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The height of the golfing season is upon us and my first comment must be in relation to the course. Congratulations to Mike, Matt, Dave, Richard, Mick & Darren for all the hard work they have put in. In the newsletter of November 2009 I posed the question "how are they going to top that next year?" Well, they have! It has been very gratifying to receive so many unsolicited comments from visitors and members alike praising the course and the club as a whole. It was particularly pleasing to have those comments echoed by the President of the Sheffield Union as he presented the Centenary Plate to Captain Barry Butler at the SUMA Meeting in June.
The absence of major construction work on the course during the winter has obviously helped, but the time has been put to good use in tidying up trees, paths, ditches, etc which set a good start point for the real work in recent months. Despite the vagaries of the weather the new course programme has proved very successful. John Wordsworth is to publish a course newsletter outlining the work programme shortly. This will be displayed on the Course notice-board, so keep an eye out for it.
In terms of development:
- the top part of the new 13th path is almost complete and we are currently discussing Phase 2
- we are also planning to extend the trolley store later in the year which will accommodate another 32 places
- the re-siting of one of the boilers is complete and this is helping to control our energy costs
- active investigations are under way to explore the possibility of solar power and/or photo-voltaic cells to reduce our energy costs still further
- it is now virtually certain the Severn Trent will not encroach on the course, despite having purchased the land to the left of the 1st and 2nd holes as their convoy system for heavy lorries has proved a successful way of managing traffic on Saltergate.
The Summer Meeting was a great success, although the President's Prize in the Gents competition was not able to be presented because it resulted in a tie on 131 between our Assistant Head Greenkeeper Matt Holden (61+70) and Paul Lancaster (66+65). Conventionally this results in an 18-hole play-off on the Sunday morning but two things made this both impractical and unfair on both Matt and Paul - Paul was playing early in the Harry Walker Cup and Matt had been at the club since 4.30 a.m. working on the greens before playing 36 holes. We took the only sensible decision on Saturday evening which was to allow them to complete the play-off before the end of July and I will present their prizes at the Ken Murgatroyd Charity Day on 1st August. Both Matt and Paul have very kindly contributed a large proportion of their sweep money to our Charity Fund - thanks for a very generous gesture. The play-off took place on 17th July and was won by Paul.
The President's Ladies Prize was won for the second year in a row by Alison Outram, a feat rarely performed - many congratulations! Some ladies collect Wedgwood, some collect antiques, but we reckon that Alison collects handbags. I thought I was on safe ground selecting a handbag as the prize for my second year, but it just goes to show how wrong you can be. Her husband John confided in me that he was secretly quite pleased as it saved him having to buy Alison a new bag.
The President's Junior Salver was won by our Junior Captain Matthew Tibenham with a splendid 40 points in difficult conditions. Well done Matthew for a super round of golf. Congratulations also go to Nev Furness who won the Veterans Prize with a splendid 63.
The Harry Walker Cup was won by the father and daughter combination of Nigel and Marie Athorn with an incredible score of 62.5, particularly when the runners-up shot 69. Modesty forbids me to tell you who they were, but one half of the partnership was Mandy Dench.
The Captain's Day and Barbecue was a splendid day - Barry, the pork pie on the 13th was inspired. Many thanks to Patrick, Vice-Captain Jonathan Avill, Ollie Smith and Josh Newell for risking life and limb and their lungs in manning the barbecues and producing the usual excellent quality and quantity of food - I am assured no-one went home hungry. The band was terrific, a really good 60's group. If you shut your eyes you could be back at the Locarno! An inspired choice by the Social Committee - they have been booked for next year.
The Social Committee have put in a tremendous effort in organising a variety of events this year and my thanks to Pauline
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