This great game can be so frustrating and it can get the better of us all at times, but when it clicks how good does it feel? There are a few ways of making life easier for ourselves and one of those is to arrive in plenty of time ahead of your tee off, whether it's for a casual knock with your friends or a competition.
Things won't click if you're rushing to the 1st. Yes, Rory McIlroy famously managed to find his game quick enough when running late for his Ryder Cup tee off, but it's not advisable. Try arriving half an hour beforehand and gently preparing with a few practice swings. When you come off the 18th I don't want to hear excuses of poor preparation. There's a famous saying about failing to prepare isn't there?! Golf's hard enough as it is so give yourself the best chance of enjoying better golf.
Over the last couple of weeks we have been running the Brand Price Fit survey in our email and website. The results are in and I am delighted to say that Ian Pugh has been drawn out at random to win the dozen Titelist NXT balls that was on offer to one lucky entrant. The results were reassuring with 79% of you confirming that FIT was the most important criteria when buying golf equipment. This is great to hear as this is where we can provide the most qualified assistance in golf. If you have not been fitted before and want to ensure the next purchase you make is tailored to your physique and game then please come into the shop and speak to us. We are here to help.
The Clubhouse was full of excitement last Friday for the "Meet the Pro" night which was a huge success. The evening commenced with a welcome from the Club's President John Carr. Greg was then subjected to an interview by the Club Captain and members were treated to a series of photographs from the Rogula family album. At the end of the event Greg conducted a question and answer session from the members before handing out the prizes which he had generously provided to the Winners and runners up in the inaugural sports quiz. (See photo attached of the Lady Captain Karen Griffiths welcoming the new Club Professional).
Leek Golf Club wish to extend their congratulations to Leanne Nixon (pictured above with Club Professional Greg Rogula) on her recent selection for the Staffordshire County Girls Team to play at Little Aston on March 9th. "Good luck Leanne and I hope it leads to an exciting future in golf for you" was the message from the Captain Dave Gallimore.
Sport quiz
"What a Spectacle" win sports quiz event. The winning team pictured (not in picture Geoff Lawrence).
Due to the fantastic efforts of Andy Baxter and the House Chair Steve Longhorn the inaugural sports quiz evening went off without hitches and provided some great entertainment for the 20 teams who were doing battle on the night. Many thanks should go to the House Team once again of Jenny, Tony and Caroline for providing excellent food and entertainment for a token cost of £5 per head. If anyone wishes to provide any feedback the House Chair would be only to pleased to receive it. "We are determined to do our best for the members" was Steve Longhorn's comment at the conclusion of the quiz which resulted in a success for "What a Spectacle" with the team calling themselves "......." consisting of David Robinson, Dave Weaver, Rob Thompson, Jim Blairs, Roger Sharrat and Geoff Willshaw.
An enjoyable night was had by all and John and Janet Rogula (Greg's Mum and Dad) together with Lorna (Greg's wife) would like to thank Leek Golf Club for the hospitality extended to them from the members.
"Keeping You Posted"
Membership Package 2014: Will continue to include personal liability cover for members playing golf anywhere in the world and for visitors playing our course. This year we have added the SUGS County Card which will enable members to play other courses at a reduced green fee. Also, we have reintroduced the concession whereby members can, on one occasion only, invite up to three guests, free of charge.
Trolley Store: An annual charge of £10 is being introduced to finance an upgrade to the current facility. There is an increasing demand to accommodate electric golf trolleys and the introduction of an annual fee will contribute to the initial cost and subsequent maintenance of providing a facility capable of meeting the demand. A proposal to erect an additional store has already been approved. I will keep you updated.
Security Cameras: During last season, a number of car parking incidents were not caught by our security cameras. I am pleased to report that our system has now been brought up to specification and coverage improved.
Staying Connected: In order to take advantage of our new electronic communication facilities your contact details need to be up to date. If in doubt just email a test message to: enquiries@leekgolfclub.co.uk
If there is an issue that you think needs addressing feel free to get back to me.
Best wishes and please stay connected.
Hon. Sec. secretary@leekgolfclub.co.uk
LADIES NEWS
The Leek Ladies golfing calendar got under way on Tuesday 4th March with the traditional curtain raiser event - The Joyce Ridgway Prize.
Joyce was a keen squash player and played hockey for Leek before playing golf at Westwood where she was Captain. She joined Leek Birchall in 1971, was elected as Lady Captain in 1989 and was made an honoury member in 2007. Whilst Joyce is a humble lady I did manage to tease out of her that she reached the national final of the Daily Mail Foursomes at Aldeburgh in 1984 with Julie Brown and she has caddied for county players. Such was her reputation amongst the golfing fraternity she was often the "go to" lady for advice on golf rules and decisions.
The origins of this trophy go back to the days before the Winter League and was arranged as a "ladies get together" to start the season. The trophy was originally presented by Miss Wise and then her sister - Mary Morris. Joyce took over when Mary Morris died.
Whilst Joyce has not played in recent years due to a shoulder problem she continues to support the Ladies Section and we would all like to thank Joyce for keeping this tradition going.
The weather was kind to us after a drizzly start. 41 competitors took to the field to play what is traditionally a 15 hole individual stableford competition but this year it was reduced to 14 due to the hedge trimming alongside the 7th hole.
Division 1 was won by Marion Lilley (28), closely followed by sister Dorothie Cowburn (27) and Nora Boulton taking 3rd place (26).
Division 2 was won by Karen Wilshaw with a handsome 32 points with a tight finish for second - Gill Armstrong, and third - Sheila Hollins both scoring 29 points. A charity raffle and craft table raised £130 for the Lady Captains Charity - Thank you to everyone!
Karen Griffiths - Lady Captain
Player profile
Name - Greg Rogula 
Handicap - 0
Joined Leek - March 2014
Best Score at Leek - 40 points (66)
Favourite Hole - 15th
Favourite Hole ever played - 4th Hole at Woburn Dukes course
Favourite Player - Tiger Woods
Ultimate 4 ball - Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson, Seve Ballesteros
What's in the bag?
Driver - Titleist 913 D3 8.5*, Proforce V2 X-Stiff Shaft
Fairway Wood - Titleist 913FD 15*, Proforce V2 X-Stiff Shaft
Hybrid - Titleist 913HD 18*, Proforce V2 X-Stiff Shaft
Irons - Titleist AP2 714, 3-PW, 1* Upright, Project X 6.0 Shafts
Wedges - Cleveland Raw Tour Grind 52* & 56*, S300 Shafts
Putter - Odyssey 2Ball
Ball - Titleist Pro V1 X
Sunday Comp 02/03/2014
1st - 5th Best 2 Scores, 6th - 10th Best 3 Scores, 11th - 15th Best 2 Scores Double Points. (15 Holes, ¾ Hcap, Stableford)
1st Place Nigel Bowcock, Leon Bagguley and Mick Jones
2nd Place Dave Bradbury, Ian Beeson, Peter Robinson and Doug Molloy
3rd Place Brian Baggaley, Roy Morris, Ian Hunt and Tony Brearley
Saturday 9th March - 1st Team vs 2nd Team Match - 12.00
Sunday 10th March - Professionals Texas scramble - 7.30 - 1.00
Tuesday 12th March - Ladies March Medal
Tuesday 12th March - Staffordshire PGA Alliance - Little Aston Golf Club
Wednesday 13th March - IJP Design Winter Pro Am - Woburn Golf Club
Friday 14th March - Seniors Pre Season Tournament - 11.00 - 2 Tee Start
