Results from the four-ball-better-ball played today, plus other news.

FIRST: Martin Buckingham and Bert Hale (43 points)
SECOND: Cliff Smith and Derek Tidy (41 points)
THIRD: Bob Kirkwood and Doug Keen (39 points CB)

The winner of the January Medal is Mike Smith.

I have now drawn the second round of the U-Boat Tournament - see the matches tab on this website. Owing to the state of the course I thought it was prudent to delay the second round until mid February on the assumption that the course conditions just might improve.

I have revised the February calendar and next Tuesday 2nd February is a Roll-Up 3s,4s and 5s Stableford Team game. Cards will be drawn for teams!

Four-Ball-Better-Ball Game for Thursday 28th January

This is a Stableford Team competition off the Yellow tees. Each pair selects its highest stableford score per hole (better ball). You are not competing against the pair you play with. The THREE pairs with the highest Stableford scores will receive prizes. Full handicaps will be used.

TEE 1

8:00 (Mike Smith and John Watt) (Martin Buckingham and Bert Hale)
8:10 (Cliff Smith and Derek Tidy) (Geoff Mills and Dave Stone)
8:20 (Barry Holmes and Dave Williams) ( Bob Kirkwood and Doug Keen)

TEE 10

8:00 (Alex Tyrell and Pat Hiles) (Bob Harvey and Dave Butler)
8:10 (James Barnatt and Barry Lund) (John Robinson and Roger Laban)
8:20 (Alan Jones and Ron Deacon) (Brian Rollerson and Dinger Long)

Reserve player: Ron Feasey

Just a reminder that Andy Wright and Mike Dawson should be playing against Gerry Collier and Rae Comley in the first round of the U-Boat which is a match play with 3/4 handicap allowance.

The weather for Thursday is meant to be very sunny, but the ground underfoot will be boggy. Beware the course may be closed in which case all prize giving will take place at the end of February.

Results from the Stableford Eliminator played today ...

Despite the weather forecast we had a reasonable turnout this morning. As the morning went on it was evident that many didn't look forward to a soaking and pulled out after either the front nine, or short of playing a full round. The number of completed rounds at the time of me leaving the Sports Bar at 12.30pm was just THREE. Subject to a team returning after 12.30pm with a card showing a full round with a winning score the results are as follows.

FIRST: Mike Smith, Alex Tyrell and Bert Hale (81 points)
SECOND: Bob Harvey, Geoff Mills and Roger Laban (75 points)

In third place (no prize) was Doug Keen, Barry Lund and Alan Jones with 74 points and a thorough soaking!

All those who entered the game yet pulled out will still be charged for the pleasure - me included!

I am in the process of putting a game together for Thursday. The teams for the four-ball-better-ball will appear a little later today. Judging by the weather forecast over the next day the chances of the course being open are somewhat slim. Any course closure will also have a knock-on effect for the U-Boat second round so I may have to re-schedule this event again - keep an eye on the website calendar over the next few days.

The week ahead ...

On Tuesday 26th we have a roll-up game called Eliminator. The game is designed to sharpen up your accuracy on the course! The rules are as follows.

A team game for THREE players, marking ONE card for the game, showing the individual scores of each player, the total for each hole, and the final total combining all three player’s totals. Played as a STABLEFORD game with handicap allowance on EACH hole. Played off the YELLOW tees over 18 holes.

A player’s Stableford score will be ELIMINATED (scored as ‘E’) from the joint score card for the hole(s) where he plays his ball into any of the following hazards.

BUNKERS

WATER HAZARDS (other than standing water)

DITCHES

OUT-OF-BOUNDS

To speed-up play PICK UP if you have been eliminated from a hole. The winning team is the team with the highest final total. Countback used on the total for each hole.

 

On Thursday 28th we have a four-ball-better-ball TEAM stableford off the YELLOW tees. Prizes for the best THREE teams scores. This is a sign-up game so please sign up by Tuesday next. As we are off split tees we should all be back in the Sports Bar from 12.00 onwards. There will be the usual prize giving, but not a lot of prizes to give out owing to the large number of cancellations this month.

Results from the Winter Stableford Round 4 played today ...

Division 1
First: James Barnatt (34)
Second: Dave Williams (33)

Division 2
First: Doug Keen (34)
Second: Gerry Collier (32)

Division 3
First: Bob Harvey (36)
Second: Martin Buckingham (34)

The complete set of results are available on HowDidIDo and on the Seniors' notice board in the Sports Bar.

I have pinned up sign-up sheets on the notice board for the Four-Ball-Better-Ball on Thursday next and the February Medal. Please remember to sign-up if you want to play.

Results from the January Medal played today ...

Division 1
First: Mike Smith [74]
Second: James Barnatt [78]

Division 2
First: Bert Hale [75]
Second: Doug Keen [77]

Division 3
First: Barry Lund [79]
Second: John Robinson [81]

Congratulations to Mike Smith the winner of the January Medal.

A big thanks to Gerry and Annie for the cake and biscuits after the game.

The full results of today's match are available on the Seniors' notice board in the Sports Bar.

On Thursday we have round 4 of the Winter Stableford. Please check your tee times on this website since I have made a few changes.

I leave you with a few frosty images of the course taken today by John Alexander. Thanks John. The last image shows a bunkered Robbie.

Condition of Golf Course

Today the back 9 holes are open for play. In talking to the head greenkeeper, Martin, if it doesn't rain today or overnight we might be able to play all 18 holes in the Medal tomorrow. If for some strange reason we cannot play then a 9 hole individual Stableford might be possible.

I have posted the tee times for the Winter Stableford 4 on Thursday of this week.

Gerry tells me he is bringing in a large cake tomorrow for you all to eat. I told him once the guys get their teeth into it there will not be many crumbs left!!!

Remember committee members there is a meeting tomorrow at 2.00 pm

The week ahead ...

Hopefully we might be able to play all 18 holes next week.

I have changed the date when the first round of the U-Boat should be completed to Thursday 28th January and moved the second round of the U-Boat to Tuesday 2nd February.

Next week we have the Monthly Medal on Tuesday 19th Janury and the fourth round of the Winter Stableford on Thursday 21st January.

If you look at the calendar on this website you will see that I have changed some of the roll-up games for January and February.

Let's hope we can get back to playing golf next week!

Update on the course ...

The back nine holes of the course was open today, with advice that bags should be carried if possible. Looking at the overnight forecast we are due for more rain, so the chances of all 18 holes being open tomorrow are slim.

If the back nine is open again then my suggestion is to play an individual Stableford off the yellow tees. If we get enough players it can be made into a competition with prizes. If all 18 holes are open then we will revert back to Eric's game as planned.

If you want to check on the state of the course before setting out then 'phone 01993-893011 after 7.45am.

Golf Course Closed Today

The course is still not suitable for play today! However, the driving range is open if you want to relieve your frustration!!!

Maybe, just maybe, we will get a sniff of the course on Thursday.

Remember the medal has been re-scheduled for the 19th January.

State of the Golf Course today ...

The golf course is closed today after the heavy rain over the weekend.

In talking to Steve Putt this afternoon it is very unlikely that all 18 holes will be open tomorrow (Tuesday 12th Jan). For this reason I have re-scheduled the January Medal to take place on Tuesday 19th January. The tee times will remain the same as for the 12th. Again if your name is not down for a tee time and you want to play just roll-up after 9.04am.

In conversation with Malcolm this afternoon he advises that if just 9 holes are open tomorrow your chances of playing any decent shots off the turf will be hampered by the amount of surface water about. If the back nine is open then I suggest you play an individual Stableford over 9 holes, however, this will not be supervised and will not qualify for a fee or prizes owing to the poor conditions.

To all Seniors' Committee members the meeting scheduled to take place tomorrow is postponed and will take place next Tuesday 19th January at 2.00 pm.

More news later in the week as to whether the Thursday roll-up can be played on the course.

The Week Ahead ...

I am being slightly optimistic that the course just might be open on Tuesday 12th Jan for the medal. As such I have posted the tee times for all those who signed up. However, don't be disappointed if your name does not appear against a tee time and you want to play - just roll-up from 9.04 - 9.36 ish and put your name down on the tee times form (no gaps please) and play.

If all 18-holes are open then we will play the medal. If only the back 9 holes are open then we will play an individual Stableford over 9 holes followed by an early coffee. The medal will then be re-scheduled for a week later.

As for Thursday 14th Jan this is a roll-up from 8.00am playing Eric's Competition off the yellow tees.

The weather outlook for the weekend is wet, however, as we move into a new week, we can expect colder than normal conditions, but hopefully may stay dry.

I asked at Reception today when the new golf shop would be open - the reply was March - so somewhere else to spend our money!

Finally - a note to committee members - we have a meeting after the game on Tuesday.

Golf Course Closed Today

Stay in bed - no roll-up today!

State of the course ...

Today the back-nine holes of the course was open to members wanting to play golf. The overnight forecast into Thursday morning is heavy rain. In talking to Steve Putt today the chances of the course being open tomorrow is very unlikely.

Please assume that the course is likely to be CLOSED on Thursday 7th January, and as such there will be NO ORGANISED GOLF for the Seniors.

You can 'phone the Resort (01993-893011) after 7.30 am tomorrow to see if part of the course is open if you are desperate for a game and want to splash about in the water and mud! There is always the driving range if you are desperate to hit a golf ball.

Golf course CLOSED today.

Sorry guys NO roll-up!

Tuesday's Game

I have just 'phoned the Resort to find out about the state of the golf course. Apparently the course was closed today (Monday) and no decision will be made to open it until 7.30 am tomorrow morning.

I will give them another call in the morning, and if it is likely to be open will post a note on the website.

If we do get a game in it will be after 8.00am ! So don't get there too early.

The week ahead ...

A happy New Year to all the Seniors and staff at Witney Lakes.

It looks as though we might be off to a very wet start in the new year. As I write this post the Witney Lakes Resort website has a notice that the golf course is closed until further notice. If you look at the weather forecast for the next 5 days the outlook is not good.

I will post an update on the evening of Monday 4th as to the state of play or no play. You can always 'phone the resort on 01993-893011/893000 to find whether the course is open.

At the start of the month Brian would be more than pleased to receive your monthly subs. 

Tuesday 5th sees the reintroduction of the Eliminator TEAM game. This is a Stableford 3 ball, off the yellow tees. Those team players who end up in a bunker, water hazard (not standing water - ho ho!), ditch or out of bounds have their score eliminated from that hole. To speed the game up, pick-up if you are eliminated from a hole.

Thursday 7th is an individual Stableford Charity Game. All proceeds go to Prostate Cancer UK. On every hole you have a chance to contribute a 10p fine for EACH of the following errors. 

A lost Ball, Air Shot, 3 putts or more, tripple bogey, out-of-bounds, land in a bunker.

Fine sheets will be given to all players at the start of the game. You must complete and hand in your fine sheet and score card in order to be considered for a prize at the end of the game. Donations into the charity box will be gratefully received.

Let us look forward to some good golf for 2016.