Hello golfers,

 

Handicaps and Associated Matters

There seem seems to be some confusion about the changes introduced by CONGU (Council of National Golf Union) that took effect from 1st January this year: 

Operative Date - The handicap year will now follow the calendar year, 1st January to 31st December, and a player's handicap will be based on scores returned within that period. 

Increase in Handicap Limits - The maximum handicap has been increased to 54 from 28 for men and 36 for women. However these increases are only available for social golf and not eligible for "competition" status". 

Allocation or Reinstatement of Handicap Status - Allocation or Reinstatement of a competition status handicap requires a player to submit three qualifying scores which can now be 18 holes competitions, 9 hole competitions, and supplementary scores (home or away). 

Qualifying 9 hole score recording - The format is "stableford" and to provide an 18 hole outcome the following rules apply: i. Scores within the buffer zone still requires 18 points to be added; ii. Scores outside the buffer zone will be simply doubled. 

Re-activation of Handicap - If a player leaves a club with a "c (competition)" handicap, this status will remain valid for the year of resignation and for the following calendar year, should a player join another affiliated club. 

Continuous Handicap Review - To assist with this process there will now be a computer generated report which highlights those players with 7 consecutive 0.1 increases. Handicap Committees are now recommended to review the performance of such players and to give due consideration to applying a handicap increase where applicable or required. 

Four Ball Better Ball Handicap Allowance - In stroke play each partner will receive 90% of their full handicap, and in match play the lowest handicap will now concedes strokes to the other 3 players based on 90% of the difference between the full handicaps rather than 75% (3/4) as at present. 

I hope I've cleared up any misunderstandings but if you're still uncertain on this or any other matter please feel free to get back to me. Issues currently under consideration include; slow play, priority on the course, introduction of nine-hole competitions, and that old chestnut, scorecards and their completion. I'll keep you posted. 

Hon. Match Secretary 
matchsecretary@leekgolfclub.co.uk 
May 2016

Defibrillator & Emergency Treatment Training

One of our Club Members, Spencer Henson is a Registered Paramedic and Advanced Life Support Instructor, Course Director and is the Senior Resuscitation Officer for the University Hospitals of North Midlands as well as a Member of the Army Reserve. 

On 12th April, Spencer gave up his free time to come and give us a lecture and lesson in our Committee Room at the Club to those Members who were interested. In the past, these had been poorly attended but on this evening, 22 people came, keen to learn and for some there was standing-room only! 

Instead of a "dry" text-book description of instructions, right from the start, Spencer made the evening very practical and encouraged input and participation from the Members. His first question, to everyone around the room, was "Why are you here and what do you seek to gain from this talk?" Spencer explained, if a Member has collapsed, the needs are:- 

1. Get Help. One person will not be able to manage completely alone. 
2. Then ABC. 

Firstly, assess whether the persons Airways are free and unobstructed and if not, to clear them. Secondly, ascertain whether the Member is Breathing or not. If they are, there is a need to make them Comfortable by turning them over onto their side which will maintain their airway. 

When Spencer asked for volunteers, Caroline Knight-Holland came forward (or downward) by lying in the prone position for Spencer to demonstrate to us how easy it is to turn-over an unconscious person. Caroline was a good "sport", allowing others to practise this upon her. 

If the Member is not breathing, Spencer next showed us (using a dummy) to leave the Member on their back whilst giving chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Spencer emphasised that if for any reason mouth to mouth did not occur, chest compressions should be continued until help arrives. If that does not succeed, he showed us how to then use the defibrillator. Thankfully, this could be carried out on the dummy with no Member needing to go through the shock-treatment themselves! 

Almost everyone in the room took part in the exercises. Substantial thanks are owed by the Club to Spencer for giving up his free time and for making it a light-hearted (no apologies for the pun) amusing and even entertaining, evening about something which is so vital to us all both as patients and rescuers. Further information on all aspects of resuscitation can be accessed from www.resus.org.uk 

David Smith


 

Mixed Fours Social

Typical bank holiday weather of heavy rain and high winds delayed the start of the social competition on Monday May 2nd. After an anxious wait of over an hour, sitting in the clubhouse, six teams of four set of down the first as the skies cleared and the winds abated. Each team consisted of two males and two females with the best one of each gender scoring points for their team. 

Despite the adverse weather and not insignificant amount of water on the course the winning team was Lady Captain Pat Beeson, husband Ian, Sheila and Ray Woolley who between them scored 60 points over the 13 holes played. 

This score was just good enough to edge out the Mosses and Thornhills who amassed 59 points. Third place went to the Paul Marriott, Wendy Marriott, Dave Smith and Ursula Smith with a creditable 58. 

All competitors dined together before Club Captain Andrew Baxter presented the prizes. Thanks go to Ladies Secretary Maria Wootton who organised the day.

Festival Trophy - Sunday 1st May

1st - Dave Salt - 40 Points 
2nd - Matt Adams - 38 Points 
3rd - Ken Ratcliffe - 37 Points