A letter from the Captain - October 2020
I last wrote to you all in June when it looked like we were starting to get back to some kind of normality. The sun was shining, the club was re-opened with restrictions in place and we were all preparing to go on foreign trips. That optimism was short lived and here we are again on the edge of local lock-downs and with a possibility of total lock-down on the horizon.
I would like to welcome Steve Alger (pictured right) as my vice-captain. A very late appointment as the club was struggling to find someone who liked me….. but seriously, I wish him well and would recommend anyone to take up the role of vice-captain and ultimately captain as it has been a great way to make new friends at all of the clubs in the local area and beyond. Over the past weeks I have represented the club at events at Hull Golf Club, Cave Castle and the KP Club in Pocklington. I was lucky enough to play with Matt our Pro in the Pro/Captain challenge and we gave a very good account of ourselves against the pair shown below who reached the finals. Matt played exceptionally well, his long game was a masterclass and only a few lipped-out putts from us both, left us short by only 3 points from second place and a trip to the finals.
As club members we have been lucky to be able to continue the sport we love and to socialise, in a limited fashion, with our fellow members, friends and guests. Those with other hobbies, football, rugby or even those playing snooker, darts etc were not so lucky which is why perhaps, the membership has grown to a record number. Many new members are new to golf completely and most of them a lot younger than I. This is important to the future of the club as a new generation come through and add a different perspective, enthusiasm and energy.
As existing members it falls upon us to encourage these new members, helping them with things like dress code, rules, etiquette and teach them all about the honesty and integrity that golfers all over the world have shown in calling a penalty on themselves. On occasions, playing a ball from a horrendous lie and not kicking it out, and keeping an accurate score for themselves and others. These values of smartness, politeness and honesty are not just a source of pride to golfers all over the world, but are values that we should all aspire to in our everyday lives.
Recent Rule Changes in our Competitions
Over the past few months we have held several trophy events and have introduced a rule that meant golfers with a new handicap at the club could not be eligible to win a trophy until their handicaps had settled and after 10 cards had been presented. This was put in place as we have often seen new members improving their handicaps much faster than longer standing members. Also, longer standing member’s handicaps do not generally fluctuate by too much over the course of a season.
There has been some criticism of this change which was taken by the committee of which I am part. I can assure you that this new rule was well considered by the committee. It was unanimously voted for, to maintain the prestige of our trophy events and to reflect genuine rounds of excellence compared to a members settled handicap. I know personally that my one and only trophy win came after 3 years as a member and was the result of one exceptional round of golf and I think most would agree, that’s how it should be. One can then look up at the trophy board in the bar with a sense of pride and know that it was due to great play and not due to a handicapping fluctuation.
The Burstwick cup went ahead with very little notice at the end of August so it was not possible to play the qualifiers for team selection. Steve my vice-captain did most of the organising and I did tell him that it is customary for the captain to win this event. He seemed to have forgotten this advice though on the second day of play, when his team gave a great account of themselves and my team Europe just held out for the win. Thanks to all of those who took part, giving up two days of the bank holiday weekend and most at short notice. A special thanks to some of our young members, Tom Ward and Alex Hewitson, who put themselves in the firing line and gave a great account of themselves. I personally think the event would be improved by the inclusion of some of our lady members in next year’s event but that will be for the new captain and the club to decide.
Unfortunately I missed the Pro Am on the 18th September as I was representing the club at another event but I understand from all those I have spoken to that this was the biggest and best ever. 4 more teams than last year and a new sponsor, Pro Sports Cars. Special mention to Darren Bamford who as director of our previous main sponsor, The Audio Room, was principally responsible for this event becoming one of the first events to be placed in a player’s roster every year.
My captain’s away weekend at Belton Woods took place a few weeks ago and 20 of us managed to brave the wet weather and enjoyed 2 rounds with Dale Almond and past-captain Mike Smith, taking most of the spoils on day 2. Thanks to everyone who put their names down, a good cross section of old and new faces who enjoyed several beers in the socially distanced bar both days. The party continued in several well distanced rooms after 10pm and I am afraid to say many of the nearest pin bottles of spirits prizes, never made it back to Hull. To be honest, the Jagermeister never made it back to a room!!
I will write to you once more at the end of my term after Christmas which I hope will take place this year. If it does, I hope you all enjoy yourselves and spare a thought for those less fortunate, with relatives no longer with us, or in hospital or in isolation.
I hope to see you on the course or in the clubhouse. If you have any thoughts, ideas or suggestions feel free to get in touch. Stay safe!!
Kind regards
David A. Smith