June Junior Medal

A relatively small field of six juniors pegged it up today to compete in the June Junior Medal.

The winner with nett 70 was Chris Richardson -  his first Junior Medal win, although he has won adult medals in both division 2 and division 3 in the past couple of years. Runner-up and lowest gross of the day (77) was Jack Unsworth on nett 72 who just beat Luke Bannister into third place on count-back after both returned nett 72. Full details - click here.

The Junior Masters trophy is almost half-way through now and Jack Unsworth has a slender lead over George Baker and Luke Bannister. Full listing - click here.

MacMillan Cancer Longest Day Golf

Dean Butler, Roger Tillett, Chris Adlem and Dave Warwick

The Four-Furlongs team successfully completed the Longest Day Golf challenge at Newbury Racecourse Golf club on Friday 29th June. Dean Butler, Roger Tillett, Chris Adlem and Dave Warwick made up the team to raise money for MacMillian Cancer. Four rounds of golf in one day. They started at 4.30am in the morning and finished at 8.30pm and saw plenty of changes of weather. The usual strong winds for Newbury Racecourse, rain and the odd sparkle of sun. Jim Purvis supported them throughout the day providing refreshments and also playing a part in looking for lost balls! They have successfully raised in excess of £1,200 and all agreed that whilst it was a long &  challenging day it was worth it. Thank you to all that sponsored them.
Well done lads a brilliant achievement.
 
Maria Tillett

Seniors Club Championship - Round 2

The second and final round of the Seniors Club Championships was held today in warm weather and a gentle breeze blowing. Once again, the course was in excellent condition and our thanks go to Richard Holmes and his team for all their hard work. Twenty-four men and five ladies completed both rounds of the Championship with some excellent scores returned. 

In the Men's gross competition, Raymond Bilton managed to hold on to his first round lead with another solid round (79) and a total of 155 to finally claim the trophy after succesive runners-up places for the last two years. Runner-up was John Day (168) following an excellent second round 76 followed by defending champion Jim Green (171) in third spot.

Raymond was also the lowest scoring nett player, but as rules say you cannot win both gross and nett, the prize went to Paul Tebbutt whose second round of 70 was just enough to beat Roy Whiting on count-back after both carded totals of 144. Alan Pearce claimed third spot with two consistent rounds and a total of 147.

Men - gross

Men - nett 

In the Ladies gross competition, Sam Whiting was the clear winner retaining the trophy from last year with a total of 187. Runner-up was Lesley Cratchley followed by Judy Willson in third spot.

The nett prize was won by Lesley Cratchley with a total of 152 followed by Sam Whiting and Jan Hinks in third place.

Ladies - gross

Ladies - nett

Raymond Bilton, Mike Willson, Roy Whiting, Sam Whiting, Lesley Cratchley, Paul Tebbutt and John Day

Monty does it again!!

The weather was kind today as one of our sprightly seniors, 71 year-old Monty Norman, undertook the "Longest Day" golf challenge playing four consecutive rounds of golf in one day at NRGC. This is the third year running that Monty has completed the challenge and this year raised over £1000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Monty was accompanied and supported by other members from the seniors along the way. Chris Moore undertook to walk all four rounds with Monty. Les Eden played the first two rounds, Paul Tebbutt played the third round and during the last round Monty was accompanied and supported by more of the seniors - John and Marian Taylor, Tom Wallin and Mike and Judy Willson.
Monty began his trek at 6:00am this morning and completed the last of his four rounds just after 6:30pm this evening - a remarkable time!! His Stableford scores for the four rounds were 34pts, 34pts, 36pts and 33pts off 16 handicap.
Well done Monty on a fantastic achievement and thank-you also to all the people who sponsored and supported Monty on the day.

Monty Norman

Monty and Chris

Monty striding out

Monty putting out on the 72nd hole

Chris Moore and Monty Norman - finished!!

Club Championships - Day 2

The final day of the Club Championships and, after a night of heavy rain, once again we have to thank Richard Holmes and his team who were out very early this morning changing pin positions and clearing water from greens to ensure the course was ready and at its best. Luckily, the rain stopped for most of the day but there was still a very brisk wind blowing which tested all the players today.

In the Men's competition, defending champion and overnight leader Joe Bell obviously coped very well with the conditions and carded a superb gross 72 for a winning total of 145 to retain the trophy. Max Nicholls was runner-up on 150 closely followed by Lloyd Childs and Jack Unsworth who each scored totals of 151.

In the nett competitions, Joe also carded the lowest scores but as the rules say you can't win gross and nett, the division 1 prize went to Jack Unsworth (139). Runner-up was Josh Wallin (142). Division 2 was won by Jeremy Twaits (145) who just pipped last year's winner Dan Green by one shot. Nick Turner (160) claimed the division 3 prize by one shot from Mike Chamberlain.

Men - Gross

Men - Nett Div1

Men - Nett Div2

Men - Nett Div3

(CSS calculations were 71 on day 1 and 73 on day 2)

Captain Jon Miller and Ladies Captain Sam Whiting with 2012 Club Champion Joe Bell

Div 1 Nett Winner - Jack Unsworth

Div 2 Winner - Jeremy Twaits

After another solid round today, 2007 champion Fay Unsworth managed to maintain her overnight lead and claim the Ladies Championship with a total of 176. Runner-up was Lorraine Storey followed by Sam Whiting. The nett competition was won by Lorraine Storey on count-back from Sarah Purvis after both carded a total of 156.

Ladies - Gross

Ladies - Nett 

(CSS calculations were 74 on day 1 and 73 on day 2)
  

Ladies Captain Sam Whiting and 2012 Ladies Club Champion Fay Unsworth

Nett Winner Lorraine Storey with Sam Whiting

Club Championships - Day 1

The first round of the Ladies and Men's Club Championships was completed today in blustery but thankfully dry conditions. Our thanks must go to Richard Holmes and his team for preparing the course in such excellent condition.

In the Ladies gross competition, Fay Unsworth leads the way with a six shot lead over Sarah Purvis. Three shots further back are Lorraine Storey and Maria Tillett. 

Ladies gross

The Ladies Nett category is led by Sarah Purvis (75), two shots ahead of Fay Unsworth (77). Sandra Chamberlain is a further 3 shots back on 80.

Ladies nett

The Men's gross competition saw some excellent scores returned and is very close at the top. Defending champion Joe Bell holds a one stroke lead after a fine 73. Just behind are Lloyd Childs, Jack Unsworth and Max Nicholls who all carded 74.
Men Gross

In the nett competitions, Jack Unsworth is just ahead of Josh Wallin and Joe Bell in division 1. Aubrey Phillips leads the way in division 2 just ahead of Nigel Huszarik and Kirk Willmoth holds a five shot lead over Mike Chamberlain in division 3. 
Men Nett Div 1
Men Nett Div 2
Men Nett Div 3

TEL - Week 5

At last - we are back to playing the Thursday Evening League after one week cancelled due to the weather and last week because of racing. Yesterday's games were played in cool and blustery conditions, but at least the rain held off until we were all safely in the clubhouse!

This week's top team, for the second week running, were Balls and Bushes with a score of 61 points. Second place went to Birdies & Bogeymen followed by Colts & Fillies courtesy of the fourth score after both returned 51 points. Scoring was slightly lower this week but this week's top scorer was Sarah Purvis (Balls & Bushes) with an impressive 22 points. Birdies & Bogeymen still top the league at this early stage with Balls & Bushes, Bottle Jobs and Easily Second hot on their heels. Nobody has played five games yet so the Best 5 leaderboard gives a bit of a false reading at the moment. Full details - click here.

Is it too much to ask for some sunshine next week?!?!?

Seniors Club Championship - Round 1

The first round of the Seniors Club Championships was played yesterday. The lucky seniors enjoyed a beautiful sunny summers day with the course in immaculate condition, although the rough is very "lush" so keeping your ball on the short stuff was the order of the day!

No problems for Raymond Bilton (runner-up for the last two years) who shot an immaculate gross 76 to claim the outright lead after 18 holes. His nearest rival going into round 2 is two-time champion Jim Green on 84 followed by Rob Seaton a further two shots back.

Raymond also leads the way in the nett competition just two shots ahead of Roy Whiting on 69. Alan Pearce, Allan Trotman and Paul Tebbutt are a bit further back on 74.

In the ladies competition, reigning champion Sam Whiting leads the way closely followed by Lesley Cratchley. In the ladies nett competition, the positions are reversed with Lesley just ahead of Sam.

Still all to play for in round 2 next Wednesday (27th June).

Full details...

Men gross

Men nett

Ladies Gross

Ladies Nett

Captain's Day Pics

Click here to see pictures of Captain's Day

Monthly Medals

IMPORTANT

Changes to Monthly Medals

The number of competitors in the monthly medals has been gradually reducing over the past year or so. It has now reached the stage where, for some months, it is no longer financially viable to continue with the current divisions and prize structure.

The committee has fully discussed and debated this situation and has decided on the following changes:

Where there are five or less ladies competing in a monthly medal, the ladies will integrate into the men's medals and the medals will become mixed gender competitions. The ladies will compete in the division appropriate to their handicap.

If there are less than thirty players competing in a monthly medal, there will be two divisions instead of the normal three. Division one will be 14 handicap or less, division two will be 15 handicap or more.

Prizes for medal competitions will remain the same (either medal or voucher).

These changes will come into effect as of the July 2012 medal.

The committee will continue to monitor and review the situation as necessary. If you have any questions regarding this change, please ask a member of the committee or email committee@nrgc.co.uk

NRGC Handicaps and Competitions Committee

Congratulations

Congratulations to Jake Chambers and his wife, Vickie , on the birth of their little girl. Assume you'll be back to regular golf very soon now that your work is done.
Jon Miller.

Members Update (15-Jun-2012)

Dear Member

First of all I would like to apologise for the late lack of communication from Newbury Racecourse PLC. At present, NRC and David Wilson Homes have yet to sign the contracts, so behind the scenes, there is endless discussion and meetings going on, meaning the situation is still fluid.

First of all, and as per our members newsletter sent out in April, the car parking for the racecourse, which will affect the first 3 holes, will not start until after the 31st August, but more likely to start late 2012 or early 2013.

With regard to the 10th hole being made into a par 5 for men, work will start shortly.
The two new greens have been cut and are being top dressed this week and will be maintained until such time they are needed. 3 additional bunkers will be added on the 1st and 2nd holes.

The bore holes (to check what is under the last 6 holes) which I was originally told would take a week has dragged on for 2 weeks but I am now told are finished! Some areas are still messy and Malcolm Cox has been going round to tidy up. All these areas should be treated as GUR as per local rule 3, on back of scorecard.

The bunkers have all now been deeply raked and some heavier sand put in.  The new
sand for the bunkers will arrive on Tuesday, and hopefully will be in and ready before the club championships.

We are doing everything we possibly can to cause as little disruption as possible.

We shall use the global email and a notice board will be erected in the hallway, and we shall update every week, even with the smallest changes.

Thank you for your commitment to Newbury Racecourse Golf Club, and best wishes for all those playing in the championships next weekend.

Nick Mitchell
Head Professional/Manager

Captain's Day

Dear members,
A heartfelt thank-you from me and Sam to all the members and guests who supported Captains Day on Sunday. Still cannot believe it stayed dry!!! Once again I would like to thank our principal sponsors GALXC air conditioning and refrigeration in the guise of our very own Ben, Peter Smith, Newbury Racecourse and principally Mike Smith on behalf of the Wessex SSC.
Many thanks to Andy Stockley for providing the seating which I think really set off the golf show given by our guest, Jeremy Dale. Thanks to all our helpers, as always Paul and Andrew on the computer and paperwork, vice captain Jeremy, Roy, all who gave raffle prizes, Nick and Lorraine for advice and discount on prizes and all on the catering front.
I think everyone will agree that Jeremy Dale was a very engaging entertainer. As he promised, "its not as easy as it looks".
My personal thanks also to Ladies Captain, Sam Whiting - yet again another brilliant organisational
achievement, Sam.

 Jon Miller.

NRGC v Flackwell Heath

On Saturday, Newbury Racecourse went head-to-head with Flackwell Heath in the First Round of the Hillman Trophy Plate (the Europa League of BB&O knockout competitions, as I heard it described!), having been eliminated from the main competition by Wokefield Park earlier in the year.
With roughly a three-club wind whipping across the course, much of the result came down to who could cope best with the conditions. With Jim Green, Mark Richardson and I winning our matches and Jon Miller grabbing a vital half, the match was tied at 3.5 - 3.5 and we were reliant on our club captain not bottling it in a sudden death. As the rest of the team waited anxiously in the clubhouse, Jon and his opponent replayed the first hole. Fortunately, he held his nerve to make a par, win the hole and secure the match for the Racecourse. We knew you'd do it Jon - honest!
 
Well done and well played by the whole team and let's look forward to round two.

Jeremy Twaits
Vice Captain

TEL - Week 4

The British summer strikes again!!!

Due to the continuing "drought", week 4 (7th June) had to be cancelled because of a rather heavy dew on the course!!!! Apologies to all ... the course was really not playable.

Unfortunately, next week is Racing on Thursday 14th June, so the next round of matches will not be until Thursday 21st June. Fixtures as per published list on that day.

Captains Day info

The draw for the above will now be done by the Captains on Friday evening along with the allocation of the two holes on which competitors can double their score. The third hole will be chosen by the players themselves on Sunday morning.
Complimentary tea and coffee will be available on Sunday morning in the clubhouse from 8am. A special menu will be available from which food can be ordered in advance for after your round.
Please be aware there will be car boot sale traffic that morning so allow time for possible delays.
The shotgun start will be at 9am. The Jeremy Dale golf show will start approximately one hour after everyone has completed their round. Presentation of prizes will take place immediately after the golf show.
If you are thinking of entering at this late stage please contact one of the Captains direct.

Diamond Jubilee Roll-Up

With rain forecast to begin late in the morning, 25 competitors nervously peered up at the clouds as they began their rounds in a special roll-up to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. The format was individual Stableford, with a team competition on the side, taking the best two scores of the team members on each hole. In order to avoid the rain, the competition was cut to 12 holes, but the weather did little to dampen the quality of the scoring.

Fourth and third place went to Derrick Perrin and Jeremy Twaits respectively, whose scores of 26 and 27 points were not quite enough to finish in the money-winning places. Second place was claimed by Jim Green Snr, whose 29 points came courtesy of a superb front nine played in gross par. But today’s individual victor, with an incredible 31 points, was Christine Cooper. Well done Christine!

The team event was won by Sam Whiting, Alan Pearce and Jim Green Snr who gelled very well to post the winning total of 59 points, 2 ahead of second-placed Christine Cooper, John Cooper, Jon Miller and Tina Hawkins.

Newbury Racecourse v Deanwood Park

On a muggy, rainy day when waterproofs were most definitely required, the NRGC men’s team made the short trip to Deanwood Park to attempt to retain the shield. With the rain on and off all day, at times it was difficult to even grip the club, let alone guide the ball around the tight fairways of Deanwood.

The match started well, with Jeremy Twaits and Ofer Ben-David winning the first match 4&3, then Jon Miller and Mark Richardson halving the next. But from that point onwards, things went downhill as Deanwood coped better with the weather and went on to win the final three matches to claim the shield 3.5 – 1.5.

Thanks to all the men that played and let’s make sure we win the shield back on our own course next year!

Brian Grace Reunited with Lost Friend

Recently, Brian Grace lost his 8 iron on the course. Fortunately, it was picked up by an as-yet-unidentified junior, who handed it in to the pro shop to be reunited with him. Brian would like to reward the finder to show his gratitude for handing the club in, so if it was you, please either let Brian or a member of the committee know! Thank you for your honesty and kindness in handing the club in.

June Medal

Unusually misty and chilly conditions for this year's June medal. A small field of 24 players (21 men and 3 ladies) competed for the medals this month.

Division 1 winner was Mark Richardson who just beat Ian Folwell on count-back after both scored nett 70. Andy Steadman captured third place with the lowest gross of the day of 77. 

Full result.

In division 2, Ian Turner came out on top with the best nett score from all divisions of nett 68. Runner-up was Bob Stevenson on nett 73 followed by Jeremy Twaits one shot further back.  

Full result.

Division 3 was very tight with the top three all carding nett 70. John Swallow just pipped Stuart Briginshaw and Ofer Ben-David on count-back.
Full result.

In the Ladies division, winner Kim Richardson made it a family double scoring nett 74 followed by Maria Tillett on 77 and Sam Whiting on 79.  

Full result.

Only one two to report this month from Jeremy Twaits ... apparently a spectacular holed bunker shot on the 14th. All to no avail unfortunately as Jeremy did not enter the two's pool!!!! This will be carried over to the July medal.

After four stroke-play medals, the Owen Millennium Trophy is taking shape. Josh Wallin currently leads the way on 334 followed by Roger Tillett (343) and Ian Turner (354). Only those who have played four stroke-play medals this year are shown on the leaderboard. Full details.

Monty's Longest Day Golf Challenge

Last year I managed to complete the four rounds and raised £1120 for Macmillan Cancer Support. The year before I raised £900. All this because of your generosity. THANK-YOU

This year I am hoping for your support again and maybe raise the total again. All being well I will be starting out at 6am on the 25th June and should be finished at 8pm. Thankfully, as with previous years, I will be supported by other members of the seniors.

Hoping you can donate in these hard times

Monty

To donate on-line - click here.

TEL - Week 3

Cooler conditions this week for the week 3 games in the Thursday Evening League which saw slightly lower scoring for all the teams.

The top team this week were Balls & Bushes with a score of 55 points. In second place were Runners & Riders who also scored 55 points but just missed out on top spot by virtue of their lower fourth score. In third place were Birdies & Bogeymen on 49 points.

This week's individual winner was Dean Butler (Balls & Bushes) with 21 points with Ofer Ben-David (Runners & Riders) just behind on 20 points.

Bottle Jobs and Birdies & Bogeymen now share top spot in the league with Easily Second a close third.

For full details - click here.