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Men’s Golf Captain’s Blog

Captain and Pro 4BBB Challenge Matches

 

In very windy conditions once again, the second of this year’s series of challenge matches took place on 20th February; Ricky Pharo and I took on low-handicappers David Birn and Rob Findlay.

 

It was another great encounter that ended in a half.  I had my chance to win on the 18th with a seven-footer, but alas it slipped past.  David and Rob had come back from two down going down the 15th.

 

The next challenge match for Ricky and I is against Simon Butler (my Vice-Captain) and Niels Verbeek, Golf Committee chair. As a reminder, these challenge matches are raising money for Regenerate, my chosen charity for my year of captaincy.

Club Competitions

 

The day after Storm Eunice saw the first trophy of the 2022 Season played: the Alan Scott Trophy, open to Men and Ladies. A full field, Members braved the elements (cold, wet, and windy conditions) and it was Craig de Silva who emerged victorious, carrying on his good form of last year. Craig (playing off 12) won with 40 points. Bryn Rocke (6) was second with 39 points and Peter Bateman (22) was in third with 38 points.

 

Congratulations to Craig and indeed everyone for playing. And thank you to Alan for presenting the trophy to Craig, and for Simon Butler for his speech; unfortunately, Tricia Morgan nor I were able to play in the competition.

 

After his second place in last month’s Men’s Stableford, Lou Tricarico won the Club Roll-Up held on 12th February with 37 points, playing off 21. Martin Abbott (15), a Past Captain and Member of the Golf Committee, was runner-up with 35 points and Malcom Turner (16) in third with 34 points. Tricia Morgan was the sole Lady Member in the field; hopefully, more Lady Members will enter future Club Roll-ups – the next one is fixed for Saturday, 5th March.

Rest of the World vs Ireland

 

The sign-up sheet for the Rest of the World vs Ireland match is on the Golf Noticeboard in the Club Reception. It’s being held on the afternoon of Saturday, March 12th and precedes the England vs Ireland Six Nations fixture, which kicks off at 4.45pm (and St Patrick’s Day on 17th March).  As in 2020, the friendly 4BBB is open to Men and Ladies.

Season’s knockouts

Entries (via IntelligentGolf) for the season’s knockouts, including the Scratch Knockout, Fourball Better Ball knockout, and Lockwood Foster (singles) are now open. Please note the rules of entry, most importantly playing your matches by the set deadline date. Entries will close on Sunday 6th March.

Men’s Match vs The Richmond Golf Club

This annual friendly will be held at home on Sunday 3rd April.  We lost the ‘Horn’ the last time the match was played so I’m obviously very keen to win it back.  It’s 18 holes 4BBB, followed by lunch.  If you are free to play in the match, please sign-up via IntelligentGolf – Competitions – Matches – Men’s Friendly Team.  It’s a 12-a-side and is open to all eligible Members.

Surrey 5’s golf competition

As I mentioned in my last blog, sign up for the Surrey 5 squad (via IntelligentGolf – Competitions – Matches – Surrey 5’s 2022) is now officially closed but we still need a few more players to be available for selection.  As a reminder, we are entering two teams, with each five-man team consisting of two players with a handicap index of between 5.0 and 12.0 and three players with a handicap index between 12.1 and 18.0.  Simon Butler will lead one team and Peter McGovern is leading the other.

Course Maintenance

 

As you will have seen, the 10th tee works are proceeding; this should be completed by April.  We’ve also had the course partially closed in recent days to allow Peter and David’s team to carry out the following works to the greens:

• Heavy topdress with sand then Vertidrain with solid tines to 8 inches in depth

• Procore with solid tines to 3 inches to aid more sand penetration and close up filled vertidrain holes

• Greens will be ironed to return the playing surface to as good a condition as possible

The team will also be applying topdressing to the fairways over the coming weeks. This is important work to ensure the course is in top condition for the spring and summer months.

Storm Eunice damaged a few trees around the course, most notably the Scots Pines to the right of the 12th green.  Please note the GUR/safety cordon to the right of the 12th green.

Missing tee-times

If you decide at the last minute that you can’t play for whatever reason, the onus is on you to remove your name from the starting sheet on IntelligentGolf and ideally contact the Club. With demand for tee-times high, it is frustrating to see no-shows.  Please consider your fellow Members. Please don’t assume that if it’s raining, or forecast to rain, the course will be closed.

And finally … warning of errant trollies

 

Last Sunday, playing the Captain and Pro challenge match, our four (playing down 15) were surprised to be asked by Richard Lurcott whether we had seen his trolley and clubs, which had somehow disappeared while he was chipping onto the 5th green. His trolley had wandered off and was to be found in the left-side bunker short of the 15th green. I think it was the first time out for Richard and his new electric trolley. PS he went on to win his game.

 

Happy golfing everyone …

 

Paul Taylor, Men’s Golf Captain