Princes Risborough Golf Club
DECEMBER UPDATE
COVID PROTOCOL
In view of the recent local surge in cases the Club will be enforcing a mandatory “mask wearing” protocol when moving about the clubhouse. Out of respect for all members please ensure you wear your mask when moving about the clubhouse.
CLUB KNOCK OUT COMPETITIONS 2021
These are still not all completed but we can add the following to the winners enclosure this year:
- All Medal Winners Champion of Champions: Dave MacKenzie
- Seniors Champion of Champions: Pete Smith
- Summers Pairs KO: Brian Simms & Neil Terry
- Seniors Singles KO: Andy Hall
Congratulations to all our winners.
THE CHILTERN BREAKFAST LEAGUE
The Divisional Winners trophy was presented to our team Captain Steve Sargeant at the AGM followed by individual presentations to all those members who played in the team in 2021. Alastair Wardrop and Barry Woledge also received their “player of the year” awards.
We halved our first-round winter KO match with Oakland Park 3 rubbers each but lost on the technicality of Oakland having better individual wins than us.
THE 2021 RYDERHEIM CUP and CAPTAINS DRIVE IN
This rather different team event took place on Sunday 07 November and what a fantastic day it was with some amazing highlights.
- CAPTAINS DRIVE IN: I have been a member of PRGC since day one and there is no doubt about, our incoming Captain Al Bowyer delivered the finest “drive in” of any of his predecessors. Very long and very straight. So long in fact that the tally clerk (me) had to move a further 100 yards down the fairway to measure it. Not to be outdone, Bex Lowry drove off on behalf of the ladies, in support of the captain, and did the same. Two brilliant drives. The “drive in” came after the RyderHeim cup so maybe an 18-hole warm up works better for incoming Captains?
- RyderHeim Cup: in the event 10 teams participated in a competition condensed to 9 holes of 4ball better ball and 9 holes of individual stableford. Our winners were the Sunday Strollers who managed to defend their trophy with an 8-point win over the The SODS on tour. Congratulations to Roger Meakes, Alan Nunn, Sean Cummins and Mark Tubb on their win.
CLUB COMPETITIONS DECEMBER 2021
Friday 03 Club Stableford
Saturday 04
Sunday 05
Tuesday 14 Seniors Stableford
Friday 17 Club Medal
Saturday 18
Sunday 19
Friday 24 Christmas Eve Texas Scramble (teams of 4: SGS)
THE CHRISTMAS EVE TEXAS SCRAMBLE: THE BOB WILSON TROPHY
This is one of our most popular team events and this year will have added poignancy. The Committee has decided to dedicate this event to our late Head Greenkeeper Bob Wilson and member teams will be competing for the Bob Wilson trophy.
This is a Texas Scramble in teams of four and members guests are welcome. The event is played to Florida rules and the winning members team will receive the Bob Wilson Trophy plus the usual festive cheer. There will be a separate guests team prize and any team with 2 or more guests will compete for the guest prize.
The sign-up sheets will be posted in the bar so please sign up your team without delay as space is limited. There will be no Friday stableford on this day as the course is closed for the shotgun start.
REGULAR SOCIAL GOLF AT PRGC
- Tuesday Morning: Senior men (for those aged 55 and over)
- Wednesday Morning: Ladies
- Friday Morning: Mixed Singles Stableford (ladies and gentlemen) except Friday 24th December
A MESSAGE FROM BRUCE LOOME PGA PROFESSIONAL
After a very busy, if somewhat different, year Bruce has now closed his golf coaching programme for 2021. He is heading to warmer climes for the winter and will spend time in Florida and, lucky him, have dinner with one of his coaching alumni, one Tiger Woods. Bruce will be practicing (yes even Pro’s need to do that) and warming up for a return to Europe in January when he will be playing in a couple of major tournaments in Portugal. He aims to be back with us in February 2022, weather permitting, to recommence his on-field coaching.
Although in the USA Bruce tells me he is available via email if anyone wants to order Callaway kit or coaching vouchers, both of which make for excellent Christmas presents.
And finally, some members may not be aware of the excellent intensive coaching tour Bruce hosts in Poland every year. Many members have benefitted from this in the past so if you are interested for next year, please contact Bruce direct.
PROTOCOL REMINDERS
- Winter Rules: Mark, pick, clean and place within 6 inches no nearer the hole, but only on the fairway and the mown surrounds of the green.
- Trolley use: The club has notified all members that with immediate effect only trolleys with winter wheels will be allowed on the fairways. Hedgehog wheels are preferred but the power caddy winter tractor wheels are also acceptable. If you do not have winter wheels you must keep your trolley in the rough or on the paths provided. All club trolleys have hedgehog wheels and can be hired if needs be
- Buggies: will remain in use whilst weather condition permit. Buggies are prohibited from the fairways and must also be kept in the rough or on the footpaths provided
- Bunkers in development: if your ball lands in the sand it is in play. The newly laid turf is GUR and if your ball is on the new turf, you must take full relief away from the bunker. If your ball is in the sand but in such a position you would have to stand on the turf to play it you are permitted to move and place the ball IN THE SAND to a point where you are also standing in the sand. DO NOT play any shot with your feet on the newly laid turf. Bunkers in development will remain GUR until Spring 2022
- Course management: if you observe any members or visitors not abiding by our course protocols, please politely raise it with them and /or inform the Club management as soon as possible so they can deal with the situation quickly and easily
- Pitch Marks, Divots and Bunkers: Pease repair any pitch marks and divots you make or find on the course. Failure to repair these promptly will potentially ruin the game for players with you or following you and will result in long term damage to the course. Please repair them even if they are not yours and help playing partners who cannot do so for medical reasons. Always rake the bunker after use ready for the players behind you.
- New 18th Tee: it has been noted that some members are moving the tee blocks on this tee to the left. This is forbidden. It alters the set course and makes any competition invalid under the rules of golf. Specifically, it makes the tee dangerous to those on the practice area or in the clubhouse area. Any member found moving these blocks will be subject to disciplinary action. You have been warned.
- Brock Badger: he’s back so if your ball ends up in the badger scrapes you allowed full relief without penalty one club length for the edge of the disruption
- Waste Bins: please use the waste bins around the course or better still take your rubbish home. Some members have been seen putting waste in the green bins. These are for seeded sand and should be used to repair the tees, and not for waste.
Barry Woledge
Competitions Secretary
25 November 2021 V2
