Stoke by Nayland
SENIORS
August 2025
From your Captain:
Fellow Seniors,
Many congratulations to playing team Captain, John Parkinson, for his outstanding leadership in the VICT played on July 21st at Braintree Golf Club. He set the team a target before play, and they managed to deliver the right result to bring the trophy back to Stoke, for the 10th time in its’ 40 year history.
A lot of work went into the charity day, held on July 28th and it was great to see so many people joining in the competition and supporting the day. I was so pleased that it went with only a couple of minor hiccups and raised such a significant amount of money for the First Responders. Corinne, from the Responders was visibly moved when she heard the indicative results of the day. The presentation from Adam and Corinne was spot on and really highlighted the financial constraints that they work under. Most people were shocked to learn that the group are not funded by the NHS, and that their existence and success is down to the generosity of people like our amazing senior section. I would just like to thank everybody, once again, for their kindness, not only on the day but all though the year.
This month sees no less than 6 InterClub matches, of which the last 5 are all at home. It’s great to see so many people taking part in these, of which some of them are new faces to these team events; I hope you are all enjoying the experience.
Kevin Price
Senior Captain
Disclaimer: The following is a light-hearted review of the previous month’s events. No offence is intended, I hope none is taken!
Full (formal) information can always be found on the senior’s website www.stokeseniors.com
All club information can be found at www.sbngolfmembers.co.uk
July saw your humble correspondent joining the European Tour, on holiday rather than on the fairways! Hence there have been rather fewer appearances at the home of golf than normal and I am relying on the last few drops of a very agreeable Morey-St-Denis to get the creative juices flowing.
It has been a quiet month on the Inter Club match front, with just two matches taking place in July, although I am able to include the Benton Hall away contest on 1st August. A comfortable 6-2 win against Stowmarket was followed by a 3-5 reverse against Hintlesham and a frustrating 3 ½ - 4 ½ defeat at Benton Hall, a match which featured some high quality golf - in the top match, the Stoke team of Kevin Price and Phil Boyland birdied the first - and lost the hole!
The excellent Swindle scores seen in June have continued into July. Mike Stairmand registered a magnificent 45 points on 2nd July (a Swindle that actually took place on a Wednesday!) Malcolm Norton scored a highly respectable 42 but trailed in a distant second, while Tony Denmead’s 40 was the equivalent of jumping the last fence as the winner passed the post. On the 14th, Steve Stacey hit the heights with 41, although normal service was soon resumed as his next effort yielded a rather less impressive 21! The 40 watt club was again well attended on the 25th, as Neil Ashwell returned 44, with Dick Lumsden trailing in with a mere 41.
Competition action saw the monthly stableford and President’s Prize being won by Mark Clark – a gross 75 for 37 points, a score matched by Adrian Beckingsale in Division 2. The Men’s Midweek Medal on 23rd July, although not a seniors’ competition, was noteworthy as seniors filled the first 3 places in Division 1: congratulations to Barry Hitchcock, Mark Clark and Paul Sandfield. Mark shot a level par 71, but it wasn’t enough to win: desperately unlucky! July also saw the VICT trophy being contested at Braintree golf club: congratulations to the Stoke team led by John Parkinson. Finally, well played Messrs Reeves, Jones, Lawson and Ludlam for their team score of 91 on the Senior captain’s charity day. But more importantly, we need to know who won (and who donated) the bag of onions and the tin of beans in the raffle.
Many Happy Returns to all members who have their birthdays in August.
Finally, I am repeating the links to the R and A rules quiz pages.
https://www.randa.org/en/quiz/level/quiz-beginner
https://www.randa.org/en/quiz/level/quiz-intermediate
As always, if anyone wishes to share any “amusing” stories with me for the next newsletter, this can be done anonymously, or otherwise, by emailing grahamcork@outlook.com . Reports of outrageous fortune – good or bad – are particularly welcome! All contributions gratefully received.