CAPTAINS REPORTS
2007/2008

Dear Members

How quickly twelve months passes, evidence I suppose of how much I have enjoyed my time as captain.

Just like the Oscar's, thanks have to be given to those people that have helped and supported me during my year.

Firstly the members of the Committee for all their hard work and patience, Vice, Tony Biggerstaff, in looking after both the Scratch and "A" Team Fixtures and also for organising Captains Day.

Special thanks must go to Tony Alford and Phil Jefferson for their exceptional work in getting the web site up and running again.

Barry Ramsay, earns a special mention for his work organising the fixtures and running the Winter League, again, still one of the most popular events of the year.

Whilst on the subject of Committee, Tony Hodson has finally decided to stand down this year, after nearly 30 years of commitment to the club, even through ill health recently.

I sincerely hope every member takes the time to personally thank him for his sterling work over the years. Good luck Tony and thanks.

My gratitude also to George and all his staff at the complex for their help and Karen's catering staff.

I was bitterly disappointed that the takeover of the complex by Sportspace. was delayed until early December, as this has meant a delay in the improvements to the course and Club House.

Hopefully now the work on drainage and bunkers will be carried out in the early Spring.

MENS SECTION

Results this year followed the usual trend of being invincible at home, but unconvincing, away from Little Hay.

In the Herts Friendly League we were Mid Table and also finished halfway in the Needle Shield, held at Panshager, where the home side prevailed.

The "B" Team had an amazing set of statistics halving no less than 5 of their 6inatches and losing 5-1 in the other one.

Unfortunately the Scratch Team were relegated this year, such is the structure of this league, that one more win would have meant promotion "Ce La Ve"

While on the subject of club matches, I would like to stress that it is getting increasingly more difficult to get members for these matches.

They are excellent days out, always played in a wonderful spirit and I would encourage members to Get more involved in what I consider to be a fundamental part of being a club member.

Club Competitions this year were hotly contested. Order of merit was won by Peter Goodwin who also carried off Men's Scratch Knock-out.

The Club Championship was won by Torn Bailey with a very impressive two round total of 143.

The David Johnson Trophy was won by James Witterick, Fred Roberts Mixed, Jill Rutland and Gus Walker were successful and the Men's Doubles went to Steve and Nick Pinnock.
Congratulations to you all.

Now in its 29th year the twice yearly Telford Fixture was once again eagerly anticipated, but after a respectable home performance 6-6 in the spring, we travelled to Telford in the Autumn and were thoroughly trounced 11-1, but despite this our Five "Virgins" put up a very good performance in the bar, led by Tony Perry.

The NAPGC Events were very mixed indeed. having gone out early in the Hawtree and The Clapham Common.

We had our most successful campaign ever in the singles. No fewer than 8 representatives qualified for various finals.
Paul Rolfe. Steve Pinnock along with Linda Cusick and Pauline Manning made the UK Championship Finals at St Andrews.

Jim Lochhead finished 4"' in Seniors Competition.

We managed 3 men trough to the Championship of all England held at Woodhall Spa. Gus Walker Jerry Clarke and modesty prevents me revealing the other !
Congratulations goes to you all for excellent performances.

Ladies Section

Sylvia has produced a report on her year which has been published in the Ladies Monthly News Letter.
 

We got our usual "Tonking" off the ladies in the annual Men's v Ladies in the annual Men's v Ladies match, in which I take immense personal pleasure in congratulating each and every one of the "Bandits"
 

Senior Section

Michael Clark, last year's senior captain has kindly provided a report, which is detailed below.May I take this opportunity to congratulate all of the respective captains for all their hard work during the past twelve months.
 

Junior Section

Unfortunately the junior section this year has diminished drastically, after a few years of great success.

Various reasons have been given for its demise. educational commitments. social and economic status and of course general coming of "that" certain time in life.

On the rood side the academy is going strong and hopefully with the excellent work of Ralph Lane and Derek Tarling to bring them along, the future looks brighter.
 

Captains Day

Obviously the big day of the year for me so I was highly delighted by the excellent turn out of over 100 members. from all sections of the club.

The day was won by Steve Pinnock with an outstanding 41 pts playing off Handicap of 6.
For those who came to the evening out at the dous and made my day complete. special thanks and I hope you enjoyed your day as much as I did.

Invitation Charity Day

I was determined to try and revive what used to be an annual event, and was delighted by the result.

Although visitors out numbered members 3-1, it was an excellent day with exceptional fund raising.

With skills from Ray Franklin and Tony Biggerstaff we managed to raise £616 on the day for Cancer Aid.

The overall winner on the day was Colin Halcomb with 44 pts.

I sincerely hope we can continue in the coming years with this kind of event.

Finally

It has been an honour to represent Little Hay as captain this past year, and one I have enjoyed immensely.

I am sure I have forgotten to thank someone or another and I beg their forgiveness. Just put it down to my age!

I will continue to give my support on the committee for as long as they want me.

Once again, I thank every single member of this club for being, just that, a member. of Little Hay.

I hope Tony enjoys his year as much as I have and I am sure you will all enjoy his golf much more than mine.

Good luck to you out on the course in 2008.

Alan Chandler

Seniors Report 2007

It is pleasing to report that 2007 was another successful year for the Seniors Section with nine new members joining, bringing our total membership to 102.

Following his 'gap' year Ken Jarrett returned to organise our monthly medal and Stableford competitions in his inimitable and successful style and I wish to express my gratitude for his sterling efforts. These competitions continue to be well supported with up to 60 members regularly taking part.

My thanks also to David Garbutt and his team for producing speedy computerised competition results.

Senior winners this year were:
John Cowan----------------------------------Singles Knockout
Finbar McDonnell & Terry Silverton-------Doubles Knockout
Chris Dove-----------------------------------Order of Merit
Michael Clark--------------------------------Eclectic

Derek Richardson----------------------------Under 72 Senior's Cup

Norman Lucas-------------------------------Over 72 Senior's Cup

Derek Tarling-------------------------------Champion's Cup

Ken Osborne---------------------------------Charity Shield

Michael Paine--------------------------------3 Club Competition

The nominated charity for 2007 was Ben the Automotive Industry Charity for which £1,675.00 was raised. My thanks to everyone who contributed and special thanks to Mike Lutt for organising the raffles.

With the addition of Shendish Golf Club in 2007 we played 20 matches, winning 10, losing 7 and 3 draws with no losses at home.

This year's Captain's Away Day took place at Oakland Park Golf Club which proved to be a popular venue. Derek Richardson was the trophy winner of the day.

My thanks to all of those members who gave me their support during my year as Captain and particularly John Poston for his valuable support as Vice Captain.

I wish John Poston and David Garbutt his Vice Captain every success for 2008.

Michael A Clark 2007 Senior's Captain
 

Junior Report

My year began with the Captain’s drive in, which I can tell you was the most nervous I’ve felt over a golf shot. (Luckily it was a sweet one!)

Moving onto the Junior Club Championship, which was a tightly fought contest. The weather, like the Men’s Club Championship was dreadful with hammering rain and gusty winds making the course a lot tougher than normal. On a personal note, it was the highlight of my golfing year as I won the title for a second time, making me, I believe the only person who has done this. Congratulations also go to Jack Halcomb and James Witterick for coming 2nd and 3rd respectively, over the wet two days.

Another congratulation to James Witterick for beating Jim Lochhead in the final of the Men’s singles representing the juniors! Well done James!

The Junior Friendly League was very disappointing from my point of view as it was difficult on most occasions to gather up a team which resulted in us pulling out of the league. By trying to do as much possible for the club, I feel let down and embarrassed personally and for the club, for the amount of support I have gathered this year.

On a more positive note, the academy juniors are playing some superb golf at the moment and it will be fantastic to see them move onto playing 18 holes and even getting into the junior squad next year.

I have not been able to be at the club as much as I would have hoped due to school and other commitments. However, I have supported the club for many years and I will continue to do so in the future.

I hope next years Captain will be able to have more success and support than I have had this year and that the junior section of Little Hay Golf Club continues to go from strength to strength. I shall support them in anyway necessary and look forward to be able to share my experience of being a junior at Little Hay for many years to come.

Many Thanks

Nick Jefferson

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