Hello golfers,

After another really busy week at Gorleston, we'll start this week with the Fun, Family Golf and BBQ evening played on Saturday afternoon. This event is primarily aimed at non-golfing family or friends to come down and have a game of golf on the course with an aim to encourage them to start playing. In total we had 72 players playing, 36 members and 36 non-golfers, in a combined modified stableford. Despite the weather, which turned cold that evening, everyone had a great time with everyone playing their own ball off the blue tees over holes 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Tim Watson and his non-golfing partner Conor Edwards won with a fantastic 45 points with Gail and Kevin Chapman second and Dean Barlow and Leah Cooper third. Ady Price won the golfers' individual prize with 17 points over six holes, but the result wasn't what the evening was all about, it was all about fun and by what I heard on the evening the event was a success. During the presentation of the prizes, I offered the non-golfers a chance to come and take part in a Get into Golf course of lessons starting on Saturday, 24 September of which some signed-up for. However, if you know of any other non-golfers who fancy giving a try this four week course running every Saturday from 10am - 11am, please point them in my direction or click here to send us an email.

 

On the Course...

Yesterday (Wednesday) we had Sue Lyndon's Ladies Captain's Day in which Heather Harvey and June Elliott took the spoils with 42 points beating Maureen Dark and Jane Standen on countback. Linda Baldwin and Beryl Browne came third with 40 points. Judging by the noise coming from the clubhouse afterwards, it sounded like the Sue and the ladies had a fantastic day.

OK, next we'll move back to last Thursday's Mid-week Stableford where 127 golfers took part on a stunning summer's day. Jim Robinson won Division One with 39 points with Keith Wright second on 38 and Daniel Crosby third with 37. In Division Two Steve Howick's practice paid off as he won with 42 points beating Donnie Graham, Mike Sanderson and Ray Garrod, all with 40 points, in to second. 

Back to Saturday and Dave Butcher had a nice return to form, finally getting the driver in play, by winning the Roll-up Stableford with 42 points. Also on Saturday we had the Mixed Foursomes where June Elliott's form for the week started by winning, with her partner Rob Boogard, the competition with 36 points beating David and Jenny Watson in to second with 35.

Sunday we had the Men's Monthly Stableford and Silver Jubilee Cup where Howard Kellett won the cup and Division Two with a superb 43 points, well done H! Mr Titleist, Bob Cooper, put his new weapons in to good effect by winning Division One with 40 points and Mal Crozier won Division Three with 39 points.

Just quick mention about the seniors now and on Tuesday, 23 August the seniors won against Great Yarmouth and Caister to gain the Pethebridge Salver. On Friday, 2 September they will be at home to Royal Cromer in the first round of the Hodds Salver.

On Tuesday the juniors had a Summer Stableford where Tom Hellary, who has worked hard the last couple of weeks to get his swing back on track after a slight blip, won with a superb 43 points with Jack Butcher second on 40.

 

Captain/Pro Challenge Matches

In the last seven days I've managed to play a couple more Captain/Pro Challenge Matches, neither with great success. Last Thursday evening Neil and I played against Darren Hellery and Danny Perring in a scrappy match that ended all square and last night Neil and I played against the two immediate Past Captains, Mark Everard and Angus Smith, in a match that they won three up. Both games were really enjoyable with plenty of banter being thrown about, as you can imagine, but it's always a funny time of year for my golf... I'm playing often enough, but due to busy coaching and shop commitments, I'm struggling to find time to practice which my game desperately needs, a lesson for us all perhaps?

 

Members' Notice...

Remember it's Greens Maintenance Week next week so please be patient with Green Staff as they work hard to improve the greens for the long term. Yes it's frustrating, but it's a necessary evil I'm afraid, if we want to have good putting surfaces.

 

New arrivals...

In shop news I've already done one fitting for the new, gorgeous, Mizuno JPX 900 forged irons and if anyone else would like to try them please contact me here to book a fitting. If you're not in the market for any new clubs then we also have a nice collection of second hand woods and irons (see photo) that might help your game, please come in to the shop to take a look at them as these may suit your game and help you improve without the expense of a new set.