Fellow RAGS,

The Springs Resort and Golf Club proved to be an excellent venue for our last RAGS outing this season and, although rain threatened, it remained dry and pleasantly warm.

The course was in excellent condition and although long, it is flat so wasn’t unduly tiring. I don’t think I’ve ever seen more bunkers on a golf course but it also contained some delightful water features.

Interestingly, there was a pattern throughout the 20 players who participated in that everyone did much better in the first half but obviously suffered mental fatigue in the back nine when scores were markedly different in most cases.  We lads are going to have to sharpen our game if we are going to redeem an element of pride.  The trophy at present depicts a male golfer and I’m wondering if we should supplement it (or even supplant it) with a female one given the results at Hennerton and yesterday!!

Now to the results under the one prize rule:

Overall winner – Arlinda Chaplin (42 pts) £15 plus trophy
Runner-up – Val Dexter (34 pts)  £10
Best front 9 – Val Bate (21 pts) £10
Best back 9 – Mark Richards (15 pts) £10
Nearest the pin – Barry Woledge £10
Longest drive (L) – Sue Pomeroy £10
Longest drive (M) – Adam Zaziemski £10

With thanks to our resident photographer, Mike Smith, I’m attaching photographs of the winners - RAGS Spring Resort 2024

There seems to be a strong appetite for playing other courses so I hope to find more interesting venues for RAGS next year. Meanwhile, thank you to all who participated this year in the spirit of fun and friendship which defines RAGS.

During the winter I shall be reducing the circulation. RAGS has been going for 4 years now and we have over 100 players who registered as being interested in playing different courses in the area and who requested to be on the circulation but approximately half have never played or responded to any of the invitations.  I understand circumstances might have prevented it but I don’t want to bombard people with emails if there is no further interest so if you don’t receive further notices of RAGS outings but still interested in joining us, please let me know and I’ll be pleased to reinstate you on the circulation.

Best wishes,
John

Tel: 07774 203 193

Men's Away Trip 2025 - Save the Dates 6th,7th,8th May 2025

PR GC  -  Captains Mid August Message 2024

Hello All,

A very big warm welcome to all new members, and especially those arriving from other clubs!

As once again the Autumnal months get nearer, I shall begin with Future Events.

Friday 13th September 2024 - Charity Bingo Night with Buffet, ticket prices £15.00 per head to include hot buffet and six bingo games. Further cash bingo cards to be paid for on the night. Purchase drinks from the bar and please book in advance with Sarah or bar staff. This event will be run on behalf of my charity "On Course Foundation" and the Lady Captains charity "MND".

September sees the usual programme of monthly competitions, including the Monthly Club Stableford on the 7th, mixed match away at Weston Turville GC, Seniors Monthly Medal, Seniors match away at Chartridge Park GC, CBL at home vs Hazelmere GC, Seniors match vs Chartridge Park GC at home, the Mixed Club Friday Stableford, and last but not least our Club Championship - The Barcilon Cup over two days on 28th and 29th September. Further details of all these are available on the notice boards in the Mens changing room, and also from myself, Al Bowyer, John White (Friday mixed), Jill Peppett (mixed away match), Steve Sargeant (CBL), David Orford (Seniors Capt.)

Furthermore, WAGs, Wednesday Afternoon Golf society will continue to run with Dave Mackenzie in charge - this week is the Black Flag competition, with its own mini competition on the 9th!!!   Normally around twenty members play from 4.00 pm onwards but more always welcome.

We also have a RAGs (Risborough Away Golf society) day out, run by John Stephenson, which is at The Springs GC on Monday the 2nd September. Again contact John for more information.

Thus you can see there is a full programme of events and competitions.

Coaching - Bruce Loome is available to help with all your "golfing problems" - please contact Bruce directly for lessons, grip replacements, club purchase, and any other golf related issues on learning and improving our game.

Club Shop - Luke Viney will be happy to sell you any golf related gear from towels, to gloves, balls, tees, and of course the new lightweight Summer polo shirts.

Use of mobile phones for scoring!  - Luke is also able to assist those that want to learn about using MyEngGolf or HDidIdo for inputting their scores as they go round the course. Now this is quite an emotive subject (I have even been called a Luddite!) as it is not so long ago that all phones were banned from golf courses. However, we move on and now it appears that EG are encouraging this practice. I am happy for others to try this out, but I would STRESS that all phones should still be kept on "silent" for the whole round (apart from medical emergencies!).  {nobody wants to hear what you might be having for supper or when to pick up the Grandkids!!}

Results. Some of these have already been published, but for those that have not seen them, here we go:-

July 5th. Friday Mixed Stableford won by Mike Smith with 38 points.

July 9th. Seniors Medal - White tees, won by John Rye with a nett 67, Gold won by Bob Carter also with a nett 67.

July 19th. Fowler Bowl won by Mark Collins with 41 points and the Mixed stableford by Christine Stevens with 40 points.

July 20th. Mens stableford was won by Nathan Barrington with 42 points.

July 27th. Mens July Medal - Div. one won by Alan Jackson with a nett 65 and Div. two won by Andy Hall with a nett 71.

August 3rd. Mens August stableford won by Mark Stinchcombe with 41 points.

August 10th. Captains Day and Captains Trophy won by Alan Jackson with 42 points.

August 13th. Seniors Medal White tees, won by Meron Jacyna with a nett 65, and Gold tees won by Mike Sainsbury with a nett 68.

August 16th. Mixed Monthly stableford won by Mark Collins with 37 points.

August 17th. Mens Summer Pairs, won by Mark Collins & Tony Taylor with 45 points.

Well done to all these winners.

Around the Club. Shortly we will be saying "adieu" to our club Secretay John Rye, who will be moving to Lancashire and I would just put on record that John has done a great job in keeping our committee meetings in order and focused with superb minutes. Many thanks John. Play well at your new club.

Obviously we needed to fill this vacancy and I am pleased to report that Mark Collins has volunteered to take on this roll. Mark is a fairly new member of the club, but has thrown himself into all the competitions and events, and I am delighted he is so keen to assist.

As always, a big "thank you" to the all the staff that keep our club going on a day to day basis; the Greenkeepers, the Bar staff, and the Caterers. We appreciate all your hard work.

Etiquette. I think most players/members have got the message about raking bunkers, replacing divots and repairing pitch marks, but it doesn't hurt to remind everyone.  Also, should your ball fly off the fifth tee, for example, and land on the sixth fairway, it is up to the players in front of you to allow you to play your ball before they play, or not, if they are about to tee off!

Dress code should be collared shirt, tucked in, (not tee shirt) and golf shorts or trousers (not jeans).

I noticed two new directional course signs yesterday, so I believe the rest will be following shortly!

My grateful thanks to Roger Meakes, who having installed the Captains Charity Box near the bunker on the 9th/18th, some years ago, managed to get it open (the key was missing) and this produced a sum of over £148.00 for the "On Course Foundation" charity. Thank you to all who contributed, even those who donated 5 Euros, an Aussie 5 cents, a USA quarter, and a car park token!!

Mens Away Trip. I have provisionally booked the 6th, 7th and 8th May 2025 at the Draycott Hotel & Whitefields GC and more details will follow shortly.

Finally, please support the Charity Bingo Night on the 13th September, enjoy your golfing experience and play well.

Thanks for reading.

Dick Pooley, Club Captain.

mob. 07785 996511, land 01494 269615, email. "richardpooley5@gmail.com"

1. I am away from 30th August till 12th September and will probably be out of wifi range.

Good morning, Gentlemen,

Please find attached September and October 2024 Club Calendar, a copy of which will be placed on the notice board. As normal for this time of the year there is a lot going on!

In this connection I attach the calling notices for the September Monthly Club Competitions, copies of which will also be placed on the notice board in the changing room.

NOTE: For the CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP being played over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday 28^th & 29^thSeptember, AND the RYDERHEIM CUP on 5^th October, I will be issuing separate calling notices, so please look out for these.

Just to reiterate my normal reminder, all members who have the requisite number of previously registered rounds and a formal handicap, are entitled to play in the club competitions,

SATURDAY  7^th SEPTEMBER

THE MONTHLY CLUB STABLEFORD.

As usual, simply form your own groups for this event on the day

TUESDAY 10^th SEPTEMBER

THE SENIORS MONTHLY MEDAL

All Seniors are entitled to enter this competition at any time during the day.

Please note this a White Tee competition for all Seniors who are under 75. For those of you who are over 75, you can opt to play from the Gold Tees.

Please contact Steve Williams direct at stevecgs2003@yahoo.co.uk  with any related queries.

FRIDAY 20^th SEPTEMBER

THE MONTHLY FRIDAY MIXED STABLEFORD.

You can enter this competition at any time during the day.

Please contact John White at:  johnwhite2102@googlemail.com  with any related queries.

And don’t forget the CHARITY BINGO NIGHT being held on Friday 13^th September details of which are attached.

Many thanks for your support

Kind Regards

Al

albert.bowyer@btinternet.com

01494 562862

Mobile: 07807 776461