Good Afternoon,

Welcome to this week's newsletter with all the latest news from Hornsea Golf Club.

Enjoy the read.

Stretton's news

Back to me again for this week’s newsletter. I hope you all enjoyed Nathan’s last week whilst we had two days in the Lake District staying in a nice little hotel in Borrowdale called Leathes Head. Well worth a visit if you are planning a trip over there. Neither Yvonne or myself have ever really spent any time in the Lake District and we were not really prepared for the wet weather or to do any of the walks.

We had a great time though and I’m sure one day we will go back. Walking boots and waterproofs next time though. Even though Yvonne keeps telling me she was well prepared; for the hotel and fine dining maybe!

This is a link to where we stayed.

The winter range of ProQuip quilted jackets and gilets arrived whilst we were away and is now out in the shop. Very nice they are too. Perfect for keeping you warm. The Evo range of ProQuip waterproofs will be arriving shortly.

Membership drive

As a board, we are committed to attracting more members to Hornsea Golf Club.

We have several initiatives we intend to launch and are looking for support from members to maximise their impact.

Firstly we will be starting a Twitter and Facebook campaign, designed to highlight some of the great joining offers we have at the moment. We ask you share it with as many friends, colleagues and acquaintances you have.

Secondly, we will be creating an email communication, targeted at the workplace. Would you be willing to share with colleagues?

Thirdly, we are looking to create a Welcome Group. This will be made up of members willing to ‘adopt’ a new member! Maybe play a round or two with them, help them get a handicap, introduce them to other members and show them exactly why Hornsea Golf Club is one the finest in East Yorkshire. Ideally, we would like to have 12 or so members in this group – but the more the merrier!

So, when you see the Twitter and Facebook campaigns go live, please do share and support them - if you can help with any of the other initiatives, please make yourself known to Yvonne, in the first instance.

Many thanks
Simon Bodsworth (Director)

Finals Day

Sunday was our Match Play Finals day for those that could make it or weren’t in more than one final. It was great to see all the Club involved with Ladies, Juniors and Gents finals taking place. The Captain and Chair were on the first tee to see all the matches off and wish them well. Rosie also came out on the buggy with me to see how all the matches were progressing and support all who played.

First out was the Cutting Cup which was played between Steve Newton and Andy Giles. Steve at one point got to 4 up, but Andy didn’t give up. He mounted a brave comeback but in the end Steve managed to hang on and win 2&1. Steve unfortunately couldn’t stay for the presentation.

The Ladies Cup was next out with Sharon Cane up against Nicky Salzl. This was a great game with Nicky taking the early lead. It was Sharon though that took control of the middle part of the round and went to the last tee 1 up. Nicky tried her best but a solid finish from Sharon showing nerves of steel showed her win 2 up in the end.

We then had another Ladies final with Di Cross and Debbie Goddard Taylor playing for the Stanley Earle Cup. Now every time I got to this match someone different was in the lead! It really was an up and down match and I wasn’t at all surprised to see this final come down the last and the game finish all square. Back down the first they went which is always tough for anyone to do. It was Di though that played a faultless hole making a solid par which was good enough for her to win on the 19th.

It was the Juniors turn next up with Will Marshall taking on Alfie Anderson in the Junior Match play final. Now despite Will towering over Alfie and Alfie looking so small, sweet and innocent trust me he is highly competitive and this was always going to be a great game. It was fantastic to see them at various points of the course and again the game was played in great spirits even though they were both complaining of not playing their best. Will was 1 up at the turn, but Alfie said to me it’s not over yet. How right he was as he came down the last with a huge smile on his face. He had won 2&1.

Great to see both of them though after they had finished go straight onto the putting green and practice where they had been going wrong. A good lesson for you all.

Next out was the first of the Better Ball finals. This was played between Leigh Gawley & Rees Brown taking on Adrian Bird & Adrian Foord in the Terry Hall Cups. Now for those that follow golf at Hornsea will know that Leigh & Rees have been a formidable partnership for some time now and I must say I had them as favourites to lift this trophy. How wrong I was though as a fantastic display of golf from both the Adrian’s, who really put their shots to good use saw them reach the turn 3 up. Leigh and Rees looked a little shell shocked at this point.

That didn’t surprise me though as I saw Leigh make a fantastic birdie on the 9th hole which he needed for a half! The back 9 was a little closer with Leigh and Rees trying to make a comeback but again both the Adrian’s continued to play well. 2&1 was the final score well done Mr Bird and Mr Foord. I must just mention Adrian Bird who for a change was early for his tee time, only to have to go back to his bag for a tee and a ball when everyone else was ready to play.

The last match out was for the Brown Higson Cups. This was a contest between four members who have all shown some great form this year. Tom Walker & Ross Meggison took on Barry Thompson (3 finals this year) & Charlie Betts (2 finals this year) This again was a close game with many holes changing hands. I couldn’t decide watching if these holes were been won or given away as I saw a few quite wild shots! By the turn it was Barry and Charlie who led by 2 holes.

I must admit by this time driving around on a buggy I was getting cold and I didn’t see much of this game in the last 9 holes. It was clear though as they came down the last the game was still alive. Lots of thought and concentration went into every putt but when Charlie holed out from 6 feet you could see by his face they had won. 1 up the final score.

This again was a great day and can I thank everyone who played and also those that came along to support. Well done to all the winners and better luck next year to runners up.

If you still have a final to play can you please arrange to get these games played in the next few weeks if possible.

Gents Winter Alliances

Yesterday was the 1st East Riding Gents Winter Alliance of the season. Pike Hills was the venue and Hornsea had a good team out. The course was very very wet, but the weather stayed fine all day. Two pairs from Springhead finished 1st and 2nd in the individual event both shooting 64's, which where great scores on the day and took them straight to the top of the overall lead in the season long league.

Hornsea also started well though with Nathan Wright and Malc Train taking one shot more with 65. This score was also matched later in the day by Steve Uzzell and Ross Meggison and they finished in a tie for 3rd position. I won't mention how I got on with my partner Barry Thompson, but let’s just say we had room for improvement!

Click here to view their website if you want to check out all the results, but as I sent this it has yet to be updated. Here are the top 4 team places;

1st 128 Springhead Park 64, 64
2nd 130 Hornsea 65, 65
3rd 131 York 66, 65
4th 131 Selby 65, 66

Ladies Invitation Day

On Tuesday 19th of September Hornsea ladies invited guests from clubs across East Yorkshire to join them in their Invitation Day Am Am. The weather being extremely kind and the course looking immaculate, guests and members were treated to a great day. The greens and greenstaff received many positive comments from both guests and members. A two-course meal served by Diego, Julie and Natasha followed, which also received much praise.

Competition winners;

1. Wendy Lockwood, Caroline Barker, Jane Sykes (Ganstead), Jackie Fortnum (Hull) 71 Pts

2. Angie Hinch, Di Cross, Karen Batty (Burstwick), Chris Wicks (Burstwick) 70 Pts

3. Sarah Stonier, Jo Roach, Anne Rossington (Hainsworth), Sally Swann ( KP) 69pts

European Tour Fantasy League

It was Paul Lockwood that topped this week’s weekly standings but he still remains towards the bottom of the overall standings just above Neil our bar man. Paul Gibson managed to increase his overall lead as all those around him including myself struggled.

Captain Scarlett's blog

Click here to view.

Pics From The Course

Not a picture from our course, but I did like this one that Paul Lockwood sent me after he had played in a mixed event at Rotherham last week. I guess if you win The Masters like Danny Willett did you deserve to have your own parking space at your home club. Just a shame he didn’t fancy a game in the mixed! No Paul you won’t be getting a space for winning the Holmes Ramsden but worth asking the question!

Leigh Gawley sent me this picture whilst practicing the other night. I think we sometimes forget as golfers how lucky we are to play and practice in such beautiful surroundings.

Course Update

Cutting is still the main priority, but the grass at last is showing signs of slowing down in growth. This is giving the staff chance to get on with hedge cutting and starting with the clearance of some of the ditches. Off the course the ditch the other side of the 6th hole has been cleared.

You will all be pleased to hear that if the weather stays fine Gareth intends to sort the old mound in the coming weeks. He plans to core the 16th fairway and then use the cores and a little seed so hopefully it will soon be green again.

Upcoming Competitions 

Saturday 23rd September – Coronation Cup & Brodrick Cup
Saturday 23rd September – Ladies Saturday Medal
Sunday 24th September – Junior C H Atkin Trophy
Monday 25th September – Seniors Eggs Cup
Tuesday 26th September – Ladies Medal
Thursday 28th September – Mid Week Medal & Rolston Bar Trophy

Improve Your Accuracy

As I was looking through a few things on Twitter last week I came across this article which for those of you that like to practice I thought was very interesting and it might help in the way you use your alignment sticks.

Click here to view.

Paul Gibson Blog

Please click here to see Paul's blog.