Captains Report for March

There is no doubt that Spring is in the air as we approach Easter and the start of British Summer Time. We are also getting a better impression of the course improvements that were carried out during the closed season. I am sure you will all agree that next year we will continue to have a course to be proud of and one that is the envy of visitors. Also, I am confident that you will be amazed at how well our course, particularly the greens, has withstood the winter months. With all the work that has been undertaken it is inevitable that there are a few scruffy patches but these will soon melt away with warmer days and become those "Augusta touches" for which we strive.

Our improving course will be complimented by the recent update to the clubhouse which has met with the universal approval of members. Personally, I had reservations about covering the decorative brickwork but the plastered walls have transformed the lounge into a much cleaner, airier aspect. The lounge has also benefitted from new radiators, glazed units and concealed lighting to add that finishing touch. However, it has not yet been possible to identify suitable replacements for our somewhat "tired" furniture and for the time being remains 'works in progress'.

Despite the delays caused by the recent inclement weather, the planned Teaching Facility is now starting to take shape. The steelwork has been erected and the concrete base installed. The roof and walls are to be installed next week in readiness for fitting of the electrically operated shutters. The building will have a brown finish so as not to be obtrusive and you can be reassured that construction and appearance will be to a high standard. Completion is scheduled for the end of April and the only issue that remains to be finalised is that of a suitable access route to satisfy health and safety requirements whilst minimising any disruption to play on the course.

It may seem that there is a lot going on at the moment which is due to a number of projects coming together for completion prior to the start of the season. Work has been pre-planned through the recently formed "Steering Group" which was set up to evaluate, prioritise and progress future projects. There are a number of proposals under consideration at the moment and I will let you know, in due course, which are considered worthy of progressing. If you have any ideas, please feel to forward details to our Hon. Secretary.

I was pleased to be informed by the office that membership renewals had been very strong this year and that we are well on the way to maintaining our healthy financial position. However, there is no room for complacency and there are some vacancies to be filled particularly for Ladies and Juniors. So please feel free to spread the word. Whilst I may not be the best golfer to be elected Captain, I would like to dispel the rumour (no doubt mischievously spread by my close friends and partners) that I am a non-playing Captain. However I may be a strong contender for worst speechmaker and can't deny that it is this aspect of being Captain that concerns me most. I therefore make my apologies in advance and ask that you don't let this put you off attending events because I am looking for all your support at social functions and club matches. All events will be well publicised throughout the clubhouse and through the club's electronic communication systems.

One event that you can put in your diaries now is my Captain's Day Out at Druids Heath Golf Club on Friday 12th June. Details will be posted shortly and please treat this as an open invitation to join me for a good day out. Also there are a small number of spaces remaining for mixed partners to join myself and our President for a couple of nights (8th & 9th May) at Woodhall Spa. Just contact me at, trevor.eccleston@hotmail.com if you are interested.

Things are looking good both on and off the course and it is pleasing to look forward to the new season with confidence.

Best wishes, 
Your Captain 2015.

FREE COMPETITION

As you are probably aware by now the new Teaching Facility adjacent to the 16th tee is nearing completion and it has been agreed that our members should have the opportunity to put forward a suitable name for this state of the art facility. If you wish to enter this competition, just write down on a piece of paper your entry and pass it on to Greg or Jake. If you come up with an appropriate name that is acceptable to LGC you will win a 45 minute Trackman session with our Club Professional who will carry out a full personal video analysis of your golf swing and he will recommend any possible areas for improvement. If however you are already in possession of the perfect golf swing then Greg, with the aid of Trackman, will carry out an in depth club fitting service before you go on and compete on the Challenge Tour.

Some ideas to get your creative juices flowing are:

• Golf Swing Analysis and Club Fitting Centre
• Leek Golf School
• Leek Academy of Golf
• North Staffordshire Golf Centre
• Trackman Golf Studio
• The Shed

I hope that I have given you some ideas. You may put in as many entries as you wish. The competition closes on Sunday 26th April. Get thinking!

NEW MEMBERSHIP CARDS

The Club is indebted to Stewart Townsend and his company Newbold Opticians for supporting the new membership card initiative by way of sponsoring most of the cost of initial production, and following it up next year by agreeing to cover new members as well as lost or replacement cards in 2016.

There has been a great deal of work and increased cost undertaken by the team to produce these cards on time, in order to compliment the upgrade of our till and handicapping systems to the very latest technology. Without such financial support, the Club would be exposed to extra costs during these difficult times.

We hope you are pleased with the end result and have obtained your own new card (with the old-card balance transferred) from the Professional's shop during the day or from the bar at night. If you do not currently have a bar card, please contact the office, because the functionality of these cards may soon be extended from not only the normal bar discount for members, but to competition entry, payment of those entry fees, Club House access control and other advantages. Watch this space!

PROFESSIONAL'S WINTER LEAGUE

The exciting climax to this year's Professional Winter League ended on a high for Andy Baxter, as he survived a golfing onslaught from close competitors Steve Matthews and Dave 'Bo' Robinson to win the top accolade.

Going into the last Sunday of the series, it was too close to call, as the rules stated that the players' points were only awarded for the best ten scores earned during the year. Andy had already achieved ten top five places (TFP), with 25 points (2 x 2nd, 3 x 3rd, 3 x 4th and 2 x 5th), with Steve gaining 24 points from only six TFPs (a brilliant 3 x 1st, 2 x 2nd and 1 x 5th) and 'Bo' with 22 points having five TFPs (2 x 1st, 1 x 2nd, 1 x 3rd and 1 x 4th).

This meant Andy had to score more than his already tenth best score (of one point), whilst to win outright, Steve needed two points for a 4th place and Dave needed four points from a second position. Both of them were quite capable of achieving this, bearing in mind their previous consistency.

To add to the pressure, the devious Greg Rogula had suggested that they all play together, to add spice to the occasion, and let it become a bit of a match play situation! They agreed and Dennis Vincent joined them to also enter the Pro's Sunday comp.

Despite the constant banter and chatter from Dennis (who thinks he is better than Greg), as well as tricky greens due to the state of the course, they managed to complete nine holes in good time. At that point the moderate scoring was Steve 17, Andy 16 and 'Bo' 15 points, with everything to go for. The more difficult back nine certainly tested everyone and the writer of this article felt sorry for Steve, who had been 'slashed' by the pro to a six handicap (due to his three first places) whilst Dave had also been dropped to a tough twelve handicap courtesy of his two first places. Andy, meanwhile had somehow kept under the radar all season with his full handicap!

Towards the end it became tense with some brilliant golf being played. Dennis was accumulating a decent score and on the 10th, Steve got up and down for a birdie from behind a massive tree on the left of the fairway. Meanwhile Dave was quietly getting on with it (despite being in laughing mode due to the antics of Dennis and Steve) and sank a massive putt on the 14th to keep up the pressure.

Having gone down the bank on the right of the 13th yet somehow scraping a point, Andy proceeded to par the 14th, 15th 16th and 17th to arrive at the 18th tee with 32 points against 31 each for Steve and Dave. Good drives ensued and all players were on the green in two. Knowing Dave had a better back nine, Andy sunk a downhill left to right 'slider' from seven feet to bag three points for the hole. Dave was close and sunk his putt, but he knew he had been beaten. Steve and Dennis finished the hole also with pars.

Dennis finished on a magnificent 39 points, Andy had 35 whilst Steve and Dave each had 34. Other scores on the day from Paul Bradley (40 points) and Dennis (39 points) meant that Andy could not be beaten, and finished the series with 28 points, Steve on 25 and 'Bo' on 24 points.

This has been a magnificent contest throughout the winter, battling against differing course conditions and other competitive players. It has added a new and different dimension to the Sunday four balls. Credit is due to Greg and Jake for both setting it up and running with it. The banter in the clubhouse after each game is a joy to behold, when comparing scores and supping the obligatory Peroni.

Please support this event next year, its great fun! 
Andy Baxter

PREFERRED LIES

AS OF FRIDAY 26TH MARCH 2015 
THE CONCESSION TO TAKE PREFERRED LIES 'THROUGH THE GREEN' IS WITHDRAWN WINTER RULES (i.e. preferred lies on closely mown areas) remain in force.

M Barker 
Match Secretary (26/03/2015)

LEEK GOLF CLUB VS STAFFORDSHIRE LADY VETERANS

Last Monday the Gentlemen of Leek entertained Staffordshire County Vets Ladies team, Captained by Leek`s Jenny Cordon, in a practice match for the Ladies in preparation for their season. Twenty ladies and twenty gentlemen played in a 4bbb format. As always, with mixed gender games, the format was hotly discussed with the outcome being two courtesy shots for the ladies off the men's card. The matches were highly contested with excellent golf being played by both teams. The weather held out for us, the Club House looked amazing and a great time was had by all. The match was very close with the gentlemen from Leek winning 5 1/2 to 4 1/2. Everyone sat do

wn to an excellent meal and the comradery was brilliant. A big thank you to all who played. 

LADIES WINTER LEAGUE - FINAL STANDINGS

1st- Janet Wood, 21 points 
T2nd- Jane Baxter, 11 points 
T2nd- Karen Wilshaw, 11 points 
3rd- Chris Birch, 10 points 
5th- Sandra Blairs, 8 points

RESULTS

Winter League - Sunday 22nd March 2015

1st Place - Paul Bradley 40 Points - 5 Points 
2nd Place - Dennis Vincent 39 Points - 4 Points 
3rd Place - Andy Baxter 35 Points - 3 Points
4th Place - Rob Thompson 34 Points - 2 Points
5th Place - Steve Matthews 34 Points - 1 Points

Winter League Table - Final Standings

 

Pro's Sunday Comp - Sunday 22nd March 2015

1st Place
Alan Bonehill, Spencer Henson & John Isaacs
136 Points

2nd Place
Martin Massey, Paul Bradley & Dave Smith
131 Points

3rd Place
Ian Beeson, Dave Bradbury, Tony Brown & Doug Molloy
127 points

SENIORS PRE SEASON GOLF COMPETITION

After very heavy rain Thursday night and Friday morning and even though the course was left in a very wet condition, the competition went ahead with 18 temporary greens in play. Despite the conditions, 33 brave and enthusiastic Seniors turned up and were rewarded when the rain stopped and when even the sun made an appearance towards the end of the rounds.

Scoring was very high with 13 competitors finishing with over 40 points. The winner scored a very impressive 47 points and 4 other players were close behind with 45 points. There were only 4 prizes on offer and Gareth Jones was the unlucky player on 45 points losing out on count-back. However, he must be commended for his 26 points scored on the front 9. Also a mention must be made of our Seniors` Captain, Jim Cumberbatch, who amassed 42 points off a handicap of 6.

1st Place - Martin Massey 47 Points 
2nd Place - Roy Morris 45 Points (back 9 - 23 / back 6 - 10) 
3rd Place - Ken Ratcliffe 45 points (back 9 - 23 / back 6 - 9) 
4th Place - John Isaacs 45 Points (back 9 - 22)

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