WHITSTABLE TIDINGS
The monthly journal of Whitstable and Seasalter Golf Club
Collingwood Road, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 1EB Tel 01227 272020
e-mail secretary@whitstable-golfclub.co.uk
Web site www.whitstable-golfclub.co.uk
Volume 10 Issue no.3 1st October 2013
Editor Bob Ireland, 01227 638425, 07802874914,robert.ireland@gmail.com
Stop Press
Will all members note that Mondays through the summer the 1st 2nd, 10th and 11th tees are reserved for the juniors and their mentors between 1700hrs and 1900hrs.
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Martyn Dines has tendered his resignation as Finance Director effective from the next Annual General Meeting in November.
His main reason for resigning is that he feels that the on-going tensions within the Club, arising from a small minority, no longer makes this voluntary position enjoyable.
Martyn has been a very valuable asset to this Club and has helped to bring the Club back to profitability after some difficult years.
He has pledged his support to his successor and we all wish him well for the future.
The Board is nominating Mrs Fran Price as Martyn’s successor but if anyone else wishes to be considered please see the Secretary who will provide a job description
B R Best
Secretary 31st August 2013
New Vacancies
Two positions have become available on the Social Committee, as
both Jackie Witten and Ted Backhouse have resigned after several years of service. The position of Financial Officer, which has been performed in an exemplary fashion by Jackie, has to be filled and Ted’s role as committee “fixer” is also up for grabs.
Before the rush to fill these roles begins YOU can offer your services by replying to me on e-mail at robert.ireland@gmail.com or by phone on 01227638425 or 07802874914, or just sandbag me at the club!
We are also looking for a secretary to take over when Brian Best retires, so all those who know how to run the club are welcome to put their names forward.
Website
The website has been revamped and there are still some small problems to sort out. If you are having trouble accessing the members page e-mail Bob Ireland at robert.ireland@gmail.com and all will be resolved! Your comments on the website would be appreciated any improvements you can suggest will be considered. I am currently awaiting new photographs of the course and clubhouse for inclusion in the website so please be patient, it will rise to a thing of beauty before too long!
Recent Events
Mixed Match at Westgate
Result we got 4 ½ they got 5 ½ ah well better luck to us in the return!
Greens and Course News
Watch this space!
The Old Salts Captain Colin Chapman, Vice Captain George Bawden
Secretary Alec Parrett
Nothing major to report this month. The Thursday gatherings were, as usual, both enjoyable and testing, and the weather played its part and very few of us got wet.
Winners of the Players section in an early September game was Malcolm Cane, on 42 points, followed home by Dave Morgan on 40 points, with Ian Horton just piped on countback third. For the Gentlemen Les Cox shook off the cobwebs and carded a fine 41. Gwyn Oakley was second with a fighting 39 and Clive Witten again figured on the sheet with 37 points after a countback.
Gwyn also figured in an interesting result when three pairs shared a 42-point total in a Greensomes game, again held in good golfing weather. Paired with George Earlam, now a welcome player in the Super Seventies League games, he took the honours. Peter Fox and Dave Morgan were next, with Colin Holton and Ron Fuller third.
Apologies to the Captain and vice for not keeping readers of Tidings up to speed on the results of their course challenges, this grave omission will hopefully not be repeated.
Our Annual General Meeting is due to be held after a nine-hole game on Thursday October 10. As we go to Press we are still in need of a Competitions Secretary as Ted Backhouse has stepped down. We all owe him a huge vote of thanks for his unstinting efforts over many years to make sense of our scorecards, sodden or otherwise. Ted’s knowledge of all things competitive and course know-how will be hard to match, yet alone beat. But someone is out there who could be of help in this vital job. Any takers?
Tony Bensted’s dedication to this club was rewarded when he won the Old Salt’s Past Captains Cup from Ted Backhouse and John Shepherd late last month. He was on a touring holiday in the South of France (all right for some!) when he set out for Collingwood Road from Carcassonne, deep in the southwest, and drove for seven hours, caught the overnight ferry from Santander to Portsmouth and arrived on the first tee ready to do battle just 24 hours later.
His Past Captain colleagues, totaling 18 in all, including our very oldest veteran Lionel Pout now going for a record of his own, being 96 not out, applauded the rather pale Tony even more at the meal afterwards when they heard of his exploits.
Well done Tony, after an effort like that, there will be very few who read this who will fail to join the applause.
Junior Section Captain Richard Smith, Vice captain Jack Tucker
As yet no-one has replaced Peter, very sad as this is a vital part of our club, will no-one stand up and be counted?
Ladies Section Captain Jackie Witten, Vice Captain Linda Bawden
Secretary Jean Hudson
This year’s Autumn Greensomes became the Summer Greensomes as it was played in sweltering heat at the beginning of September.18 pairs had a great time sweating round the course. A super score of 42, carded by Jackie Witten and Helen Foad was the best, followed by Sue Maflin and Margaret Annal, 38,on countback from Chris Chapman and Liz Harvey.
A few days later, a match was played against Canterbury; the last one, as it turns out, as they have had to thin out their diary, in the hope that it will prove easier to get a team together. They left us with a win under their belt, unfortunately. But that was only over 9 holes, the weather drenched everyone in that time, and it could hardly be described as a friendly match in those conditions!
Then it was Finals weekend, and one lady member was the Queen of the ladies, getting into 3 finals, and winning two. This was Pat Bensted, who played Penny Perkins in the Seasalter Cup on Friday and won on the 18th, then played on Saturday in the final of the Jubilee Rosebowl, losing ,with her partner Shirley Dalton to Louise Tucker and Debbie Murray. On Sunday, she won, with Ted Henderson, the Stanley Cup final. Well done, Pat.
Then the autumn meeting was upon us, with grey skies and wintry temperatures. But a smile and a sweetie from the President warmed us on our way. Scores were not amazing in the conditions, but Molly Broadbent carded a very creditable 69 to win the morning medal. Second was Vilma Parrett, fresh from her win in the Klein cup final, with husband Alec. Third was Pat Bensted, yes, the very same!
The best front 9 prize went to Linda Bawden, 36, best back 9 to Margaret Barker, 34.
The aggregate Cup, awarded to the best combined scores of the Spring and Autumn meetings, was won by guess who: yes, one Pat Bensted!
In the afternoon, a 4 Ball better ball competition was held, and the winners on countback, 18 points over 9 holes, were Penny Perkins and Holly Butler. The runners up were Sue Maflin (who only stepped in at the last minute) and Sally Lawson.
The last competition of the month was the Waltz, which was scheduled earlier in the year, but succumbed to the weather. This time it was fog that stopped play, just didn’t clear in time for the ladies to waltz around the course. A nine hole competition was managed instead. Waltzing seems to be doomed.
Men’s Section Captain Richard Gremo, Vice Captain Andy Sargeant
Golf Report for Sunday mornings – September
The monthly medal result for September provided another opportunity for Jonathan Whorlow to show his class. He ended winner on count back with a net 59 and also won the scratch prize with a gross score of 67. New member Guy Vine showed he is a force to be reckoned with after he too scored a net 59 but had to settle for second place losing out on count back. Five players finished on net 63 but John Clarke took third place on count back helped by a spectacular eagle on the seventeenth hole.
Jon Whorlow’s September medal win helped him to also finish clear winner of this year’s prestigious Committee Cup. A fabulous 38 points total for the year, after other wins in the March Hare and Harry Johnson Cup, put him 8 points clear of runner up Ronnie Rumball. Ronnie looked to be in a strong position prior to the last competition after he too had done well during the year, winning the Frend Cup and taking second place in the March Hare. Unfortunately Ron’s challenge faded at the finish giving Jon Whorlow the chance he needed.
Midweekers Section Captain Peter Shearing, Vice Captain Ray Thomas
Secretary Peter Fox
September was a busy month for the Midweekers.
4th Sept Leeds Castle
Ernie and Di West provided sandwiches for all before the round got underway, many thanks for the much-appreciated gesture. The golf was played in exceptionally hot conditions, one of the hottest days of the year, on a course that was not in the greatest condition. Twenty members, including 3 ladies took part. The ladies prize went to Holly Butler with the best score. The men’s winner was Roger Backhouse, back from Essex for the day, with 38 points, 2nd your captain Peter Shearing 35 and then Steve Wood. The Round was followed by a pleasant lunch at The Park Gate Inn next to the course in a section the pub exclusively set for the members. The whole day is to be recommended so look out for next year.
On Wednesday 11th September the Cecil Wren Medal was played. Conditions were good as was some of the scoring.
Roy and Albert who had already beaten the captains team twice this year, challenged again to make it a hat trick of wins, a close fought match saw the captain’s team hold off the challenge with a 2-1 victory, one of the few! The competition proper was won with a terrific 61 points by Alan Fowler but only on count back from Mark Blackmore with Glen Snook 62, welcome to Glen in his first start. Birdies went to Vice Captain Ray Thomas 15th, Don Crawford, 4th and Martyn Silverton 9/18th. Only two Charity Sweep winners Albert Adams and Ray Thomas. The Summer Eclectic Competition awards were made joint winners Bob Ireland and Mark Blackmore both with 55.5 points with Tony Lavender, 3rd on 56.5.
Roger Bryant received a bottle of wine for 200 Attendances; Roger said it had taken 13 years to reach that goal, well-done Roger!
The Midweekers Autumn Match between Whitstable and Seasalter. Five teams played a 4 ball combined Stapleford competition with individual prizes for best scores. The Whitstable team won the match 3 1/2 to 1 1/2 with your captain on the only losing Whitstable team, no surprise there. His only notable contribution was on the 11th hole when for some unknown reason his trolley took off on its own, with him hobbling after it and unable to catch it only to stand and watch it career past the ditch and crashing into a green side bunker much to the amusement of his playing partners. The individual winner for the front nine were Albert Adams and Alan Fowler 20 points and back nine winners were Bob Ireland and Dave Chalk 21 points and overall winner Roy Lee 40 points.
After the round drinks and nibbles were provided by the affable Tony Love and enjoyed by all.
On Wednesday 25th September a new competition was played, sponsored by the captains son’s firm SLC Solicitors of Shrewsbury, The One Off One Club Championship, 26 members played the 1st 9 holes with just one club (no putter), the second 9 with full set of clubs a stableford format. The overall winner, joint scores, 14 + 22 = 36 was Ron Rumball on count back from Paul Guilfoyle 15 + 21 with 3 joint thirds (captain does not understand the count back system). Tony Lavender 17 + 15, Bob Ireland 14+18, Roger Bryant 13+19, Winner of the 2nd Nine, full clubs, Dave Chalk 23, 2nd Ron Rumball 22, 3rd Paul Guilfoyle 21. The club result was 3rd place Don Crawford 16 points (better than his full set score), 2nd Glen Snook 16 and the winner for the Hand Crafted 1 Club Trophy (which unfortunately fell to pieces on presentation) was none other than Tony Lavender with 17 points. The competition was a big talking point about club choice and everybody seemed to enjoy the day. Nibbles provided by Tony finished the day. The captain would like to thank all those who took part and indulged him in his idea (not his own).
The Hamish Burnett Tandoori Cup was played on Friday 27h September in perfect conditions, sun and light breeze. The captain challenger with Tony Love standing in for the vice captain against the strong pairing of Holly Butler and Bob Ireland. Tony carried the captain for 17 of the 18 holes but his valiant effort could not stem the tide, with Holly and Bob winning on the last hole. Holly getting a par on the 18th to clinch victory. The tournament proper result was in third place on count back with 36 points Roy Keohane in second Brian McNally 37 and the winner with an excellent 40 points was Tony Love (you can see how well he played in the challenge).
Only 1 birdie, you’ve guessed it, Tony Love on the par 3. The Charity Sweep only one winner Bob Daniels.
Veteran’s Section
Captain Barry Broadbent, Secretary Bob Ireland
Just a quick reminder that the Vets Annual General Meeting has been changed and is now at the club on Friday 18th October, a game of golf followed by the general meeting and a meal provided by your own veteran chef Tony!
There is an entry sheet on the Vets Board so fill in your details for next season.
Super Seventies Organiser and Captain Alec Parrett
The Supers went into September needing a miracle or two, and almost got them. We were stuck on the bottom of League C for most of the year and needed some good results against Etchinghill and Foreland.
In the event, when we entertained Etchingill at Collingwood Road we managed a draw, two games each. But the two wins for the visitors netted them eight points to our six, which further widened the gap, as Etchinghill were sitting just above us in the league before the game with a three-point advantage. The Wood/Wingrove and Croxton/McCormick partnerships came up trumps to keep us in with some hope, but not much.
In the rescheduled game at Foreland just two days later we knew it would be an uphill task, but after some great and highly enjoyable tight matches and some real camaraderie (because that is what the Seniors is all about) we came away with three drawn games and one defeat. This gave Whitstable six points against six for Foreland.
The Wood/Parrett partnership, out first, were never in front, but were never more than one behind as their opponents, playing precise golf, could never seal the deal and a valiant 30-yard chip-in by a struggling Rodney sent them back to be all square coming up the last. Both putts to win it were missed; but a draw was very just. David Dale and Ian Wingrove had a ding-dong four hours in perfect golfing weather to grab their half, and Martyn Dines and Bob McCormick kept our flag flying to halve theirs.
Thanks are due too to Brian Ridley for stepping in, a year short of the age requirement to make his debut for the Super Seventies to partner David Kinnersley. Without him, as he struggled on a strange course, and with NO reserve, we might have had to borrow from our hosts. Can we not read the notices and support our team more for every game. There are only ten a year. Despite the appeals after our Thursday games by our Old Salts Captain there is seldom a rush to sign up.
There is a move soon to increase the teams to ten players when the AGM is held at Chestfield later this month, but Alec may have to vote to stay the decision for a year for obvious reasons.
We got news later that our effort at Foreland was just enough to take us off the bottom of the league and hand the wooden spoon to Chestfield. Reason? We won more away games than our neighbours. Hard to believe, but something to take to the next season of matches when we have to display our fighting spirit. More muscle is needed to do the rest.
Fundraising 100 Club
This fundraising venture costs £1 per month, with monthly prizes of £30, £20 and £15. There is a bonus double draw at Christmas each year. You’ve got to be in it to win it!
Winners
1st £30.00 Dot Payne
2nd £20.00 Molly Broadbent
3rd £10.00 Steve Chambers
What’s on for the next two months?
October
Tuesday 1st am Ladies Daily Mail Foursomes
Friday 4th am Kent Vets AGM
Sunday 6th am Monthly Medal
Monday 7th am Old Salts v The Ladies
Tuesday 8th am Ladies Medal
Wednesday 9th am Midweekers Ray Thomas Cup Medal
Thursday 10th am Old Salts AGM
Friday 11th 1200hrs Ladies v Boughton (home)
Saturday 12th pm Westgate Mixed (home)
Sunday 13th am Medal Winners Medal
Sunday 13th am Stableford
Tuesday 15th am Ladies Competition
Thursday 17th pm Ladies Supper
Saturday 19th pm Juniors Medal
Sunday 20th am Turkey Trot 1st round
Tuesday 22nd am Ladies Competition
Friday 25th am Midweekers D Rosendale Sorcerers Trophy Stblfrd
Friday 25th pm Annual Dinner and Dance
Sunday 27th am Texas Scramble
Tuesday 29th am Ladies Competition
November
Saturday 2nd 1300hrs Junior Competition
Sunday 3rd am Turkey Trot 2nd round
Tuesday 3rd am Ladies Competition
Sunday 10th am Captains Swindle
Tuesday 12th am Ladies Competition
Tuesday 12th pm Ladies AGM
Wednesday 13th am Midweekers Tudor Tearooms Trophy Medal
Saturday 16th am AGM
Sunday 17th am Captains Swindle
Sunday 17th 1330hrs Captains Playing in
Tuesday 19th am Ladies Xmas Competition
Friday 22nd am Midweekers Green Shield Stableford
Sunday 24th am Turkey Trot final round
Tuesday 26th am Ladies Xmas Competition
Ebb and Flow (letters section)
The Editor would appreciate your comments or suggestions of ways to improve the club, course, magazine, web site, social activities, or anything else that comes to mind! Get writing – it’s your club say what you want!
I know there are people reading this publication as all the copies printed disappear, doesn’t anyone have something to say?
Flotsam and Jetsam
Ditloids
1 FTR, (or in Dave Gould’s case) 1 FNRAA, 1 HIAD, 1 ITE, 1 MAHD,
1 SDNMAS. 1.414214 SROT(T6DP)
Answers to last months Ditloids
1 Thumb On A Hand, 3 Colours On A Traffic Light, 5 Olympic Rings, 7 Sides On A Fifty Pence Piece, 9 Planets In Our Solar System, 11 Fingers On Anne Boleyn, 13 Titles in the Canterbury Tales, 15 Digits On A Clock Face.
Any contributions of any type will be considered, puzzles, stories, history, Anecdotes, your chance to get your stuff in print!
Beachcomber
Alex comes home after his regular Saturday golf game and his wife,
Amanda asks why he doesn’t include John Gumby in the games
any more. Alex asks, ‘Would you want to play with a guy who regularly
cheats, swears outrageously over everything, lies about his score, and
has nothing good to say about anyone else on the course?’
‘Of course I wouldn’t,’ states Amanda.
‘Well,’ mutters Alex, ‘neither does John Gumby.’
A young man and a priest are playing golf together. At a short par 3 the priest asks, ‘What are you going to use on this hole, my son?’
The young man says, ‘An iron, father. How about you?’
The priest says, ‘I’m going to hit a soft seven and pray.’
The young man hits his iron and puts the ball on the green. The priest tops his iron and dribbles the ball out a few yards.
The young man says, ‘I don’t know about you, father, but in my church when we pray we keep our heads down.’
Castaways
If you have any unwanted clubs or equipment sell them through this Publication or the Web Site and donate 10% to the Captains Charity! Send the details to my e-mail robert.ireland@gmail.com , by post or place the details on the notice board marked for my attention.
Some new items from Bernie Whitaker
A set of Benross Gold Irons, 5 to pitching wedge
They have senior flex graphite shafts and are in very good condition
Price £75.00
Contact Bernie Whitaker
Callaway Big Bertha Heaven Wood 1H
14 degree loft with Big Bertha Uniflex steel shaft.
Good condition with Benross head over.
£ 30
Peter Steigmann
Tel. 01227 262278
e-mail. steigmann@btinternet.com
Ladies Clubs
Cobra Ladies offset driver, 3 wood and 5 wood, £60 the lot
Contact Ernie or Di West 01227 266581
Some from Eric Bean
Woods:- Driver Trilogy 15 degree with cover £10.00
Loco 10 degree £10.00
Ocean 10.5 degree £10.00
Hippo plus 10 degree £10.00
4 wood 19 degree £10.00
5 wood Wilson 25 degree £10.00
Offset £10.00
15 wood 37 degree £10.00
Hybrid Onyx 18 degree £10.00
Onyx 25 degree £10.00
Onyx 19 degree £10.00
Lob Wedge Condor 60 degree £ 5.00
3 assorted putters £ 3.00each
Carry bag New with stand £15.00
Eric Bean 01227 740190