I'm starting this week's newsletter with a funny moment that happened last Thursday. Mick Russell, Hornsea member, went on a trip of a lifetime by actually going to Augusta to watch "The Masters" with a small group of his friends from other local courses. What a great time he said he had too. Well Mick knowing he would never win one bought himself a "Green Jacket" After an event that gets mentioned later in this newsletter Mick was presented this jacket by Lindsay Ward. Well it was hilarious as Mick was so proud of his green jacket only to find that Lindsay had put it on him the wrong way round!!

   

Back on "The Masters" Paul Gibson is really seriously thinking of running a trip there next year to play a bit of golf and also go to Augusta and experience the magic of watching "The Masters" live. If you are interested in what would be an amazing trip please have a word with Paul in the shop or give him a ring.

A few people have being asking what is happening with the water tower as there are large scaffolds up the side of the building. Well from what I have been told they are taking out all the old pipe work and meters and replacing them all. 

It is not going to be de commissioned as some have said. Shame though as what a house it could have become. Must be some fantastic views from up there but there is no way you would get me to walk up that scaffold!

 

Saturday 16th April - Maw Scratch Cup, Jimmy Glew & Toogood Tankard 

Course was closed so these competitions will now be held in conjunction with the May Medal on the 14th May as there are no spare dates in the calendar.

Sunday 17th April - Individual Stableford inc Mark Hurn Winter Trophy Final 

Course was open but too wet for the competition. It will now be held on Sunday 15th May.

Pro's Stableford 31 players, prize fund £93. 

1st £29 Paul Wild 43pts, 2nd £24 Joe Palmer 41pts, 3rd £19 Andy Fox 39pts, 4th £14 Ian Edmiston 39pts, 5th £7 Ian Lockwood 39pts. 

Tuesday 19th April - Ladies M & M Betterball 

1st Cath Caley & Judith Thornton 38pts, 2nd Angela Clappison & Di Wills 35pts, 3rd Jan Elder & Di Cross 32pts.

 

Saturday 23rd - Crystal Ford Bowl 
Saturday 23rd - Ladies MacMillan Spoon 
Sunday 24th - Hornsea Lions Trophy 
Tuesday 26th - Ladies MacMillan Spoon 
Thursday 28th - Mid Week Stableford

 

HULL & DISTRICT BEVERLEY TROPHY 

Last Thursday saw Hornsea host the Beverley Trophy. This was Lindsay Wards last event as the President of the Association. What a tough format this event is too, 3 out of 4 Am Am Medal. Now I've played some golf in the past but this really is one of the toughest forms I have ever played. In the end it was a team from Hainsworth Park that won with a score of 2 under 214. They won it on the back 9 from Hornsea team Andy Dickinson, Mick Russell, Ady Rosindale and Paul Sellers. Hornsea 2nd again!! Hornsea also took 3rd place with myself, Nathan Wright, Sam Middleton and par 3 champion Malcolm Train. We had 216. It really is such a hard format. We had 12 dropped shots in our score!!

SENIORS BETTERBALL OPEN

Last Friday saw yet another fantastic event organised and hosted by our senior section. Malcolm Hester and his team really do a fantastic job with golfers coming from all over Yorkshire. The weather stayed fine and scores considering how long the course is playing were good. This is what Malcolm had to say about the day. 

Following a little unfortunate hiccup on the Thursday afternoon regarding no ride-on buggy considering safety, we started off with 32 tee times & (128 people) but ended up with 124, 2 tee times having had just 1 team each. We were very fortunate with the weather, considering the initial forecast it remained dry from the first tee at 08.15 through to the final group coming in about 17.30, thank you that man upstairs. The course is in remarkable condition, considering what has been thrown at it; the green staff have excelled themselves yet again, thank you Gareth and your team. Thanks go to Peter Bridges, Colin Evans & Gordon McGlynn (Seniors Capt.) Desk. Peter Stamford & Tom Pollitt: Starters. Kath Hester & Patsy Yates did an excellent job looking after our guests at the halfway house, very positive comments coming in. Thanks to Linda Bridges for the cakes the lemon drizzle cake was no doubt the favourite, followed by a whisker to the fruit loaf, plus the superb sausage rolls provided by George Hornsey, all washed down with tea/coffee or a soft drink. 

A charity box was placed in the halfway house for the joint captain's charity this raised £90.56. The computer scoring software developed by Malcolm Hester (who is not a computer nerd) with a slight refinement by Ray McKie, worked like a dream. Thanks to all involved, the Hornsea club team, bar, catering & professional staff, for making the day a great success.

Prize Winners: 

60-64 
1st Kerr/Murrey - Withernsea - 42pts 
2nd Hopkin/Welbourn - Cottingham - 42pts 
3rd Cusson/Ritson - Flamborough - 41pts 

65-70 
1st Heath/Gould - Market Rasen - 47pts!!! 
2nd Peart/Orvis - Hessle - 43pts 
3rd Parkin/Wilson - Cottingham - 41pts 

70+ 
1st Giles/Stott - Hornsea - 40pts 
2nd Todd/Fenton - Hainsworth Park - 39pts 
3rd Searby/Ashton - Driffield - 36pts

TUESDAY CLUB 

28 played this week and Ian Pearson came out on top with a great score of 40pts. This was 2 points clear of 2nd place Will Jordan with 38pts. Tony Hood got the nearest the pin.

COURSE CLOSED AGAIN 

I really don't think I can ever remember Hornsea having to close as often as we have had to do recently. I always hope we get through to Christmas and then accept the weather could be bad through January and February. By March though, as the days get longer you would hope for some nice days. This just hasn't happened this year with the rain continually falling. Last Saturday yet again saw the course closed after 17mm of rain fell on Friday night. The course was already saturated so when I went for a walk on Saturday morning I was quite shocked to see just how bad it was. Here are a few pictures for you. 

   

   

It was amazing that the course was back open on Sunday and really wasn't too bad at all. Let's all hope that is the end of the bad weather as this week has been a little better.

CAPTAINS CHALLENGE 

This week's challenge came from Dave Egerton and Seniors Captain Gordon McGlynn. The banter yet again started early with them both turning up in their seniors team sweaters and telling us to take it easy on them as they were both pensioners!! For a change Craig and I both played well and soon found ourselves 5 up after 9. We were 7 under at that point. The halfway house stop though inspired both Dave and Gordon as they both played the back 9 much better. Craig and I managed to hang on though for our first win. Dave and Gordon won the back 9 and in the end we managed to finish 3 bits up which at one stage of the round looked like it could have being many more!! Can I thank both Dave and Gordon for a great morning and also for their most generous donation to the Captains charity.

   

HULL & DISTRICT LADIES WINTER GOLF ALLIANCE MIXED GREENSOMES 

Monday 18th April saw a great result from Hornsea pair Ian Lockwood and Sharon Cane. Playing at Hainsworth Park in the above event they managed to win with a great score of 38pts. This was 2 shots clear of a pair from Ganstead. Well done Ian and Sharon. I have a feeling that could be the first of many mixed titles for them.

LONDON MARATHON 

Well the day is nearly here. The training has being done. Have you all supported our Lady Captain Caroline? As it is this Sunday that she is running the London Marathon. You can sponsor her on the link below. Good luck Caroline.

http://m.virginmoneygiving.com/mt/uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=joshfell&isTeam=true&d-49489-p=1 

GREENS - APRIL 2016 

April has been similar to the previous 6 months with cold and wet weather. I, like you am waiting for the spring and summer to arrive. Ground temperatures are improving but growth is being shifted by frosts and cold winds. Course conditions are such that ropes and hoops have not been removed. Although we have moved onto the full tees it was necessary to protect certain areas of the course. 

In the last month the new bunkers have been filled with sand and opened for play. The sand will take time to settle. 

   

We have also been busy with reinstating the area around the 7th tee. Once the stumps had been removed it gave us the opportunity to extend the path to the back tee. Because it is such a large area the majority will be seeded once temperatures pick up. The bank of the tee will be turfed as it needs to be hard wearing with all the foot traffic. 

It is the intention to plant 'one or two' strategically placed trees (probably pines) on either side of the tee. However I am very pleased with the results to far. Removing the Leylandii has created an open and bright area. This in the long term will improve turf quality on the tee and neighbouring 6th fairway. 

The next few weeks will be very busy as we try and catch up with mowing. Paths and fairways will be sprayed for weeds. Fairways will also receive an application of granular fertiliser to improve the turf after a difficult start to the year. 

Rainfall: April 46mm 
October 2015 to April 2016 468mm 

Gareth Williams
Course Director

LIE IN!! 

For those that do the booking on a Saturday morning you can have a lie in this week as it is the 2nd and 3rd Division Open at Hornsea next Saturday 30th. Times are available after 3 o'clock to book for those that would like to play later.

FANTASY LEAGUE 

Week 2. I am not happy. My team's performance over the first 2 weeks can only be described as grim!! I can only get better. Steve Robinson still leads the Hornsea league but a poor week has given hope to those just behind him. This week's event is the Shenzhen International from China. Hard to pick a team this week as not many of the top golfers are playing.

NEWSLETTER 

Can I just finish this week by asking yet again if anyone has anything they would like me to put in my weekly newsletter, results, funny stories, pictures etc. can you please email it to me by Tuesday morning at the latest. I can't guarantee everything will go in but I shall try. 

 

Paul Gibson's Blog 

This week's blog consists of the following: 92 years young, reviews of the PING crossover and new drivers & thank you for the shoes.

Please click here to read.