Author: Richard Booth

Welcome to this week’s missive.

The next nine hole stableford, open to ladies and gents, is taking place on Sunday 6th April. It will be played over the back nine and all competitors will play frm the red tees. Tee times are in the morning and booking opens this Sunday.

Bogey Final

Bob Siddle blitzed the field to win the Bogey Final with 7up. Ade Kershaw returned a god score of 4 up and Tony Sampson was one further back to finsih in third spot. The Sharp won by Jim Nicholson and the Mawson won by John Stevenson were also presented on Saturday.

Ladies

Noelle Morris shot avery tidy 38 points to win Thursday’s 18 hole stableford. Sally Blackburn was just one point adrift to finish in second place abd Caroline Smith was beaten into third spot following a card play off.

Rosie Gerrard won the nine hole stableford with 19 points and Emma daynes was second with 18 points.

Seniors Spring Stableford – Wed 12/3/25

Four players in the 75 and over Trophy tied on 17 points with Andrew Fishwick winning on card play off. Peter Wolfenden came second and Martin Oldfield third with Robert Spark just missing out.

In the under 75 Trophy three players tied on 20 points. David Cranmer took the trophy and scored the only two of the day. Bob Siddle was second (clearly playing himself into form ahead of Saturday’s Medal Final!) and John Johnston was third following a card play-off.

The Bradley Trophy (best 4 from 6) was very close with four players on 64 points, and with 65 points in third on a card play off was Graham Jones with Andrew Fishwick in second. Chris Adams took the Trophy with 66 points.

Photo Round Up

Trish Ashton’s new golf buddy from Fort Myers, Florida. It could be a great way to speed up play here at HGC?

Thanks to the Hunts for these photos of two ducks doing some ‘house-hunting’ by the new pond on Sunday afternoon.

Finally, Dave Smith and I had great fun playing in the Mancheser Alliance last Wednesday, battling the cold and the occasional hail shower. As Dave pointed out, we were leaders in the clubhouse……… for a good 15 minutes or so!!

We have our junior season opening event taking place on Sun 23rd March. It’s 9 holes from the forward tees in an adult and junior pairs format, followed by dinner t 5pm and a quick presentation afterwards. If you’re eligible and you haven’t yet signed up, please get in touch asap.

F9 Stableford

What a great score by Graham Jones to win Saturday’s competition. He recorded a whopping 24 points. Three players then tied on 21 points with Liam Murphy 21 finishing as the runner up following the card play off then Chris Wood and Lucy Leonard finished in fours spot.

We had a bumper turn out with 48 players taking part. The next one is taking place on Sunday 6th April.

Ladies 18 & 9 hole Stablefords

Well done Caroline Smith for winning Thursday’s 18 hole stableford with 37 points. Helen Williams was second with 31 points beating Irene Kirk on countback.

Karen Stockton racked up a great score of 22 points to win the F9 stableford. Vicki Wells was runner up with 21 points and Ceri Hyde third with 19.

Bogey 6

Congrats to Chris Wood for winning Bogey 6 with a fine score of 3up. Glyn Isaac was second with 1 up beating Danny Fox into third on countback.

Big up to Jim Nicholson for winning the Sharp. This is the aggregate score of the best four Bogey scores from the six men’s Bogey competitions that were played from Oct 2024 – March 2025. He finished one up with both Danny fox and Chris Wood finishing on even.

St Andrews Trip

We had a great trip up to St Andrews last weekend. There was lots of fun and good golf played.

There were 12 golfers (myself and 9 HGC members: Kerry & Howard Gill, Jane Wilkinson, Sally Budd, Tony Bray, Chris Brown, Peter Atherton, Jonny Yates & Ian Powell. Plus Sally’s husband Mike and Peter’s university friend Jerome O’Callaghan. Peter’s wife Jennie also attended as a non golfer). We stayed at the Fairmont hotel which was top notch.

On Sunday we played the Torrance Course, on Monday we were at the Eden and we finished off at Elie on Tuesday, playing in perhaps the strongest winds I’ve ever golfed in!

Thanks to everyone for attending and making it such a brilliant trip.

Pamela Ogden

Thanks to Jan Ravenscroft for sharing this lovely photo and update on Pamela from her recent trip to Australia.

Whilst in Australia in February I met up with Pamela Ogden, a much loved former member of the Ladies Section who was married to James Ogden. Pamela retired from golf and emigrated 5 years ago (at the age of 92) to live with her daughter Vanita near Palm Beach outside Sydney.

Pamela remains a “country” member and looks forward to reading the newsletters and hearing about all the HGC activities and the antics of her old friends.

As you can see she is still in great shape at 97! She wishes to be remembered to everyone and sends her best to all.

Welcome to this week’s missive. As a reminder, iIt’s the last few days for you to try and earn your place in the Pro Shop indoor winter league final.

Hale GC Pro Am 2025

This is taking place on Sat 12th July this year. It’s a really great day and is open to ladies & gents, members & non members. The format is best two from four, one f the players being a Pro.

If you’d like to bring along your own pro, let me know. If not, we can sort you out with a pro. The price for a team of 3 amateurs that are all HGC members is £250 and if one or more of the amateurs are not HGC members, the price is £280.

Bogey 5

Congratulations to Jim Nicholson for winning Bogey 5 with a superb score of 8 up. Freddie Gillan finsihed as the runner up with 3 up and Brian Greenbank was third with a score of 1 up.

Ladies B9 Stableford

Well done Lisa Warnes for winning this event last Thursday with 19 points. Diana Harris was second with 18 points and one point further back in third was Judy Pinnington.

Ping G440

The latest Ping G440 are excellent golf clubs, long and forgiving. I have driver, fairway, hybrid and iron demos in a multitude of lofts and shaft types. My prices are matched with Clubhouse Golf and American Golf. I provide free of charge custom fitting sessions. So if you’re looking for club upgrade, please look not further.

I had a trip to the Ping european HQ in Gainsborough last week, which was excellent. We had a factory tour initially which was really interesting – the build quality and tolerances on their clubs are super impressive. I’m actually kicking myself for not taking any photos.

We then spent a couple of hours on the range with their full time club fitters and learned loads to help us improve our custom fitting skills.

Bradley 6

Last Wednesday, Chris Adams won Bradley 6 with a very creditable 19 points. Three players recorded 18 points but winner of the card play off to finish as the runner up was John Wright. Third place went to Tony Sampson with Bob Siddle just missing out on a prize.

Karl Morris

We’ve had a good initial response to this so please contact me to reserve your space.

Ladies F9 Stableford

On Thu 13th feb, Jo Bates won the F9 stableford with 20 points. Lucy Leonard was second with 19 points, beating Ceri Hyde on countback.

Happy Birthday Val

A lovely photo from Val Watson’s recent big birthday celebarations.

This week we have three lots of competition results for you, which is always a good sign that the weather has been reasonably clement of late! The Pro Shop indoor winter league continues until the end of Feb. And the breaking news is that we’ve just secured Karl Morris to come and speak at the club in June. Please read on for more details.

Karl Morris

First off, this is not Noelle’s husband (despite him being a very nice chap too!)

I am delighted to announce that the other Karl is presenting to us on Monday 9th June from 1900 – 2030. He actually did a talk for us in my first year here at Hale, back in 2009 so I thought it was high time we got him back!

Karl’s presentation will be fun and informative. As you can see from the poster, he’s worked with some of the biggest names in golf but also spends alot of his time working with grass roots golfers. I’m confident that if you implement some of his suggestions, your golf will improve.

I went on a three day course that he ran in November 2023, which was fantastic. It was held in Manchester but delegates travelled from all over to be there – Irealnd, Belgium, Holland, Singapore, & the USA.

You won’t have any such logistical issues as it’s going to take place in the HGC dining room! Tickets are priced at £20 each.

I know this event is a bit different from the norm so I’d really appreciate you supporting it and making it financially viable by reserving your space.

Mens Team Betterball Waltz

Well done gentleman captain Ben Fallows, Pete Turkington & Neil Thompson for winning Saturday’s comp with 73 points. Paul Simpson, Jonny Gray and Andy Gething were second with 68 points. One shot adrift in third place were Bob Siddle, John Moss and Jim Nicholson.

Ladies 3 Clubs & a Putter

Congrats to Sally Blackburn for winning’s Thursday’s stableford with a very impressive 22 points. Louise Gerald was second with 19 points. Both Min Fishwick and Vanessa Veitch scored 17 points.

Pro Shop Indoor Winter League

• Play the stunning Lofoten Links in Norway (ranked in the world’s top 100 courses)
• Pairs Betterball Stableford
• Nine holes (holes 1-9)
• Open to ladies & gents
• Entry fee £4 per pair
• Last opportunity to play – 28/2/25
• The top two scores will qualify for the final, which will be played over 9 holes (matchplay).

Bradley 5

Glyn Isaac won Wednesday’s Bradley 5 with 18 stableford points beating Bill Wrigley on a card play off. Andrew Fishwick finsihed thrid with 17 points.

Portugal

Thanks to Brian Greenbank for sending this photo in from the Algarve as 11 of our members competed last week in a Maxitours event over there.

Unfortunately I can’t zoom in on the photo so you’ll just have to believe me that Dave Rodwell, Brian Greenbank, Andy Cowan, Jason Wright, Bob Manley, Steve Bates, Bill Dixon, Paul Hunter, Martin Quinn, Dave Madeley, Jonny Yates & Glynn Isaac are all in the photo!

We have a few results to report on this week and an update on the Indoor winter league.

Three Clubs & a Putter

Congrats to Peter Wolfenden for winning the 3 clubs and a putter back nine stableford on Saturday with a great score of 20 points. Graham Jones was second with 19 points and Mark Williams was third with 18 points, beating Bob Siddle on countback.

Back Nine Stableford

Well done to Min Fishwick for winning Thursday’s comp with 21 points. Ceri Hyde finished second having been beaten on a card play off. Helen Davies was third with 17 points.

Pro Shop Winter League

As things stand, the top two teams are currently Jane Wilkinson & Jonny Yates and Ollie Grieves & John Book. You have until the end of Feb to have a go at beating their scores and qualifying for the final….

New courses on Trackman

Click on the logo below to check out some of the spectacular new courses available to play in the swing room.

The weather scuppered the seniors nine hole stableford which was due to take place last Wednesday. At least, we got some play for the ladies on Thursday and the gents on Saturday.

Bogey 4

Congrats to Dave McGlennon for winning Saturday’s 15 hole Bogey 4 with a score of three up. The alt day on friday couldn’t go ahead because of the heavy rains. Peter Hindle was the runner with two up and Howard Gill third on all square.

Ladies Stand-a-Side Texas Scramble

The weather was just foul on Thursday but two very hardy teams completed their nine holes so well done indeed. The team with the best score was Lisa Warnes, Sally Budd, Jane Wilkinson & Joanne Bryant.

Pro Shop Indoor Winter League

We’ve had some competitive golf in the last few days with a seniors and a ladies event taking place. The men’s 15 hole Bogey 4 is scheduled for Saturday with an alt day on Friday morning.

Pro Am 2025

Just a reminder that this year’s Pro Am is taking place on Saturday 12th July. It’s been a popular part of the club’s golfing calendar since 2011.

Teams comprise of three amateurs and a pro that we fix you up with (unless of course you know someone who you would like to invite). Teams can be all female, all male or mixed. It’s a really good day – just ask anyone who’s played in it previously.

Please contact me for more details.

Bradley 4

Well done to Andrew Fishwick for winning Monday’s rearranged Bardley 4 back nine stableford with 18 points. Bill Dixon was runner up with 17 points beating Tony Adamson on a card play off.

Pro Shop Indoor Winter League

Yellowball Stableford

Congrats to Jane Wilkinson, Diana Harris and Helen Williams for winning last thursday’s team comp wih 37 points. Mandy Gilbert, Vicki Wells and Jane Nicholson were two point adrift in second place.

Unavoidably the course is closed again today so how about some retail therapy instead? Or maybe enter the Pro Shop indoor winter league? Please read on for more info…….

Ping Drivers, Fairways & Hybrids

The new G440 range of Ping golf clubs are launching any day and I have jut received my demo equipment which consists of 3 driver heads, 4 driver shafts, 3 fairway woods, 3 fairway shafts, 3 hybrid heads, 3 hybrid shafts, 4 irons heads and 5 irons shafts which means a huge amount of custom fitting options. Please contact me book a fitting and be amongst the first to try these fantastic new clubs from Ping.

This new product launch means that I now have other clubs to sell (all right handed) at discounted prices as follows:

• G430 SFT 10.5 degree driver with regular shaft. Was £469. NOW £375
• G430 Max 10.5 degree driver with reg shaft. Was £469. NOW £375
• G430 Max 3 wood (15 degrees) with regular shaft. Was £299. NOW £239
• G430 SFT 3 wood (16 degrees) with regular shaft. Was £299. NOW £239
• G430 3 hybrid (19 degrees) with regular shaft. Was £279. NOW £223

We also have some ex demo G430 clubs available (3 drivers, 1 fairway and 1 hybrid) which will be a little cheaper still. Finally I have a used Ping G400 10.5 degree driver with a stiff shaft available at £199.

Golf Bag Sale

All golf bags that are in stock (there are 16 of them!) are 20% off until the end of Jan 2025. Be sure to hurry along to “bag” (groan….!!) the one that you want!

Pro Shop Indoor Winter League

This 9 hole betterball pairs stableford is really starting to generate some interest. Please pop in to have a go before the end of Feb. You find the format and rules by looking at my blog post from last week.

Just in – SuperStroke Putting Grips

We have had a delivery of brand new SuperStroke putter grips in a selection of sizes, shapes and colours – all priced at £35 (which includes fitting).

Photos

Thanks to Vicki Wells for these lovely snowy snaps.

The course is closed as I write this on Tuesday afternoon. However the show must go on and so I must tell you that there are still a few spaces left in Saturday’s three clubs and a putter stableford… we just need the weather to allow us to run it!

Pro Shop Indoor Winter League

Don’t forget that no matter the weather, you can all play in this event! It’s a nine hole pairs betterball stableford open to teams of two ladies, two gents or a mixed team. It’ll take no more than 60 minutes to complete.

• Powered by Trackman
• Play the stunning Lofoten Links in Norway (ranked in the world’s top 100 courses)
• Nine holes (holes 1-9)
• Open to ladies & gents
• Entry fee £4 per pair
• Last opportunity to play – 28/2/25
• The top two scores will qualify for the final, which will be played over 9 holes (matchplay).

The Small Print

1. Players can play from whichever tees they choose
2. Putting is not required and will be set up on the Trackman to “Auto – By Hcp”
3. Pairs may play their qualifying round as a twoball
4. The simulator hire charge is not included in the entry fee (except for the final, which will have a complimentary hire fee). The sim hire charges for 2+ players are £27 for 60 mins (£13.50 each if 2 players or £6.75 each if 4 players)
5. RB will match all entry fees that will go into the prize fund for the winners & runners up
6. The final must be played by 31/3/25. The team with the highest qualifying score must liaise with RB and give the second placed team 3 dates to play. If the final is not played by the 31/3/25, then we’ll have joint winners and the prize fund will go to charity.

Photos

Here are a selection of photos of the course from the last few days showing a variety of climatic conditions! The water feature on the 3rd is not permanent btw!

Happy new year to you all – hope it’s full of long, straight drives, crisp iron shots and plenty of holed putts!

NYE Frolic

Well done to Helen & Mark Williams and Kate & Antony Morris for winning this back nine step-a-side Texas Scramble event with a whopping 26 points. Runners up with 25 points were roger Sheen, Nick Maxwell, Paul Bramwell and Keith Thompson. A big thanks to ian Hunt for setting up and running the event.

Pro Shop Christmas Draw

This took place after the presentation for the NYE Frolic and congrats to one of our greenkeepers Ben Jackson for winning the main prize of £250 in Pro Shop credit. All the other winners are listed below and all the prizes have now been credited accordingly.

POSITION	AMOUNT	NUMBER	WINNER
1st	£250	383	Ben Jackson
2nd	£200	242	Jo Egerton
3rd	£150	367	Kerry Bailey
4th	£100	493	Sally Wright
5th	£75	220	Ian Ponter
6th	£60	376	Cliff Wright
7th	£50	269	Phil Long
8th	£40	226	Amanda Greaves
9th	£30	377	Rosie Gerrard
10th	£25	6	Tony Adamson

Thanks to Helen Wlliams, Kate Morris, Antony Morris, Mark Williams, Roger Shee, Paul Bramwell, Keith Thompson, Jo Egerton and Kerry Gill for for their help in drawing out the numbers. And of course thanks to so many of you for taking part and supporting the draw.

Pro Shop Indoor Winter League

• Powered by Trackman!
• Play the stunning Lofoten Links in Norway (ranked in the world’s top 100 courses)
• Pairs Betterball Stableford
• Nine holes (holes 1-9)
• Open to ladies & gents
• Entry fee £4 per pair
• Last opportunity to play – 28/2/25
• The top two scores will qualify for the final, which will be played over 9 holes (matchplay).

The Small Print

1. Players can play from whichever tees they choose
2. Putting is not required and will be set up on the Trackman to “Auto – By Hcp”
3. Pairs may play their qualifying round as a twoball
4. The simulator hire charge is not included in the entry fee (except for the final, which will have a complimentary hire fee). The sim hire charges for 2+ players are £27 for 60 mins (£13.50 each if 2 players or £6.75 each if 4 players)
5. RB will match all entry fees that will go into the prize fund for the winners & runners up
6. The final must be played by 31/3/25. The team with the highest qualifying score must liaise with RB and give the second placed team 3 dates to play. If the final is not played by the 31/3/25, then we’ll have joint winners and the prize fund will go to charity.

Don’t forget…