Hello and welcome to this week's newsletter.




On Wednesday the club hosted the final Slade meeting of the season. There was a good turn out with 28 players taking to the course. In windy and sometimes wet conditions the scoring was tough. That said it was no problem for Andy Fisher and Mike Hayden who scored a magnificent 43 points, with Mike in particular having a stunning back 9. 

At the other end however and collecting the PPPP was Ray Banks and Keith Wardley with 29 points. I had the pleasure of partnering Mr. Ward, and between us we managed to finish just ahead of our playing partners Trevor Rowlandson and Chris Porter. We romped into a 5 point lead at the halfway mark, and were concerned we might be in with a shout of winning. The conditions got the better of us on the back 9, but we managed to win the last and nick the game by a point.

  

Thursday saw a different challenge and the first of its kind that I've been involved in with the ladies section. As it was the end of the winter squad coaching programme, we finished it off with a beat the Pros 4BBB challenge with Sarah and myself taking on the ladies squad. We managed a credible 41 points, I managed 3 bogies on the front and Sarah managed the same on the back. Our only blemish came on 17 when we both ran through the fairway with our tee shots. This proved costly as we were pipped by a point after Jan Rackham and Mary Baker scored a brilliant 42 points. Sarah has since been warned about helping members prior to a challenge match having giving Jan a lesson earlier in the week which clearly worked.


Seniors V Juniors 

On a lovely early spring day last Friday the Seniors (of hardy stock) took on the might of the Juniors in a 4BBB matchplay competition. 

Five teams enjoyed a competitive round with good humour and friendship, and where the generation gap was bridged by our joint love of the game by all players. The day was concluded by a hearty meal of bangers and mash. 

Brandon Chapman thanked everyone for such a great day and applauded all those that played especially the Juniors who were a credit to themselves and the club. Richard (Tich) Hall, the Juniors Captain, also thanked everyone and echoed his and his team's enjoyment of the day. 

Oh yes the result………an honourable Draw…..a fitting end!

 

   


Callum Brookes celebrates Birthday with three Golf Junior Championship wins, and a hole in one!

Not only was it Slade this week but Callum turned 18. 

As you can see he was very happy on Wednesday night surrounded by friends and family at the 8 Bells, and by the looks of it received all the presents that he wished for. 


Callum's Update:

I started the week looking forward to celebrating my 18th Birthday on Wednesday. I had a busy week ahead with three golf Junior Open events on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

I played in the Newmarket Junior Open against other top Junior golfers from clubs in the Cambridgeshire area. I putted really well, and had 24 putts including a 12 foot putt for par on the final hole to get into a 3-way playoff. I managed to hold my nerve and won the sudden death playoff the first extra hole.

On Tuesday I travelled to Suffolk for the prestigious Stoke-by-Nayland Boys Championship. The 36-hole tournament attracts elite junior golfers from all over the country, including stars from the Lee Westwood Golf Academy, which is based at Stoke-by-Nayland.

I putted really well again and shot a 1 under par in the morning round to lead the field at the halfway point (including a hole-in-one at the 3rd hole). The battery ran out on my rangefinder, so for the last nine holes I had to guess distances. The afternoon saw the weather take a turn for the worst, and it got very windy. I was really nervous on the last 6 holes, especially as there was a lot of water on the finishing holes, but I shot 4-over par in the afternoon to finish on 146 to win by 6 shots.

Wednesday was my birthday, and I was pretty tired from the last two days. I went to Girton to play in the Junior Open there and played steady golf again to shoot 73 and win again.

My next big tournament is the Schools National finals in Newcastle on 14th April for which I qualified last November after coming second in the schools eastern region competition.





Learn Golf In A Day

You may have spotted a lot of different faces at the golf club Sunday afternoon. Sarah & Aaron led a 'Learn Golf In A Day' group class and had 15 participants taking part. 

The participants were made up of 2 men & 13 women, the weather stayed sunny & lots of coaching was completed to target those who haven't played for a while or complete beginners.. 

If you think you fall into these categories and would like more information on future classes please contact Sarah on pga_sarahsmith@hotmail.com, or click here to get in touch.

   

 

On the 4th April, a young junior team took on the Ladies in a greensomes match, which is held annually. This match was a great opportunity for young future squad members to play with existing squad members and to experience a match. 

It consisted of four teams; Richard Hall and Hetti Carter, Jamie Price and Leo Bonser, Louis Martin and Will McKernan, and finally Charlie Carter and Harvey Redfern; all of which the juniors won, making it a clean sweep of 4-0. 

This is a promising start to the season for the junior section. As usual, it was a very enjoyable match and finished with a nice meal. 


Junior Coaching April! 

Don't forget.. Junior group coaching runs on both a Saturday & Sunday! 

Saturday's - 9am through on the hour till 12noon last group 
Sunday's - 9am & 10:15

The group can be signed up to as a 6 week programme at only £40, or paid as an individual session at £8 per hour.

Our Junior Coaching Sessions have been brilliant so far. Click here to view a quick video of some of our Juniors in action.

Sarah's next Sunday 6 week programme starts next week on Sunday, 17 April

Please let us know asap if you would like to be part of the next programme, as we are limiting numbers in the group so Juniors can make the best improvements as they can in smaller class sizes!

Click here to get in touch if you are interested.


Junior Masters Trophy

Another great junior competition coming up to end the Easter Holidays is The Masters Trophy on Sunday, 17 April taking place at 1.15pm.

This event also includes the 18 hole, 9 hole and par 3 competitions.

Please let us know as soon as possible if you are interested in playing in these events - the sign up sheets are still in the clubhouse as well.

For the 9 hole and par 3 golfers - If possible, would you be able to please get an adult to accompany you round as we are short on members to help out. If you need to be accompanied, please let us know ASAP and we will try and find someone. 

If you are unaccompanied and cannot be paired up then you will be unable to play.

For upcoming events and monthly roll ups - the office have assured me that the sign up sheets will be available in the foyer of the clubhouse each month well in advance. Please sign up early to avoid missing out!




Mixed Match v Bury St Edmunds

The Club played their first Mixed Match yesterday (Sunday) against Bury St Edmunds at home. In wonderful sunny, warm conditions, Saffron Walden won 5 1/2 to 2 1/2. 

All the players had a wonderful day with like minded players from Bury St Edmunds, with a lot of hilarity and banter when we all arrived back in the Club House. 

We all look forward to our next match against Stowmarket, one of two this year, on Stowmarket's request.


  

Thanks to all those who took part in our Callaway demo day last week. The feedback from you was great, and I'm pleased that Phil was able to help you out and get you fitted correctly with the new Callaway range. 

The next one will be next month with Yonex, so watch this space.