Phase 2 of the Lithium Buggy upgrade is complete!  Last year we purchased a brand new Lithium Buggy capable of doing 36 holes+ in a day.  Phase 2 has now been completed, we have upgraded two further buggies to an even more powerful Lithium battery - 105 amp.  These are capable of 72 holes in a day!  These changes alone have more than doubled our buggy capacity and made our fleet much more environmentally friendly.

For those observing recent activity in the upper car park you will have noticed the partial completion of a new buggy shed.  This will house phase 3 - a new buggy, also with a 105 amp lithium battery.  That's 4 powerful new lithium buggies - all capable of a full morning and afternoon shift!!

More info to follow...

We are upgrading our fleet of buggies to Lithium!  They are more environmentally friendly, more reliable and perhaps more importantly will last for a full 36 holes comfortably.  This means that we are able to effectively more than double our current buggy capacity!  Why is this important? because more and more of our members are enjoying playing golf with a buggy and we will now be able to meet that demand.  More info to follow...

Luke has been hard at work finalising the new shoe and trolley cleaning area.  A new compressor, shoe claw and cleaning tools are intended to help members and e-Player Cards both keep their equipment and the area clean and tidy.

The mud bins will be regularly emptied by the clubhouse team 🙂

CAPTAINS COMMUNICATION NUMBER 6

GENERALLY

Welcome to my June Captains Communication. May seems to have been particularly busy at the club with several successful competitions all of which I’m pleased to say have generally been played in pretty good weather. Let’s hope that continues throughout the Summer which according to the meteorological calendar starts on Thursday 1^st June!

CLUB CALENDAR – JUNE 2023

I attach the current JUNE 2023 detailed calendar which is of course another busy month with further various matches and club events. I would, in particular, draw your attention to:

The CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP - THE BARCILON CUP which is being held over the whole weekend of 24^th & 25^th June. If you are not familiar with this event, the details are:

• A mixed full 2-day MEDAL competition off white tees (men - ladies off red), where all competitors play both days and their scores are the aggregate score of both rounds.
• There are two competitions being played for – Scratch and Handicap.
• The draw for the first round will be made a few days before Saturday 24^th.
• The draw for the second day is made following the first day results and reflects those results with the best scratch scores going out last.
• You need to formally sign up for this event in the club house or contact Steve Sargeant or me to register.

I have posted a copy of the June Calendar on the notice board together with the latest July details.

As usual if you wish to play in any of the competitions, please simply follow the normal process for entry.

SUMMER PAIRS AND SINGLES TOURNAMENTS

The Club and Seniors summer pairs and singles tournaments are well under way. Please check your next opponents and ensure you play your games before the specified deadlines.

MAY MENS RESULTS

Congratulations to the following May winners:

• Pete Major for his win in the May Stableford on 6^th May with 38 points
• Al Bowyer for his win in the Seniors medal on 9^th May with a net 69
• Neil Martin for his winning score of a fantastic 42 points in the granddads cup. Neil also won the coveted rocking horse which of course still resides in its stable in the men’s changing rooms.
• Neil Martin again for his superb +5 in the Mike Jefferson Trophy. Neil was the only player to remain on a positive score for the round.
• Steve Sargeant with an excellent 39 points in winning the mixed club Stableford on 26^th
• Finally, to Luke Tubb and Andy Hall for their net 65’s in divisions 1 & 2 respectively of the club medal held on 27^th

We have been considering the Men’s Divisions which currently are up to 14 handicap – division 1 and above 14 - division 2. After consultation we are from 1^stJune, changing this to up to 18 handicap becomes division 1 and above 18 division 2.

MATCH RESULTS

• The only men’s match was a superb home win against Chartridge Park in the CBL on 13^th
• However, it is also important to mention that our ladies are on a winning streak having beaten both Whiteleaf (home) and Whipsnade (away) in their Chiltern League.

Yet another successful month for your club and no doubt you will join me in thanking and congratulating all those who represented the club so well.

If you are interested in playing club matches and have not already let the organisers know, please contact either me, Steve Sargeant or Dick Pooley.

FUTURE EVENTS

Apart from the Barcilon Cup mentioned above, we also have the Past Captains & Committee Trophy on 15^th June and the Septuagenarians and Octogenarians tournaments being played this month. Separate invites will be sent for these and all club events.

FUND RAISING

We are continuing to organise some more fundraising events for the Captains & Ladies Captains charities (MS Society & MND Society respectively) and the next event is a RACENIGHT on Saturday 22^nd July 2023. I attach a copy of the poster for this event, about which we will be specifically communicating with you again.

COURSE UPDATE

Our course remains in excellent condition and visiting clubs are continuing to give it a good report. So, thanks again to to John, Chris and Zac for their hard work. Please ensure when you see them around you, like me, pass on your thanks and positive comments.

CLUBHOUSE UPDATE

Thanks also go to Sarah and the team who do a first class ‘front of house’ job for us all and the club. Will has settled in well and Luke is his normal attentive self so please support them in their roles whenever you can. Of course, we must not forget the catering team for their great service and don’t forget to order your post-golf food from them.

COURSE ETIQUETTE

Thank you for continuing to follow our drive for better course etiquette. Please continue to repair pitch marks, replace divots, rake bunkers, etc. and remind all your playing partners and guests to do the same.

MIXED PAIRS SUMMER ‘ECLECTIC’ 2023

The mixed pairs summer eclectic is now under way with 7 teams taking part. Results will be published after all teams have competed their 4 rounds.

COMMITTEE ASSISTANCE

I am pleased to advise that Doug Taylor has offered to assist with the Competitions Secretary’s role, and we are currently discussing with him the help he will provide.

We can always use more help so don’t forget if you are able to volunteer some of your time to help, please contact either Steve Sargeant or me for further information.

BRUCE LOOME – PGA PROFESSIONAL

My usual reminder that Bruce is available for lessons so If you are interested in Bruce helping you to improve, please contact him at blpga@me.com.

As always, thank you all again for your continued support to our club and the various events and competitions. As usual if you should have any related comments, feedback or queries please feel free to contact me or any of the Committee Members, and we will do our best to assist you.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the club and in the Barcilon Cup

JUNE EVENTS

Al Bowyer

29^th May 2023