Competition Reports
Competition Reports
Inaugural Trophy
The first competition back after lockdown saw the highest turn-out for a midweek comp with 70 entrants & of course with the machine at the Park still on furlough those with what they hoped were good scores, could be biting their fingernails to the quick waiting upon this missive.
Hopefully those at the top were the ones constantly practising their chipping and putting in lockdown, to make the rest of us feel a bit better about our performances and the greenkeepers look to have been feeling sympathetic to you chaps after the 3 month layoff with all those forward tees, although Gina gave most of you a good run for your money, making it into last place in the sweep. Timing her re-entry into the sweep with precision.
If we had been hoping for pristine conditions, we were sadly let down. The best thing was that it was dry underfoot and that there was definition on the edge of most fairways, but they themselves looked like it had been very wet and just dried out. Hopefully now they have all the staff working again things will improve — but it was a nice day, if not gloriously hot like Tuesday, and good to see lots of ‘old’ faces again.
So who won – probably just as well for Darren & Charlie that the leaderboard wasn’t operational as the final group of the day produced the winner on 41 points. Congratulations to Ben with a very even 20 out and 21 back. Darren’s better back 9 of 21 gave him 2nd spot ahead of Charlie who did it the wrong way round with 22 on the front, both finishing on 40. The next 3 all came in on 38, Diego obviously recovering from what we were told by the starter, to be a rather inauspicious start, spraying his first into the bushes on the left followed by one to the right.
As the results are only out now, WHS has done all it’s calculations, with no change to the PCC and quite a few changes to Handicap Indexes. Congrats Charlie, looks like you’ve dropped to single figures for the first time (in this system anyway).
With 61 players in the sweep, payment has been made to 8th place today
fyi – once the clubhouse is open we will ask you all to sign in before playing and record your scores before leaving the Park
Membership Renewal
On 1st February we started the Club’s new membership year and the annual subscriptions are now payable for the year through to 31st January 2021 irrespective of the fact that the Covid lockdown restricts us from any golfing activity at present.
The Club has two classifications of membership; namely ‘Standard’ and ‘Glendale Referral’. The membership rates are identical for both classifications. If you are a ‘Standard’ member we are looking to you for the payment of your 2021 subscription. To avoid confusion I have commented briefly on the Glendale Referral memberships below.
At the Club’s AGM in January we agreed to hold the annual subscription fee at £50 for 2021, and this is the fourteenth year that we have held the fee at this rate.
Our preferred method of payment is via a bank transfer as follows:
Electronically
Direct credit transfer to the Club’s bank account, the details of which are:
Bank: HSBC
Code: 40 – 02 – 35
Account number: 9070 1599
Account name: Richmond Park Golf ClubReference: Subs – (surname)
If you use this facility please email by return to advise that the transfer has been processed.
At the Park
If you prefer to pay by cheque or cash please hand to our Treasurer, Peter Jagger, or to me.
Thank You
Whatever you decide to do – would you please email treasurer@richmondparkgolfclub.org.uk and he will be able to look out for your receipt.
We are aware that a large number of our ‘Standard’ members have annual 5-day or 7-day Glendale Loyaltee cards that will be renewed during 2021. For every 12 month period that a card is held the Club has the ability to invoice Glendale to recover £70 and this is then refunded to the cardholder. The monthly invoicing process is administered by Richard Owen Richard Owen. For his monthly invoicing routine Richard relies on our members to advise when annual cards are renewed or new annual cards are acquired, therefore please inform Richard when a new annual period has commenced.
At the beginning of every subscription year we find that some members have moved away and will not be continuing with the Club. If you are not intending to join us for 2021 please let me know so that we can update our records.
So, in a nutshell, we have another bargain membership year at £50. Not commonly known is that the affiliation fees payable to Surrey Golf and England Golf are close to £20 per member therefore we can all see that the net receipt for the Club is quite small.
Glendale Referral membership
A Referral member means that by virtue of you acquiring either a 5-day or a 7-day annual Glendale Loyaltee card your Club membership fees have been covered by Glendale via the refund mechanism. Your membership of RPGC survives until the expiry of your annual card. At the end of your card period your membership will continue automatically if you renew your annual Glendale Loyaltee card, but if you decide not to renew your annual card it follows that to continue with Club membership you will need to make a payment directly to the Club.
Under the Glendale refund mechanism the Club receives £70 on each occasion that a member acquires an annual Loyaltee card. For each Referral member the receipt is credited against the total shown as receivable and any excess amount is refunded to the Club member. Prior to Glendale making any payments to the Club it is necessary for the Club to raise invoices and these are submitted on a monthly basis by Richard Owen. To assist with the invoicing routine, at the time of a card renewal please inform Richard [ owenrgolf@outlook.com ]. This is especially important in 2021 because many annual cards will have extended periods of use as a consequence of the closure periods and we do not know the card renewal dates.
As always, if you have any questions please ask either the treasurer or me.
Peter Harrington
February 2021
Annual Subscriptions
Annual subscriptions are due on 1st February. The rate remains unchanged at £50
Golf Suspended
The government has announced a new lockdown in England from 5 January that includes the closure of golf courses, club houses and driving ranges.
New Year Stableford
Cold with a light breeze greeted the 59 competitors for the New Year stableford Sweep in pairs. A warm welcome to new members Dilip and Onursal who were first in RPGC to actually play in the comp on Saturday.
Scores never cease to amaze and this on Duke’s in winter with mud where good play is at a premium. Aung returned a blistering 44 points to win. Well done again to Aung – this time last year you had UHS handicap 41 but now after the round (one of your best 8 from last 20) your handicap index drops to 26.4.
In form new member Nafeez struck again 42 points , Keith a good’un 40, Ben D 39 with Pete H and Lee M commendable 38s. Best of women was Katharina 33 points – this was after the additional ‘Mixed Tee Adjustment’ for the red and yellow tee/slope combo of +1′. Results
With payouts for best 8 and separate women’s pool congrats to prize winners.
Stableford
Storm ‘Bella’ cleared and players fought through the mud burning the Xmas kilojoules.
PeterN returned a superb 40 points to win – keeping a 6 off his card fresh from driving range practice. Three followed on 39: Bennie, Damber and consistent WHS improver Brian. Results…
John A had pocketed 2 birdies through 4th whilst there were commendable birdies on long 13th from Richard B and Bennie.
Reflecting perhaps a more aggressive and positive swing, Julie R was convincing women’s prize winner 32 pts from Katharina 29 and Ronnie & Gina 28s.
Midweek Stableford
A little more time to adjust the sheet for today, although the start sheet ended up being published at least 4 times to accommodate changes which are a lot more problematic when playing in 2-balls. In the end 34 played.
Whilst the weather wasn’t exactly ideal, it could have been a lot worse with the showers being just that and the sun making a welcome visit if only for a short time. It did put rather a damper on Christmas jumpers and hats – but they were evident on a few. Unfortunately the rain since the weekend is starting to bring back memories of last winter underfoot. It was a bit like skating on mud at times.
As ever, there are always a few for whom these conditions appear to offer no great challenge and today’s winner, Peter G with 43 points is definitely one. He has had one blip during December when he managed only 30th spot but apart from that has definitely been in the money and is evidently at home in the mud! Playing in his first competition after gaining his handicap, Nafeez was just one point behind in 2nd spot. Last man in the 40s was Bennie with a 41. First woman, in 9th spot was Gina. Results…
The wheel literally fell off the men’s handicap secretary today so his 16 points were just for 10 holes – apparently the front wheel came off his electric trolley which would be a challenge if the ground underneath was dry!
Stableford
Following the introduction of ‘Tier 4’ on Saturday evening, an informal stableford sweep played in 2 balls was speedily arranged.
All thanks to Paul B/Peter H /Richard O for organising at short notice, replacing American Greensomes.
With some heavy rain overnight, conditions were muddy but no further rain experienced and one temp – the 11th. Clubhouse was closed to golfers so scores were returned on MasterScoreboard.
Jay stamped his authority on the field of 28 with a one over par 71 to win with 37 points. Snapping at his heels were Aung and Pete Hs with 36 points. Seymour was 4th just ahead of Gina best woman 35 points. Results…
11 competitors elected to have their scores count for WHS handicap. For Pete this was one of his best 8 from last 20 shaving his index .1 to 4.5.
Midweek Winter Comp Rd 2
How the day changed with the sun sadly disappearing all too soon to be replaced by gloomy cloud, a chilly wind and then the rain although a good number got round in the dry.
Top 3 today all had a playing handicap of 15 but Colm takes the honours with 40 points. Pralab, who records general play scores several times a week, pipped Stephen on the back 9 for 2nd spot both on 38 as was Jeremy in 4th.
With the men and women playing pretty much the same course, it would have been good to report that a woman had won. Not much chance of that with most holding up the table from the bottom with the new women’s captain, Val, making a valiant effort in 25th position. Results…
This was the first round in the Midweek Prince’s Eclectic where the 1/2 handicap allowance has changed things a fair bit from today’s comp with Jeremy at the top – but there are (should be) 3 more rounds to go. R1 Leader board…
Winter Comp Rd 2 / Dukes Eclectic Rd 1 Champagne Chase
Women
Well that didn’t take the captain long! Despite rumour, in many years a captain’s handicap improves not the other way. Whilst this won’t award any handicap cuts, her sparkling form won the day.
With no Christmas hamper due to the Covid lockdown, prizes for the Champagne Chase were doubled with 3 prizes for both the senior and junior divisions. When the start sheet went out, it was all straightforward, but a combination of outside factors and a none too cheerful weather forecast saw the original field reduced to 10 and the split had to go to handicap indexes to give 5 in each section. Results…
Captain Val ended up the Eclectic winner and winner of the junior division, with Jane taking 1st place in the senior division. Conveniently those in 3rd- 6th place alternated between senior & junior divisions for the remaining prizes.
As it was the first round of the eclectic, unsurprisingly Val is also leading in that. R1 Leader board…
Men
Morning rain petered out for the 50 competitors of the ‘Champagne Chase’ / Winter Competition Round 2.
Kerry shot a sparkling 2 over par for 41 points and first place. Peter G uncorked anther vintage performance of 40 points and there were glittering returns from Duncan 38, Julian and Peter N 37s. Joe R was the shining light on front 9 – 22 points. Results…
There being no Christmas Hamper comp this year, extended festive prizes down to 11th positions are depicted in the divisional results. A bright spark for ‘no sweep’ Seymour is a bottle of Champagne in junior division. Divisional results…
This was first round in the Prince’s Eclectic – report shows Kerry leading 66.8 from Peter G 70.8. R1 Leader board…
This also 2nd round of the Winter Competition which is now led by Peter G 79 from Peter N 72 and Nigel W 72. R2 Leader board…