Henley Seniors Monthly Newsletter
Figure 1 A winter’s view looking back at the fifth tees. This view is often experienced by the men with a persistent hook off the tee! (Photo by Jane Roby)
Editor
Have you ever thought why golf is played over 18 holes rather than 10, 20 or a round dozen? In the mists of time golf was played at St. Andrews on a strip of land containing 11 holes and members played out and back for a total of 22 holes. In 1764 some of the shorter holes were combined to make nine holes out and nine holes in therefore creating the 18 holes game of today.
In many respects this has lumbered the modern game with a legacy it does not really want since four plus hours is far too long in this modern hectic age and has contributed to a drop off in the numbers playing the sport. I often ask myself the question as to why we persist with 18 holes in the middle of winter when it is cold, muddy, windy and unsuitable for good golf. Surely in January and February 9 or 12 holes of golf is sufficient to get your fix. Perhaps winter competitions should be limited to 12 holes leaving the insane to plough on for a further miserable 6 holes. It would be good if members could stop and think out of the box rather than repeating the same error every winter!
On a brighter note the days are now growing longer at a rate of about two minutes per 24 hours – soon be playing golf at midnight!
Max Jones
Max Jones Page 2
January Results
3rd January – Stableford
Div. 1.
Derek Healing 40 pts., Phil Wilson 39, Alf Rourke 39, Steve Wild 35, Barry Stephens 35, Mike Seymour 34.
Div.2.
Trevor Webb 39 pts, Mike Tubb 39, Peter Colburn 38, Bob Yarwood 37, Jeff Williams 37.
Ladies – Janet Atherton 31 pts.
9th Jan – Team Stableford
Men.
1 – Alan Kirby/Alan Mobbs/Trevor Webb 79 pts.
2 = Peter Colburn/John Harris/Tony Ferret 76
Albert Watts/Phil Wilson/Martin Shalley 76
Rob Bassett/Kevin Walsh/Fred Holtermann 76.
Mixed.
1 - Stuart Brooks/Mike Tubbs/Ena Mack 78 pts.
2 – Lindsey Brooks/Helen Carr/Mike Coombs 77.
16th Jan – Texas Scramble
Course open but competition cancelled due to weather conditions.
23rd Jan – Stableford – red tees – full handicap on winter greens.
Mike Coombes recorded the first 50 point score for some considerable time on a Monday. Due to error players were sent out on full handicaps with the reduced course at their mercy.
Div. 1 – Leslie Garrett 49 pts., Derek Healing 46, John West 44, Steve Perring 43, Brian Hiorns 43, Ken Miller 42, Richard Ward 42, Steve Trueman.
Div. 2 (HC 21+)
Mike Coombs 50pts, Jeff Williams 47, Stuart Brooks 47, Ray Chapman 45, Trevor Webb 45, Glyn Carr 44, Bob Isaacs 44.
Ladies
Jane Bourne 40, Lindsey Brooks 39, Jenny Roberts 35, Kate Watts 35.
30th Jan. – Pairs Stableford – ¾ handicap.
Men’s Pairs.
1 – Richard Ward/Albert Watts 54 pts.
2 – Stuart Brooks/Keith Tarran 53 pts.
3 – Alan Kirby/Kevin Walsh 48 pts.
3= Steve Trueman/Barry Kennaugh 48 pts.
Mixed Pairs
1 – Lindsey Brooks/Gary Bloomer 48 pts.
2 – Janet Isaac/Steve Perring 43 pts
3 – Pauline Maycock/Max Jones 40 pts.
MONDAY MORNINGS
Date / Organiser / Scorer / Competition6 Feb / J West / R+S Hawkins / 3 ball team Stableford
13 Feb / C.Scrimshire / J West / 4 ball team Stableford
20 Feb / B Kennaugh / C Scrimshire / ‘Fun’ Stableford
27 Feb / S Brooks / B Kennaugh / Canadian Greensomes
· IN THE EVENT OF BAD WEATHER AND THEREFORE POSSIBLE CANCELLATIONS BY MEMBERS COMPETITIONS MAY CHANGE TO INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
· Ray Chapman
23 Jan / M+S Taylor / K+J Atherton / Red Tee Stableford30 Jan / R+S Hawkins / M+S Taylor / Pairs Stableford
Captain's Report:
Membership: We will be receiving our renewals shortly. The difficult state of the balance sheet as well as the vastly improved standard of the course will necessitate an increase in fees but only within the context of the costs of joining like clubs. The changes to and from 7 and 5 day membership have meant that many of us have enjoyed cheap golf over the last couple of years but we must try to ensure the long term viability of Henley. I believe that the organisation, the spirit and the camaraderie provided by Henley Golf Club is second to none. The Club has more than exceeded my own expectations since I joined. I certainly hope that the next year will see a turnaround in Henley's fortunes on the same scale that Adam and his team have improved our course.
Golf matters: After a great Christmas Party in December, it has been a tribute to our ground staff that we have had a lot of golf despite the rather cold and gloomy weather. Most of the golf has been in the form of team events although the red tee Stableford was very popular. Les Garrett won the first division with a formidable 49 points whilst Mike Coombes made the half century to win the second division - great scoring in very cold conditions. Maggie Taylor headed the ladies.
Quiz Evening: Jane Roby and team organised an excellent evening to kick off the New Year quizzes. 15 teams packed the bar for a keenly fought contest eventually decided by first class of sculptures and their whereabouts which together with anagrams of musicals provided an intriguing table rounds. Contestants enjoyed a splendid meal and many indulged themselves further with delicious cake, courtesy of June Griffith, which added £75 to the Captains' Charity (Solihull Children's Special Needs Organisation).Many thanks June for such splendid work which almost certainly put paid to New Year resolutions to keep a check on the calories.
.
John West
QUOTE
“Golf is a game of misses. The guy who misses best is going to win.”
Ben Hogan
PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Bill Merrifield
Player of the month - Bill Merrifield
Current Occupation - Retired (maybe!)
Previous Occupation - Bank Manager with Yorkshire Bank
Birth Place/Home Town - Leeds
Now Live - Redditch
Present H/Cap - 11
Best Ever H/Cap - 9
Sporting Life - I support Leeds United (Football) & Leeds Rhinos (Rugby League). Personal - Played football for many years in local Leeds leagues before hanging up my boots aged 30 & concentrating on golf.
Best Golfing Moment - Playing the first 3 holes in the 2016 Seniors Club Championship in a total of 9 shots. Not sure I'll get close to that again.
Worst Golfing Moment - Ringing the Henley GC Helpline to be told the Course is closed!
Honours Won - 2016 has been a great year for me. I've achieved some good results, in particular winning both the Seniors Club Championship & the Order of Merit.
Strongest Aspect of Game - Probably my short game, particularly my putting.
Weakest Aspect of Game - Those 50 yard pitch shots!
Most Liked About Henley - The greens which are superb.
Most Like to Change - Perhaps the garden area on the 17th so it's not a 'blind' par 3. And the Clubs name, I preferred Henley Golf & Country Club.
Favourite Player - So many to pick from. Always admired Faldo, Garcia and Seve. I love watching Mickelson playing his wedge shots. And now, has to be McIlroy & Stenson.
Make of Clubs - Changed to Ping in 2014 & really pleased with them. I've been using my Ping N-Echo putter for over 40 years.
Figure 2 - Bill advertising his favourite driver!
Ball Preferred - No real preference. Probably Srixon but depends what I find on the Course!
When did I take up golf? - Late teens, local muni, group of friends, no lessons, you can guess the rest.
Favourite Courses - Quinta Do Lago South & Victoria in Vilamoura, Portugal. I have fond memories of my first club Headingley in Leeds.
Other interests - Currently adjusting to semi - retirement & my new pace of life. Enjoy walking my dog, gardening & general pottering about. Think that qualifies me as a senior!
Favourite singers - Michael McDonald (Doobie Bros), Paul Rodgers (Free) & Paul Carrack (Ace and Mike & the Mechanics)
Tip for beginner - Leave the driver at home!
Motto in Life - "If you are going to do something, do it properly!"
Adam Moss
What happens to turf in frost conditions?
Turf is especially prone to damage when it is frozen, and also when the ground is thawing. Frost on the grass leaf tells us that the water inside the leaves is frozen. Approximately 80% of plant tissue is made up of water. When this water is frozen, foot traffic on the turf causes the ice crystals in the cells to puncture through the plant's cell walls, thereby killing plant tissue.
When frozen, the leaves of the turf get easily bruised by golfers' feet. After thawing, the affected turf turns black or brown and becomes sparse. The turf can often remain thin for long periods if damage occurs early in the winter. The fine turf on greens becomes more susceptible to disease and the putting surface very uneven.
More long-term damage can be caused when play takes place as the turf is thawing after a prolonged freeze. Under these conditions, the top surface of the turf may be soft, but the underlying soil can still be frozen. Root damage occurs easily from a shearing action as the golfers' feet move the soft top surface against the frozen sub soil. This is when it is tricky for the golfer to perhaps understand, as there is no visible surface/haw frost, but the green staff still need to put out temporary greens.
The process of damage to the turf normally occurs in the following pattern:
· bruising and damage to the leaf
· loss of turf colour
· severing of grass roots
· compaction of the soil
· thinning of the sward
In most cases, frost damage will not be noticeable until the spring when long term damage has already occurred. A poor thin sward, a heavy, compacted green and a poor putting surface would all be consequences of play being allowed on frosty greens, which is something I want to avoid, as although the greens are improving, we still have a very long way to go with them and why I feel it is importantto use temporary greens at Henley during frosty conditions.
I hope this makes sense,
Adam (Course Manager)
Henley Men’s Seniors Open June 29th 2017
We have already received an encouraging number of entries for this year’s open with people travelling from as far as Somerset to take part. We would like you to consider bringing along a guest to play as our course should be in first class condition by then and you never know they might be interested in joining. Another entry form will be posted to you shortly or email me and I’ll send you one by email:
Thanks Roger Bennett
Twitter and Facebook
As you know we have had our own facebook group for a while now and it’s use is increasing day by day and a highlight for me was the brilliant video produced by the ladies of their pre-Christmas tournament. Should you wish to join search for The Henley Golf and Country Club.
We now have a TWITTER account @henleyseniors which can be seen by a huge number of organisations including local golf clubs, organisations in Warwickshire and the PGA. Twitter accounts are used primarily to advertise and promote activities. John West, Dennis Lawrence and myself have made sure that in the last 3 weeks we have posted daily updates on our various activities to spread the word in the hope that we may gain more interest in the seniors section and hopefully more members. Two of the entries for the Seniors Open have come directly from Twitter.
You may not be a twitter user but we would appreciate you making others aware of @henleyseniors so that they may follow what we get up to, if you are a twitter user please follow us.
Thanks Roger Bennett
G.I.T.S.
This last month we have continued filling in around trees on the 11th, 12th, 15th and 18th. In some areas unfortunately rabbits have dug up the newly laid soil!
Following a request from Adam we have cut back the laurel on the 17th garden so that everyone can now see the green!
We have taken the shed down and will reassemble by the 16th shortly.
I will be buying more laurel plants to finish on the 2nd/5th tees.
Roger Bennet will be putting up his bird boxes around the course early in February and Steve Taylor has built plant boxes ready for the summer.
Ground/Greens Committee
We will have our first meeting of the year with Adam on Monday 6th March. Please give us (Maggie, Dennis L and Jim) any constructive ideas you have between now and then. In the summer we will be holding these meetings every 2 months.
4 Round Challenge 2017
On Tuesday 20th June we will hold our annual longest day challenge to raise monies for the Captain's Charity. Participants this year include two veterans, Jim and Rob Bassett, and new boys Chef Jim and Mike Seymour. Starting at 4.30 am we have booked our breakfast and lunch with the Hawkins again, June Griffith will provide lots of cakes during the day and to round it off we hope we will have a barbecue by approx. 7.30 to celebrate the day. Everyone welcomed.
Jim Griffith
Henley’s most difficult holes
Have you ever thought that some holes are more difficult than others at Henley? The computer logs all qualifying scores and has come up with the following stats.
Blue tees
The 10th is the most difficult just edging it from the 8th. The 3rd is by far the easiest followed by the 5th, 14th and 11th in close order.