Scientific Technical Writer, Artist:
Blog:
https://markpickles.wordpress.com/
Blog mainly covers antisemitism, philosophical theology and the philosophy of science.
In spare time fighting anti-Semitism/anti-Israelism, and writing book that synthesises monotheistic, philosophical and scientific worldviews.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mark_Pickles
The weather got the better of us last Friday, and the Chairman’s Day/BBQ had to be cancelled.
A few of us played on Friday morning, once the wind had subsided, and the green staff had cleared away the worst of the storm damage. I partnered Paul Collins in a very enjoyable match against Steve Barlow and Alan Copeland.
Unsurprisingly, ‘double hot dog and chips’ was on the ‘specials’ menu as we arrived in the clubhouse just in time for lunch. And very nice it was too.
The highlight of the morning for me was watching large groups of swallows and house martins hunting at high speed on the bottom half of the course, particularly around the 13th green and the 14th fairway. The cooler, heavier air and damper weather of recent days causes the swallows to hunt very near to the ground, almost around our feet, because the strata of flies and gnats are a lot lower than when thermals are lifting them. Enjoy the swallows and martins while you can. Within a week or two these remarkable birds will be making the miraculous 6000-mile journey to the southern half of Africa, covering about 200 miles per day. Those that survive will begin returning to breed in April next year, just in time to see Andy Timm’s Captain’s Drive In!
The Duel in the Gloom
The gloomy bank-holiday Monday saw the final of the senior section’s summer knockout. Steve Barlow and Keith Melia went head-to-head for the Mike Smith Plate.
I’ve spoken to both Steve and Keith, who reported that it was a great match, which went down to the final putt on the 18th green.
Congratulations to Keith, who won the day, and will also now qualify to play in the Seniors’ Championship next Friday (6th September).
Tee-booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 29 August)
Happy Mondays Tee-booking schedule for Sunday 1 September
Away match at Helsby
I have yet to receive a report from the CoD for the away match at Helsby yesterday. If I receive one, I will publish it in next week’s newsletter.
Please remember, if you are nominated as CoD for a home or away match, to send me an email with your report, or message me on the I.G. app or the LGC website messaging system. My email address is in directory on the LGC website.
There were some excellent scores in this year’s Peter Herrity Trophy, and with a large field, a good sum of money raised for this year’s charity (to be decided by the committee).
The winner of the trophy was the on-form Tommy Lawless with 41 points.
In second, also with 41 points, was Peter White.
Peter just missed out on a card play off. Both Tommy and Peter had 22 points on the back nine, and so result was determined by the back six.
The Chairman’s Day competition will be for a bottle of wine. All competitors should enter the competition online by Thursday.
Go to ‘Upcoming Competitions’ on the LGC website or I.G. App, and scroll to Senior Section Chairman’s Day.
The BBQ will start at 12:00 and will continue to be served as players finish.
Would you like to join the Senior Section Committee?
If you would like to help out on the committee, please apply by putting your name on the list, with the name of a proposer, on the Seniors’ noticeboard. We now have almost a hundred members in the Senior Section, and with a full calendar of activities, there is a lot of organisation involved.
Committee members generally serve for three years. This year at least two members, including the Chairman, will stand down at the end of the summer season.
Please note that you cannot apply directly for a particular role on the committee. The first stage is to get on on the committee, and then all the roles are decided when the new committee is formed. Each member volunteers for a role. Usually, discussions at the inaugural meeting determine which role is best suited for each individual.
Happy Mondays, 18 August
Team Stableford:
Winners: Pete Broady. Alan Copeland. Kevin Bocquet. 32.6. Points
Second. Tony Lambert. Phil Lomas. Dave Craggs. 29.33 Points.
Third. Mike Bennett. Richard Yates. Les Williams. Tony Dixon. 28.75 Points.
Tee-booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 22 August)
Happy Mondays Tee-booking Schedule for Sunday 25 August
This is the schedule for booking our game on Monday 9th September. However, the teams could be subject to change on the day due to players dropping out to play in an inter-club match at Northenden Golf Club.
Tatton League
Apologies for the late publication of this week’s newsletter, but I have only just returned from a Tatton League match at Heyrose.
Although the senior section is no longer involved in administration of the Tatton League, we do have members in the pool for Tatton League captain Bob Mycock and vice captain Mike Pigott to select from.
The Tatton League has six clubs in it: Lymm, Antrobus, Styal, Heyrose, Birchwood and High Legh. The scoring is the aggregate of 4BBB Stableford points over the season, with four pairs from each club playing in each match.
Today’s team of 8 at Heyrose included Andy Timms, Mark Pickles, Mike Pigott, and Ian Whitehead, all of whom played well in a challenging combination of blustery conditions and hard-bouncy greens.
After 5 matches to date, we are lying in second place, just 5 points behind the leaders Antrobus. However, we are now the only club not to have hosted the Tatton League. We will be hosting the final match on 10th September, when we hope that we can take advantage of the home fixture, and raise the trophy!
We play for the Peter Herrity Trophy on Friday: 16 August. This is our annual charity competition.
To enter the competition, go the ‘Upcoming Competitions’ on the main Lymm Golf Club website. Scroll down to “Senior Section Peter Herrity Trophy” on 16 August, and enter the competition.
You must enter the competition online at least a day before you play. If you intend to play, and you have not already entered, do so now, to avoid the risk of forgetting. As in all LGC online competitions, you will not be able to enter on the day of play. Cards that have not been entered online will be disqualified from the competition, and will not qualify for handicap.
To remind you, the competition is 18 holes, off yellow tees. Entry fee, payable to Steve in the pro’s shop, is £5.
Enter your score on the I.G. app, and place your completed card into the competition box.
We are expecting Margaret Herrity to present the trophy to the winner, at lunchtime. Therefore, if you post a good score, and think you might be in contention for first place, please stay for the presentation.
2024 Seniors’ Championship, 6 September
We play our Seniors’ Championship on Friday 6 September. Listed below are all seniors who have qualified for this year’s competition. If you are unable to play, please inform Grahame Brickell, who will remove you from the tee-booking schedule.
1 Mike Bennett 2 Steve Bramall 3 Michael John 4 Keith Melia 5 Tommy Lawless 6 Les Williams 7 Pete Broady 8 Arthur Nuttall 9 Trevor Williamson 10 Dave Craggs 11 Peter White 12 Joe Priestner 13 Dave Meir 14 John Booth 15 Martin Franks 16 Eric Cox 17 John Armstrong 18 Mike Pigott 19 Paddy Moran 20 Ron Thornton 21 Grahame Brickell 22 Alan Copeland 23 John White 24 Colin Crail 25 Stuart Baird 26 Art Laird 27 Alan Thomas 28 ? (Mike Smith Trophy winner) 29 ? (Peter Herrity Trophy winner
Interclub friendly at home against Ringway GC
Match Report: David Donnell Jones (CoD)
On Friday, August 9th, Lymm seniors played host to the visiting Ringway team in the latest round of the thrilling Matchplay series.
The morning was greeted with a cloudy, overcast sky, but this did little to diminish the buzz of excitement in the car park as players gathered their gear and exchanged friendly banter.
As the teams took to the course, the Ringway team was full of energy, eager to make their mark. However, as the clouds gave way to brights unshine, it became clear that the day was shifting in Lymm’s favour. One by one, the scores began to tip towards the home team. much to the growing concern of Ringway’s players.
Result:
Jeff Ashurst & David Donnell Jones, Won 1 up
Jeff Chapman & Russ Jones, Won 2 & 1
Phil Ormesher & Sammy Lee, Won 3 & 2
Alan Ranscombe & Arthur Laird, Won 7 & 6
Martin Lowe & Bob Mycock, Halved
Ian Whitehead & Dave Meir, Won 2 & 1
Barry Smith & Trevor Williamson, Won 1 up
Steve Bird & Barrie Simpson, Lost 3 & 2
Team score Lymm 6 ½ Ringway 1 ½.
Among the day’s standout performances were Alan Ranscombe and Arthur Laird, a formidable 7 & 6 victory was the best of the day. Not to be outdone, Jeff Ashurst, produced a putting masterclass. Jeff’s steady hand and keen eye on the greens, delivered a great win in a very close match.
As the match concluded and the sun shone down on the patio, both teams gathered in the clubhouse to enjoy a well-deserved meal. The lively post- match conversations were filled with good – natured banter and detailed breakdowns of the day’s highlights.
All in all, it was a delightful day of golf. As the sun set on a beautiful day at Lymm Golf Club, both teams left with full bellies, satisfied smiles, and Ringway planning their revenge for the next encounter.
Bottle of Wine competition, alongside interclub match with Ringway
Reporter: Peter Willson
Dry breezy day and pleasantly warm
22 cards entered but only 19 players registered via IG site – if you don’t enter via IG you can’t win!
Winner: – Michael John – 35 points
Second: – new member Howard Jones – 33 points
Third: – Joe Priestner – 32 points
Happy Mondays competition – Monday 12th August
Reporter: Peter Willson
A warm start turning into a hot day with a brief shower at first, but cloudy in the main and very humid at 29 deg. C
25 entrants
Game: Team Stableford
We welcomed another new member to the section today – Tony Dixon – and he’s a winner on his 1st outing !!
Winners: Mike Bennett, Tony Dixon, Dave Waggitt, Les Williams – 30 points per player
Second: Colin Chisnall, Alan Copeland, Alan Thomas – 29 ppp
Third: Andrew Cox, Dave Craggs, Bob Mycock, John White – 28.75 ppp
Tee-booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 15 August)
Friday 30 August: Bottle of Wine competition, alongside our home match against Davyhulme.
Happy Monday’s tee-booking schedule:
Chairman’s Day, Friday 23rd August
If you are staying for food after the Chairman’s Competition (15 holes) a week on Friday, enter your name on the sheet on the seniors’ noticeboard, for catering purposes.
If you are entering the competition, you must pre-register in the normal way. Go to ‘Upcoming Competitions’ on I.G. App or LGC website, and select ‘Senior Section Chairman’s Day’ from the list.
A super summer’s day for the Texas Scramble fun day. A most enjoyable format which takes all the stress out of ‘not letting your team down’
Some great scores in from the 13 teams who participated, with 5 teams finishing under par gross. As usual lots of banter on the patio, especially when Ken Pearce announced his team had scored a net 38 for 15 holes…! After an inspection by Bob Mycock, that score was amended to 49, then when the suspicious card was even more carefully examined, the net score became 53…!
Good to see the half-way house in use, we should support the club and make full use of the facility provided. Paul Collins took full advantage of a voluptuous pork pie on offer, carefully packed into a heat retaining parcel complete with napkin. Paul made sure it was a low calorie pie before devouring it as we were passing ladies’ tee…!
Please check your handicaps before playing; there were a few incorrect ones entered on the score cards.
So to the results…
In 3rd on a cpo was team Ellison, Chapman, Copeland & Pigott scoring a nett 49.
R/Up were team John, Nuttall, Chisnall & Thomas scoring 48.
Winner of the day on a cpo was team Broady (that man again) Hayes, Cox and Meir, scoring 48. Shooting birdies on 4, 10 and 15 and an eagle 2 on the 4th ! Worthy winners indeed.
Happy Mondays – 5 August
Reporter: Peter Willson
A fine but cloudy day which brightened up towards the later stages and became warm at 20 deg.
Game: Team Stableford
5 teams / 15 players
Winners: Steve Barlow, Colin Chisnall, Alan Thomas and Tommy Lawless – 27.8 points per player
Second: Mike Bennett and Les Williams – 27 points per player
Please note: I have not created a Happy Monday booking schedule for this week because Monday 26 August is a bank holiday, and is not usually well supported. If you would like to play on Monday 26, book yourself in this coming Sunday evening.
Tee-booking schedule for tomorrow evening (Thursday 8 August)
Tomorrow we book the tees for Friday 23 August, which is Chairman’s Day and BBQ, organised by our outgoing chairman, Mike Bennett.
Peter Herrity Trophy
We play for the Peter Herrity Trophy next Friday: 16 August. This is our annual charity competition.
To remind you, the competition is 18 holes, off yellow tees. Entry fee, payable to Steve in the pro’s shop, is £5.
To enter the competition, go the ‘Upcoming Competitions’ on the main Lymm Golf Club website. Scroll down to “Senior Section Peter Herrity Trophy” on 16 August, and enter the competition.
You must enter the competition online at least a day before you play. If you intend to play, do it now, to avoid the risk of forgetting. As in all LGC online competition entries, you will not be able to enter on the day of play. Cards that have not been entered online will be disqualified, and will not qualify for handicap.
Welcome Russ Jones
Hello Seniors. I’d like to introduce myself to members of the senior section I haven’t met yet. I recently joined after passing my 61st birthday. I’ve already have met some great guys and played in a couple of matches for the section.
I’ve been a member of Lymm GC since 2010 and have enjoyed most of my golf here in that time. I am married to Helen and have a daughter Hannah, both are not golfers, but interested in how I do.
I am a keen Liverpool fan, though don’t get to as many games as I used to, when I had a season ticket. I am an avid follower of Warrington Wolves, as a season ticket holder, and I’m a cyclist when I can fit it in with my golf.
I worked for Guinness as a Quality manager for 30 years and have the tattoos as a memory of some great times with the company.
I look forward to playing and meeting more members as the season progresses.
Thanks, Russ
Mitre Cup
As usual, the senior section got thrashed by the ladies!
This Friday (2nd August) we are having a ‘fun comp’. The format this year is Texas Scramble.
We are hoping to go out in teams of four.
Normal Texas Scramble rules apply. And note the following:
15-hole comp, stroke play.
All four players must use at least three of their drives. Mark each individual’s drive on the scorecard.
To calculate handicaps we will use the simpler method of 10% of the aggregate course handicaps: Add up your course handicaps, and divide by 10. Do not round up or down any figure after the decimal point.
If you need to go out in a team of three, use at least four drives each.
Lymm V Sale, interclub friendly, Friday 26 July
Reporter: Mike Bennett (CoD)
It was a very good day for Lymm, winning the match 6-2
Our guests from Sale not only enjoyed playing the course but also really appreciated the excellent lunch.
The results were as follows:
Mike Bennett & Mark Pickles: W 5&4 Ian Whitehead & Barry Smith: W 3&2 Trevor Williamson & Mervyn Roberts: W 3&2 Paul Lennie & Sammy Lee: W 2&1 Andy Timms & Dave Meir: W 1up Bob Mycock & Phil Perry: L 4&3 Russ Jones & Steve Bird: L. 2&1 Peter Willson & Barrie Simpson: W 2&1
Hawkstone Park Away Day
Reporter: Mike Bennett
There were 16 players due to attend, but unfortunately Colin Crail went down with illness the night before and sadly missed the event.
Day 1 Playing Old Course
All arrived safely and the sun was shining.
Playing for the Hawkstone trophy: a four-ball better ball pairs competition.
The results were: 1st Place with 38 points Colin Chisnall and Mike Bennett
2nd Place also with 38 points Mike Kendall and Steve Gosling (ghost)
After the competition we enjoyed a few drinks before getting ready for dinner. Food excellent and the wine was flowing.
As is happens, the majority of the people in the dining room were from Lymm Golf Club as there were also 10 ladies from Lymm!
Surprisingly. most of the guys went to bed at a reasonable time in preparation for day two.
Day 2 (Best 3 scores counting) Playing Championship Course
When we tee’d off the weather was really good but after the front nine deteriorated to consistent rain.
The results were:
1st Place(with 108 points) Alan Thomas , Jeff Ashurst, Colin Chisnall, Mike Bennett
2nd Place (96 points) Mike Kendal, Ken Pearce, John Hayes, Dave Craggs
After the competition Les Williams announced the results of the two days and presented the prizes.
Colin Chisnall and Mike Bennett won bottles of wine on both days so they decided to auction 2 bottles. This raised £35 courtesy of Jeff Ashurst, which will be donated to prostate cancer.
A big thank you was extended to Les Williams by all the players for not only organising two superb days of golf but contributing significantly to the prize fund. When you think of what Les has gone through during the last six months it was a great effort on his part.
Everybody left the venue saying, “roll on next year”.
Bottle of Wine Comp, Friday 26 July (and problems signing in)
Reporter: Paul Foster
This comp ran alongside the home match against Sale.
In 3rd place was Eric Cox with 31pts, R/up was Brendan Laing with 32pts. Winner of the day and the recipient of a specially selected bottle of wine from the brobdingnagian Gosling cellars was Peter Broady with an excellent 33pts.
Once again ‘dead eye’ Peter [ known to some of his friends as ‘Boring Broady’ ] hit every fairway off the tee.
Six members managed to sign in, and these names were shown on the results page on the club website. Pete Broady, amongst others, couldn’t sign in, hence Peter’s name wasn’t on the club website as the winner.
A bit of discombobulation occurred on the patio following the round where it was noted a number of players were able to sign in for the competition on the day, but others could not.
The club website incorrectly allowed a 3 hour time slot on the day to sign in, 11am till 2pm. Six members managed to sign in, and these names were shown on the results page on the club website.
Pete Broady, amongst others, couldn’t sign in, hence Peter’s name wasn’t on the club website as the winner.
This issue has now been resolved.
For all future Seniors Friday ‘Bottle of Wine’ competitions, members need to sign up in the usual way, up to 2 weeks in advance, and then drop your completed card into the box outside the pro shop.
Happy Mondays Game – 29th July
Reporter: Peter Willson
A wonderfully dry, sunny day with some fluffy white clouds and a gentle breeze. Dry ground conditions and there is some run on the ball.
Game: Team Stableford
The conditions certainly suited Mike Bennett who is continuing his recent run of great golf with 2 wins last week and being part of the winning team today – he scored a very impressive 41 points over the 15 holes played including 2 birdies – one for 5 points on the 7th
Winners: Mike Bennett, Bob Mycock and Richard Yates – 28.7 points per player
Joint Second: Tony Lambert, Phil Lomas and Steve Rowley / Steve Bird, Phil Perry and Dave Waggitt
Both teams had 27.7 points per player
The Mitre Cup, Tuesday 6 August
Reporter: Mike Bennett
The Mitre Cup will be played next Tuesday
Here are the pairs, showing tee times, course handicap, and playing handicap:
11.06 Mike Bennett 24, 23, Les Williams, 22, 21
11:15 Steve Gosling 17, 16 Arthur Nuttall 20, 19
11:24 Mark Pickles 8, 8 Peter Wilson, 23, 22
11.33 Ron Thornton 31, 30 Peter Broady 17, 17
11:42 Andy Timms 9, 9 Phil Perry 27, 25
11.51 John White 20, 19 Rob Taylor 30, 28
12.00 Trevor Williamson 15, 14 Barry Smith 24, 23
12.09 Art Laird 25, 24 Phil Ormesher 25, 24
12.18 Keith Melia 23, 21 Jeff Ashurst 31, 30
12.27 Mike Pigott 4, 4 Bob Ellison 22, 21
RESERVES : Colin Hughes Phil Lomas Sammy Lee Bob Mycock
Please note it is our intention to play the Competition over 15 holes. The format of the competition will be Four Ball Betterball, Stableford 95% of Course Handicap. Whilst your opponents are not yet established, this will be completed later today and will be put on the Senior Notice Board as from tomorrow. Please note that the Ladies have a Competition tomorrow, therefore you need to establish with your opponents their up to date Handicaps before commencing your Round. Should you wish to have a meal after the Competition, it is up to each player to organise this with Karen, prior to commencing your Round. If you could do this on the Monday, that would be even better.
IMPORTANT : Could all players selected, including Reserves, confirm their availability to Mike Bennett ASAP.
email: bennett10@aol.com mobile: 07866 603760
Tee-booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 1 August)
Tomorrow we will book tees for the Peter Herrity Trophy (our annual charity game). The trophy is played over 18 holes, yellow tees.
Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 4 August
Obituary for George Winterburn
By Alan Thomas
I knew George on and off the golf course. We were part of a group of four couples who caravanned together often. George would keep us amused at our BBQ evenings, with tales of his travels and his job with Nuclear Fuels.
He was an avid reader, very knowledgeable, and eager to share his knowledge, not all of which greatly interested us! One example is a 30-minute explanation on the gauge of Spanish railway lines, which we never let him forget!
George’s interest in railways, and differences between national gauges, developed while employed at Sellafield, where he was tasked with supervising the movement of flasks (railway trucks) of nuclear waste around Europe.
As for golf: George was a member of LGC for about 40 years, and one of the original members of the senior section. He also enjoyed mixed competitions with his wife Christine. For three years, George helped me organise monthly social evenings at the golf club, which including booking artists, providing budgets, arranging meals and table planning.
George was an all-round good man, fairly quiet, but very knowledgeable, and who would help anyone out. It’s a cliché to say that he will be sadly missed, but for many of us at LGC and in Lymm in general, this rings very true with George Winterburn.
We send our heartfelt condolences to Christine, Rachel, Samantha and family.
George Winterburn’s funeral
The funeral will be held at Walton Lea Crematorium, Chester Road, Higher Walton. WA4 6TB. at 14:40 on Thursday 8th August.
The service will be followed by a reception for all family and friends, here at Lymm Golf Club.
We are light on news this week due to the fact that no senior events were held last Friday.
The Mike Smith Plate (singles knockout).
We have now reached the semi-final stage, with John Armstrong, Steve Barlow, Keith Melia and Peter Broady hoping to make it to the final:
Happy Mondays, 22 July
Game – Team Stableford
6 teams – 17 players
Dull, cloudy, soft wind and no rain – 20 deg. C
Winners: Alan Copeland, Steve Gosling and Phil Lomas – 29.3 points per player (ppp)
2nd: Steve Barlow, Eric Cox and Ron Thornton – 27.7 ppp
3rd: Les Fecitt, Ken Pearce and Peter Willson – 25.3 ppp
Tee-booking schedule for tomorrow (25 July)
Please be ready to book at 8pm because 9th August will be a busy Friday morning, with a lot of competition for slots.
Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule, for Sunday 28 July
Padeswood and Buckley Outing (4th July)
Reporter: John Hayes
[ Editor’s note: apologies for the late publication of John’s report. The original seemed to have got lost in the ether. ]
The club senior’s group arranged for 20 of us to enter the Senior Open at Padeswood and Buckley G C last Thursday. After the 45 minute drive from Lymm everyone arrived in good time to enjoy a bacon butty before the first tee time of 10 40 am. The course and surrounds were in great condition on the day, particularly the greens which were fast and true, causing one or two difficulties for the first few holes whilst adjustments to weight of putt were being made.
There was also an internal competition for our group, the winners and runners-up being awarded cash prizes for their efforts Eventually the winners in our group were our Senior’s Chairman Mike Bennet and Stuart Baird, with a better-ball score of 37 points, giving a narrow victory on count-back over second place score of 37 points by Ron Thornton and Dave Meir. In third place with 35 points were Dave Craggs and John Hayes. Well done, Mike and Stuart.
As to the main competition, Mike and Stuart’s excellent round meant that they finished in fourth place in the guest member section. The winners were on 40 points and the runners-up were both on 38 points. (In the home member section the winning score was 42 points).
The weather conditions were fine and free of rain but there was a fairly strong gusty wind and the temperature was a bit on the low side for the time of year.
One of our more modest members, Bob, was at pains to point out during the “apres-golf” socialising that there had been only one gross birdie made by our group, noting that it was made on the hardest hole on the course. He declined to say who had made this unique birdie but I have my suspicions.
[ Editor’s note: Did Bob claim that he hit his gap wedge 190 yards into the wind? ]
All in all it was a great day out with good golf in beautiful surroundings – we all look forward to repeating the experience next year.
Paddy Moran, age 79, scored 78 gross (40 points Stableford) in last week’s Gordon Wood Trophy.
We believe that Paddy is the first ever member of the senior section to beat his age in an official 18-hole competition. A rare feat indeed! Congratulations Paddy!
Gordon Wood Trophy – Friday 12 July
Reporter: Paul Foster
Forty four player took to the fairways, with some super scores. Five players scoring under par, three scoring a magnificent 40 pts.
In 3rd place was Paddy Moran with the low gross score of the day shooting 78.
In 2nd place was Trevor Williamson also with 40pts.
But top of the pile, and a richly deserved win was Alan Thomas,
again on 40pts, including a 2 at the 2nd, and a magnificent par at the 16th, (one of only 2 players to par the 16th).
Five players recorded 2s, these were; Paddy Moran, Mark Pickles, Alan Thomas, John White and Trevor Williamson..
There were five birdies recorded at the 11th even though it seems to get longer and narrower each time we play it.
A great day enjoyed by all, and many congratulations to Alan Thomas.
Lymm Golf Club Gents Hinson Cup – Wednesday 15 July
Reporter: Paul Foster
This was a club competition open to all club members over the age of 55, played off the white tees.
Senior section members had to be guided to the white tees, and introduced to the 16th tee..!
Sixty two player took part with four senior section members in the top ten. These were Michael John, Les Fecitt, Steve Barlow and winner of the Hinson Cup Martin Franks, who scored a splendid 40pts, shooting a gross 77 in the process.
Congratulations Martin…!!!
Happy Mondays – 5 July
Reporter: Peter Willson
A dry and partly sunny day with a light breeze and a tad warmer 6 teams took part – 20 players Game – Team Stableford
Winners: Les Fecitt, Charlie Hill and Ron Thornton – 27 points per player 2nd: Alan Copeland, Ray Rigby, Peter Willson and Richard Yates – 26.75 points per player 3rd: Steve Bird, Eric Cox, Steve Gosling and Tommy Lawless – 24.75 points per player
Tee-booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 18 July)
If you are named in the first column, please book tomorrow at 8pm for Friday 2nd August.
Note that 2 August will be our Fun Game. The format this year is Texas Scramble.
Due to an away inter club friendly on the same day, just 4 teams ran for parliament.
Team stableford was the manifesto of the day, everyone played to the same rules with no spoilt ballots.
First past the post were; leader of the party Ray Rigby, ‘4 point’ Perry, ‘Muddy’ Lomas and Bocquet with an average score per person of 25.25pts. A landslide victory..!!
Runners up were; leader of the opposition ‘silly hat’ Fecitt, Rigby, Copeland, Booth and Waggitt with a score of 24.75pts per person.
In 3rd with a marginal seat were the coalition team of Chisnall, Thomas and Bramall
Alas, in 4th place (last….!) and this week’s monster raving looney party, were team ‘returning officer’ Foster, Rowley, and Tony Lambert (despite a super round from Tony) with a pathetic 21.66pts per person.
Anyone for a recount…????
Bottle of Wine Competition – Friday 5th July
Held whilst Captain’s Charity Day competition being played:
Winner: Alan Thomas – 31 points – on CPO 2nd: Steve Gosling – 31 points 3rd: Tommy Lawless – 30 points CPO
Gordon Wood Trophy – Friday 12th July
We play for the Gordon Wood Trophy this Friday. This is an 18-hole annual competition, off yellow tees, for the senior section only. There is a monetary prize for the winner, and a trophy that will be presented at our annual business meeting at the end of the season.
Sign up for the competition in the Pro’s shop before you play. If you arrive before the Pro’s shop opens, write your name on a list that will be on the table, ready for Steve of Fizz to collect when they arrive.
Tee-booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 11 July)
Please try to ready to book at precisely 8pm, because Friday 26th will be a busy morning with potentially a lot of demand for free tee slots.
Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 14 July
It looks and feels autumnal today. I am hoping that summer is not over and we will soon see a return to warmth and sunshine! However, the Summer League is now over, curtailed to 8 rounds due to bad weather at the start of the season, and due to a very busy summer calendar.
The game on Friday (5th July) will be a bottle-of-wine competition. This is because it is Captain’s Charity Day, which will be a shotgun start at lunchtime, in which some members of the senior section are participating.
Congratulations: Paddy Moran, winner of Division 1, Michael John, winner of Division 2.
See the Leader Boards page for the full results.
Summer League Final Round
Reporter: Paul Foster
What a difference a day makes, earlier in the week it was parasols, silly hats and sun cream, Friday was umbrellas, waterproofs and woolly pullovers, crazy British weather!
Today there were 3 cards handed in, but no score entered into Ig, and 1 score entered into Ig, but no card handed in !!I
Onto the Friday’s results…
Winner of the first division on Friday was Colin Crail with 34pts, including a fantastic finish of 20pts on the last 7 holes.
R/up was Mike Pigott with 31pts off 3 handicap, tremendous stuff Mike, and in 3rd place Peter White with 30pts.
In the second division, the winner was Alan Copeland (AGAIN) with the top score of the day (AGAIN) of 35pts
R/up was Jeff Chapman with 33pts, and in 3rd place Steve Bird with 32pts.
Four 2s on Friday, Colin Crail, Mike Pigott, Peter Willson and Richard Yates.
So that’s it folks, the end of the Summer League.
Paddy Moran is king of the castle and wins Division 1 from Martin Franks by 1pt, with Mike Pigott in third place.
Michael John wins Division 2 by a country mile, Mervyn Roberts sneaks into the r/up spot and Mike Kendall in 3rd place.
Noted scores of the summer session were the 44pts scored in the first round by Michael John and scores of 38pts by Martin Franks, Arthur Nuttall and Dave Meir, some impressive scores there.
In total, 6 players out of 41 (who had completed at least 5 rounds) finished under par.
Bring on the Autumn session which starts on the 4th October, with amended divisions.
Hinson Cup – Wednesday 10th
Next Wednesday is the Hinson Cup, an annual competition open to all male seniors (55+) of Lymm Golf Club.
The competition is Stableford, off white tees. To enter the competition, sign up in the Pro’s shop, as we do when we play in the usual Midweek Competition.
Gordon Wood Trophy – Friday 12th July
We play for the Gordon Wood Trophy a week on Friday. This is an 18-hole annual competition, off yellow tees, for the senior section only. I believe that we are to sign up in the Pro’s shop to enter the competition. I will confirm before next week.
Mitre Cup – Tuesday 6th August
Mike Bennett has placed a sheet on the noticeboard for you to add your name if you are interested in being selected for this year’s Mitre Cup on Tuesday 6th August.
The Mitre Cup is an annual competition between the Ladies Section and the Senior Section, followed by a get-together afterwards, with refreshments and presentation of the cup and other prizes.
Happy Mondays Tee-Booking Schedule (on Sunday 7th July)
No tee-booking schedule for tomorrow
There is no tee-booking schedule for tomorrow because there is a Green Golf Events Day on Friday 19th July.
Stockton Heath Festival
Dave Craggs not only does a great job as secretary for the senior section, but he is the organiser of the Stockton Heath festival, which begins tomorrow, 4th July until Sunday 7th July.
Apparently, two of the most common anxiety dreams are:
Being submerged in water
Being naked in public.
Unfortunately for Phil Lomas, these dreams came true at the interclub friendly match at Leigh Golf Club!
Now; I was not present at Leigh Golf Club, and I have heard various conflicting versions of events. I have tried to make best sense of them. And so consider my version – after collating many witness reports – as gospel.
First, let us look at some images. Poor quality I’m afraid. They were passed on to Dave Meir from a Leigh member, and so Dave cannot provide higher resolution pictures.
Fortunately, we do not have images of Phil walking naked from the showers to his car! But unfortunately a lady golfer on the practice putting green saw Phil. We will come to that.
And so what happened?
Phil played a shot. On his follow through, his club hit his powered trolley. This set the trolley in motion towards a large pond. Phil was heard to cry out loud from the furthest extremes of the golf course. He ran (or at least walked quicker than normal) after his golf trolley and reached it just before it was about to tip into the pond.
As Phil grabbed the handles of the trolley, its momentum took him into the pond head first!
[ The report I received from Dave Meir, Phil’s playing partner, who was further up the fairway, is that after Phil’s scream he saw Phil ‘swan dive into the pond’ to save his equipment. However, we can consider this version of events apocryphal. ]
Dave Meir ran back to the pond, to see Phil ‘almost fully submerged and frothing bubbles’. Dave offered Phil a 5 iron, and managed to pull him to dry land.
Phil, whose famous moustache was green with the algae from the pond, proceeded to the clubhouse to shower. He then dashed to his car naked (almost naked, I believe he was wearing his wet Y-fronts).
Unfortunately, Phil did not escape the notice of a lady golfer, who remarked (according to John Armstrong), “what on earth has this club turned into?”
My hope is that Phil had the wherewithal to say to the shocked lady golfer:
“Sorry. I’m not a member of Leigh. I’m a visitor from ‘The’ Warrington!”
John Armstrong phoned Phil the day after, to make sure that he had not suffered any consequences of his fall into the pond. Thankfully, Phil is fine, and sees the funny side of things!
Interclub friendly away at Warrington – Friday 21 June
Reporter: Peter Broady (CoD)
A great day for golf, bright sunshine with a light breeze. We all met in the Appleton Lounge for either a bacon or sausage bap before playing our matches.
Big thank you to Grahame Brickell for stepping in last minute for Bob Mycock who picked up a bad cold the night before.
The course was in excellent condition, greens running true and fast. Great views form the 7th tee box looking over Warrington and the Pennines.
After the golf we all enjoyed gammon egg and chips in the lounge. Overall a good day out, the match played in good friendly spirit with our local rivals at Warrington Golf Club.
Looking forward to the return match at Lymm so we can try and redeem ourselves from the result away from home.
Match results.
Peter Broady CoD./ Phil Perry. Won 4 + 3 Ian Whitehead/ Dave D Jones. Lost 1. Down Paddy Moran/ Dave Meir. Lost 3 + 1 Barry McGuigan/ Steve Gosling Lost3 + 2 Paul Collins/ Grahame Brickell Lost 6 + 5 Mark Pickles / Duncan Clarke Lost 3 + 2 Mike Pigott / John Armstrong Match Halved Andrew Cox / Keith Melia Lost 5 & 4
Match Result. Lymm. 1 1/2. Warrington 6 1/2.
Interclub friendly away at Leigh – Monday 24 June
Reporter: John Armstrong(CoD)
We had an excellent day’s golf at Leigh, which ended in an honourable draw of 5 -3 in Leighs favour. The course was in a lovely condition, nice fair ways and very fast greens.
The weather was blistering hot, which is perhaps just as well considering Phil Lomas’ thorough soaking in a pond!
Results
John Armstrong and Russ Jones, Won 2 and 1 Peter Willson and Art Laird Lost, 1 down Phil Ormesher and Paul Collins, Lost 9 and 7 Phil Lomas and Dave Meir, Halved Sammy Lee and Jeff Ashurst, Lost 8 and 6 Mervyn Roberts and John Woodward, Lost 3 and 2 John Higgins and John White, Won 2 and 1 Steve Gosling and John Hayes, Halved.
Next match Davyhulme away.
Bottle of Wine Competition Friday 21 June
Reporter: Peter Willson
No summer league game today, due to the away match at ‘The’ Warrington.
28 entries – fine day with slight breeze
Winner: John White – 30 points 2nd: Phil Lomas – 29 points 3rd: Bob Ellison – 28 points – CPO from Colin Lees and Rob Taylor
A note on tee booking
Please remember, before every Thursday evening, to see the weekly draw sheet to see if you have been nominated as a tee booker, or to see what time you should be booked in for.
Shortly after 8pm on Thursday evenings, make sure you have been booked in by the nominated tee booker. If you haven’t, book in yourself and the other three members. Grahame Brickell has received a few complaints from members who are not booked in. There is nothing that Grahame can do to rectify such problems, because he will be already booked in himself.
Tee booking schedule for tomorrow – Thursday 27 June
Note that tomorrow’s booking schedule is for the Gordon Wood Trophy, to be played on Friday 12th July.
The Gordon Wood Trophy is an 18-hole competition, off yellow tees, open to members of the senior section only.
Happy Mondays – 26 June
Reporter: Paul Foster
A hot summer’s day, with lashings of sun cream barely rubbed in, milk white legs on show and an assortment of silly hats…!! Eric Cox sensibly had his umbrella up for most of the day.
Due to an away inter club friendly on the same day, there were just 3 teams to compete for the gold coins.
Team stableford was the game of the day, and most unusually everyone played to the same rules…!!!
In first place were team Thomas, Copeland (winner again) and Bramall, with an impressive average score per person of 28pts per person. Including three 4 pointers and 7 blobs
Runner up were team ‘silly hat’ Fecitt, Rigby, Bird and Cox with a score of 27.25pts per person. Including just one 4 pointer and 5 blobs.
Alas, in 3rd place (last….!) and this week’s silly boys were team Broady, Foster, Crail and Les ‘keep your left arm straight’ Williams, all of whom were more interested in discussing England’s poor performances than concentrating on the golf…with a pathetic 24.75pts per person, including zero 4 pointers and 7 blobs.
But as usual a great day was had by all, with lots of merriment on the patio when it was revealed Pete ‘Boring’ Broady missed the fairway on the 14th. Pete hasn’t missed a fairway for nearly 2 years….
Happy Mondays tee booking schedule (Sunday 30 June)
Summer at last!
I think that our golf course is looking great with the arrival of summer. And there is no better place to enjoy a cold beer!
Here are Mr Captain (right) and members of the senior section, in the volunteer working party, making hay while the sun shines:
Welcome to new member, Alan Copeland
Hello Seniors
I am Alan Copeland. I was brought up in Statham, and now live in Thelwall, I’m a recently retired self-employed bricklayer.
I played golf at Antrobus Golf Club about 15 years ago, but took up running and fell walking to keep myself fit. What started as a weekly parkrun soon developed into marathons and completing all 214 Wainwrights.
Now I am retired I have the time to take up golf again and I have received a warm welcome at Lymm and look forward to meeting and playing with you all.
Lymm Golf Club Senior Section 