LADIES INVITATION DAY 2015
On the 19th May 14 Leek ladies and their guests took to the course to play in the annual Ladies Invitation Day. The format was a 4BBB playing off full handicap. At 1.30 Karen Wilshaw, Janet Wood and their guests led the way. Karen's guest Victoria Westgarth travelled from Surrey to play at Leek. After a morning of rain, hail and wind we were quite fortunate not to get too wet. Ladies were met with a smile and a welcome from Mr Captain on the 1st tee. The refreshments in the millennium hut were most welcome also served with a smile from Joe and Kit Smith and Wilf Bentley.
The golf was followed by an enjoyable meal and the presentation. Lady Captain extended her thanks to the following for making the day successful. Mr Captain for being the starter. Morag Jones - reception. Joe and Kit Smith and Wilf Bentley - millennium hut. Denise Stazaker for the lovely flower arrangement. The catering staff. Jen Cordon - cards. Greg and Jake for organising the two's competition. Maria Wootton organising the event.
The prizes went to the following:
1st Pat Beeson and Brenda Haddrell (The Manor) 43 pts
2nd Jayne Baxter and Jenny Beardmore (Westwood) 40 pts
3rd Karen Wilshaw and Victoria Westgarth (Windlesham Surrey) 39 pts
Nearest the pin on the 4th:
Home - Jayne Baxter
Visitor - Julie Postlethwaite
Karen Griffiths and Julie Postlethwaite also won golf balls by coming in with a 2 on the card.
Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to all the ladies for taking part in this annual event.
Maria Wootton
Seniors V Ladies Match Friday 22nd May
Still no rain on any of the Senior's games for which, of course, I take full credit.
I informed the lads that this was the most keenly contested match that they would play all season - I was not wrong. Don't misunderstand me the company was, as ever, excellent and it was a very enjoyable game, I could only have enjoyed it more had I been a masochistic misogynist.
We lost, well lost is too nice, too gentle a word to describe what happened to us: walloped, stuffed, thrashed, hammered, would probably better fit the description. I played with Brian Cockersole who, to be fair, is not playing as often as he would like due to other commitments and this was not one of his better games, not that mine was so very different. However it would not have mattered if we had brought our 'A' game with us, I worked out that we could have halved our game if I had managed go round in a gross 64...
The men's' white tee on the second was set well to the right and from it I could only see the left-hand side of the fairway as far as the first bunker: for someone who hits a draw it wasn't good. I can already hear you saying "You should have hit a fade then!" - I did but overcooked it and put it close to the edge of the third fairway. This situation was repeated on the third tee, with the blocks set on the right hand side with trees hiding half the fairway, great! Here I chipped in for a four and managed to scrape a half! I took consolation in thinking that on the fourth tee there would be no such interference from trees, that was before I played off the new back tee with, you guessed it, blocks on the right and a tree in the way of my draw. I missed the green to the left chipped it dead and promptly lost the hole to a birdie by the Lady Captain. Four holes played, I'd dropped one stroke and we were two down and this was how the game continued. Lady Captain Jayne Baxter, ably assisted by the Staffordshire Senior Ladies Captain, Jenny Cordon, showed us a clean pair of heels; the only time the match was level was after the first hole. Jayne played superbly, rarely missing the centre of the fairway with her drives making, par at most of the holes, especially I noticed, those on which she received a shot. "Why can't I play this well when I have a card in my hand?" she said on more than one occasion - I had a spare card in my bag but I resisted the temptation - am I sounding bitter yet?
Brian, meanwhile, was taking his revenge on any tree that had the misfortune to grow on the left hand side of the course. This was summed up very well by the 8th hole where Jayne carved her ball into the trees on the right, a rare event. Jenny then drove her ball into the trees on he left as did Brian. Jayne and Jenny both finished on the fairway with a clear shot to the green, Brian stayed in the woods - you just know when it's not going to be your day...
I took some comfort in the sound knowledge that my men would not let me down and the match might yet be won - some chance! As the results rolled in it rapidly became clear that there was to be no such happy ending for the seniors. 4-1 to the good ladies, only Mike Wootton and Mike Otterwell winning for the seniors.
The Lady Captain took the win very calmly, merely indicating her delight by punching the air, repeatedly shouting "YES" and dancing a small if prolonged jig.
The only downside to the match was the lack of members participating. All of those players who could have played but didn't, missed a really enjoyable days golf, with all the banter laughter, camaraderie and fun that goes with such an occasion.
The trophy is now looking resplendent in its pink ribbon! - Some would say...
The return match is in September. Will the trophy still be in the pink or...?
If you are eligible to play please sign-up. Go on, treat yourself...
Senior's Captain
Jim Cumberbatch
Quote: "how did he take the defeat?" Her answer, "He took it like a man - said he wasn't really trying and hasn't spoken to me for days!"
Jim Cumberbatch (S Cap) Hammered by Jayne Baxter (L Cap)
Brian Cockersole Jenny Cordon (S.S.L. Cap)
Alan Bonehill Lost to Karen Griffiths
Andrew Baxter Pat Beeson
Wilf Bentley Lost to Maria Wootton
Joe Smith Janet Gilbert
Mike Otterwell Won against Francis Lilley
Mike Wootton Susan Watson
Brian Flynn Lost to Hazel McCrady
Dave Griffiths Gill Armstrong
HOLE IN ONE
Congratulations to Paul Bradley on achieving a Hole in One on the 11th hole during his Seniors Matchplay match, it was good enough to win the hole but not the match against Gareth Jones.
PRO CAPTAIN CHALLENGE MATCH
On Tuesday Dave Gallimore and Dunc Stott stepped up to the plate and challenged Greg and Trevor in aid of the Captain's Charity Appeal. Dave and Dunc received 2 and 3 shots respectively whilst our illustrious Captain received 11 shots following his weekend round putting him up to 14.5 handicap. The course was in very good condition but the wind provided some entertainment on the longer holes.
Our Professional deviated from last year's strategy on the 1st hole by hitting an iron down the fairway as opposed to driving it either onto the green or at least very close to the putting surface. He hit his 2nd shot onto the fringe and then proceeded to 3 putt from 15 feet. The door was wide open and the challengers came off the green with a winning par 4 to be 1 up.
The 2nd hole was halved after Greg managed to sink a tricky 4 footer to share the spoils. Our Captain gained a creditable 5 nett 4 after being suffering "tree trouble" from the tee.
Good drives down the 3rd made the green look an inviting prospect but Dunc and Dave both under clubbed and found the right hand bunker. Trevor then demonstrated to our ,County players" how to play the shot and he nailed a rescue on to the back of the green making him the favourite to win the hole and reduce the deficit. Dunc hadn't read the script though and promptly got up and down for his par whilst Trevor 3 putted. Pro Captain 2 down after 3 holes.
The 4th was played in front of Trevor's normal playing partners (Cookie, John Prince and Mike Wootton) and this may have put him under an added pressure on the tee. It didn't matter because Greg hit it close leaving him a 3 footer for a much needed birdie. Dave a Dunc got pars so as to apply a little pressure to Greg's suspect putting technique. He confidently holed out with the first birdie of the day to reduce the deficit to 1 down.
With only Dave on the 5th green in regulation it looked as if his successful birdie putt had won him the hole but this was before Trevor holed out from 8 feet for a 4 nett 3 for a deserved half.
Now with a couple of big hitters in the group you would expect a birdie or two on our par 5s. Greg nailed his miles down the middle and had a six iron into the green. Dunc and Dave both found the fairway bunker off the tee making it impossible to get there in two. Greg was ageing on the fringe of the green whilst Dave was below the hole and Dunc was above it but neither were really threatening Greg's domination of this particular hole. Once Greg had putted up to 5 feet it was imperative that one of the challengers put our Professional under some pressure. Dave missed but Dunc holed and Greg's chin dropped squarely on to the putting surface. He missed it and the scoreboard showed 2 up again.
Good tee shots to the 7th again gave the Pro Captain pairing the whip hand but the challengers were confident of 2-putting from distance to get a possible half. Dunc's lag putt hit the bottom of the hole for a birdie 2 and neither Greg nor Trevor could match this demonstration of "how to hole out from 15 feet". Pro Captain 3 down going to the 8th hole.
Only Dunc managed to hit the fairway and this set up a short iron in to the green. A par 4 was enough to win the hole and the match was beginning to slip away from the Pro and the Captain (or was it?)
The 9th green was left untouched after all four tee shots went awry. The Captain found the middle of the 5th fairway and was considered to be "out of the hole". However whilst his opponents were lining up their shots, Trevor struck a pitching wedge on to the putting surface but still some distance from the hole. After watching Greg, Dunc and Dave miss their par chances he promptly addressed his ball and knocked it in to the centre of the cup for a win. This was considered to be an exceptional "up and down" by anyone's standards and an entry into the "Shot of the Day" competition. Score Pro Captain 3 down at the turn.
The 10th followed a similar script as the 6th hole. Greg hits a huge straight drive, hits an iron to the fringes and then takes 3 or 4 shots to hole out. Dunc and Dave managed par 5s and this was enough for them to move 4 ahead once again.
Trevor hit the best shot into the 11th and was worthy of consideration for "Shot of the Day" but more good shots (from Trevor) were to come later. he went on to win the hole with a 3 net 2 to claw a hole back and keep their hopes alive.
The 12th was halved even though Greg, Dunc and Dave all had very good birdie opportunities.
The 13th provided a little drama when Dunc hit it OOB and Trevor narrowly missed joining him. Dave hit the Green and 2 putted for a win but this was after Trevor and Greg both 3 putted.
Dave had a chance to end the match on the 14th but failed from 6 feet to find the bottom of the hole. Was the writing on the wall for the Pro Captain or would they go on a birdie blitz?
Good drives down the 15th opened up the green but all players were cautious about going past the pin. Dunc was in the front right bunker and Dave was just short of the putting surface. both were receiving shots here from Greg and it was up to Trevor to try and hole out from 15feet to take the game any further. He hit a good put but it stayed out to give a well deserved victory to the challengers by a 5 up and 3 to play margin.
Past Captain Dave Gallimore commented"It is great to play with Greg again and it's a pleasure to get to know our Club Captain on a more personal level. We have had a very good round today but the score is irrelevant. We wanted to support our Captain's Charity and I would like to encourage members to participate in this initiative. I wish Trevor all the success during his year in office and hope that he will be able to look back at this year recalling his many victories playing with our Professional Greg Rogula"
Shot of the Day was adjudicated by Dave, Dunc and Greg (and it was unanimous) that Trevor's pitching wedge from the middle of the 5th fairway, whilst playing the 9th hole, was the winner.
LEEK PAIR PERFORM AT MIDLANDS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
County Seniors players Duncan Stott and Dave Gallimore entered their first ever Midlands Seniors golf event last week when they travelled to Wellingborough to contest the 4 ball better ball Championship. Over 120 of the best Senior players from all over the Midlands fought the testing conditions to produce a winning score. In the end a score of 71 gross by Charles Banks & Neil Martin from Nottinghamshire, off handicaps of plus 1 and 3, collected the converted Championship title.
Stott (2 h'cap)and Gallimore (4 h'cap) played brilliantly to finish in a tie for 3rd place with a creditable 73. Gallimore said "Playing at this level for the first time is difficult enough and not having played at Wellingborough before probably cost us a couple of shots. Overall it was a very satisfying performance and we are both looking forward to going to the English Seniors Championship which is to be held in Surrey in a weeks time"
Leek Golf Club Captain Trevor Eccleston was thrilled with the result and commented "These lads have been working hard on their games with our Club Professional Greg Rogula. Maybe we should all book a few lessons with Greg if we want to improve and get better at the game". Leek Golf Club has a healthy membership and presently has a few vacancies available for budding golfers. Alternatively if anyone would just like to give the game a try why not consider enrolling in Leek's very successful Golf Academy. For further details contact Greg or Jake on 01538 384779.
Mixed Open - Monday 25th May 2015
On Bank Holiday Monday, 25th May, we held our Mixed Open. There were 64 players making up 32 mixed pairs, or 16 four-balls.
The numbers were down from last year`s event and with only 6 Leek Members taking part.
A lot of work had gone into advertising the event and encouraging players to come from far and wide. One couple had travelled from Yorkshire, were caravanning overnight at Chester and were then going on the following day to play another Open in Wolverhampton; another were there by invitation from the Cordons and had travelled up from the Wellingborough GC, Northamptonshire.
The format was 4BBB playing off ¾ handicap. Karen and Tracey had, as always given assistance in listing start times and dealing with pre-competition queries.
There were lots of competitors who came and purchased a meal at the club helping to make the Clubhouse lively and "buzzing", quite stretching our girls in the bar and kitchen.
The day was grey with a very cool, strong breeze making our 1st tee the usual coldest place in the Moorlands.
All the competitors said that the greens were fast and tricky to read but they were having a wonderful day, enjoying our Course which they felt was in excellent condition Despite the reduced handicapping, the scores for the day were excellent as shown below.
Thanks are due to our Captain Trevor for meeting and starting every competitor with a smile and a laugh, despite the temperature.
At the Half-way House, competitors were met with hot drinks, cakes and scones - all of which were well received and devoured rapidly. Thanks are due to all those who helped to serve the refreshments there namely Karen Griffiths, Marilyn Smith, Arthur Doherty and Roy Morris.
Thanks are also due to Jen and all the girls in the Clubhouse for putting the cakes, scones and drinks together although we will need more cake next time! A sizeable amount was raised for the Captain`s Charity bottle.
Thanks are also due to the Competition Secretary, Mike Barker for checking all the scores and producing the list of winners so quickly.
David Smith
Results
1st Place
Alan Foskett & Michelle Foskett 42 Points
2nd Place
Alan Bayley & Susan Bayley 40 Points
3rd Place
Mike Edgley & Sharon Edgley 39 Points (back 9 - 20 / back 6 - 14)
4th Place
Andy Baxter & Jayne Baxter 39 Points (back 9 - 20 / back 6 - 11)
5th Place
Mike Palmer & Wendy Mitchell 39 Points (back 9 - 19)
Nearest the Pin
4th Brian Cockersole & Jenny Bulman
7th Shaun Kerrigan & Chris Pickford
Centenary Cup - Sunday 24th May 2015
1st Place - Spencer Henson Gross 81 Nett 65
2nd Place - Ross Salmon Gross 71 Nett 67
3rd Place - Rich Cordon Gross 76 Nett 68
4th Place - Rob Thompson Gross 77 Nett 69
5th Place - Andy Martin Gross 75 Nett 70
1st TEAM v TRENTHAM PARK - AWAY
Ian Curley & Chris Flavell - Won 7&5
Rob Furmston & Ross Salmon - Halved
Liam Hancock & Jim Willshaw - Lost 3&2
Dave Alcock & Andy Tooth - Lost 4&3
Ian Hancock & Ross Martin - Won
2nd TEAM v BYLTHE BRIDGE - HOME
Mark Shea & Zulf Khalifa - Won 5&4
Paul Brass & Matt Lancaster - Won 6&5
Ralph Harrison & Nick Wittich - Lost 2&1
Rich Cordon & Andy Baxter - Won 8&6
Pete Cordon & Mike Andrews - Lost 1 down
Bo Robinson & Rob Thompson - Won 2&1
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