Captain Copter
I am pleased to say that Vice-Captain Barry Cocksey seems pretty much himself again after the recent trauma of being pole-axed by a ball. And here is Barry displaying the new safety measures have been taken - a personalised helmet for that ultimate protection!
It's only 125 days until the Ryder Cup, and this year it will be played at Hazeltine National over in the USA. Sky sports have already started the countdown and I must say we European's have what looks like the strongest team for some time. And if you can't make it over to the USA to play Hazeltine yourself, you don't have to because Hazeltine National is one of 18 fantastic courses you can play on the GC2 in the swing studio.
Click here if you'd like to book into the GC2 Swing Studio to play Hazeltine.
This week I have played plenty of golf. On Sunday I played in my first Dunham match against Richard Brown from Alsager, who was the Professional at Reddish Vale about 20 years ago. I managed beat Richard 8&7 to win my first Dunham point.
During the week I concentrated mainly on my putting after the disappointment of 38 putts at Little Aston. I had a lesson with the pro where he clicked me back into place, rather than pushing it with my hands I am now rocking more from my shoulders. This has improved my distance control and increased the amount of putts in am holing.
On Wednesday I played in my second WPGA Tournament at Dunham Forrest Golf Club. I shot level gross to finish 3rd, I had 28 putts which is 10 less than my previous event. I felt more confident with my game this week especially with my new putting stroke and it helped to have a very experienced caddy in Mike Darby (Dinx) who guided me round the course superbly. I had 4 birdies and 4 bogies in my round but I was most pleased with my par on the 18th as I made a good up and down from the bunker to stay at level par for the day.
I am enjoying my golf and I feel like I am still improving.
Past Lady Captain Sheila Brooks was delighted to hand over a cheque of £1,060.24 to 'Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention'.
Sheila chose this Charity during her year as Lady Captain and has done a brilliant job in raising money. Sheila would like thank everyone that has supported the charity.
Aerial View of The Course
The following is an article that I included in a previous newsletter perhaps a couple of years ago; this created quite a lot of interest so if you missed it the first time or would like a reminder here it is again...
Thank you to Shirley Blakey who has brought me this fascinating aerial view of the course. There is no date on the picture, but I think this is taken sometime between 1967 and 1970. Clearly, the apartments' in Brinnington have already been built. The thing which best pins it down for me is that the restaurant has been built on the side of the clubhouse (which I think was built in about 67) but the locker room has not been built yet and there is a line of cars parked where I am sitting now in The Pro Shop typing this. Perhaps you can spot features to identify the date better than me. If so I would be interested to know what year you think this was taken and why. If you click on the picture you can enlarge it for a better look.
The general lack of trees on the course is very noticeable. There are none to the left of the 4th, virtually none to the left of the 7th and none between the 7th and the 8th.
The 4th hole is interesting. You can see that before this area was landfilled on the left, the 4th played along the top of a rocky outcrop, and over a gully with an unobstructed view to the left. To the left of the green the land falls away sharply which is why the out of bounds was and still is so perilously close to the green. There are no bunkers to the right of the 5th green, they have appeared later. The 10th has the original bunkers behind the green. On the 15th there are far less trees. We can even see some of the rock in the steep river bank on the apex of the dogleg. It makes me wonder if it was ever possible to see the green from the tee.
The position of the bunkers and green for the original par 3 16th is very clear. For years after the hole changed the green was maintained and used as an optional par 3 in the winter. This is now covered with trees. Also there is a football pitch on the land to the left of the 14th, bet they got fed up of the ball going in the river!
Please, if anyone has gems like this locked away in cupboards or attics, dig them out and bring them to the club so we can all share them!
Saturday Competition
Paul Wilkinson won his first ever Saturday comp with 37 points, beating Neil Crewdson on a card play-off. Third was Pete Watson with 36 points. Prizes went down to fifth.
Sunday Pro Stableford
Sunday's Pro's Stableford was won by Dean Martin with 41 points; Dean carded a 67 gross to win by one shot from Steve Cole. Ryan Jackson and Steve Smith were both tied on 39 points. There were only 4 two's worth £11.00 each. Click here to see the full results.
Dunham Trophy
Very well done to the Dunham team of who won 5-2 on Sunday against Alsager Golf Club. Abbie, Ryan Swift, John Brown, Vaughan Stott and Dean Martin all won. The two that didn't quite win both went to the last hole and were eventful.
Ivan Kennedy (pictured below) holed in one at the ninth for his first hole in one, but lost on the last. Ryan Jackson (pictured mid-shot) battled back from 4 down, halving the 18th with birdies to lose 1 down.
These home draws are brilliant, after years without a single one we have now had three on the spin, the third one being at home to Disley in the next round. Thank you to Abbie for playing, it is great to have an eligible PGA assistant who is such a good player in Abbie. Like most club Pro's these days, my golf is limited and I felt a bit sorry for Richard Brown who admitted he hardly played.
Wednesday Bogey
Paul Sloane won Division 1 in Wednesday's Bogey with a score of 3 up. Division 2 was won by Stuart Wilde with All Square and Andy Young won Division 3 with 3 up.
The two's were worth £6.40 each.
