WBoro 2022 Mar 1

MAR 2022

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Three men’s events, two weddings and one sore back

WELL, I did hope not to jinx the weather in February but failed, it would appear. That said, I played
yesterday (February 26th) and the course has faired remarkedly well, in no small measure due to the
efforts of our Greens Staff and the carefully imposed trolley restrictions that have been in place.

I dislike carrying clubs, certainly my back does, as much as the next member but there is no doubt in my
mind that the measures in place will benefit the course during the Spring and Summer seasons.

There has been a steady year-on-year improvement of the playing surfaces and my view is that we
should measure the quality from April to October.

February has been a quiet month from a golfing perspective and the Committee are rightly concentrating
on the Competitions Calendar and ensuring our local rules remain current, ‘fair and reasonable’ to our
membership.

Looking forward to the start of our golfing
year, we have the last Men’s winter
competition on March 13th, our first Medal
on March 19-20th and a Sunday Stableford
on March 27th.

Weather permitting these will be ‘qualifying’
rounds and we will also be able to submit
WHS qualifying scores for casual rounds.

This should help to better align our
handicaps to our current playing ability, that is the best eight from our last 20 rounds; I know for example,
that our Handicap Chairman, Steve Hammond, has his sights set on me :)

On a completely unrelated topic (hic), my congratulations go to the quartet of Colin Armstrong, Tim
Coleman, Wayne Partridge and Andy Cox (pictured above) for winning the latest Sunday Competition.

Also looking forward, our two 2018 Captains, and close friends of mine, George Khaw and Sally
McKeown are getting married on March 9th and April 2nd respectively; George to Libby David and Sally
to Andrew Foster.

George’s stag week in Torrequebrada will live long in the memory with the old adage of ‘what goes on
tour, stays on tour’ failing in light of today’s extensive social media (pictured below)... sorry George!

If ever you are fortunate to be in Malaga then treat yourself to a round at the Torrequebrada course, and
invite me please.

So at last, the
golfing season
is about to start,
time to throw the
mats away, buy
new Clubs, or
grips for me, book
a golf lesson or
three with James/
David and get that
handicap down.
Good luck all.

Roy Pouncey,
Wellingborough
Golf Club

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Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 3

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Enjoy a tasty night of liquid sunshine this March

CLUB Social Committee member Paul Sisman
said: “The February quiz night was very well
supported and ended with a tie break.

“Vice-captain Glyn Pepper’s team won by
knowing more about the length of the SS Titanic,
so Kid at the Bar had to be content with the
runner-up prize.

“The next quiz is on Friday, March 11th and will
be hosted by Nigel Grimmett.

“We had hoped to banish any winter blues during
the Caribbean Night on Saturday, March 5th.

“But, unfortunately, due to a combination of
factors, we have needed to cancel this social
event.

“Richard Munns, meanwhile, is hosting a Whisky
Tasting evening on Friday, March 18th in the
clubhouse.

“Tickets are available from Richard and from
previous experience the evening should be
entertaining and informative!”

Tap-Ins KATHRYN Stronach, Sarah Evans and Anita

MEMBERS and guests are being asked to stay Royles waltzed to victory in the Ladies 1-2-3

away from the Golf Club and clubhouse if they Competition as they finished 10 clear of their

test positive for COVID-19, in order to limit any closest rivals after collecting 62 points.

potential spread of coronavirus amongst the staff WITH the soft ground meaning marks on the
and visitors to Harrowden Hall. greens are more noticeable, all golfers are

MEGHAN MacLaren begins her Epson Tour reminded to please take a few seconds to

season on March 4th when she competes in a repair your own pitch mark, plus a couple of

132-player field in the Natural Charity Classic others should you find them. It will make a huge

at the Country Club of Winter Haven, Florida. difference to your course.

CHRIS Dickens and Liz Palmer emphasised their THE deadline for the Fish Cups/Plate third
status as the players to beat in Mixed events as round matches to be played has been
they made it three victories this year by winning extended to Sunday, March 13th.
the February competition alongside David Birkett, JUNIOR members Isaac Richardson, Jack
Helen Marriott, Martyn Smith and June Smith. Meakin and Eleanor Hamilton have put their

GRAHAM Thompson won the Seniors Three names down to compete in the Robert Rock

Clubs & a Putter Competition on countback Junior Golf Tour event on their home course on

from Dereck Jewkes and Gerry McGrady after Sunday, June 19th.

all three posted the leading tally of 39 points. WITH pages to fill in the Wellingborough Club
CLUB pro Charley Hull joined Graeme McDowell, Magazine, there are plenty of opportunities to
Rafa Cabrero-Bello, Mel Reid and course advertise during the year. Please contact the
designer Sir Nick Faldo in the grand opening of Club Office to get your message across to the
the new Rumanza Golf Club in Multan, Pakistan. members and visitors in 2022 and beyond.

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 5

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Raring to go after welcome holiday in Tenerife

LADIES Captain Sheena Markham said: “I’ve been away in Tenerife (pictured) during the last month,
but with the clocks set to change this month, I’m aware the golf season is fast approaching.
“Our ladies Cecil Leitch teams - we have entered two teams this year - have been busy practicing
matchplay at Daventry and Rushden courses with the help of Carol (Gibbs) and Miriam (Johnson).
“Gill (Rivers) and Ruth (Bowe) have organised the red and black teams practice sessions with Club
professionals David (Clifford) and James (Whittemore). A very big thank you to all of them.
“The ladies changing room refurbishment is now completed and is looking very welcoming.
“The ladies section are very grateful to our past captain David Hawkins for his huge effort in getting
this organised and completed. A special thanks too for Jenny’s input as clerk of works!
“My charity lunch, in aid of ‘Dementia Sings Out!‘, is on Friday, March 25th. All are welcome.
Please contact Miriam or myself to reserve a place.
“Raffle prize donations will be gratefully received - we hope to raise a lot for this very worthy cause.
Happy golfing.”

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 7

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Search for new General Manager progresses

OUTGOING General Manager David Waite
says his replacement could be confirmed in
the coming few days as the interview process
continues.

After conducting the first round of interviews, the
Club have now asked the leading candidates to
attend another meeting, with a view to hopefully
making an appointment in March.

Waite, who was on the initial interview panel but
is not expected to be involved in the latest round
of talks, said: “The Club have now reached the
second interview stage, where they have pulled
together a short list of excellent candidates.

“So a decision on who will take over from
myself as General Manager is likely to be made
imminently.

“The situation will undoubtedly become clearer
over the coming days and weeks.

“But from my point of view, I’m just keen to leave
my successor in the best possible position for
when they take on the role.

“My planned leaving date is the end of April 2022.”

PAST Captain David Hawkins handed over a cheque for £7,000 to We Mind and Kelly Matters,
following a successful fundraising year in 2021.

After accepting the cheque on the behalf of the charity, John Hewitt said: “It’s an amazing amount of
money raised and we’d like to make everyone aware and thank Dave and his team for their efforts.”

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 9

MACINTYRE HUDSON

Chartered accountants,
tax and business advisers

MHA MacIntyre Hudson are proud to have Wellingborough
Golf Club as a valued client and to support their activities

Get in touch T: 01604 624011
E: [email protected]
For more information, macintyrehudson.co.uk
please contact Steve Munns

Now, for tomorrow

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Club Presentation Night

Competition 2021 Winner(s)
Centenary Medal Ashley Connolly
Club Championship Jon Harris
Charles Griffiths Bowl Aaron Baker
Rabbits Cup Mark Nesbitt
Collier Cup James Sweeney
Courage Cup Tim Robinson
Grey Jones Coffa Twls Matthew Coles & Michael J Coles
Medal Winners Salver Steve Bason
Miller Cup Tom Blevins
Mulliner Cup Jim Nolan
Scratch Matchplay Shield Jon Harris
Upchurch Cup Richard Armitage
VE Cup Paul Parkerson
Watson Cup Stuart Philip

O’Neil Vase Graham Cornforth
George Cup Tom Blevins
Handley Cup Paul Percival
Lee Dalton Trophy Nick Blount & Andrew Cox
Mixed Club Championship Kevin Steel & Ellen Steel
Saxby Salvers Sarah Reading & Chris Reading
Order of Merit Craig McGuiness
Champion of Champions Jon Harris

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 11

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Course avoids serious damage

FEARS about what disruption Storm Eunice may
cause at Harrowden Hall last month didn’t materialise
as the golf course and surrounding area avoided any
major damage.

After a big storm caused several trees to come down in
late October, leading to three months of clear-up work,
the greenkeeping staff were understandably wary of
the potential for further trouble.

Although the course was closed on the eve of the
storm, and then a couple of days later due to heavy
rain and saturated ground, playing golf remained a
viable option for members and guests throughout
February.

During the rest of the month, the green staff continued
their maintenance work on the course, including cutting
the fairways, semi rough, greens and tee surrounds,
as well as removing a hedge by the second fairway.

A few turfing jobs were also going on, including on
the sand trap to the right hand side of the second
hole.

The path by the fourth hole received a granite topping
and is now finished, the path next to the eight green/
ninth tee was also renovated, while some planters were
made up for the tea hut car park.

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 13

An eventful month of social media posts for Tour Pros

THE last few weeks have been an interesting period for some
of Wellingborough Golf Club’s touring professionals, and
according to their social media posts, it’s not necessarily to do
with their on-course activities!
Ryan Evans almost certainly had the biggest reason to smile
as he announced on Twitter the arrival of his first child - Finley
David Evans on January 30th. Congratulations to Ryan, wife
Toni and the whole Evans family.
Tiger Adams also had a memorable month as he did a sky dive
over Cape Town in South Africa as well as going to a wedding,
when his choice of shirt caused a few raised eyebrows!
Meghan MacLaren’s views, blogs and magazine columns are
always worth reading, but even she was taken by surprise when
one of the biggest names in the game reacted to her comments
in February… but, on this occasion, not in a positive way!
After voicing her opposition to Phil Mickleson’s controversial
comments regarding the PGA Tour and the proposed Super
Golf League, the six-time major winner threw all his toys out
of the pram and blocked our Meg from accessing his tweets.
On hearing the news, Golf Channel’s Lisa Cornwell quipped
that Mickelson had ‘just blocked the #MotherTheresa of golf?’
while Golf Monthly ran the story about the ‘clash’ between the
USPGA champion and the LPGA Tour pro on it’s website.
MacLaren, who is actually competing on the Epsom Tour in
2022, maintained her sense of humour throughout the episode
however as she joked about gaining more main Tour starts if
people kept referring to her as a LPGA Tour pro!

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Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 15

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Results Ladies 1-2-3 Waltz Competition (February 8th):
1 Kathryn Stronach, Sarah Evans & Anita Royles
Men’s Team (62 points), 2 Lorna Winfield, Helen Marriott
Competition & Rachael Owen (52), 3 Carol Gibbs, Sheena
(February 27th): Markham & Kate Nolan (51).
1 Tim Coleman,
Colin Armstrong, Wayne Partridge & Andy Cox Mixed Team Competition (February 6th):
(88 points), 2 Duncan Felce, Gary Jackson, 1 David Birkett, Helen Marriott, Chris Dickens,
Richard Munns & Steve Munns (87), 3 Mark Liz Palmer, Martyn Smith & June Smith (74
Rashley, Martin Dalton, Jon Critchley & Adam points), 2 Neil Robinson, Gaynor Arnott, Mark
Clifton (87). Anderson, Kate Nolan, Pat Dawson & Jean
Sebastian (67), 3 Rod Gibbs, Carol Gibbs,
Ladies 15-hole ‘Odd Holes Double’ Team Am- Kevin Steel, Ellen Steel, Richard Briggs & Pat
Am (February 22nd): Briggs (66).
1 Liz Rees, Carol Cornforth & Claire Lindsay (97
points), 2 Josie Patrick, Helen Marriott & Maggie Seniors 3 Clubs & Putter Competition (February
Etheridge (87), 3 Amanda Rawson, Mel Ross & 2nd):
Sue Sharp (87). 1 Graham Thompson (39 points), 2 Dereck
Jewkes (39), 3 Gerry McGrady (39).
Men’s Winter Team Competition (February 13th):
1 Jonathan Harris, Glenn Harris, Chris Howes, Ladies February Mulligan Stableford (February
pictured below & Martyn Annis (net 59.3), 1st):
2 Wayne Partridge, Andy Cox, Dan Barker & Division 1: 1 Carol Gibbs (28 points), 2 Amanda
Nick Blount (60.1), 3 Chris Dicks, Chris Smith, Rawson (25), 3 Patricia Dawson (22). Division 2:
David Castle & Tom Houghton (61.8). 1 Helen Marriott (29), 2 Pat Briggs (25), 3 Ruth
Bowe (22). Division 3: 1 Judith Chapman (26),
2 Carole Cornforth (26), 3 Sarah Evans (26).

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 17

Busy season for Wellingborough youngsters

JUNIOR Captain Olivia Barby is set to take an active role in the development of the younger golfers
at Harrowden Hall, especially after the Club recently joined English Golf’s incentive programme Girls
Golf Rocks.
With former Ladies Captain Sally McKeown agreeing to help coordinate the process, Wellingborough
are looking to organise some coaching and taster sessions, probably involving Professional Ryan
Connolly.
Club Junior Organiser Nigel Grimmitt confirmed a busy diary of junior competitions and matches
through the year, including organising a Junior Order of Merit for the popular Monday Night
Stablefords, starting in mid-May.
The Ladies Cup takes place on June 5th, the Waples Cup is scheduled for July 25th, while the Junior
Club Championship will be held at the start of August, followed by the Charter Cup seven days later.
The Club’s Junior Open has been booked in for Thursday, August 11th, while two competitions
involving juniors and adults will take place later in the summer holidays as the Ryder Cup is set for
August 25th, while the Family Greensomes Pairs is on September 4th.
With the British Junior Golf Tour, Robert Rock Junior Golf Tour and Shires Junior Golf Tour holding
competitions this year, Wellingborough have also been confirmed as the host venue for the NGL
Junior League Semi-finals on September 18th.
Wellingborough’s hopes of qualifying for the last four of the Junior League will depend on getting
some positive results in their Group B home and away matches against Overstone Park A and
Peterborough Milton B.
Team selection for those matches will be partly based on performances in the early part of the
season, so all juniors are being urged to get their names down for as many competitions and
coaching sessions as they can.
The Club confirmed that shirts and caps, kindly sponsored by Glyn Pepper, will be provided for all
team representatives in 2022.

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March 2022 fixtures (subject to change)

Date Start/End Event (1st tee unless stated)

Tue 1st 09:30 - 12:40 Ladies Competition Advertise
Wed 2nd 08:15 - 12:30 Seniors Lonsdale 1 With Us
Sun 6th 10:50 - 12:50 Mixed Competition
14:00 - 15:00 Ladies County Team Open Please join us in 2022
Tue 8th 09:00 - 12:10 Ladies Competition and beyond
Thu 10th 09:30 - 11:30 Ladies v Seniors (1st & 10th)
Sun 13th 08:15 - 13:15 Men's Competition (all tees) Full page;
Tue 15th 09:00 - 12:10 Lady Captain v Lady Vice from £70 + VAT
Captain Match
Sat 19th 07:30 - 14:00 Half page;
Sun 20th 08:30 - 12:00 March Medal from £45 + VAT
12:00 - 12:40 March Medal
Tue 22nd 09:30 - 12:40 Ladies Medal Quarter page;
Thu 24th 10:00 - 16:00 Ladies March Medal from £30 + VAT
Sun 27th from 09:00 Seniors Open (1st & 10th)
Tue 29th 10:00 - 14:00 Sunday Stableford Office -
Thu 31st from 08:00 Ladies Stableford 01933 677234
Midweek Stableford
general.manager
Caption Competition @wellingboroughgolfclub.com

Bar Hours

Monday 11:00am - 5:00pm

Tuesday 11:00am - 7:00pm

Wednesday 11:00am - 7:00pm

Thursday 11:00am - 7:00pm

Friday 11:00am - 7:00pm

Saturday 11:00am - 9:00pm

Sunday 11:00am - 7:00pm

Catering Hours

Monday 10:00am - 3:00pm

First prize of a ‘2 for 1 Sunday dinner Tuesday 10:00am - 3:00pm
voucher at the club’ for the most
printable funny caption. Wednesday 10:00am - 3:00pm

Please email entries to: Thursday 10:00am - 3:00pm
[email protected]
Friday 10:00am - 3:00pm

Saturday 8:30am - 5:00pm

Sunday Filled rolls available

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 19

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