Princes Risborough secured another great win in the Chiltern Breakfast League with the 4:2 defeat of Mill Green at home today. As expected Mill Green were still smarting a little from the halved match at their place earlier in the season and sent over a very strong team to try and turn the tables.  The result was very hard fought match with two games being decided on the 18^th green and one on the 17^th but the Princes Risborough team prevailed to secure a well deserved win. Bob Darvill and Richard Aldridge, and Barry Woledge and Steve Wagerfield secured solid wins whilst Alan Jackson and Richard Caldicott made it home 1 up on the 18th green and as the last pair effectively secured the match.  The outstanding performance on the day went to Dave MacKenzie and Sunil Soni with a startling 6&4 win which secured them the money and no doubt endless “bragging Rights!!

With four matches left to play Princes Risborough are still vying with Richings Park for top spot in the division. Three of the last four matches are away and will be a challenge but this team are up for it and the spectre of the play offs is there for the taking

Please welcome Julie Weir to the PRGC team!!

Julie will be transitioning to become Nick's new Assistant Manager from 18.6.18.

Julie has great experience of catering including a City and Guilds in Silver Service and the pleasure of serving HRH the Queen during her time with the RAF!!  Amongst her many skills she is also a trained bookkeeper.  Many of you will have seen Julie working with us already at functions and she has already received great feedback from customers.

Julie replaces Yaz who is leaving on the 20.6.18 to join Abbey Hill Golf Club in their hospitality area.

Yaz was a fabulous addition to the team and continues to add huge value to our processes, particularly with regards to the kitchen.  Moving to Milton Keynes takes her closer to her social life and we wish her all the very best with her career in hospitality and coaching.  Apart from her proven skills as an assistant manager, we will very much miss her amazing personality, its been an absolute pleasure working with her.

On Tuesday 1st May we had a special guest at the club for a TOFFS lunch.  We celebrated another 90th Birthday - this time HARRY WILLIAMS - who was 90 on Wednesday 25th April.

The annual grand challenge match play competition between John Tubb's team and the Captain Gavin Adams' team took place today Saturday 12^th May. After 11  very hard fought matches Gavin’s team otherwise known as The Distinguishables emerged as the winners by 7.5 matches to 3.5 over John’s team aka The Incorruptibles.  The best performance on the day came from Alan Caldicott and Dave MacKenzie with a fine 5&4 win so the individual spoils went to them. In the Principals head to head match up, John Tubb and Neil Terry beat Captain Gavin Adams and Neil Martin 2up so once again the individual spoils went to The Incorruptibles, but it was the Captain who walked off with the team win and the Glenfiddich Putter. The Captain's team are almost making a habit of winning this match and Dean Herritty, who was today announced as Vice Captain and Captain elect, will no doubt want to continue in that vein in 2019. John Tubb will of course want to reverse the trend so all to play for in 2019.

Next Friday and Saturday is the Mike Jefferson Memorial Trophy which as a bogey competition plays to match play rules against the course. Those who played today are well prepared for this individual event but all members should sign up and play in memory of Mike, a founder member and our very own Mr Golf. 

Coaching Trip to Poland 6-11th May - "Bring some 20p coins and plenty of golf balls!!"

I have been introduced to Stymies, a putting technique and strategy game which genuinely separates the golfing men from the boys ( and me from my stash of 20p coins 🙂 ). Very keen to talk to Barry about setting up a Stymie ladder or competition, a fun way to improve your putting... and seriously competitive - loved it!

I have also thoroughly enjoyed watching some very simple and very clear coaching.  Coaching that doesn't "ruin your game", but offers nudges of the rudder to enhance it.  Congratulations Bruce, masterclass in coaching technique (and patience). 

After our superb halved match away at Mill Green the CBL team took on the might of Richings Park away on Saturday 05 May. Richings Park are a big club with a strong team who on the day proved a little too hot for the Risborough boys to handle. Most of the matches were close with John Verrall/Richard Bennett securing a half point and Bob Darvill/Richard Aldridge losing 1 down on the fiendishly difficult 18^th Hole. Two other pairs, John Forrest/Craig Whitworth and Gavin Adams/Neil Martin played exceptionally well only to lose out over the closing holes. Barry Woledge/Steve Wagerfield and Pete Smith/Alan Jackson both came up against Richings pairs who were in stellar form  and playing well below handicap. Barry and Steve were undone by their opponents knocking in two birdies and two eagles one of which was for a net hole in 1 on a par 4!! Now that’s a first in the CBL! Overall the CBL performances in 2018 are exceptionally good and the team continues to do well in the league rankings. The next match is on Saturday 9^th June at Home to Richings Park so revenge beckons on our home turf

Ladies and Gentlemen

As your Competitions Secretary it falls to me advise you of the details of this years Grand Challenge match between Gavin Adams’ team (the Distinguishables) and John Tubbs’ team (the Incorruptibles). You will all be aware this is a four ball better ball match play competition played off 90% handicap difference to the lowest handicap player in each match. This year we have 11 matches so a pretty full-on competition playing for the Glenfiddich Putter nobly donated by one of our founder members Terry Clarke.

On the day coffee and biscuits will be available from 0830, there will be a competition and rules briefing at 0900 and golf will commence with a shot gun start at 0930. Following the golf there will be a buffet lunch and presentations. The entry fee is £10 payable on the day.

The match play batting is attached so no excuses for not knowing which team you are on, who you are playing with and against, or which tee you are starting on. Wherever you start please remember that after hole 9 you proceed to hole 10, and NOT hole 1!!

Best wishes

Barry Woledge