Clubhouse Development

By the time you read this we should have received our Architect’s detailed drawings, comprising plans, elevations, design options, proposed layouts and visualisations.

Assuming this to be the case the timing now looks this:

End August – meeting of the Management Committee Sub-Group leading on the project to review and approve drawings and visualisations

September – up to three weeks membership consultation, including if required one-to-one and small group meetings 

September 23 – Management Committee sign-off of the consultation process, but to extend the deadline beyond this if proving necessary

End September – finalisation of all plans and costings

October – finalisation of funding proposals

End October – EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting) for membership final approval of project plans, costings and funding proposals

We will be in touch with you again once we have the appropriate visualisations to hand, and the methodology for consulting all members.

Thanks once again for your patience and for your continuing support for this exciting project.

Nick Duncan

Chair, Planning and Development Committee

The Ladies Invitation is also reducing in popularity each year – something we will be looking at in Committee – but a change in format may be necessary if we want to keep this in the calendar going forward.  If anyone would like to make a suggestion as to how we could renew this competition please let me have your ideas.

Many of you will have seen my email about the Macmillan Stableford on the 31^st August/3^rd September.  I look forward to presenting one of you with a rose once the results are in.

We are encouraging our Junior Girls to take part in Ladies Competitions when they are able but they do need an adult to mark their cards for them.  Aside from Saturdays – the next occasion now will be at half term when we will welcome them to join us in the Tuesday Stableford – if you are interested in playing with them then do please let me know.

On 29^th September, the Alresford Cup takes place (at Alresford) which is a Junior Girls Trophy  competed for by girls from Hampshire, Berkshire, Dorset, Kent, Middlesex, Surrey, Sussex and Wiltshire.  This is an inspirational day for us all and we need your help in the form of shepherdesses to escort the groups around the course on the day.  There is a sheet on the noticeboard to sign up for this extremely rewarding task so please do consider giving your time to do this.

Finally the sign-up sheet for the Autumn Meeting is also on the board in the changing room so please do put your names down to play.

Happy Golfing!

Sue

Entry Criteria for Competitions 

A follow-up and reminder from previous editions of Fore Info. We’re changing one of the basic entry criteria for competitions. Instead of having a handicap with competition status you will have to have submitted scores in at least 6 qualifying competitions in the 12 months prior to the closing date of entry for the competition. Remember, that for men, there are no qualifying competitions between mid-November and the beginning of March, so to be eligible for competitions in March 2020 you need to ensure you submit enough qualifying scores this year.

Some other reminders: –

• To enter the 2019/2020 Winter Leagues, by 20^th October 2019 you will need to have played in at least 6 qualifying competitions since November 2018.
• To enter the summer knock-outs in 2020, by 1^st March 2020 you will need to have played in at least 6 qualifying competitions since 1^st March 2019. 
• If you have not submitted enough qualifying scores, then you may still play in singles, stroke-play competitions for handicapping purposes only. You will not be eligible for prizes.

Supplementary Scores

The procedure for submitting a Supplementary Score is posted in the Changing Rooms. A couple of important reminders …

• You must register for a Supplementary Score using the PSI terminal before you start your round.
• Your score card should be dated, signed by your marker, and the set of tees used must be indicated.
• Your score card should be placed in the green box underneath the PSI terminal.

George Clelland

Question.

A player tees off into long rough approximately 200 yards from the tee.

He decides to play a provisional ball which finishes in the short rough 150 yards from the tee. He then plays the provisional ball to the green.

He then finds his original ball and plays it to the green and holes the putt.

When picking up his provisional ball, he discovers that it was not his provisional ball.

What did the player score for the hole?

Best 1^st 9  (1st Tee starters)   Ed Tinley & Reg Webster (Coxmoor)
Best 1^st     (10th Tee starters)  Pete Dowse & Bob Wolf (Surbiton)

Nearest the Pin on 6th …………..  Geoff Hooker (Basingstoke)
Nearest the Pin on 13th …………  Norman Sheen
Nearest the Pin in 2 on 18th ….   Ian Avory (Tyrells Wood)

The annual Flag Competition took place on a very wet and challenging Wednesday morning with a small but hardy group of stalwart Vets. Players were allowed just 60 shots plus handicap with the winner Gareth Rees (pictured with the trophy presented by Wynne Tufnell) making the 17^th fairway.

The shot of the month award goes to Eddie “The Eagle” Martin who in round 1 of the Bill Young Trophy and from deep in the trees to the right of the 18th sank his second shot for an amazing eagle; much jubilation and a huge well done Eddie!

Drew Fielden

This has been done now in order to let it settle for a couple of months while the ground is nice and firm.

We have also moved some soil out of the local Fencing company’s yard on to the golf course and this soil will help build the 13th tee and with other projects. Leaf heaps have been turned and the 2 to 3-year-old mulch has been moved up to the range.

Our new range bunker is now settled in and in use. The liner and bunker edging are all artificial, creating a sealed unit so no more stones. We welcome your comments please as this design will spread around the golf course if all are in favour.

Ragwort pulling is under way.

The request to remove the ragwort came from a member of the public walking through the course (we also have many members who detest the plant).

We could be subject to an ASBO under the Ragwort Act of 2003 if we didn’t control it following a request from the “authorities”.

Natural England do take a different view!

I have attached 2 photos.

If you look closely, you will see a little stripy caterpillar in the bottom right of the attached picture.

It is the larva of the Cinnabar Moth – a beautiful native daytime moth (pictured) which only lives on Ragwort.

Natural England would prefer us to keep and encourage Ragwort.

We have decided to clear away from paths and bridleways, leaving other areas for the sheep to tackle. Yes, the farmer is very happy with this as there is plenty of other food to balance out.

Many thanks to all who helped with the first two stints with one more booked on Tuesday 10th September. One more big push and we will have cleared as much as we plan so please come and help.

I am pleased to report a slight reduction in damage to the holes following this article last month. Thank you!

We have also asked members to avoid taking trolleys between greenside bunkers and greens.

Due to weather conditions, we do have areas of wear around many greens so could we please avoid taking trolleys on the fringes. Where possible please keep trolleys well away from greens. The worn areas have now been whitelined as GUR.

A candidate for the trainee’s position has been interviewed and will be doing a week’s work experience with us from Tuesday 27th August fingers crossed it all works out and he joins the team as the number 6.

Best wishes for a great month of golf!

Mark Tiplady

Answer.

The Player scored a 5 which included a two shot penalty for playing a wrong ball.

Other examples of penalties that are not disregarded because they also apply to the ball in play include:

• Making a practice stroke during a hole (Rule 5.5a).
• Playing a wrong ball (Rule 6.3c(1)).
• Asking for or giving advice (Rule 10.2a).

Interpretation 6.3c(1)/1

Almost £5,000 was added to the Centenary Fund – a fantastic contribution.

It proved so popular that members who had joined chose to continue the scheme indefinitely.  The ongoing objective of the 100 Club was then agreed as being “to provide funds for capital expenditure to enhance the Golf Course and/or Club House”.  This is still very much the objective and projects supported by the 100 Club would generally be considered ‘extras’ and not necessarily within the Golf Club budget. Many items have been purchased over the years with the new rattan patio furniture being the most recent.  In recent years the 100 Club has purchased the drinking fountain on the 4^th/15^th holes, the finger post signage, the Information Board and Clock at the first tee and the automated Defibrillator in the Entrance Hall.

So, can I join the 100 Club?  

Yes of course.

New members are always welcome and so as a Golf Club member you can actively contribute towards future enhancements to the facilities on the Golf Course or Clubhouse whilst having the opportunity to win a monthly cash prize. Or why not increase your existing shareholding for an even better chance of a prize. 

Shares can be purchased for £1 per month paid for by Standing Order and there is no limit on the number which can be held – most members have between 1 and 5 shares.  Each share is allocated a number which is entered into the monthly draw with a top prize of £100, with a second prize of £50 and four other prizes of £32.

For more information contact Pat Wallis on 01420 564417 or peterpat51@outlook.com, or call in to the Secretary’s Office.

Pat Wallis