2014 PRO / CAPTAIN EXTEND THEIR RUN OF WINS IN CHALLENGE MATCHES

Last Friday saw Andy Baxter (h'cap 11) and Mike Wootton (h'cap 19) take on the Pro/Captain pairing in another one of the successful Challenge matches. In adverse weather conditions the start of the round was going to be all important and a lead over the first five holes was required by the challengers if they were to have a smell of a victory. Unfortunately for Andy and Mike this was to prove a tough task when the Pro/Captain were able to start with a run of five solid pars resulting in a match score of 3 down after 5 for the Challengers. However the score line could have been so much more different had the shortish putts been put away by Andy and Mike. The 6th hole may well have gone the way of the Challengers when Mike holed out for a classy par leaving the Pro or the Captain to hole a tricky 3 footer from above the hole to ensure that there was no change to the match score. The Captain holed successfully and the Pro quickly picked his ball up and moved on to the 7th tee with his reputation intact.

The 7th saw both of the Pro and Captain on the green some 12 feet from the cup and after a good chip on to the putting surface from Andy Baxter it was Greg's turn to hole out for a winning birdie 2. Pro/ Captain 4up.

The 8th was probably the best played hole of the day. With the Captain getting his par it was up to Greg to hole out from 6 feet for another birdie and to secure a half against a now rampant Baxter. His pitch from 30 yards stayed on the lip of the hole to ensure a 4 nett 3 and earn him the title of "Shot of the Day" from his opponents. Greg misread the perfectly straight putt to leave the door ajar and provide some encouragement for the opponents to get back into the game. This confidence continued for Andy and Mike when Mike knocked it on to the 9th green (with a shot) to set up another hole winning opportunity. His first putt was excellent leaving it just 3 feet below the hole and when a par was the best that could be achieved from the Professional it looked as if the deficit was going to be halved within 2 holes. The putt was not struck well and yet another opportunity was missed to get back in to the match. The score at the half way point was 3 up to the Pro/Captain but they realised that it could so easily have been all square if the opportunities had been seized by the Challengers.

During the series of matches the 10th and the 16th holes had seen Greg produce his best golf. Today was no exception. A great drive left Greg with an opportunity to get up in 2 but unfortunately he "duffed it" just like the rest of us mere mortals do from time to time. His response however was to knock a fantastic iron shot to 3 feet to set up another winning birdie. This was his attempt to win the converted "Shot of the Day" title but unfortunately his putt did not even have a look at the hole as it slid passed and as the Captain had already conceded Andy's par putt there was to be no change to the overall score. The next 4 holes were halved but once again the opportunities to win them by the challengers had flown by. Missed putts on the 11th, 12th and 14th from Andy and Mike had allowed the score to remain at 3 up to the Pro/Captain pairing and by now the rain had started to get really heavy.

Captain's comment

"With the rain lashing down it was important to be adequately dressed for golf. Waterproof golf wear was the order of the day for Andy, Mike and myself but the Professional had decided that a new "summer wear" jumper and light coloured fashion trousers were more appropriate. Now with all the courtesy golf gear that the Professional is provided with and all of the excellent stock that he has in the Pro's shop you would have thought that he would prefer to NOT look like a drowned rat".

On the 15th tee Greg was now appealing to his partner to "use his shot" to win the hole in order to prevent the game continuing down the 16th fairway. Andy successfully managed a 5 nett 4 so The Captain was left with a 15 footer across the green for a 4 nett 3. This was holed, even though it never looked like it was going to drop, but the Professional was ecstatic. The match had been won by a score line of 4 & 3 but we all knew that it could have been the Challengers who were celebrating in the bar afterwards.

"I am sure that Andy and Mike have enjoyed it. Greg always provides us with shots that show "a bit of class" and his driving during this game was second to none" said the Captain.

If any of the Ladies section would like to Challenge the Pro/Captain they would be only too pleased to accept. Greg commented "The toughest opponent that we have played in the series of matches has been Karen Wilshaw who was fantastic off her handicap. Maybe there are other Ladies who could provide us with a scare or two"?

We have no Challenge Match booked in for the next 2 weeks, anybody interested in playing please call into the pro shop and book a day to play.

Please contact Jake in the Pro shop or click here if you would like to support this year's Captain's Charity. All of the proceeds will go to "The Ronald McDonald Charity House at Birmingham Children's Hospital" and "Wheelchairs for Horton Lodge" Charity Appeal.

CAPTAIN'S AWAY DAY

Dear Friends

I am really pleased to see so many names down for the above event which will take place at Burton on Trent Golf Club on June 20th. It is a very good tree lined course with difficult fast greens and is not too undulating. Can I just take this opportunity to remind you, that to confirm your place a remittance of £39.00 is required to be paid to Mr D H Gallimore. Your remittance is due by Tuesday 6th May and please feel free to deposit this in the Secretary's Office.

We have been allocated a two tee start and a full list of tee times will be displayed on the notice board when numbers have been confirmed.

Thanks

Dave Gallimore (Captain)

"KEEPING YOU POSTED"

Leek Golf Club is hosting the above event over next weekend, 9th to 11th May. This is a prestigious event and will provide an opportunity for us to enhance the high esteem in which our club is already held. Therefore it is important that we pull together to ensure that all runs smoothly. There will be inevitable restrictions on course availability for members, particularly on Friday 9th when the course will be closed till 2:30 pm. Members will then be able to commence play from the first tee only.

On Saturday and Sunday the format of the competition changes to match play and therefore course availability for members will be fluid. Members may find it beneficial to give our Professional a call for an update on the state of play or even come along to support the event till the course becomes available.

On Saturday morning the first tee will be closed till 10:30 and the eleventh tee closed from 9:30 till all competitors have passed through. The course will be open to members in the afternoon. On Sunday morning the first tee will be closed from 8:30 till 10:00 am and the eleventh tee closed at 10:00 till all competitors have passed through.

On Sunday afternoon the first tee will be closed at 1:00 pm till 2:00 pm and the eleventh tee closed at 2:30 till the competitors have passed through.

Throughout the duration of the event play must not commence from tees other than the first and eleventh. Also, members must book in with the professional before commencing play. Your committee looks forward to members' support in welcoming our visitors.

Best wishes and please stay connected.

secretary@leekgolfclub.co.uk

Regards, Dave Hon. Secretary

2nd TEAM WIN 11-1 AGAINST LAKESIDE GC IN NS&DGL

The second home game in the league for the second team resulted in a very encouraging 11-1 win. The priority this year is promotion-but to achieve this both our teams must have a very good home record, and pick up solid points away from Leek.

From the previous game Tony Clarke, Dave Alcock and Mick Andrews were replaced by Richard Cordon, Andy Tooth and James Hutchinson. With a reasonable-sized squad captain Mark Shea has a difficult job selecting the strongest combinations.

He seemed to have got it just right on Saturday with a resounding 11-1 win.

Here are the details:

Pete Cordon & Rob Thompson-won

Andy Baxter & Paul Brass-won

Matt Lancaster & John Moss-won

James Hutchinson & Ross Martin-won

Mark Shea & Richard Cordon-halved

Andy Tooth & Dennis Vincent-won

Mark's always threatening to drop players who don't perform, and being a Liverpool fanatic he will surely understand if there are now calls (tongue-in-cheek) for him to look at his position, as he has not won either of his first two games for the team!

Keep up the good work Mark!

MEN'S COMPETITION RESULTS
April & RNLI Medal

1st Division
John Moss Gross 75 Nett 70

2nd Division
Mark Shea Gross 74 Nett 64

3rd Division
Mick Walker Gross 83 Nett 67

4th Division
Brian Townsend Gross 93 Nett 69

LADIES COMPETITION RESULTS

Texas Scramble 22nd April
Winners- Jen Flavell, Paula Parkes and Leann Nixon 67.0 Points

January Medal
Silver
Miss Jen Flavell 86 - 14c = 72 
Mrs Wendy Thornhill 87 - 15c = 72 
Ms Deb Barnett 92 - 17c = 75 

Bronze
Mrs Karen Wilshaw 91 - 22c = 69 
Mrs Janet Gilbert 100 - 29c = 71 
Mrs Joy Briggs 96 - 22c = 74

April Extra Stableford
Mrs Jenny Cordon 38points 
Miss Leann Nixon 35 points 
Mrs Jackie Salt 32 points

Ladies 12 - 24 handicap team played Uttoxeter in the Inter Club Knock Out and won 3 1/2 to 1 1/2 Team was Lady Captain Karen Griffiths, Jayne Baxter, Deb Barnett, Karen Wilshaw and Sheila Woolley. Well done to all the team.

PLAYER PROFILE - LADY CAPTAIN 2014 KAREN GRIFFITHS

Name - Karen Griffiths
Handicap - 18
Joined Leek - 2005
Best Competition Score at Leek - 86 Gross
Favourite Hole - 14th
Favourite Hole ever played - Les Praz 8th Hole - Par 3
Favourite Player - Ian Poulter
Ultimate 4 ball - Annika Sorenstam, Inbee Park & Charley Hull

What's in the bag? 
Driver - PING G5
Fairway Wood - MD Superstrong
Hybrid - MD Superstrong
Irons - PING G5L
Wedges - PING G5L
Putter - PING Anser 2
Ball - Srixon Soft Feel
Lipstick (Watermelon), Clinique Moisture Surge & Factor 30 Sunscreen. 


2 HOLE IN ONES IN 2 WEEKS 

Pete Nixon has had 2 Hole in Ones in 2 weeks. 

The first coming Wednesday 16th April on the 4th Hole with an 8 iron & the second Tuesday 29th April again on the 4th Hole but this time with a 9 iron. 

He had to wait 11 years since his last Hole in One then had 2 in 2 weeks. If you haven't had chance to have a Whiskey on Pete the way he is going there might be another bottle of Whiskey on the bar next week.