25th March 2024 Newsletter :: Brocton Hall Golf Club

Brocton Hall

25th March 2024 Newsletter

Golf is deceptively simple, endlessly complicated. A child can play it well and a grown man can never master it. It is almost like a science, yet a puzzle with no answer - Arnold Palmer

BROCTON HALL GOLF CLUB

THREE OFF THE TEE 25 MARCH '24 NEWSLETTER

Hello there

My apologies for missing next week. It was not me sulking due to Rory's costly double -bogey. Although the newsletter doesn't take up too much of my time, last Monday simply ran away from me. Thank you to all those members who said they missed it.

I received a surprise email this morning from an antique dealer that came across this cartoon illustration about some of our members that featured in The Tatler in 1934. They are sending me the original page which will be on display in the clubhouse.

For all those that missed being green with envy, Nevil and Chairman, Simon Harbridge, not only watched the The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, they played it too. Twice!

As the beginning of our new playing year approaches, you will start seeing some new faces on the golf course. Please send a smile their way and give them a warm welcome.

PAR FOR THE COURSE

Last week the new bunker liners were fitted to the bunkers on the 5th and 6th. There is a delivery of turf due to arrive on Tuesday morning and then the green keeping team will begin work on re-turfing those bunkers. Bunker refurbishment will then pause with the remaining old bunkers on the front 9 to be started in the Autumn.

The tees have been scarified, then cut. Then they will be over seeded and fertilised.

Work has started on replacing the old boundary fencing on the 1st and 2nd holes. This will be an ongoing project.

COMPETITIONS

Men

The 18 Hole Winter Medal Competition was played on Saturday in slightly windy conditions. Well done to the Stephen Rushton.

1st Stephen Rushton with a nett 62
2nd Joseph Woodward with a nett 63
3rd Ian Thwaites with a nett 63

The Captain & Professional Challenge was played under beautiful blue skies yesterday. Congratulations to the winners Danny and Jonathan.

1st Danny Boughey & Jonathan Byrne with a nett 47
2nd Jonathan Brookes & Ben Yates with a nett 47
3rd Andrew Harrison & Samuel Evans with a nett 45

Ladies

The Ladies Cancer Charity 9 (B9) Hole Individual Drawn Stableford was played last Wednesday with Elaine Dibble taking top honours.

1st Elaine Dibble with 18 points
2nd Samantha Morris with 14 points
3rd Margaret Robertson with 14 points

TCaroline Wilkins won the Ladies Cancer Charity Individual Drawn Stableford 18 holes. Well done ladies.

1st Caroline Wilkins with 39 points
2nd Anne Margaret McKay with 32 points
3rd Lady Captain Julia Nichols with 30 points

Seniors

Brocton Seniors had their first match of the season away against Beau Desert GC. Although they came away with a credible 4-6 loss, they enjoyed a fantastic day and well looked after by their hosts. A well-deserved mention must go to Andy Smith for his gross 74 playing off a handicap of 7.4.

Their next match is home against Lilleshall Hall GC today, Monday 25th March.

CLUBHOUSE

As you are aware, one of our Catering staff has sustained an injury (offsite) so we are currently short staffed in the kitchen. We apologise for any inconvenience you may experience over the coming weeks.

Are you joining us for our Jazz Evening with the Ben Holder Quartet on the 17th April? This is not jazz as you think it may be! Ben Holder is an incredible musician and an inimitable entertainer. His quartet will present a varied programme of jazz, blues and swing - led by jazz violin as you’ve never heard it before! You can expect incredible musicianship and witty repartee - an exciting evening of music and entertainment.

Tickets for the jazz are booked directly with Sophie-Jane Holder or Ticketsource 07515 275655 or benandsophsjazz@yahoo.com or http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/bsjazz
Tickets for pre show Fish & chips can be booked online or at the clubhouse

RULES QUIZ

After playing a provisional ball, a player searches for their original ball for two minutes but says “It’s lost, I’ll go and play on with my provisional ball”. On the way to the provisional ball, the player’s original ball is found within the three-minute search time in a very bad lie. How must the player proceed?

The player may either play the original ball or play the provisional ball.
The player must continue with the original ball.
As the player had declared the original ball lost, they must continue with the provisional ball.

Answer: The player must proceed with the original ball.

Explanation:

See Definition of Lost in the R&A Rules of Golf. A ball does not become lost as a result of the player declaring it to be lost. A ball is lost only when it has not been found within three minutes after the player or their caddie (or partner) begins to search for it.

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.

NOTICES

Chris Spratt is a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs and her brood bitch has a litter of puppies who are hopefully future guide dogs. She has offered a “cuddle a puppy” experience in exchange for a donation to the Lady Captain's charity, Guide Dogs. Julia went on Saturday and this is one of the 5 puppies she cuddled. Get in touch with Chris if you would like to cuddle one of these gorgeous pups and donate to a worthwhile cause.

A reminder of the Captain's Charities - Click here

All of us at Brocton Hall wish our many members and staff with a birthday this week a very Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday to Andy Edwards, Neil Harvey, Oliver Nichols, David Thompson, Christopher Jennings, Richard Loveridge, Andy Ward, Tony Wilby, Mrs Butler, Ryan Collier, Matilda Perry, Robert Benning, Keith Howe, Elizabeth Balkoy, Stuart Russell, Jane Plant, John Bowers and Thomas Parrott. I am sure you will agree that each passing year is like a golf ball. You have no idea where it went. We hope you have a wonderful day.

THE PRO SHOP

How do you get your yardages on the course? If the answer is by judgment and feel, or pacing out from on-course markers, it might be time to invest in a distance measuring device. Why? Well, the accuracy is second to none, and they're so easy to use. Check out the Pro Shop special offer below - there's no better place to start.

The new Scotty Cameron Phantom Putters and new and improved Motocaddy electric trolleys are hitting the Pro Shop soon!

HOLE IN ONE

Did you know that since PGA Tour ShotLink tracking began in 2003, 925 balls have splashed into the lake at No. 17 during the tournament. Across the rest of the year, when amateurs take the plunge, up to 120,000 balls are claimed by its waters annually. Nev, is that now 120,002?