This newsletter is intended to bring news and information to the members of Newquay Golf Club

Captain’s Diary

NOVEMBER 2019 Newsletter No 52

President: Charles Uren Secretary: Peter Batty Captain: Keith Barker

Ladies Captain: Mrs Tina Daw Professional: Chris Gill

Head Greenkeeper: Daniel Kendle

Website: www.newquaygolfclub.co.uk Enquiries email: info@newquaygolfclub.co.uk

Twitter: @NewquayGC

Officials:

CONTACT Email: info@newquaygolfclub.co.uk

Twitter:@NewquayGC

Telephone: 01637 874354

I have to start this Newsletter with the very sad news of the passing of Geoff Batty aged 83 years. Geoff and his wife Jill joined Newquay GC in 1960’s where they have remained ever since. Geoff was a past Captain, past President and a life member. He was also on the Cornwall Golf Union Executive for many years serving as County Juniors Secretary, Vice President and President. Our thoughts and condolences at this sad time are with Jill, Peter, Mike and Sandra. Summer may have come and gone but this month has continued to be very busy. The first weekend of the month was the Piskey competition, this was my first time fully involved with the Piskey teams and it was a fabulous time, from the reception on Friday evening to the presentation on Sunday evening. The sixteen teams from all over the country play off scratch and play a series of knock-out matches resulting in winning the Mugs, Pasty or the coveted Piskey. There was quality golf and quality socialising throughout the weekend. We also had Chris Gill’s Pro-Day, which again saw a great influx of visitors in the large field of 130 and a enjoyable day was had by all. A big thank-you, to Chris for all his hard work leading up to the day. The first Winter League had to be postponed due to the adverse weather conditions but many members were at the club enjoying Nev and Angela’s breakfast, while watching the rugby semi-final! The end of the month was the Autumn Festival, which saw competitions from the Wednesday to the Sunday. Again more than a hundred visitors joined members in playing seriously competitive golf. Throughout these events the club has received so many positive comments regarding the excellent condition of the course especially the quality of the greens. This message is being spread throughout the South West, which will result in many repeat visits. I really must thank Peter Batty for all his unseen hard work in running all these tournaments, members must realise that when these events take place the course is closed for certain periods but that these events bring in considerable revenue, which all helps to keep our subscriptions down! Staying on the playing side our teams have been involved in the County Knock-Outs, the Bowl team travelled to West Cornwall GC and defeated Mullion GC 4&1 - a pleasing result with three debutants in the side. In Round 2 the team played Whitsand Bay, the holders, at Bude. In terrible conditions we lost 3 and 2. It was very close and with the match standing at two a piece our last pair lost on the 18th green!

The President’s Team went to The Point GC to play St Enodoc GC and were defeated 6:3. This sounds a heavy defeat but five games went to the 18th green and and it only needed two results to go the other way to turn defeat into victory. We had four debutants in the side with three of them winning their matches and special mention must go to eleven year old Tommy Miller who was three down at one stage but came back to win on the 18th! To compete at this level at his young age is an excellent achievement and a big thanks to his caddy on the day -Charlie Phillips. Our Frank Wills team went to the excellent St Enodoc GC to play Bowood GC and our mainly young team came away 4&1 winners. Round 2 is against Killiow GC at St Austell GC, let’s hope for some dry weather before then. In all our matches the players have been supported by caddies, who are an important part of the team. Thank you very much gents. You will all have seen that Dan and his excellent team have started the winter programme of maintenance. This has involved roping off parts of the course in order to re-seed these areas, it is very important you support your green keepers and your course by keeping out of these areas especially if you are in a buggy! On the social side we had a fun evening with a Curry /Quiz night hosted by the infamous Matt Milburn. We had over fifty members scratching their heads, answering questions and enjoying an excellent curry. Look out for the next quiz in the New Year. On Friday 22nd November we have Pete Middlehurst playing at the Club and the opportunity to have a Fish Supper if you wish, promises to be good evening. You need to be thinking about booking your New Year’s Eve tickets for a disco and quality buffet from Nev and Anglea all for £15. Our caterers Nevan and Anglea have really settled in very well and have numerous written positive reviews from our own members, visitors and visiting clubs. The Sunday lunches have all been fully booked and their Christmas menu looks extremely appetising, I suggest you book sooner than later! Really looking forward to the Winter League starting and hope to see you all on the course or in the clubhouse. Barks Club Captain

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LADIES The Ladies Section having been confirmed as Winners of the CLCGA Division Two League, return to Division One after just the one season away! Winners of Divisions 1-4 are invited to take part in a League Play-Off competition at Merlin GC. Newquay’s ladies won the competition and are seen here with the Play-Off trophy. Team consisted of (front row LtoR) Sandra Lloyd, LCapt Tina Daw, Debbie Cain, (back row LtoR) Lorna Parfitt, Ruth Savage, Annie Lobb and Jan Barker. Lady Captain will be presented with the Division 2 Shield at the County AGM in December.

Lady Captain Tina Daw finally managed to play her

Captain’s Day golf competition and is seen here with the winners of her prizes. The ladies enjoyed a lovely

meal provided by the new caterers, following the end of play. Sally Stacey was the overall winner and received a beautiful glass artwork, made by local artist, Dreya Bennett.

Seniors Ladies played a pairs fun 9-hole comp – Pat Greenwood and Chris Cummins won and seen here with Senior Lady Capt Anne Poole.

Newquay Ladies had their annual Halloween outing on Thursday at St Enodoc playing the Holywell course. It was a fun day of fancy dress and golf. They had worked their spells as the weather was fine with no rain!! First prize went to Eileen Phipps with 40 points and Sue Sykes came in 2nd with 36. Joyce Cain won nearest the pin.

Jacob Leech receiving the Coronation Cup from Club

Captain Keith Barker

Russell Milsom receiving the Tangye Cup from Club Captain Keith Barker

Russell Milsom receiving the Parkyn Bowl from Club

Captain Keith Barker

President’s Cup at The Point:

Tommy Miller with ‘Caddy

Charlie Phillips’

Old School with New Pupil!!

JUNIORS Junior team of Taylor, Heath, Sienna and Thomas played in the Junior Maxam at Carlyon Bay.

Winners of the Eric Thomas Mixed comp – Lynn and Sue Sykes with Eric. Lynn

and Sue had a fabulous score of 38 points, highly commendable considering

the awful weather conditions.

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COURSE MATTERS Wet, Wet, Wet is about the only way to describe the current weather pattern. We have recorded 115mm of rainfall this month, and that's coming on the back of 75mm last month, 64mm in August and 50mm in July. So in the space of 4 months we have recorded just short of a foot of rainfall. Fortunately most of the course drains well but we are now getting to the stage that some areas are so saturated, and sitting on areas of clay the rain has nowhere to go creating tacky surfaces. The current wet weather pattern, which is increasing surface moisture, is also doing nothing to help alleviate disease pressures. The Dollar Spot was finally checked by the 2nd fungicide application and has started to fill in, albeit very slowly. Over the past couple of days the first signs of Michrodochium nivale (Fusarium) have become evident and this is something I will be monitoring. Next week we will be micro-tining the greens with 6mm pencil tines, which will help to increase airflow into the rootzone whilst also helping to dry out the surface layer. On Monday and Tuesday of this week we had a contractor on site, who aerated the greens using the Air2G2. This machine injects compressed air into the rootzone helping to break up compaction at depth. With the slow recovery from the Dollar Spot, I made the decision three weeks ago to pot seed greens 10, 12 and 15 with Fescue to help fill in the scar areas. The germination from this has been very impressive and will help to strengthen the species diversity on these greens. Since my last report all the fairways and tees have been overseeded. We have also carried out extensive hollow-coring and overseeding of the areas around the 8th tees and around the 15th tees. The seed has started to germinate and already these areas are looking vastly improved. Areas that were used for tipping the scarifying debris from fairways have also been tined and over-seeded. Can I please stress the importance of keeping off these areas to allow them the best possible chance of recovery? It has been quite disappointing to still see people driving buggies in roped off areas and also trolleys being pulled across areas that have been re-seeded. Following the tining on greens next week, we will then move onto tees and aprons as well as high wear walkways. On the staffing front, Cam and Joe the new members of staff have settled in well and are getting to grips with how we operate. The application for Joe's Level 2 Apprenticeship has been submitted to Myerscough College and we are now just waiting for an official start date. I have accepted the opportunity to work next years British Open at Royal St Georges, something I am very much looking forward to. During this wetter period can I please remind everybody to repair your pitchmarks please. Kind regards Dan Kendle Head Greenkeeper

Winter Programme 2019/20

Bunkers • All bunkers to be edged, weeded and de-stoned. • Where needed, bunkers will be rotovated and sand

moved. • Sand will be added to bunkers where needed in

March/April 2020 • Re-shaping of middle 2 greenside bunkers at walk-ins to

be carried out using revetting. Paths • All paths to be weeded • Drainage to be installed on pathways at 2nd tee, 7th tee and

18th tee Steps • All steps to be weeded/edged and re-gripped where

necessary Scrub Clearance • Removal of brambles and scrub to be carried out at

various areas around the course. • Tidying of Hedges/Bramble areas in car parks Banks • Various banks around the course to be strimmed out and

treated with Laser. To include: Right of 4th Green, Rear of 9th Green, Right of 6th Green

Aeration • Regular aeration at varying depths to be carried out on

Greens, Tees and Aprons • Hollow coring to be carried out in areas as marked on

map Yard • Soil piles in yard area to be banked up alongside 11th

OOB and seeded. Whole yard area to be tidied in general.

▪ Tipping Pit • Pit area to be heaped up and possible need to locate a

new tipping area.

Competition Last month’s question: “Which lady golfer was a ‘Captain’s Wildcard/Pick’ in the recent Solheim Cup and ended up holing her putt on the 18th to give the win to Europe?” ANSWER: Suzann Pettersen

Winner of the buggy for 18 holes – JOYCE CAIN – well done Joycie

THIS MONTH’S QUESTION: With Tiger Wood’s latest win in Japan – how many PGA Tour wins does he have now and whose PGA Tour record has he equalled? Please email answer to jan.barker54@gmail.com by 30th November, and go into the draw for free use of a buggy for 18 holes.

Good luck!

Jan Barker On behalf of Newquay Golf Club

EDITOR’S NOTE: Communication is always at least a two way affair so please send any feedback to the Club Secretary or direct to me on jan.barker54@gmail.com. This newsletter may contain nuts and flash photography and does not necessarily reflect the view of the golf club. If anyone wants a copy of this email newsletter then please let the Office or me know their email address and it will be added to the emailing list Also lots of work going on at the club on and off the course. If playing a friendly fourball or whatever please preserve the course and allow each other to have lift, clean and place. Obviously this does not apply to club competitions unless so advised, and …….. please repair divots and pitchmarks.

Hope you enjoy the read and please feedback some feedback!!”

SENIORS The main event for the Seniors in October was the AGM at which new Captain Dermot O'Callaghan was elected. Prior to the AGM the traditional 3 clubs and a putter was held - most of the leading scores were just over the 30 point mark but way out in front, making most wonder why they carry 14 clubs, was Alan Metters on 36. The AGM saw the end of John Phillips year of office as Captain although he does have a couple of more events to preside over, the last of which will be the Seniors Presentation Day when all of the major trophy winners from 2019 will be awarded their prizes (see below). John has had a very good year and has introduced several changes designed to increase the numbers in the Seniors Section - his highlight being a turn out of over 50 for three competitions during the year. Dermot will be looking to build on that success. Honours List 2019 Bass Trophy (Singles K O)...................John Phillips Captains Cup.........................................Russ Taylor Charity Shield........................................Steve Ward Consistency............................................Steve Ward David Keen Cup.....................................Steve Ward Derek Richards Cup...............................Steve Ward Eclectic...................................................Alan Metters Foursomes Cup K O..............................Dermot Leech and Bob Brett Ian Downey Trophy...............................Lynn Sykes John Purcell Monday League Trophy....Alan Metters Memorial Cup.......................................Simon Warren Presidents Shield...................................Mike Hawken Ron Lyon Cup (4 BBB K O).................Brendan Cavanagh and Phil Mellor Brian Start Trophy.................................Mike Jelbert Whitbread Trophy..................................Mick Kelly The Presentation day will take place on 16th December following an 11-hole stabeford competition and in turn followed by the Seniors Christmas lunch. All prize winners should attend.

SENIOR CAPTAIN 2020 Dermot O’Callaghan