Greetings golfers,

Welcome to another exciting edition to Leek GC weekly newsletter. We hope that you're having a good week on and off the golf course. Enjoy the read. 

Leek GC course update

As will have been seen by many, the right hand greenside bunker on the 6th hole has been rebuilt by our green staff as a revetted bunker; in golfing terms, a revetted bunker is one where sods or in our case Astroturf are used on top of each other to create a layered effect. The benefits include; better on-course aesthetics which helps to fortify the bunker and reduce wind erosion of the sand.

The reason for the rebuild and process is detailed below:

Heavily contaminated sand due to natural breakdown of existing turf base and sub layer consisting of a mixture of sandstone and natural stones!

All of the sand and base were removed and a pipe drain with 6mm clean drainage stone was installed.

This was chosen due to many factors; weight – this will ensure it remains in place, it has reasonable drainage capabilities combined with the installed drain will allow the water to drain well. The base has been installed with the seams in the direction of play.

Over the past few months many different bases from concrete to sand liners have been investigated and from feedback from other clubs there is no perfect solution to this ongoing problem. The solution we have chosen solves many issues brought up by the other products available on the market some of which are nearly £2000 with no guarantee they will solve the issue. The AstroTurf used is from our existing stock so this trial is free apart from the labour.

Work is ongoing on the 4th greenside bunkers to create the same revetted faces.

Happy new year!

To all members of Leek G.C I wish you a Happy New Year and all the very best for 2018. It’s my pleasure to be representing our Club as Seniors Captain. I would like to invite all those aged 55+ to join our Senior Section (Subs £7. Payable by the end of February). We play some 13 Home & Away matches and guarantee a friendly welcome and a most enjoyable time.

Our season commences on the 9th March with our Pre-Season Tournament at 11am. We also include the Fred Carr Trophy and finish the year with our Christmas golf and meal. This year I’m pleased to welcome the return of the match against the Ladies Section.

For any information please contact myself, Trevor Smedley or Mick Wainwright.

A warm welcome awaits you all.
Your Senior Captain,
Ken Ratcliffe.

Pro's Sunday Comp - Sunday, 7th January 

• First place - Terry Alcock, Pat Leatherbarrow, Andy Martin and Mike Leese - 100 points.
  
• Second place - Ian Pugh, Jim Allen, Brian Tooth and Mick Austerberry - 95 points.

Winter League (week 6) results - Sunday, 7th January

• First place - Allan Clarke - 40 points (5 points).
• Second place - Dave Robinson - 39 points (4 points).
• Third place - Mick Hughes - 39 points (3 points).
• Fourth place - John Isaacs - 37 points (2 points).
  
• Fifth place - Dom Green - 36 points (1 point).

Handicap adjustment

• Allan Clarke 18 to 16.