Competitions Blog - March 2018

Hello fellow members,

I’m somewhat tired of starting these messages with comments about the weather and subsequent disruption, but we have just endured another hideous winter of wet weather, so I’ve got everything crossed for a well-earned, dry spring and a glorious summer of competitive and social golf.  Anyway on that positive (if slightly unrealistic) note, it's time to prepare for the new season and the traditional season opening Sides Match competition and evening meal (Saturday 31st March). The start sheet for this competition went live on the BRS tee booking system last week and we’ve had a promising response with over 150 names on the start sheet.  At this point I would just like to reiterate that the Sides Match competition is for all 5/6/7 day male members, so those 5/6 day members who normally can’t enter the Saturday competitions can do so on payment of an additional £5 entry fee. While most of the morning tee-times have been filled, please remember that the reserve list system works efficiently for those who are unable to get a slot at the first attempt.

The competition will cost £6 to enter (with optional 2s and Nearest the Pins on top) and this includes the two course evening meal with wine. There will be a list put on the Comps notice board on Thursday (22nd) and we'd appreciate it if all members who are intending to come to the evening meal place their names on that list so we have an accurate attendance figure to give to the caterer in advance of the event.  We do appreciate that this event clashes with the Easter holidays and other events, so if you’re unable to play the competition but would like to attend the meal, you can do so at the cost of £5 (please add your name to the meal list).  That's all for now so fingers crossed for a continuation of this week’s fair weather and we hope to see as many of you as possible on the 31st March.

On a separate, but linked note, the inclement weather and ongoing disruption as a result of the ENW activity has prevented some of the winter course preparation and repair work from being done (our hearts go out to Matt and his team)!  As a result we have decided to start the annual club knockout competitions slightly later this year so the matches can take place over a full course which has recovered from its battering.  The knockout sheets will be in the Pro Shop from Friday 23rd March and there are notices around the clubhouse detailing the events, dates, fees etc.

You may have noticed from the AGM reports that we are also starting a programme of new competitive and social golf events in 2018, but in case you didn’t read this here is an overview:-

There will be a number of Sunday competitions for a mixture of men and ladies to play together (not mixed comps, just mixed entry).  This will allow partners from both sections to play together in singles competitions and these will be jointly administered by the men’s and ladies committees.  The two comps committees will get together soon to discuss the timing, frequency and organisation of these events and will keep you posted.

You probably have also seen the e-mail or posters advertising a selection of 6 fun golf events throughout the summer season which generally coincide with other sporting events or club activities.  The first one of these is being held on Friday 7th April, coinciding with the US Masters and offering a 9-hole shotgun competition with a Hot-Pot supper to follow.  The 44 places for this event were booked within 48 hours and we could have sold this twice over, which is brilliant news, but disappointing for those who missed out.  Had we got the space in the clubhouse to cater for any more competitors we would have extended this event, but there is a private function in the main lounge and we cannot fit more than 44 in the back room for the supper and watching the Masters. 

We are clearly delighted with the response and will ensure that we can cater for as many entrants as possible at the subsequent events and would like to thank you for your support. We are often complimentary about the social atmosphere within the club and hope that these events will build on this, encourage more members to participate, bring friends and enjoy combining some fun (and different) golf with an enjoyable social event.

Finally we are going to start running midweek 9-hole qualifying competitions for those members who work and struggle to play enough competitive golf.  These will be open to all members, but priority for booking times will be given to those who work and cannot easily get to play during the day.  There will be more information about all these events in due course, but we hope they enhance the playing experience and opportunities for all our members.


Dave Brookes
Chairman of Competitions