Veni Vidi Vici

The Captains Drive In .... all over now bar a few raffle prizes to be collected. After a morning of freezing cold winds and heavy showers, some members were showing a marked reluctance to go out and enjoy themselves on this fun occasion. But enjoy ourselves we did !! Steven Quince had put the white tees out for the first time this season and had them all at the backs of the respective tee boxes. And in the tradition of Parklands Golf Club both Maureen and I managed to hit our drives respectable distances and keep the ball on the fairway ... Wind? what wind? The winner of 'nearest the Lady Captains drive' was Denise Swindlehurst and nearest the Men's Captain drive winner was Sean Hunter. A bottle of spirits going to each winner. The competition was won with a score of 31.6 by the team of Daniel Trotter, Eli Topping, Isabel Hirst and Judith Hope .... well done to you all. The Drive In raised £51.50 for the Captains Charity and the Raffle raised £81.02p. Thanks to all those who donated prizes and all who purchased tickets. Thanks also to the helpers on the day including Brian and Joan King and Yvonne and Deborah Welch. The course is starting to look great ... lets hope we can match it with our golf!!

Reminder - Captains Drive In

The 'Captains Drive In' takes place next Saturday, 28th March, commencing at 11.30 for a 12.00 noon Drive In. As per the tradition of previous events, the course will be closed at 11.30 for the members to 'guess the Captain's driving distances'. Each member purchases a marker (cost 50p each with all the proceeds to charity) and positions their marker somewhere on or near the first tee/fairway/rough/bunker/pond and the following the Captain's (Men and Ladies) drive, the marker closest to where the Captain's drive comes to rest will win themselves a litre of spirit. The 'Drive In' is then followed by a 9 hole mixed Texas scramble to mark the start of the new season. This is intended as a fun event and all members are welcome to enter. Please note that you need to put your name on the entry sheet for this competition - this weekend. The draw for the Texas scramble teams will be made this coming Tuesday ..... So get your entry in now !!!!!!!!!!

Reminder - Men's Knock Out Competitions

Just a reminder that the entries for the Men's Singles and Pairs Knock Out Competitions must be made by Saturday 11th April 2009 (which is only three weeks away). Entry for the Singles is just £2 and for the Pairs £4. Entries and the appropriate payment should be made using the envelopes provided and left in the sealed box behind the bar ..... Don't miss out because of a lack of action ... do it now, this weekend .... get entered !!

Team News - Mail on Sunday Result

The Men's Team played their first match of the season on Saturday morning, with a trip to Bedlingtonshire Golf Club for a 09.30 tee off. The format of the competition is 5 per team playing match play off full handicap (difference) with the teams being submitted in writing between the two Captains. There is no obligation to play the best players/lowest handicaps in any order. Parklands was represented by Ian Cunningham, Ian Davidson, Ronnie Dixon, John Smiles and Craig Wilson. The weather looked nice through the window, but the wind was very strong and very cold .... perishingly cold.

The first result saw Ian Davidson (hcp6) evenly matched, but losing on the 16th.
Craig Wilson (hcp5) was playing a 12 handicap player and giving 7 shots to his opponent. He lost 2 and 1 after a long tussle, eventually unable to cope with the holes where he was conceding shots.
John Smiles (hcp10) was receiving 6 shots and took full advantage with a very steady round, winning 2 and 1.
Ian Cunningham (hcp7) was evenly matched and after a closely fought battle he came out on top winning 2 and 0.
So here we were poised 2 - 2 with just the last match to decide the result.
Ronnie Dixon (hcp6) was playing an in form opponent off +1 handicap. Although Ronnie was receiving 7 shots his opponent was playing scratch golf or better and Ronnie was 4 down after 12. There followed a magnificent rally and by the 18th Ronnie was only one down and the team result hung on the last putt on the last green ........ Unfortunately a putt was missed and Ronnie lost by 1 hole .... but it was a superb team performance with individual performances to be proud of.

My thanks to the team and the caddy for their endeavours and to Vice Captain Brian for his support .... I'm looking forward to the start of the season.

Captain's Sweep 8th March

The first Captain's Sweep during my tour of duty was last Sunday morning and I was delighted to see 80 members played in the event. Unfortunately I was not one of them, having been struck down 8 hours before my tee time with a vomiting virus, courtesy of my grandchildren. The winner of the event was Graham Bell with 43 points, second Mac Murphy, third Alan Wardle and fourth Kevin Pinkney all with 38 points. Well done to you all.

Who's Who on the Men's Committee

If you are in any doubt as to who is who and who does what on the Men's Committee, the attached photo shows the mug shot alongside their name and responsibility on the Committee. (Click on the photo to see an enlarged version)

Captain's Photo

Today, I finally managed to get my official Captain's photograph into its frame and positioned in the Clubhouse. Hope the image doesn't frighten the kids!

A dry week?

It's been a good week for the weather, with reasonably high temperatures and drying winds. The course is drying out nicely and the ditches are back to normal water levels. Steven is currently moving the spoil from alongside the ditch on the 8th and hopefully we will reap the benefits of this work when we get the next downfall.

I had the official Captain's portrait taken at the end of last week and I await the proof from the photographer. Watch this space. I've asked him to make it look like Rock Hudson (before he was dying of Aids!!!).

The Men's Competition on Sunday was a low scoring affair, with a shortened course and a few bunkers still GUR. The result was a win for Russell Simpson 82 - 21 =61 (Winter Medal), second was Mick Mullen 90 - 29 =62 and third Bill Sidney 83 - 20 =63. Ronnie Dixon was lowest gross with a super gross 71. Well done to each of you.

My personal thanks go to Tess Mann who has volunteered to sponsor the Men's team for the coming year. Thanks Tess on behalf of the Team and Parklands Golf Club.