Hello and welcome to this week's newsletter,

 

End of an Era

As ever at this time of year there's a lot going on at the club, especially leading up to next weekend with the club championships. As you will see from Graham Goodmans completely unbiased report there was a great win for the scratch team this week at Gogs, no one likes to see that, especially as it put there celebrations on hold for the title and gives Ramsey an outside chance of winning it.

As many of you will by now know, Graham is stepping down as scratch team captain after several seasons in charge and those seasons have delivered an unprecedented amount of silverware. When Graham took on the role again at the end of 2012 the team had just been relegated from Division one and they were struggling to field a team week in week out. 

Graham changed the dynamics of the team and how the set up was been run, he got the club to back the team, he got the pro shop through Philip to source new kit and myself to put on group and individual coaching sessions.

The following season they walked Division 2 but the stand out achievement of that year was winning the Goddard Cup for the first time. The following year they repeated this success in the Goddard Cup and on their first season back they won the league title for the first time in 7 years. They always say that the hardest thing to do is regain the title the following season but this proved not to be the case as they won it in 2015 and 2016 completing a hat trick of championships.

As Graham mentions in his report he has worked with many great players from the club and a large part of this success goes down to them, especially the partnerships over the seasons of Tuck/Reeve, Brookes/Southall and the contributions of Tom Duggan, Cam Brown, Rob Booth, Ian MacDonald, James Goodfellow, Spencer Burlingham, Graham himself and of late Louis Martin. That said Graham has managed to get these lads to want to play week in week out and represent the club. In doing so he has both raised the profile of the scratch team in the local area and that of the club. 

Barely a week goes by in the summer without my daughter picking up the paper on a Wednesday morning and saying, "that man from your work is in the paper again." Graham has given his all for the team, I have seen how passionate he is, how driven he is and how much he wants the team to succeed. He will be missed and a hard act to follow. But he leaves the team in a much better and healthier place than when he found it!


 

Walden save their best performance against Gog Magog

With Gog Magog scratch team running away with the CAGU Div 1 title, they could be crowned champions last Wednesday in a home match v the Walden boys. After winning the 3rd of their scratch league titles last year at Gog Magog, Graham Goodman's men were determined not to let this happen. 

The Gog's team contained a full strength side and their handicaps totaled scratch. Walden's totaled 15 - so they were up against it.

Out first Mark Reeve and Callum Brookes took on CAGU Foursomes winners Dave Quinney and Nicholas Smits. From the off the Walden pairing started slotting home birdies. They eventually finished with 5 birdies and an eagle and ran out winners by 2 holes. This completed a great week at Gog Magog for Reeve who won the Gogs Trophy last weekend. In the second game Louis Martin and Ian Macdonald took on Steve Jarvis and Chris Vince. The Gogs pairing were on form and won 4 up.

It was now set up for Captain Graham Goodman, in his farewell season as captain with his partner Mike Nuthall to deliver a memorable performance. Nuthall's power driving and Goodman's pin seeking iron play were more than a match for the new County Champion Ed Dimambero and Tom Rogers.

The game fluctuated from Gog's being two up to all square on the 15th hole. On the 16th Nuthall hit his approach left of the green and Goodman chipped close - Gog's missed the par putt and Walden were 1 up. On the 17th hole they halved. On the 18th Goodman played a bunker shot to 10ft and Nuthall holed the putt. Gog's could only manage a 5 so Walden won 2 up. The final result was 4-2 to Walden and this meant Gog Magog would have to wait for a trip to Ramsey to win the league.

Congratulations also goes to Mark Reeve on winning the Gog's Trophy (pictured here). Well played Mark that's another well deserved achievement for the county first team captain.

Graham Goodman said after "We did not want to let Gog's win on their home turf so we really fought hard and delivered our best performance of the season. After 7 years as Captain it is time to step down at the end of this year. As a team we have delivered great success in winning the Goddard Cup two times and a hat trick of scratch league tiles. Thanks must go to the members for their great support and the management of the club for making this happen. My biggest thank you must go down to the players for making Walden a force to be reckoned with again these past 7 years."


 

A Refreshers Guide To Golf 4 Week Programme

Tuesdays, 7:00-8:00pm 

18th July – Range, Irons 
25th July – Range, Woods & Driver 
1st August – Short Game & Putting 
8th August – Onto The Par 3 Course!

SWGC & Great Chesterford Research Park Par 3 Course

During the 4 week programme you will make improvements to your golf swing to get you out onto the course! This programme covers long & mid game, chipping & putting PLUS on course experience. It’s a fun programme, meeting new people, discovering new skills and you will be refreshed on the skills of learning golf alongside a PGA Professional.

Only £40 for the programme (equipment & balls provided)

Book now to secure your place by clicking here, maximum of 8 in a group.