Rain, rain, rain

When will it stop? When will those halcyon days of dry fairways return?

The Captain's Drive In

With the weather trying hard to intervene, it was really nice to see 60+ members turn out to support their Captains at the traditional start to the season and the Captain's Drive In on Saturday morning. The weather had left the course sodden, but we managed to open 9 holes. Brian King saw his drive ricochet back from the trees alongside the range and Deborah Welch clipped hers down the middle. The winners of the bottles for estimating the length of the Captains drives were Graham Hope and Denise Swindlehurst. Well done to you both. The Drive In was followed by a 9 hole Texas scramble competition, which was won by Davy York, D Quinn, Pat Mattinson and Lynda Holt. The Captains raised £184 split between their respective charities. Well done to everyone concerned. The photographs will appear here if anyone would like to send me one via email please.

Pie Peas and Chips

Last Thursday we had the second of our member's nights which consisted of a meal, members draw, bingo and some disco music ... another bargain evening for £5. The evening was well attended with around 60 people sitting down to dine. The meal was a mince pie (home cooked) with mushy peas, lashings of chips and gravy .... thanks Lynn and Cheryl. The winning member was not in the room to collect his £70 so the sum rolls forward to the next event and is increased to £80. The bingo was 5 games and after the first game, the caller, Richard, who volunteered with one arm up his back, was replaced by Jacqie who doubled up the cards to speed the evening on ... another success overall and David and the caterers are open to 'themed' suggestions for the next few events.

Tyre tracks on the 4th green

We were a bit surprised and somewhat appalled by the tyre tracks across the 4th green today. An accident or vandalism? I'm not sure yet. We've asked for an explanation and I'll post it here when I get the news.
And the answer is vandalism ... the reply from the green staff via Facebook was " On the night of the 20th March, the driller was taken and driven across the 4th green by some young vandals. If anyone has any information please inform the green staff or David King".

The Captain's been framed

Yes it was me ... I admit it ... I framed the Captain only yesterday ... my photo is down and Brian King's is in the frame ...

Mail on Sunday - Second Round Success

A report from the Men's Captain, Brian King:- A promising start to the season by the men's team continued with some excellent performances against Garesfield G.C. the 4-1 victors over Beamish G C in the first round. The first match out, promised to be a close encounter with Ian Davidson giving a shot to John King, however Ian got his nose in front and finished with a 2-1 win.

The Second Match was between Craig Wilson and David Jobes this match was off scratch and Craig got off to flying start being 6 up at one stage however David fought back but the deficit was too much and Craig won 3-2.

The third match was between Graham Bell and Jason Moncur who had just returned from a golf holiday in sunnier climes. Jason had to give Graham 12 shots, the early stages of the match saw it change back and forth Graham having to make good use of his shots against a very able 3 handicapper. Graham went three down after thirteen but a poor bunker shot by Jason resulted in him conceding the hole this match went to the eighteenth with Graham one down but receiving a shot the outcome was match halved.

Ronnie Dixon teed off in the fourth match against John Mcintyre and quoting Ronnie he had a bad start but in typical fashion fought back only to lose the match 3-2.

The final match was Graeme Hewitt Parklands Mr Reliable playing against a less experienced but very able Steven King, Graeme received a shot from Steven but Graeme supported by his regular caddie John Bainbridge, pursued his task in his usual quiet way and finished a 3-2 winner. The matches were a lot closer than the scores indicate Garesfield played well.Congratulations to you all on a great team performance.

New bridge on 7th

The new bridge on the 7th continues to take shape and is on schedule to be opened for the start of the new season. The structure is in place and the red pathway was being constructed yesterday, when I again played the course in ever improving conditions. Thanks to the green keepers for the photo.

Lady Captain in the Frame

Deborah Welch, the 2010 Lady Captain has been well and truly framed !! And the evidence is on the wall in the Club House for all to see ... the new photo looks great Debs ... here's hoping that the rest of the season goes as smoothly as the new image.

Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this sun

It's spring ... well nearly ... it felt like it today. The temperature might only have been 8 degrees C, but it felt like spring and I actually played golf on the course for the first time this year. 16 holes are open and the course was so different to how I had pictured it. It has dried out really well and it was a most pleasant surprise to go round in clean shoes and no waterproof leggings. The greens are long, but looking good and the only thing not quite right was my golf ... GIR on 1st then 4 putted, water on the 2nd, but fine after that .... and long may it last.

New bridge on the 3rd

If you are like me and have not been out on the course for a while (not in 2010), then you will not have seen the new bridge on the 3rd taking shape. The photograph is courtesy of the Green keepers and their facebook 'Parklands Golf Club'. If you are a facebook user, search for Parklands Golf Club and follow them to see lots more photographs.

My name is Cheryl

I've always had a problem with names. It's not an age thing, it's just a problem. When I was with the Army, one of the best changes that came along was when the soldiers were issued with name tags to wear on their combats and woolly pulleys. I could then have a quick look and avoid that long delay whilst I mentally ran through the alphabet.
But I have no excuse for the following ... because when I went to order a pot of tea and a sandwich today, Cheryl looked me in the eye and asked "What's my Name" ... a trick question? a test of my mental agility? No ... When writing up the splendid events of the Mexican Night I had inexplicably written her name as Sharon .... So I've made the change, made the apology but unfortunately the next slip up is just round the corner ... lets hope I got the names right on the Honours Boards which are currently away being engraved!!