23rd January 2024 Newsletter :: Brocton Hall Golf Club

Brocton Hall

23rd January 2024 Newsletter

BROCTON HALL GOLF CLUB

THREE OFF THE TEE 23 JANUARY 2024 NEWSLETTER

Hello there

With Rory's great win on the weekend, is 2024 finally his time for Grand Slam glory at the Augusta National? Will Tiger be fit enough for a serious challenge? Will Jon Rahm's hopes of defending his title be a stumbling block for Rory? He currently stands as the favourite. I, and a few members I know, will still be rooting for Rory.

Thank you to President Steve Kanes, Captain David Parkes, Lady Captain Ann Williams and Lady President Hilary Edwards for all they have done for the club these last 12 months. You have had a fantastic year! You have supported me in my role and you have shared great memories and much laughter with members while raising money for charity.

The Captain and Nevil played their last match on Sunday and what a final game it was - 6 under par between them and 5 up after 7 holes, the match finished all square with Mark and Dave Nicholls staging a great fight back. Opponents have to beat them over 18 holes so this was a win for Nevil and means that the only pair to beat them all year were James Richards and Dave Bishop, so they win the Captain Pro Challenge Trophy and full bragging rights!

Bill Mackie took this great video of an Airbus A400 Atlas flying low over Brocton Hall. The A400 Atlas replaced the well known Hercules. Click here to view

PAR FOR THE COURSE

The Greenkeeping team have been verti draining the fairways. Verti draining is the process of inserting tines into the surface of the ground, used to break up soil compaction. These tines create multiple, small holes on the surface of the turf. The holes created from verti draining allow oxygen into the soil and the greens to drain properly, making room for aeration.

Storm Isha wreaked her havoc with some of the trees around the course.

COMPETITIONS

Ladies

The Ladies played their Swansong Team Competition last Wednesday

Front 9 winners

1st Christine Spratt, Penelope Matthews, Elaine Hocknell & Margaret Robertson with 37
2nd Ann Jennings, Mrs. V K S Johnstone, Anne Rees & Patricia Godwin with 36
3rd Stephanie Burgin, Jane Plant, Maxine Mills & Emma Wardle-Gray with 35

Back 9 winners

1st Barbara Golder, Kathleen Brookhouse & Sally Wardle-Gray with 37
2nd Mary Robertson, Julie Wells, Joanne Mears & Anne Margaret McKay with 36
3rd Diane Ferriday, Alison Fearnley, Trish Franklin & Sue Ward with 35

CLUBHOUSE

A reminder that the kitchen will be closed on Tuesdays until the 19th March. Please still join us in the Clubhouse for tasty snacks that are available at the bar.

MEMBERS QUESTION

You are invited to send any questions in that you would like one of the Management Committee members to answer. Often a committee member is approached on the putting green with a question that might not relate to their area of knowledge. This is a way for you to ask those questions.

Q. Following the closure on the 15th January due to a light covering of snow, could clarification be given on why a light covering of snow results in a closure while a hard frost does not?

Q. There have been many instances over the last month or more where the course has been closed until a set time, often only affecting the first few tee times, can we please have a bit of clarity around the thought process that goes into this as delaying opening by 10 or 20 minutes seems quite arbitrary?

A. In answer to the 2 questions in both cases it is the responsibility of firstly the Head Green Keeper or his deputy and secondly the Course Chairman who may consult with the Head Pro to discuss current conditions. The current conditions are the critical factor and the people who know best have been given the responsibility by the management committee to decide when they believe the course conditions are playable and safe for the members. I am aware that other local clubs either refuse to open while there is frost on the greens or simply play temporary tees and greens. Here at BHGC we endeavour to provide the best possible playing conditions all year round and only open the course to our members following extensive hourly inspections when conditions are questionable.

NOTICES

We have received an email from the Asian Hornet Team Coordinator for the South Staffordshire and District Beekeepers Association. With the recent spread of the Asian Hornet in the UK, is almost inevitable that it will arrive in Staffordshire in 2024. It poses a significant risk to members of the public and attrition of pollinating insects as well as consequences for agriculture, horticulture, and biodiversity. You can visit their website for more information and they have shared this helpful video click here

The SUGC have shared a list of the Open competitions for Male members for 2024 at Staffordshire Golf Clubs click here

The SUGC have also released their 2024 competition schedule. This now officially open for sign-up. This is an excellent opportunity for enthusiasts of all abilities to participate, with both Nett and Gross prizes available. Entry fees start as low as £10.00, making it accessible for everyone. Click here

All of us at Brocton Hall wish our many members with a birthday this week a very Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday to Ken Nash, Ben Smith, John Whiteman, Matt Perrin, Henry Jones, Stuart Lloyd, Alfie Warke, Ryan Blower, Ruby Goode, Gary Murphy, Simon Davey, Richard Parr and Neil Price. Aging is like golf, the more experience you get, the better your game! Happy Birthday!

PRO SHOP

With all the new woods released from Callaway, TaylorMade and Cobra last week - the Pro Shop are selling off all their ex demo woods and hybrids plus some Mizuno wedges.

Don’t forget, if the studio is available, you can hire it by the hour for £20 and use the launch monitor for some practice, or to work out your yardages. They have a new net being installed next week as you all are wearing through this current one.

In the next couple of weeks they are also replacing their till system and you’ll be able to see your shop transactions and more importantly, how much you have in winnings to spend!

HOLE IN ONE

A 20 year old amateur golfer, Nick Dunlap, won the American Express Tournament with the prize winners pot of $151200, but despite beating a host of pro golfers and due to his amateur statues, the prize money had to go to Christiaan Bezuidenhout who finished second. Another case of a South African winning by a point 🙂