On The Piste
11 April

About 20 years ago there were two weeks in February when we were all playing in shorts and t-shirts. About 25 years ago were experiencing snow in June. Last Sunday there was quite a gathering at the portacabin at 8:30, just idling and staring at the dark clouds and watching the snow falling. Despite mutterings and false optimism it became pretty apparent that only those with snow shoes stood any chance of combating the snow drifts and the puddles with icebergs. Snow blanket...

The Committee had arranged to have a special meeting so we quietly retired to a warm comfy room in the pro shop and abandoned the members to the elements. You can credit the Committee for its most sensible decision in 2008!

Rearranged Events From 6 April

Last Sunday we should have been playing the April Monthly Medal and the qualifiers for the J H Taylor (low handicap players) and the Two Courses (high handicap players) singles knockout events. These of course were snowed off, though a few were seen playing down the piste on the first hole.

In view of the weather it has been agreed as follows:

  • The April Monthly Medal will now be played in conjunction with the Coronation Cup on Sunday 27th April. The event will count as Round 2 of the Grand Medal Trophy which is awarded to the winner of the best 5 of the 8 summer monthly medals.

    In order to retain the correct sequence of medals for the Grand Medal Trophy we are moving the June Monthly Medal to Sunday 1st June on the Princes Course and the Summer Cup is being moved to Sunday 8th June. This decision has just been reached and the new fixture details will appear on the website shortly.
  • For the two qualifiers we are entering all the names of the players who were scheduled to play last Sunday. I do not have the details to hand but the match draw will be posted on the website shortly and the match schedules will be posted on the men's notice board at the cabin.

    For those that are new to the Club I will mention that the J H Taylor Shield is a knockout competition for members with playing handicaps up to 16, and the Two Courses Cup knockout is for those members with playing handicaps in the range 17 to 28.

Other News

On the horizon and looming fast we have a couple of events heading our way. On Saturday 26th April we have the Spring Mixed Foursomes. The names appearing on the entry sheet for this are: Jon Cooper, Arthur Dolby, Ian Smith, Nigel Marsh, Paul Doran, Stan Potts, Gurpal Sekhon, Lee Eden, Graeme Syme, Richard Owen and me. The first tee off is at 10:30am - therefore everyone should be at the Park at 10:00am. If your name does not appear and you would like to play please email me and to Richard Owen at captain@richmondparkgolfclub.org.uk For those who are uncertain of the arrangements it is a foursomes match where the men's and ladies' names go into a hat for a random draw.

Also on the horizon we have the Ladies' Invitation day on Saturday 17th May. This comprises an invitation by the ladies to partner them in a round of American Greensomes. In order to receive and invitation I suggest that clean language and bright shiny golf shoes is often a good signal.

At present we have a significant number of prospective members who are entering cards to gain a handicap. Over the next few months we may need to make some amendments to the bookings sheets, but if changes are required we will endeavour to make the least possible tee movement for those whose names appear on the booking sheet. Please bear with us during this period of heightened activity.

That's all for the moment. Don't forget that if you have any problems or queries we are here to help - please contact me.

Regards

Peter Harrington
11 April 2008