WBoro Club Mag 2020 April

APRIL 2020

Our gates will be
open again soon

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Stick together and we will all get through this

WHEN we took over as Captains last year, neither of us could possibly have imagined we would be
in the position of Wellingborough Golf Club being closed just as the golf season was about to start
along with every other golf course in England.

This is a difficult time for the population as a whole, as well as us all as individuals. Our main priority
is that all of our members and golf club staff come through the Coronavirus pandemic safely.

We can’t emphasise strongly enough the need to follow the advice given by the Government, stay at
home, protect the NHS and save lives.

This is going to be a very trying time for all of us, confined to our homes for at least three weeks and
maybe longer. Many of our members are facing even stricter restrictions having received a letter from
the NHS last Monday to remain at home for a minimum of 12 weeks.

We all take for granted being able to drive up to the golf course, play a round of golf, followed by a
drink in the clubhouse with our friends.

Life as we knew it has suddenly changed for us all very quickly. It will be challenging for all of us,
spending 24 hours a day with loved ones, especially those of you with young children.

If there is anything either of us can do, please do not hesitate in contacting us, even just for a chat.

We’d like to thank everybody for their patience and understanding during
this time and if we all do our bit then hopefully it won’t be too long before the two
Captains are taking their drives on the first tee when the course re-opens, followed
by a massive party.

Keep safe.

Dave Hawkins and Jenny Wilkinson
Wellingborough Golf Club Captains

2 www.wellingboroughgolfclub.com

Advice on
Coronavirus

Stay at home to stop Coronavirus spreading

How to stop infection spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live
with getting ill with coronavirus.

Do

• Wash your hands with soap and water often - do this for at least 20 seconds.
• Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Wash your hands as soon as you get back home.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands)
when you cough or sneeze.
• Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards.

Don’t

• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Looking after your health and wellbeing

To help yourself stay well while you’re at home:
• Stay in touch with family and friends over the phone or on social media.
• Try to keep yourself busy - you could try activities like cooking, reading, online
learning and watching films.
• Do light exercise at home, or outside once a day.

If you have symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature or a new, continuous
cough), use the 111 coronavirus service.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Please note Coronavirus guidance could change,
so please keep up-to-date with the latest advice.

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 3

4 www.wellingboroughgolfclub.com

COVID-19: Dealing with our biggest challenge

WELLINGBOROUGH Golf Club has faced several difficult periods during its long and illustrious
history, and we now need to battle through another in the shape of the Coronavirus outbreak. To
find out what the Club have done so far and discuss what the future could potentially hold for the
members, Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine spoke with Club General Manager David Waite.

When did Wellingborough Golf Club first needed to be reactionary, following Public Health
start to think about the Coronavirus? England guidelines, and in some instances
we have been proactive and made our own
About a month ago, as things seemed to be decisions, for example we shut the clubhouse
escalating, particularly in Italy - I think we before we were told to do so.
realised at that time that it was going to come.
Probably, like the rest of the country, we wished How did the Club address the spread of
and hoped that it wasn’t going to arrive, but Coronavirus at Harrowden Hall?
unfortunately it already had.
Towards the start of March, when we started
What did the Club do? getting announcements from Public Health
England, we upped our health and safety
We were limited to what we could do at that measures. This was through posters, increased
time. We formed a COVID-19 subgroup of hand washing for staff, encouragement of
the two Captains, the Chairman, the Finance members through email bulletins and on the
Director and myself, and more latterly the website, and there was more antibacterial wiping
Course Chairman. We have met on a number down of the bar and dining room area. We were
of occasions to talk about strategies, what we doing this cleaning previously, of course, but
were going to do and discuss how there would then we started doing it more frequently, for
be sufficient cash funds available to keep the example, even if no-one had actually been in the
Golf Club going, irrespective of what the stock bar or dining area. All we could do, at that stage,
market does. In some instances we have was keep on top of it.

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 5

Making correct decisions based on the advice

How did you try to protect the golfers on the Why did you close the
course? course eventually?

Latterly we introduced measures on the golf We kept the course open
course. We told the golfers not to take the flag out for as long as we could,
of the hole and put a rubber ring at the bottom of until Prime Minister
the hole. We also removed the rakes from bunkers Boris Johnson (pictured)
and took the shoe cleaning facility away. So made his announcement
basically we removed the points where more than on the Monday evening that
one person could touch something. But there are we all needed to stay home.
limits to how much we could do - we had to rely on This was followed up by England Golf stating
the actions of the members and people who visited that all golf clubs and golf courses needed to
the clubhouse to be vigilant and keep sanitised. close. Clearly this was the right thing to do - I
understand one golf club announced that they
What was the reaction of the membership to would stay open for single golfers to play, but
these measures? within 24 hours that decision was reversed.

I think there has been a responsible realisation Have you spoken to other clubs?
from the members of the situation. Generally
the members have supported the requests for Every club is slightly different, but I spoke to a
social distancing and hand washing. couple of other clubs, just to find out what they
were doing.
Why was the clubhouse closed, but the golf
course kept open? What other advice have you listened to?

Although the clubhouse was closed, we had The GCMA have been sending out bulletins on
the locker rooms open, the pro shop open and a daily basis with advice on what to do. We
the golf course open. We have gone along with are in a better position than a lot of other golf
what we have been advised to do, as I think all clubs, but it is still worrying about where all this
golf clubs have done. is going to lead.

6 www.wellingboroughgolfclub.com

It’s Our Golf Club, we need all your support now

What are you doing now with the golf course? What role can the members play?

A skeleton green staff are working on the course. We are a members’ club, so in effect every
All the tee markers and flag sticks have been playing member is a shareholder. We have a
removed, we obviously have no golfers, so they fantastic membership base at Wellingborough
can be a lot more efficient. They are just coming and the Club needs their support - it’s all our
in to keep on top of the essential maintenance of Golf Club.
the course, so that when we are allowed to go out
there and play again, the course is ready to go. What are the Club doing next?

Is that the same with other clubs? Our COVID-19 Group will meet over the
coming weeks, on video link, on a weekly
Some golf clubs are not doing anything with basis, although that could change depending
their course, so they are going to have a lot to on what government announcements are
do when the day comes to get back out there. made. We will be sending out regular emails
If there is a complete lockdown then that might to all the members, updates on the members’
be the case with our staff, although we do have homepage on the website, twitter and the
staff living on-site. We are trying to maintain the magazine.
course and gardens so that we have a facility
that we can be proud of, when we open again. What advice do you give to members?

How will the Club cope financially? I hope the members are going out there, keeping
fit and enjoying the sunshine - when they can.
The reality is that we have no revenue coming But what can anyone really do? This could last a
in - nothing at all - at a time of the year when lot longer than the initial three weeks, and that’s
we would be getting really busy. We would when it could start getting really difficult. So,
normally have societies, we had to cancel a the main, and most important, advice is to stay
Seniors Open, we had a wedding that had to be healthy, and hopefully we will see you all again
cancelled, other weddings have been deferred very soon.
to a later date, which is good because we will
have revenue in a year’s time, but that doesn’t Please keep safe.
help us now.

What is the situation with the staff?

It’s a difficult time for everyone at the club, but
hopefully with further government assistance,
all the staff will continue to be paid, which is a
huge relief for all concerned.

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 7

8 www.wellingboroughgolfclub.com

Tap-Ins IAN Landon and James Sperling set up a semi-
final meeting with Cliff Evans and Spence

SIX gross birdies on the back nine, plus a Gilbert in the Fish Cups KO after beating Chris

birdie on the 18th hole, helped Kevin Larham Blackley and Mike Davis in the last eight.

shoot a magnificent winning tally of 44 points SIBLING rivalry could be building up during the
in round two of the Seniors Lonsdale Trophy. enforced break in the Grimmitt households as

RYAN Hatton was the standout player in the Nigel Grimmitt, and partner Andy Mills, prepares

March Sunday Stableford as the 16-handicapper to take on Gary Grimmitt, and partner Dino Cirelli,

posted 42 points. Runner-up Martin Lloyd was in the last four of the Fish Cups KO Plate.

one of a trio of players five points off the pace. ELEVEN points was a superb margin of

LADIES Captain Jenny Wilkinson’s team held victory in the Ladies Am-Am Odd Holes Count

off a late charge from Vice Captain Sheena Double event as Diana Groves, Gill Snelson

Markham’s team in the annual challenge and Lorna Winfield triumphed. Pat Briggs, Gill

match as they recorded a narrow 8-7 win. Rivers and Mollie Graham (69) were second.

MARY MacLaren is two wins away from a ladies WITH pages to fill in the Wellingborough Club
pairs and singles KO double after reaching the final Magazine, there are plenty of opportunities to
of the Illingworth Foursomes with Susan Holland, advertise during the year. Please contact the
where they play Miriam Johnson and Gill Rivers, Club Office to get your message across to the
and the Collier Bowl, where she faces Liz Rees. members and visitors in 2020.

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 9

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10 www.wellingboroughgolfclub.com

Top 10 finishes for both Meg and Ryan overseas

MEGHAN MacLaren bounced back from the disappointment of not being able to secure the
New South Wales Open title for a third successive year by claiming seventh place in the
South Africa Women’s Open in mid-March.

The Wellingborough pro, whose hopes of a hat-trick of victories in the Australian event ended
with a 28th-place finish, wasted little time in regaining her scoring touch by recording her
best result this season just over a week later at Westlake GC.

After posting scores of 73 and 69 to lie seventh going into the final round, MacLaren found
herself tied for the lead after carding four birdies on the outward stretch, only to drop back
with two bogeys coming home as she finished with a level par 72.

With the Coronavirus outbreak causing most sporting events to be cancelled that weekend,
the 25-year-old admitted she was fortunate to get the opportunity to play a tournament and
correctly speculated that it may be some time before she competes again.

MacLaren (pictured) said: “I finished the final day where I started it. I’m a little disappointed not
to capitalise on my start but it was still
a decent week - being in contention
is what it’s about.

“It’s a beautiful country - you just
look around, the views are stunning.
Obviously with everything that is
going on at the moment, we were
pretty lucky to play a tournament.
It could be the last one for a while.”

European Challenge Tour professional
Ryan Evans continued his warm up for
the 2020 season by recording his third
runners-up finish on the Portugal Pro Tour
as he grabbed second in the Faldo Classic
at Amendoeira.

The Wellingborough golfer, who took second in
the Penina Classic and Palmares Classic events
in January, carded an opening 73, before bagging
three birdies in his last seven holes in a final round
71 in difficult windy conditions. George Bloor won by
five shots.

Evans also had the pleasure of competing alongside
four-time Solheim Cup star Charley Hull, who used to
be a junior member at Wellingborough, in the prestigious
Sunningdale Foursomes.

The pair were in great form in their opening two matches
as they enjoyed 4&3 and 8&6 wins on the Old and New
courses, before losing on the 18th hole to eventual semi-
finalists Peter Tarver-Jones and Sean Towndrow in round
three.

Evans tweeted: “Thoroughly enjoyed my first experience
of playing the Sunningdale Foursomes. Cracking few days
with my partner Charley.”

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 11

12 www.wellingboroughgolfclub.com

Results Seniors American
Foursomes
Ladies Captain v Ladies Vice-Captain Challenge (February 26th):
Match (March 17th): 1 John Arnott &
Ladies Captain Jenny Wilkinson’s Team 8 Ladies John Nicholas (42
Vice-Captain Sheena Markham’s Team 7. points), 2 Paul
Janes & Kevin
March Sunday Stableford (March 15th): Larham (42),
1 Ryan Hatton (42 points), 2 Martin Lloyd - 3 Ted Carroll
pictured (37), 3 Chris Smith (37), 4 James & Dennis
Sperling (37). Dickinson (41).

Ladies March 12-hole Stableford (March 10th): Ladies February
Silver Division: 1 Ida Huggins (21 points), 2 12-hole Stableford
Carol Gibbs (20), 3 Mary MacLaren (19). Bronze (February 25th):
Division: 1 Sue Kellett (21), 2 Jenny Wilkinson Silver Division:
(19), 3 Jayne Tee-Boon (19), 4 Pat Dawson 19). 1 Jackie Mudd (17
points), 2 Lorna
Seniors Lonsdale 2 (March 4th) Winfield (17). Bronze
1 Kevin Larham (44 points), 2 Les Hillman Division: 1 Sarah
(41), 3 Brian Summers (39). Chudley (18), 2 Sue
A Joyce (17), 3 Ellen
Ladies Odd Holes Double Am-Am (March 3rd): Steel (17).
1 Diana Groves, Gill Snelson & Lorna Winfield
(80 points), 2 Pat Briggs, Gill Rivers & Mollie
Graham (69), 3 Susan Holland, Libby David &
Jayne Tee-Boon (69).

Struggling to judge the wind direction and speed?

Donated by Club President Michael Billson in the last year of his current tenure, this
very impressive new weather station in the Clubhouse at Harrowden Hall might help
golfers work out which clubs to use around the 18 holes. Base station is situated in the
bar, while the gauges are on the roof. Thank you, Mr President!!

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 13

Full Set with... Chris Dickens

IN the latest of a series of Q&A features with various members of the Club personnel over the
coming months, Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine chatted wth our 2020 Seniors Captain - a
man whose career took him to great heights in a variety of different countries across the world.

What is your full job title?
Wellingborough Golf Club Seniors Captain 2020.

What is your golf handicap?
15.

Family status?
Married, with two grown-up children.

What did you want to be when you were a child?
A train driver. I ended up being a wing commander in
the Royal Air Force!

What has been the best advice you have ever received?
Listen to the people who have come up in the ranks -
they know a lot more than you.

What was the highlight of your career?
I was involved with the Sarajevo airlift. When the Markale marketplace was bombed in
1994, I threw the protocol book out of the window and said ‘we are taking anyone back’.
Afterwards, the mayor of Sarajevo - a war-torn city - even wrote to say thank you.

What would you change about yourself?
I need more patience - I judge people too quickly, usually on the nice side, and then I’m
proved to be wrong.

What were the best and worst parts of your job?
Going to bed, then getting up in the dark. I swore I wouldn’t when I retired, but I still do!

What do you do in your spare time?
Other than playing golf, I like to travel. I try to make the most out of life in my retirement.

If you could go anywhere right now, where would it be?
I’d like to go back to India to do the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur (pictured).

What is your guilty pleasure?
Anything that involves nice food that
the wife won’t let me have - pork
scratchings!

What is the best TV show you have seen?
Hill Street Blues.

If you won the lottery, what is the first
thing you would do?
Change my car. It would probably be an Audi, but it wouldn’t be anything too flash.

What is the funniest thing you have seen on a golf course?
The 2018 Captain’s Drive-In when someone fired a shotgun as all four players struck their
shots. Nobody told Seniors Captain Peter Gannon, who hit the deck with his hands over
his ears. Peter is sadly missed.

14 www.wellingboroughgolfclub.com

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Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 15

Harrowden
Hall

Memories

16 www.wellingboroughgolfclub.com

The Eternal Optimist, by Club Captain Dave Hawkins

WITH all the doom and gloom around at the moment, here is a story of optimism and blind hope.

Back in 1974, a crane operator in Barrow-in-Furness, called Maurice Flitcroft, watched the Open on
his newly acquired TV and thought ‘I can do that’. He promptly bought a set of clubs and balls and
trotted off down to his local club where they refused him entry.

Undeterred he practiced along the beach and in the evenings sneaked through the fence and played a
few holes. After 18 months honing his skills, he applied to take part in the 1976 Open at Birkdale, largely
because he thought his game would improve when put up against ‘Jack Nicklaus and all that lot’.

Not having an official handicap he couldn’t enter as an amateur. So he ticked the box marked ‘professional’,
paid his £30 entry fee (his wife lent him the cash) and headed off to Formby for local final qualifying.

In the changing rooms he was assigned a caddie. Not really knowing what one was he asked him
“How many balls will I need?” to which the young lad replied, rather bemused, “hopefully one”.

Playing partner Jim Howard didn’t realise it at the time but he was witnessing history. On the first tee
“Flitcroft hoisted it straight up, came down vertically and the ball travelled precisely four feet,” said Howard.

“We put that one down to nerves, but after he shanked a second one, we called the R&A officials.”
Did they want them to enforce the ‘trousers down’ rule? No, he wanted Flitcroft disqualified. “It wasn’t
funny at the time,” said Howard.

As a blizzard of triple and quadruple bogeys were nearly ruined by a solitary par, our hero went on to
score the worst round in the Open’s 147-year history a 49-over-par 121, which was a conservative
estimate since the scorer lost count on a few holes.

When the world’s golfing media got wind, they descended on Formby and a star was born. “The
score wasn’t a ‘fair reflection’ of my play. But I don’t want to make excuses,” he explained, before
making one, “I left my four-wood in the car. I am an expert with the four-wood, deadly accurate.”

One hack of the journalist variety tracked down Flitcroft’s mother and told her about Maurice’s historic
performance. “Does that mean he won?” she asked. When told otherwise, she said: “Well, he’s got to
start somewhere.” And she was right, because it was just a start for Flitcroft and the Open.

Not put off by the Formby fiasco, he applied to play in the 1977 qualifer. However, with his name now
ringing alarm bells at the R&A, he was stopped from playing as there was no proof he had improved.

Undeterred, Flitcroft continued to blag his way into qualifying events under cover. One year he was
American pro Gene Pacecki, ie ‘pay cheque’, then Swiss pro Gerald Hoppy and another as Troy Atlantic.

In 1990, he turned up at Ormskirk as James Beau Jolley, and after opening with a double-bogey and a
bogey, he was ‘looking at a par’ on the third, when an R&A official caught up with him and DQ’ed him.

The one thing Maurice could definitely win is a Marty Feldman lookalike contest!

Wellingborough Golf Club Magazine 17

18 www.wellingboroughgolfclub.com