Captains Challenge - Warwickshire Golf Club

Rachel and Me waiting to tee off

An invitation from the Warwickshire Golf  & Country Club to play in the Captains Challenge 2012 was something that just had to be taken seriously. A stableford competition, full handicap , best 2 scores to count with the team consisting of at least 1 current club captain was just too good to miss. So armed with hubby Brian, reliable Rachel and mean machine Mike, we were ready to take on a course we hadn't played before as well as the unpredictable weather that this country has offered so far this year.

We arrived early at the wrong club, the NORTH Warwickshire Golf Club, very cute looking club and wondered why the car park was not 'busy' with players.


However only being 10 miles away from the correct location, we still had plenty of time to reach the our destination and were overjoyed (putting it mildy) at the realisation that this was going to be a joy to play. A very warm welcome greeted us and this carried on from start to finish. However having the wrong course programmed into our range finder and having to rely on the course planner was not going to change anything. 

A shotgun start meant we were off on the 14th, we all had a great start, followed by a great game and all came in with the scores at the right time. A front 9 of 35, with a great back 9 of 49 meant we came in with 1st prize.

Plus, nearest the pin on a par 3 was Mike's, until Brian took his tee shot and snapped it away from him ..........

CHARITY DAY - We need your help...

We've got lots planned for Charity Day next Saturday 7th and the weather outlook is 'Hopeful for something more like summer'

So, with plenty to do and lots of prizes to win and of course some golf to play,  watch out for the poster in the club house soon. We've got a great band in the evening called Snake and Co and if you havent seen them before, you're in for a treat. You might even recognise some of the band members (you wont be saying ooohhh Gary Barlow or Robbie Williams, but you might say Take That (away...)

So Ladies, please can you help out. We need jewellery of anykind that you no longer use and we're also having another cake stall as its always a great crowd pleaser. So if any of you great cooks out there want to bake a cake and bring it in on the Saturday morning, please feel free to do so. We'll be in either the St Andrews Room or the Terrace room eagerly awaiting your home cooked treats

I might even get in the kitchen myself and see what I can put together..........

Ladies Invitation Day - 24th June

Waiting at the 1st with Doreen

A great turnout for Ladies Invitation Day at Branston with 18 Branston Ladies and their invited guests. Some familiar faces that I recognised from our Ladies Friendly matches last year and a welcome return for the day to Chris Pa. Just a couple of times when the rain came down and drenched everyone at some point but plenty of sunshine in between to keep us all happy.

Doreen, Monica and Cob at the halfway house

Heavy rainfall overnight meant no buggies on the course today so my playing partner Doreen, a wonderful lady of 80 something was not able to play. She patiently waited with Monica and Cob for a couple of hours and it was lovely that they all took the time to come and see us all at the halfway house. I had a great time with Cherry and her playing partner Di and the pressure was off as I still managed to get a game in and to mark their card.

 

All credit to Liz and the team for putting on a wonderful spread and some great company at the end of the day in the St Andrews room. 

Fingers crossed we'll all catch again later in the year at various opens and looking forward to getting a game in with Doreen soon. (she's been playing for over 50 years, plays of 20 and I think she was once a single handicapper...)

Saturday 23rd Jun - Ladies Major, The Tomkinson Trophy

For me, the most important day in the calendar this year, our new Ladies Competition, Pairs 4BBB, The Tomkinson Trophy.

There is a post on the blog which lets you know why this Major is called the Tomkinson Trophy so have a read when you get the chance.

Fingers crossed that the Trophy would arrive on time but this was made by one of our club members and I'm eternally grateful for the time and effort made to ensure it was just perfect.

For a change, the names of the winners will be engraved on the glass itself underneath the Heart

A field of 28 Ladies taking part and off first with Lady Vice Captain Rebecca Smith, I was looking forward to the day. Weather forecast was generally ok but with some heavy showers on the 5th and 8th, I think we were all thankful for the sunshine inbetween. An enjoyable day with Chris P and Rita B, a couple of great Lady Past Its.

Lady Vice Becky, Me, Rita and Chris

Becky was on fine form and I realised that it was not my best of days when she comforted me at the start of the back 9 by suggesting I put my clubs in the car and caddied for her............

Bec hits the ball a country mile -  I struggled to get out of the rough on the 11th, by the time I'd hit my 4th shot, I was about level with her tee shot!!!

Many thanks to Warren Appleby, regional fund raiser who presented the Trophy which was donated by the British Heart Foundation, the primary charity for Branston Golf Club in 2012.

For me, this Trophy represents all those that we know and love who have damaged hearts and recognise the work the the BHF do to ensure we don't lose anyone from premature heart disease.

Gill, Warren, Cherry and Me

So, many congratulations to Cherry L and Gill S who came in with 37, followed closely by Mandy B and Sandra H with 36.

Looks like you're drinking coffee Tweedy but not so sure by that look on your face.....

Saturday 16th June - Mr Captains Day

The forecast for the 16th June was not good however nothing was going to stop Mr Captain from ensuring that everyone had a good day. With the first tee times before 0800am and fnishing with yours truly, Sarah S and Nat A at 2.50, it was no doubt a very popular day.

A few showers during the day but nowhere near what was anticipated and some great pictures to show for it. Over 30 played in the competition on the 9 hole course and for an enjoyable evening after golf.

Refreshments at the halfway house were appealing to everyone, even I thought that the spread which included bacon, sausage, ham, pork pies looked appealing (maybe not the pork pies) but he certainly pulled out all the stops and showed how it should be done.

 

 

Some great food, great company and the top 3 Ladies all came in with 38, however a great Winn for Jane, managing to shave more off that handicap

A WINNing Speech by Ladies Champ on Mr Captains Day

Monday 11th June - Staffs Bronze Division

Staffordshire Ladies County Golf hold a Bronze and Silver competition each year, Bronze for Ladies with a handicap of 21 - 36 and Silver for 20 and below.
This was my 3rd year taking part in the competition, the first year in 2009 was at Bloxwich and I won the Handicap Bowl for best net. This year, I was now playing off 23 and another chance to play in the Bronze Division, this time at Great Barr.
A lovely course, very forgiving, wide fairways and not much in the way of bunkers or water. However, some very wet, windy, cold June weather and when I handed my card in, was surprised that I was in 2nd place for the best net, just pipped by a better back 9.
A quick change ready for the presentation however the winning score came in on the last group which meant that I had won best gross in the Bronze Division.

Click on this link to see the results posted on the SLCGA Website

Husband & Wife Major - Sunday June 11th

Robert, Me, Jo and Brian

Sunshine all day, no rain and some skirts got their first airing of the season...

Not an easy format, Foursomes Stableford, with the Husbands playing of the White Tees and the Wife off the Red Tees. The Trophy was donated by Rick and Enid Toon in 1981, both who were founder members of the club and still a very popular competition. 

Jane and Andrew

Andrew and Jane

A mini comp running alongside known as the Him N Her, for those who've not quite made it to the altar or those who are regular playing partners in club competitions.

Many congratulations to Jane D and Andrew P, winning the Him N Her. Jane was due to play with hubby Neil, who was unfortunately unable to play due to previously arranged golfing commitmentsand decided he would rather play there than with his wife. However, a great score of 44 to take the title and with a win like that, no wonder her victory speech included the words 'NEIL WHO'

So onto the main competition, the Husband and Wife Major and with hubby Brian we had a great time with playing partners Jo and Robert. Fresh from winning the Jen Tatum Ladies Major a few weeks ago, the golden girl was still on form and with some perfectly place shots by the ever so steady Robert, they came in with a winning 44.

Mike and the beautifully groomed Natalie

Ivan, Anita, Bev and Pete

Shot of the day (in case you weren't at the club) was Mr Captains Tee Shot on the 17th which landed in the hot tub situated approximately 30 degrees or so to the left.

Thinking Man's Pose - choice of club will result in Trent or Fairway?

Bailey Knockout - 2nd round

Glen, Sandra, Donna and Wenday, waiting on the 3rd

Donated by Terry Bailey, this is a Ladies Knockout (matchplay) for the top 16 Ladies from the previous years Club Championship. 

My match today with Donna was close all the way with Donna going through to the next round with the match decided on the 18th. 

We both had a great game and well done Donna, you deserved the win.

Tomkinson Trophy, Ladies Major,

We have a new Ladies Major at Branston Golf Club this year, this is a Ladies pairs, 4bbb, which will take place on Saturday 23rd June. The trophy has been donated by one of our Club Charities for this year, The British Heart Foundation and I chose this charity for personal reasons and because of the local significance that the British Heart Foundation has for Burton on Trent. 

The trophy for our new Ladies Major has recently been named The Tomkinson Trophy after a very special young lady called Elisabeth Jayne Tomkinson 

Elisabeth or Lib as she is known was 18 in December and went to America for a holiday a few months ago with her college friends. She was queuing for some food at the Air & Space Museum in Washington when she passed out and complained of chest pains. The security guards immediately called for an ambulance and she was rushed to the George Washington Hospital where she had a chest T scan, chest x ray, ultra sound and then an EEG.

Following a total of 8 blood tests (which were clear), Lib has been diagnosed as having bicuspid aortic valve which is a condition where 2 of the 3 heart valves have joined together so 2 are doing the work of 3. Symptoms can be excessive sleeping and tiredness which Lib had experienced for a couple of months before her trip. It is likely that she was born with this condition and symptoms occur and develop around the late teens. She’s had further tests and blood tests since she’s been back in the UK which are clear and is now waiting see a cardiologist which may result in surgery later this year.
 

So who is Elisabeth Jayne Tomkinson?

Lib lives in Cardiff and has been successful in becoming an ambassador for the Olympics for events that are being held in Wales later this year. She will be responsible for some of the teams attending, making sure they arrive on time at events etc. She has played football for Cardiff City Ladies Juniors and has represented her Sixth Form at Hockey and plays hockey currently for Whitchurch Saints Hockey Club. She still suffers from tiredness and has lost weight recently and according to mum Debbie, doesn’t quite look her normal self

….by the way
Debbie is my sister
Elisabeth is my niece

Mixed International Fun Competition

Delayed competition from the Easter Weekend but a bright start to the day and some good weather which was welcomed by all after the previous day. So it was all systems go at midday and a great format enjoyed by all, the Mixed International, Stableford format

16 tee times with 1 player from each 4 ball playing for either England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales. A great format with the best 10 scores from the 16 players. A bonus prize for 4 players with the best stableford score from each of the 4 teams eligable for a prize.

Plus an additional chance to guess the total number of balls lost prior to playing at £1 a go. Each player had to record the number they lost during the match with the nearest 3 winning an additional prize. Well done to Mike A with the exact guess of 96 balls lost today and closely followed by Jane W with 95 and Cherry L with 93

So, lots to play for and with only a spot of rain at around 4pm, it was an non stop day of sunshine and warm weather.

Pete, Colin me and Julian

I had a great game with Julian H playing for Wales , Pete D for Scotland, Colin H for England and myself for Ireland.

4th place Scotland - 312 points

3rd place Wales - 336 points

2nd place Ireland - 348 points

1st place England - 351 points

Englands best player    - Jo H with 44 stableford points (great score Jo)

Scotlans best player     - Pete D with 39 points

Wales best player        - Mick W with 39 points also

Irelands best player     - Keith M on a better back 6 with 40 points

Just to say..............we all turn up for competitions and forget sometimes the time and effort made by someone to buy the prizes and organise these events so well done to Donna, you did a great job.

SO, THOSE IN THE WINNING TEAM HAVE SOME WINE TO COLLECT

 - which will be left at reception on Wedneday 

New Look Presidents Way (17th)

Bev almost sinking the putt on the 18th and check out Ann's top

Junior Medal - Saturday 2nd June 

Some great pictures of the juniors all taking this Medal very seriously. 

Some great shots over the water on the 18th, all perfectly positioned on or very slightly off the green with some great putting action to finish

Well done to Owen, Castille, James, Isaac and Tom

 

 

 

 

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Sunday 3rd June

A damp, cold, wet, miserable, windy Sunday which saw the Bedford Mixed Major Competition cancelled again however some great golf played on Saturday 2nd June.

Ladies Willdig Shield

Winner Glen with Roy and me

A popular Ladies competition, par bogey format and a smiling Roy Willdig always there to present the prizes. 

Thanks to my playing partners Jane W, Glen W and  Donna H and some great scores.

Winner Glen with Roy and Jane runner up

Top 5 all came in with level par and below.

5th Nat with level par, 3rd and 4th Helen D and Wendy W with plus 3, 

A plus 4 by Jane W and Glen W saw Glen just clinching the title on a better back 9.

Congratulations to Helen D, Wendy W, Jane W and Glen, all now with a handicap reduction following a great game

NOTE FOR THE RECORDS..............

After entertaining the crowds on the 18th during the May Trophy, Competition Secretary was again on form for the Willdig shield. However, this time, her feet remained firmly on the ground and there was no chance of a repeat performance. Staying dry and warm and away from the waters edge, the 3rd shot over the water onto the 18th green and into the hole. No need for a putter. Great birdy, Helen.