Farewell Mike ...

It was a sad day at the club today as over a hundred people gathered together to pay their respects and say their final farewells to Mike Willson and show their unerring support for Judy and the rest of his family.
Mike takes a huge amount of credit for the club being where it is today. He volunteered to become treasurer of the club when our finances were almost non-existent and worked diligently over many years to turn that situation around. We should all be grateful that his provident accounting techniques now enable us to afford excellent prizes and presentation evenings that were not possible in the early days.
But behind all that no-nonsense exterior was a warm-hearted, kind, honest and generous man who would do anything for anybody with no questions asked (well ... maybe ... how much??!??).
In latter years, Mike was very active in the seniors section of the club both as seniors captain and treasurer for the seniors. Even when this cruel and indiscriminate disease had captured him, he still battled on through the pain and came to the club each Wednesday (and more) to greet all the seniors and take care of their finances.
I am proud to have known Mike for the last 15 years and to have called him my friend. Rest in peace Mike ... gone, but never forgotten.

Hillman Trophy

Unfortunately, an early exit from the Hillman Trophy for the NRGC team as they were beaten 6-1 in some close matches by a very good Stoke Park team in very cold and windy conditions at their prestigious home course. Our only point was won by Richard Mead who capped off an excellent weekend for the Mead family following victory by his two sons yesterday. The Racecourse now go into the Hillman Plate competition to try and progress a little further in that!
Despite today's result and the conditions, the matches were enjoyed by all the team and huge thanks must go to Stoke Park for their brilliant hospitality today.

Men v Ladies v Seniors v Juniors

The annual match between the teams of Men, Ladies, Seniors and Juniors took place today at the Racecourse. This is essentially a fun competition but is always keenly contested with the honour of the trophy at stake! Teams of up to a maximum of eight players compete in a Stableford format with the best four scores counting from each team.
After the rain all day yesterday, the course was still quite wet and playing long in today's somewhat chilly conditions, but that didn't prevent some really excellent scores being returned.
The winners with an superb total of 154 were the Junior team who only had six players in the team! Excellent individual scores from captain Jack Unsworth (41pts), 7-year old Simon Mead (41pts), Andrew Mead (37pts) and George Baker-Morris (35pts) were enough to see off the opposition. The Men's team, led by club captain Jeremy Twaits (38pts) came through in second place to beat the Ladies team by just two points. 
Full result - click here.
Thanks to all the players who supported and played in this event today.

Simon Mead and Jack Unsworth

 

Information Evening

INVITATION TO MEMBERS INFORMATION EVENING

TUESDAY 19TH MARCH 2013

NEWBURY & CROOKHAM GOLF CLUB

Dear member,

We would like to hold an Information Evening for all members of Newbury Racecourse Golf Club to be held at Newbury & Crookham Golf Club on Tuesday 19th March, starting at 7.30pm. The plans that were outlined to you all in December are fairly complex and we wanted to give you all as much information as possible as well as giving you all the chance to come ask us as many questions as you wish.

We would like to try and gain an idea of numbers who will be attending so I would be very grateful if you could either email me: ed.richardson@newburygolf.co.uk or ring me on (01635) 40035, option 1.

I hope that you have been able to enjoy the drier conditions over recent weeks and are enjoying your 2013 membership at Newbury Racecourse Golf Club. Thank you to those who have forwarded me their up to date contact details, communication via e-mail will follow in the coming weeks, and for those who have yet to do so, please email me these at ed.richardson@newburygolf.co.uk

Regards,

Ed Richardson
Club Manager
Newbury & Crookham Golf Club Ltd

Seniors March Medal

An excellent turn out for the Seniors medal this month with thirty-nine players taking part. As there were only three ladies competing, there was no separate ladies medal and the competition was played as a mixed event. This was a strokeplay competition with the men playing from the white tees. Much better weather than for recent competitions and the course was in excellent condition.
The clear winner today with an excellent net 68 and the lowest gross (76) was John Day. Runner-up was Ofer Ben-David who just edged out Geoff Denner and Chris Piper on count-back after all three scored net 70. Best lady was Liz Evans who finished a very good 6th place and earned a one shot reduction on her handicap. Full result - click here.
There were three 2's carded today from Liz Evans (2nd), John Day (11th) and Brian Faithfull (14th).

March Medal

The first stroke play medal of the year was played today back on the white tees for the men. Thirty-three players competed today but as there were only four ladies, it was played as a mixed competition in three divisions. A bit of a frost first thing this morning, but that soon disappeared and thank goodness we weren't buffeted by the arctic winds we've been having lately!

Division 1
Another good performance from January medal winner Mark Richardson to secure the medal in the top division with a solid net 71. Runner-up was Sean Sageant who just sneaked in on count-back from John Day and Dave Warwick after all three carded net 72. John Day and Josh Wallin shared the lowest gross on 80. Full result - click here.

Division 2
In the second tier, Geoff Denner was the winner with a net 69. One shot further back was runner-up Paul Hickey followed by John Butcher with 72. Full result - click here.

Division 3
Following his win last week in the Astres Foursomes, Stuart Briginshaw continued his good form by grabbing the spoils in Div 3 with the lowest net of the day - 68. Two shots behind was runner-up was George Baker followed by Steve Gould who edged out Roger Carter on count-back both having returned net 71. Full result - click here.

Two's
Just one two recorded today at the 14th by Cilla Osgood. A good time to get a two as there was a roll-over from last month. Well done Cilla!!!

Owen Millennium Trophy
This is the first of this year's eight stroke play medals that count towards the Owen Millennium Trophy. The best gross total of four stroke play medals to count. Early leaders are last year's runner-up Josh Wallin and John Day. Plenty of medals to go yet!! Latest standings - click here.

Mike Willson

The funeral for Mike will be on Wednesday 13th March 15:00 at the Crematorium and afterwards at Newbury Racecourse Golf Club. Family flowers only - donations by cheque, payable to Newbury & District Cancer Care Trust, can be sent to Camp Hopson Funeral Directors. Cash donations to the Trust may be given at the crematorium.