LADY CAPTAIN'S DAY - TUESDAY 17TH JUNE 2014
As with all big days on the golfing calendar months of planning and preparation are made and the only thing out of your control is the weather (it's a British thing to talk about it constantly). On Tuesday it did not let us down - dry, not too hot, not too cold.
Forty-eight ladies took to the tee, posed for a photograph, some taking more encouragement than others and struck their first ball amidst claps and whistles - thereafter they were able to enjoy their round of golf.
The halfway house was bedecked in bunting and twinkling lights galore and the ladies were treated to 'Afternoon Tea and Bubbles' and once again, after a few laughs and running repairs to players attire (Ursula literally split her sides!) each were faced with driving off the tee under the glare of an audience - this time they cast care aside as the 'bubbles' took effect.
Upon completion of the golf everyone gathered in the dining room, and after enjoying a lovely two course meal eagerly awaited the results:
Nearest the Pin - 4th - Karen Wilshaw - 32"
Nearest the Pin - 7th - Jacqui Sumerling - 16' 8"
Nearest the Pin - 9th - Hilary Tovel - 8' 2"
Nearest the Pin - 11th - Dot Cowburn - 5'
Nearest the Pin - 13th - Wendy Thornhill - 5' 3"
There were some close scores for the main prizes - with two count backs coming into play - a sibling battle was played out at the front of the field and Sheila Woolley narrowly missed out in the Bronze division.
SILVER BRONZE
1ST - DOT COWBURN - 36 Points (on Count back) 1st - LISA DAVIES - 38 Points
2nd - MARION LILLEY - 36 Points 2nd - URSULA SMITH - 37 Points
3rd - NEL BOULTON - 34 Points 3rd - JANET GILBERT - 36 Points (CB)
And then to the main event - the awarding of the Captain's Prize and the Silver Rose Bowl - which was won with a magnificent 40 points by..................................
FRANCES LILLEY
Amidst tumultuous applause Frances collected her Garmin Watch with a huge smile on her face. As we all know Frances is a stalwart of Leek Golf Club Ladies Section and is proof that golf keeps us hale and hearty - I hope she doesn't mind me sharing the fact that she celebrated her 80th birthday earlier this year. Well Done Frances.
The day was very special for me and I was overwhelmed by the kind words and good wishes from the ladies on the day - it's success was down to the help from lots of people, too numerous to mention, you know who you are - Thank You!
Lady Captain-Karen Griffiths
Captain's Day for Juniors
On Saturday, 21st June, the Captain, Dave Gallimore hosted the Captain's Day for Juniors. Not only had the Captain provided an excellent range of prizes, he also arranged perfect weather conditions! The junior section played their part, with the highest attendance for a competition this season - 20 players. Free food and prizes are obviously the way forward!!
The Captain greeted the Junior Captain, Charles Holland, and the players on the 1st tee, and witnessed some excellent drives, including the junior players ability to drive down the left and utilise the trees to line up shots to the green - 3 times!
A "beat the Pro" nearest the pin competition on the 11th hole was organised where our new professional, Greg Rogula, gave 2 shots to the competitors. 14 successful juniors were recipients of a sleeve of Titleist balls each, and the Captain has arranged a Par 3 lesson for Greg!
Refreshments provided at the halfway hut were well received by the juniors on a hot day, with thanks to Jackie Gallimore and Carol Nixon.
On a day of excellent scoring, one of the highlights was a 2 on the 13th from Jack Fryer off a handicap of 45. This was a nett -1 and 6 points - well done Jack. Harrison Tudor-Jackson also scored a 2 on the 13th(Nett 1!) Off the white tees - also a great score.
After play had finished, the Captain hosted a meal and presentation attended by all the players. It was also great to see so many parents and relatives at the presentation. Thanks should also go to Pete Nixon, Adrian Holland and Jake Scragg for their help as members of the junior committee.
The scoring in the competition was excellent with 8 players playing under their handicap. The overall winner was Bo Robinson with a score of 42 points. As well as his prize, he is the lucky recipient of a 6 shot handicap reduction! The divisional winners were: Division 1 (1-23) - Josh Smith (38 points); Division 2: Corey Wentworth (41 points)
A full list of prize winners and prizes is listed below. Congratulations to everyone who took part, and a special thank you to the Captain, Dave Gallimore, and his wife Jackie, for making it a special day for the juniors.
The overall winner received a £50 voucher and trophy; Divisional awards: 1st - £40 voucher and trophy; 2nd - £30 voucher; 3rd - £20 voucher. All other prize winners received a sleeve of Titleist golf balls.
Overall winner: Bo Robinson (42 points)
Division 1 (1-23): 1st Josh Smith (38) Division 2 (24-45): 1st Corey Wentworth (41)
2nd Calum Nixon (38) 2nd Tom Willshaw (41)
3rd Harry Fearn (37) 3rd Leann Nixon (39)
Best Front 9:
Division 1 (1-23): 1st Harrison Tudor-Jackson Division 2 (24-45): 1st Tom Willshaw (24)
Best Back 9:
Division 1 (1-23): 1st Josh Smith (21) Division 2 (24-45): 1st Bo Robinson (22)
Nearest the Pin: Divisions 1&2 4th Hole Hayden Dimmick
Division 2 7th Hole Corey Wentworth
Division 1 9th Hole No winner!!
Putting Competition:
Division 1 (1-23): 1st Harry Fearn Division 2 (24-45): 1st Tom Willshaw
2nd Jake Willshaw 2nd Leann Nixon
Best Scorecard: Greg Lilley
Best Etiquette: Charles Holland
Most Sporting Player: Dan Sharratt
WELL DONE JOHN LAWTON
Congratulations to John Lawton on winning the qualifying event of the Staffordshire Club Golfer Championships at Leek Golf Club using his home course knowledge as an advantage in shooting 35 points.
He has qualified for the Final at Ingestre Park Golf Club on September 23rd 2014
Good Luck.
Jack's 6 points on ONE hole 
One of our youngest members Jack Fryer from Cheddleton achieved a memorable feat in the Captain's Day for Juniors on the difficult 13th hole when he earned himself a "6 pointer". He hit the green with his drive and then holed a tricky putt for a birdie 2 off a handicap of 45!!!!!
Club Captain Dave Gallimore was full of praise for Jack and stated "I have been playing golf for over 30 years and I have never heard of anyone scoring so many points on one hole. It's a fantastic achievement and I think he will become a very good player in the future".
GOLF CLUB CAPTAIN HOLES IN ONE 
Leek Golf Club Captain Dave Gallimore enjoyed his first ever hole in one during the Club's traditional Day Out at Burton on Trent Golf Club. The feat was achieved when his perfectly struck pitching wedge dropped in to the 131 yard 2nd hole earning the plaudits of his playing partners. "It is unbelievable that I have done it on my Captain's Day Out" said Dave. "The celebration was something else. I have never seen anything like it on a golf course" commented his playing partners.
The miracle shot enabled Dave and his team of Andy Baxter, Dan Smart and Stewart Townsend to win the overall event with 85 points from Dave Allen, Trevor Eccleston, Adrian Briggs and Mike Wootton who had 83 points.
FEEDBACK
Dave,
Will you please pass my thanks and those of us all from Burton that had such a wonderful away day at Leek Golf Club yesterday.
The course was beautifully presented and the greens were true and credit to you and the Green staff. All comments were that it was a superb test of golf and an excellent venue, which looked and played superbly.
My thanks also to the staff that looked after us so well, in the office, kitchen and bar and not forgetting the assistant pro. It was a really good day enhanced by the support we received at all stages. Which of course helps make the day.
Congratulations to you as I believe you had a 'hole in one', I have not been told which hole, which would make any day special let alone Captains away day.
I trust you were well looked after at Burton and all enjoyed the occasion.
Thank you again and all the best for the rest of your year.
John
C'est la vie Captain D G………….
'The Match' - Seniors Knockout - 2nd round - Report by Chris French
Dave got on the tee and looked the business in his purple trousers and matching top (had to beat Greg's floweries). The 'Missus' had definitely dressed him or he thought he might be able to hit a purple patch.
His game plan on the first tee was to be 1 up after 4 holes and definitely 1 up after 15.
He had to concede to giving 9 shots > Oh dear. ……
The word from the shop was - "He's straight and boring - have you seen those trousers??"
The bet was winner writes the blog, so here we go!
Dave won the first.
Second halved, third, fourth and fifth were winners so I'd got Mr Captain 2 down after five (Not to plan)
Dave thought he'd try a different route on the sixth and go up the 10th. He never saw the fairway or green and he conceded the hole.
The game ebbed and flowed back to one. He had some hard luck with putts lipping out and the shots kept knocking him back. 15th was halved 6/5, so still one up. 16th he lost after hitting the green in regulation (a great 8 iron second shot, "I'll have to try that one") 17th he played the 2nd fairway and the rest was history - game over 3 and 1.
If I'm honest, I think his mind was pickled and elsewhere - Captain's day Out Friday at Burton, but he was telling everybody "it's not 'Branston' - it's Burton".
He didn't hit his normal purple patch, great game with some good humour, as ever he ended on a question?? He's full of them. "Who do you want to play in the next round" - response "Bernie Eccleston"!! - Thanks Chris French
COMPETITION RESULTS
Men's Extra Medal - Thursday 19th June
Div 1 Liam Hancock 68 - 3 = 65
Div 2 Ralf Harrison 79 - 11 = 68
Div 3 Robert Russell 86 - 17 = 69
Div 4 Doug Molloy 94 - 22 = 72
Ladies Extra Medal - Thursday 19th June
1st Sheila Hollins 91 - 23 = 68
2nd Ursula Smith 95 - 25 = 70
3rd Jen Flavell 84 - 13 = 71
Men's Divisional Cups - Sunday 22nd June
Div 1 Andy Martin 74 - 6 = 68
Div 2 Paul Wright 77 - 10 = 67
Div 3 Rob Adams 84 - 18 = 66
Div 4 D. Knight 92 - 23 = 69
