WHITSTABLE TIDINGS
The monthly journal of Whitstable and Seasalter Golf Club
Collingwood Road, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 1EB Tel 01227 272020
e-mail wandsgolfclub@talktalkbusiness.net
Web site www.whitstable-golfclub.co.uk
Volume 2 Issue no.12 1st December 2012
Editor Bob Ireland, 01227 638425, 07802874914,robert.ireland@gmail.com
News
Captains Drive In Sunday 18th November 2012
The Club Captains drive in was held on a fine day, the rain had mercifully stopped and the sun shone as the Junior Captain Richard Smith was introduced on the tee by the new Vice Captain Andy Sargeant.
The past Junior Captain Bradley Packham placed the golf balls on the tee
Richard then proceeded to smack several balls down the fairway the winner of the drive distance was Jean Hudson at 259 yards.
Next up was the Ladies captain for 2012 Jackie Witten with the tee being loaded by immediate past captain Mel Bashford.
Jackie hit several good shots and the winners of the distance prize were B Barker and D Barker at 149 yards.
Colin Chapmen, the next Old Salts Captain then took the tee and was assisted by Brian Best, last year’s incumbent.
Colin’s easy swing was a joy to watch as he effortlessly stroked the ball to 187 yards a distance ticket held by none other than Colin Holton
Then followed the main event with Club Captain Richard Gremo limbering up to hit an enormous drive, however he hadn’t reckoned with Andy Sargeant’s choice of ammunition and a strange selection of coloured balls of various garishness were presented for disposal to different parts of the course. The final ball was in fact a pro v and was dispatched to 272 yards, just short of the green by the left hand bunker, the tickets for this distance were held by two members Tony Taunton and Trevor Croxton
Everyone then retired to the clubhouse for an excellent table of refreshments provided by members of the club for which we are all extremely grateful.
Photographs of the occasion are soon to be posted on the website and are also to be seen in the clubhouse.
If the new season is anything like the Drive in day we are all in for a great year. Good Luck to all our Captains and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to all our members
Forthcoming Events for your Diary
15th December Christmas Party
Les Biggs with his mighty Wurlitzer will provide entertainment. Cost is £5.00 and food will be available at an extra £7.00 per person. Menu will be displayed in the clubhouse nearer the event. Dress code is smart casual.
22nd December Children’s Christmas Party
I am only sorry I cannot attend this function and receive my present from a thinly disguised Mike Behr as Santa but advanced age precludes me.
The kids however will be thrilled!
New Years Eve
This years party will follow the format of previous years with a 3 course sit down meal followed by musical entertainment from Full Circle, dancing to midnight and fireworks to celebrate the New Year.
Dress code is Black Tie or Lounge suit; Ladies will wear their most glamorous outfits as usual!
Price to be confirmed later, watch out for further details.
Saturday 12th January Chinese Evening
Tony Love is about to demonstrate his Asian cheffy skills with a Chinese Menu
as follows:-
Selection of Hors d’oeuvres, chicken and sweetcorn soup, special fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, vegetable chow mien and coffee to finish.
The cost for this oriental extravaganza is £15 per person!
Numbers are limited to 40 so book your place with Tony soon to avoid disappointment.
Burns Night 26th January
Always a popular event, the details will be posted on the club notice board 4 weeks before, do not miss this! A deposit will be required from each person booking at the time of booking to ensure fairness, as the night is always sold out!
Dress code is formal Lounge suits or Kilts if applicable.
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.
Greens and Course News
Any members having questions about the greens or course in general can write to me or e-mail and I will get an answer from our Greenkeeper. The question and answer will be published in the newsletter and on the web site.
The Old Salts Captain Colin Chapman, Secretary George Bawden
As with other sections of the club, the Old Salts had to cry in their beer far too much during rain-mad November. Thursday games were often shrunk or called off, but the stand-out day was on Sunday the 18th when the Captains’ Playing-In saw stalwart Colin Chapman strike the ball fairly down the middle, much to everyone’s relief (and his) to herald his elevation to Old Salts Captain, taking over from Brian Best. Our Ladies helped to enliven spirits of the assembled members afterwards with some excellent buffet morsels and the day was much enjoyed by all.
Some games were however played before the course finally succumbed towards the end of the month. In the Six of the Best series on the 22nd Trevor Coombes, off 24, came in with 40 points to take the spoils, and receive a cut to 22, with John Shepherd a point behind with 39, also being cut. But the stand-out performance was perhaps from new Salts Secretary George Bawden, who celebrated his first competitive full round for several months after sciatica put him too often on the sidelines. His 36 points took the Players category. Bawden is back!
The newly convened committee, with busy Bawden at the helm, will meet on December 6, after the qualifying game. Anyone wishing to bring any items to their attention for discussion should contact George in good time.
The Xmas Lunch is looking well subscribed with more 50 Salts wishing to partake of Tony’s turkey and pudding at an all-in cost of £13 on December 13. The list is shortly to be closed so that a table plan can be drawn up in good time. If you’re still not on it, hurry.
Remember gentlemen. Jackets and Old Salts’ ties are a requirement. They may be old, but how smart are they?
Junior Section Captain Richard Smith, Vice captain Jack Tucker
Secretary Peter Wade.
The new Junior Captain Richard Smith will be leading the Junior section through 2013 with the help of his Vice captain Jack Tucker, starting with the December Stableford on 1st December 12.30 tee off, followed by the Christmas party. Here’s hoping his year gets off to a good start, all our best wishes go with him for a happy Christmas and successful New Year.
It is a great shame that we have lost several juniors this year as they have now reached 18 years of age and can no longer be juniors, these include Jack Dale, Billy Bills, Nick Packham, Elliot Bensted and Guy Osborne.
These departures have left the junior section woefully short of members and something must be done to increase the numbers.
The club now has in the region of 300 members and many of these must have children or grandchildren, how nice it would be for some of these children to receive membership of this wonderful, friendly club, perhaps a Christmas present? Junior membership is only £52 for over 14’s and £25 for under 14’s, a very small amount for the reward of a year’s golf!
Anyone requiring further information on the junior section should contact Peter Wade on 01227 266210, Mandy Rapley on 01227 274247 or Glenis Smith on 01227 266269
Ladies Section Captain Jackie Witten, Vice Captain Linda Bawden
Secretary Jean Hudson
November Report
November is basically, traditionally, taken up with the Christmas Competition. Four Stablefords, best three to count, cumulative scores and prizes for all. First Tuesday: – washout!! Well, not completely, 6 brave ladies carried their clubs and squished their way around 18 holes of the course, a few more managed 9 holes. They showed enthusiasm that the rest of us could only sit in the warm and envy! However, in spite of the conditions, Pat Bensted managed a very creditable 29 points, incoming captain, Jackie Witten, 29.
Much excitement the next week when numbers swelled to a more respectable 23, trollies allowed! Still very boggy in places, but thankfully, mild. Chris Chapman won that day with 30 points.
It was then decided that to make the competition more fair, the four weeks should be extended to five weeks, so hopefully more chances for all !
Week 3 dawned mild but very windy, braved by 24 hardy souls, but more respectable scores on the whole, Louise Tucker led the day with 30 points, closely followed by Pauline Girling with 29.
There was no chance to better our scores the next week, as the course was closed, only the chance to complain about the weather over a cup of coffee. One more chance left!
The Ladies held their AGM after week 2 of the Christmas competition, with a very respectable 46 ladies attending the proceedings. Everything went smoothly and the Lady captain, Mel, gave a resume of her year, and handed the baton to Jackie Witten, who gave a very amusing inaugural speech, based on the Captain of an aircraft communicating with the passengers, “ Ladies, this is your captain speaking —– “ . Our Vice Captain is Linda Bawden. The new members of the committee were welcomed, Beryl Wingrove and Pat Bensted. The new treasurer is Joyce Jaynes; the new Handicap Secretary (after years of treasurership), Fran Price. Mary Calthrop stays as Competition secretary. Sally Lawson and Sheila Wyles continue into their 2nd year. Cathie Whitehead retired gracefully after completing four years each on the committee. So all raring to go and look after the Ladies section to the best of their ability.
Men’s Section Captain Richard Gremo, Vice Captain Andy Sargeant
Golf Report for Sunday mornings – November
Richard Gremo enjoyed glorious weather on his first day as Club Captain, for the “Captain’s Swindle” competition. Garry Morgan proved that he is one to watch in the future and with a score of thirty-nine points, ended clear winner. Despite five double bogies Garry scored well enough on other holes to show he has potential. Ian Horton and Dave Atkins both did well to take second and third places with thirty-eight points each.
In the first of the new series of challenge matches Richard and his new vice captain Andy Sargeant, suffered a shock defeat at the hands of previous captains ’ John Wegner and Derek Bates who finished the match one up.
Midweekers Section Captain Peter Shearing, Vice Captain Ray Thomas
Secretary Peter Fox
New captain Peter Shearing and Vice captain Ray Thomas took over the
reins for the Tudor Tea rooms Medal on 14th Nov.
The competition was won by Brian McNally with a magnificent 58, causing a
handicap reduction of 2.6.
Second Jack Scott with 64. Third Michael D Moore with 65.
In the captain’s challenge John Shepherd and Eric Rochester won 4 and
3. Captain and Vice must do better!
Following the competition the Captain’s drive took place in front of a
good turnout of Midweekers.
The captain received a great shock when the first ball exploded, never having seen it before
Nibbles and drinks followed to end the day
Unfortunately the V.Green Shield was postponed due to a waterlogged course, hopefully to be played on the 30th Nov.
Congratulations to Roy Lee for his hole in one at the 6th
Last but not least a big thank you to Bob Ireland for his excellent stewardship over the last year as captain of the Midweekers, a most enjoyable year.
Friday 30th November
The postponed Vic Green Shield was played in bright sunshine on 30th November. a reduced fields, partly due to no trolleys, scoring was steady rather than spectacular.
The winner, on count back, with 37 points was Don Crawford from in second place Bob Ireland. Third on 36 was Tony Love
The Captain and Vice felt hard done in the captain challenge by,losing 3 and 2,to the two players finshing 1st and 2nd in the competition, Don and Bob.
Don rounded a good day for him by drawing himself in the Charity Sweep and taking the money.
Only one birdie on the par 3s was recorded that being M**** Silverton.
The next M/W competitions the A. Bensted December Cup on 12th December, followed by the M/W Xmas Dinner. After the meal the musical director, Ray Thomas will be playing and accompanying the entertainment, I sight and sound not to be missed!
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!
November Winners
1st £30.00 Stella Lakin
2nd £20.00 Richard Davis
3rd £10.00 Steve Rumball
Forthcoming Golf events in December and January.
December
Saturday 1st am Ladies Coffee Morning
Saturday 1st 1230 Juniors Stableford
Saturday 1st pm Juniors Christmas Party
Sunday 2nd am Friendly Fourballs
Monday 3rd pm Past Captains Dinner
Tuesday 4th am Ladies Stableford
Saturday 8th am juniors competition
Sunday 9th am Friendly Fourballs
Tuesday 11th am Ladies Pink Ball and Christmas Lunch
Wednesday 12th am Midweekers A Bensted December Cup Stableford
Wednesday 12th pm Midweekers Christmas Lunch
Sunday 16th am Friendly Fourballs
Tuesday 18th am Ladies Stableford
Thursday 20th am Old Salts Christmas Gathering
Sunday 23rd am Friendly Fourballs
Wednesday 26th am Captains Brandy Stakes
Friday 28th am Midweekers Tony Love’s December Trophy Stableford
Sunday 30th am Friendly Fourballs
Fixture List 2013 Notes on Tee reservations
Tuesdays 0800 -1130 Ladies
Tuesdays (Summer) 1600 -1700 Men’s Social
Wednesdays (Summer) 1230 – 1300 Ladies Social
Midweekers Tournaments 0830 – 1130 2nd Weds Last Friday each month
Friday (Spring onwards) 1730 – 1800 Social
On Mondays (Summer) Tees 1, 2, 10 and 12 will be closed from 1700o – 1830 for the Juniors
January
Sunday 6th am Wood Trophy Winter Stableford
Tuesday 8th am Ladies Competition Stableford
Wednesday 9th am Midweekers Ron Thompson New Year Trophy
Saturday 12th pm Juniors Medal
Sunday 13th am Captains Swindle
Tuesday 15th am Ladies Competition Stableford
Sunday 20th am Wood Trophy Winter Stableford
Tuesday 22nd am Ladies Competition Stableford
Friday 25th am Midweekers Ray Emerson Shield Stableford
Sunday 27th am Captains Swindle
Tuesday 29th am Ladies Competition Stableford
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!
Flotsam and Jetsam
Acronyms
21 DITWS, 24 WOAAC, 49 NITNL, 0 TOAMC
Answers to last months Acronyms
Sweet 16 And Never Been Kissed, 144 Square Inches In A Square Foot, 210426 Queen Of England’s Date Of Birth,
Any contributions of any type will be considered, puzzles, stories, history, Anecdotes, your chance to get your stuff in print!
Beachcomber
Here are even more thoughts on golf
Hazards attract, fairways repel.
A ball you can see in the rough from 50 yards away is not yours.
The inevitable result of any golf lesson is the instant elimination of the one critical unconscious motion that allowed you to compensate for all of your many other errors.
If there is a ball in the fringe and a ball in the bunker, your ball is in the bunker. If both balls are in the bunker, yours is in the footprint.
Don’t buy a putter until you’ve had a chance to throw it.
You can put “draw” on the ball, you can put “fade” on the ball, but no golfer can put “straight” on the ball.
Castaways
New entries for this section
A selection of drivers, 10 degree, 10.5 and 15
A 5 wood, 4 wood, 9 wood, 11 wood, rescue clubs 18 degree, 21 and 24
A full size golf bag with brolly.
All the above are available (with more information on make, condition etc) from Eric Bean 01227 740190
Golf carrying bag ‘Donnay’ £12.00
Carrying bag £12.00
Umbrella new £6.00
Golf shoes new Donnay size 7 £15.00
Golf shoes “Stuburt” waterproof size 7 £15.00
Golf shoes Hi-Tec size 7 £5.00
For the above contact D Richardson c/o Old Salts or 01227 361194
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.