Fore Info May 2024
Contents
To jump to the section you want to read, just click on the Content titles below (Return by clicking on links after each section):
Interview with Gerry Collard: members with unusual skills
Message from the Chair: latest updates
Club Captain News: competition reviews and looking forward
Ladies Captain: competition news
Competitions and Handicaps: key news and important changes
Mixed Matches: check out the matches and sign up
Rules Quiz Question and Answer: ”provisional ball rule”
Greens News: the latest on our course
Juniors: upcoming competitions and match results
Vets update: roundup of matches and roll ups
General Managers update: important club info
Social: find out about the upcoming events and Team Golf results
Pro’s Place: upcoming Pro Am and Driver Tip of the month
Winners in the 100 Club: did you win? Need some/more tickets?
Welcome to those new members who have joined the club during April ; Robert Tobin, Richard Eves, Ian Kempson, James Mullen, Oli Fielder , Charlie Lambeth, Mark Gillard, Bailey Hill, Jack Hodge and Michael Godley, Flossie Wightman-Wright, Angela King, Martin Evans and Zeena Gooch. This Fore Info newsletter will help you find out about what’s going on around the club.
This month find out about our AGC individual and team successes locally and abroad. They make us proud! We are becoming a top preforming club to attract some of the best players in Hampshire.
The success of the Captains Trips, proves we are an active club. I am looking forward again to getting to know some more members and having fun over 3 days at East Sussex National Golf Club next week. Well done to Richard and Linda Lane for all the hard work setting it up.
We are not only famous for our competitive skills, but also a thriving social scene. Read about some excellent events coming soon.
I enjoyed ordering from the halfway house at my last golf club. Coming soon is an app ordering system from the 8th tee. Let’s make the most of this energy boosting opportunity. Use it or lose it.
The sign up for our AGC annual PGA Pro Am on September 5th is open. Help support this event and our Pro, Mark Wood.
Finally you can always access this Newsletter directly from the AGC website/About section. It is usually there from the 3rd of every month. So you don’t need to hunt David Maskery’s email each month!! No excuse for not reading it…
Enjoy the read.
David Marshall
Editor
Member helps a Member- looking to build a plane?
Need a flight to escape the weather: a member can help
I am compiling a list of useful services that you as a member can call on from other members, a key advantage of belonging to a members club. Of course we have some members who are great tradesmen but also some unusual services. You may remember last year I interviewed Ian Jones who can supply you a personalised new artificial arm or leg. Let me know if you have a trade or business that other members may need. ‘Member helps a member’. 
This month, I chatted to AGC member, Gerry Collard who builds planes. Not a Boeing or Airbus but a fun 2 seater that can get you quickly across Europe for a well earned golf or sun break.
Editor: how did you get into plane building?
Gerry: From an early age I was fascinated by aircraft. I built lots of radio-controlled models. I heard about Microlights in the early 80’s and decided I would like to learn to fly them. Early versions had unreliable engines and during my training my instructor told me to expect an engine failure.
Editor: did you ever experience it?
Gerry: I actually had 4 of them! Fortunately the aircraft glide well and even if it all went wrong they crashed slowly. Flying is the second biggest thrill known to man
Editor: I can guess what is the first biggest thrill…
Gerry: the first is landing!
Editor: When did you start building?
Gerry: The engines and airframes became much more reliable and kit versions also came along which meant you could then build your own. I was a mechanic by trade so I had some idea of what to do. I built my first Microlight at home. It had two seats, was fully enclosed, flew along at 70mph and I had a lot of fun in it. Now there are versions that fly at over 200 mph and many people have flown around the world in them – notably a local pilot Zara Rutherford who, at 19 years old, is the youngest female to do so. Her brother did the same at 16 years old.
Editor: how did you make the switch to airplanes?
Gerry: After several years of flying Microlights I decided to build a light aircraft. The choice is endless from a basic single seat type to a highly complex 4-seat version. They can be made of wood, composite or, most commonly, aluminium. The build is checked at each stage by an Inspector (much like building regulations) and the whole project is overseen by the Light Aircraft Association (LAA) who submit the final paperwork to the Civil Aircraft Association (CAA).
Editor: How many planes have you built?
Gerry: I have now built around 12 aircraft and have helped others with their projects. My latest aircraft was built from a Czech Republic kit, It is very comfortable, reliable and easily outperforms production aircraft. Weather permitting I fly at least once a week. Most flights are within the UK but occasionally I go abroad. Last year I flew to La Rochelle.
Editor: What would it cost to build?
Gerry: The cost varies massively from a basic wooden single seat slow aircraft with minimal instruments, around £3000 to a fast four seat aircraft with all of the bells and whistles, autopilot etc £200.000 plus. A massive plus is that because it is homebuilt you can carry out all of the maintenance yourself, unlike a production aircraft like a Cessna which can only be worked on by a certified engineer which is very expensive.
Editor: thanks Gerry. Happy flying….safe landings
Message from the Chair
Hi Everyone
Please find below an update on some key things associated with our wonderful club.
Clubhouse Solar Panels
ManCom recently voted unanimously for the installation of Solar Panels onto our clubhouse roof (Road and Car Park Side). This initiative led by Steve Johnson & the House Committee managed an excellent scoping & selection process which presented an excellent business case to lower our energy costs dramatically and provide a short payback for the initial investment. Also, this is a fantastic Eco project that the club can be proud of in helping reduce our Carbon Footprint.
Thanks also to David Crawshaw & the Finance Committee for their due diligence in evaluating the financials and for recommending funding of the project.
The installation of the panels is due to start in around 6 weeks’ time with further updates provided by David Maskery as the project is nearing starting.
Non-Payment of Green Fees
A reminder that ALL Members Guests should be accompanied and signed in with Green Fee’s paid before play commences. If the Pro Shop or Office is shut, then payment can be made behind the bar.
Our club rules state.
At the time of payment of the appropriate green fee, the guest/visitor must sign the Green Fee Register and will then be issued with a Green Fee Paid label that must be displayed on their golf bag or trolley.
Any Non-Payment of Guest Green Fee’s will be subject to a club disciplinary proceeding.
Thanks again to our Starters and Marshalls as well as diligent members in helping manage this continuing problem.
Finally, I would like to wish our Club Captain Richard Lane every success for his Captains Trip to East Sussex National. I am sure all members attending will have a fabulous time and support this event in true AGC fashion.
Alan Farrell
Chair of the Management Committee
From the Club Captain
One of the key reasons I chose Cardiac Rehab as Captains Charity this year, was the opportunity to give back to our members and we had a really informative session on CPR and the use of a defibrillator on 19th April at the Club, thank you to Sandra from Cardiac Rehab – Alton. Members had the opportunity to practice and ask questions, it is always worth being prepared. Please note the Club defibrillator is in the Clubhouse Foyer. We had 29 attendees and really positive feedback.
Adrian Cobb
He is still running- imagine running for 1,500 days plus, consecutively, phew! That’s what Club member Adrian Cobb has done and isn’t stopping! He also run in Bournemouth Half Marathon in aid of Cardio Rehab, our nominated charity this year. If you would like to sponsor him, here is the link…
https://cardiac-rehab.co.uk/fundraising-event/running-for-1500-consecutive-days-for-cardiac-rehab/
Competitions Roundup
Men’s Friendlies and competitive match are now in full swing with Friendly wins against Waterloville/Corehampton in the Triangular fixture at Corehampton, Rowlands Castle away and a defeat at Hockley away. Thank you to everyone that took part. Our County 7’s and Gales Hockley teams both won matches and are through to the next rounds.
Alresford was privileged to host the Hampshire Seniors event on 22nd April with some good performances from members particularly Oscar O`Herlihy 2nd in gross, David Fox 3rd in the Nett and myself 4th in the Nett. Feedback on the excellent course condition and Kitchen (apparently best bacon baps in the county) and the warm welcome felt by all. Well done everyone involved in the day.
Tee booking issues
We had some issue particularly on a Sunday booking for a Wednesday according to Club Systems there has been issues with programming which has been escalated to the development team and apparently resolved. We continue to monitor and are also planning to look at the other option of IG.
Coming up
The Men’s invitation is on Sunday 9th June. It’s a 27 holes, 9 hole Greensomes, and 18 hole 4 ball better ball shotgun start for both AM and PM rounds. Why not invite a golfing friend or colleague to experience our course and hospitality. £72 per pair includes Golf, Lunch and 2 course meal after. Contact office or put name on list in changing rooms.
Captains Charity Day Sunday 23rd June our feature event to raise money for Cardiac Rehab with a team competition.
Enjoy the weather and course and more importantly have “fun’.
Richard Lane
Club Captain
Ladies Section
Someone said to me whilst we were divot repairing last week I am nearly half way through by Captaincy, where has that time gone? but I am sure you all agree the busy golfing period is just about to start!!
April 1st saw a very successful Spring Texas Scramble with 130 players helping to raise money for the Captain’s charity congratulations to all the winners including Richard Lane our Club Captain, very many thanks to Kathryn Mclaughlin, Sigi Hill and Polly Church complete with Easter Eggs for their support.
April 7th we had a “new” members 9 hole rollup with drinks afterwards, a big thank you for everyone involved and I hope everyone enjoyed the informal get together as much as I did.
Internal Competitions:- we have had the Australian Spoons the winners Jo Youngs and Jacqui Sanger will represent Alresford in the next round.
We have played the first medal of the season congratulations to division winners Liz Hastings, Camilla Mortimer and Jacqui Sanger, and 9 hole stableford Maggie Jones.
We have had two friendly matches this month a Triangular at Hockley and home against Cowdray Park, again a gentle reminder please sign up they are great fun even when we get beaten!
Ladies featured in the mixed medal on 21st April Liz Thorne and Jenny Myers very well done.
External Competitions :- Hampshire Rose at North Hants saw Rosie Rooney come 5th and Kelly Travers 10th great result in a very tough field and equally difficult playing conditions.
HLG Junior Girls Spring Meeting Rosie Rooney 1st gross many congratulations.
Congratulations to Jane Scott and Lynne Cowser for winning the best gross at Hampshire Past Captains Spring Meeting at Waterlooville and not for the first time.
On Monday 29th we had our first Stoneham win at South Winchester, a very tight match with the decider being won on the 20th!
The Spring Meeting was a very enjoyable day, cold but dry with a great turnout, both for golf and the meal afterwards. My thanks for Club Captain Richard and husband Mike for being starters, also a massive thank you to Jo Youngs and Ann Gunn for organising the day, Sam and team for a very welcome lunch. Congratulations to the winning team Esme Goodacre, Di Peisley, Sarah Scott and Margaret Welling and to all the other prize winners. We also awarded the Winter Foursomes winners Victoria Mackintosh and Sandra Hooker, runners up Marion Bruce and Liz Hastings, together with Eclectics and 9 Hole Winter League winners. Thank you for the support during the winter.
Delighted Maggie Jones has agreed to be our Women in Golf Champion working closely with Jill England and the P & D Team.
The sign up for the Ladies Awayday to Tidworth on 6th June is now on the noticeboard, please join us for a fun day out. Also please put in the diary our Ladies Invitation on Tuesday 25th June.
Sandra Hooker
Ladies Captain
Hampshire Ladies Golf
Ann Younger
AGC Delegate
Hampshire Ladies Golf
Competitions and Handicap Committee Report
Results
As a reminder a Live Clubhouse leaderboard for each competition is always available through HowDidIDo on the day. Once the competition is closed by a Committee member the “snapshot” results are automatically published to the Member Hub. If a member is looking for the complete results, together with the additional comments provided by the Committee (including reasons for disqualification), then these can be found via HowDidIDo:
From the main menu, select “Home Club”, from here there are 2 tiles available “Ladies Results” or “Men’s Results. Mixed results are available under either of these 2 tiles. Scroll to locate the competition and select to find the detailed results and comments.
Marker
Members will have noticed that since the new WHS changes when inputting a score via the PSI system, the computer software now asks two additional questions:
- Who marked your card?
- Who did you mark for?
Whilst we get used to the requirement of the additional information, please read the questions carefully.
Playing Handicap
Playing handicaps are now calculated accurately, where computer software is available, and sometimes this means that 95% allowance does not always mean minus one shot.
Previously the rounding would have been at the Course Handicap stage and then the allowance taken and rounded again. Now the rounding only takes place at the final stage.
Club Championship (29th & 30th June 2024)
All 7 day members should now have received Terms of Competition and Entry details for our Club Championship. This document together with the Club Championship Policy are available on the Club’s website.
Places for the Championship are limited, and it is important that all players, regardless of handicap, register their intent to play in the Championship prior to the closing date (4th June). Please note that men with a handicap index of 13.1 or above (on 4th June) will need to play in at least one qualifying event.
Saturday 4th May 2024 (Men’s Medal)
Saturday 25th May (Jubilee Cup Round 1 OR Mixed Medal)
Saturday 1st June (Men’s Medal)
In addition, all entrants will need to have played in at least 6 qualifying competitions in the preceding 12 months, 3 of which MUST be at Alresford Golf Club.
Men’s Invitation
11th June 2023
Entry for the Men’s Invitation on 19th June 2023 is now open.
The format of the competition will be AM: (9 holes) Foursomes, followed by PM: (18 holes) 4BBB. Entry Cost is £72 per pair and includes, lunch and 2 course dinner and prizes.
Entry is open to 7 day members and their guest with a WHS Handicap, guests without a WHS Handicap are welcome to enter but will not be eligible for main prizes.
Please enter via the Member’s Hub, [bookable competitions] “Men’s Invitation 2024 SIGN UP only”, or via the competition sign up sheet located on the notice board in the men’s changing room.
And finally …………… is this a record at AGC?
A company Cup match commenced at 12.03pm and finished some 6 hours later at 6.07pm on the 25th Hole! Some stamina was required not only for the match but also because the course conditions required both players to carry!
Gill Freemantle
Chair Competitions & Handicap Committee, Handicap Secretary
Mixed Matches
Sign up for the matches has got off to a slow start this season, we are always looking for players for the season’s matches so, please can we ask you to have a look on Club V1 and set your availability. If you have any questions, come and have a chat with us or drop us an email.
Fingers crossed we will have some match reports for you next month.
The following Mixed matches have been arranged for the 2024 season:
Petersfield Home Sunday 5th May at 12:00pm
Corhampton Home Friday 10th May at 2:30pm
Hockley Away Thursday 30th May at 1:00pm
Cowdray Park Home Monday 10th June at 12.00pm
Rowlands Castle Home Sunday 14th July at 1.00pm
Bramley Away Friday 19th July at 1.00pm
Hayling Away Sunday 28th July at 12.30pm
Salisbury and S Wilts Home Sunday 25th August at 2 pm
North Hants Home Sunday 1st September at 1.00pm
RWGC Away Friday 13th September at 2.00pm
Basingstoke Away Friday 27th September at 1.00pm
Please note that the times maybe subject to minor changes & the Hockley match is away – not home as per diary.
A Look at the Rules
Question
Greens
As the editor will confirm I often complete my contribution to FORE just before the deadline, and sometimes a little after. This month I am writing earlier in the month and rather than looking back on Curly’s Cup I am looking forward to playing in it at the weekend. In preparation for Curly’s Cup the greenkeeping team will, in the week leading up to the cup, cut the greens one day and roll them the next. In addition, they will then be cut and rolled Saturday and rolled on Sunday. The holes will also be changed on Sunday. Tees, aprons and fairways will be cut three times in the build up to the cup with rough areas being checked and cut if needed. General maintenance tasks will continue combined with checking sand depths in bunkers. Hopefully (fingers crossed) we will not get the forecasted heavy rain showers over the weekend and members will enjoy the course and the competition!
Thankyou
I would like to thank all those members that gave up their time and took part in the divotting party. The seed is already beginning to germinate and divots heal! This is an important event in our club calendar and I would encourage every member to take part in future years. Overall, the fairways are recovering well after a challenging winter.
The Sports Turf Research Institute STRI
The representative of the STRI visited the club recently. The visit went well and during the visit the greens being assessed for smoothness, trueness and firmness. Given the drier weather firmness readings were very good, green speeds were up around 9 feet. The speed is considered good for the time of year but the smoothness was slightly below where we would expect it to be but we know that this is the result of the slower than anticipated recovery caused by lower temperatures following the “drill and fill” and grass species growing at different rates. During the visit, the STRI representative tested the 7th, 10th and 13th greens (all had been drill and filled). In addition, the firmness of the 15th green was assessed to provide a comparison to a green that had not been drill and filled. It appears that, based on the comparison, the drill and fill holes and the non-drill and fill holes were the same.
We await the STRI report but feedback on the day was that, in addition to maximising the light a green receives (reducing shade) we need to continue with as much aeration and top dressing as the calendar allows. Consequently, we will lightly aerate and top dress the greens at the end of Aspril and beginning of May in the first instance.
Damage to the Course
After a winter with minimal pest damage, we are now seeing both badger damage and bird damage. There is no evidence of many leatherjackets but there are chafer grubs in the areas to the right of the third fairway. We will continue to address this to the best of our ability and with the tools at our disposal. We may be asking for members to volunteer covering greens with a tarpaulin before long.
Greens
Recent drier weather has brought with it cooler nights. This has resulted in light frosts which, has affected the recovery on the greens that have been drill and filled. Grass cover is good generally but until temperatures balance up, night and day, recovery is slow than one would have anticipated. The greens are firming up and generally holding good levels of moisture, following the most recent rainfall we have had to hand water some areas to correct moisture levels. Liquid nutrition has been applied through the month in the form of Iron and Turf hardeners. The nitrogen as well as the first application of a wetting agent will help to retain moisture in the surface. Currently we are cutting the greens at 4mm and some light aeration is planned for next week with a dust of sand dressing.
The rest of the course
- Tees and aprons have had their monthly application of Iron, Nitrogen, Wetting agent and growth regulator.
- Bunker maintenance is ongoing with regular checks on depth and playability.
- Irrigation system is being checked to make sure it is working efficiently and the small leaks we have found are being fixed.
Finally, we will say goodbye to the sheep soon, once again they have contributed to a good season of rough management.
Derek Myers
Chair Greens
Juniors Section
Hello everyone,
It’s been a busy few weeks for the Junior Section at Alresford.
Back in the beginning of April we had a match against Hockley GC. This was a great day out and despite some rain showers it resulted in an excellent win for the Alresford Team!
Sadly, due to more bad weather and our Course being on temporary greens, we had to postpone the Peter Gregory Salver – the new date for this is now the 25th July.
Our Alresford Juniors recently had their first round of the Green Jackets, which was Away at Romsey GC. We came up against strong opposition, with Romsey fielding a +3 and a 2 handicapper, both members of the County Junior side. Despite going down 55 to 47, Tobias & Ralph kept competeing to the end and were a credit to AGC.
Last Sunday we also hosted Liphook for a friendly Match, which hopefully will become a regular fixture. It was great to see lots of juniors taking part but Liphook proved too strong this time and in tough conditions they won 177 to 169.
Anyway, I hope everyone is looking forward to some evening golf and warmer weather and I look forward to seeing you all out on the Course as much as possible.
Rosie
Rosie Rooney
Juniors Captain
(Editors note: Rosie herself was very successful at Hampshire Golf level this month- see Ladies Captain section- well done Rosie!)
Vets Section
The Vets program of Summer Friendly matches are now well under way. We have already completed 9 of our 40 matches. After our home match against The Army Sartorians on May 1st we will have already completed a quarter of the matches to be played. The results so far are 4 wins, 2 matches drawn, 2 matches lost and one, away to Farnham, abandoned due to a torrential shower flooding the greens. A tribute to our greens keepers is that such a shower would not have resulted in the match being abandoned had it been played at Alresford.
The numbers signing up to play in these matches has been exceptional. For the match against The Army I had a list of 29 from which to choose 12 players. Very encouragingly a substantial number of new ACG members who have also joined The Vets’ make up a substantial proportion of those signing up as ‘Available to Play’. By way of helping them to integrate into the club I make a particular point of including them in the match teams.
I am being repeatedly asked by Summer Friendly visiting clubs if they can increase the number of match pairs, such is the popularity of AGC; the course, the clubhouse, the hospitality.
Before April is out the membership of the Vets is already in the 130s and looks to be heading for my target of 150!
Now that we are shaking off, albeit slowly, the problem days of this spring the Wednesday Roll Ups are producing full and near full houses and again many participants are new members to the club. The Vets Roll Up is offering new members over the age of 60 an excellent way to integrate into the life of the club.
Sandra Hooker organised a ‘Welcome to New Members’ on Sunday 7th April which included a 9 hole round. It was well attended and I was able to enrol a number of the over 60s men into the Vets. One of whom joined a month before becoming 60!
The draws for both ‘The Vets Championship KO’ and the ‘Fred White KO’ are currently posted on the Vets Notice Board. Vets Championship entry is also posted on the notice board and closes on 15th May.
One of the biggest disappointments of the month was the number of Vets who, because they had not entered sufficient qualifiers over the last twelve months, were either disqualified from the KOs and/or did not receive expected remuneration for their placings in the recent Over 60s competition.
A painful reminder; get your qualifiers in!
Ewan
Ewan McGregor
Vets Captain
General Manager’s Update
Welcome to those new members who have joined the club during April ; Robert Tobin, Richard Eves, Ian Kempson (7 day), James Mullen ( 5 day), Oli Fielder , Charlie Lambeth, Mark Gillard, Bailey Hill, Jack Hodge and Michael Godley (Intermediate), Flossie Wightman-Wright ( Student), Angela King, Martin Evans, Zeena Gooch ( Academy). We hope that you all have a long and enjoyable time at the club.
BAG TAGS
All members are reminded that if they are not displaying bag tags (with correct year of membership), they may well be challenged on the course by the Course Marshal. To prevent any embarrassment please ensure you have the correct identification. If you are bringing a guest please ensure they are displaying their visitors green fee tag.
SENIORS OPEN 31st May 2024 – Spaces available
Unlike our other Open Competitions, Alresford members are welcome and encouraged to participate. This is so we can pair up any visitors new to the course with an Alresford member to ‘host’ them and show them around the course. It is always very well received.
Alresford members will not be eligible for the overall trophy however there are separate AGC and visitor’s prizes . If any member wishes to participate, they are very welcome to do so at £30.00 per head and will include lunch and prizes. Please contact the office for an application form.
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.
TO ALL NEW MEMBERS – MAKE CONTACT
We hope that you are enjoying your membership and have been able to get either on to the course or at least the practice facilities despite the poor weather so far this year?
We recognise that it can be difficult to establish a playing routine and find new playing partners at a new club. You may still need to submit cards for your allocation of a new handicap and need the help of established members to play with and mark your cards.
If so, all New members (and any existing members) seeking casual playing partners are invited to utilise our ‘MAKE CONTACT NOTICE’ on the Changing Room Noticeboards. Add your names (left side for new members) and for existing members prepared to help or support (add your name to the right side). New members are then invited to contact the existing member with a suggested day/time to play.
REMINDER – STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR ON THE COURSE AND IN THE CLUBHOUSE
A couple of recent incidents involving members leads me to remind everyone that the Club is committed to providing an environment that is free of discrimination, harassment and intimidation for all members, employees and guests.
Members are all reminded that an acceptable standard of behaviour is expected in all areas of the Club and course, at all times. The use of foul or abusive language such as swearing has no place in the clubhouse particularly if families and children are present and any member heard using unacceptable or offensive language will be asked to either stop or leave the premises.
Please treat and converse with other members politely and with respect both in the clubhouse and whilst on the course. For example – it is good etiquette and manners to say ‘thank you’ when called to ‘play thru’ and will be appreciated I am sure.
Similarly, all members are expected to treat all employees, and others working in an official capacity on behalf the Club with respect and without rudeness especially when they are working on behalf of the club, carrying out club duties or attempting to enforce any bye-law or club guidelines.
FACEBOOK – check out our Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/alresfordgolfclub
Make sure you ‘like’ our Facebook page and you will link to it and get the regular pictures and updates on what’s happening ! Share with your friends to help us boost our online and social media profiles.
INSTAGRAM Follow our brand-new Official Instagram page.
Expect to see media content of our picturesque course, golfing competitions, fun social events, and lots more.
Make sure to follow @alresfordgolf and stay tuned for new post updates on our page.
Volunteers Required
If you can spare some hours assisting with the re-painting of the Starters Hut and Driving Range, please contact the Office. We are aiming to carry out this during April in a window of fine weather !
Courtesy Rounds
These are provided to offer golf on specific occasions when we host county or Open competitions. These differ from the Weekly Reciprocals in that they are usually at ‘networked clubs’ and not on our normal day to day reciprocal rota. This is why they are limited in number.
All requests for these rounds should be made to the Office in advance providing the name of club , day of courtesy and all players. As last year we will ballot for allocation. Members may apply for or play in a maximum of 3 such rounds. The closing date for requests to be registered to the Office, will be one calendar month prior. i.e. if the courtesy is on the 18th May, the closing date for registering interest was 18th April. The successful request will then be notified.
This year’s Courtesy list is displayed on the Main Noticeboard outside of the changing rooms.
SAFE GOLF
We are delighted to inform you that Alresford Golf Club has been re-awarded SafeGolf status for a further 12 months and in so demonstrating commitment to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people, as well as adults at risk in the sport of golf. Our published policies and commitments towards helping to ensure that we provide a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults to enjoy golf are available via the club website.
David Maskery
General Manager
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“Alton Lions and Cardiac Rehab Golf Day- Wednesday 10th July at Test Valley GC
This year will be the 18th Alton Lions Rehab Golf Day. The event has always been held on the second Wednesday of August – but this year the Club cannot accommodate us on that date and have allowed us to hold it on Wednesday 10th July.
Alresford GC always enters a few teams and this year, with Cardiac Rehab being the Captains’ chosen charity, we hope that other teams from AGC will want to enter.
The day starts with coffee and bacon buttie – plus a free logo’d golf ball. The event takes over the whole course and at 9am a shotgun signals the start. Teams of four drive off from all 18 tees. After about four and a half hours the competitors return to the clubhouse for well earned rehydration at the bar followed by a two course meal. The day ends with prize giving and thunderous applause for the winners – including the winning and second teams, first man and woman, straightest drive and nearest pin competitions.
To enter please contact Denise Ellis on denise@cardiac–rehab.co.uk or 01420544794″
As we enter the merry month of May, and hopefully see some better weather, we look forward to hosting you at our three upcoming Social events. The first bank holiday on Monday 6 May provides our wonderful GREENKEEPERS with the opportunity to avenge those divots and pitch marks by delivering us tricky pins and unusual obstacles on the greens. Please sign up on the day on ClubV1 and test the versatility of your golfing prowess.
Next, we welcome the excellent pop and rock band, the “Standards” on Saturday 18 May, for our first music event of the year. Great value entertainment for £14, with the option of food for £10 (please sign up and pay in advance at the bar). We hope to welcome a lively crowd to enjoy and dance the night away. On the second bank holiday on Monday 27 May, the popular mixed greensomes flag competition will undoubtedly test your staying power: can YOU be the one to stretch out your strokes to the very last and become a prize winner? Please do come along and enjoy our May madness with your fellow members. See you there!
Alicia Hardy
Chair Social
TEAM GOLF 2024
Our season got off to a good start with a fine evening for the first round of the Championship preceeding the first round of the League. We would like to welcome quite a number of new members who have joined in this year as well as existing ones who have changed teams.
Championship Round 1 results: best four scores to count from team of six.
| Captain | Score | |
| 1 One team- No Vision | John Coulson | 71 points |
| 2 Polly’s Pals | Poly Church | 70 points |
| 3 The Kiwi Club | Elizabeth Hesse | 69 points |
| 4 Pat-riots | Pat Palmer | 68 points |
| 5 Rabble without Applause | Mark Pyne | 67 points |
League – Round 1
| The Tweets v Jabba the Putt | 16-8 |
| One Team – No Vision v White Sharks | 18- 21 |
| Rookie Rebels v The Cobblers | 19-20 |
| Cavaliers v Cheeky Chippers | 21-23 |
| Rabble without Applause v Titorius ‘s Titans | 17-20 |
| Pipe Dreams v Pat-riots | 17-21 |
| Polly’s Pals v The Kiwi Club | 20-17 |
Winning Pair for a sleeve of balls – Judy and Richard Wright 23 points
Birdies – Ray Chaffey 5th David Renshaw 4th Jim White 4th
J&J White
Team Golf organisers on behalf of the Social committee
Pro’s Place
PGA South Region Pro Am
Entry to the Alresford ProAm, in association with Hendy, on the 5th September has now been opened to Club members. Building on the success of last year, the event promises to be an enjoyable and memorable experience for everyone involved.
If you have not played in a ProAm before, it provides a unique opportunity for members to play alongside some of the top South Region PGA professional golfers in a friendly and competitive environment. It’s a chance to not only showcase your skills on the course but also to learn from some of the best in the game. The prize fund of over £5000 means there are several opportunities to win some great prizes, including golf clubs, bags and shoes.
We encourage you to register as soon as possible to secure your spot in the event. Space is limited to 60 members and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. You can enter as team, or an individual and we will help find you a team, and with or without your own professional.
Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just starting out, the Pro-Am promises to be an unforgettable experience, for more details including the entry form, and pictures of last year’s event, please take a look at the website.
If you or your friends and family are interested in sponsorship opportunities for your business then details are included on the website, please feel free to forward.
If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to pop into the Pro Shop or give Mark a call and they will be happy to help.
Ping Custom Fitting Day
We have a custom fitting event with PING on May 28th between 10am and 2pm. We still have a few spaces remaining so if you would like to have a fitting with the Ping expert fitting technician then please let the shop know asap.
Tip of the Month
Now that the weather is getting better and the fairways are starting to harden up, why not find that extra distance with this tip from Mark.
To watch the video please click the link >>> “Stop Settling for Short Drives: Increase Your Golf Driver Distance for Massive Drives” – YouTube
Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel as it is completely free.
Mark Wood
Head Professional
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A Look at the Rules
ANSWER
player must play the ball as it lies or take relief under the unplayable ball Rule 19.
Thanks to Brian Overton for all these Rules Q and A’s. If you have any rulings questions for Brian he will answer them here in future editions, just email brian.overton@ntlworld.com
Our winners for May 2024
£100 Hugh Bethell
£50 Keith Monkhouse
£35 Prizewinners
Pat Voak
Richard Calton
Ray Grainger
Philip Cartwright
Nick Male
Congratulations to all our prize winners and this time it’s a good month for the men. Maybe you will be lucky next month.
A date for your diaries:
Friday 26 July is the annual 100 Club Summer Stableford and Evening Meal. Remember to put the date in your diaries – further details to follow. This is an ideal opportunity to meet up with other 100 Club members and enjoy a social get together.
Prize money
The new process for paying at the bar has now been in operation for a couple of months. This seems to be working very well for prize winners who have opted to have their prize money paid onto their bar profile. As an alternative I am very pleased to say that winners can now have payment directly into their bank accounts so the choice is yours when you are lucky in the draw.
If you’re not already a member of the 100 Club then why not
join us for as little as £1 per month
Can I join and why should I? What’s it all about?
Well, anyone who is a member of the golf club, either a playing or non-playing member, is eligible. You don’t have to pay £100, there isn’t a limit of 100 members or even 100 shares, you don’t even have to be 100 years old!
The original concept back in 1987 when the 100 Club was formed was probably aiming for 100 members to take up 100 shares. However today we currently have nearly 140 members and they have over 730 shares between them. It works a little like a lottery. The income from share ownership is re-distributed in two ways. Some is given as winnings in the monthly prize draw and the rest is available to fund a contribution towards items or projects in the golf club that are not within normal budgets. The Honours Boards are a good example of how the 100 Club can help the golf club. Generally around 50% of income goes in prizes and 50% left as available funding.
Without financial assistance the golf club would not necessarily be able to do or replace these things so with help from the 100 Club we all benefit. So by paying as little as £1 per month to the 100 Club, or more if you wish, you can help fund club ‘extras’ and at the same time maybe win a small cash prize as well.
Pat Wallis
Editor: David Marshall
DISCLAIMER
The Editorial Team take no responsibility for incorrect information received from Contributors.
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