The first round of the Autumn session brought a fine, clear day with sunny spells, only 12 holes were open due to recent wet weather, which brought the need for the use of the dreaded mats. Steve ‘the actor’ Barlow showed off his brand new badminton court sized mat to all on the car park, much to the amusement of his fellow players, needless to say by the 4th hole “it was going in the bin”..!! Steve managed to kick it further than he hit the ball on the 10th fairway. A replacement normal sized mat was ordered on line as soon as we got back to the clubhouse…
After the recent major shake-up of handicaps, there was only 1 incorrect handicap used, well done all for checking up on the new handicap list.
There were 42 players in total, 27 from Division 1 & 15 from Division 2
11 played below their handicap 6 played to their handicap 25 played over their handicap
Two 2s were recorded, Andrew Cox & Paul Foster both on hole 2
So to the all important results.
Division 2 Results
Winner – Phil Ormesher with 36pts R/up – Tony Lambert with 34pts 3rd – Ron Thornton with 29pts
Division 1 Results
Winner – Paul Foster with 34pts on a cpo (15pts on back 6) R/up – Peter Willson with 34pts on a cpo (13pts on back 6) 3rd – Paddy Moran with 33pts
15 players have had handicap changes so please look at the new handicap list to see if it affects you.
Rain, rain, more rain and throw some mud in for good luck.
Game: Shambles – highest and lowest score to count from 3 man team (teams of 4 to determine before the competition the rotational order for one player to drop out).
1st – Mark Pickles, Paddy Moran, Paul Foster and Mike Pigott – 44 points
2nd – Tommy Lawless, Steve Barlow and Charlie Hill – 42 points
3rd – Eric Cox, Richard Yates, Les Williams and Mike Bennett – 41 points
4th – Tony Lambert, Charlie Heath and Steve Gosling – 37 points
5th – Phil Lomas, Dave Craggs and Peter Willson – 33 points
6th – Colin Chisnall and Alan Thomas – 32 points
Llangollen 6/6/2024. Final Call
Reporter: Grahame Brickell
16 seniors have currently expressed an interest to play in this Seniors Open and what has been in the past a very enjoyable seniors day out.
Any final takers? If so please message Grahame B through the IG messaging system.
It was a lovely autumn day today, once the fog lifted!
Autumn League begins on Friday
Our Autumn league (5 from 8) begins this Friday, 27 October.
We will use our revised handicaps for the competition, published by Paul Foster (see below), and the new system for adjusting handicaps as the league progresses.
The committee has decided that, in line with the ‘social golf’ recommendation of Lymm Golf Club, we can use mats everywhere on the course, not just on fairways. Therefore you can use mats everywhere in the league, and also in your doubles-knockout matches.
Christmas Lunch – 8 December
The Seniors’ Christmas lunch will be on 8th December, food served at 14:00.
Cost £15.00. Please add your name to the list on the Seniors’ noticeboard, and pay into the main Seniors’ bank account:
Lymm Golf Over 60’s Nat West Bank 60-20-29 50244779
Andy Ward Trophy (Doubles Knockout)
Peter Willson has done the draw for the knockout. He will put the sheet on the Seniors’ noticeboard. When you have played your match, write the name of the winning pair on the sheet.
You can see the draw for the preliminary round and round 1 on the attached spreadsheet:
Seniors Golf is meant to be fun, where the reward is the company/banter of fellow senior members rather than actual prizes, so avoidance of ‘banditry’ is to be maximised and any ‘protection of handicap’ is to be minimised
We are to reset seniors section members handicaps to their WHS playing handicap (95% of course handicap) ready for the start of the Autumn session. With a few exceptions as explained below.
The majority of seniors section members handicaps are within 2 strokes of their WHS playing handicap. So for these members their seniors section handicap will become the same as their WHS playing handicap.
Where a seniors section members handicap is more than 2 strokes difference, we have looked at their WHS handicap.
For most, the reason for this discrepancy is their WHS handicap is out of date. (we determine out of date as; insufficient best 8 out of 20 rounds or having less than 8 qualifying rounds in the last year) In these cases the seniors members handicap will not change.
When a seniors member WHS handicap is up to date i.e. sufficient best 8 out of 20 rounds completed and 8 or more qualifying rounds in the last year. Then the seniors member handicap will change to their WHS playing handicap.
The following competitions shall use seniors section handicaps;
Peter Herrity Gordon Wood Mike Smith Summer Singles K/O Andy Ward Pairs Winter K/O Happy Mondays Autumn, Winter and Summer Leagues
Annual Business Meeting, Prize Presentation and Lunch – Friday 20th October
Reporter: Dave Craggs
With the course being closed due to exceptional rainfall it was agreed we would meet up at the Clubhouse at 1.00 pm to get ready for our ABM.
Thank you to Rob Taylor.
Our Chairman, Mike Bennett opened proceedings with his address to the total of 43 attendees a copy of which is attached. In particular a vote of thanks and presentation was made to Rob Taylor who after 8 years of service has stepped down to enjoy a well deserved rest. Rob was one of the original members who set up the Seniors section which has gone from strength to strength.
Steve Gosling, Treasurer followed with his presentation of the finances of the Section supported by the attached excellent supporting documents.
Presentation of prizes for the year were made to the worthy winners who were all in attendance. List of winners attached.
There then followed an excellent two course meal and plenty of banter. Thanks were previously made by Mike to Karen and her staff for all the support they give to us on match days and providing the ABM lunch.
Seniors who were not at the meeting, but would like to see the budget, bank statements and chairman’s report, please contact Dave Craggs, who will forward them to you.
Llangollen Senior Open – 6 June 2024
Reporter: Grahame Brickell
Dates for next year are shortly to be released for this popular venue / event and as regular visitors of the event we have the opportunity to pre-book some tee times (late morning/ midday is being suggested) .
There are already a dozen or so names attending so if you would like to be included please message me, Grahame Brickell, on IG messaging.
Happy Mondays – 23 October
A good turnout again. Here are the results (team Stableford):
Winners: Mike Bennet, Mark Pickles, Colin Crail, Richard Yates.- 28.75 > 2) Charlie H, Peter W, Tommy L, Steve B – 27.8 > 3) Charlie H, Paddy M, Ron T, Ken N, 27.75 > 4) Eric C, Phil P, John B, -25.3 > 5) Steve G, Pete B, Steve R – 25 > 6) Colin C, Sammy L, Les F – 24.6 > 7) Phil L, G Utton, David G, K Pearce – 21.75
Prostate Cancer Support Charity
Phil Ormesher made a thank you speech at the ABM thanking the Senior Section for moneys raised for his prostate cancer support charity.
Phil has asked me to attach the following note (in Microsoft Word) for those who were not there on Friday.
Steve Gosling informs me that, despite chasing members by email, only about 70 have yet paid. It is not fair on Steve that he has to spend his time chasing up the money.
If you have not yet paid, please send £20 to the Senior’s bank account as soon as possible. If you would like to resign from the Senior Section, please inform Steve.
Lymm Golf Over 60’s Nat West Bank 60-20-29 50244779
If you have not already done say, please pay your annual subs to the Senior’s bank account. Steve Gosling informs me that 36 have paid so far, which is only about a third of the membership. The subs remain this year at £20. If you no longer wish to be in the senior section, please inform Steve.
Also, if you are coming for lunch as the annual business meeting/presentation, please pay £15. Steve says the following names are on the list, but they have not paid.
Please confirm that you are attending by paying immediately in order that we can firm up the catering order. If you have changed your mind, please email Dave Craggs to inform him.
The correct bank account to use for the subs and the meal is:
Lymm Golf Over 60’s Nat West Bank 60-20-29 50244779
Andy Ward Pairs Trophy
If you would like to be drawn into this year’s doubles knockout, please add your name to the list on the Senior’s noticeboard as soon as possible.
We have extended the deadline until Friday morning, 20th October. The draw will be made at lunchtime on Friday.
HANDICAPS – Update from the Chairman
Reporter: Mike Bennett
Further to last week’s newsletter regarding handicaps I can confirm that when the committee met on Friday the 5th of October we discussed at length the various handicap proposals.
However NO vote was taken.
The reason for this is that at the forthcoming AGM on the 20th October we will hopefully have two new committee members.
It was felt that we should give the opportunity to these 2 committee members to express their views and take part in the vote.
We have therefore arranged a meeting on the Monday after the AGM namely the 23rd of October to finalise the handicap system.
Any member who would like to put forward a suggestion on the handicap system, please contact a committee member who will take it forward to the meeting on the 23rd of October
Please note Handicaps are not on the agenda for the AGM.
The new handicap system and your new handicaps will be announced in our newsletter on Wednesday the 25th of October.
A copy of these will also be put up on the senior notice board.
The new handicaps will be applicable from Friday the 27th of October which will be round 1 of the Autumn 5 from 8 competition.
Happy Mondays
Reporter: Peter Willson
Todays Happy Monday’s was a Yellow Ball
1st – 109 points – Steve Barlow, Ron Thornton and Peter Willson 2nd – 100 points – Charlie Heath, Mark Pickles and Steve Gosling 3rd – 93 points – Mike Bennett, Richard Yates, Les Williams and Colin Crail 4th – 84 points – John Both, Coin Chisnall and Alan Thomas 5th – 79 points – Tony Lambert, Paul Wright and Phil Perry 6th – 76 points – Pete Broady, Dave Waggitt, Charlie Hill and Phil Lomas 7th – 67 points – Eric Cox, Graham Utton and Ken Pearce
Dry, no wind, milky sun, damp underfoot, frost to start 2 deg C rising to 15 deg C.
Tee booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 18th October)
This is the tee booking schedule for play on 3rd November: Round 2 of best 5 from 8
If your name is in the left column, please book for your group.
Please consult the Seniors’ noticeboard the next time you’re at the golf club, and confirm your availability for the Andy Ward Pairs Trophy and for the Presentation Lunch/Annual Business Meeting (described in last week’s newsletter), planned for Friday 20th October.
If you are attending the lunch, please pay £15 into our main senior’s bank account. The committee encourages you all to attend. This is the correct bank account:
Lymm Golf Over 60’s Nat West Bank 60-20-29 50244779
At the annual meeting, we will also go through the new plans for updating senior handicaps, which will be run by Paul Foster, whom the committee has co-opted to the role in charge of handicaps.
Paul has proposed three possible systems. The committee agrees unanimously on Paul’s simplest system, which will not be WHS. For those who say WHS is the simplest, it would not work well for the senior section, for many reasons, not least as we go into the Autumn season (best 5 from 8) then Winter season (best 5 from 10), in which no-one’s WHS handicap is adjusted. Furthermore, many of our senior section are 5-day members, some of whom have a poorly maintained WHS handicap. Therefore, the handicap you start with in the new system will your WHS handicap if it is well-maintained, or a calculation based on this year’s senior 15-hole competitions if your WHS is poorly maintained.
Andy Ward Pairs Trophy
If you would like to be drawn into this year’s doubles knockout, please add your name to the list on the Senior’s noticeboard before Friday 13th October (if possible). The draw will be made the following week.
The format is, we draw playing partners, a player in Division 1 with a player in Division 2. It is then a straightforward knockout, with deadlines set for each stage of the knockout. We have found that in previous years it is not possible to be flexible with the knockout stage dates, therefore please give yourself plenty of time to play your match, allowing for possible postponements due to weather. If a match cannot be played before the deadline, you can agree to use the toss of a coin to decide which pair goes through to the next stage.
Annual senior subs due
Our annual subscription is due. It remains at £20 this year. If there is a credit or a deficit against your name, Steve Gosling will inform you and ask you to make an adjustment to your subs.
Please pay £20 into our main seniors’ bank account (not the friendly league account).
These are the details.
Lymm Golf Over 60’s Nat West Bank 60-20-29 50244779
Autumn League
The committee has decided to delay the start of the the Autumn League until Friday 27th August, to give Paul Foster and the committee enough time to firm up the correct handicaps going forward. Therefore the Autumn format will be best 5 from 8 (rather than from 10).
Seniors’ Turkey Trot – 6th October 2023
35 seniors entered the Turkey Trot to play in fine weather with a gentle breeze.
The winners are:
Division 1: Charlie Heath: 32 points. Division 2: Art Laird 29 points.
Charlie and Art will receive a £30 voucher, presented at our annual lunch.
Happy Mondays
A good turnout this Monday, for the popular format of Shambles
7 teams – 22 players
Winners – 56 points – Tommy Lawless, Phil Perry and Peter Willson 2nd – 54 points – Steve Gosling, Phil Lomas and Charlie Heath Joint 3rd – 52 points – Mike Bennett, Richard Yates, Colin Crail and Les Williams Joint 3rd – 52 points -Graham Utton, Dave Waggitt and Les Fecitt 5th – 47 points – Paul Foster, Tony Lambert and Eric Cox 6th – 44 points – Steve Barlow, Ron Thornton and Ken Pearce 7th – 43 points – Colin Chisnall, Alan Thomas and John Booth
Tee booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 12th October)
This is the tee booking schedule for play on 27 October: Round 1 of best 5 from 8
If your name is in the left column, please book for your group.
Inter-club friendly v Warrington at Home, Friday 29 September
Match Reporter: None
Once again our Seniors Team assembled for our final Match of the season to take on Warrington.
The course had its Autumn maintenance completed at the start of the week, but the greens ran true and the weather was Ok, a few showers but better than expected (from memory).
I did not capture the individual scores, but it appeared that we turned out all our low handicap players and got a 4-4 draw to end a fine season of inter-club matches.
As the Ryder Cup was on in the club house, the way Steve G and Grahame B were playing you would think they wanted to get in there in a hurry, 6 down after 9 holes, but they stayed with it and won 7 holes on the back nine to finish with an unlikely half point.
The Match was played in a great spirit and followed by a lovely meal and a few friendly drinks, and of course some light entertainment.
All the players thanked John Armstrong for all of his commitment, effort, and organising this Year, a big thank you from all that played in the 22 matches throughout the summer. A well deserved rest until next year.
A reminder from John that anybody wanting to play in these matches next year, they need to have a club polo shirt (order now from Steve in the Pro shop) and a sign up sheet will go up on the notice board next year for anybody to register their interest in playing.
Presentation Lunch / Annual Business meeting
The presentation lunch this year will be held on Friday 20th October ( some 2 and a half weeks ahead)
The format will be the same as our previous presentation lunches. The business of the ABM will be slotted into the silly games and the presentation of our 2023 Trophies to those that triumphed during this season.
No long lists to plough through nor boring monologues- just the usual barrel of laughs and a fitting end to another fabulous season.
We aim to sit down to dinner at 14.00 hours – so please plan to be there before to allow time to enjoy a pre- lunch drink with your friends if you so wish.
A List is now upon the notice board in the locker room. Please get your names down as soon as possible so we can have a clear shot at reckoning the numbers for Karen and her team.
The cost – will be finalised at the next committee meeting this coming FRIDAY( 6TH) AND PUBLISHED IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER. £20 or below is the target.
Annual Business Meeting
Seniors Committee – Volunteers needed.
As reported above, our Annual Business Meeting will be held on Friday 20th October concurrent with the Presentation Lunch 2023.
Please read the following Notice from the committee.
Annual Business Meeting
Election of Committee Members.
The end of our financial year sees a small number of our 9 elected members completing their term in office .
We therefore have a few seats to fill at this year’s Annual Business Meeting which is on the 20th of October (concurrent with the Presentation Lunch) .
We need volunteers now please!
A list asking for nominations has been pinned onto the Senior’s Notice Board in the Locker room. (Statutory rule)
The suspension of the rule for seconders has been made permanent and the Guidance Notes and Rules have been amended accordingly. (Statutory rule)
If you would like to give something back to the senior’s by joining the committee, please either.
Add your name to the list.
Speak to any member of the existing Committee or
e-mail/ phone the chairman, Mike Bennett, if you can’t get down to the club in person.
If more applications are received than seats available voting papers will be prepared, and a runoff will be held at the ABM.
The closing date for applications is the 18th of October ( 2 days before the ABM)
Many thanks
Rob Taylor
Secretary to the Gents Seniors committee.
Bottle of wine comp, 29 September
An individual stableford comp, whilst the club match Vs Warrington was played.
22 cards were submitted, although 6 had incorrect handicaps…..please check and use your correct senior handicap to make Peter’s life bearable.
Winner was Stuart Baird with 31 points gets the bottle of wine (see Peter W)
Mike Kendal 29 points and Les Williams 28 points.
Happy Monday’s, 2 October
A team stableford comp, 17 entered, (16paid!),
Winning Team was Charlie Heath, Dave Waggitt & Peter Willson with an average of 25.3
Second, Les Fecit, Pete Broady & Phil Lomas 23.3
Third, John White, Steve Barlow & Ken Pearce with 23.1
Charlie is on the look out for the missing £1
Tee booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 5th October)
This is the tee booking schedule for play on 20 October: Game format TBA as its also the AGM that day.
If your name is in the left column, please book for your group.
Inter-club friendly v Northenden at Home, Friday 22 September
Match Reporter: Bob Mycock, CoD
Once again our Seniors Team assembled for our penultimate Match of the season to take on Northenden.
Following a few days of torrential rain, it was a relief all 18 Holes were open and playable, huge credit to the greenstaff.
Captained for second time this season by the inimitable Bobby Mycock the instruction was to avoid defeat at all costs, no prisoners taken.
However, with all the Teams bar one in the Clubhouse we were 4-3 down, only Paddy Moran and Phil Ormesher to come in and save the day. They did not let us down, with Paddy sinking a 20 foot putt to Win their game and an honourable 4-4 draw.
The Match was played in a great spirit and followed by a lovely meal and a few friendly drinks, and of course some light entertainment in the form of another side splitting joke, courtesy of your CoD.
It was also my pleasure to Present, Alan Ranscombe with a Club Jumper and acknowledge this true gentleman’s 80th Birthday
And finally, we gather once again this Friday for our last match against our local rivals Warrington, it would be great to finish with a resounding Win and reward John Armstrong for all of his commitment, effort, and organising this Year, a big thank you from all of us
Audaces Fortuna Iuvat ………
Bottle of wine comp, 22 September
The recent bad weather, and the rain and wind on the day resulted in an unusually small number of cards submitted: only 9.
Winner was Sammy Lee with 28 points (CPO over Grahame Brickell who also had 28 points).
Handicaps
The “handicap subcommittee” seems to have become a neglected child. However, the good news is a Foster parent has put himself forward, brimming with ideas and enthusiasm, and past experience, not least ideas for better communication. Watch this space! Let us hope that we have general agreement across the committee and the senior section has we go into the Autumn league.
Tee booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 27th September)
This is the tee booking schedule for play on 13 October: Round 1 (of 10) of our Autumn League.
If your name is in the left column, please book for your group.
My apologies for forgetting to include the results of the Senior Championship in last week’s newsletter. (I did add them a couple of hours after I first published the newsletter, when it was pointed out to me that they were missing.)
Our Champion this year is Martin Franks. Congratulations, Martin!
Senior Championship – 8 September 2023
Winner: Martin Franks – 35 points (CPO over last 6 holes -16 points)
Second: Paul Foster – 35 points (CPO over last 6 holes -14 points)
Third: Steve Gosling – 35 points (CPO over last 6 holes -11 points)
Tatton League – 2023
Reporter: Tatton League Captain, Bob Mycock
Round 6 and Final Round at Antrobus
Our Team of 4 pairs assembled at Antrobus for the Final Round of the Tatton Trophy. On a Glorious Sunny Day all 4 of our Teams performed with a determination and vigour for Lymm GC to Win the Day, on Antrobus’ own patch. A remarkable effort, not least because Antrobus are the overall Tatton League winners for 2023.
Paddy Moran and Martin France had the Highest Pairs Score of the Day with 44 points and that Old Dog and Stalwart Mike Pigott picked Nearest The Pin (3 inches from the Hole).
Our other pairs’ scores were: Mike Pigott & Sam Leach – 40 pts Bob Mycock & Andy Timms – 36 pts Richard Cooper & Graham Brickell – 36 pts
In Summary, another really good effort from everyone who has taken part this year and we are certainly getting closer to hopefully getting our hands on the Trophy in the near future.
I would like to everyone who has been involved and especially the support from you all, it has been a pleasure to Captain the Team, especially the banter and fun, the most important element of golf for me.
We re-assemble next April for 2024 Tatton…
Friendly match at Home versus Leigh
Match Reporter: Mervyn Roberts(CoD)
Despite negative weather forecasts during the week leading up to the match we were eventually able to entertain our visitors Leigh GC under blue skies and with the sun on our backs. The course and greens were in excellent condition leading into our Finals weekend and a closely fought and enjoyable match ensued.
Of the 8 matches played 5 went to the 18th hole with 2 one hole defeats, a win for Sammy and Pete and 2 halved matches, including a fightback from 3 down with 5 to play by Mervyn and Phil O. Phil Lomas and Jeff Chapman were in inspired form and ran out 6 and 5 winners but unfortunately the other 2 matches ended in defeat such that the overall result was yet another defeat for Lymm Seniors by 5 games to 3.
A special mention must be made for the excellent lunch served up by Karen and her team. The chicken curry and chocolate dessert drew many words of praise including players from Leigh who rated the lunch as very much the best they have had over all the 28 matches they have played this season.
Results:
Steve Gosling / Mike Pigott: Halved John White / Paddy Moran: Lost 1 down Alan Ranscombe / Colin Crail: Lost 4 and 3 Phil Ormisher / Mervyn Roberts: Halved Graham Brickell / Ron Thornton: Lost 1 down Sammy Lee / Peter Broady: Won 1 up Jeff Chapman / Phil Lomas: Won 6 and 5 Arthur Laird / Peter Willson: Lost 3 and 2
Bottle of Wine Competition – 15 September
Competition running alongside the Leigh match:
Number of Entries – 19
Number of wrong handicaps = 4 (21%) – please check your handicaps !!
First – Ken Narraway – 34 points 2nd – Andrew Cox – 33 points – CPO over last 6 holes – 14 points 3rd – John Armstrong – 33 points -CPO last 6 – 11 points
Well done, Ken!
Tee booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 21st September)
This is the tee booking schedule for play on 6 October: our annual Turkey Trot.
If your name is in the left column, please book for your group.
Peter Broady organised his annual trip for 12 to Abergele last week, at the Abergele Senior Open (4-man teams). I was delighted to be included, having made it into the event as a reserve.
I like golfing in Wales. Did you know that the Welsh language was invented in 1928 by a dyslexic English sheep farmer in Wrexham? This is why Welsh is so easy to learn. It is simply the English words spelled backwards, but with a few spelling variations, such as the letter ‘K’ becomes ‘LL’, and where there are two adjoining vowels in a word, such as ‘ee’, ‘ea’, ‘ou’, etc. the spelling changes to ‘Y’.
Therefore “Leek soup for dinner” becomes ‘Llyl pys rof rennid’. Next time you go to Wales, try it on the natives. The only exception to the rules above is the word ‘jellyfish’, which translates into Welsh as Pysgodyn wibli wobli. (If you don’t believe me, look it up!)
Back in England, Lymm’s senior away team is still on wibbly wobbly form, but showing small signs of improvement, as Phil Ormersher will explain in his CoD piece for the match at Northenden Golf Club.
Well done to Martin Franks, who is this year’s Senior Champion!
Senior Championship – 8 September 2023
Winner: Martin Franks – 35 points (CPO over last 6 holes -16 points)
Second: Paul Foster – 35 points (CPO over last 6 holes -14 points)
Third: Steve Gosling – 35 points (CPO over last 6 holes -11 points)
Individual Stableford – 8 September 2023
Winner: Steve ‘Bandit’ Barlow – 32 points Second: Bob Ellison – 31 points Third: Dave Craggs – 30 points
Abergele’s Party
Event Reporter: Peter Broady
Three teams of four entered the Abergele Seniors Open competition. On a hot and very humid day with the occasional spots of rain, we all set off on the parkland course. Once again the course was in good condition.
Due to the recent weather conditions it paid to stay on the fairways as the first cut to rough was very thick with clover. It took some getting out of.
The Halfway house was welcomed by us all, supplying us with tea/coffee and cakes. And of course a rest from the heat.
We had our own little competition between our selves and the winning team taking the money with 98 points where. Grahame Brickell John Armstrong Andrew Cox Ken Narraway
Both runner-up teams had 97 points each, a close fought battle. All agreed a good day out.
I have booked four tee times for next year in their Seniors Open Competition 5th September 2024. (Thursday). If anybody is interested in playing in this competition please email/text me so I can put your name on the list. Thanks.
Pete Broady
Captain of the day’s report – Northenden v Lymm 11th September 2023
Match Reporter: Phil Ormesher
A bright start to the day combined with coffee, tea and biscuits in their super ‘newish’ club house.
So down to the first tee, but only three players until 1 minute before tee time the fourth player appeared. It turns out he was cooking sausage rolls which he brought with him and offered to share. How’s that for hospitality!
The match progressed well with just a little rain towards the end of the match but nothing significant. With various thumbs up and down shown from other Lymm players as we went round it did seem that we were in with a chance of a win. I was hopeful.
On the last few holes we had a helicopter circulating for about 15 minutes. Very annoying. Rumour had it that it was the paparazzi expecting to gain an exclusive on an unexpected win for Lymm, but it turns out it was the police attending an ‘event’ on the nearby River Mersey.
The lunch, fish and chips followed by ice cream, was excellent.
Thanks were given by Northenden Club Captain, Paul Johnson, in what was his last event as Captain. Paul took the opportunity to highlight the achievement of Steve ‘Chipper’ Barlow who holed a 50-foot (or was it yards?) chip to halve the match.
Sadly, Steve’s efforts were in vain as Lymm achieved two wins and 2 halves resulting in a 5 – 3 win for Northenden. Not a bad result but closer than the overall score would indicate
We pay Northenden again, at home, on the 22nd, so hopefully we can have our revenge.
Thanks to all who played and mustered applause for my joke and not forgetting John Armstrong who does all the organising and Steve Gosling who is the ‘money man’ – time consuming roles often overlooked.
Phil Ormesher, 12th September 2023
Happy Mondays
The results of this Monday’s competition were:
1st Les Williams, Richard Yates, 55 points 2nd Charlie Heath, Grahame Brickell , David Waggitt, 54 points 3rd Les Fecitt, Alan Thomas, Colin Chisnall, 50 points.
Tee booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 14th September)
This is the tee booking schedule for play on Friday 29nd September. We have a home match against Warrington. The rest of the field plays for a bottle of wine.
If your name is in the left column, please book for your group.
Let us headline this week with our victory against Davyhulme last Friday. It was of course Davyhulme’s first senior-team visit to Lymm. They are a friendly bunch and all the visitors that I spoke to enjoyed their visit. See Art Laird’s captain-of-the-day report below.
I was on the Lymm team versus Davyhulme, and therefore heard Art’s speech. I have to say that he got huge laughs by telling a non-joke about a man and his wife driving their ball into a pond. As we awaited the punchline, Art simply said, “that’s it; that’s the joke”. For a few seconds, everyone look at each other bemused, and inevitably everyone suddenly burst out laughing!
Unfortunately, on Monday, at the inter-club match at Bramhall, we suffered a whitewash, although some of the matches were very close.
Mark Pickles and John Armstrong were one-up after 8 holes, and looked certain to be two-up at the turn, as John had hit a great drive and then an equally impressive 5 wood onto the green of a long par 4 in which he had a shot to his handicap. On arriving at the green, John, who had been playing a ‘Wilson’ ball, then decided to putt his opponent’s ‘Callaway’ ball which was further away from the hole. We lost the hole we were set to win, making the score level.
A few holes later, John, who was by now playing a ‘Srixon’, decided to play an approach shot with his opponent’s ‘Callaway’ ball, assuring me he’d played a ‘Srixon’.
“Should have gone to Specsavers” 😉
Interclub Friendly Match – Home versus Davyhulme – Friday 1st September
Reporter: Arthur Laird (CoD)
It was just great to have very fine weather for a change considering the ‘summer washout’ Most of the Davyhulme team arrived early to avoid traffic and were keen to get on with the job! Plenty of coffee and banter before the match. In spite of a slow start on the first we made good headway. All enjoyed the course which was in great condition particularly the greens – no excuses for missing putts. Many thanks to the green staff and to Andrew Cox and his team of seniors volunteers – just great. All teams were in by 1 pm (4 hours) and the results were collated.
Never mind the ‘honourable draw’, it was a great win for LYMM: 5 – 3 Victory
Art Laird and Mike Bennett – Won 3+1 Dave Craggs and Sammy Lee – Lost 5+4 Andy Timms and Mark Pickles – Won 7+5 Phil Ormesher and Paul Lennie – Lost 4+3 John Higgins and Steve Gosling -Won 2+1 Jeff Ashurst and Phil Lomas – Won 1 up Mervin Roberts and Pete Broady – Lost 5+4 Mark Marsland and Alan Ranscombe – Won 2+1
The lunch swilled by copious quantities of beer and wine was excellent and well done to Karen and staff Nettie, Josh and India.
As always the speeches were well received and a great day was had by all
Art Laird
Interclub Friendly Match – Away versus Bramhall – Monday 4th September
Reporter: Andy Timms (CoD)
The sun was shining on a glorious day as our team assembled at Bramhall in an attempt to break our away duck for the first time this season.
However the signs didn’t look that auspicious when the usually super organised Steve Gosling arrived on time but on opening the boot of his car discovered he’d left his golf clubs behind !!
A frantic dash ensued and thankfully he made it back in time (just) with all his gear. Unfortunately the tone for the day was set, and although a few matches managed to get all the way to the 18th, none of us managed to come out with a victory, leaving the result a somewhat ignominious 8-0 thrashing.
On the plus side, Bramhall lived up to its fine reputation with the course in absolutely superb condition and I’m sure those that played will be looking forward to the potential opportunity to go back next year.
Match results : Peter Broady & Arthur Laird – Lost 5&3 Peter Wilson & Phil Lomas – Lost 1dn Andy Timms & Mike Pigott – Lost 2dn Grahame Brickell & Steve Gosling – Lost 4&3 Andrew Cox & Mike Bennett – Lost 2&1 John Armstrong & Mark Pickles – Lost 5&4 Phil Ormesher & Duncan Clarke – Lost 1dn Phil Perry & Ron Thornton – Lost 4&3
Andy
The Seniors’ Champion of Champions – 8th September
The Champions competition this Friday will be played off our senior handicaps, and over 15 holes, as stated in the Senior Section rules.
Following Round 10 of the Summer League, Bob Mycock has done a handicap review. Therefore, if you are in the Champion’s competition on Friday, please make sure you check your senior handicap before marking your card.
Anyone who does not want to compete with senior handicaps is welcome not to compete.
Tee booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 7th September)
This is the tee booking schedule for play on Friday 22nd September. We have a home match against Northenden. The rest of the field plays for a bottle of wine.
If your name is in the left column, please book for your group.
Lost and Found?
Pitch-mark Repairer Last Friday, Bob Ellison lost a pitch-mark repairer which he hopes that someone has picked up. Bob says: ” [it’s a] black pitch repairer, which l have had for a long time and it has great sentimental value”.
Pink Castle Tee Dave Waggitt lost a pink castle tee on the 6th hole on Friday 1st September.
Dave has informed Steve and Fizz in the pro’s shop, but as yet no-one has handed in the tee. The value of a pink castle tee is only a few pence, but as Dave, a Yorkshireman, pointed out to me, the one he lost was the last one in the packet, and if no-one hands it in he will need to buy a whole new pack.
Following a high-scoring 10th round of the Summer League (see the match report below) the two winners are:
Division 1: Paul Collins Division 2: Ron Thornton
Well done Paul and Ron!
And here is a screenshot of the top third of the table.
Match Report for 25th August – Round 10 of Summer League
Game Played: Round 10 – Summer League
Number of cards submitted Division 1 – 17 players Division 2 – 21 players
2’s recorded Dave Meir and Arthur Nuttall
Division 1: Winner: Paul Collins (on CPO) – 36 points 2nd: Steve Barlow – 36 points 3rd=: Bob Ellison – 34 points
Division 2: Winner: Colin Hughes – 37 points 2nd=: Ken Pearce – 36 points 2nd=: Colin Chisnall – 36 points
Notes:
Played over 15 holes. Breezy, cloudy and dull then sunny spells light later. Cool – 18 deg. C
Colin Hughes, as winner in Division 2 last Friday, qualifies for the Senior Champion competition on 8th September.
The Mike Smith Trophy (Summer Individual Knockout)
Reporter: Rob Taylor
Well, the long journey that started all those months ago, as we emerged from Winter/ Spring, has come to an end.
A huge number of Matches have been played, lots of tears shed, lots of punching the air ( quietly, while your opponent wasn’t looking) and we have, at last, a worthy winner – our Champion of the fisticuffs and stresses of the knock-out arena.
Whom might this Knight of the Realm be?
None other than . . .
Stuart Baird
And Tommy Lawless came runner up. The trophy will be presented to Stu at the next Presentation day scheduled for the 20th October 2023, after our Friday game on that day – along with the magnificent cash prizes for both the winner and the runner up of course..
Interclub Friendly Match – Away at Helsby
Reporter: Grahame Brickell (CoD)
Despite the good camaraderie / banter .. led by messrs Mycock & Pigott in the visitors camp during the pre match coffee .. and talks of a 1st away win of the season, and despite having thrashed Helsby in the home fixture early in the season, it was not to be!
Messrs McGuigan ( and that man Mycock again) saved a complete whitewash with a halved match. Two other matches were lost 1 down, the other defeats were more hefty!
Still despite a couple of heavy ‘summer’ downpours, spirits were lifted with a good plateful of chicken & something pie & chips, followed by a brownie & ice cream.
Course generally in good nick, some of the tees wouldn’t go amiss with a team of volunteer divot fillers getting to grips with them.
Tee booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 31st August)
This is the tee booking schedule for play on Friday 15th September. We have a home match against Leigh, therefore the rest of the field plays for a bottle of wine.
If your name is in the left column, please book for your group.
PSA Testing at Lymm – 4th November
Phil Ormesher has supplied the attached Word document, detailing the PSA testing at Lymm, including how to book if you are interested.
And here is a link to the NHS page explaining the current NHS policy on PSA testing, and another NHS page explaining the pros and cons for PSA testing.
Classical Music Recital at Sale (‘The Avenue’ Church) – Sunday 3rd September, 3pm
I know there are a few members of the senior section who enjoy classical music, including John Hayes, a musician (tuba) and singer (bass), whom I have seen twice performing at sell-out venues with the Altrincham Choral Society.
This coming Sunday (3rd September), my other half, Alison Farshi (pianist), will be performing with Vivian Chasey (violin, formerly of BBC Philharmonic) and Bethan Roberts (oboe, Hallé Orchestra) some lovely and lively pieces, including a sublime Mozart sonata for violin and piano (A Major, K526).
Tickets available on the door, £10 for adults, £2 for under 19s.
I have listened to Alison practicing at home for the past two months (in between breaks from her new pastime of golf!), including rehearsals with Viv and Bethan. I can promise a quality performance!
Sunday 3rd September, 3pm, The Avenue Church, Sale, M33 4PL.
Lymm Golf Club Senior Section 