This week’s newsletter starts with some good news from a personal point of view. Back in June I played in the Staffordshire PGA Stroke Play Championships at Little Aston and the best thing I can say about the 36 hole tournament is that the course was great and I played with Brian Rimmer who went on to win. I did however manage a top 16 finish which qualified me for the match play stage which was held this week at Walsall golf club.

Monday was a very wet and windy affair and my first opponent was Danny Taylor who won the match play 2 years ago. I have to say Danny is a great player and the only thing that kept me in it were some fantastic up and downs from anywhere between 80 – 5 yards out and it was my short game that gave me an eventual 2&1 victory.

The rain continued throughout Monday afternoon for my second round match against Craig Fletcher. I have to say playing in the rain is not my favourite as playing in a rain jacket has always felt uncomfortable, last week I got a new Nike Hyperadapt rain suit which really did help me as it has golf specific flex panels which makes it feel really comfortable to swing in. Yet again my short game was the key and I beat Craig 3&2.

The rain continued overnight and travelling back to Walsall at 6.30am Tuesday morning I never thought the course would be open but the green staff did a fantastic job early in the morning and before I knew it I was teeing it up on the first for my semi final match against Shaun Ball from South Staffs GC at 8am. The match was very tight, I was 2up through 9 holes and to my surprise Dave turned up to caddy for me on the 10th tee and was a really big help. We actually halved the next 7 holes before Shaun made a great par to win the 17th hole meaning I was 1 up playing 18. It felt great to be in that pressure situation and I was really pleased to play the hole solid and win the match 1up.

Barrie Stevens from Beau Dessert GC was my opponent in the final and the match went back and forth early on and we were all square after 11 before I won 12, 13 & 14, we halved 15 which left me 3 up with 3 to play and after a good par on 16 I was a 4&2 winner and the Staffordshire PGA Match Play Champion! I think Dave was more excited than me though, in giving me a big Ryder Cup style hug he accidentally whacked me in the mouth with my wedge that was still in his hand! Thanks Dave.

Course Maintenance

As part of our ongoing maintenance program we have undertaken some linear aeration of the greens. Rotary blades sliced through the turf & soil profile to a depth of 9 inches and when doing so they had a ‘shaking’ action that fractured the soil. This fracturing of the soil relieves compaction, improves drainage capabilities and enhances rooting. It also allows gaseous exchange and soil microbe populations are able to increase. This work is essential if we are to head into the winter with strong healthy greens that drain well.

We endeavoured to keep any surface disruption to a minimum and I thank you for your patience and understanding whilst we carried out this vital work.

The video shows the blades slicing through the turf and into the soil profile. Click here to see the video.

Simon White 
Course Manager

Seniors update

No competitions to report this week.

Seniors Autumn Trophy now on 20th October – sheet on the board

Last interclub match at home to Lakeside rescheduled for Tuesday 28th October

NB. Winter Competitions begin on 3rd November – see notice board for details and also details of remaining qualifying events in 2014 for members to obtain accreditation

Keith Palmer
Seniors Section Secretary

A note from the Lady Captain:

Lady Captain's Charity Evening

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped raise so much money for St Giles Hospice. The weekend players who supported the raffle in the halfway house which raised £150, to Chris Simmons and the eight Golf Clubs who donated the auction lots. The shops, pubs and restaurant for the raffle and evening prize draw donations. To all the guests who attended my charity evening at The Essence of the Orient and a BIG thank you to Benni and Tony for the use of their restaurant. To Steve Fountain for doing the auction that raised over £700 and Laura and Nathan who attended on behalf of Barclays Bank who kindly matched my £1000.

Thank you all so much for helping me raise a grand total of £2500"

Marlene 
Lady Captain

Christmas Craft Fayre at The Chase - Sunday 30th November 4.00-8.00pm

Click here to find out more.

Good luck to all those playing in the interteam challenge this weekend and of course the Staff V’s Committee!