WBoro 2020 Sept

SEPTEMBER 2020

Kelly’s Heroes

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Club members make us proud - on and off the course

FIRSTLY, congratulations to all the Kelly’s
Heroes cyclists and support staff, who have
done remarkably well to complete their charity
bike ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

They have done Wellingborough Golf Club
proud. They have brought attention to a
very good cause, and I’m sure will continue
to do so in the future. Well done.

Back at Wellingborough last month, the
Club Championships took place. It went
very well.

It was a really tight finish with Ryan Connolly
pushing Jon Harris all the way.

It’s remarkable how well Jonno is playing
considering how much golf he plays - he’s
very good.

My comments in last month’s Club Magazine
about how I believe the temporary tee
booking system, which was essential during
the initial COVBID-19 outbreak, should not
be continued on a long term basis went
down well.

In fact, everyone who contacted me was in
agreement, but obviously I have not spoken
to all the membership.

It’s sad news about Janet Taylor’s retirement
because she has been a marvellous servant
to the Club.

Janet got on really well with my brother and
I have a soft spot for her. The Club just won’t
be the same without her.

I have no doubt we will still see plenty of her
at the Club taking some more fantastic pictures - she already has a stunning collection of photographs.

I’m still trying to get as much golf in as I can towards the end of the season and hopefully in the not-too-
distant future, I’m looking to announce a couple of Captain’s Exchange Days.

They will be in September or early October, which is later than normal of course, but it’s the only time
we can do anything now.

One of them is Robin Hood Golf Club in Warwickshire, while we are still in negotiations with the other,
which is another 1893 Club. Hopefully we can have an Indian summer because the weather has been
difficult.

One of the marquees fell foul of Storm Eleanor. I had a phone call from Christine in the office, and by the
time I got down here, I found her with Izzy (Taylor) lying on top of it at the bottom of the garden trying to
stop it blowing away - it was funny!

All the best for now and stay safe.

Dave Hawkins
2020 Club Captain

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Janet waves goodbye to Wellingborough with ‘heavy heart’

HARROWDEN Hall’s Clubhouse Bar has never
looked more different in recent weeks, and
unfortunately that will be the case from now
onwards after Bar Manager Janet Taylor (pictured
left) has decided to retire.

After 45 years of serving thousands of drinks to
the members, guests and visitors, one of the most
familiar faces at Wellingborough Golf Club has
reluctantly chosen to call it a day.

Club General Manager David Waite said: “We’d
like to thank Janet for all her hard work over this
time and keeping the member’s and visitors all
refreshed.

“Janet is looking forward to spending more time
enjoying her photography and we hope to see her
at the Club from time to time as an honorary Social
Member.

“It has been a pleasure to have worked with Janet
and we wish her all the best for the future.”

Tap-Ins PLEASE take note, that our bar staff have
been advised to refuse service to anyone not
FORTY eight points was the winning score in the wearing a face covering in Harrowden Hall.
Lee Dalton Trophy as Paul Smith and Richard
Armitage triumphed by three from David Woolf LEAH Ribano was crowned 2020 County Girls
and Gerry McGrady. Champion after winning the 36-hole tournament
by 16 shots at Northampton. Olivia Barby was
EDWARD Billson produced a blistering 12th, while defending champion Joseph Hyde
performance in the Miller Cup as he beat the finished 16th in the Boy’s event.
course by seven holes to finish three ahead of
his four closest rivals. ADAM Sherlock, Jon Corns and Mike Gilbrook
are amongst the Wellingborough members
A HOLE-in-one on the 15th hole at Sandy Lodge to put their names down to compete in the
wasn’t quite enough to help Ashleigh Critchley County Men’s Championship at Collingtree
(pictured below) make the cut in the English Park on Sunday, September 20th.
Girls Amateur Strokeplay Championship as she
missed out on qualification with a score of 81. FOUR gross pars in the closing six holes from
David Goswell ensured the 24-handicapper
secured first place in the fifth round of the Seniors
Lonsdale Series with 41 points. Les Hillman leads
the overall standings by four points.

COUNTBACK was needed to decide the winner
of the Seniors Vets Cup as Robin Butler edged
out David Birkett on 40 points.

WITH pages to fill in the Wellingborough Club
Magazine, there are plenty of opportunities to
advertise during the year. Please contact the Club
Office to get your message across to the members
and visitors in 2020.

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 3

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Places still available in Teena Marshall Golf Day

LADIES Captain Jenny Wilkinson (pictured below) said: “I’ve been away in the Cotswolds for a few
days - no golf, but plenty of cycling.

“When I saw a hill, it made my heart sink, which puts into perspective what the Kelly’s Heroes guys
have achieved with their ride, especially considering the weather they had to cope with. All credit and
admiration to all of them.

“As far as golf goes at Wellingborough, we have tried to cram as much in as we can. We started playing
competitions in July, and towards the end of last month was the Ladies Championships.

“We played day one, but I made the decision to delay the second day until September because of Storm
Francis. It means we can have the Wells Cup, Intermediate, Bronze and Ladies Championships on the
same day, with a prize giving.

“We also have the Teena Marshall Golf Day coming up on Saturday, September 12th. There are still a
few spaces, with teams of four (any combination of men and women), with food afterwards. Money will
be sent to Cancer Research.

“We are now beginning to think about winter competitions - the winter knockouts have already gone live,
which is unbelievable. It’s just crazy how quickly the time has gone.

“For afternoon tee times, you look at competitions, and think ‘is there going to be enough light to play?’

“With social events, it’s still so difficult to plan ahead, just look at those people who’ve gone on holiday
abroad, and now have to self-isolate when they return.

“Fitting people in the clubhouse is tricky - it’s all about giving people confidence to go into the clubhouse.

“For some of my ladies competitions, we had afternoon

tea with sandwiches downstairs outside the

clubhouse - that seems to have gone well.

“At the end of August, the membership found
out that Bar Manager Janet Taylor has retired.

“Janet has worked here for 45 years, so had
put in a fantastic amount of time. I thank
her for all the years of service and wish
her a long and happy retirement.”

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 5

Europe win Ryder Cup

WELLINGBOROUGH’S next generation of full
members relished the chance to show off their
skills to some of the Club’s more experienced

members when they played together in
the Junior Ryder Cup.
Youngsters Chelsey Sharp, Olivia Barby,
Isaac Richardson, Jacob Tattersall, Yannick
Chassiagne, Fabian Sgoluppi, Finlay Jones,
Camille Chassiagne, Sam Tattersall, Mayson
Davies and Harris Chacksfield all impressed.
With the match tied 12 months ago, Europe
earned the inaugural win against the USA in
2020 by the scoreline 3½-2½.

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Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 7

Let’s hope those raindrops don’t keep fallin’ on my head

WELLINGBOROUGH’S leading women’s golfers will
have their eyes on the weather forecast as the second
round of the 2020 Ladies Club Championships is
scheduled to resume on Tuesday, September 1st.
The tournament, which was set to take place on two
separate days in late August, was postponed after the
opening round due to dreadful wet weather conditions.
Former champions Mary MacLaren and Ellie Darnell
currently head the gross standings with a 76 apiece,
while Rachael Owen has the joint-best net score of 72.
The Wells Cup, which is for ladies with a handicap of 30
or above, is scheduled to take place on the same day.

Double celebration for consistent Jonno in August

JONATHAN Harris had a month he will never forget after winning the Club Championships for the
third time, before becoming a Scratch handicapper for the first time a few weeks later.
Competing off one in the Club Championships at the start of August, Harris (pictured centre with
some of his closest challengers) was at his consistent best over 36 holes as he carded scores of
73 and 74 to claim a three-shot victory from Ryan Connolly.
It was a similar story in the August Medal towards the end of the month as he compiled a level par
72 to see his handicap cut to 0.3.
In the mid-handicap competition of the Club Championships, Lee Gardner held off a strong finish
from John Hughes to pick up the Charles Griffiths Bowl by a single stroke on 165.
A birdie on the 16th hole helped Wayne Dent lift the Rabbits Cup, which is played over 18 holes, as
a net 68 earned the 25-handicapper a two-shot victory from Adam Taylor and Ged Eady.

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Amazing journey with an amazing team

JOHN Hewitt says all of the participants in last month’s
13-day charity bike ride from John O’Gaunt to Lands
End are ‘super heroes’.

With money being raised for the We Mind & Kelly
Matters charity, which was set up in memory of his
daughter Kelly, who committed suicide in December
2018, the crew battled severe wet and windy weather
conditions to complete the 1000-mile journey.

Hewitt, who was joined by fellow Wellingborough club
members Martyn Annis, Chris Howes, Charlie Higgins,
Jamie Jones, Glyn Pepper and Tim Veal plus five other
riders and six support staff, says everyone deserves
huge credit.

He said: “We started in the rain and at times the
weather was absolutely horrendous, the roads
were like rivers and the wind was biting cold. It
really tested the guys. It could have broken them.

“But all 18 of us, not just the 12 riders but the
support crew too, have been first class - they have
been super heroes.

“I couldn’t have done this without the team
around me - they have all been amazing.

“It’s been an amazing journey they’ve put
themselves through the mill and we are
definitely stronger people for doing it.

“I’ve seen grown men cry with the
pain and cold, and they’ve done
that for me and my family. They’ve
done that for Kelly. Thank You.”

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 9

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Harrowden Hall: a venue ready to host big events

PLANS to organise some social events at Harrowden Hall during the off-season are being assessed as
the Club continue to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

With social distancing practices already in place throughout the clubhouse, the Club have re-introduced
lunchtime bar snacks, while Sunday lunches have started up again on a fortnightly basis.

As the golf season approaches its climax in the coming weeks, Wellingborough’s Front of House
Manager Izzy Taylor is keen to organise some social events for members and guests but admits they
will be on a smaller scale than previously.

She said: “Sunday lunches are every couple of weeks, instead of monthly. We only have a capacity for
40 people, which is half of normal, so that’s why we are doing them twice as often.

“We are considering organising some theme nights, from late September onwards, but we are limited
on the amount of tables we can book. We need to follow the rules - we can’t do anything large scale.

“Normally we would now be advertising for Christmas party nights and all sorts, but we’ve just had to put
it on hold. It’s a shame, but understandable.”

Harrowden Hall’s popularity as a wedding venue has not been diminished by the COVID-19 outbreak,
despite most ceremonies booked for this year being called off due to the new regulations.

With all the 16 outstanding wedding bookings at Wellingborough being rearranged for 2021, the Club
have already set their targets on the following year.

Taylor said: “We have our weddings down to a tee now - they work. People want that traditional wedding
day, at a stately home, and that’s what we advertise it as.

“We don’t have any big weddings until next year, just a couple of ceremonies in 2020. When the other
couples had to postpone their weddings they came to us early on and said ‘we are going to move it to
2021’, which is the best thing to do because they should now get the day they planned.

“The current rules for a wedding are that they can have a ceremony and a sit down wedding dinner, but
they can’t have an evening reception, party, disco and dancefloor.

“This is for a maximum of 30 people, but that does include photographers, videographers and any other
staff they might have hired for the day, and their registrars, so it comes down to around 24 sometimes.
So very low numbers.

“We were quite lucky that we only had four already booked in for 2021 - the first in March. We aim for
20 each year, and we have already met that limit for 2021, so we are now taking bookings for 2022.”

Social members Christine Foulkes (wearing pink) and husband Richard (far left) celebrated the
birthday of sister Sue’s partner Tony at Harrowden Hall.

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 11

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Results Ladies August Medal (August 8th & 11th):
Division 1: 1 Susan Holland (96 - 20 = net
Lee Dalton Trophy (August 30th): 76), 2 Amanda Rawson (84 - 7 = 77), 3 Glenda
1 Paul Smith & Richard Armitage (48 points), Abbott (97 - 20 = 77). Division 2: 1 Pauline
2 David Woolf & Gerry McGrady (45), 3 Martin Kendall (95 - 26 = 69), 2 Bina Shah (98 - 24 =
Noons & Kevin Turner (44). 74), 3 Rachael Owen (101 - 26 = 75).

Junior Ryder Cup (August 23rd): Juniors Charter Cup (August 9th):
Europe 3½ USA 2½. 1 Finley Jones (49 points), 2 Alfie Smart (33), 3
Isaac Richardson (29).
August Medal (August 22nd-23rd):
Division 1: 1 Dan Barker (80 - 11 = net 69), 2 Seniors Lonsdale 5 (August 5th):
Kevin Larham (82 - 11 = 71), 3 Jonathan Harris 1 David Goswell (41 points), 2 Steve Bason
(72 - 1 = 71). Division 2: 1 Richard Armitage (39), 3 David Woolf (38).
(84 - 16 = 68), 2 Harry Turner (80 - 12 = 68), 3
Alistair Auld (83 - 13 = 70). Division 3: 1 David Ladies Gilbert Bowl (August 4th):
Fairhead (95 - 26 = 69), 2 Tony Sozzo (96 - 25 1 Patricia Dawson (44 points), 2 Margaret Payne
= 71), 3 Matt Coles (99 - 28 = 71). (38), 3 Judy Bolar (37).

Seniors Vets Cup (August 19th): Club Championships (August 1st-2nd):
1 Robin Butler (40 points), 2 David Birkett (40), 3 Gross: 1 Jonathan Harris (73 + 74 = 147), 2
Nigel Thompson (38). Ryan Connolly (75 + 75 = 150), 3 Mark Davis
(74 + 78 = 152).
Ladies Harrowden Hall Cup (August 18th):
1 Susan Holland & Bina Shah (36 points), 2 Charles Griffiths Bowl (August 1st-2nd):
Pauline Kendall & Lema Townsend (35), 3 Gross: 1 Lee Gardner (79 + 86 = 165), 2 John
Carol Gibbs & Susan Joyce (34). Hughes (87 + 79 = 166), 3 Richard Izzard (82 +
86 = 168).
Miller Cup (August 16th):
1 Edward Billson (7 up), 2 Stephen Blenkinsop Rabbits Cup (August 2nd):
(4 up), 3 Paul Saunders (4 up). 1 Wayne Dent (93 - 25 = net 68), 2 Adam
Taylor (94 - 24 = 70), 3 Ged Eady (97 - 27 =
August Midweek Stableford (August 13th): 70).
1 Sam Waite, pictured (41 points), 2 Adam
Sherlock (40), 3 Daniel McLaven (38). Junior Nine-Hole Competition (July 30th):
1 Finley Jones (25 points), 2 Cameron Black
Ladies August Nine-Hole Stableford (August 12th): (24), 3 Chelsey Sharp (15).
Winner: Libby David (18 points), runner-up:
Susan Joyce (16).

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 13

Harrowden Hall
Memories

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Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 15

Tough golf courses reveal the best players by Meghan MacLaren

SINCE Covid-19 hit the world and we all had our beautiful game taken away from us, there has
definitely been more gratitude in the air. And when the courses reopened, for the first time in my life,
I absolutely did not care how I played… I genuinely enjoyed every breath of the returning familiarity.
I owe this game so much. We all do. And yet…
“The greens are too fast.”
“The fairways are too firm.”
“The rough is too thick.”
“The greens are too slow.”
“The fairways are too soft.”
“The rough isn’t punishing enough.”
Do we ever know what we want?
I played in a mini tour event at Sunningdale Heath
(pictured right) not long after lockdown was lifted -
more mixed, open access events being one of the
uplifting positives to come out of diminished schedules
- alongside a men’s European Tour winner.
About five holes in, our three-ball had racked up maybe four three-putts between us, with treacherous
greens and unforgiving pin positions perhaps being more to blame than our collective ineptitude.
Said European Tour pro turned to me and jokingly commented on the abuse the tournament directors
would be receiving if this event had been a European Tour event, adding that was the norm no matter
where they were playing or what the conditions were like.
However hard I try, I’m pretty sure I’m as guilty of complaining as anyone else. I try not to in
tournaments, as I think it exposes a weakness; a lack of acceptance
of the challenge asked of you, but I sometimes find it hard.
And that brings me to my point – what makes a challenge?
Is golf itself hard enough without adding tricks and trials?

Becky MacLaren & Meghan MacLaren (Credit: Getty Imges)

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At The Rose Ladies Series, it seemed as if every
course tried its hardest to beat us. Some people
didn’t like that. They thought the Series should
showcase women’s golf more by using easier course
set-ups to highlight just how good we are.

I think that point is valid, but people seem to forget
that showing how good you are isn’t just about how
many rounds under par you produce. Recognising
the challenge a course presents, and figuring
out how to answer its questions and navigate
its dangers shows how good you are, too. I would argue even more so than stringing birdies together.

The thing I realised in college is that once you get to a certain level, everyone’s best golf is remarkably
similar. That isn’t to say you don’t have to be ridiculously good to compete at that level. Being able to go
low consistently, and pull off those shots in the moments when it matters most takes a huge amount of
nerve and skill which few possess. Aggressive golf is brilliant golf, but only when it’s done successfully.

When golf stretches the mental just as much as the physical, that’s when it is at its most compelling.
That’s why Major Championships are the best to watch. As a fan, that’s why I’d rather watch a Sunday
challenge of making a par on a bouncy, bunker-protected par 3 in a 35mph cross wind, than a bombed
driver to a pristine fairway, followed by a high-spinning wedge shot to set-up a straightforward birdie. As
a player, the former would make me more nervous than the latter.

Of course, Major Championships can take it too far. The US Open often sees courses straddle that line
of difficulty and ridicule – Phil Mickelson at Shinnecock Hills in 2018 springs to mind, and I can only
begin to imagine how tough, and draining, trying to compete on courses like that is. But I like being
mentally exhausted after a tournament, if any sense can be made of that.

I like standing on a tee, trying to decide if the benefits of taking on a fairway bunker with driver outweigh
the consequences. I like plotting my way around a golf course, checking the wind against the pin positions,
understanding where misses are least punishing and identifying when you simply have to pull the shot off.

There are many arguments circling about the modern game and modern equipment, and its effect on
the best courses in the world. Many great courses don’t play the way they were designed to be played
anymore, because distance has become so extreme. As much as I enjoy watching Rory hit his driver,
golf has so much more to offer than power, and I think the whole game starts to lose if things continue
to head in that direction.

I admire what Bryson DeChambeau has done to improve his golf and his chances of success. It’s taken
more dedication and pain than 99 per cent of us would be willing to endure.

But give me Tiger dismantling Royal Melbourne at the Presidents Cup, or unflinching at Augusta as
his competitors give way to inexperience, over DeChambeau pounding out a 23-under-par win at the
Rocket Mortgage Classic, every day of the week. Post-lockdown gratitude or not.

Club pros battle hard on Scottish links

WELLINGBOROUGH professionals Charley Hull and
Meghan MacLaren returned to Ladies European Tour
action last month as they competed in the Ladies
Scottish Open and Women’s Open.

In the opening event, Hull (photo credit: LET) shot a
final round of 68 at The Renaissance Club to become
the highest English ranked player in 22nd position, as
MacLaren finished in 53rd spot.

The duo struggled to fully adapt to the wet and windy
conditions of links golf a week later at Royal Troon as
they both missed the cut in the first major of the year.

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 17

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September 2020 fixtures (subject to change) Advertise With Us

Date Start/End Event (1st tee, unless stated) Please join us in 2020
Tue 1st and beyond
09:00 - 13:00 Ladies Championship, Intermediate,
Bronze & Wells Cup Full page;
from £70 + VAT
Sat 5th 07:30 - 15:00 September Medal
Half page;
Sun 6th 08:30 - 12:00 September Medal from £45 + VAT
Quarter page;
12:30 - 13:00 Ladies September Medal from £30 + VAT

Tue 8th 10:00 - 13:00 Ladies September Medal Office - 01933 677234

general.manager@
wellingboroughgolfclub.com

Wed 9th 07:30 - 11:00 Seniors Lonsdale 6

Thu 10th from 08:00 September Yellow Tee Midweek Bar Hours
Stableford
Monday 11:00am - 6:00pm
Sat 12th 08:00 - 16:00 Teena Marshall Golf Day Tuesday 11:00am - 6:00pm
Wednesday 11:00am - 6:00pm
Sun 13th 11:00 - 14:00 Mixed Open Thursday 11:00am - 6:00pm

14:00 - 15:00 Junior Nine-Holes Competition Friday 11:00am - 7:00pm
Saturday 8:45am - 8:00pm
Mon 14th 11:30 - 13:00 Ladies Wells Cup Sunday 11:00am - 7:00pm

Tue 15th 10:00 - 13:00 Ladies September Stableford

Wed 16th 07:30 - 11:00 Seniors Lonsdale 7

Thu 17th 15:00 - 15:45 Past Captains' Trophy

Sat 19th 07:30 - 15:00 George Cup I Catering Hours

Sun 20th 07:30 - 12:00 George Cup II

Mon 21st 11:30 - 12:45 Lady Vets Match Monday N/A
Tuesday Noon - 3:00pm
Tue 22nd 10:00 - 13:00 Ladies Texas Scramble Wednesday Noon - 3:00pm
Thursday Noon - 3:00pm
Thu 24th from 08:00 September White Tee Midweek Noon - 3:00pm
Stableford Friday 8:45am - 2:00pm
Saturday
Sun 27th from 08:00 September Sunday Stableford Sunday N/A
09:30 - 11:30 Mixed Club Championship

Tue 29th 09:00 - 14:00 Ladies v Pro Challenge

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 19

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