Lost balls, all over the Manor 😂

This was my first Captain’s weekend and I have to say it was an honour and a privilege. I was proud to represent you all. I did have a few nerves as not ever having booked a venue for so many people it felt a bit daunting to me but it all came together in the end.

I chose The Manor of Groves as I felt would be a great challenge for all of us. Having not such wide fairways, ditches and water, making the tee shot not always about taking a driver.

 The greens were also tricky and in good condition. I believe many golf balls were lost with just as many found.

 The weekend was an opportunity for all of us to showcase the hard work and dedication everyone has put in to grow the society. We are not just a society of individuals we are a team. We believe in each other and we come together as a great community. So thank you one and all for your support by attending this, my first, Captain’s weekend.

 One last thing,  I would also like to thank American Golf for again providing superb prizes and their continuing support. This year’s journey with you guys onboard has been amazing.

 Friday, August 9th 2024

 We had 24 players for today’s golf and a few of us got to the venue early for a spot of lunch. The weather was fab, it was about 24/25 degrees so a great start to the weekend. We had a couple of new members join us so a warm welcome to Dawn and Glen. We also had a representative from American Golf who came along to do interviews and also take pictures and videos of their media sites. We have named him AG Tom so as not to confuse him with our infamous Tom the Secretary. We hope the edited version of the video will be available to you all soon.

Results

1st.  Ian Johnson  34 pts.                                     LD. Stephanie Fuller

2nd.  Dean Jacobson. 30 pts.                             NP.  Yvonne Hollis

3rd.  Yvonne Hollis. 30 pts.                                 NP x 2. James Howell

Two’s  Luke Webber and Dean Jacobson

Matchplay -  Ian Johnson v Yvonne Hollis

Winner was Ian Johnson 3 & 2

Saturday, August 10th 2024

Another lovely day for golf with 37 players. Once again we had a new member join us so welcome Sue Webb. After Friday’s game I think many people were going to play the course in a very different manner. Stategy was the key for today’s round. I would also like to say ‘well done’ to Michael Connelly who enjoyed a round with three women! (Or did he )

Results

1st  Tom Lucas  40 pts.                                               LD. Luke Webber

2nd. Ivaylo Nikolov  40 pts.                                        NP. Neil Foskett

3rd. Robert Camilleri. 34 pts.                                    NP x 2. Stephanie Fuller

Two’s  Johny Dodd and Neil Foskett

Matchply match-  Peter Heather v Robert Camilleri

Winner was Robert Camilleri by 8 & 7

 On Saturday evening, after dinner, I gave those in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place over the last two days, a small gift of my appreciation. There were three gifts left so I involved the committee to help me decide on how to distribute these. As a committee, we choose the following categories.

Most improved from Friday to Saturday -   Geraint Ingram

Best dressed on the golf course -   Ming-Yang Tong

 Greatest surge in estrogen -   Michael Connolly

 Sunday, August 11th 2024

 Final day! So not only is everyone playing for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place but it is also the final day to win Best Gross and Best Net. Again weather is fabulous and warmer than the previous two days. You could feel the tension in the air with everyone trying to work out what they needed to score to get Best Net etc. Also, I think a few of us were feeling tired after playing 36 holes, with another 18 ahead of us, in the hot sun. Plenty of water was definitely needed. 

 Results

1st  Neil Foskett. 37 pts.                               LD  Andrew Graves

2nd. John Cocks. 35 pts.                             NP. Stephanie Fuller

3rd. Tim Bichara. 35 pts.                             NP x 2 Neil Foskett

Twos  Dave Howden, John Cocks and Stephanie Fuller

Best Net

1st Tom Lucas. 67                £500 voucher for American Golf

2nd. John Cocks  66.           £200 voucher for American Golf

3rd. Robert Camilleri  66.     VIP tickets to the BMW Golf Championship

Best Gross

John Cocks. 163.                 £500 voucher for American Golf

And finally again a massive thank you to you all for your continued support and your attendance this weekend. For all your kind words on how you felt the weekend went it was a pleasure to be part of a weekend with an amazing atmosphere.

 A personal message to my committee. Thank you for trusting in me being your Captain and for your ongoing hard work in making this Golf Society what it is.

And to Ivo thank you for all the work needed in submitting all the scores and in particular for providing me with a copious amount of Prosecco!!!

Regards Von