The 2016 Diaries are now in and can be collected from the Pro Shop.
Please note the Clubhouse and Pro shop will be closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day, if you wish to play on these days then please ensure you get your clubs out of your locker by Christmas Eve. The course will however be open as normal, subject to the weather conditions.
As I write this, the team are getting close to laying the last pieces of turf on the 2nd tee surround. Despite some pretty challenging weather both our 2 major projects for the winter are completed. The weather isn't helping us to complete these projects, but the warm and wet conditions will certainly help them to establish. Without knowing exactly what the next 2 - 3 months of weather will bring I can't say when we can open the 12th and the 1st walkway, but I'm confident that Easter is a realistic timeframe.
Next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we have tree surgeons in to do a number of jobs for us including lifting the canopies on the Oak by the 1st green and the Pine on the 13th hole. They'll also be doing a lot of dead wooding around the clubhouse areas and over the footpaths to ensure the trees are kept in the best health possible and minimise the chances of deadwood falling where people walk. They will also be pollarding the large Willow at the entrance which is a little unbalanced since half of it got blown out 2 years ago. This will look a little drastic, but will ensure the tree is no-longer susceptible to wind damage and will go on for many years to come.
Glenn Kirby
Golf Course Manager
We wish our Vice Captain Dave Hughes a speedy recovery from his back operation, his quote on Facebook
'My surgeon is over the moon. I am showered, shaved taking it easy but GOING HOME!!!!! now for 6 months of Physio and rehab'.
Time to prepare for the Capt/Pro matches next year Dave?
I must say a special thankyou on behalf of the Natwest bank to the Ladies who have donated toys and gifts for the Romsey Young Carers.
This will certainly make a difference to many children this Christmas.
We have a budding film star amongst us...
Our office manager Jane made a cameo appearance in the new Ab Fab movie currently being made and is pictured here with Joanna Lumley.
Jane said the day was very tiring but great fun.
We are very sorry to see Megan leave, but wish her all the very best with her Law studies.
However, she has offered to help with major functions so will be popping back in the near future.
For those of you who love the snow and are off somewhere nice, we have just the thing for you!
Now arrived in store Oakley Ski/Snowboard goggles as modelled here by a staff member, can you guess who it is?!
We have goggles starting at £65 and the new Prizm lens designed for all weather conditions, to help you see the ice through the snow and the outlines of the mountains and the runs even in a white out.
We will be offering 10% OFF the goggles in stock until Christmas.
Grab a pre-Christmas bargain
We are currently offering £20 OFF any Cobra, PING or Callaway Golf bags, as well as other top industry brands.
Come and see the full selection for yourself here in the pro shop.
An unbeatable cashback offer from Motocaddy
This is an amazing offer from Motocaddy, only available until the 24th December, any golfer buying a new Motocaddy trolley with a Lithium battery can claim £50 Cashback direct from Motocaddy.
Click here for more information.
A major benefit of going lithium is the speed in which they charge (approximately 5-6 hours) and they weigh a fraction of the lead acid batteries. Our rental Motocaddy's use lithium batteries so if you would like to try one before you buy please come and see us soon before time runs out.
Our Christmas Draw is filling up, don't miss your chance!
Christmas is only round the corner, so why not enter our Christmas Draw for your chance to win some great prizes! Please visit the Pro Shop to enter, £3 per square of 2 for £5 .
Please note the more entries there are, the more the prize fund will increase.
The Prize Draw will be announced on Sunday, 20 December. Good Luck!!
Another blustery day on the Hockley links on Saturday, Adie and I were trying to bounce back from our defeat last week. Our opponents were prolific winners Nick Goater and Jason Cattle and our two junior stars Beth Goater and Taylor Archer. However, a very rare occurrence in Capt/Pro matches, we received a shot! Because the wind was so strong scoring wasn't great, but both games were tight until Adie (who is on fire at the moment) hit some steady shots at the right time and we stretched away from the juniors with their game finishing on the 15th, but Nick & Jason won on 16 with a world class bogey. So onto 17 we went, Adie hit a lovely pitch into the green and I knocked it dead which then left Nick with a tricky 5 footer (that's not his partner) which he just failed to hole to let us win 3&2.
Again both games were played in the right spirit and I'm sure Beth & Taylor will be having their revenge in the future.
Do you struggle with that troublesome slice?
Well this week Chris has produced a useful video with some ideas on how to cure this with one simple change.
Click here or on the image to view this week's tip.
Let us know how you get on.
If you are stuck for ideas for Christmas then our teaching offer will be ideal.
Available until 31st December.
Offer 1 - 2 x 40 Minute Lessons
Includes:
- Assessment lesson, Equipment check, short & long game lesson
Cost - £50
Offer 2 - 3 x 40 Minute Lessons And A Playing Lesson
Includes:
- Assessment lesson, Equipment check, short & long game lesson, playing lesson with video and lesson notes
Cost - £100
*Note - All lessons must be taken by March 31st 2016.
Junior members FREE coaching sessions will take place on Monday, 21 December and Tuesday, 29 December both at 10am.
Please call the shop to book your place or click here to get in touch.
There will be 2 junior stablefords over the Christmas holidays on Wednesday, 23 and Wednesday, 30 December, roll up at 10am.
The Roger Gaines Trophy will be played on Sunday, 3 January, more entries needed.
Seniors' Christmas Lunch - Tuesday, 15 December @ 1pm
Your last chance to book in at the Club bar for this £13.50 2 course festive lunch followed by coffee and mints!!
Numbers are looking healthy but still room for a few more (and guests!).
Seniors Friendly Matches 2016
Please click here to view the list of fixtures arranged for 2016, back by popular request! All Hockley men aged 60 or over qualify to play in these matches; home and away. The March - May sign-up sheet will be on the Seniors Notice Board from the beginning of February.
John Fisher has reprimanded me for not mentioning the mid-week stableford he won, sorry John.
Played on 25th November the winner of Division one was John Fisher with 38 points, and the runner up was Henry Cooper with 36 points
Division Two winner was Barrie Hillier with 35 points winning on a countback from Alan Wheavil.
Saturdays Short Course stableford was processed as one division due to the low entry, did the wind put you all off?
Winner - Andy Eley with an incredible 38 points
Runner Up - Stuart Humphreys with 35 points
Saturday, 12 December - Short Course stableford, played from the yellow tees and enter on the day in the Pro shop.
Capt/Pro tee reserved from 11.55am - 12.05pm
Turkey Trot - Sunday, 13 December - Please note the course will be CLOSED until 2pm, there will be no early morning play as this is a shotgun start at 9am. Your starting holes will be posted on Friday.
Bacon Rolls and coffee will be available to purchase from 8am.
Wednesday, 16 December - Short Course stableford