Winter Memberships

Of the 22 members in 2017/18, ten have converted to 5 or 7-day playing membership which is better than last year and confirms that the Winter Membership scheme has become a successful means of recruiting full playing members.

Wi-Fi in the Clubhouse

The unreliable system we have had for some years has been replaced by a BT ‘Whole Home’ mesh booster to improve the Wi-Fi signal in the bar and committee room areas.

The numbers playing in the Spring Texas Scramble on the 22nd April were down from previous years as a result of having to re-schedule the day due to the bad weather in March. The standard of play was certainly not down, with many teams achieving a gross of less than 69. Congratulations to the winning team of Glen Kreffer, David Pain, Rosie Hallas and Mel Elford.

During the month, over 30 members took part in the annual task of repairing the many divots on the course. Within a few weeks, the benefit of carrying out this exercise will be evident. A big THANK YOU to all those who participated.

The Murder Mystery evening was extremely entertaining, challenging the brain cells of many and baffling the remainder. Thanks to the caterers, who served a delicious steak meal such that many husbands failed to receive any extra from their significant other! Thanks, must also go to our Social Committee for organising this fun evening. These social events give members the opportunity of having a very enjoyable time with friends and meeting other members who they would not normally see on the course or clubhouse. If you are able, please support future events with your friends and have a great time.

Brian Wright

The Spring Meeting was also another enjoyable day with a great turnout from you all, both for the golf and the meal afterwards.  My thanks to Club Captain, Brian and Vets Captain, Chris for starting us off so nicely. Also, massive thanks for all the hard work put in by Catherine, Gill, Mandy and Mary (who helped on the day).  We always have help from the office with printing and good advice, so thanks to them as well.  I hope you all enjoyed yourselves as much as I did. The conditions were not easy as despite no rain, we had wind to contend with… many congratulations to the winners on the day, all the results are in the results section.

As I said at the meeting we have had a great start to the Season with two good wins. The first in the Annodata against Stoneham at home and then in the Stoneham Cup against The Army, also at home Let’s hope this continues!

Can I remind you all to sign up for the ‘Away Day’ on Monday 11th June 2018 at Guildford Golf Club, which is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty and is a down land course. The views from the course include Guildford Cathedral, the Wembley Arch and the City of London as well as panoramic views of the Surrey countryside from all holes on the course.  This is always good fun and nice to have an outing away from Alresford together. The sign-up sheet is on the Captains Board in the changing room.

See you all soon

Mary

9-Hole Stableford

Our second 9-hole competition of the year on Friday 18th May. This will be a qualifying competition open to all players, men, ladies and juniors. Similar to the R&A 9-hole competition, sign-in and score entry will be via the PSI terminal in the Entrance Hall. Sign-in will be available from Friday 11th May.

Colonel Stratton-Bates

On Saturday 19th May, this is a bogey competition

Harry May – Two Generations

This competition had been moved from October to Sunday 20th May. This Foursomes Stableford competition is for parents/grandparents playing with child/grandchild etc … given the golfing dynasties we have in the club, some of the child entries are not that young! The Entry Sheet is on the notice board in the Entrance Hall.

Cross-country Scramble

A really enjoyable scramble across the golf course on the afternoon of Friday 25th May. While some us take every opportunity of playing to the 3rd green from the 7th fairway for many it will be a new experience … remember, no distance measuring devices allowed, so you have to guess!

George Clelland
Match Secetary

Question.

A players ball lies in a bunker. He touches casual water in the bunker with his club prior to making his stroke. What is the ruling?

Well the season has really got into gear now with two or three games a week to be posted, selected and played. It like being back at work – but more enjoyable.

The Vets and Ladies Breeze Up was a great day, good weather and great golf. The tournament was won by John Dillon & Mandy Overton with 43 Points and second place was taken by a new member, Bob Archer, playing with Catherine Carberry on 42 points. They won on count back being equal on total points with Wynne Tufnell & Jean Coveyduck. Never mind Wynne, better luck next year. Sleeves of charity balls were also won by Ed Tinley and Mandy Overton for Nearest the Pin and by Richard Ewatt and Catherine Carberry for the Longest Drive.

After lunch we took the opportunity to surprise our guest Malcolm Scott who turned 60 in February. He has worked at Alresford ‘man and boy’, and he and Jane are a crucial part of the club, so it was nice to present him with a little token – a certificate showing him to be an honorary life member of the vets section. He was very surprised and genuinely chuffed as you can see from the picture.

In the matches so far we have lost two – to Petersfield at home and Rowlands Castle away (last week). We won against Corhampton, Lee on the Solent, Stoneham and Hockley (away), and drew against Romsey (away). While this is a good start to the season these are actually friendly matches so I am continuing with the policy of giving everyone an equal chance of a game.

I am giving preference, indeed, to new players who have not joined the matches before, and I think its right to say that we have made some converts. So if you haven’t thought about it before sign up and try it.

Chris Thompson

Over the next month they will be spraying the fairways and semi-rough (not the long rough areas) for weed.  We are still trying to encourage wild flower growth in these areas.  The fairways will also be treated with a growth regulator to help slow the grass down a little.

Some of the men will have noticed we have had a bad oil leak on one of our tees mowers on the 7th medal tee. We will make some repairs to this tee over the next month and hope to have it repaired by club championship.

Our Course Manager Steve has suffered terribly for many weeks with a prolapsed disc.  He is to have the operation to relieve this on Monday 30th April.  I’m sure you will join me in wishing Steve all the very best for a speedy recovery.  This is the busiest time of year (greenkeepers call it “Mad May”) so our remaining team will be working flat out to keep the course in great condition.  Inevitably, some compromises will be made but we are confident that our high standards will be maintained.

Mark Tiplady

Answer.

The player incurs no penalty as he did not touch the ground in the bunker with his club prior to making his stroke – Decision 13-4/7

Thursday Evenings

Thursday Evenings

Team Golf

Team Golf returns this summer, commencing 17 May for eleven weeks. The final will be played on 26 July. Full details including tee times and weekly results will be shown on the social notice board. There will be reserved tees. If you are not involved in team golf or not playing on team golf there will be a roll up competition in which you can play. See below…

Club 9 Hole Roll Up

This begins 24 May from 4.30 to 6.30 from the tenth tee. It is open to all members,
come and join the fun prizes to be won. These may include, best scores, nearest the
pin and Joker hole – choose one to double score on that hole. These will vary from
week to week.

Please book in at the reception table before playing and pay £2.00 entry fee.

Supper: Food will be available, so make your choice from the evening’s menu when booking in.

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 1^st 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