Hello everyone

Though we are still awaiting the arrival of truly warm weather, it has been relatively dry and the courses at the Park are beginning to round into shape. A good soaking at some point will help to dissipate the sand on the greens as the season gets truly under way.

INTER CLUBS
The NAPGC and Surrey competitions get going in earnest this month with teams entered in the Clapham Common, Siemens, Toprock and 4 Ball Better Ball on the Men's side and the Whitewebbs on the ladies side, along with two teams in the Hawtree (mixed) competitions, all in the NAPGC competitions, and two teams in the Surrey Fives. Sadly, the A team in the Surrey Fives came up against the finalists from last year in Roehampton A and despite home advantage were firmly whitewashed. By all accounts the Roehampton handicaps travel well and when captain for the day, Pete Harrison found himself 1 down at the turn after scoring level par gross, the outcome seemed inevitable. Let's hope for better things to come as the rest of the month unfolds.

THE INTERNATIONAL
Booking is now open for this match on Saturday May 18th commencing around 9:30. Already the internationals are booking themselves in with entrants thus far from geographies as diverse as Belgium, Bolivia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, South Korea and Hungary! A reminder this will be individual matchplay and is open to both the men and the ladies. British entrants should be entered on the left and internationals on the right. Note to Shaun, you are a South African right!! I have faced some questions on where the Irish should register. For now (tongue firmly in cheek), they should be with the Internationals (aka the Riff Raff) unless we need to adjust the numbers to a Great Britain and Ireland basis. I reserve the right to make that change if necessary. Let's make this a fun day for everyone! Internationals will play in blue shirts and the UK team in red shirts.

CLUB KIT
Please be aware that club shirts and hats can be acquired via a message (including your size requirements) to either myself or Peter Harrington. In interclub competitions we like our teams to be dressed in our yellow club shirt, but all should note that other colours are available as well if you want to wear your club badge with honour. Payment is sorted direct with Peter.

BOOKINGS
It has become noticeable lately that things are getting a little slack in terms of of the start sheet. There have been some late cryoffs and sometimes a failure to alert someone that you are having to cancel. While we appreciate that illness or an unforeseen circumstance can lead to a late withdrawal, can I please request that every effort should be made to show up but if that is not possible please be adroit in letting us know, ideally before the start sheet is issued by Pete Harrison on a Saturday afternoon/evening. This past weekend, the first three tee times went out as a threesome, a twosome and a threesome respectively.

MEMBERSHIP DUES
A reminder that 2019 membership dues are now overdue for some of you laggards! The 50 pound fee has been kept steady for many years now and the Club would like to keep it that way. I am sure it is an easy oversight in many cases but please do check whether you have made the payment as I do not want to send out a whole bunch of emails to laggards or worse still approach you at some stage in the clubhouse. For those of you who do not yet know me, I am a very large ex first class rugby player prone to flashbacks and with a penchant for rucking! :)

FURTHER FUN EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARIES
Please make a note of some further events coming up in the coming weeks. On Saturday April 27 it is the Spring Mixed (there is already a sign-up sheet) which will be played as an American Greensomes with the pairings being drawn out of a hat the night before by the Lady Captain. And further out into June there is the Ladies Invitation on June 8th and the Captains' Day on June 23rd when Deborah and I will look to ensure a fun occasion.

See you at the Park and hit them straight (please!).

Nigel Gaymond (El Capitan)
10 April 2019