March april web2016

SUFFOLK & NORFOLK R E F L O G MARCH/APRIL 2016

www.suffolkandnorfolkgolfer.com

New Golf Academy for pupils aged 11-18 • Combining an excellent education with a high performance golf programme • Led by PGA Professional Lawrence Dodd • Golf Scholarships available Please contact us to find out more:

01284 385308 admissions@culford.co.uk

www.culford.co.uk Culford School, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 6TX

Brett Vale

golf club ADVENTURE GOLF COMES TO UFFORD PARK IN A NEW ‘LOST WORLD’

Set in the heart of Constable Country where a warm welcome is always guaranteed

SOCIETIES WELCOME Surrounded by stunning Constable Country, Brett Vale golf course offers a challenge to players of all ages and handicaps; along with first class facilities.

Membership available with no joining fee Fantastic function room available for that special occasion or business meeting For all enquiries please telephone 01473 310718

A new adventure golf course for families and groups of all ages is proposed, subject to planning application approval.

Ufford Park Hotel has submitted a planning application, in partnership with adventure golf experts Moore Adventure, for a new, Florida-style, adventure golf course to be built within Ufford Park’s 120 acres of historic parkland near Woodbridge, Suffolk.

If the application is successful, the course will be open in advance of the school summer holidays 2016, and it is to be named Congo Rapids Lost World.

Moore Adventure already operates a successful adventure golf course in Norwich, Norfolk called Congo Rapids but this is the first of its kind planned within Suffolk. Adventure golf is different from mini golf or crazy golf as it offers more physical interaction at some of the course holes, and it also offers a more dramatic setting for the players to enjoy.

Tarnia Robertson of Ufford Park Hotel said: “We are very excited at the prospect of opening such a fabulous new family attraction within our grounds, and we are hopeful of a positive outcome from the planning application.”

The decision from Suffolk Coastal District Council’s planning department is expected within the next two months, and if approved construction will get underway in Spring 2016.

'We go that extra mile, why don't you!'?

Noakes Road, Raydon, Near Ipswich, Suffolk, IP7 5LR www.brettvalegolf.co.uk EXCEPTIONAL DRAINAGE PLAYABLE ALL YEAR 4

Newton Green Golf Club has presented a cheque for £5,100 to Sudbury's Bridge Project. Left to right: Bill Havers (retiring men's captain), Anesta Newson, the Bridge founder, Sheila Walter (retired ladies captain) and Jo Searle, chief executive of the Bridge.

Bramford Golf Centre hits the mark in Suffolk Bramford Golf Centre, near Ipswich, has become the second club in Suffolk to achieve the new-style, national GolfMark award in recognition of the club’s work to develop the game.

The GolfMark award, which was recently re-launched, is England Golf’s official seal of approval for clubs successfully working to develop their business in such ways as: •

Attracting new members and encouraging existing members to play more

•

Using practical business planning to develop the club

•

Offering appropriate coaching and playing opportunities for all standards of golfer

•

Ensuring all necessary safeguarding policies are in place for the junior section

Established in 2002, Bramford Golf Centre is a family run business, which has a nine-hole course and large open bay driving range. Plans are also in place to open a pitch and putt in autumn 2016. The club offers a wide range of playing opportunities and initiatives both for existing golfers and those just wishing to start the game.

Junior group sessions take place every Sunday morning, using the Golf Foundation’s ‘Passport to Golf’ scheme and over 100 youngsters been involved every year since 2002. These sessions are led by PGA Professional Shane Warren and the club also works hard to link with local schools and give all children an opportunity to experience golf. The club’s close link with Claydon High School, operating as a Satellite Club, has also been nationally recognised. Added to this, there are regular junior camps for children during school holidays and the ethos is all about fun. Junior membership at Bramford Golf Centre starts from as little as £30 a year.

There are numerous flexible membership options for adults, including payments staggered on age to encourage retention and recruitment of younger adults. A points-based system exists to offer flexibility to suit those with limited time or who may not be able to commit to full membership yet.

The club has also developed the brilliantly named ‘Chix with Stix’ initiative to increase women’s participation and has involved over 100 women in the last year alone.

Sarah Wilson, proprietor and PGA professional, was instrumental in leading the club’s push to achieve GolfMark and said: “Here at Bramford Golf Centre we pride ourselves on being a family friendly, welcoming and innovative golf facility with something for everyone. We have worked extremely hard to achieve this since our inception in 2002 and we like to think we offer something different to your traditional golf club environment.”

We want to encourage as many people as possible to try our sport, especially those in golf’s underrepresented groups, such as women and girls. We want to ensure everyone has an opportunity to experience what a fun, sociable and beneficial game golf can be. The GolfMark award will help us to spread that message further and give our customers confidence about our vision for Bramford Golf Centre.”

The award was presented by Jordan Dymond, England Golf County Development Officer for Suffolk, who commented: “I’m delighted to award Bramford Golf Centre with the GolfMark award. The club does lots of great development work in the local community and now this can be formally recognised and celebrated.

Bramford Golf Centre is an ideal place to start playing golf and offers products suitable for everyone involved, or wanting to be involved with the game” The GolfMark award was developed by England Golf and also integrates Sport England’s ClubMark award - a national standard for quality sports clubs recognised across the country.

GolfMark brings a number of benefits to clubs including raising awareness, advice from England Golf officers, business and marketing support and training opportunities for staff and volunteers.

Almost 40 per cent of GolfMark clubs have increased membership since receiving the award.

To find out more about GolfMark visit www.golfmark.org.

5

Suffolk Golf Union Suffolk Golf Union Current Officers and Members of the Executive Committee President: Phil Platten (Woodbridge) Tel: 01394 461246; Vice President: Colin Firmin (Ipswich) 01206 298742 Honorary Secretary: Charlie Wilderspin (Rookery Park) Tel: 01502 588028 Treasurer: Geoff Henney (Aldeburgh) Tel: 01728 685525 Executive Committee: Ray Baines, Championship Secretary (Felixstowe Ferry) Tel: 01394 276076: Brian Brandwood (Southwold) Tel: 01502 723885: Bill Darling (Stowmarket) Tel: 01449 615854: Colin Firmin (Ipswich) Tel: 01206 298742: Mike Rees (Rookery Park) Tel: 01502 568941: Tony Rubin (Woodbridge) Tel: 01473 785350. County Captain: Jack Cardy (Hintlesham) 07738 536769 Other positions: Chairman Suffolk Junior Golf: Mike Stevenson (Thorpeness) Tel: 01728 603521; 1st Team Captain: Nathan Overton (Woodbridge) Tel: 07979 366874; 2nd Team Captain: Calvin Sherwood (Bungay & Waveney Valley) 07450 952622; Seniors Captain: Kevin Brooks (Hintlesham); County Referee: Mike Rees (Rookery Park) Tel: 01502 568941 EGU Delegate: Tony Rubin (Woodbridge) 01473 785350; SE Group Delegate: Tony Rubin (Woodbridge) 01473 785350; Standard Scratch Lead Assessor: David Barnes (Stowmarket) 01787 311778 Ecology Officer: Michael Thomas (Ipswich) Tel: 01394 283973.

Suffolk Junior Golf Committee: Chairman: Mike Stevenson (Thorpeness) Tel: 01728 603521: Secretary: Charlie Wilderspin (Rookery Park) Tel: 01502 588028: Managers: Under 18s: Trevor Mason (Felixstowe Ferry) Tel: 01394 274331: Under 16s: Jim Harrison (Woodbridge) 07866 639769: Under 14s: David Ashworth (Hintlesham) Tele: 01787 377752: Head Coach: Keith Preston (Aldeburgh) Tel: 01728453309: County Child Protection Officer: Stuart McCallum (Ipswich) Tel: 01473 782780.

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www.suffolkgolfunion.com Welcome from the President of the Suffolk Golf Union

Phil Platten By the time you read this edition of the N&S Golfer, I expect April to be upon us and the golfing season kicks off in earnest.

The thing I have noticed with this wonderful game at this time of year we, have aspirations, enthusiasm in abundance and an overpowering desire to get out onto the golf course with friends.

Unfortunately, participation is falling here and in many countries around the world, and now would be a great time to each try and introduce just one other person to our respective clubs, so that they can join in the fun also.

This small gesture would help your club immensely in maintaining the service it provides to you.

I was pleased to read that a golf manufacturer was thinking about junior golfers. Cobra Golf is offering a free shaft upgrade to those who have purchased their King F6 Junior driver, so they do not have to buy another club as they grow older and their swing develops. The King F6 Junior is offered in the trademark orange colour of Cobra’s lead staff player Rickie Fowler.

This year Suffolk has new captains of the County teams.

Jack Cardy (County Captain), Calvin Sherwood (Second Team) and Kevin Brooks (Seniors), all have been working tirelessly preparing their teams. It is encouraging to see new faces coming into the respective teams adding strength to the overall squads. Be they youngsters or seniors, if they are playing a match near you, I urge you to go along and see how good they are. They would really welcome your support.

Anyone wishing to submit articles or comments should email suffolkgolfer@aspects.net

www.suffolkandnorfolkgolfer.com Never miss a copy!

SOCIETY DEALS • GOLF OFFERS • MEMBERSHIPS • TWILIGHT GOLF

Following Michael Thomas’ article ‘GOLFING ESSENTIALS’ in the last issue of Suffolk & Norfolk Golfer, we are indebted to a member of a Norfolk club for these diagrams, that he kindly sent in to Michael, showing the RIGHT WAY to repair a pitch mark.

WEST SUFFOLK GOLF CENTRE Much fun has been had over the Winter months at the West Suffolk Golf Centre, starting with the Annual Quiz Night, which this year had a Burn's Night Theme.

A fantastic turnout of 14 Teams and nearly 80 people joining in with the traditional Haggis, Neeps and Tatties being served at half time. The winning prize was donated to Help For Hero's.

Following on the Valentines Social had a pink theme, and although the weather was cold 9 teams braved it.

The winning team were Mark and Justine Twogood, Paul Hawkins and Stephen Searle (pictured right).

Next up - a good evening was had by all, with a Thai Night, indulging in seven fantastic authentic dishes cooked by Oh Fitzgerald.

EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING: Froghoppers, Lower Marine Parade, CO12 3SR Tel: 01255 242141 E-mail: suffolkgolfer@aspects.net Front Cover: www.suffolkandnorfolkgolfer.com Publisher: Linda Basham Opinions, comments and reports in Suffolk & Norfolk Golfer Magazine are not necessarily those of the SUFFOLK or NORFOLK COUNTY GOLF UNIONS.

CULFORD SCHOOL BURY ST EDMUNDS 7

Suffolk Junior Coaching 2015/16

by Mike Stevenson

The coaching programme started in October for all groups and we are now in the latter stages, after a great response from the clubs to our assessment sessions.

70 boys in total attended across all ages. Work done by Dave Ashworth was very successful in communicating with clubs, and their professionals, to identify boys across the county.

We have 2 groups in the older age category. Keith Preston (county coach) and Trevor Mason (our under 18 team manager) both feel we have a very capable squad of 8 players which will develop.

In the second group, the majority of whom are under 16, Jim Harrison (the under 16 manager) has 19 boys to choose from.

The under 14 group have Kelvin Vince and Ben Kerr as their coaches, and the group have a healthy 16 in numbers.

This has grown due to the recruitment and communication work. Ben and Kelvin are keen to introduce modern technology into their coaching by using Trackman, at a level the boys understand, and all sessions cover the requirements of the modern golfer.

The under 12 group of 16 boys is very exciting. Coach Stuart Robertson and Dave have been proactive, talking to the club pros to help develop this group. Due to the numbers, Stuart has been assisted

by Ed Garrard (Rookery Park) and Phil Westley (Hintlesham) for 2 sessions each.

The SGU is keen to encourage club assistants to become involved in the Coaching. Stuart makes the coaching informative and brings in plenty of fun in the skill sessions. This keeps the boys focused, which can be difficult with this age group, but there is great potential out there in Suffolk and we want to expand this group in the future.

Group 1 with Coaches Keith Preston and Patrick Spraggs plus manager Trevor Mason

Under 14 Squad

Under 12 Squad with Coaches Stuart Robertson Phil Westley and manager Dave Ashworth

The 2016 playing season is about to begin and we want to maintain the excellent four trophies we won in 2015.

Managers, who are all volunteers, are the main ingredient to our success and at present there is a vacancy with the under 14 group.

If you feel you would like to be involved please give me, Mike Stevenson, a ring on 01723 603521 - it is so rewarding.

8

Group 2 with coach Lawrence Dodd

DECLINE IN PARTICIPANTS

www.flemptongolfclub.co.uk Flempton Golf Club near Bury St Edmunds, has long had a reputation for being a hidden gem amongst Suffolk's many fine golf courses.

Founded in 1895 the splendid 9 hole course has gently withstood the ravages of time and preserved all that is good about our golfing heritage. Now, at a national level, this heritage is under threat from a lack of interest in the game among younger people and declining memberships everywhere.

There is a lot of talk in golfing circles about adapting the game and making it more user-friendly to the digital generation. Some sensible ideas are under discussion from the pundits but some of the suggestions floating around - like bucket-sized holes to speed up play - are anathema to those who really care about the game.

Flempton Golf Club finds itself firmly on the side of preserving

our heritage while recognising the need to attract more young people into the sport.

It is for this reason it has forged a working partnership with a new academy for 11-18 year olds at Culford School.

Led by former European Tour PGA Professional Lawrence Dodd (above) the Academy has a wide range of facilities to help develop the underpinning skills and techniques needed, while Lawrence himself has the experience and knowhow to bring the best out of young golfers.

The combination of one -to -one coaching and group coaching at the Academy together with junior membership at Flempton, means that both the juniors at Flempton and the Academy scholars at Culford benefit from sharing resources through a top quality partnership.

And the bottom line is that this part of East Anglia is playing its part in the development of the next generation of golfers.

Email: secretary@flemptongolfclub.co.uk Lawrence.Dodd@culford.co.uk or visit www.culford.co.uk 9

St Audry’s Golf Club 50th Jubilee 2016 marks the 50th birthday for St Audry’s Golf Club.

The Club was originally set up for the patients and hospital staff and when the hospital closed, the members took it over and freely contributed their time and skills to build the clubhouse.

This approach continues today with the clubhouse currently being refurbished primarily by club member volunteers in preparation for a week of Jubilee Celebrations at the beginning of August, around the actual anniversary of the Club.

The beginning of March saw the Drive-In of Lady Captain “Mustang Sallie” Staines, with her own Mustang Golf Cart (!), supported by Vice Captain Julie Donaghue and her cast of Flower Power Ladies who braved the cold weather for a very enjoyable Texas Scramble! l-r: Teresa Andrews, Julie Donaghue, Pat Smith, Juliet Rhodes, Trish Webber, Sally Berry, Georgie Webb, Ruth Goodship, Judy Gowan, Liz Jackson & Margaret Booth Smith]

10

Looking Around...

With Ron Kent

I cannot believe that almost a year has gone by since my last official duty for the Suffolk Golf Union after some twenty-two years of involvement in some form or another. I received a marvellous send-off and many tributes from individuals and organisations, probably far more than I really deserved and I felt rather humbled but they were greatly appreciated nevertheless. One of the highlights among several such which followed soon after was at Maison Bleue, the French restaurant in Bury St Edmunds, where some 20 or more colleagues joined a very surprised ex-President for a superb lunch (and no doubt the opportunity to ensure they had seen the last of me!).

tell me that my input to the publication was being missed. So regularly did she return home with such reports that I came to the conclusion that a readership, for some obscure reason eager to read some more of the drivel I had written in the past, must have somehow burgeoned into double figures over those sixteen years or so.

So, hopefully, the attacks of SBI are responding to the medication well (I find the white linctus is more acceptable than the red these days) and I will be twisting the arm of our wonderful publisher Linda to allow some more inane scribbling (sorry, mistyping) in future issues.

So loyal dozen or so, you demanded it. The other readers who could not care less cannot blame you for it, your names will not be revealed. To whet your appetite for the startling revelations ahead, find out in forthcoming issues why golf club membership is perhaps being inhibited by garden I have to admit that, as I rode off into the sunset at sheds, why a quick burst on a banjo may also be a breakneck speed, as some might have thought, on distraction for this wonderful game and how that 27th March 2015 afternoon, I did not anticipate potential young golfers may prefer instead to drop a clanger or two. becoming quite as increasingly bored out of my brains as I did in the days that followed. How sad Subject to strict censorship, catch up with some is that! As often happens when going to virtually useful hints from the diary of a house husband, nothing after what has been a busy (and in my based on first-hand experience from an expletivecase a highly enjoyable) existence, attacks of SBI packed and smoke-filled kitchen and including tend to set in, the prognosis being the less you some free exciting recipes not to try at one of those have to do, the less you want to do. dinner parties. If you cannot contain yourself in Predictably, the futile list of 2016 New Year the meantime ... resolutions included yet another resolve to start ... Enjoy your golf playing golf again, having been a regular viewer over 20+ years of others chopping around the course (apart from perhaps 20-odd holes of my own snake-chasing swinging in the past five years).

Disclosing a well-kept secret for so many years that the lowest handicap I ever aspired to was 11, recent attempts to resume playing ended quickly, reluctantly admitting that I would struggle to get round now in 111 (that is 183 for a round over a course with scratch of 72 – old habits die hard!).

I certainly missed the regular contributions to this magazine despite the pressure of meeting (and often missing) copy dates. Often I have thought since of putting pen to paper (or two fingers to keyboard as it is these days!) but that dreaded SBI would always set in and the muse refused to flow. hrh, with whom I share our humble abode (not HRH who has several much more imposing residences than me/us), would often come back from her morning round of golf, or coffee sipping or lunch (two specials for the price of one at a chain usually being the order of the day) with a friend, (sometimes after partaking of all three pleasures in one day, as befits a Leisure Queen of Europe), and

Thurlow Nunn Vauxhall has agreed to sponsor the Diss Seniors Golf Open for a 2nd year.

Pictured sealing the agreement are Steve Wilson, Sales Manager of Thurlow Nunn & Steve Jacques, Diss Golf Club Seniors Captain 2016. This golf pairs competition takes place on 5th May, and is open to all club golfers throughout East Anglia.

11

Give us a try for 3 months Membership Terms and conditions apply

Speak to Bob on 01473 725648 or email: rushmeregolfclub@btconnect.com www.club-noticeboard.co.uk/rushmere

Looking at Membership of a Club?

Why not try it out at Rushmere Golf Club?

On a three month trial period if you have a son or daughter

12

add ÂŁ10 and they can join you!

From your Suffolk Golf County Development Officer Jordan Dymond

email: j.dymond@englandgolf.org Mobile: 07710 701274 Twitter: @SuffolkGolf www.suffolkgolfpartnership.co.uk

How can we successfully promote our junior offer?

As we move forward into March it is brilliant to see the days gradually becoming longer and golf clubs preparing for the busy summer season. It was great to see so many Suffolk clubs attending the recent England Golf Business Growth Forums that took place at Barnham Broom Golf Club on the 12th January and Channels Golf Club on the 17th February. These practical workshops focused around the business and marketing strategies of golf clubs and it was pleasing to hear that so many clubs found the day useful. The workshop also helped clubs identify their priority business goals to work on in the short and medium term. It was clear one of the goals that was prominent within most clubs’ priorities was the need to boost the number of juniors that are regularly playing at the club.

juniors but not all advertise this prominently on their websites.

Does your club have a specific junior page or tab on the website? Is it clear what the offer is? Are images appropriate and engaging? If you were a nongolfing parent, could you understand what is being said and offered? Can you find out what you need to?

Can you book online? All things to certainly think about…

A good place to start when looking to recruit juniors is to assess what is the current club offer looks like.

Is this attractive to them? Does it meet their needs?

Is it fun? Ultimately, is this what they want?! It can be very helpful to sit down and speak to a group of junior members about their experiences of the club.

A practical way to help bring more young people to the golf club could be a junior or family open day. It’s encouraging to see this sort of initiative is becoming more and more popular and it’s definitely a great way to introduce a large number of people to the facility on one specific day. Setting up fun activities around putting, chipping and target based games are good ways to make family days fun and appropriate for all.

England Golf have a ‘supporting junior golf’ section on their website that offers advice and provides support resources to help clubs run successful junior or family open days, this includes such things as example plans, posters to use and case studies highlighting good practice.

This may include what they enjoy and why they choose to play at your club over others. The juniors might also point out one or two points that could be improved within the club and this could make the facility more attractive to potential junior players. It always helps to make the juniors feel part of the club and the decision making process.

These are just a few ways to promote junior golf and should form part of a larger development plan for juniors. If you or your club have any questions around junior golf or golf development on the whole, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.

Wishing you all a very successful 2016 and keep golfing!

Like most other sections of the golf club, junior membership has also seen a decline in the last few years and this is very much a nationwide trend.

However, there are many things we can look to do to proactively try and encourage more juniors to play golf and join as members of our clubs.

It is also important to understand what form of communication works best for juniors look at how opportunities can be promoted to them most effectively. With so many young people never too far away from the internet and social media, it is imperative that clubs have a strong online presence and appropriate messages are being pushed out.

Club websites are normally the first port of call for those looking to get involved with golf and wanting to find out more about what a specific club offers.

Most clubs offer regular weekend coaching for

Jordan

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Thorpeness appoints first female golf professional in club’s 93-year history Thorpeness Golf Club and Hotel has appointed Christine Langford (right) as its new Senior Golf Professional, the first female professional in the club’s 93-year history.

golf coaching schools and clinics at Thorpeness Golf Club and Hotel.

Her new role will see her develop golf coaching and residential schools Christine, 58, said: “I am delighted to make history at the James Braid as Thorpeness’ first woman professional and am heathland course honoured to follow in Frank’s footsteps. and 36-bedroom Suffolk is a wonderful place to live and Thorpeness golf hotel. has a special and lasting appeal to local people, “I am looking day visitors and holidaymakers. I feel enormously forward to getting privileged to be asked to take on this role.” to know everyone at the club and using my experience to further develop the exceptional This is not the first time that Christine has made golfing experience Thorpeness offers its members history in a golfing career spanning over three and visitors,” said Christine. decades.

A five time winner on the Ladies European Tour, Christine succeeds veteran PGA Professional Frank Hill, 71, who retired in October 2015.

In 2005, she was the first woman professional to be made an Advanced Fellow of the PGA (Professional Golfer’s Association). As a touring professional, Christine was a founder member of the LET (Ladies European Tour) and went on to serve as its Chair.

She is one of only a handful of women to serve on the board of The PGA of Great Britain and Ireland.

Tim Rowan Robinson, chairman of TA Hotel Collection which owns and operates Thorpeness Golf Club, said: “Christine’s appointment is a fantastic coup for our golf club and business. There are few people in the industry with such a breadth of knowledge and experience of both coaching and golf operations as well as a proven track record of success in private business.

We are looking forward to working with Christine to enhance the golfing experience we offer to our members, guests and visitors at Thorpeness.”

Christine has worked as national coach to the Golf Union of Wales Ladies team and coached Suffolk Ladies County Team.

She is also a Golf Ambassador for the Bermuda Tourist Authority where she hosts the Women and Golf Bermuda Trophy, one of the largest golf tourism events on the island.

In recent years, Christine has run residential

over 60%

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Contact Jane today on 07863 744 649 www.webbed4business.co.uk CAPTAINS CHEQUE Andy Dunn, Captain of Thetford Golf Club in 2015, completed his duties when he handed over a cheque for £3,000 to Amy Lince, manager of the Cancer Research shop in Thetford.

This was matched by a similar cheque for £3,000 which went to the Paediatric Diabetic unit at West Suffolk Hospital after Andy himself had topped up the amount raised during his year of office.

Results: March Medal, Division One: Iain Yule 72-1-71; Matthew Wabe 79-7-72; Tim Elliott 84-9-74; Dave Fawcett 86-11-75; John Baldwin 87-12-75; Nick Murgolo 90-14-76; David Sutton 89-13-76; Steve Campbell 89-13-76; John Tavener 81-5-76; James Camilleri 8811-77. Division Two: Kevin Hawkins 100-21-79; Terry Harrison 10424-80; Dave Rivett 97-17-80; Andy Vassallo 100-19-81; Jeremy Campbell 102-20-82.

Seniors March Stableford: 37pts David Mason (21); 34 Alan Hitchborn (11); 33 John Lynch (16); 32 Frank Knight (22) and Trevor Wignall (10); 31 Aidan Power (18) and Bill Rodger (17); 30 Alan Ashcroft (16), Phil Halford (12) and Jim Sanford (15); 29 Richard Ellis (16) and Jim Neal (21).

16

Social Committee Cup

next round. Sheila commented 'it was a fantastic match, the course was in great shape, the weather was bright and sunny and the company was An impressive field of 76 Golfers from all sections at Haverhill Golf Club, took part in the final major of excellent'. the 2015/16 season. The format was individual Luke Williams stableford, with the handicaps limited to 18 for men, 30 for ladies and junior girls and to 21 for junior boys. The overall winner was Luke Williams who returned a superb score of 39pts to claim the victory, and trimmed his handicap by a shot to 10.

The runner up was John Kennedy, who scored 38pts and also trimmed his handicap by a shot to 11. Michael Dalena finished in 3rd place on count back with a score of 37pts, just relegating Frank Gooch to 4th place with 37pts. Anne Reed returned the best score from the Ladies Section with 33pts and Josh Hulyer for the Juniors with 30pts.

Sheila Price and Anna Fairhead competed in the 1st round of the Nationally organised event, The Ladies Daily Mail Foursomes, on Sunday 13th March. They were drawn to play at home against Bernadette Bugg and Jackie Thomas from the Suffolk. The Haverhill pair got off to a flying start and were 4 up on the 11th, however their opponents battled back to reduce the deficit and managed to force the match to extra play after 18 holes. The match was finally won on the 21st hole

by Sheila and Anna, who qualify through to the

Kelvin Vince PGA Professional Rushmere Golf Club

Expert Tuition for Golfers of all abilities and ages.

All requirements catered for from individual lessons, video analysis, group coaching through to on-course sessions.

IDEAL GIFT VOUCHER A couple of starter/taster lessons or refresh lessons For further information please contact on 01473 728076 or by email at kelvinvince@hotmail.co.uk 17

SLCGA by Julie Latimer-Jones

Keeping everything together It is quite possible that the average lady golfer, busily pursuing her personal golfing calendar, has no idea that one member of her club’s ladies’ committee attends several meetings a year to discuss the ways in which inter-club and inter-county golf is run on behalf of all Suffolk golfers whatever their age or standard of play. The Club Delegates on the County Committee of that name garner shedloads of information filtering it back to their locality.

Club Delegates at their first meeting of 2016

foursomes pairings and six singles on the day of play. A new England Golf Competition has been introduced, nattily called ‘The Women’s England The Committee met for the first time this year Golf Trust Individual Stableford Club Competition’ on Friday 4th March at Bury St Edmunds Golf which is, at least, fully descriptive. The final will be Club. Chaired in a light-hearted and goodplayed on 15th August 2016 at King’s Norton Golf natured manner by Rebecca Evans, it was Club. informative and serious in intent, its agenda Delegates were urged to persuade as many as items covering a wide range of topics. possible of their club members to enter the The Cranworth Rules will change in 2017.

Divisional annual meetings, specifically arranged to Teams will consist of a squad of eight players be all-inclusive. Reminders were given for the East who may be rotated to fill the three Region Foursomes (Ipswich GC 21st April, closing

Stowmarket Golf Club

Twilight Golf £18 p/p April to October Any day after 4pm Call 01449 736392 to book Lower Road – Onehouse – Stowmarket – IP14 3DA 18

knowing what excitement awaited them on the 121-yard twelfth. Philippa took her five rescue club off the tee. Was it thanks to the very recent lesson or does she always play like that? Whatever, the ball flew sweetly off the club face, landed on the edge of the Importantly, there are changes, too, to the Suffolk green and rolled gently down the hole.

County Championships (6,7,8th May at Philippa’s first ace and a memorable morning Stowmarket, closing date for entry 31st March). To for a happy holidaymaker! encourage a bigger field, the upper handicap limit has moved to 20 and, whilst the first sixteen Suffolk Ladies County Golf Association Current Officers: qualifiers from the Stroke Play Championship will President and Hon. Treasurer: Miss Hermione go on to the Matchplay Championship as usual, the Scrope Tel: 01359 232618 Captain: Mrs Sarah following eight will, for the first time, qualify for a Saggers Tel: 01394 383583. Vice-Captain: Ms second flight, giving higher handicappers more Vanessa Bell Tel 01473 231411; Hon Secretary: Mrs chance than previously to get their hands on a Di Cunningham 01787 247590 secretary@suffolkladiesgolf.org.uk ; England Golf Representative: trophy. The Seniors Championship will operate on Ms Rebecca Evans Tel 01787 464624; Handicap a new upper handicap limit of 18.

On a practical note, the County set up seeks a Fixtures Secretary. This is an ideal admin post for a good organiser. Also from next year, a Junior Organiser will be needed. Anyone interested in either opportunity should contact secretary@suffolkladiesgolf.org.uk .

Adviser: Mrs Eunice Gray Tel 01473 833392; Junior Organiser: Miss Sarah Howe Tel: 07990 110976 ; Seniors Organiser: Mrs Tessa Summers 01986 872826; Scratch Score Assessor: Mrs Sue Cook Tel 01728 688406. All other personnel may be found on the County website at

www.suffolkladiesgolf.org.uk

SLCGA by Julie Latimer-Jones

date 31st March), the East Region Senior Championship (Haverhill 11th July, age 50 and over). Information on all these and many more competitions are on the website www.suffolkladiesgolf.org.uk .

Much more business was covered in an hour and a half of keen attention, which proved a considerable draw to one passing gentleman who pressed his nose to the window to the amusement of those inside looking out!

What a day!

In early March, Philippa Bridges (Diss GC) arrived for a golf lesson with professional Nigel Taylor but, at that point, she happened to meet one Albert Mills from the Isle of Man. He was on holiday and was looking for a game of golf. Philippa explained about the lesson and he obligingly said he would wait for her. So, eventually, with Albert playing off ten and Philippa off twentyseven, they set out companionably, little

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WOODBRIDGE GOLF CLUB Woodbridge Golf Club has continued to press forward with many improvements to the facility over the past six months, establishing itself as one of the premier venues in East Anglia.

The club has enlisted the services of celebrated architect, Martin Hawtree and has embarked on a programme of enhancements around the courses. Ranked 75th in Golf world’s Top 100 courses in England 2015 (a rise of 16 places); the club is expediting plans to rise further, with an aim of making the top 50.

Off course facilities have also benefited with the addition of a 3 hole academy course, refurbishment of various areas of the clubhouse and further investment into course maintenance equipment.

However, the most exciting development is the new purpose built ‘Performance & Custom Fitting Studio’. The bespoke studio boasts state of the art technology and is

unrivalled in Suffolk.

Working with the latest Trackman 4 launch monitor, as used by the world’s best players, the Professionals are able to assist every level of golfer for coaching or custom fitting.

The studio can be converted to an indoor simulator should the weather be inclement, allowing full year round use. With thousands of possible combinations the expert staff will guide customers through the custom fitting process for all areas of equipment. From driver to a full club fitting, club distance and gapping or the specialist Trackman Combine test, Woodbridge has it all.

FACILITIES

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Performance & Custom Fitting Studio Warm up range Chipping area with full size green and bunkers Putting green Large grassed practice area FREE lessons for beginners 3 hole academy course 9 hole short course played over the Forest course (holes 80-200 yards) 9 hole Forest course 18 hole Heath course Clubhouse with bar, catering and changing facilities Golf Shop with a full range of golfing equipment staffed by PGA Professionals.

Woodbridge Golf Club Bromeswell Heath Woodbridge Suffolk IP12 2PF

Email: info@woodbridgegolfclub.co.uk Tel: 01394 382038 Pro Shop: 01394 383213 www. woodbridgegolfclub.co.uk

HAT-TRICK FOR CHRIS Chris Williams has completed a hat-trick of wins in the popular Andy Platter competition, staged for seniors at Newton Green Golf Club.

Three years running the paramedic pot hunter has led the field home in the Stableford competition, and this year he completed the task on temporary greens, with the course covered in frost at the start of the day.

His 39 points saw him lead home Roger O'Brien-Hill 37 and Derek King 36, with the trophy being presented by Andy Dodds, who Left to right: Roger O'Brien-Hill, Chris launched the competition 20 years ago before the club had an Williams, Andy Dodds and Derek King. official seniors section. In recent times women have also been part of the day, with recent ladies captain Sheila Walter winning the section with 40 points, followed by current captain Sally Cade 36, and Sue Lockwood 33. Nearest pin prizes: Ladies, Angela Chapman. Men, Steve Street and Brian Joy. Mixed, Lee Prentice, Bill Havers and Di Cunningham.

Stonham Barns Announce Junior Tournament Dates 2016 - Ages 4-15 Stonham Barns have been running junior tournaments for the last 15 years and are going to have a real push to get more juniors playing golf this year. All events are run on a casual, friendly basis with their aim to give the juniors the chance to play some competitive golf in a relaxed environment with the focus on having a go and enjoying the game. Every welcome - no handicap required - no need to book. Just turn up and play 9 holes between 9am and 1pm. Ages 4-15 welcome, boys and girls. Entry ÂŁ7.00 inc prizes.

Sunday 24th April; Sunday 22nd May - Flag Competition; Sunday 26th June - East Anglian Junior Under 12' Championship; Sunday 31st July 2016; Sunday 28th August 2016; Sunday 25th Sept 2016; Sunday 30th October 2016; Sunday 27th Nov 2016 - Junior Players Championship.

E-Mail: tony@stonhambarnsgolf.co.uk for more information.

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Newton Green Golf Club annual award winners Above Mixed: Bill Havers, Tim Richardson, Chris Williams, Paddy Lockwood, Kevin Easey, Sue Thurgate.

Patricia Havers, Sheila Walter, Sarah Williams, Sally Cade, Di Cunningham and Cate Fraser Right, Men: Ian Duncan, Neil Fenn, Ian Woodhead, Ian Coleman and Roger Leonard. Nick Smith, Nigel Gerrans, Peter Webb, James Everett, Tim Richardson and Kevin Easey.

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Fitness Strength and flexibility play their part in being able to produce more clubhead speed and there are numerous fitness coaches, some golf specific,(T.P.I), and videos around that can help the golfer in both areas. Alternatively, circuit training can help with overall strength and yoga can help with flexibility in each of these areas. In my experience it seems that flexibility becomes more important for the ageing golfer because it helps to allow a fuller range of motion within the muscles, helping lead to a better kinetic chain of movements.

Technique If the clubhead isn't travelling toward the target through impact, the whole of the energy from the swing will not be transferred into the back of the ball efficiently. Coupled with this, if the ball is not hit centrally from the clubface there can be even more inefficiency produced. With the advent of launch monitors, it has become easier to see these inefficiencies as numbers rather than feel, making it easier for some players to compute. From a coaches perspective, it is important to find out if there are any physical limitations that may prohibit certain positions in the set up or movements in the swing, before developing a plan of how the student can make the quickest and most solid progress forwards. Not all of us are blessed with the physical prowess of the younger breed of top tournament golfers, but we may be able to make significant moves forward, (or hold back the inevitable problems that extra birthdays may have given us!), and play the best golf we are able to.

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Victory for Stowmarket Ladies Stowmarket Ladies v Bury St Edmunds 2nd Round Mail on Sunday Competition (played on the Bury Course).

Stowmarket Ladies originally had a home draw against Bury St Edmunds in the 2nd round of this competition, but due to course conditions had a last minute change of venue and travelled away to Bury.

Despite this minor blip, Stowmarket managed a hard-fought but deserved 3-2 victory, with 4 of the 5 matches decided on the 18th green.

An excellent start to the new golfing season.

Fiona Ferrie halved with Joan Garret.

Liz Laflin halved with Debbie Anthistle.

Elaine Anderson lost to Bev Allen 1 down.

Jo Finter beat Julie Byford 2 up Wendy Wilderspin beat Lynne Wright 5&4.

Fiona Ferrie, Liz Laflin, Elaine Anderson, Sue Knights (Vice Captain) Jo Finter, Wendy Wilderspin Andie Morris (centre) achieved a hole in one at the par 3 6th hole 164 yards at Rushmere Golf Club, his playing partners were Dick Ford (Vice Captain) and Mike Caley (right).

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Peter Ballingall

@

LETTER FROM SPAIN

think – but, of course, the result of the vote will be known by then.

I was awaiting the arrival of some clients outside the clubhouse on a cool but sunny morning. I was shivering even though wearing my waterproof jacket when I noticed a group of golfers that was amassing – all dressed in shorts and shirt sleeves.

They will, I am sure, be interested in the outcome just as they were in the Scottish referendum – particularly in Cataluña and Pais Basco who have for a long time wanted their independence from Spain. They, like many Britons, want ‘sovereignty’ restored from the ‘super-integrated state of Europe’.

We wait with bated breath!!

“ You must live in the far north” I said to one. “It is really cold this morning”.

“We are from Dereham in Norfolk” the gentleman replied “and you are Peter Ballingall who used to be at Barnham Broom. We read your ‘Letter from Spain’ every issue”!

As I have stated we here live in a ‘bubble’ happily removed from interferences from Brussels. With no golf membership of local people the vast majority of our customers are from northern Europe – and they are more interested in their golf than anything else!!

What a pleasant surprise to meet nice people from what was my ‘home’ for twenty seven years – and Enjoy the golf, I say, and let the politicians do what to know that someone reads the nonsense I submit they do. Everyone has their own opinions – which to the magazine. is good and right – but, as Her Majesty said “think very carefully on how you will vote”.

The gentleman told me that Sajay Shah, a charming person and enthusiastic golfer who Thankfully this time Mrs B. and I will also will be organises golfing trips to foreign places for the afforded a vote although being tax residents of members, had brought 13 Dereham GC members Spain. to El Rompido. It was nice to hear him and other That is right and good too! members of the group say how very impressed they were by everything here on this their first visit!

I remember Dereham GC well from my years in Norfolk: a tidy and pleasant nine hole course with friendly members. Happy days! We hope all will return again.

It is true that someone’s loss is another person’s gain. It seems that fewer golfers are going to Turkey, Morocco and Tunisia and are settling for Spain – and El Rompido – being as it is a safer destination which accounts for the huge increase of British visitors these past two years.

Not wishing to get into politics I have been trying to assess how the Spanish feel about the coming EU Referendum; Britain voting to stay in a ‘fully reformed’ EU or voting to leave [presuming that the EU will not be ‘reformed’]. It has been difficult finding anyone who has something to say on the matter!! This is because in the El Rompido and Cartaya region the locals are ‘small business’ persons who are more concerned with their own problems and challenges on a daily basis and who are not really interested in the wider issues that Britain faces. I will have to wait until the summer months when the rich Spanish spend time in their summer homes at El Rompido to find out what they 26

Contact me, Peter Ballingall at: Apartado de Correos 101 21450 Cartaya (Huelva) ESPAÑA Tel: (0034) 959 02 42 42 or E-mail: pballingall@golfelrompido.es Website: www.peterballingall.com

Paul Button, one of Rushmere Golf Club’s volunteers, completes a hat-trick of Holes in One with his latest at the par 3,13th, using a 6 iron. His playing partners were Mick Yates, Roy Hudson and Pat Ryan.

L to R - Mick Yates, Paul Button, Roy Hudson and Pat Ryan.

NORFOLK COUNTY GOLF UNION www.norfolkcountygolfunion.co.uk by

Mike Devlin - Hon Secretary

2016 and all that ...

rules come into effect I would like to explore one of the new changes ‘club handicaps’. First of all County Captain, Kevin Webb what is a club handicap and how does it differ from (kevinwebb160575@gmail.com) is to host a County a CONGU competition handicap?

Trials day at a venue to be confirmed.

1. CONGU club handicaps are in the range of As is usual the County Team Selection Panel will 29 (37 ladies) to 54 and cannot carry the ‘c’ be on the look-out to identify players to augment status so therefore they are not competition the County Squads. Any player who feels they handicaps. would like to be considered should contact Kevin 2. A player may hold only one handicap at a giving details of their current handicap and home time, either a CONGU club handicap or a club.

CONGU competition handicap. A player * * * * * may not be moved to a club handicap The County Championships playing season gets without their agreement even if their ability underway with the 2016 County Foursomes would justify a higher handicap. 28/36 will Championships at Royal Cromer. Day one will be a remain the cap on competition handicaps. stableford event, with the top four pairs going 3. Any returns made by CONGU club handicap through to the 1st Flight Match Play semi-finals and holders are measured against SSS – never eventual final on day two, and the next four pairs CSS, going on to compete in the 2nd Flight event.

4. CONGU club handicap holders may submit Last year’s winners, Paul Reade of King’s Lynn and as many supplementary scores as they wish Darren Nichols of Costessey Park Golf Club, will no in order to maintain or improve their doubt be doing their best to repeat their victory of handicap.

2015 at Thetford.

5. Handicap committees should monitor these in the same way as competition handicaps * * * * * and adjust when required in accordance with Our County Senior’s bid a fond farewell to Terry clause 23.

Norman of Gt Yarmouth & Caister, as the outgoing Seniors Captain and welcome in his stead David Are clubs required to introduce CONGU club Pattrick of Royal Cromer. David is no stranger to handicaps? The simple answer is ‘no’. If a club the role having lead the County Seniors in the past. decides the club handicap system is not for them His first duty will be to lead the Seniors in the then there is no requirement for them to do so. traditional starter match of the year against Norfolk What are the advantages of introducing such County Ladies, to be hosted at Great Yarmouth. handicaps? They can be used as a tool to attract A full playing calendar this year will give plenty of players to golf. Players with waning ability may opportunity for all members of the Squad to be prefer a higher handicap to make themselves more included in representative matches. David is always keen to meet new potential County Seniors’ competitive within their group (subject to the approval of the players within that group at a social players, so if you are 55 and over and wish to be level). considered, contact him with your details (pattrickdavid@yahoo.com.uk) *

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Handicapping Matters: Area Handicapping Authority, Kevin Joy has completed the annual Category 1 audit and the findings have been forwarded to England Golf for their records.

It is possible to hold open competitions at your club for club handicap holders only.

There are many ways the club handicap system can be used to attract and retain players but whatever your club decides – keep playing golf.

Just a reminder that if you have any handicapping enquiries, Kevin will always endeavour to answer Now that the dust has settled and the new CONGU them for you and if he does not know the answer 27

he will ensure that he will find out and give you a definitive answer. The easiest way to contact Kevin is by e-mail (kevinjoy@live.co.uk).

Junior Matters Club Junior membership is again reported as being lower than in previous years and this does give cause for concern. The County has, in concert with some geographically well positioned clubs, begun supporting the advent of Junior Academies to, in some modest way, endeavour to arrest this situation. These academies are located at Royal Norwich, Sprowston Manor, Wensum Valley, King’s Lynn, and Sheringham. The academies are targeted at under 14’s and offer a series of coaching sessions for those wishing to take up the sport. The initial sessions are free of charge. It is hoped this will lead to our youngsters getting bitten by the golfing-bug and eventually taking up club membership. Other clubs have been identified and will be contacted during the year to ensure full coverage throughout the county is achieved. Full details are available from the Clubs listed or by contacting the County Junior Manager, Norman Blanch on norman.blanch@btinternet.com Hardworking, Norman Blanch, County Junior Manager continues his search for any talented young golfers who may wish to be considered for County Squad inclusion. Club Junior Organisers, Secretaries and Managers are requested to please consider the juniors at your club and consider putting them forward to be included. Please contact Norman on norman.blanch@btinternet.com for further details.

Norman is delighted to report that Warren Blackwell of Costessey park GC, has been appointed Under 18 Squad Manager with immediate effect. Warren has started by hitting the ground running and is already engaged with Norman in squad selection for the upcoming BUT Trophy. Nothing like keeping busy eh? * * * * * The County Handicap League instituted in 2015 28

has really captured the enthusiasm of the players and clubs that entered. So much so that this year we welcome three new clubs into the event.

The 2016 brackets are above.

Wherever you fall in these brackets, enjoy your season ahead, enjoy your golf and most of all the good companionship that golf brings. *

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Fixtures The draws for the Interclub Knockout’s produced some mouth-watering matches, all the fixtures are available on your club noticeboard or through your club Secretary.

County Championships: All entry forms and conditions are available on the county website www.norfolkcountygolfunon.co.uk .

Your chance to become a County Champion, so don’t delay, get your entries in now.

Out & About Jack Yule (right) of Middleton Hall Golf Club has a magical year ahead. His exploits in the Faldo Series gained him an opportunity to tee up at Mission Hills in China and if that wasn’t enough excitement a European

Tour start in either Russia or Madeira.

Jack remains as an Amateur and will be representing Norfolk during the year as well as competing in many County and National events.

We wish him well.

Toby Briggs (above) Just how much can you say about the golfing skills of this young man. Toby made his international debut for England under 16s in Madrid in 2014 . The son of the Director of Golf at Dunston Hall, he is already earmarked for the Norfolk first team this year in the Anglian League.

He has represented England in many tournaments which include the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters and the European Young Masters. Toby is still in the England Boys Squad and will no doubt continue his globetrotting representation for his Country. *

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events throughout the summer playing season.

The older guys find the hand held devices easy to use and the technophobes quickly master the scoring input. Watching a good score being challenged whilst enjoying a well-earned pint in the clubhouse makes the experience very interesting.

Not that too many golfers were able to challenge some of the excellent scoring on the day. Early leaders in the clubhouse, Josh Brooks and Nick Larner, watched their score of 42 points get challenged and surpassed by Rawshorne and Littlewood, with 44 points who then watched Jamie Chisolm and Roy Smith from the home club, top that with 45 points, which remained unsurpassed as the other scores came in. Roy Smith said that they just gelled together and that everything went well on the day. Club Captain Bruce Sturrock presented the prizes down to 5th place. The professional prize went to Great Yarmouth and Caister attached playing professional, Ian Ellis, who shot a magnificent 68. Ian’s first win of the year and hopefully the first of many wins as he sets out to be leader of the East of England order of merit again.

County President and Vice President President Doug Gilchrist, a founder member of Weston Park Golf Club and a long term supporter of golf within Norfolk, and Vice President Graham Turner of Mundesley Golf Club continue into their second year in their roles full of enthusiasm. It’s

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Live scoring at Great Yarmouth and Caister The Caister pairs welcomes golfers from all over East Anglia and is constantly growing, attracting bigger fields than ever. Mark Sumner the professional at Caister, is always looking to be innovative and add spice to the event.

The huge field were treated to superb playing conditions great prizes and the luxury of knowing how they were doing against the field by the live scoring system installed for the day.

Supplied and managed by Golf Days UK the players are able to track their scoring via a held device, which also relates the scores back to the big screen in the clubhouse. Most of the field found this application added spice to the day and the event. Ben Phillips from Golf Days UK, a member at Great Yarmouth and Caister, believes the new system will be beneficial and support the clubs big

going to be a busy year for them both.

President Doug Gilchrist

Vice President Graham Turner

And finally ...

2015 delivered the highest number of County Competition entrants for many years. Let’s hope this is a sign of things to come. Many reports of club membership in decline are slowly being overtaken by the advent of positive reporting on new members coming on board. Enjoy 2016 - may 29

NCGU CONTACTS President Doug Gilchrist, Weston Park Golf Club

Vice President Graham Turner, Mundesley Golf Club

Imm. Past President Alan Winstanley, Sheringham Golf Club

Hon. County Secretary Mike Devlin, Acacia House, The Street, Tibenham. Norfolk. NR16 1QA Great Yarmouth & Caister Golf club niblick@btinternet.com 01379 674516

Hon. County Treasurer Richard Betts, Gt Yarmouth & Caister Golf Club 01603 720957 email: richardbetts@btinternet.com County Captain Kevin Webb - Costesey Park Golf Club kevinwebb160575@gmail.com

Costessey Park Ladies Section held their AGM and the Lady Captain, Carol Wilson, presented a cheque for £2500 to Louise Cook, (above left) Fundraising Manager for the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. The funds were raised by the ladies section for the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit.

Carol then handed over her badge of office, to the incoming Captain, Sue Fage, (left in the picture) and wished her well for the coming year.

She also thanked all the ladies for their support during 2015.

2nd Team Captain Richard Wilson - Dereham Golf Club prorichard@aol.com Seniors Captain Terry Norman, Great Yarmouth & Caister Golf Club, terrynorman45@hotmail.co.uk Seniors Administrator Malcolm Carr of Sheringham Golf Club malcolm.carr@tiscali.co.uk Junior Secretary - Norman Blanch, 10, Hillside Crescent, Wicklewood, Norwich. NR18 9QD Tel: 01953 604394 normanblanch@btinternet.com Team Managers (Juniors): U16 - Andrew Cullington 01603 898311 ajcully@btinternet.com U12/14 - Nick Macartney 07766 805314; nickmarcartneygolf@btinternet.com U18 Manager - Warren Blackwell 07961 823146 email:w.blackwell@hotmail.co.uk PGA Secretary - John Paling ‘Squirrels Reach’, Folgate Lane, Old Costessey, Norwich NR8 5EF Tel: 01603 741301 jandjpaling@uwclub.net Norfolk Schools - Margo Horsburgh 5 Bishops Croft, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 1BZ 01359 221281 dandmhorsburgh326@btinternet.com Girls Organiser - Carol Delf Gt Yarmouth & Caister Golf Club

Middleton Hall Golf Club 2015 Ladies Captain, Brenda Boldero, is seen presenting the Birdie Trophy, which is awarded to the lady who has the most birdies in competitions over a 12 month period, to the winner Pat Hoban.

Women to the fore as historic club shrugs off tradition One of England’s oldest golf clubs will shrug off 123 years of tradition next week when women are appointed to all its key positions.

Royal Norwich Golf Club in Norfolk will give a champagne welcome to new club captain Angela Loveday and club president Cherry Bishop, who will be supported by junior captain Jasmine Campbell and ladies’ captain Janet Clare.

The historic drive-in will be attended by all four and by England Golf President-Elect Marian Rae. Lauren Spray, the England Golf Women and Girls’ Participation Manager, commented: “This is very good news which helps to break down barriers and dispel perceptions about the game. Golf is a friendly, welcoming sport and a game for all. Congratulations to Royal Norwich and its officials.”

General Manager Phil Grice said: “We have appointed the best people for these roles, regardless of sex, and it is a shame in some respect that this is considered ground breaking.

We hope that other clubs, whilst respecting their heritage, also look forward with an open mind in terms of equality and developing our sport.”

Angela Loveday, who has been a member of Royal Norwich for almost 14 years, will be the first woman club captain in Norfolk, but her appointment will be quickly followed by at least two other county clubs which have women vice captains.

“It’s the beginning of a wave,” said Angela. “The golf environment is changing so rapidly and these roles are becoming genderless, open to anyone on their merit.”

She went on: “Young people of both genders come together socially and in sport much more comfortably than they did in previous years. I applaud this and would like to develop this across our golf club. The inclusivity of family friendly golf with ladies, gents, mothers and fathers, grandparents and children having a good time together is part of our vision for the future.”

She has been on the club’s general committee for eight years, holding key roles including close involvement in the club’s planned relocation within the county. She has also held posts within the ladies’ section and on the county handicapping committee. Angela is a Level 1 coach and has helped the club professional with junior activities.

Incoming Royal Norwich club captain Angela Loveday (front) with (from left) Janet Clare, Jasmine Campbell and Cherry Bishop.

Incoming president Cherry Bishop has been a club member for 24 years and also holds a key role in the relocation project. She has been ladies' secretary and captain.

Junior captain Jasmine Campbell, who plays off four, has been the Norfolk girls’ champion for the last two years and is a past winner of the Abraham Trophy, which is awarded to England’s most improved girl golfer. She is a four handicapper.

Janet Clare has been a member at Royal Norwich for about 40 years and is taking on her second term as ladies’ captain. She has also been ladies’ president and the Norfolk county second team captain.

Royal Norwich is one of four Norfolk clubs taking part in Girls Golf Rocks, a project run by England Golf and the Golf Foundation to introduce new girls to the game. The beginners are mentored by county squad players who act as ambassadors to spread the message that golf is a fun and friendly sport.

The club also runs a junior scholarship programme where 30 per cent of the members are girls. The programme is part of an overall strategy to grow the club’s female membership and has produced players including Hope Neild, a member of the winning team at the English schools’ team championship, and county girl player Chloe Gibbs.

The club has also been involved in Get into golf, the England Golf campaign which offers great value coaching to inspire more adults to take up golf and play more often. Over 40 per cent of Get into golf participants are women.

31

Dereham Golf Club Junior Section by Jane Bizley Junior members started the 2016 season in sunshine, by playing for the Valentine Trophies.

The improved weather conditions meant the 18 holes qualifying Stableford competition saw some excellent scores, with Maisie Farrelly taking top prize with a fantastic 46 points, followed by Freya Biles on 39 points & Max Jacobs on 36 points. All received prize money and gifts which were kindly donated and presented by Ladies President, Mrs Jill Trudgill.

In the 9 holes competition Jacob Hales continued his success from 2015 with his first win of the year, second place went to Charley Brett and third place to Bailey Lelacheur.

The 5 holes competition was won by Dylan Redwood. Junior organiser Jane Bizley thanked Jill Trudgill for providing the players with chocolates and prizes and said that in spite of the forecast the right decision had been made to play the competition as it had turned out to be a lovely spring day.

Freya Biles, Maisie Farrelly, Ladies President Jill Trudgill and Max Jacobs Dylan Redwood & Jacob Hales

The junior season continues with the Scratch Cup and Wiseman Trophy soon, and the Monday Club will begin on Mon 4th April.

The juniors continued by playing for the Scratch Cup and the Wiseman Trophy sponsored by club member John Batty.

The 18 holes Scratch Cup was won by Joe Crane with a gross 88, followed by Immy Leeder, also with a gross 88, losing on countback. The Wiseman Trophy saw Hakan Tokbay taking top slot (90-19-71) beating Maisie Farrelly (88-14-74) into second place. Jacob Hales won the 9 holes scratch competition and Jude Marsden-Mooney the 9 holes net prize. The 5 holes competition saw Jennifer Brown taking home her first piece of silverware since joining the junior section.

Prizes and salvers were presented by John Batty.

9 & 5 holes, Jude Marsden-Mooney, Jennifer Brown & Jacob Hales

18 hole winners – L to R: Hakan Tokbay, Maisie Farrelly, John Batty, Immy Leeder & Joe Crane

It's all change at Ryston Park Ann Fletcher takes over as Club Secretary and Julie Johnson as Club Treasurer.

Ann took over from John Rice who retired recently. She was Lady Captain in 2011 and is a regular player in the Norfolk Ladies Vets team.

Julie has run her own catering business and been involved at the golf club, running the bar and helping with the catering, for her daughter.

Ann Fletcher 32

Julie Johnson

The members would like to congratulate them on their new post and visitors will find them in the office weekday mornings.

Norfolk's Steve Warren is crowned England’s Steward of the Year Norfolk's Steve Warren is the new Fuller’s London Pride Golf Steward of the Year.

Steve, from Steward of the Year Steve Warren Eaton Golf with his wife, Karen Club in Norwich, goes the extra mile to create the ‘Eaton Experience’ for members, visitors - and the club’s residential neighbours.

“I’m overwhelmed!” he said. “This is the pinnacle of all my years in the golfing community and to be recognised by members and visitors is just wonderful.”

He was named as the 2015 winner of England Golf’s top title for golf club stewards at a presentation lunch at The Counting House in London. The competition aims to identify the golf club steward who provides the most welcoming and enjoyable experience at the 19th hole.

He’s the second consecutive winner from Norfolk, following Samantha Hudson who was at Swaffham Golf Club when she took the 2014 title.

Steve works closely with his wife, Karen, the club’s head chef, and says: “Without her I wouldn’t be here. I can’t cook an egg!”

He went on: “Eaton is a great place to be, socially, golf-wise and with the leadership from the board, which is just so solid. They never say 'no', they're always willing to push forward.”

Steve made an instant impact when he joined Eaton in April 2012, having previously worked as steward at another local club for 15 years and, before that as a publican. His new members were so impressed with him that he was nominated for the Steward of the Year award in 2013 and he became the South East winner.

Since then he’s built further on his achievements to create that Eaton Experience for members and guests. For example, he gave up his own time to train as a barista so he could show his team how to make the best quality coffee at the club. He

developed his wine knowledge to be able to make recommendations and to create an impressive wine list.

He takes a lead on creating more business for the club and Eaton hosted six weddings in 2015. Steve drives all the social activity at the club, running an average of two events a month and the club also hosts around 110 society days each year.

And he knows when to say it with flowers. When the club had no alternative but to accept a delivery of turf on a low-loader at 6am, he visited the local florist, bought 12 bunches of flowers and delivered them to each of the neighbouring properties explaining the forthcoming delivery and giving apologies. Not one person complained and one of the homeowners even joined the club as a social member.

Eaton club chairman Graham Edwards commented: “The club has transformed over the last few years and Steve has been part of that, he’s a piece of the jigsaw and without him we couldn’t have done it. He and Karen work fantastically as a team and we are very lucky to have them.”

Steve and the other regional winners all received their trophies from England Golf Interim Chief Executive, Craig Wagstaff, and from Earl Baker, Fuller’s Sales Manager (Traditional Free Trade).

DEREHAM GOLF CLUB

SPRING SPECIAL £27.50 (£22.50 if 4 Ball or more) 18 holes of golf and food

LADIES TEE FOR 2 9 hole 4bbb with afternoon tea & prizes 14th April & 15th Sept at 1pm

£12

Must be pre-booked by calling the Pro Shop on 01362 695631 or the Office on 01362 695900 office@derehamgolfclub.com www.derehamgolfclub.com QUEBEC ROAD, DEREHAM, NORFOLK NR19 2DS 33

Girls' golf is about to get rocking in Norfolk!

Girls’ golf is about to get rocking in Norfolk with the launch of a campaign to inspire new players.

Girls Golf Rocks is all about attracting beginners to have fun, learn a new sport, get active and play alongside friends - with no pressure. Girl golfers from county squads will act as ambassadors, sharing their enjoyment and inspiring other girls, aged five to 18.

The campaign tees off with free taster sessions, supported by the county girls, at the four clubs taking part: Royal Some of the Norfolk Norwich Golf Club and Barnham Broom Ambassadors for Girls Golf Rocks (© Leaderboard Photography) Golf Club; Dereham Golf Club and Marriott Sprowston Manor Hotel & Participation Manager, said: “Girls Golf Rocks sets Country Club. Visit www.getintogolf.org/norfolk for out to focus on the fun, social and friendship aspects more information and to book. of golf rather than just the playing and coaching side Following the tasters with PGA professionals, the and we’ve had brilliant success. four clubs will each offer four-week structured “The ambassadors have been fantastic - they all coaching programmes, with the county girl players mentoring the newcomers. All the girls who complete love golf and they’re sharing their enthusiasm with our new players. They’ve also given us lots of the coaching programme will be fitted with a free feedback and really helped us give us a presence on seven iron to help them continue to play.

Twitter @GirlsGolfRocks1 and Facebook.”

The finale will be a fun par three competition at Dereham in May half term when new young players can enjoy playing holes with their mentors.

DEREHAM GOLF CLUB

Carol Delf, the Norfolk junior organiser, said: “Our ambassadors are ready to inspire the next generation of girl golfers. They are really looking forward to sharing their love of golf and showing other girls that it is fun and enjoyable.”

Norfolk junior captain Ellie Brown is one of the ambassadors. The 16-year-old from Barnham Broom Golf Club, added: “I’ve been playing golf for about five years and I have made some great friends, both inside and outside the county.

“I get a real buzz from hitting a good shot or sinking a birdie putt. Golf is great!”

Currently, national figures show that only 1% of golf club members are girls, with an average of just two girls per club. When Girls Golf Rocks was successfully trialed in Essex last year 90 girls tried the game, 40 went on to take a four-week coaching course; 30 played in the par three competition and six became golf club members.

Girls Golf Rocks is led by England Golf and supported by the Golf Foundation, county associations and sports partnerships.

Lauren Spray, the England Golf Women & Girls’

MEMBERSHIP DEALS BRECKLAND MEMBERSHIP (SECOND CLUB)

£295

OFF PEAK MEMBERSHIP APRIL TO SEPTEMBER

£30

PER MONTH

For more details contact: Pro Shop on 01362 695631 or the Office on 01362 695900 office@derehamgolfclub.com www.derehamgolfclub.com QUEBEC ROAD, DEREHAM, NORFOLK NR19 2DS 35

Norfolk Seniors Thankfully another playing season is almost upon us. I always think it starts with the Masters at Augusta in April, a great tournament to watch and one that certainly starts to get the golf juices flowing again after the long winter months. I know a few people that don't play in the winter (fair-weather golfers!) who have even recently dragged their clubs out of the garage, dusted them down and headed to the driving range in preparation for the season ahead, so this is a sure sign the weather is gradually improving! This will be my 41st year of playing and I for one, am really looking forward to playing in the better weather and feeling the sun on my back again.

New Norfolk Senior Captain, David Pattrick (Royal Cromer) has been busy getting his squad sorted for the season ahead. It looks as if it could be the strongest one for many years with 13 players sporting a handicap of 5 or better and another 18 players with a handicap of 6, so competition for places should be strong, which is of course how it should be. There is a pre-season get together at Royal Cromer which should be interesting and will help to see who is already finding form! At the time of writing there will be 13 senior fixtures with a nice mix of league, friendlies and England Golf qualifiers.

On another subject, it’s no secret that many golf clubs are still finding it hard to attract and retain members with 'time' still being sighted as one of the major barriers, causing players to not take up or fall out of club membership. With this in mind, it is good to hear that 9 hole competitions are being introduced more widely at clubs. Added to this, I have recently read about some clubs in the West Midlands really promoting 9 hole golf through the brand of ‘Golf Express’ and it sounds like it’s having a real impact on increasing more regular participation. This started me thinking about the possible benefits of 9 hole golf…Yes, it may well suit those 25-45 year olds who are time-poor and struggling to fit 18 holes of golf into their life with current family and work commitments. But maybe it could also help retain us seniors as well?!

Unfortunately, as we reach our ‘twilight years’ I’m sure we agree it can sometimes become a struggle to drag our bodies round the full 18 holes. If this begins to happen too often, people could start to question the value of their membership and could make that all too familiar decision to move to social.

Perhaps if they considered playing 9 holes to be more of an option it would allow them to keep playing regularly and maintain their membership for longer? Certainly something to think about.

36

by Bernie Peet

Slow play continues to be a frustrating issue for many of us at our clubs, so it is good to hear more and more people saying they are adopting the philosophy between their group of 'Play if you are ready and it is safe to do so'. This can obviously only be used in friendlies and society days, but it is certainly something our regular fourball has been doing for years and it really does help to speed play up a surprising amount.

There must also be other ideas we can all adopt in our friendly/ society games to help speed up play, for example: If a ball is hit out of bounds and a provisional has not been hit for whatever reason, under a penalty of 1 shot a ball could be dropped where it is thought to have crossed the O.O.B markers…

This would stop the long walk back to the tee or the player walking the rest of the hole without hitting a shot, thus making play quicker and more fun for everyone?

A similar approach could also be used if a ball has been hit into heavy rough, which normally results in a fruitless, frustrating search. Again, drop a ball under a penalty of 1 shot where it crossed into the rough…

I appreciate these sort of ideas might be scoffed at by some as they simply ‘aren’t the rules’ and trust me, I for one am often as much of a stickler for the rules as anyone (ask my mates!). However, this sort of approach would only be employed in friendly matches and frankly I’m now of the opinion that anything which helps to speed up the game, within reason, can only be good for golf, inevitably making it more enjoyable for all of us…

Best wishes for the season ahead - Bernie Middleton Hall had their new Captains drive in, raising £500 to be split between three chosen charities: Alzheimer research uk; East Anglian Air Ambulance; PACT Animal sanctuary The new captains, l-r: Darryl Hazelhurst - Jeavons, Lauren Roberts, Elaine Calvert, Chris Hudson

NORFOLK PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS' ASSOCIATION

by Secretary, John Paling ‘Squirrels Reach’, Folgate Lane, Old Costessey, Norwich NR8 5EF Tel: 01603 741301 Email: jandjpaling@uwclub.net

PGA Norfolk Pro Am Hunstanton The superb location of Hunstanton Golf Club ‘kicks off’ the Norfolk professional season and once again a big field of 29 teams battled against a strong northerly wind, which increased the chill factor.

With work on the course reducing the par to 70 it was still going to be a challenge to make that score and indeed only the two winners, Jason Groat (Denver) & Chase Davis (Marriott Sprowston) beat par. It was a very timely performance for Jason, because this was his last event as county captain and that title has now been handed on to Matthew Gardener (Barnham Broom).

The winning team was brought in by Chase with an aggregate score of 16 under par 124, one shot better than Tim Lon-Caulke (Diss Driving Range).

Team. 1. 124 Chase Davis with Shaun Larkins, Paul Hunter & Nick Sperrin. 125 Tim Lond-Caulke with James Wright, Tom Fitchew & Guy Baker. 127 Jason Groat with Nigel Wagg, Mark Powell & Nicholas Denny.

Professionals. 1. 69 Chase Davis & Jason Groat. 71 Neil Mitchell (Bury Driving Range)& James Weight (Kings Lynn). 72 Mike Jubb (Sheringham), James Yemc Hunstanton), Lee Patterson (Royal Cromer) & Alan Hemsley (Barnham Broom).

www.club-noticeboard.co.uk

COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chairman: Mike Jubb; Norfolk PGA Representative: Michael Few; Captain: Ryan Pudney; Vice Captain: Neil Lythgoe; Committee: Alan Hemsley, Lee Patterson

The PGA Norfolk Professionals had their A.G.M. following prize giving. At the A.G.M. the professionals agreed to pursue contact meetings amongst members when ideas can be exchanged to strengthen the profession and retain membership.

Anyone wishing to play in any of this year’s ProAms should contact the secretary, John Paling (07778577596 or jandjpaling@uwclub.net)

The early fixtures for this year are: Hunstanton Tue 23rd Feb Weston Park Thu 10th Mar Sheringham Fri 18th Mar Swaffham Fri 1st Apr Bawburgh Thu 12th May Bawburgh Fri 13th May

NEXT ISSUE MAY/JUNE SUMMER SPECIALS? suffolkgolfer@aspects.net

37

“A WORD”

from your Norfolk Golf County Development Officer

What are the benefits of your club’s membership and do you promote them?

up the road? What is your club’s Unique Selling Point (USP) that separates you from the rest of the competition?

A good way of clubs finding out why members join, what they It was good to see so many Norfolk and Suffolk like about their club and also, clubs represented at the England Golf Business importantly, why they leave, is Growth Forum at Barnham Broom Golf Club on the by doing regular member surveys. Also, research 12th January. Since then myself and fellow County shows that players who regularly have coaching are Development Officers have been following up with far more likely to remain as members! It’s great to clubs and supporting them with the priority areas of hear a number of clubs now include lessons within business they identified. It’s been good to get into their membership packages as benefits for both real detail with clubs on some areas and work much prospective and current members however we need closer with them on implementation. to let them know about this and PROMOTE IT!!

The need for more flexible membership packages featured highly for a number of clubs, particularly when it came to recruiting more members. However, coupled with this there is also the challenge of retaining existing members and I appreciate it can be a fine balance.

There are many benefits to joining a golf club from the facilities it offers to the social and health aspects. We’ve got a great product but I don’t think we promote it effectively enough. In this day and age of customers (members) having less time, wanting value for money and flexibility we need to make sure they know what they are getting for their Looking in from the outside I don't really think golf clubs do themselves justice when it comes to selling money and sell it. the benefits of their membership. Part of my Referring back to the England Golf Business preparation before any club meeting is to do some Growth Forums I mentioned earlier, many clubs research. My first port of call is the golf club’s started to see the importance of having a website and I do this by putting myself in the promotional plan as we went on throughout the day. position of a prospective new member or visitor. If Part of this process may well be to get feedback there is a tab for ‘Membership’ when I click on it I from members so if your club sends you a Members usually just get presented with a list of amounts for Survey please do take the time to complete it, your full, 5 day and sliding age scale down to junior feedback is important to your club. membership. Then there’s (sometimes) the On a parting note and as someone reading this additional breakdown of Union, Association and England Golf Affiliation fees. Then it's ‘click here to who’s probably already a member of a golf club, did you know that as part of your affiliation fee, you are download a membership form’! That's normally it entitled to be a member of the England Golf and often the membership form says I need a Members Benefits Programme? It’s FREE to join proposer, seconder and sometimes even a playing and you then get regular communications with ability test before I can join!! Is this really fantastic news, prize draws & great offers with encouragement enough to consider going any companies like Virgin and your Golf Travel. You further with my enquiry?! can also view your handicap online and print out So I ask myself, what am I really getting for the X your official handicap certificate. To register or to hundreds of pounds you’d now like me to hand find out more information go to the England Golf over? Of course there’s the given - 9 or 18 holes of website www.englandgolf.org/members golf, a handicap (if an affiliated membership) and Wishing you all a very successful 2016 golfing regular competitions plus maybe some social events. However, what if I'm a brand new player or season. returning to the game or not interested in playing in competitions?

So, as a club, what do you offer as part of your membership package? Is it attractive? Is it different to other clubs? Does it mean value for money? Why should someone join your club rather than another 38

Karen

E-mail- k.woodrow@englandgolf.org Mob- 07736 880922 Twitter- @NorfolkCGP Website- www.norfolkgolfpartnership.org