Welcome to the latest edition to Leek Golf Club's weekly newsletter. We hope that you're having a good week on and off the golf course. Enjoy the read. |
Club Championship/Boulton Salver The first round of our 36 Hole Club Championship was held on Sunday 1st July where players play for both the scratch prize and Boulton Salver (Best Nett Score over 36 Holes). Best 20 gross and nett scores with ties go on to qualify for the final round. Round 1 – Gross Results
- First place - Ian Curley 71.
- Second place - Dan Smart 73.
- Third place - Jim Willshaw 74.
Round 1 – Nett Results
- First place - Brian Townsend 84-18=66.
- Second place - Dan Smart 73-5=68.
- Third place - John Hatton 84-15=69.
42 players have gone on to qualify for the final round is to be played Sunday 8th July. Below is the draw: 9.10am – Nick Wittich, Tony Thornhill, Alan Lockett 9.20am – George Tudor, John Gilson, Craig Stanier 9.30am – Mick Hughes, Dave Brookhouse, Ken Ratcliffe, Geoff Foden 9.40am – Bruce Godbold, Ian Beeson, Wayne Mills, Mick Austerberry 9.50am – Mike Southam, Jim Lepke, Dave Twist, Ken Harrison 10.00am – Mark Rushton, Martyn Bourne, Gary Kimberley, Bob Adams 10.10am – Harry Fearn, John Hatton, Ian Pugh, Brian Townsend 10.20am – Darryl Spooner, Darren Blairs, Josh Broster, Rich Cordon 10.30am – Dave Alcock, Phill Davies, Lincoln Boulton, Ross Martin 10.40am – Mark Shea, John Moss, Paul Brass, Ross Salmon 10.50am – Zarak Curley, Jim Willshaw, Dan Smart, Ian Curley
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Pro-Am With just a week left leading up to our flagship event of the year, last minute spaces are still available for the Pro Am, Friday 13th July. Entry is £210 including VAT with members getting entry at a discounted rate £175 (all 3 amateurs have to be members of Leek). If you would like to enter, don’t hesitate to contact the professional shop on 01538 384767 to secure your spot. |
Happy Birthday Stan! All of us here at Leek Golf Club would like to wish our eldest member Stan Hickman Happy Birthday. Stan turned 93 on June 30th. He is still playing regularly 2/3 times a week, remarkably still carrying his bag round. Each time he comes and plays, he visits the pro shop updating us with how many holes has managed. |
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Andy Martin Stars in County Match with a Hole in One Last week Andy was once again selected to represent Staffordshire County Seniors in them inter county fixture against Leicestershire at Lichfield Golf Club. In the morning foursomes Andy was partnered with good friend and former Leek member Rob Parkes. Going out at the top of the order Andy and Rob had a lead of 2 holes up and 2 to play when Andy holed in one from 204 yards with a 4 rescue club to close the match out. The afternoon four balls was soon underway and County Captain Mark Ashton (Ingestre Park) stayed with the winning formula. Andy and Rob were once again showing their class by winning by a 3&2 margin. "Anyone who wins both matches was bound to be satisfied with his days’ work but a hole in one on the penultimate hole was obviously the icing on the cake" commented Andy afterwards. As a reward for his performances this year he was presented with the full Staffordshire County Team Uniform by the County Seniors Captain. Mark Ashton said "This is a sure sign that Andy has arrived on the County scene and is likely to be involved for a considerable time to come" Next week Andy now moves on to play in the County Seniors Championship at Beau Desert but before that he has been asked to perform more magic when taking on Shropshire in a County match at Ludlow Golf Club on Thursday. Thanks Andy for carrying the flag for Leek Golf Club.
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World Cup Fever
So far so good for the three lions, out of the group stage and through to the quarter finals after beating Columbia on penalties. The first time England have won a shootout in a major tournament since Euro 96. Saturday 7th July England play Sweden in their quarter final match which will be shown in the clubhouse on the big screen. With the game kicking off at 3pm, the club will be providing a buffet and discounted beer. So feel free to come along!
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Captains Team vs Vice Captains Team The annual Captain v Vice Captain match was held last Saturday in soaring temperatures. This year's match saw a fantastic turnout with 48 golfers taking part.
Although our Vice Captain (Ken Hollins) was unable to play, he was very much evident on the side lines in terms of team selection, team motivation and by acting as starter on the day.
Ken nominated our past Captain; big hitting Mr Phil Davies as playing VC for the day. Not wanting to be outdone, I selected our Pro Greg, and to even things up on the power front, I suggested Nick Wittich played for Ken knowing he was carrying an injury, which I unfortunately forgot to mention.
The match was very well balanced and the resulting half was a fair reflection of our match, although I still maintain that should Greg have been given the justifiable drop from the rabbit hole, which was not allowed by our mean playing partners, we would have gone on to win.
Our match appeared very representative of the majority of the matches on the day with many going to the 18th. Unfortunately for me the VC's selection was, on the day, slightly better and his team went on to triumph with a 7 to 5 victory, so well done Ken.
The match was followed by the presentation and an excellent meal, for which I would like to thank the bar and catering staff; Lynsey, Izzy, Callum and Joel for their hard work.
As for the course, I thought it played extremely well and despite the incredibly dry weather of late was in great condition with excellent greens. The maintenance of the greens in this particularly dry weather should not be underestimated and I know that John Turner and his team have been working extensive hours to ensure that the critical task of water optimisation is done correctly. So a big thank you also to all Green staff.
My next challenge is against the President's team on Saturday the 14th of July, anyone wishing to play should add their name to the match list posted in the hallway adjacent to the Pro's shop.
Could anyone wishing to play let me know if you're not in form or if carrying injuries, your confidentiality will be respected.
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Liam Hancock - Season so far 2018 Open Qualifying:
Held over 13 venues and around 100 players at each venue there would only be about 8 places that go through to the finals.
West Lancashire Golf Club
Liam started a little slow with a few bogeys early on the front nine, going out 3 over par, however he started turning things around on the back 9 with some solid grinding on this very long and tricky course Liam managed 4 good birdies and only one bogey for a 3 under par back nine to finish level for the day. Leaving immediately to catch a plane to play on the European Challenge Tour, left no chance to play in any potential playoff, so he had a nervy wait at the airport for several hours, no need to worry though he had secured an automatic spot with 5th place overhaul.
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European Challenge Tour: For the first time in his young career Liam had secured an invitation to play in “The Made in Denmark Challenge”, held at the Himmerland GC in Denmark. Day one; unfortunately feeling a little under the weather Liam was drawn out early doors which didn’t help, playing alongside Ross McGowan a good seasoned European Tour Player Liam seemed to settle early on, after the bogey on the first hole, followed with a swift birdie all looked good through the first few holes, then out of nowhere a double followed by more bogeys resulted in the worst round of the season, straight to bed for the afternoon was in order and much needed rest. Day two; Liam teed off mid-afternoon, starting badly with a double then a run of bogeys it was game over after nine holes really despite a good back nine of 1 over par. That said it has been an amazing week to mix with the European and Challenge Tour players, Pro-V1s on the practice ground, free breakfast and lunch in the players’ lounge, water and fruit on every tee, just fantastic treatment and just can’t wait to get back there and try again. Finals of Open Qualifying, St Annes GC at Lytham was the venue, playing alongside the likes of Graham McDowell, Jamie Donaldson, Richard Green and Spanish ace Fernadez-Costano and many more great players, Liam with Dad on the bag for the first time this season teed off at 7.50am. Front nine was steady one birdie one bogie, and three birdies on the back nine with a double and one more bogey on the last hole of the morning led to a level par 72. The afternoon was more difficult with the wind picking up and the course was now dried out, despite this Liam played solid again with level par front nine and 8 pars back nine with one unfortunate double led to 2 over par for the round finishing the 36 holes at +2 a great result, and for Liam this is invaluable experience gained to further his career, playing in front of big crowds against a quality field and holding his own. Also, to say a big thank you to the BLUE Group, UK Waste Solutions, and Mizuno Golf for their continued support. Liam will see you all at the Club
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Your new shirt awaits If you haven't bought a golf-specific polo in a few years, you are missing out. You might think that any old shirt will do, but today's garments are packed full of technology that is lightweight and breathable; a delightful combination for the summer. If you're still to be persuaded, bring in any old shirt and we will give you £10 OFF selected ones in-store. |
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The past few months have seen us talk a lot about the importance of using clubs that are suited to your game because, ultimately, they’re going to give you the most help when out on the course. One piece of equipment we haven’t touched on yet, which needs just as much attention, is your putter. |
How do you narrow down the options? If you come by the shop to buy a new putter, you’ll be faced with an array of styles. From different head shapes and alignment guides, to various lengths and grip types. So how do you know which one will help you hole more putts? There are some trends you can look to. Larger mallet putters like this TaylorMade Spider Tour Red tend to suit golfers with straighter putting arcs, while they are also a little more stable to help with shorter putts. In comparison, blades like this TaylorMade Black Copper Collection Soto can usually help those of you with more of an arcing stroke, while some players also prefer the feel a blade offers. Of course, the most sensible thing to do is come to us once you have a shortlist and we can advise you on which model will best suit your stroke type and take you through a full custom fitting. Just imagine how many shots you could drop by holing more putts.
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