Gentlemen

It is that time of year when the leaves are falling, the days are shortening and summer is but a distant if not rather wet memory. It is also of course the time when the Black Horse Winter Program begins  and we go out and play some of the best courses on this Golf Coast we live on at reasonable winter rates.

This year we have Wallasey, Royal Liverpool, Southport and Ainsdale, Hillside Formby and Formby Ladies on the program, and I will bet you now that the lowest scores will be scorred on Formby Ladies, by far the shortest course we play, and by some margin the tightest, a true test of that I am certain.

For those of you who have not played with us before, the courses we play are all links courses, so even if it hammers down with rain you will be playing a good non muddy golf course, in saying that Winter on our coast is quite often dry and we have historically rarely got wet, we have though been a tad chilly at times. We cannot predict the weather but we can say that the Golf courses condition is unlikely to be the cause of poor card.

Each course we play will have its own glass trophey and prizes for the first two players and a nearest the pin. I can and will arrange a cash pot for a second nearest the pin if you wish on the day. Each of the results will go forwards into the winter trophey, the top 8 score points with 10 for a win 8 for second, 6 for third and 5 for fourth etc down to 1 for 8th. These points will go towards a Winter Trophy, the best four scores of the Winter program will count towards the Winter Trophy. One last change for this year, your handicaps will by your closing society handicap from the summer program, and will be adjusted in the same manner as the summer program, i.e. win an event and you lose 4 shots come last and you gain 4 shots.

I need sponsors for the Winter Program, I am sponsoring Royal Liverpool, but all of the other events need a sponsor, the cost of sponsoring each of the events is 30 pounds this covers the cost of the trophy's and goes towards the prizes.

The first course of the year is Wallasey, it is a good links running along the coast, it is no easy golf course and is famous for being the home of Stableford which was invented as a format of play at the course during one exceedingly slow and tedious medal round. It is a good course, we are returning there for the second year on the bounce.

I have arranged the day to start with a Full Breakfast, include 18 holes of golf and finish with soup, sandwiches and a few chips, for the cost of 55 pounds including prizes and all food. I think this is a good deal. Please note that unless you have an arrangement with Adrian for him to pay the money on your account, it is a strictly cash only deal, as I cant cope with credit cards or cheques. Also if you say your coming and don't turn up or cancel after the deadline below for any reason at all the money is still due as the deal I have negotiated is based on this.

Guests are welcome and I need final numbers by Friday 16th October, I have 20 places and so far have 4 confirmed in the guise of Adrian, Andy Motley, Bob Ward and myself.

Schedule

9:00 Arrival
9:15 Breakfast
10:18 First Tee
14:30 Soup and Sandwiches 

I'll be sending out some more information on Royal Liverpool later today, for those who have booked in already and for those who wish to go still which may be possible.

Have Fun

Chris

17th September 2009 Newsletter

 

The Open – Fairhaven 16th September 2009.

(Sponsored by Ian Parker & John Studhome)

 

The morning started brightly with the promise of sunshine all day; sadly the clouds took over and stayed with us all day. Excellent bacon and egg barms and coffee fed and watered the 6 teams who played colourful 3 balls.

 

Fackey’s Farkers ( Chris F, Ray Stringer and Andy Mottley) won with 56 points. Bob’s Boozers (Bob W, George Rutter and me) were runners up, followed by Studder’s Studs, Walker’s Crisps and Parker’s Porkers. The aptly named Clive’s Clowns (Clive Allen, Kevin Shannon and Sean Cartwright) won the wooden spoons and a 6 month subscription to Golfpunk magazine (November 2007 to April 2008 editions!)

 

22 of us played in the afternoon. 8 for the Black Horse Captaincy,13 for the Associate title and one guest of Clive Allen, Jim Sinclair-Smith.

 

Having kindly donated a prize, Jim won the guest prize in the afternoon.

I reciprocated with one of the two remaining Society Shirts I found at the bottom of a wardrobe!

 

Myself, Ian Parker, Bob Ward, Ray Stringer and Colin Hill won the nearest the pins. We actually had a couple of twos to award. Bob and Ray each winning a Porsche - Boxed set of ProV1’s that is.

 

Congratulations to Kevin Shannon and especially Andy Mottley with a great score of 39, upon becoming Captains in 2010/11. They have both threatened to achieve in the past and we look forward to a great season with the two of them. It will be interesting! Naturally, I will be dropping Andy’s card off at the secretary’s Office at Ashton & Lea on Sunday morning – along with his 39 at Knott End. If anyone else wishes their cards from this season, I have them all, including Simon’s 39 at Knott End!!!

 

We were unable to present the Order of Merit this year as the winner, with 35 points, David Roberts, is in America. Bob Ward was runner up with 33 and Kevin Shannon 3rd on 32. The Wooden Spoon will be presented to Ray Stringer at the next available opportunity after Ray amassed 5 points over the 4 events - apologies to Stuart Heywood who was mistakenly presented with the Wooden Spoon on the night !!.

 

I presented Clive Allen with a Society crested glass (that held a full bottle of Rioja) as a thank you for all the hard work he puts in managing the website. Thank you again Clive.

 

It was great to see Graham Johnson back with us again, not only for himself, but also for the fact he brings his camera. He took a number of photos and these will also appear on the website with the full results and OOM.

 

We drank our way through this year’s collected fines and made another £45 on the night (which paid for the cheese by the way!!!).

 

Full results are set out below:-

 

Chris (lost the first colour ball with my first shot) March will email you with details of the Winter Warmers.

 

Adrian

17.9.09