Fore Info October 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):
Club Captain News: Competition successes and Captains Day
Ladies Captain: Competition news and upcoming events
Vets update: roundup of matches, roll ups and upcoming events
Juniors: latest news
Competitions and Handicaps: Winter Knockouts and Winter Competitive play
Mixed Matches: results and upcoming sign ups
Rules Quiz Question and Answer: dropping a ball on a slope?
Greens News: the latest on our Course; turf disease update
General Managers update: important club info
Social: find out about past and upcoming events
Winners in the 100 Club: did you win? Need some/more tickets?
Welcome to those new members who have joined the club during September ; Dennis Armstrong, Chris & Alice Geaves , Toby Blackwell, Craig Chapman and Paul & Jeanette Canning.
We hope that you all have a long and enjoyable time at the club.
This Fore Info newsletter will help you find out about what’s going on around the club. As always there is a lot going on, especially at this time of year.
This month you can read about many of our successes at home and in regional competitions. Again AGC excelled!
As always the Greens Section is a MUST READ and this month there is some information on turf diseases from Simon, our Course Manager. I hope many of you will also help on the Divot day on October 3rd. A big thank you to those members who helped at the Ragwort Pull recently.
It was great to see a full clubhouse for the Supersonic Queen Evening. Read about it and the upcoming social events- sign up now.
At this time of year we look to fill positions on all committees as some members rotate out. The club needs you, so help make it even better by finding out more. Speak to David Maskery to see where your interest and skills fit in the diverse range of committees that keep this club thriving.
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
From the Club Captain
It fair to say September has been my busiest month for golf which brought many ups and downs.
Captains’ day often brings the best out of a golf club and we certainly managed that. 156 people took part from ages 13 to 89, a real credit to all our members. The weather was very kind to us and the course was in great condition. I would also like to thank Andy Sibbald for making and dishing up a mixture of meatballs and coronation chicken, Linda Lane, Les Thorne and my daughter Chelsea and partner Stan Jackson for helping with the cakes and drinks all day. Jamie has been a god send in helping in the office pre-event and on the day plus valuable support from Sandra Hooker, Charlie McLaughlin with the cards and Mary Rooke in patrolling the first tee for people just turning up to play plus collecting the cards and doing the team scoring for me. The scores were very close with Ashley Gregory winning on count-back.
The division winners were Gary Mugford, Charlie McLaughlin and Henry Reilly.
Gales Hockley
This was in its 50th year and we lost in the final 5.5 to 3.5 against Weybrook Park. Stand out result was Captain of the team Trevor Pearce winning 9&8 other wins also from Rob Gwilliam and James White, with Neil Flowers match being stopped on the 19th as enough matches had been won. We did win the plate for 2nd overall and a cheque for the junior foundation. After our recent first round exits the team should be really proud to have made the final. Team of Trevor Pearce, Neil Flowers, Rob Gwilliam, Richard Lane, Richard Prescott, Andy Nash, James White, Paul Kettley and David Fox
Kindred Cup
We played at Lee On The Solent but we unfortunately lost 4-1 in the Semi-Final to the host with Simon and Brian our only winners in the morning. In the afternoon we played Romsey for 3rd/4th place losing 3/2 with a win from Dave and Martin and halved result for Trevor and Mark with Simon and Brian remaining unbeaten. Although a disappointing finals day we should take credit in being the only team to have appeared in last three finals day, no one else has played more than once.
Team of Dave Seager, Trevor Pearce, Richard Lane, Andy Nash, Simon Clews, Brian Overton, Simon Freemantle, Stephen Hopkins Mark Tiplady and Martin Simmonds.
Other news
Congratulations to Jenny Myers and Ben Ludlam on winning the Elizabeth Price Mixed scratch open at Hankley Common with round of 76 and 75 by two shots. Kelly Travers and Grant Thorne won best afternoon (75) and finished 7th overall. Great to see players playing in open events around the region.
Tee Booking
Winter is unfortunately approaching with later mornings, early evenings so less light to play golf. Please be considerate with tee times. People have got so use to just booking the same people week in week out, are any away or unavailable please delete as soon as possible to free up times for others, it could be you in a few weeks time. Please try and play in fours and maximise all slots its for everyone to enjoy. Thank you in advance for your consideration to others.
Richard Lane
Club Captain
Ladies Section
I am starting to write this in Spain having been here for a Friend’s wedding and therefore missed the recent rain and cancelled events. Despite the weather it has been a very successful month for Alresford Ladies.
The month started well with our eclectic teams of Lynne Cowser, Sigi Hill, Maggie Jones and Sarah Worthington came 2nd by half a point at Corhampton and Sue Pearce, Rosemary Verrall, Ann Younger and Marion Bruce came 3rd on c/b at Hockley. Later on in the month the team of Polly Church, Elaine Capp, Jane Macrae and Linda Wager played at Broadstone not in the prizes but represented Alresford well.
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Well done Jane Scott and Lynne Cower who won the Hampshire Past Captains Gross prize at Hockley.
Congratulations to Rosie Rooney, she has been selected for the England Regional Squad (South) and will join their winter training progamme. The Regional Programme bridges the gap for promising young players from the County Talent Programmes into the National Squads. It aims to produce the next wave of players competing to win at national and international level for England. It could be the stepping stone to great things. Past Masters champion Danny Willett and Past British Open winner Georgia Hall are among the graduates of the England regional training programme.
Great news Alresford Scratch Trophy leagues have finished and Alresford are through to the final for the first time against Corhampton also first time winners. It will be a very close match on Sunday 13th October. Good luck to Lynne and the team.
Congratulations to our board competition winners Jacqui Sanger Medal Winners Trophy and Jo Youngs Chetwode Trophy and all medal and stableford winners this month. Daily Mail foursomes was won by Sarah Staines and Heather Williams who will represent Alresford in the knockout rounds, well done.
All our summer knockouts have concluded this month congratulations to Evelyn Laming winner Sue Poulter r/u Sarah Farthing, Esme Norris winner Sigi Hill r/u Jane Macrae, Committee Cup winner Marion Bruce r/u Judy Wright.
Thank you Richard and Linda for a splendid Captain’s Day and ladies were well presented in the prizes!
As you can see below in the HLG section, our Alresford Ladies continue to bring home the trophies- well done!
Looking forward to our Autumn Meeting next month.
Enjoy your golf
Sandra
Sandra Hooker
Ladies Captain
Hampshire Ladies Golf
HLG Div 2 Autumn Meeting was held at Alresford on Thurs 12th September with 6 Alresford players featuring in the top 8 places! Congratulations to winner Elizabeth Hesse and runner up Jane Macrae both with 38 pts.
HLG Foursomes Championships was rearranged for Wednesday 25th September at Army and Kelly Travers and Jenny Myers only went and won the Championship with a gross 73, 2 shots clear of the field!
Sarah Farthing and Mandy Overton were 3rd in both the gross and nett competitions with 82 and Jane and Becky Scott were 4th gross (86).
Alresford’s scratch team of Jenny, Kelly and Sarah Farthing were beaten in the semi-final of the HLG North Hants Trophy at Brokenhurst Manor GC on Sunday 29th September by eventual winners North Hants.
Another excellent run in this trophy for captain Suzie Batty, who caddied along with Grant Thorne and Lynne Cowser, getting to the semis for the second year running.
Ann
Ann Younger
AGC Delegate, HLG
Vets Section
The end of September and the beginning of October marks the start of the autumn golfing season. Around this time of year, the day length is shortening at its fastest rate at nearly four minutes each day and at the end of the month the clocks going back will mark the end of evening golf. So September is the last celebration of summer golf and the end of the Vets’ Summer Friendlies. There are two more scheduled matches to play; away to Cowdray Park on September 30th and away to Hartley Wintney on October 3rd.
Farnham have offered us a rematch away to Farnham later in October following the abandonment the scheduled match earlier in the year.
SEPTEMBER SUMMER FRIENDLIES RESULTS.
Mon 2nd Sept Lee-on-the-Solent. Away Win 4½ -1½
Thurs 5th Sept. Royal Winchester. Away Abandoned
Wed. 11th Sept Hartley Wintney Home Win 5-1
Thurs. 19th Sept. Cowdray Park. Home Lost 5-2
Tues 24th Sept. Away to Stoneham Away Lost 5-2
The loss to Cowdray Park at home was particularly disappointing as it in increased our home losses this season by 33%. Of this seasons 20 home matches we have now lost only four.
WEDNESDAY MORNING ROLLUPS.
Again, throughout September the Rollup numbers have held up well in the high teens and only falling off slightly during when the weather has not been at its best.
The Flag Day Competition
This is one of the highlights of the Vets Rollup season and was held as part of our Wednesday 18thSeptember rollup slot.
The winners of all three categories came from the second team out (!) and were as follows: 
Red Category (60-69) Steve Oldham In the hole on the 17th
Green Category (70-75) Ian Hewlett Adjacent to hole on the 18th
Blue Category (76 and older) Mel Elford Also in the hole on the 17th
The overall and trophy winner, he who carried a flag the furthest was Ian Hewlett
COMPETITIONS
Joe Kitchen Competition.
The first leg of this Vets’ 36 hole competition was held in on Monday 23rd September in such biblical rain that the when I reached the starters hut, for our arranged tee time, I congratulated all three of us; Drew Fielden, Torquil Jack and myself as coming at least first second or third, as it appeared to me that no one else would turn up to play in such condition. In the event seven hardy Vets entered the competition bringing the total number of contestants to eleven.
I was not far off in my congratulatory prediction in that after the second and final leg was played on the following Wednesday Drew Fielden came 2nd and Torquil Jack came 3rd! Winer on countback was Geoff Jenkins
FORTHCOMMING EVENTS
The Vets’ Social event of the year
The Vets and Partners Black Tie Dinner Thursday 24 October
This is our premier Golf Club entertainment of the year and one not to be missed.
Arrive 7.00pm
7.30pm 3 Course Dinner with complimentary glass of wine and present for the ladies
Entertainment with: Nick Lipton – Top rated Saxophonist with a mellow,
laid back style to provide the perfect ambiance for the evening. (see attached)
Price £30 per head
Support the Vets and say Thank You for the encouragement we get from
our partners to play this wonderful game of golf
At Last Year’s stand out event we gave you a Magician and a mock
execution and this year we aim to delight you with an amazing Sax
player and musician.
Nick enjoys consistent ten out of ten ratings.
This is music we guarantee you will enjoy.
The Signup Sheet is currently posted on the Vets Noticeboard.
Payment for the event will be via deduction from your bar-card.
Hoping for an October late Indian Summer to address some of the worst Summer weather we have experienced for a number of years and thankful that Alresford is our home course and in spite of the weather has remained, unlike so many, open all summer.
Ewan
Ewan McGregor
Vets Captain
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Juniors Section
Rosie
Rosie Rooney
Juniors Captain
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Competitions and Handicap Committee Report
Winter Knockout Competitions 2024-25
Men’s Lombard 4BBB & Mixed Winter Foursomes
The draw for the league stage has now been made and matches may now be arranged. All matches in each league must conclude by 31st December 2024. As a reminder each side has equal responsibility to arrange matches. Full Terms of Competition, together with an example as to how to calculate playing handicaps are displayed along with the league on the notice boards in the Clubhouse (Mixed) and men’s changing room (Lombard). Please update the sheets with the results of matches played.
Remember: these competitions are predominantly played during the winter months and the competition should therefore be “play the course as you find it”, including tee locations and temporary greens. This year these competitions the men will play from the YELLOW tees.
Winter 2024/25
The greens committee are considering a number of winter projects which may have a significant impact on the qualifying status of the course during the winter months.
Some limited winter competitions will be available, if the course allows it, so keep an eye out in the Member’s Update/Member’s App for information.
Please remember England Golf stipulate that for scores to be acceptable for handicapping, no more than 2 temporary greens are allowable for 18 hole score and only one temporary green for 9 hole score. In addition, the course length must not be increased or decreased by more than 100 yards for an 18 hole round or 50 yards for a 9 hole round.
Greenstaff will update the App on a daily basis as to whether the Courses is qualifying or not, and course signage will be visible on the first tee, clearly stating whether the course is deemed qualifying or not. If the course is not qualifying then no General Play rounds will be permissible.
The decision taken at the time of posting the course status is final will NOT change after that time.
On the occasions that General Play rounds are allowable any General Play scorecards MUST be submitted in the box and will be monitored by the C&H Committee. Any cards submitted on a day when the course is not qualifying will be deleted.
It is likely that the facility to enter General Play scores via the England Golf App will be turned off so that the C&H Committee can monitor such score submission.
Many thanks
Gill Freemantle
Chair Competitions & Handicap Committee, Handicap Secretary
Mixed Matches
A Look at the Rules
Question
Greens
Firstly, I want to thank the members of the Elephant Group, organised by Andy Morffew, for being proactive and helping the greenkeeping team by filling divots with a sand a seed mix as they play. Thankyou one and all.
We have yet again had unusually high rainfall to contend with, more than 5.2” (130mm) up to 26th September (August 78mm) and I want to thank the greenkeeping team for all they have done to ensure the course is not just playable but presented so well. Please help the team to protect the course as autumn sets in by keeping your buggies and trolleys away from greens and bunker edges, at least 3 yards.
In FORE, this month I have asked Simon Justice, our Course Manager, to explain the diseases that are threatening our course.
“Dollar spot is a turf disease which has started to increasingly affect playing conditions on our golf course over the last 2-3 years. The cause of this fungal disease is still being investigated and trials are being undertaken, including fungicides and turf hardening liquids such as iron, to cure it. From a management perspective the effect of Dollar Spot is getting worse, I plan to try and mitigate the disease throughout the 2025 playing season, by spraying the tee tops and apron fronts with a fungicide and introduce monthly liquid nutrition, with iron, to the Fairways. The 1st fairway has really been hit hard by Dollar Spot and it has migrated onto the green. The areas affected by Dollar Spot will now need plugging out of the centre of the green as recovery will not happen over the winter. Fertiliser has been applied to tees, aprons and the academy course to help them to recover from the Dollar Spot.”
In addition, the team have sprayed the greens with a fungicide to prevent fusarium patches from getting established. “Fusarium is sometimes called ‘snow mould’ that develops when we have mild damp weather. Consequently, it is frequently seen between September and March. If you keep an eye out for fusarium on the course the first thing you are likely to see is a patch or patches of irregularly shaped orange grass. They start off small but spread quite quickly. If you look closely you may also notice little white fibres attached to the grass. These are the fruiting bodies of the fungus known as Microdochium Nivale. Fusarium spores are all around. They are in the soil on the course, probably the soil under your lawn and they are carried by the wind. Most of the time they do no harm. They feed on dead plant material helping to decompose it. Normally populations of fusarium are kept under control by ‘good’ soil microbes. However, when conditions are right the fungus grows rapidly and begins feeding on living plants. Frost will kill it but snow provides and insulating blanket under which it thrives so it can often be seen immediately after a thaw, hence the name snow mould.”
The grass is still growing so the team continue to do lots of mowing. This month the greenkeepers will trial some different fairway mowers as the club look to purchase a new machine for spring 2025. The green keeping team in their ongoing work to improve the presentation of the course have recently been hand mowing the tee tops. The more observant golfers will have noticed the striping and tighter mown edges. They have also begun to repair the bare areas around the course in addition to raising and levelling the sprinkler heads.
In next month’s FORE I will share details of what the greenkeeping team will carry out from late autumn to early spring to further improve the course. These “Winter Projects” will once again include the repair and improvement of tees and bunkering.
Finally, we need volunteers for a Divot Party on Thursday 3rd October. If you are able to help please see the General Manager or the Course Manager.
Derek Myers
Chair Greens
General Manager’s Update
Welcome to those new members who have joined the club during September ; Dennis Armstrong, Chris & Alice Geaves (5 day) , Toby Blackwell (Student), Craig Chapman and Paul & Jeanette Canning (Social Extra).
We hope that you all enjoy your time with us.
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.
SUCCESSES AWAY FROM HOME ?
If you enter and play in any competitions (Opens, Invitations , county events etc) and are successful in anyway – please let us know so we can publicise your achievements. We are not automatically advised of your entry into external competitions or informed of results so unless you tell us , we may well be in the dark. Please let us know of your golfing achievements so we can celebrate them with you as a club.
BUNKERS LEFT IN A MESS!
PLEASE take a minute to rake the bunker after you have played from it. Leave it how you would like to find it.
If you do not know how to rake a bunker properly, please see the video on our Facebook Page.
https://www.facebook.com/alresfordgolfclub/videos/1399084410777225?locale=en_GB
TAKEN A DIVOT ON A PAR 3 TEE SHOT?
Please take a minute to fill your divot with the divot mix provided. This soil and seed mix will aid a speedy recovery to the tee box and help our Greenkeepers keep the teeing area well maintained for your enjoyoment.
TROPHY WINNERS 2023
Would all trophy winners please return their trophies to the club. They all need to be returned so they can be audited and engraved in readiness.
All Trophies (including any won and already presented in 2024) must be returned to the Office by Friday 11th October.
Every year we are left with a few unhappy members who either do not have an engraved trophy or a trophy at all, where previous winners have forgotten to return their silverware in time.
PLEASE RETURN YOUR TROPHIES IN PLENTY OF TIME.
PLEASE HELP US – As the weather becomes more autumnal (and wet!) – please CLEAN YOUR GOLF SHOES before entering the clubhouse whether you are accessing the changing rooms, office or bar from the patio or main entrance doors. Help us keep YOUR clubhouse clean and tidy.
The DINING ROOM is a NO GOLF SHOES AREA !
Please DO NOT sit on the furniture anywhere in the clubhouse in wet golf clothing (including waterproofs) . Please change out of wet and muddy clothing
PLEASE NOTE : GREENS MAINTENANCE WEEK 21st -25th October.
Front 9 holes ~ Monday 21st will be on Temporary greens.
Back 9 holes Tuesday 22nd will be on Temporary greens.
Works will consist of solid tining and top-dressing greens.
Tees and Aprons will also be top dressed.
We will also be treating Greens, Tees, Aprons and the 3rd and 17th fairways with insecticide to control Leather jackets around this time.
As always the exact timing and duration of the work will be weather dependant but it is hoped to achieve it all by the 24th October.
Please DO NOT arrange to bring guests during the week and expect the course to be fully open for play. And then be unhappy if this is not the case. The Greens Maintenance weeks are published in the club diary with a year’s notice.
DON’T FORGET – Temporary greens will be in play whilst the greens are being worked on and you will not be able to enter a General Play round for handicapping.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – SUB-COMMITTEES
The club’s AGM is held at the end of November at which the Chairs of the sub-committees are elected or ratified for the following year. Members of sub-committees are permitted for two periods of three years (Rule 7.4) after which they must normally stand down. Therefore, Chairs of Sub-Committee are regularly looking for interested and willing members to sit on the sub-committees. If you would like to offer your skills and/or enthusiasm to help the club , please speak to David, General Manager who can explain the roles of the various sub-committees and put you in touch with Sub-Committee Chair.
COMING SOON
THE COCK AND HEN TROPHY COMPETITION – Sunday 20th October.
You can now sign up on Club V1 or on the sign up sheet on the social notice board.
To enter go to Club V1 -> Today’s Golf -> Sign In/Pre Registration.
The Cock and Hen Trophy is a relaxed sociable golf afternoon playing a mixed 4BBB competition with drawn partners followed by a 2 course meal. The entry fee is £23 which includes the meal and prizes.
The carvery meal consists of roast beef, roast turkey and nut roast (vegetarian option) which are all GF and are served with roast potatoes, honey roasted carrots & parsnips, cauliflower cheese, yorkies & gravy. (If GF yorkies are required please advise the kitchen). The desserts will be fruit crumble & custard (GF) or tiramisu
Any specific dietary requirements should be advised directly to the kitchen.
Please change for the meal (Smart casual).
The entry fee must be paid in advance at the bar by Tuesday 15th October.
Entries close on Sunday 13th October and the start sheet with tee times and partners will be posted on 15th October. Sign up now to be sure you don’t miss another great event from your social committee!
CLUB DINNER – Saturday 11th November
Enjoy an arrival drink, delicious three-course dinner and ‘magical’ entertainment
Sign Up sheet on social noticeboard.
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.
This month’s highlight was undoubtedly on 21 September with the amazing Supersonic Queen. The evening saw more than 90 people on their feet, dancing, clapping and “singing” along with ‘Freddie’, ‘Brian’ and the rest of the band! It was great to see such a full and lively clubhouse and especially lovely to see Jackie Coulson able to come along to enjoy the night. October promises to be busy with Kit’s Kwiz and Kurry night on the 19th and the Cock and Hen on the 20th. Sign up sheets are up for both and, this week also, for Club Dinner on 11th November.
Also coming soon for your ghoulish enjoyment, the Halloween Texas Chain Saw Massacre Scramble on Sunday 27 October.
So get your diaries and pens out and book up your places. In other news, Marion is retiring in November as our long serving and hard working treasurer and Kim is moving on to organise the Club mixed matches. Very many thanks to them both for everything have contributed to the committee and the social activities at the Club.
Thanks, Alicia
Alicia Hardy
Chair Social
A Look at the Rules
ANSWER
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 October 2024
£100 Sarah Thorne
£50 Rob Gates
£35 Prizewinners
Esme Goodacre
Wynne Tufnell
Kathryn Fielden
Rosemary Verrall
Jacqui Sanger
Congratulations to all our prize winners this month. Not lucky this month? May be your turn in November.
New to the golf club or have simply never thought about joining the 100 Club! Now is your chance…..
Anyone who is a member of the golf club as either a playing or non-playing member can be in the 100 Club. As a 100 Club shareholder you will be actively contributing towards future enhancements to our golf club facilities and have the chance of winning a cash prize each month.
Without financial assistance the golf club would not necessarily be able to do or replace items such as the shoe cleaner or more recently the new honours boards so with help from the 100 Club we all benefit. 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.
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.
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