Blog

I think maybe some of you are already aware but it’s with a heavy heart that I announce Will is leaving the Pro Shop team at the end of this month. He’s been here over three years and during that time has become very popular with the members. He’s such an upbeat character with a lovely manner. He’s completely sports mad, whether playing or watching. He’s a very talented golfer, runner and hockey player.

You will still him around though as he has a greenkeeping job here at HGC over the summer months. This gives him some time to work out what he plans to do over the longer term.

Will is moving on from the Pro Shop for two main reasons. Firstly, there have been times when he’s been working and it’s been so quiet that the role has been a little unfulfilling and boring for him. We don’t think this is good for his (or anyone else’s for that matter) mental health and wellbeing.

It’s very different for me as there are always hundreds of things for me to be getting on with from writing newsletters, creating competitions, promoting junior events, coaching, ordering stock, VAT returns… but many of those tasks just can’t be delegated.

The other reason is because the business has been struggling to keep up with the outgoings. I will expand on this in next week’s missive

I’m sure you’ll join me in wishing Will all the luck in the world. I look forward to keeping in touch with him and following him as he succeeds in life.

Spring Stableford

Congratulations to Jack Wilcox for winning last week’s Spring Stableford with 38 points. Andy Veitch was second with 34 points pushing Adam Hyde into third place following a card play off. Four twos were recorded over the two days.

Juniors

Junior group coaching starts on Saturday at 1345 with junior captain Matthew Hodder and I. These are roll up sessions that are super flexible – if you can make it one week but not the next that works just fine. We’ll cover all aspects of the game.

They are 60 minutes in duration and the price is £10 per session. I have set up a WhatsApp group which will share information about what dates they’ll be running and also if we have to change plans because of the lovely British weather! If you are interested, please contact me so that I can add you to the group.

Also on Friday, we have the first adult junior competition of the 2024 campaign. Tee times are from 1730 onwards. These are fun competions and are designed to be a great introduction for new golfers to compete for maybe the first time. We also have established golfers who still love them and keep coming back to help create a great atmostphere.

Next 9 Hole Stableford

This going to take place on Sat 4th May. It will be played over the back nine from the red tees for all competitiors. Booking for it opens on Sun 21st April at 8pm. Remember you want to play in as many of these events as poss to give you the best chance of winning the Order of Merit.

Trackman Competitions

Something even bigger than the Masters finished on Sunday…. yes you guessed it the latest round of TM competions in the simulator! Thanks to everyone who galantly had a go and well done to the winners, who are listed below:

• Nearest the Pin at the Postage Stamp, Royal Troon – Tom Earnshaw 2’10”
• Nearest the Pin at the 11th at the Old Course, St Andrews – Guy Levers 8’4″
• Back Nine stableford at Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Club, Dominican Republic – Chris Brown 20 points

So one more sleep until the Masters begins. Thanks to everyone who has entered the sweepstake. if you didn’t receive the email notifying you of which players you need to be rooting for, please contact me.

Don’t forget the junior group coaching starts on Saturday 20th April at 1345 with junior captain Matthew Hodder and I. It’s a 60 minute roll up session and we’ll be exploring all the different aspects of the game over the sessions. The price is £10 per child. If you’d like to be added to the WhatsApp group which will keep you updated then please drop me a line.

The first of the member’s group coaching sessions starts on Monday (there’s more information on the image below). Please support them if you can. They are a fun and informative way to help your game.

Front Nine Hole Stableford

We somehow managed to get a window inbetween the rubbish weather and play this event on Saturday. Congrats to Tony Sampson for winning with 22 points. Second place went to Paul Bramwell with 18 points. Roger Sheen scored 17 points which was good enough to beat Danny Fox on a card play off to secure third place.

Rightly or wrongly, we made the decsion to play the event as one competition this time around (ladies and gents combined). We didn’t have any ladies in the prizes on this occasion so hopefully that will change for the next one which is scheduled to take place on Sat 4th May. Booking on Club V1 is available from 8pm on Sun 21st April. This event is an individual stableford played over the back nine with everyone playing from the red tees.

An Order of Merit is going to run over the summer campaign (until the end of September). It’s purely going to be your cumulative stableford points tally from all the events. 20% of everyone’s entry fee is going towards the pot for an extra bit of interest. I will publish it here in my newsletter after the 4th May comp.

I’d love your thoughts on these competitions if you’d like to share them.

Hope you all had a great Easter and have now eaten your fill of chocolate!

Frolic

Congrats to Jon Cowan, Martin Oldfield, Maz Lund & John Stevenson for winning Monday’s back nine waltz with 38 stableford points. Jon and John are pretty new members so they’ve got off to a flying start in their competitive golf careers! Two points adrift in second spot were Ian Hunt, Andrew Fishwick, Freda Hunt & Min Fishwick.

Junior Coaching

Don’t forget this starts on Saturday 20th April at 1345. The sessions will run for one hour and are on a roll up basis with the junior captain Matthew Hodder and I. The price is £10 per session.

If you are interested in coming to this or any other subsequent sessions, please let me know so that I can add you to the Whatsapp group. On this I’ll be able to share with you any dates that can’t go ahead because of absence or bad weather and other important bits of information.

Trees in Memory of Gregg Davison

Last week some of the members assisted greenkeepers Russ and Ben plant two trees near the ladies 10th tee in memory of Gregg Davison, who very sadly passed away last year. Little Mary Wainwright was also helping out.

Member’s Group Coaching Sessions

I’ll be running some group coaching sessions from the 15th April onwards as per the poster below looking at different aspects of the game. They’re a fun way to learn some new information and skills.

Please let me know if you would like to come along.

Irrigation Project

Thanks to Bill Dixon for sending in this photo of Andrew Hay quantity surveying over the Easter weekend. Bill wanted to highlight Andrew’s sartorial elegance and sent a Monty Python photo for comparison (apologies if the resolution on that photo is not the best).

Andrew was busy checking how many meters of pipe and cable had been pulled into position by our irrigation contractors. This was despite him undergoing knee surgery just three days earlier.

Keep up the good work Andrew and thanks go to all the other hard working members of the team too.

On Saturday, we had the changing of the guard as last year’s captains finished their term of office at Friday’s AGM and the new captains took over. There are more details, photos and video links below.

Things are definitely picking up as we approach the season… on Monday I did a talk to 13 of the ladies’ Bell Cup squad ahead of their opening match of their campaign. We looked at matchplay strategy, course management & golf performance. I received some nice feedback afterwards so I hope there was at least one golden nugget in there that each player can introduce into their games.

I also played golf in the Manchester Alliance at Heaton Park GC on Wednesday… wow, I’d forgotten how hilly that place is! The course was pretty wet in parts but the greens were good.

The nine hole stableford that is taking place on Saturday 6th April has proved to be very popular. We have just opened up twelve more spaces. Should you wish to play and yet can’t find a spot, please let me know.

Finally, before we dive into more detailed news, if you like to book an individual lesson with me or discuss how I can help you and your game, please call the shop or reply to this email. You can also book online by clicking here.

Easter Opening Times

The Pro Shop will be open as follows over the Easter weekend:

• Good Friday 0900 – 1400
• Saturday 0900 – 1400
• Easter Monday 1230 – 1530

Captains’ Drive In

The winners of the stand a side Texas scramble were Howard Gill, Andrew Fishwick, Val Nelstrop & Graham Bryant with a gross score of 36. The runners up with 38 points were Pete Hindle, Ann Coulson, Tracey Thompson & Mike Wells.

The winner of the sweep where entrants had to estimate the combined length (in yards) of Ben’s, Gill’s & Matthew’s drives was John Munnery with 504. We raised £240 for the charity Prevent Breast Cancer in the process which was really pleasing. Thanks to Bill Harvey, Johnny Gray and Glyn Isaac for helping with the measuring.

I captured some photos & videos below of the action… please click here to see Ben in action, here for Gill and huge apologies Matthew – the video of you didn’t save!!

Ladies Section

There was another wash out for the competitive golf last Thursday. However tea went ahead as farewell and thank you was said to Jan Ravenscroft and Gill Kay was welcomed in.

Ladies Beginner Group Golf Lessons

Again this year I’ll be running some ladies intoduction to golf group sessions. They will be run on a bespoke basis at times to suit those who enroll. If you have any friends or family that are interested, please ask them to contact me either by phone 0161 249 8427 or email richardsboothuk@gmail.com to start the process.

The initial course runs for six weeks and is one hour per week. The price varies depending on the numbers in the group. If it is just two golfers, the price is £149 each. If it is three golfers, the price is £129 each and if it is four golfers, the price is £109 each. If someone wants to sign up but doesn’t know anyone we will do our best to pair them up with some other newbies!

Afterwards there is the possibility of signing up for Hale’s temporary membership scheme. The specifics of which are being finalised but to give you an idea, last year it was £199 for 4 months. The is a “try before you buy” scheme and is aimed at golfers who are seriously considering joining the club after their temporary membership period has finished.

New In – Men’s Ping Crested Clothing

This week’s newsletter is jam packed with results and news of forthcoming events such as a new nine hole competition, the first junior comp of 2024, details of Saturday junior group coaching which starts in April and the upcoming Ping demo day. Plus the Trackman Nearest the Pin competition continues with CJ Brown currently closest… can you beat him? Ask in store for details…

As you no doubt know, the deliveries for the new irrigation system started on Monday. The Greens Committee recently sent out the local rules that will be in place while it is being installed. In case you missed them, you can read them here and they are posted in the shop window, beside the door.

Bogey Final

Well done to Lee Bramley for winning the Bogey Final by six holes with a great score of 5 up. Danny Fox finished as runner up with one down and Ade Kershaw was third with two down. It was clearly a tough scoring day as not a single two was recorded.

Sharp Memorial & Mawson

Thes above prizes were also awarded at the Bogey Final presentation.

The winter Bogey campaign for the Sharp Memorial was won by Danny Fox with six up. This is for the best four scores out of six during the six winter Bogey competitions. Adam Hyde finished in second spot with two up beating Neil Thompson into third on count back.

Rob Manley won the Mawson eclectic competition with 44 (nett 26 under par!!) and Steve Bates was the runner up with 48.

Junior Group Coaching

The junior captain Matthew Hodder and I will be running some Saturday junior group coaching sessions, starting on the 20th April. They will start at 1345 and run for an hour. The cost will be £10 per child per session. The dates until the end of May will be as follows: April 20, 27 and May 4, 11, 25. They will continue through June and beyond. We’ll announce those dates in due course.

They will be on a roll up basis so if you can make it one week but not the next your child can still partake. However it will be necessary to pre register with me before attending your first session. If the weather is looking a little shaky, we will make a call as to whether the session will be going ahead or not by 1pm on the day of the lesson.

Please let me know if you would like to join us for some or all of these sessions.

Ping Demo Day

Coming to Hale GC on Friday 10th May 2024. Please contact the Pro Shop to reserve your place.

Nine Hole Stableford

As per the email that was sent out the other day, the club is keen to run more nine hole competitions over the coming months. They will be open to ladies and gents. The Pro Shop team will be running them.

The complete schedule is yet to be finalised but the first one is going to take place on Sat 6th April 2024. Booking will open at 20.00 on Sun 24th March. More tee times will be made available if/when the initial ones fill up.

Please support this event if you can and look out for the details of subsequent ones.

Junior Competition

The first Junior Comp of the 2024 season is also taking place on Saturday 6th April with tee times from 1410 onwards. It’s going to be a fun competition played over nine holes. The format will be a three person Texas Scramble and handicaps are not required for this event.

If you are a junior member and would like to play and get the opportunity to meet other junior members then please contact me to sign up.

Nine Hole Stableford with a Twist

Newbie member Sue Broadbent burst onto the scene by winning the ladies section of this event last Thursday with 20 points. Michael Wells won the gents section with 16 points. Louise Gerald was the winner of the Captains’ Champagne Challenge – I don’t think that had anything to with skill on the golf course?! And the guide dogs came in to thank everyone for raising nearly £10,000 for their charity during the lady captain Jan Ravenscroft’s year!

Seniors Spring Stableford & Lunch

This took place last Wednesday (the 13th March) and the following winners were announced:

Bradley Trophy
1st Bill Dixon
2nd Roger Fielding
3rd Chris Ravenscroft

Over 75s
1st Andrew Fishwick
2nd Patrick Brown
3rd Martin Oldfield

Under 75s
1st Tony Sampson
2nd Bob Siddle
3rd Michael Wells

Well we got comps played on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturay of last week which is great news. We reported on the SeniorsTexas Scramble in last week’s missive but the other results are below.

The men’s Bogey Final is scheduled for this Saturday.

Captains’ Drive In Sweep

The three Captains to be are running a sweep on the day of their drive ins (Sat 23rd March). The idea is to guess the cumulative length of the gentleman, lady and junior captains drives (in yards). The price is £5 to enter.

Half of the proceeds are going to Gill Kay’s charity, Prevent Breast Cancer, that she has nominated for her year. The other half is going into the pot and the winner will take all, in the form of Pro Shop credit. Your support would be much appreciated. Pleas email or call into the Pro Shop to take part.

Price Match

We’ve started a campaign to let people know that we price match. Financially it is not viable for us to carry lots of stock. However it’s really important that you know that we can get hold of huge numbers of products quickly and at competitive prices. So if there is something that you would like, please give us a try. If for some reason, we can’t get the product, we’d let you know very promptly and be delighted that you made contact with us.

By way of some background, turnover for the shop is challenging for several reasons:

• we are a nine hole course and so have fewer members than other clubs
• we have limited numbers of visitors and societies
• the costs of running the business continue to increase
• the huge growth of online retail
• and this dreadul winter has only compounded things further

So you can see why the support of the members continues to be the lifeblood of the Pro Shop. Thank you.

Bogey 6

Well done to Oliver Mills for winning Bogey 6 on Saturday with three up. It’s so great to see his game progressing. His Handicap Index is now below 18 so well done Olly. Dave McGlennon finished as runner up with two up pipping Ian Goulty into third spot following a card play off. Just three twos were recorded during the competition.

Ping Demo Day

Are you interested in some new Ping clubs? if so, why not book in on the demo day with expert clubfitter Alex Mason. It’s taking place on Friday 10th May with slots from 10.40 onwards. Hurry though as there are only five slots left!

Ladies Front Nine Stableford

Well done to Sally Wright for winning last week with a cracking score of 23 points. Kairen Seaton, the previous week’s winner, was second with 20 points. Amanda Greaves scored 19 points to finish third beating Clare Withey on countback.

Well it’s a busy newsletter this week and what a few days of sunshine we’ve had – everyone seems to have a bit more of a spring in their step as we move towards the golf season!

First of all, a couple of admin items. Just a reminder that we accept American golf vouchers (and potentially other big golf retailers, please ask in store for more details). So if you have say a £50 AG voucher, we will credit your HGC Pro Shop account with £50 for you to spend at your leisure on golf equipment or coaching

Also I have a new EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) till system which is very similar to my last one but thankfully less expensive to run. One of the few downsides to this is that the Xpos Caddie app which a few of you use to see what the balance of your Pro Shop account is no longer functional.

However my new system will automaticaly email out a statement to any customer at the beginning of the month (starting in April) who has credit, is in debt or has made a transaction in the Pro Shop over the last 30 days… or at least that is the theory!! One or two accounts do not have an email address against them so obviously that would prevent it from being sent out.

If this is a service that you would enjoy, please check that we have your email address on our EPOS system when you are next at the club. Additionally, any time you’d like to know what your balance is, please ask in the shop or drop me an email.

Captains’ Drive In Sweep

The three Captains to be are running a sweep on the day of their drive ins (Sat 23rd March). The idea is to guess the cumulative length of the gentleman, lady and junior captains drives (in yards). The price is £5 to enter.

Half of the proceeds are going to Gill Kay’s charity, Prevent Breast Cancer, that she has nominated for her year. The other half is going into the pot and the winner will take all, in the form of Pro Shop credit. Your support would be much appreciated.

Please enter in the Pro Shop, by replying to this newsletter or on the day.

Trackman Nearest the Pin Comp and Nine Hole Stableford

The nearest the pin prize was played on the 17th hole at Hualalai Resort GC in Hawaii. Brian Greenbank put it to 12’5″ to win three Titleist Pro V1s golf balls. Second went to lady captain Jan Ravenscroft (15’2″) with who wins a sleeve of Callaway SuperSoft golf balls.

The nine hole stableford played over the back nine at the Olympic Club in California was won by junior Ollie Grieves with a whopping 25 points. He wins a sleeve of Srixon SoftFeel golf balls. Thanks to everyone who has supported these comps ao far.

The next events are already underway….. This time there are two nearest the pin prizes. One is on the 8th hole at Royal Troon, the venue for this year’s Open Championship – you might know it better by it’s name, the Postage Stamp. It’s just 114 yards but it requires a flighted shot to a tricky green. The other one is the 11th hole at the Old Course at St Andrews which is longer at 147 yards but the ball can be run onto the putting surface. The price is £1 per go or you can have six goes for £5.

The nine hole stableford is over the back nine at the Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Club in the Dominican Republic. It’s a spectacular course located by the ocean. It is £2 to enter (this is on top of your hire fee to use the room). There are five sets of tees that you can play from ranging from yards to yards and you can choose which ever set you’d like to play from because the further back the tees, the more shots you’ll be getting. You can enter it by yourself or as part of a two, three or fourball.

All these events run until Masters Sunday (the 14th April) so please get in touch to book. Please note that it might be possible to have a go in the Nearest the Pin competition when you are passing if the room is not already been used for coaching or hasn’t been hired by someone else.

Bogey 5

Danny Fox shot a truly extraordinary score on Saturday of 7 up to win this event. He was playing in the afternoon when the hail pelted the course and the greens were practically flooded. Young Olly Mills’ score of 4 up was also incredible and that secured his the runner up spot. Jonny Gray battled round for a very good score of one up to finish third. Bogey 6, all being well, will be taking place this weekend.

Ping Glide 4.0 Ex Demo Wedges For Sale

Now that the Ping S159 wedges have just been launched, I have four RH Ping Glide 4.0 ex demo wedges for sale in the following specs:

54 S 12
58 S 10
58 W 14 (great for getting out of bunkers)
60 S 10

The first number is the loft, the letter referes to the sole type (S is standard and W is wide) and final number refers to the degrees of bounce. They are priced at £79 each. They are in good condition and they won’t stick around for long!!

Gentleman Captain’s Dinner

What a fabulous evening Friday was! I was very lucky to attend. The photos below show the future, current and immediate past captains (the duck tape was a “gift” from Ben to Roger!!) and also a great panaromaic shot of the dining room, courtesy of Tom Sloan.

Ex Rental Motocaddy M1 Electric Trolley For Sale

In good condition. Was serviced at the end of November in 2023. It comes with an umbrella holder, accessory station, 18 hole lithium battery & charger are included in the price. The winter wheels are not icluded. The price is £379.

Sold as seen but with the added security of knowing that if there are issues that are pre existing and warrant a repair within three months of the purchase date, I will cover the cost. I’m keen to make the transaction fair and reasonable for both parties.

Seniors

We have two events to report on. Most recently a three player Texas Scramble played from the red tees over the front nine took place yesterday. The winners by four points with a truly excpetional 27 points were Ian Hunt, Andrew Fishwick and Andy Veitch. Three teams then tied with 23 points. Following a card play off there was nothing between Graham Jones, Lee Bramley, & Tarik Rashid and Roger Spark, Dave Swale & Alan Bradley so those two teams were declared joint runners up.

Last week Bradley 6 took place and Glyn Isaac was the winner with 19 stableford points. Bob Siddle finished second with 17 points and Roger Fielding was third having lost out to Bob on a card play off.

Masters Sweepstake

Don’t miss out on your chance to get involved! Details below.

Ladies Three Clubs and a Putter

Congrats to Kairen Seaton for scoring 19 stableford points over the front nine to win this competition last Thursday. Second place went to Diana Harris with 18 points.

Well it’s been a while since my last missive, purely because there’s really not been much golf and so not much to report on. We’re hoping to get the seniors’ Bradley 6, the ladies Thursday comp and the men’s Bogey 5 played this week… the latter at the third attempt!

Trackman Competitions

The Nearest the Pin competition has been really well supported and we’ll announce the winner in next week’s newsletter. We’ve also had a few enter the 9 hole competition over the Olympic Club in California. There are still a couple of days left to come in and have a go…..

Thank you to all who have entered so far and to Jan Ravenscroft who has brought lots of new recruits into the swing room for the first time during some of her recent lady captain’s challenges.

Look out for more news on further challenges in the following weeks.

Hold the Date!

We have secured a Ping demo day here at Hale GC from 10.00 – 14.00 on Friday 10/5/24. If you would like to book a spot, please send me an email or pop into the shop.

Quiz Night

Here’s a report of this event from the Social Team.

The first social event of 2024 was a quiz night. The evening saw over ninety club members in attendance, enjoying a light supper prepared by Peter and Victoria and served by Ben, Charlotte and the house team.

The quiz master for the evening was Phil who is the regular host of Quiz Night at the Greyhound in Ashley. Fifteen teams answered the questions on a range of topics including a photo round, music, popular comedians and many more. Spot prizes were awarded throughout the evening and after a hard fought battle the team of Clare and Guy Withey, Emma and Mark Danes and Clare and Al Makin were the victors beating Johnny’s Angels by 1 point.

Many thanks to all members who supported the event and helped make the evening a huge success.

GIR

Probably the most important stat in golf… how do you fare?

Standing Water

These photos are from last week. There was a huge puddle behind the 9th green and the greenstaff are hard at work pumping out the impromptu pond by the road on the 1st!

We’ve had a few enter the Nearest the Pin Trackman competition but uptake has been limited for the nine hole stableford. Both are running throughout February. Please contact us in the Pro Shop to book or for more information.

Competitions

Unfortunately the ladies comp this Thursday and the previous Thursday were cancelled due to the weather.

The seniors have been more fortunatwe though managing to stage a competition this Wednesday and the previous one.

Yesterday a Texas Scramble was played from the red tees frover the back nine. The winners were Bob Siddle, Chris Ravenscroft and Richard Dyson with a very tidy 2 over par gross to score 23 points. Martin Oldfield, Roger Da Forno & Jonathan Foster came second with 22 points and Bill Wrigley, Phil Long and Colin Broadbent were 3rd with 21 points.

38 seniors got out the day before to play in Bradley 5 on the 31st January, which is a nine hole stableford competition. That man Bill Dixon finished top of the pile again with 20 points. Chris ravenscroft was beaten into second place following a card play off. Adam Hyde finished thgird with 19 points.

Don’t Forget…

If you’d like some Hale GC crested Glenmuir men’s or ladies golf clothing, click on the logo below to check out some options. Let me know the garment, size and colour and we’ll get on the case!

Please note delivery always takes a little while when ordering crested clothing as it has to wait it’s turn to be put through the embroidery machines. It invariably takes 2-3 weeks.

Photo

This week, we start with a reminder about the Trackman nine hole stableford competition that’s running in the studio until the end of February. There’s also the option of the Nearest the Pin prize. Please pop into the shop or give us a call for more details.

The week’s missive also includes details of how to order some Hale GC crested clothing from Glenmuir.

Weather permitting, we’re hoping to run a seniors competition on Wednesday and a ladies competition on Thursday this week.

Bogey 4

Lee Bramley was the winner of Friday / Saturday’s 15 hole Bogey 4 with a cracking score of 6 up. Chris Wood scored 5 up and can probably feel hard done by as most times that would have been good enough to win. Third place went to Adam Hyde with 4 up. Four twos were recorded.

Glenmuir Crested Clothing

Please click on the Glenmuir logo below to see some of the ladies and gents clothing options that you can order, resplendent with the Hale GC crest. If there’s something you like the look of, please pop into the shop or drop me an email with the details.

Ladies Front Nine Stableford

Mandy Gilbert was the winner of last Thursday’s competition with 18 points. Second place went to Sally Budd with 17 points. Min Fishwick was third following a card play off.