A wonderful November day, with the sun occasionally peeping out (probably laughing at our four-ball playing military golf down the 15th), no wind and unseasonably warm temperatures. Once again a fine day to be out.
Gentlemen, there were 5 wrong hcaps entered onto the score cards, 1 card with no name on, and 1 missing card but their Ig had been inputted. Please check your seniors hcap.
I have highlighted any change in hcap on the hcap list.
A record equalling 47 players completed round 7, 31 players from Division 1 but only 16 players from Division 2.
Three 2s recorded again today, Colin Crail, Russ Jones & Mark Pickles, well done to you 3, See Steve ‘Kwasi Kwarteng’ Gosling
Great stuff from Mark ‘the birdwatcher’ Pickles, who secured 3 successive birdies on holes 9, 10 & 11.
Hole 11 proved to be the easiest today with 15 pars and 6 birdies!
Some very near misses to the ‘keep a 6 off your card’
Division 1 Results: Winner – Colin Crail with 33pts on a CPO R/up – Steve Barlow with 33pts 3rd – Mark Pickles with 32pts
Division 2 Results: Winner – Dave Craggs with an excellent 35pts R/up – Alan Copeland with 31pts 3rd – Stuart Baird with 30pts
Still leader in the 1st division is Martin Franks with 145 points, with the race hotting up as 7 players are within 5 pts of Martin
Leader in the 2nd division is Alan Copeland, with an improved 152 pts, followed by Dave Craggs and Steve Bramall. Dave is now within 4pts of Alan. All to play for.
Please check your Seniors handicap on the Seniors website. Your WHS hcap could be different to your seniors hcap.
Tee-booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 21 November)
Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 24 November
Our Christmas lunch will be on Friday 13th December. The cost is £18, which will be taken from your bar card on the day. Please add your name to the list on the Seniors’ noticeboard, in order that Karen knows how many to cater for.
Correction to last week’s newsletter. I said that the number of people on the committee had increased from 8 to 9. In fact it has increased from 9 to 10, mainly to share the workload for arranging inter-club matches.
As noted last week, Mike Kendal has taken over Friday bookings from Grahame. Mike says that if anyone wishes to advise an absence, or a return to play, along with any change to their preferred tee off time (late/early), please drop a note to him at: kendallymmgolf@gmail.com
Grahame Brickell has announced ‘final call’ for the Llangollen Senior Open on Thursday 5th June 2025. If you’d like to join this popular seniors’ away day, please contact Grahame as soon as you can. The cost is £33, to be paid nearer the time.
Autumn League round 6 of 10
Reporter: Paul Foster
Gentlemen, some great scores on Friday, with 14 managing to beat their handicap, and only 4 receiving shots back. The mats are back!
Unfortunately there were 6 wrong hcaps entered onto the score cards.
43 players completed round 6, 24 players from Division 1, and 19 players from Division 2.
Three 2s recorded today, Richard Smyllie, Arthur Nuttall and Michael John.
Hard luck to Arthur Nuttall who scored a very commendable 35pts and didn’t even get on the podium! A feather in the cap for Russ Jones, who kept a 6 off his card. (Remember that competition from a daily newspaper years ago?)
Division 1 Results: Winner – Russ Jones with a cracking 35pts on a CPO R/up – Mervyn Roberts with 35pts on a CPO 3rd – Michael John also with 35pts
Division 2 Results: Winner – Stuart White with 33pts R/up – Phil Ormesher with 32pts on a CPO 3rd – Dave Craggs with 32pts
Still leader in the 1st division is Martin Franks with 145 points, Dave Meir and Richard Smyllie complete the top three.
Leader in the 2nd division is Alan Copeland, with 145 pts, followed by Steve Bramall and Dave Craggs.
Members should continue entering the seniors comps on the club website, and inputting their scores into Ig. (correctly please). Please check your Seniors handicap on the Handicaps tab of this website, as your WHS hcap could be different to your seniors hcap.
The seniors hcap will apply to the Friday comps and the Happy Mondays till further notice. The KO competitions use the WHS hcap NOT the seniors hcap.
Happy Mondays – 11th November
Reporter: Peter Willson
A cloudy slightly chilly start with a heavy dew but the skies cleared to reveal that long missing visitor, the Sun and blue skies towards the end of the rounds
Game : Team Stableford
6 teams – 20 players
Winners: Most of the players were waiting expectantly for the tail-end Charlies to return to Club House but no “Charlies” in this trio – Colin Crail, Les Williams and Richard Yates – who returned with a creditable 30.7 points per player
Second: Thinking they’d clinched victory – Steve Barlow, Dave Craggs, Tony Dixon and Mark Pickles with a level “par” 30 ppp – only to have it snatched cruelly from their grasp
Third: Colin Chisnall, Steve Gosling and Phil Lomas with 29.7 ppp
Tee-booking schedule for tomorrow – Thursday 14 November
Tomorrow’s tee-booking schedule is for our Turkey Trot on 29th November. Cash prizes for Div 1 and Div 1 winners.
Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 17 November
Report from the Prostate Testing Day
Reporter: Phil Ormersher
At the recent PSA testing day, 136 men were tested. As to be expected the vast majority were green. There were some positive tests (red and yellow), indicating a higher-than-normal level of PSA protein. The majority of those who tested positive probably do not have anything to worry about (there can be other reasons for a high PSA level), but should go to see their GP explaining that they had a private test, and share the results.
The greens should make a note of their PSA level and do another test (12 months onwards) and compare the results. The profile should be almost flat.
If anyone wants to talk through their results I am happy to have a totally confidential chat on 07814 008403.
If they feel they would rather talk to someone on a more anonymous basis our helpline is open 0900 – 2100 every day on 0800 774 7560.
Again, thank you to the ladies in promoting the event and helping us reach a record number of attendees for Lymm GC.
Welcome to ‘new’ member, Richard Smyllie
Many of us have got to know Richard Smyllie in recent months. He’s a good golfer, who has obviously played a lot in the past, and, best of all, a fellow Yorkshireman! I asked Richard to send us his profile to introduce himself to the whole of the senior section:
Hello All. I joined Lymm GC and the Seniors section in April. I have had the opportunity to play with several seniors and there has been a warm welcome from everyone. Thank you!
I also join the ranks of Yorkshiremen at the club who have travelled across the Pennines. I am a Sheffield United supporter (for my sins!).
I live in Lymm with my wife Pauline (not a golfer I am afraid) and we have now been here for 35 years. We have three children, Matthew, Rebecca and Laura. Matthew works and lives in Heidelberg in Germany, whilst Rebecca and Laura both live in Manchester. We’re very excited to be welcoming our first grandchild in Spring next year!
I ran my own company, RS Process Safety, that offered safety advice to companies operating high hazard installations such as oil and gas facilities. Previous employment was with Entec, Amec and Wood. But now I am happily retired which gives me more opportunity to get out to play golf of course!
Rags to riches…
Did you know that the real-life Cinderella hails from Oldfield Brow, at the rough end of Altrincham? It was great to see her at last year’s Christmas lunch, with her two sisters.
Course-protection measures have now been introduced at LGC. The seniors’ committee has decided that, in senior competitions, we use mats everywhere until course-protection measures are lifted next spring. Pick, clean, and replace your ball on your mat, within 6 inches, not nearer the whole.
If you are close to the green, and decide to putt the ball, there is no need to place it on your mat.
Election News
Apologies for the late publication of the formation of new committee, decided the week before last. There were some minor contentions, partly because we have increased the size of the committee from 9 to 10.
Congratulations to our new chairman, John Armstrong, who volunteered to take up the position, and was duly elected.
And welcome to two new members of the committee Stephen Bird and Mike Kendal. Stephen, a Brummie, fulfils our quota for ethnic diversity! Stephen will work with Grahame Brickell as Inter-clubs Competition Officer. Although John Armstrong did a magnificent job on his own in the inter-clubs’ role last year, we feel that the increased workload for inter-club organisation is such that it should be a shared responsibility going forward.
Mike Kendal takes over the Friday bookings from Grahame, with help from Stephen Bird to ensure continuity.
Chairman – John Armstrong Treasurer & Membership – Steve Gosling Secretary – Dave Craggs Communications Officer – Mark Pickles Monday Booking & Competitions Secretary – Peter Willson Friday Booking & Away day Organiser – Mike Kendal & Stephen Bird Handicap Secretary – Paul Foster Inter clubs Competitions Officer – Grahame Brickell & Stephen Bird Maintenance Managers – Dave Craggs & Grahame Brickell Seniors Liaison Manager with Lymm GC – Andy Timms
Autumn League Round 5 of 10
Reporter: Paul Foster
A fine post-budget November day, with no wind, no rain, no blinding sun and no cold temperatures to chill the bones of our members. A good day for golf indeed.
A day where records have tumbled, a record number of players in the Autumn league, a record number of handicap changes (2 down and 22 up), a record Autumn league high score of 36pts (note with 2 blobs). But only 2 players beat their handicap.
47 players completed round 5, 28 players from Division 1, and 19 players from Division 2.
Two 2s recorded today, Tony Dixon on the 2nd and Dave Meir on the 5th. More balls from the treasurer Rachel Theeves Steve Gosling
An honourable mention for that fine upstanding man, Ron Thornton who unfortunately missed putts for 2s on 3 holes, including the 2nd where Ron nearly holed his tee shot…!!!
Division 1 Results Winner – Tony Dixon with a record 36pts (21pts on the last 7 holes)
R/up – Richard Smyllie with 31pts
3rd – Peter Broady with 30pts (on a cpo)
Division 2 Results Winner – Alan Copeland with 29pts R/up – Dave Craggs with 28pts on a cpo 3rd – Steven Bramall with 26pts
At the half-way point in the league, jockeying for the positions is now starting to hot up. Exit polls in division 2 suggest Alan Copeland has wrapped up the league already (according to Donald Trump anyway).
Still leader in the 1st division is Martin Franks with 140 points, Dave Meir and now Richard Smyllie complete the top three.
Leader in the 2nd division is Alan Copeland, with 142 pts, followed by Steve Bramall and Dave Craggs.
Please note:
Members should continue entering the seniors comps on the club website, and inputting their scores into Ig.
Please check your handicap on this website here, as your WHS handicap could be different to your senior handicap.
The seniors handicap will apply to the Friday comps and the Happy Mondays until further notice.
The Doubles Knockout competition uses the WHS handicap NOT the senior handicap.
Happy Mondays Report, 4th November
Reporter: Peter Willson
Another grey, dank, day like so many over the past two weeks but reasonably mild. No rain recently – but the lower hole’s fairways are becoming decidedly spongelike.
Game: Team Stableford 5 Teams – 19 players recorded.
For the first time in many weeks the result was a tie for the 1st two places – both teams scoring 26.5 points per player
Joint winners: 2 C’s, a D and an H – Alan Copeland (so consistent), Dave Craggs, Tony Dixon and John Hayes 2 F’s, a P and a W – Les Fecitt, Paul Foster, Ken Pearce and Peter Willson Third: Steve Bramall, Colin Chisnall and Richard Smyllie – 24.7 points.
Seniors’ Turkey Trot, 29 November
Our annual ‘Turkey Trot’ will be on Friday 29th November. There will be cash prizes for winners of Division 1 and Division 2.
Seniors’ Christmas Lunch – Friday 13 December
One for your calendar. Details to follow!
Tee-booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 7 November)
Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 10 November
Congratulations to the POTUS
My commiserations to the left-leaning members of the senior section, but as comms officer for LGC seniors, I felt obliged to send ‘the Donald’ our congratulations. He has, after all, done great things for British golf.
I sent Donald a link to the LGC website, and told him that he is welcome to join LGC seniors to play any time he visits England on a Friday or a ‘Happy Monday’. He asked, “what about security?”. And so I sent him a photo of Paul Collins. He replied:
“Great security, truly great. Great golf course. Fabulous. Really is. Lymm Golf Club is the best golf course in Cheshire. Not a lot of people know that, but it really is, seriously…”.
Being a bit of a history geek, I have noticed that most of the ‘swing states’ are in fact within the original 13 British colonies.
The ‘Grand Union Flag’. Flag of the United States until 1777.
33 players completed round 4, 20 players from Division 1 & 13 players from Division 2.
Yet again carrying on the theme of ‘who can beat their handicap’, there was only only 1 player who had beaten their handicap prior to round 4.
All change, as 5 players played below their handicap in round 4, well played indeed. Only Phil Perry managed to record a 2, on the 9th. Balls to you Phil, see Steve Gosling.
Division 1 Results: Winner – Mike Pigott with a fantastic 34pts on a cpo (level par gross) R/up – Paddy Moran with 34 pts 3rd – Paul Collins with 33pts
Division 2 Results: Winner – Alan Copeland with 33pts R/up – Phil Lomas with 29 pts on a cpo 3rd – Steven Bramall with 29 pts
Still leader in the 1st division is Martin Franks with 115 points, Dave Meir and now Paddy Moran complete the top three.
Leader in the 2nd division is still Alan Copeland, with 100 pts, followed by Steve Bramall and Dave Craggs.
See the Leader Boards tab for full details.
Happy Mondays game on 28th October
Reporter: Peter Willson
A damp cloudy day but comparatively mild – dull and with the odd shower / drizzle but there were a few glimpses of the sun. The leaves are still falling but being collected very well by the green staff.
Game: Team Stableford
4 Teams with 13 players
Winners: Paul Collins, Alan Copeland and Steve Gosling – with the ludicrous score of 31.3 points per player – well done guys. Second: Steve Barlow, Pete Broady and Dave Craggs – 27.3 ppp Third: Colin Chisnall, Phil Lomas and Phil Perry – 23.7 ppp
Tee-booking schedule for tomorrow – Thursday 31 October
Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 3 November
Senior Section Handicap Rules
Reporter: Paul Foster
The following handicap rules will apply to the gents seniors section until WHS qualifying reopens next spring.
On a 15 hole basis: Marked cards to be handed in following every Friday competition round, and for any 18 hole seniors section competition. First 15 holes only to count towards their seniors handicap.
After a score of 31pts or above: 0.5 of a stroke deducted from handicap for each point greater than 30pts.
After a score of 25 to 30pts: No handicap adjustment.
After a score of 20 to 24pts: A single addition of 0.5 of a stroke to be added to the handicap.
After a score under 20pts:
0.5 of a stroke added to the handicap for each point less than 20pts
Handicaps that include 0.5 are rounded up to the next whole number.
See the Handicaps tab for handicaps, updated weekly.
Yet another fine and pleasant autumnal day. Little wind and pleasant temperatures greeted the players on the day of the ABM meeting and trophy presentation.
A session high of 43 players completed the 13 holes that were open to us after some horrendous rain in the last few days, 28 players from Division 1, and 15 players from Division 2.
Carrying on the theme of ‘who can beat their handicap’, to date after 3 rounds of the Autumn League, that’s 111 rounds between us, still only 1 player has beat his handicap…Dave Meir..
Four 2s were recorded today: all the P’s.. Paul Collins, Paul Foster, Peter White & Peter Willson.
After the round, there followed a witty speech detailing last years activities, and then the presentation of the previous years trophy winners by the outgoing chairman Mike Bennett, followed by a sumptuous steak pie and chips dinner, swilled down by wine supplied by Mike. Thanks Mike!
A few incorrect handicaps/markings/scores/totals had to be weeded out of the marked cards to balance with the Ig inputs.
The 13 hole scores have been rounded up to a 15 hole total for each player.
Division 1 Results:
Winner – Martin Franks with 30pts on a cpo R/up – Mike Pigott with 30 pts 3rd – Dave Meir with 29pts
Division 2 Results:
Winner – Stuart Baird with 30pts R/up – Peter Willson with 25 pts on a cpo 3rd – Alan Copeland with 25 pts
Still leader in the 1st division is Martin Franks with 88 points, Dave Meir and Richard Smyllie still complete the top three.
Leader in the 2nd division is now Alan Copeland, with 80 pts, closely followed by Steve Bramall and Dave Craggs.
Happy Mondays, 21st October
Reporter: Peter Willson
A dry day, if a little chilly to start with, it warmed up and the sun came out by the end of the round. The leaves are gathering following Storm Ashley over the weekend – but the big red sucker leaf gatherer has been wheeled out to rid us of the green/orange/russet/brown peril – great job by the green staff
Game: Team Stableford (again) held over the 13 holes open
5 Teams comprising 19 players
Winners – Alan Copeland, Tony Dixon, Mark Pickles and Richard Smyllie – 23.75 points per player
Second: Colin Crail, Dave Waggitt, Les Williams and Richard Yates – 22.5 ppp on card play off over last 6 holes
Third: Steve Barlow, Kevin Bocquet, Paul Collins and Peter Willson – 22.5 ppp
Tee-booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 25 October)
Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 27 October
Prostate PSA blood testing day, Saturday 2 November
Phil Ormesher informs me that, to date, 84 members of Lymm Golf Club have signed up for this event since it was advertised a fortnight ago.
The Annual Business Meeting and Presentation will commence at 13:30 on Friday. We anticipate sitting down for lunch at around 14:15. We have 60 members attending the lunch, and so come early for a ring-side table!
The outgoing chairman Mike Bennett will be putting a bottle of red and white wine on each table. Mike retires from his role LGC Senior’s Chairman after his three-year stint.
John Armstrong is also stepping down following his three-year stint. We thank both Mike and John for their invaluable contribution to the committee and the smooth running of the senior section.
Autumn League, Round 2 of 10
Match Reporter: Paul Foster
Another fine and pleasant Autumnal day. Very little wind, full sun to blind us (a great excuse) and preferred lies on fairways (to those that hit them), does life get any better? Pity I didn’t play!
So, 33 players completed the 15 holes, 17 from Division 1 & 16 from Division 2.
To date after 2 rounds of the Autumn League, only 1 player has beat his handicap: Dave Meir.
One 2 was recorded: Dave Meir, at the 13th.
Upon entering the clubhouse to collect the stragglers half completed cards, I noted once again the tennis wine group, led by that old boy Art Laird, (celebrating his lofty finishing position today) were half way down a bottle of red wine accompanying their teacakes and chips. There’s always an invitation from Alan Ranscombe, Art, Gordon and Colin Lees to join them in the evening at the Sadlers pub in Lymm, although we will not see Art Laird until the new year, as he will be going to sample the wine in Portugal! Members…please be aware they are ridiculously happy people!
Division 1 Results: Winner – Dave Meir with 31pts R/up – Mike Pigott with 30 pts 3rd – Martin Franks with 29pts
Division 2 Results Winner – Alan Copeland with 29pts on a cpo R/up – Dave Craggs with 29 pts on a cpo 3rd – Art Laird with 29 pts
Early leader in the 1st division is Martin Franks at 2 over par, with 58 points, Dave Meir and Richard Smyllie complete the top three.
Leader in the 2nd division is Steve Bramall with 55 pts, closely followed by Alan Copeland, Barrie Smith and Art Laird.
Result of Happy Mondays game played on 14th October
A dry, chilly day with no wind and light clouds, breaking into weak sunshine by the end. The leaves are coming more into play now following the cooler weather but the ground staff are doing a good job of blowing and collecting.
Ground continues to be soft and mud balls are common.
Game: Team Stableford – only 14 holes counted as rolling programme of course tining work under way
6 Teams with 17 players
Winners: John Booth, Les Fecitt and Steve Gosling – 76 points – 25.3 points per player
2nd: Alan Copeland and Phil Lomas – 25 points per player
3rd: Kevin Bocquet, Pete Broady and Eric Cox – 24.3 points per player.
Tee-booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 17 October)
Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 20 October
General reminder
If you are planning to play in any Friday competition, please enter the competition on the LGC website or the I.G. app. If you change your mind near the day, you can easily withdraw by going to ‘My Upcoming Competitions’ and pressing the ‘Withdraw’ button.
We have 30 people who are current members who have not paid the £25 annual subs yet.
If these are not paid by this Friday your name will no longer be included in the Friday tee times and other booking schedules, and so please pay by this Friday to retain your membership for the next 12 months.
The account for payment is:
Lymm Golf Over 60s 60-20-29 50244779 Ref: Surname
[ Editor’s Note: I do not think that all members of the senior section read the newsletter, in which we have asked for payment of subs several times. Therefore, please spread the word to your regular playing partners, who might be unaware they are about to have their membership suspended, and will be unable to take part in senior section competitions and events. ]
Pick, clean and place on fairways
Until further notice, senior-section competitions are now preferred lie, but on fairways only.
Lunch at our Annual Business Meeting, Friday 18 October
Reporter: Steve Gosling (Treasurer)
We have a total of 53 people listed for the ABM lunch on Friday 18th October
The list will close this Friday (11 October) and so if you want to join, please add your name to the list by this pay the £10
We still have 10 people on the list who have not paid. Please pay immediately to the following account:
Lymm Golf Over 60s 60-20-29 50244779 Ref: Surname
Memorial Trophy, and Round 1 of 10 of the Autumn League, Friday 4 October
Reporter: Peter Willson
Last Friday’s round was a combined competition. The Memorial Trophy does not have divisions, whereas the League has divisions.
Memorial Trophy:
1st – Mervyn Roberts – 30 points 2nd – Martin Franks – 29 points 3rd – Steve Bramall – 28 points
Round 1 of Autumn League – Best 5 from 10 games
Division 1: 1st- Mervyn Roberts – 30 points 2nd – Martin Franks – 29 points 3rd – Arthur Nuttall – 27 points
Division 2 1st – Steve Bramall – 28 points (wins on CPO 13 points over last 6 holes) 2nd – Jeff Chapman – 28 points (11 points over last 6 holes) 3rd – Barry Smith – 26 points (CPO over last 6 holes)
Two’s scored: Jeff Chapman, Martin Franks and Andy Timms
Happy Mondays Comp on Monday 7 October
Reporter: Peter Willson
A dull start but the sun came out half way through the game and it turned quite warm in the sunshine
Game: Team Stableford
16 players – played over 13 holes after uncertainty over number of holes open.
Winners: John Booth, Alan Copeland, Tony Dixon and Steve Gosling – 24.8 points per player
Second: Grahame Bricknell; Colin Crail and Richard Yates – 21.3 ppp
Third: Eric Cox, Les Fecitt and John White – 20.3 ppp
Tee-booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 10 October)
Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 13 October
Llangollen Seniors Day out: Thurs 5th June 2025
Reporter: Grahame Brickell
This year 20 seniors enjoyed a ‘grand day out’ at the Vale of Llangollen Golf Club. Peter Broady and Ron Thornton won the first prize in the Llangollen Senior Open!
Apart from the main Llangollen Open competition, we run a little competition between the Lymm GC visitors.
The committee would like to make it a bigger day out next year. And so if you’d like to join us on 5th June please message me soon through IG and I’ll contact Llangollen as soon as possible to block-book the times. I hope to get times around 11am. Cost will be about £30 to £35. The competition format is 4BBB.
Prostate PSA blood testing day, Saturday 2 November
A reminder from our treasurer, Steve Gosling, that payments are due for both the annual subs (£25) and the ABM lunch (£10) on Friday 18th October.
Subs were due by 1st October, but so far only 41 people have paid out of a membership of around 95. If you do not intend to re-join the senior section for 2024/2025, please inform Steve Gosling.
There are 11 names on the ABM lunch list that still need to pay.
The account for payment is:
Lymm Golf Over 60s 60-20-29 50244779 Ref: Surname
(Please note that this is a different account number to that we use for for the inter-club matches.)
Lymm v Warrington, interclub-friendly
Reporter: Art Laird (CoD)
This was the final Interclub match of the season and we were blessed with dry and fine weather even although the higher holes were rather cool with a biting wind – it was just great to get down to the 11th and even better the 19th!
The course has just had three days of Autumn maintenance making the greens a challenge for most of us – having said that the course overall is very much improved in many ways, clearly some way to go but all credit to the new head greenkeeper Rob Cooper and his team
Peter and I had a tough challenge against the formidable Anthony COD and Andrew Warrington Vice Captain – in spite of the greens treatment Andrew only missed one put to my knowledge – even our banter could not put him off !! We were soundly beaten 4 and 3. Notwithstanding our loss the rest of the team came up trumps and we were only defeated by one game losing 4 1/2 to 3 1/2 – whatever an honourable draw – a very significant improvement over the away Warrington match earlier in the season
The result: Lymm 3.5, Warrington 4.5
Peter Broady and Art Laird – lost 4 and 3 Mervyn Roberts and Alan Ranscombe (PMA) – Halved Dave Craggs and Martin Lowe – won 5 and 4 ( Craggsy could do no wrong! ) Paddy Moran and John Armstrong – won 2 and 1 Grahame Brickell and Phil Perry – lost 3 and 1 Phil Lomas and Peter Wilson – won 3 and 2 Charlie Hill and Dave Meir – lost 5 and 3 Mike Pigott and Steve Gosling – lost 1 down
As usual the lunch provided by Karen and the team was 1st Class and enjoyed by all – the final glass of red slipped down with ease !!
Very many thanks to John for ALL the hard work organising the teams and securing the best ever Captains of the Day throughout the season and of course Steve for managing the ‘readies’ and keeping the ‘elderly’ in line – I for one am voting for John and Steve to remain in charge for at least another season !!
I also had the great pleasure in presenting Paddy Moran the ‘seniors 80th jumper’ – he will achieve that ripe age on October 04 – congratulations and well done !
Bottle-of-wine Competition, Friday 27 October
Reporter: Paul Foster
A chilly start for the Friday bottle of wine competition, however the day turned out to be a sunny day for the players with a late morning tee off.
The cold wind seemed to cause havoc with all 20 entrants, with no one beating their handicap.
I had the pleasure today of playing with new member Howard Jones (no not that one)…who possess a classic text book golf swing, one to look out for in future competitions…his playing handicap of 14 will surely come tumbling down.
So to the results…
In 3rd place was Paul Foster with 26pts
R/Up was Alan Copeland with 27pts
Winner of the day and recipient of a fine bottle of Vintage Châteaux de Latchford was Richard Smyllie with 29pts.
That’s the last of the BOW competitions, as Fridays match against Warrington was the last of these friendlies. The Autumn leagues starts on the 4th October.
Tee-booking schedule for tomorrow (Thursday 3 October)
Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 6th October
Reminders:
Trophies: If you are a trophy holder – listed in newsletter of 4 September 2024 – please ensure you return your trophy to a committee member by 4 October.
Memorial Day: This Friday, 4 October, Memorial Day. It is also round 1 of the Autumn League (best 5 from 10). Please ensure you enter the competition which is open on IG or home page of Lymm GC.
A donation bucket and tot of whiskey will be on the bar.
The memorial trophy is awarded to the player with the highest points (regardless of division) and will be presented at the ABM on 18 October.
Please note an error in last week’s newsletter for the bank account details for you to pay for the lunch at our annual meeting. The account No. is 50… not 59…
The cost is £10.00 and should be paid to:-
Lymm Golf Over 60s 60-20-29 50244779 Ref: ABM-surname
Please note that is not the same account that we use for the inter-club matches.
Seniors subs now due for 2024/25
Reporter: Steve Gosling
As October approaches our season draws to an end and a new one begins with the Autumn series, first match being on Friday 4th October.
This year in order to maintain, and in some cases enhance, the prizes on offer (we have 2 Divisions now) we have increased the annual subs to £25.
How this money will be spent can be seen in the Budget for 2024/25. I’m happy to send a PDF to anyone who would like to see it.
I’m sure you enjoy the friendly competition and social aspect of the Seniors section and our aim is to continue to build on that success during 2024/25.
So please ensure payment of the £25 is made soon to:
Lymm Golf Over 60s
60-20-29 50244779 Ref: (add your surname)
Autumn
With autumn setting in, and the Autumn League approaching, we will see some necessary changes to our Friday competitions, especially when the golf course is deemed no longer WHS-qualifying.
Paul Foster, the man in charge of senior handicaps, explains:
The Autumn League
Reporter: Paul Foster
At the start of the forthcoming Autumn League, we expect to continue to the WHS handicap system, but it is usual that part way through the Autumn League the course stops being playable for a WHS handicap. This is because mats are introduced, and/or winter tees or winter greens are in use.
When WHS handicapping no longer applies, the Senior Section will operate the manual handicap system we used last year. Based on the performance in the previous Friday sessions, a players handicap may be adjusted and a new handicap given for future week’s competitions. Such new handicaps will be available each week on our website: LGCSeniors.com.
This manual system will operate until the WHS system becomes operational again around April 2025, at which time all members will revert back to their WHS handicap.
A minimum of 7 Rounds should be played in the Autumn League. If 6 rounds or less are played, the League will be cancelled.
All Autumn league competitions are scored over 15 holes only. The designated course is the first 15 holes open on that day. (i.e. if hole 13 is closed but all others are open, the competition is played over 1-12, 14-16 for that day).
If less than 15 holes are open, the scores achieved on these days will be pro-rata’d up to 15 holes for the consistency of recording the players league positions in the League. Members may continue to play on to complete 18 holes, if they so wish – but only holes 1 to 15 will be counted, and members should not enter their score for these holes on their card, as to do so will conflict with the WHS evaluation of handicaps.
A sleeve of balls will be awarded to players who score a two on the designated course during the Autumn League. Apart from the overall league prizes and trophies, there will be a small weekly monetary prize (that goes onto your account in the Pro’s shop) for the winner of each division on the day.
We will continue to have 2 divisions, based on a halfway-split of handicaps. Here are division lists:
Interclub-friendly Lymm v Northenden, Friday 20 September
Match Reporter: Phil Ormesher (CoD)
It was an excellent day’s golf. Fine weather and, for me, the course looked and played probably the best it’s been all season.
Judging by the empty plates, lunch was enjoyed by all.
I played with Alan Burton against Martin and John (Northenden’s current president). It was an excellent match; good humoured and ‘nip and tuck’ all the way round until we finally succumbed on the 17th.
Of course, the match was an honourable draw, with the detailed results below:
Phil Ormesher/Alan Burton L 2-1 Mike Pigott/Pete Broady W 1UP Jeff Chapman/Colin Hughes W 5-3 Ian Whitehead/Mike Bennett W 4-3 John White/Mervyn Roberts W 3-2 Paddy Moran/Andrew Cox W 1Up Dave Donnell Jones/Alan Ranscombe L 3-1 John Armstrong/Grahame Brickell L 1 Down
So, overall, a 5 – 3 win for Lymm. Well done everybody.
One highlight of the match was Mike and Pete’s dogged determination to win. They were never ahead throughout the match but played the back nine in a gross 4 under par sealing the win 1 up.
However, the major highlight has to be Colin Hughes’s hole-in-one on the 17th. A most challenging hole at the best of times, so very well done Colin!
Bottle-of-wine Competition, Friday 20 September
Held alongside the Inter-club competition v Northenden taking place
Winner – Keith Melia – 35 points 2nd: Mark Pickles – 32 points 3rd: Alan Copeland – 31 points
The draw for partners and the schedule of games has been made.
Thanks to Russ Jones and John McCue for calculating dates and entering the draw for this competition into the club website. Here is the draw, with all details of partners, rounds and expected play-by dates. If you are entered into the draw, you should see a link to the draw in your ‘Upcoming Competitions’ section on the website.
If any players now cannot make the draw please let me know and I can substitute another player before a 1st round match is played.
Good luck to all contestants.
Interclub friendly versus Leigh, home at Lymm, Friday 13 September
Reporter: Mike Bennett
There is an excellent relationship between our two clubs, and so everybody was looking forward to playing in this fixture.
The match was played in good weather. The course was in excellent condition, which was acknowledged by all Leigh playing members.
All enjoyed the meal and speeches after the match.
The result was: Lymm 5 Leigh 3
Mike Bennett and AndyTimms W 2up Grahame Brickell and Dave Meir W 2up Tommy Lawless and Jeff Chapman W 1 up Russ Jones and Peter Willson W 2 up Peter Broady and Phil Ormisher L John Hayes and Dave Craggs L 3&1 Martin Lowe and Steve Bird W 4 & 3 Ian Whitehead and Alan Ramscombe L 2 & 1
Caricature of Phil ‘Little Voice’ Lomas
Ian Lane at Leigh GC is a talented cartoonist, who remembered Phil Lomas becoming totally submerged in a pond when trying to save his runaway trolley. Ian sent this image to us. I’m not sure if it resembles Phil, but at least Ian remembered the big moustache!
Happy Monday’s Stableford competition – 16th September
Reporter: Peter Willson
A thoroughly damp, dank and misty start which was a little on the chilly side – just as we finished the sun came out, as promised, and the temperature rose with blue skies.
Low scoring all round this week – difficulties seem to have been experienced by many on the greens, with some tricky pin placements:
Game: Team Stableford
7 teams – 22 players
Winners – Steve Barlow, Pete Broady and Ken Narraway – 23.7 points per player
2nd: Dave Craggs, Tony Dixon, Charlie Hill and Ron Thornton – 22.5 ppp
3rd: Mike Bennett, Colin Crail, Les Williams and Richard Yates – 21.8 ppp
Bottle of Wine competition – Friday 13th September
Reporter: Peter Willson
BoW competition held whilst Interclub match against Leigh at Lymm was held.
A dry, sunny day without wind, cool at first. But the rain this week has slowed things up with some mud being picked up on balls on the bottom holes.
Winner: John White – 30 points
2nd: Colin Crail – 28 points – CPO over last 6 holes
3rd Sammy Lee – 28 points
Round 1 of Autumn session & Memorial Trophy game: Friday 4th October
Reporter: Dave Craggs
This will be the first game of the Autumn session, best 5 from 10 scores, so please ensure you enter the competition when it opens to be sure your score is recorded. As in last year’s Autumn League, we will have two divisions.
On the same day we will also be playing for the Memorial Trophy which will be awarded to the player with the most points on the day. There will be shots on the bar after the game together with a donation bucket for donations to our charity Prostrate Cancer. Please ensure you bring some cash and, please, no washers or foreign currency!
Presentation Lunch / Annual Business meeting: Friday 18th October
Reporter: Dave Craggs
The presentation lunch this year will be held on Friday 18th October.
The format will be the same as our previous presentation lunches. The business of the ABM will precede the presentation of our 2024 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 is £10.00 and should be paid to:-
Lymm Golf Over 60s 60-20-29 50244779 Ref: ABM-surname
Please note: this is not the same bank account that we use for interclub competitions.
Tee-Booking Schedule for tomorrow: Thursday 19 September
Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 22 September
Please be on time booking your slots. Mondays are becoming more at LGC, therefore please be on the pulse of 20:00.
If you’re unable to book in yourself at 20:00 please ask one of your team to do it for you
Lymm Golf Club Senior Section 