WHITSTABLE TIDINGS
The monthly journal of Whitstable and Seasalter Golf Club
Collingwood Road, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 1EB Tel 01227 272020
e-mail secretary@whitstable-golfclub.co.uk
Web site www.whitstable-golfclub.co.uk
Issue no.4 Volume 2 1St February 2014
Editor Bob Ireland, 01227 638425, 07802874914,robert.ireland@gmail.com
News
Burns Night Saturday 25th January
It was a cold, wet dismal night, outside, when the 96 of us gathered to celebrate the memory of Rabbie Burns by the strange ritual of first toasting the haggis then spearing the blighter with a ceremonial dagger. Inside it was a different matter with many diners showing their Scottishness by sporting tartan accessories, including bow ties, scarves, ties, shoes and more!
The evening was a great success as usual. Tony Love and his team looked after us very well, supplying a wonderful haggis with neeps and tatties. For those who couldn’t face the haggis he had made a scotch broth! Roast beef followed and was delicious. Steve Wood behind the bar with his team also kept us well supplied with drinks.
The piper ground his way slowly around the floor entertaining us with Scottish tunes, Steve Rumball gave a good address to the Ladies and Linda Bawden responded with a poem of her own invention, well done all very enjoyable.
DEFIBRILLATOR
The Insurance problems have now been satisfactorily resolved and we are now proceeding with the purchase of an exterior secure case, which will be installed in the entrance porch.
This will enable the general public to access the defibrillator, which was always our intention, and dialling 999 will obtain the security code. The Security Code will be publicised within the Clubhouse for use by Members.
Many thanks to our 100 Club and Kent County Council for funding this project and to all Members who have also helped in different ways.
BOREHOLE
At the recent Board Meeting it was agreed that we would proceed with this project in the Spring and instructions are being given to the specialist Contractors involved. The drilling work should only take 7/10 days – there will be no fracking!
This follows the final satisfactory report on water quality provided by our recently appointed agronomists STRI.
MEMBERSHIP
Like most Golf Clubs we are always looking for new Members to replace those who move away or just get too old to play. Our average age is higher than most clubs, which has its effect on our membership.
We will therefore be advertising again this year from March onwards and our new Membership Director Richard Gremo is currently considering our advertising campaign with our President Michael Behr. If anyone has any ideas please contact either of them – they will be pleased to hear from you.
We will also be offering a £50 Incentive to existing Members who introduce new Full Playing Members to the Club. Full details will be available soon – the incentive will be by way of a discount from the next year’s subscription. There will be no limit to the number of incentives, which can be earned in any year. So introduce 10 Members for a free year!
LAND DEVELOPMENT
An Architect has been selected who will be applying for Pre Planning Permission shortly for the site to the left of the 8th Tee as agreed at the AGM.
We would stress that this is a very long-term project and it will be some considerable time before any progress is made, but we will keep Members informed.
As penned by Brian Best.
Future Events
Valentines Night February 14th
Tony is doing an evening meal for those 40 romantics who wish to stare lovingly into each others eyes whilst devouring the following menu:-
Prawn and smoked salmon cocktail, Coquilles St Jacques or Broccoli and stilton soup, Beef Wellington with Madeira sauce or Chicken en croute with white wine sauce, served with Lyonnais potatoes and seasonal vegetables, summer fruit and panacotta trifle or pineapple cake with toffee sauce and ice cream, cheese and biscuits and coffee.
All this for only £40 per couple! Dare you miss it? Be quick there are only 40 places book with Steve at the club and don’t forget to pay a deposit of £20.00
February 22nd
First Wine and Wisdom quiz of the year £6.50 per person teams of 10, nibbles and prizes, remember no electronic aids will be permitted!
March 22nd
Race Night, The White City comes to Whitstable in the form of Greyhound racing!
Always a great night, a small entrance fee will provide a fantastic evening’s entertainment – who knows you may be a winner! I can see you all now faces white, beaming with anticipation at the thoughts of life changing fortune, don’t miss out book your place today!
St George’s Night
The social committee is looking to have an evening of pure Englishness around St George’s Day on 23rd April.
The evening will comprise, good English grub, patriotic songs and poems, maybe a short quiz and some silliness I expect!
The final date is to be decided but keep a spot in your diary around that time to indulge in the wonder that is England (Scots, Welsh, Irish or any other ethnic group are also welcome to marvel at that which has made us what we are!)
Future Secretary
We are looking for a secretary to take over when Brian Best retires, so all those who know how to run the club (and there are plenty of those!) are welcome to put their names forward. I should point out that this is not an immediate position change, it’s just that Brian will want to retire his position at some time in the future and a new secretary will be needed to take over then.
Website
I am looking for some good photographs of the Club and course, which I can include on the Web site. If anyone has any or would like to go around with me before the weather gets too bad and get some please get in touch.
Something with dappled light shining through would be great!
The Old Salts Captain George Bawden Vice Captain and
Secretary Ian Wingrove
Press and publicity Alec Parrett
Nothing can be said of January 2014 as a month during which to play golf at Collingwood Road. So we won’t try.
Some valiant Salts ventured to Westgate to slosh around for some open-air frolics but most, sensibly, seemed to have stayed at home to watch Rory McIlroy and his rich mates on the telly practice their sand shots in the desert. A novel note of interest in Whitstable saw President Mike Behr on the eighth fairway trying to water ski.
So let’s look forward to this month when hopefully we can pick up those funny sticks again (remember them?) Whilst on the subject, it might be a good time to show your clubs some daylight and get them re-gripped for the new season. Captain George is up for getting his handicap down still more after last year’s return to form with a visit to the Chestfield pro for a re-grip from £6 a club. Also for anyone wanting to travel further afield, a visit to Manston might be in order where Keely Chiericato (late of this golfing parish and now a PGA qualified teaching coach), can be contacted in the pro shop for prices. At the moment they have a nine-grips offer for £39.99. Shoes, too, could probably take a new spike or two, or even a new set.
Further down the line we can now focus on the Old Salts Dinner on March 13 when Alec Parrett will again attempt to please everyone with his seating and eating plan. It went very well last year, with just one serious dissenter (there’s usually far more).
So in an attempt again to please everyone, the list is now up in the changing room, which asks not only for your choice of meal, but again with whom you wish to be seated near. Golfing twosomes (such as husband and wife) should check first with their other halves whether the choices recorded are pleasing to both and can be acted upon safely by the organiser.
Gee up, because after last year’s record attendance there is a cap on numbers allowed.
Junior Section Captain Jack Tucker, Vice Captain
Life in the Junior Section is rather quiet at the moment, to say the least. However, five strong hearted members turned out for the first Competition of 2014. Three played in the 9 hole and two in the 5 hole. An hour or two later they came in, quite wet but very good spirited, for a well deserved hot drink and mars bar. Congratulations are due to Oscar Bensted who won the 9 hole competition and also, incidentally, won the most improved player of 2013. My grateful thanks are due to the two Brians who accompanied the little ones, Josh and Paddy, for the 5 hole championship. It was a close run thing, only two points in it, but victory went to Paddy, well done.
Below is a list of Junior dates throughout the summer for everyone to take note of so that your planned golf does not clash with their competitions. Also, please note that summer Monday evenings holes 1 and 2 are reserved for the Juniors between 5pm and 7pm.
Ladies Section Captain Linda Bawden, Vice Captain Beryl Wingrove
Secretary Jean Hudson
Well rain has well and truly stopped play this month! The course has been shut every Tuesday in January-hence not much to report!
Looking forward (as there is not much joy to be had looking back!) Ladies Social golf will restart on Thursday 6th February –all being well and the course being open!
On Saturday 22nd February the Club is hosting a Wine and Wisdom night-a few places still remaining.
Captain Linda is looking into organising another away day at London Beach Club, Tenterden so if you’re interested in going please see her for more details.
The Mixed Invitation Competition has had to be cancelled the past 2 years due to insufficient numbers. We are very much hoping we can resurrect it this year as it’s a great day-good golf, good company, good food-what else is there? It’s going to be played on Sunday 6th April so keep the date free and think of a golf-playing non-member you can invite-let’s bring it back with a bang!
Talks continue as to whether we could start up a choir here, open to all members, not just the ladies. We have keen singers but still need a piano/organ player-can anyone tinkle the ivories? Don’t be backwards in coming forwards!
Fingers crossed that February will be less awful and we can dust off our clubs and venture out on to the course!!
Men’s Section Captain Andy Sargeant, Vice Captain Ted Henderson
I guess no play no report!
Midweekers Section Captain Ray Thomas, Vice Captain Bob Ireland
Secretary Peter Fox
Wed 22nd Jan was the Ron Thompson New Year Trophy. A later than usual tee off time occurred due to a pitch inspection it seemed a surreal occasion as only nine of us participated as we walked off into the haze led by an overwhelming desire to play golf. For the Captains Challenge we faced the formidable pairing of John Fullagar and the effervescent Roy Lee. After three holes we were three down but managed to claw our way back to being all square on the 17th. As for the 18th I can’t write it down without breaking down.(we lost).
As for the competition, in 3rd place with 33pts was Don Crawford, 34pts John Fullagar and the winner with36pts Colin Horton. Birdies on the 6/15 were Don Crawford and Ray Thomas, 4/13 Colin Horton and Glen Snook, on the 18th John Fullagar. It didn’t do our finances much good with only 9 playing and 5 of us getting birdies!
Two days on and we played the Ray Emmerson Winter Warmer Shield. Our Captain’s Challenge opponents were Ian Horton and my ex Captain Peter Shearing who couldn’t stop grinning all the way round and apologising for how well he was playing. They beat us 3 and 2. I want to see the Captain’s Challenge scrapped but Eynon won’t let me. Still if we start winning I may change my outlook on it.
Competition results, 3rd place on 35pts Roy Lee, 2nd place on 36 pts John Cook, and the winner on 38pts Paul Guilfoyle. Birdies on the 6th,John Fullagar, on the 4th Steve Chambers. I must mention Bob Ireland’s 2nd shot on the 8th,which we spent considerable time searching for, only to end up finding it in the hole! An eagle, but alas Bob won nothing for this wonderful achievement.
Ray Thomas
Veteran’s Section
Captain Barry Broadbent, Secretary Bob Ireland
2014 Fixture List
Etchinghill home Friday 4th April 0900 hrs
Canterbury away Monday 28th April 1230 hrs
(Dress Note Jacket and Tie for dinner)
Canterbury home Friday 9th May 0900 hrs
Chestfield away Friday 23rd May 0830 hrs
Tudor Park home Monday 2nd June 0900 hrs
Broome Park away Tuesday 24th June 0830 hrs
The Ridge home Monday 30th June 0900 hrs
(Now subject to change as it conflicts with Ladies Jamboree)
Broome Park home Friday 11th July 0900 hrs
Chestfield home Friday 18th July 0900 hrs
Tudor Park away Tuesday 22nd July 0830 hrs
Etchinghill away Friday 8th August 0830 hrs
The Ridge away Friday 15th August 0900 hrs
This list will be posted in the Clubhouse so please indicate your availability to play to avoid disappointment!
Super Seventies Organiser and Captain Alec Parrett
Here is the Supers 2014 list to pencil in for next season. Needless to say, they will shortly appear in the Club diary.
Canterbury AWAY on Fri May 23 ………..Home at Whit Tues June 24
Chestfield AWAY Fri June 20…………..Home at Whit Tues April 8
Broome Park AWAY Thurs July 24………..Home at Whit Tues May 13
Etchinghill AWAY Mon July 28…………..Home at Whit Tues Sept 23
North Foreland AWAY Thurs Sept 4……….Home at Whit Tues Aug 12
Like other Club sections nothing much to report, except to remember that any Club member within touching distance (like 69 years young) of the magic three score years and ten can play this season.
We need teams of ten for this year with a further two as reserves. Handicap limit has been revised to a maximum of 24, but sadly no new clubs have expressed an interest to bring our League C up to full strength. Last year Etchinghill joined with a bang that make things more competitive and brought our numbers up to six teams. Luckily no others have followed St Augustines, who left a year earlier.
All our 2014 fixtures are in our splendid new Club Diary, with home matches played always on a Tuesday afternoon when our Ladies have left the course for the clubhouse after their normal morning games.
Our first fixture is against neighbours Chestfield at home on April 8. Meet up at noon for a coffee and baguette for a fiver. No dressing up and no speeches! So get your names down when the list goes up.
This format seems so inviting that Alec is getting good vibes from the more seasoned players who are turning away from the Kent Vets and taking a more gentlemanly and sedate route to their golf in later life. Long may it continue and the new mood may help get us off the bottom of the league.
Last year we finished one off the bottom, whilst our visitors on April 8 Chestfield got the wooden spoon. Let us hope we can start this season by grabbing some early points off them. We managed it last year.
Elsewhere, other clubs have come together to form new leagues. League D is now made up of just three clubs: Faversham, Seane Valley and (hello) St Augustine’s. The Ridge, Nizels, Birchwood Park and Cherry Lodge form League E. All will now be competing with the original Super Seniors league teams for a huge cup that resembles the FA footballing version and has been donated for the overall winners.
Last year’s Grand Final match was held at Gillingham and won by Rochester who broke Bearsted’s long winning streak, followed by Sean Valley and winners of our league, Broome Park. It nice to know that such a trophy now exists, but we shouldn’t perhaps harbour hopes of ever seeing it. But dream on……………
Fundraising 100 Club
This fundraising venture costs £1 per month, with monthly prizes of £30, £20 and £15. There is a bonus double draw at Christmas each year. You’ve got to be in it to win it!
Winners
1st £30.00 Catherine Whitehead
2nd £20.00 Steve Chambers
3rd £10.00 Fred Stokes
What’s on for the next two months?
February
Sunday 2nd am Wood Trophy Winter Stableford
Tuesday 4th am Ladies Competition
Saturday 8th pm Juniors Medal
Sunday 9th am Captains swindle
Tuesday 11th am Ladies Charity Stableford
Sunday 16th am Stableford
Tuesday 18th am Ladies Competition
Wednesday 19th am Midweekers L Fessey Cup Medal
Sunday 23rd am Captains swindle
Tuesday 25th am Ladies Competition
Friday 28th am Midweekers S Ashworth Cup Stableford
March
Saturday 1st 1300hrs Juniors MedaL
Sunday 2nd am March Hare Trophy Stableford
Tuesday 4th am Ladies Competition
Sunday 9th am Captains swindle
Tuesday 11th am Ladies Competition
Thursday 13th Old Salts Annual Dinner
Sunday 16th am Monthly Medal
Tuesday 18th am Ladies Competition
Wednesday 19th am Midweekers Ernie West Winners Trophy
Thursday 20th 1200hrs Ladies v Westgate (away)
Sunday 23rd am Captains swindle
Monday 24th Old Salts v North Foreland (away)
Tuesday 25th am Ladies 5 club Stableford
Wednesday 26th am Midweekers Peter Glenn March Shield Stableford
Wednesday 26th pm Midweekers annual lunch/AGM
Thursday 27th 1100hrs Ladies v North Foreland (away)
Friday 28th am Midweekers John Bills Trophy Stableford
Saturday 29th 1300hrs Club v Westgate (away)
Sunday 30th am 4 ball betterball Stableford drawn
Ebb and Flow (letters section)
The Editor would appreciate your comments or suggestions of ways to improve the club, magazine, web site, social activities, or anything else that comes to mind! Get writing – it’s your club say what you want!
If you have any specific questions about the course please direct them to the Course Director Malcolm Kent or use the suggestion book.
I know there are people reading this publication as all the copies printed disappear, doesn’t anyone have something to say?
Flotsam and Jetsam
Competition
This month’s competition is to find the 7 trees hidden in the text. You will have to read the whole thing carefully to uncover them, good luck, £20.00 voucher behind the bar with Steve for the first correct answer, who ever gets it will owe me one!
Poetry Corner
Any contributions of any type will be considered, puzzles, stories, history,
Anecdotes, your chance to get your stuff in print!
Here is one from Di West
Oh what a winter
Alas alack
When will we get
Our golf course back?
The course is waterlogged
And sodden
Leaving us feeling
Fat and rotten.
You watch the forecast
Yet again another day of rain
With hopes of golf
Gone down the drain.
We’ve exercised the dog
And cleaned our clubs in case
But a walk’s not the same
Without a small white ball to chase.
We’ve missed our club
And playmates too
Lack of exercise and light
Has left us pale and winter white.
It’s Chinese New Year
And the course is worse
So blow the golf
Happy Year of the Horse!
Beachcomber
I am indebted to John Williams for a huge collection of stories, which I will work through over the next few months.
Philosophy for Life
A philosophy professor stood on front of his class and held up a jar, which was full to the brim with golf balls. Is this jar full he asked the class, all answered, yes. He then poured a bag of dried peas into the jar. The peas filled the spaces left around the golf balls. He then asked if the jar was now full. Once again the class said yes. The professor then poured fine sand into the jar, which filled all the available space. Now he said I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls represent the important things in your life, your family, partners, children, security, health, if everything else was lost and only they remained you would still have a full life. The peas represent the other things that matter to you your job, home and your car. The sand is everything else all the trivia of everyday life, so remember this if you fill the jar first with sand you will have no room for the peas or golf balls. The same goes for your life, for if you spend all your time and energy on the trivial things you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness, play with your children, look after yourself, buy your partner flowers. There will always be time to go to work, clean the car, or cut the grass. Take care of the golf balls first-the things that really matter. He paused at that moment to let the lesson sink in.
At that point a student came forward with a can of beer in his hand, he picked up the jar that everyone had agreed was full and poured in the beer, which soaked into the jar and disappeared.
What did you do that for spluttered the professor, outraged at this audacious vandalism. Replied the student; the most important of all this is no matter how full your life is there is always room for another beer!
Castaways
If you have any unwanted clubs or equipment sell them through this Publication or the Web Site and donate 10% to the Captains Charity! Send the details to my e-mail robert.ireland@gmail.com , by post or place the details on the notice board marked for my attention.
Callaway Big Bertha Heaven Wood 1H
14 degree loft with Big Bertha Uniflex steel shaft.
Good condition with Benross head over.
£ 30
Peter Steigmann
Tel. 01227 262278
e-mail. steigmann@btinternet.com
Ladies Clubs
Cobra Ladies offset driver, 3 wood and 5 wood, £60 the lot
Contact Ernie or Di West 01227 266581
Some from Eric Bean
Woods:-
Loco 10 degree £10.00
Ocean 10.5 degree £10.00
Hippo plus 10 degree £10.00
4 wood 19 degree £10.00
5 wood Wilson 25 degree £10.00
Offset £10.00
Hybrid Onyx 18 degree £10.00
Full set of clubs and bag £50.00
Onyx 19 degree £10.00
Lob Wedge Condor 60 degree £ 5.00
3 assorted putters £ 3.00 each
Hill Billy electric trolley battery and charger £50.00
Eric Bean 01227 740190
Please let me know when these items have gone and I will delete them.
Note
The person who hurled his or her Dunlop nine iron into the ditch by the 4th hole may reconsider the value of it and find it behind the bar with Steve!