, an example of lofts might be 47 degree, 53 degree and 58 degrees. This will give you more variety on playing your short game shots. Learn 3 distances with each wedge for pitching. Hip to Hip, Chest to Chest and full swing as this will really sharpen up the pitching game. Have different lofts also helps in the bunkers and a lot of the time you can you your 58 for short greenside bunker shots and your 53 degree for longer greenside bunker shots.
- Get your driver fitted. Most of the time golfers will just buy the driver from off the pro shop shelf. This will cost you distance as you will most likely end up with the wrong shaft and loft combination. Spend some time with a PGA Professional and get them to fit you on a launch monitor. This way you will get a driver fitted and suited to you and your golf swing helping you maximise your distance and accuracy.
4. Good Rhythm is Key. “My swing just does not feel good”. This is a lot of comments I sometimes get from very good golfers. Quite often they have just lost the rhythm of their golf swing. The recipe for finding that silky rhythm is to hit lots of short irons making half swings, then three-quarter length swings and really slowing things down. It is amazing how the swing mechanics then take care of themselves and all of a sudden they comfortable again. The best quick tip in golf is to focus on your rhythm and balance.
5. Think before Teeing Off. One key strategy in playing any golf hole is to focus on where you would like to be playing the next shot from. If that means on a tight treeline par 4 that a hybrid off the tee would work better than trying to steer a driver up the fairway then play the hybrid. If your second shot is a tough one over water and you are not sure if you can carry it then lay up to a distance that you like for your third shot into the green. The key here is to play within you and have a strategy (game plan) in playing each and every hole. It is what the Pro’s do!!
Mark Wood
Golf Professional
Greens News
Dry April was thankfully followed by wet May with the ground temperatures finally rising after a week or two such that the grass at last started growing. Therefore the greens are now filling out and settling down such that they become more true. Whilst we are at summer height of 4mm even after rolling they are slower than we would like partly because the meadow grass is flowering. However this should settle down over the coming weeks.
The birds have been pecking the Greens looking for leather jackets, 1kg of them was removed from the 18th by putting on the tarpaulin overnight. We are grateful to the volunteer members who will put the tarp onto a nominated green late at night allowing our staff to then deal with the leather jackets in the morning. We hope this will settle down soon and meanwhile the greens are having a fortnightly nutrition program.
Colin Luff came in to deal with a dangerous branch at the back of the 7th medal tee near the footpath. As the Ash trees come into leaf we will note any that have symptoms of dieback as it’s really quite obvious once you know what to look for. It feels inevitable that we will lose some more this winter possibly along with that pine on the right hand side of the 17th fairway.
Our staff are all fine with Dominic getting closer to completing his Level 2 qualification helped by obtaining his Knapsack spraying course. Bailey and Rhys are helping us with weekend bunker raking and think you will notice the difference. It’s physically really hard work which the majority of us would simply be unable to do.
The 9th and 12th fairways were tined, over seeded, fertilised and top dressed in the hope of a better recovery as they seemed to suffer most during the winter. All fairways were sprayed with a wetting agent which was then washed in nicely by some rain. The 1st fairway will get a high nitrogen feed to try and boost it up a little.
So far the pesky rooks are behaving themselves by mainly pecking in the field. We will trial a new product on the 18th fairway and observe the results, if it works our Treasurer might need to lie down as it isn’t cheap!
The rough has now had it’s first cut and it’s lovely to see the cowslips adding some colour. The area beyond the 12th green has been wild flower seeded again so fingers crossed that will again look very attractive.
The Academy Course has not been forgotten with all area’s being fertilised and the greens also being cut to the same height as the main greens. The new 1st has been graded with soil and seed but it will be some while before that hole, or the new 9th, come into play. However the new 8th is now in play so you now have 7 holes to enjoy.
The Greens Committee recently met and amongst other things discussed idea’s for this coming winters development projects. The Minutes and a working document are on the Club Website but simplistically we look to make incremental changes based on the strategy of the Hawtree Report.
Three guests of mine really enjoyed the course this week. One thing that surprised me was that none of them had a rake but they didn’t keep me too busy! The picture shows Malcolm with his 5 iron recovered using a long length of plastic pipe and a telescopic rod. OK it was raining but it finished 30ft up a tree beyond the 15th tee after it slipped out of his hands during his swing!
Happy golfing.
Bob Moore
Chair, Greens Committee
A Look at the Rules
Answer.
C. The player has holed out with no penalty shots. See rule 11.1a
If you would like to find out more about the rules, there is a wonderful rules section on the R&A website www.randa.org where you can also find these exceptions. Just download the R&A app (Rules of Golf) from the app store.
100 Club
100 Club
The winners of the 100 Club prize draw for June 2021 were:
£100 Neil Pidduck
£50 John Goodacre
£32 David Marshall
£32 Claire Sly
£32 Rob Black
£32 Peter Harwood
Congratulations to our winners this month and unlike last month the men have scooped most of the prizes this time. Next month’s draw will take place during week beginning 21 June.
The annual 100 Club Salver Stableford Competition and Evening Meal is due to be held on Friday 23 July. At present it’s not clear whether or not we shall be able to run this event. There is still the possibility that some restrictions may be in place and also it’s not clear what the new catering services will be able to provide. It’s hoped that we can go ahead so we have an opportunity to socialise with other 100 Club members during an evening meal. Please keep a look out for further information.
If you are not already a member of the 100 Club then how about joining and giving yourself a chance to win a cash prize? Around 88% of current members have been lucky in the draw at some time during the last 15 years so everyone has a chance.
There are six cash prizes each month: £100, £50 and four at £32.
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. So for as little as £12 per year you have the opportunity to share in a prize fund of £3,336.
For further information about the 100 Club and its history please refer to this section in previous editions of FORE Info. Application forms can be obtained from the Secretary’s office or from me – Pat Wallis phone 01420 564417 or email peterpat51@outlook.com
Pat Wallis
Member to Member
For Sale: Special Offer
If you have something golfing to offer other members why not use Fore Info. We ask for a donation to the Captains Charity. Please contact the editor by email at newsletter@alresfordgolf.co.uk
Funny Endings: Joke and Cartoon of the Month
We are looking for golf related, clean, seriously funny humour suitable for all members. Send your contributions to the Editor at newsletter@alresfordgolf.co.uk
If we use your joke or cartoon, I will buy you a drink in the bar when it reopens.
A married couple played golf together every day. One day the man and his wife were on the 1st tee of their local course. He was on the white tee and she was waiting in front of him by the ladies’ tee.
He teed off and caught the ball perfectly; unfortunately it hit his wife smack in the back of the head killing her instantly.
She fell face down on the tee, didn’t know what hit her.
They had an inquest on the wife’s death, the coroner said it was clear how she died, she was killed by a golf ball, and that there was a perfect imprint of a golf ball on the back of her head.
The husband said, “Yes, that was my ball.”
The coroner then went on to say that he was a bit concerned to find a ball inserted up the woman’s backside, and could the husband throw some light on this?
The husband said, “Oh that must have been my provisional.”
Quote of the Month
“Winning doesn’t always mean being first. Winning means you’re doing better than you’ve done before.”
Editor: David Marshall
DISCLAIMER
The Editorial Team take no responsibility for incorrect information received from Contributors.
