From our Captain
There seems to be a touch of spring in the air, we’ve had one of the driest winters for a long time which has enabled the greenkeepers to crack on with their bunker rebuilding. From what I’ve seen so far, they must be congratulated. The recent decision to play on frozen greens doesn’t seem to have caused any lasting damage. By the time you read this, they will have completed the annual greens maintenance on Gainsborough, with work on Constable soon to start. If they continue to be as good as they have been, putting up with a few uneven rolls will be worth it.
Please help to maintain what we have by repairing pitch marks and raking bunkers.

I hope you are all looking forward to playing in the Inter club matches that are starting next month, they are always great fun and a great chance to play at some of our local clubs. I give thanks to Pete Hele and Kevin Price for organising these. It takes a lot of hard work and effort and without them our days out just wouldn’t happen.
Played in good spirit, it was a pleasure to referee the recent Seniors winter Singles final, contested by Roger Davies and Allen Smith. Please read my report below to see who was victorious.
February saw a continuation of a John Williams’ idea, which was not to drink during February and instead donate a sum to the captain’s charity.
John, I’m very grateful to you.

Malcolm Norton
Seniors Captain

New Members
No additions recorded in the last month.

Obituary - Mervyn Jones 1934 - 2023
We are very saddened to advise our members of the passing of Mervyn on the 15th February.
Mervyn was a very active member of the section for a number of years, thoroughly enjoying his golf whilst supporting the section in a quiet but influential way.
His health suddenly deteriorated just under 3 years ago resulting in a move to residential care alongside his wife Gill, who sadly also passed away only a few months ago.
A real gentleman who will be very much missed by both his family and his many friends at Stoke by Nayland.
Funeral details will be added when these become available.
May Mervyn now be allowed to Rest In Peace.

Wednesday Swindles
Please watch for swindle announcements as the Captain may opt to play from the yellow tee boxes. This will enable members to enter qualifying scores.
Please note that swindle cuts will be for one week only. Although, serial winners may be treated more harshly!

Friday 24th February-Gainsborough
     1st Peter Jay                                              42 points
     2nd John Williams                                       39 pts
     3rd Tony Denmead / Graham Vandervord       37 pts

Friday 17th February – Constable
     1st Kevin Walsh                                           45 points
     2nd Peter Hele / Colin Dallas / Paul Sheffield   40 pts
     3rd John Williams / Kevin Price                      39 pts

Friday 10th February – Gainsborough
     1st Mike Clare                                              38 points
     2nd Kevin Price / Tony Denmead                    37 pts
     3rd Dick Lumsden                                         36 pts

Friday 3rd February – Constable
     1st Adrian Beckinsale                                     46 points
     2nd Brian Willsher                                          44 pts
     3rd Allen Smith                                              40 pts

Swindle dates for March
     Wednesday 1st March – Constable (Course may change due to maintenance programme)
     Monday 6th March – Constable (Course may change due to maintenance programme)
     Friday 17th March – Gainsborough
     Wednesday 22nd March – Constable
     Friday 31st March – Gainsborough

Inter Club Matches
The Inter Club matches start with a vengeance in March. The team for the first match has already been selected and participants notified.
If you haven’t already done so, and wish to play in future matches, please make sure you register your interest via ClubV1.
The earlier part of last season saw a high number of people withdraw from the teams after selection, or at short notice. On occasions, we were left with the bare minimum and no reserves. It would be really helpful to the organisers if you were able to keep your availability regularly updated on ClubV1.
Thanks, enjoy the matches and let’s hope we have a positive season.
March Fixtures:
     7th March       Brett Vale Away
     14th March     Stowmarket Away
     22nd March    Newton Green Gainsborough
     29th March     Colchester Constable
In addition, there will be a one-off match on March 28th against Belton Woods GC who will be staying at Stoke-by-Nayland for 2 nights/3 days. The team, with reserves, has already been selected, via the WhatsApp swindle page, on a first come, first served basis.

Seniors Club Competition results
Winter Singles Final - 17th February 2023
On the extremely dry Constable course and into a brisk wind, two of our Senior golfers, played their winter singles final. Allen Smith was giving Roger Davies three shots.
On the first hole, Roger managed to find the right trees and after a drop, couldn’t match Allen’s 5.
Hole two saw Allen make par and storm into a 2 shot lead.
The 3rd was a shot hole for Roger and he duly obliged with a 4 nett 3.
The next 3 holes were all halved with Allen remaining 1 up.
However, Roger won the next, only to quickly give it back.
The 9th saw a half for Allen to remain 1 up at the turn.
With the 10th halved in 6s, it was Roger’s turn to win a hole as he chalked up a nice par on 11th.
12 was halved and then Allen stepped up with a par on 13 to get his lead back.
Roger was rattled by this and promptly sprang to life, winning the next two holes to take a very slender lead.
Allen made a superb birdie on 16th to square the match, however, Roger had other ideas and cleared up on the 17th to take a 1 shot lead to the last.
Yes, you guessed it, straight in the pond and despite a great attempt, he couldn’t beat Allen’s 4.
So, we went back down the 1st again. Allen down the left but blocked by trees, Roger down the right and a clear shot in. Despite Allen’s best efforts, the trees saw the better of him and Roger claimed victory.
Congratulations to both Allen and Roger, they both played the Final in a friendly and gentlemanly manner and it was a pleasure to be part of it.
Many thanks to Captain, Malcolm Norton, for both refereeing this final and providing a report on what was clearly a very well played match.

4 Ball Better Ball – Gainsborough, 8th February 2023
After a pretty cold and frosty beginning of the day a short delay because of freezing fog. The first groups set off only to be recalled to the clubhouse as the fog closed in and further delays were inevitable. Eventually there was no other decision available but to call off the competition.
A decision will be taken in due course as to whether this competition can be be rearranged.

3 Clubs & a Putter - Gainsborough - 15th February 2023
Played on a pleasantly mild February day with not too much wind to interfere with the golf, this competition is always a test of golf, the biggest decision is always which clubs to use and which ones to leave in the garage.
This did little to affect VC John Parkinson, who returned to the clubhouse with an excellent 38 points off his very modest handicap.
Congratulations to John for clearly taking the honours in Division 1 and to Peter Jay, who was victorious in Division 2 with 35 points on countback from Ray Firth.
Leading positions …….
   Division 1
   1st John Parkinson (5W, 7I, PW)        38 points
   2nd David Giles                                33 pts
   3rd Malcolm Norton on c/b                32 pts
   4th Rob Giles                                   32 pts
   5th Peter Hele                                  32 pts
   Division 2
   1st Peter Jay (4R, 7I, PW) on c/b        35 points
   2nd Ray Firth                                    35 pts
   3rd Kevin Price                                  34pts

Monthly Stableford - Constable - 22nd February 2023
57 entries in todays Monthly Stableford on Constable – for some reason lower than is usual for a stableford. The competition played off yellow tees to ensure that the competition was a qualifier. Very slight drizzle for the first hour but really nothing to worry about. Whether it was the yellow tees or not we will never know but scoring was very good with almost half the field playing to handicap.
Congratulations go to Martin Brown who, with an outstanding 43 points, won Division 1 edging out John Smith on countback. Also to Dave Seymour, winning Division 2 with an excellent 42 points.
Leading positions ………
   Division 1
   1st Martin Brown                     43 points on c/b
   2nd John Smith                       43 pts
   3rd John Williams                    41 pts
   Division 2
   1st David Seymour                   42 points
   2nd Dick Lumsden                    41 pts on c/b
   3rd Brian Willsher                     41 pts

Senior Captain/Vice Captain challenge
As you may know, the Captain has introduced a new challenge for 2023. Any pair wishing to take on this dynamic duo should contact Malcolm Norton, who will add your name to his list of opponents. There is no entry fee, although a donation to the Captain’s chosen charity for the year, EACH, would be gratefully received.

No matches played in February.

Happy Birthdays in March to the following Seniors Members (apologies if I have omitted anyone)–
David Hunter, Graham Allister, Chris Lushey, Ray Ludlam, Roger Milne, Ian Kent, John Williams, Neil Ashwell, Roger Gardiner, Gordon Bryan, Collin Broadhurst, Iain Gault, Stuart Gregory, Nick Wright, Paul Gregan, Steve Stacey and Mark Boyland.
Many Happy Returns to You All

UPCOMING EVENTS - March
8th Monthly Stableford – Constable
15th Texas Scramble – Gainsborough