PRO / CAPTAIN IN "LAUGH A MINUTE" CHALLENGE MATCH"We all know that Arthur Doherty and Paul Bradley are good company but the jokes started when we were putting our golf shoes on and didn't stop until we left the 19th hole 5 hours later. It is the most entertaining round that I have ever had and that's a credit to our playing partners" said the Captain. Arthur was to receive 15 shots from the Professional and Paul 18 shots. Jake made the Challengers slight favourites to take the honours on a wet and windy day and he has generally called the right result on each of the previous Pro /Captain Matches.
The first 3 holes were good for the Pro / Captain when they earned a fighting half at the 1st, a 2inch birdie putt from Greg on the 2nd and a 3 nett 2 for the Captain on the 3rd putting them 2 up in the early stages. On the 4th "heckling" seemed to be the order of the day. Paul and the Captain both had to hole out from 3 feet to avoid any embarrassment. The Captain asked Arthur "Can you speak up a bit more when I am on my backswing"? Paul asked for halves but the offer was politely refused by the Captain to add to the excitement. Both putts were firmly hit into the centre of the hole and hi-fives were exchanged as they moved on to the 5th. Paul was now getting involved in the battle for supremacy and decided to remove his waterproof suit. Now Paul's all black waterproofs look to be size XXL and with a black hat he gave the appearance of him playing a round of golf wearing a burka. Greg suggested he had something which was "made for him" in the shop and it would "knock shots off his handicap".
He got his revenge for the cutting comments on the 6th hole when a brilliant up and down from 100 yards earned Paul a nomination for the "Shot of the Day" and a 5 nett 4 to reduce the deficit to 1. "Now we have the honour we will not lose it" said Arthur. They immediately lost the next hole and were 2 down again. The 8th saw Arthur have some tough luck when he hit the hole from 40 feet but all was not lost when it secured the half.
The 9th saw both the Captain and the Pro knock it very close and neither was asked to putt out to win the hole. Score 3 up at the turn to the Pro / Captain team who were 4 under nett at the time)
Greg hit the 10th in 2 shots and secured a winning birdie 4 to move 4 up and 8 to play. The 11th was halved and 12th won by the Challengers when Arthur got an impressive 4 nett 3. He did better on the 13th when he got a 3 nett 2 to halve the deficit to 2 down and 6 to play. Confidence was building and the fist pumping began once again.
The fire was extinguished when the Captain won the 14th and 15th holes with his shots earning a winning margin of 4 & 3 to the Pro / Captain team.
The game had been played in such a good spirit that we all wanted to play the extra holes on offer. What a fun decision that was. Greg decided to join in and promptly birdied the 16th with a chip and a putt. Arthur gained a good half up 17th and the 18th was full of incident. Let me explain.
We had all hit drives up 18 with Greg booming his the farthest and Arthur the shortest. Arthur then smashed his fairway wood (off the heel) towards his playing partners. The Captain shouted a warning and pushed his Professional out of the way. Paul unfortunately reacted too slowly and took one on the ass for the team. Rubbing his buttock furiously he limped up the rest of the hole trying to play down the injury.
When we were in the bar afterwards Greg had decided to introduce a new toy to his friends. This was a silver gun that when you pressed the trigger the operator received quite a sharp electric shock. Now we were all caught out by this childish prank but when Paul joined us after receiving some first aid to his injured part he was unaware of the previous fun and frivolity that had gone on. We bought him a pint, apologised for the accident and enquired about his wellbeing and then he picked up the silver gun and pulled the trigger. "What the.............." he shouted as we burst in to hysterics. All of us including the Captain, The Professional, Arthur and Tony Clarke were in tears of laughter. A great end to a great day!!!!!!!!
If anyone else would like to challenge the Pro / Captain please arrange a date and time with Jake. All proceeds will go to the Captain's Charity. I know that you will enjoy the experience.
Seniors V Ladies Match
The first of two matches was played on Friday 23rd May. Unfortunately this match was reduced in numbers but was no less enjoyable.
It wouldn't be a Seniors/Ladies Match without the customary debate as to the match format, which begins over coffee in the lounge and continues up to the point the first ball is hit!
The teams are carefully matched, however there is always a queue to join Messrs Tatton and Weaver (you have to join in to know why). Unfortunately Dave Weaver was not well enough to join us this time and we all wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him in September.
I would like to give a special mention to Alan Bonehill who was hedging his bets as to whose side he was playing for by sporting a fine PINK visor.
All five matches avoided the rain, and everyone assembled in the Dining Room, eagerly awaiting the results.
Whilst the trophy has sported a pink ribbon for the past year, unfortunately the Ladies lost out this time, by a narrow margin of 5 - 0! The trophy is now well hidden at the back of the trophy cabinet with a tiny blue ribbon on it.
We look forward to the re-match in September!
Lady Captain
LEEK GOLF CLUB REINTRODUCE A WAITING LIST
"We are the victims of our own successes" were the opinions of The Captain and the President when they decided to review the present levels of membership at Leek Golf Club. "We feel that we provide an excellent product at the right price and that shows by the recent influx of applications" was the comment made at the Marketing and Promotions meeting. "We now have to consider protecting the interests of our existing members and this has led to the following decision being made" said the Hon Secretary.
At the May Management Meeting the Club Captain proposed that any applications for membership to LGC received after June 1st 2014, with the exception of Ladies and Juniors, would be placed on to a waiting list and no further members would be accepted until January 2015. The proposal was seconded by the Marketing and Promotions Chair and passed unanimously by the Members of the Management Committee.
The Captain says "This is a huge decision in the present economic climate but we are convinced that it is the right one for LGC and its members. We are able to make this decision, on behalf of our members, because of the excellent course that we have and the decisions that have been made by the Management Team during a long period of recession when golf nationally was in a serious period of decline. I would also like to thank our members, on behalf of the Management Team, for their patience and support during this period".
MEMBERS FEEDBACK
If any members have any news you would like to share with please inform Greg or Jake.
North Staffs Golf Captains' Association (NSGCA)
Last week more than forty past and current captains representing over a dozen golf clubs in North Staffs met at Leek to compete for their captain's trophy.
Brian Baggaley, current Captain of the Association, was on hand to welcome the visitors and he provided liquid refreshment on the 11th hole. Local knowledge and home advantage did not help the Leek entrants as Reg Ankers from Wolstanton won the Captains Trophy with a creditable 39 points. Second place went to Mike Latta from Alsager who just held off the challenge of Leek's Dennis Parkes.
In the subsidiary competition Bill Myatt(Trentham Park) scored 37points to push Mike Wootton(Leek) into second place.
Following the golf all members dined and wined in the clubhouse and this was no doubt where the biggest drives and longest putts were made.
MIXED OPEN - BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 26th MAY
40 couples played in this long-established popular fixture, and weren't disappointed with good weather, a course in excellent condition, and brilliant support from several members of Leek G.C. Leading the way with a fantastic 43 points was P McGahan & V McGahan team. The next best score was 38 points from three teams, pecking order being decided by back 9 scores:
I Menzies & T Danisevich Team-38
P Cordon & J CordonTeam-38
M Edgley & S Edgley Team-38
Also in the prizes was R Woolley & S Woolley Team with 37 points.
Nearest the pin On 4th
Ladies - G Duncan
Men - I Beeson
On 7th
Ladies - L McGovern
Men - I Sergeant
Organiser Andy Baxter commented that the numbers of entrants coming to Leek GC defied the trend that other clubs are experiencing with support for opens. "With so much golf available for all players, people now can 'cherry-pick' the best venues for these events. Leek GC has obviously been high on their 'pick-list' for choice. Please come along in August for our second event of this nature in 2014-you will not be disappointed."
Thanks go to Steve and Sally Longhorn for their help as "Mr Starter" and half-way house refreshments respectively. Mr Captain Dave Gallimore and Jackie also supported Sally. Thank you. The results were posted on How-did-I-do within 24hours, and would not have been possible without the input of Dave Robinson and Mick Barker. Jake also did a sterling job in the Pro Shop.
Spring 4BBB & Ping Qualifier
1st Karen Griffiths & Lisa Davies 41 Points
2nd Jayne Baxter & Jan Walker 40 Points
3rd Jenny Cordon & Paula Parkes 39 Points
Stableford trophy / McTier Qualifier
1st Mrs Joy Briggs 39 points
2nd Miss Leann Nixon 37 points
3rd Mrs Karen Wilshaw 36 points
May Extra Stableford
Mrs WENDY THORNHILL 34 points After Count-Back
MRS PAULA PARKES 34 points After Count-Back
MRS JENNY CORDON 34 points After Count-Back
May Medal
Bronze
Mrs PAT BEESON 102 - 27c = 75
Mrs MYRA WILLIAMS 100 - 21c = 79
Mrs WENDY MARRIOTT 101 - 22c =79
May Medal
Silver
MRS JENNIE FLOWER 86 - 16c = 70 After Count-Back
Miss JEN FLAVELL 84 - 14c = 70
MRS PAULA PARKES 88 - 16c = 72
May Extra Stableford
Division 1- Dave Mullen 38 Points
Division 2- Michael Leese 40 Points
Division 3- Mark Alcock 38 Points
Division 4- Bob Bates 37 Points
Centenary Cup
Sunday 25th May
1st Place- Simon Nadin Gross 77 Nett 66
2nd Place- Dennis Parkes Gross 83 Nett 67
3rd Place- Jim Lepke Gross 86 Nett 68
MATCHPLAY COMPETITIONS
Competitors who are entered into any of the Matchplay Competitions should be aware of the dates by which each round should be completed. Please note that there will be NO time extensions to these dates other than the possibility of the same competitor qualifying for 2 finals. This reminder has been generated by the fact that 6 pairs of competitors have been disqualified from the Hay Bowl for failing to play their first round by the due date.
3 MONTHS GOING WELL
After 3 months I would like to thank all the Members for their fantastic support during the time that I have been here, you have all made me feel very welcome and it looks as if the whole family are enjoying it here at Leek Golf Club, pictured right.