I am getting nervous when watching the weather forecast now especially with the week we have just had! I don't think we actually saw anyone last Wednesday when it didn't stop raining all day. I think the forecast is slightly better this week and it's nice to see the days slowly drawing out, we will soon be enjoying evening golf. Happy Days!
A bitter sweet situation this weekend as Aide and I played father and son combo Dennis & Luke Hodgetts with Nigel Newman and his partner.... our eldest son Ben. Ben stood in at the last minute as Damian Cain was ill, so we hope you get well soon Damian and it was great to see Ben back playing some golf.
As for our matches, the standard of golf didn't quite reach the dizzy heights of absolutely average, but as a result both matches stayed close all the way round, and with 3 holes to go we were 2 up against Ben and Nigel and all square with Dennis and Luke.
Ben and Nigel's par on 17 easily beat our 6, but we did get a half with Dennis and Luke, as I said the golf wasn't our best and it didn't get better. On 18 our bogey 6 beat both pairs to end our game with Nigel and Ben and made us 1 up on Dennis and Luke. Thankfully we made a par 3 on 18a to close out the match 1 up, Aide wondered how we'd won it and both pairs wondered how they'd lost them, that's golf!
Once again many thanks to both pairs for another enjoyable afternoon and we look forward to playing Paul Downing & Craig Durman with Guy Paterson & Martin Tressider on Sunday.
My Pro Am list has now been published on the notice board in the foyer and I look forward to playing around the County with some of you this year. Please do not hesitate to ask me or any member of my team for more information on these events.
Our SALE has been extended by a week and further reductions have been made on many lines.
Just added are the ProQuip Pro-Flex merino wool, lined jumpers guaranteed to keep you warm and with a water repellent finish.
Was £64.99 - NOW £49.99 - only a few left.
TaylorMade Tour Preferred golf balls now only £24.99 a dozen, saving you £15
A further £10 has been taken off the adidas boost shoes, now only £79.99, saving you a huge £50.
Bookings are now being taken for our Callaway demo day on Friday, 18 March from 12 - 4pm.
Come and try the full Callaway range and the new XR 16 woods.
Click here to find out more about the latest Callaway hardware ranges, or if you would like to arrange your fitting slot, click here to get in touch.
Know what launch condition is right for you!!
We all want to maximise distance, in order to do this you need to get measured. Below are some statistics for different levels of golfers from Professionals to higher handicap golfers with a driver.
PGA Tour
Ball speed - 168 mph
Launch Angle - 12.8 deg
Spin - 2430 rpm
Carry - 290yds
0-10 handicap
Ball speed - 157 mph
Launch Angle - 13.9 deg
Spin - 2620 rpm
Carry - 267 yds
11-20 handicap
Ball speed - 139 mph
Launch Angle - 16.8 deg
Spin - 2560 rpm
Carry - 228 yds
Here at Hockley we use the GC2 Launch monitor, this provides us with all the information above and more so we can explain where you are losing out and how we can optimize launch conditions. If you want to kick start your season then a launch monitor session is the way to go.
Click here to get in touch if you would like to arrange your session with the launch monitor.
Chris and I will be holding a Chipping and Pitching clinic on Tuesday, 23 February from 9.00 - 10.00am.
£10 per person, limited to 10 and please sign up in the Pro shop, or click here to register your interest.
A Bunker and Putting clinic will be held in March and Faults and Fixes in April.
Keep an eye out in the newsletter for the dates.
Ladies the offer on JRB clothing has been increased to 25% OFF.
A lined jumper is now only £27.74 saving you £9.25.
We also have Ladies woods reduced to clear; lines include Callaway, TaylorMade, Cobra and PING. Prices start at just £89 for a Callaway Hybrid and £139 for a driver.
Come and drop in and get your hands on a bargain.
Small entries into both short course stablefords this weekend, therefore they were processed as one division.
Saturday's winner was Nigel Noke with 39 points and runner up Kevin Stansfield with 38 points.
Sundays winner was Andy Ely with 39 points and runner up Rob Tobin with 36 points.
Winter League
The semi-final will take place on Sunday, 21 February and the pairings are:
Kevin Stansfield and Ian Napleton will play Nigel Noke and Jo Russell
Indie Bilkhoo and Sean Dolphin will play Andy Ely and David Morgan.
Good Luck to you all and it's great to see one of my pupils and a Lady in the semi-final.
Winter Foursomes and Plate Competition
On a very damp and dreary Sunday morning the final of the popular Winter Foursomes took place between Andover's Peter Scott with Simon Maskell and Hockley's Sam Piper and his father Philip. The triumphant winners were the Andover pair pictured with Captain Adrian Nicol, beating the Piper duo 3 and 1.
Third place went to Matt and Andy Chalke and fourth to Chris Holloway and Daniel Keyworth.
Ahead of the final was the Plate competition, open to all those that were knocked out in their first rounds. The winners were our popular pair of
Mike Andrew and
Murray Carter scoring 34 points. Runners Up were
Richard Gillespie and
Mike Fisher with 30 points.
The Captain thanked the referees
Gary Whitfield and
Duncan Barlow for giving up their time, along with all those that helped with the successful running of the event.
Summer Knockouts
The Summer Knockouts will be open for entry on the psi machines in the locker rooms w/c 8th February.
Click here for the information and the conditions of entry and I urge you all to read them please.
Can I also ask that when entering on the psi, that you complete ALL stages and wait until you are thanked for entering, DO NOT walk away when told that the competition fee has been taken, this does not mean you have been entered. If you are unsure, please ask one of my team for help.
January has been and gone, still the weather remains unseasonably mild and days without any rainfall are limited. The mild weather has meant the course has taken more golf than I've seen at this time of year and the lack of drying days has led to some quite poor and beaten up surfaces. The next 2 weeks will see us reduce maintenance to a bare minimum on the Putting green, 1st and the 5th greens. These are not coping very well at all with the traffic. The Putting green and the 1st are due to a lack of sunlight and will improve as the sun gets higher. The 5th however is a mystery to me and a good reminder that Mother Nature is in charge and she'll always be a step ahead of me!
We have a renovation week booked in for the week commencing the 22nd February, but we'll use any weather breaks that are conducive to renovation work in the meantime in isolated areas that need additional work doing to ensure we take greens into the season in best condition possible.
Thank you all for adhering to recent buggy and trolley restrictions, on the days when we do let trolleys and buggies out, if you are capable of carrying your bag it would be greatly appreciated as it really helps spread the wear patterns that occur when trolleys are in use.
Glenn Kirby Course Manager
Friday, 5 - Sunday, 7 February - The
John Simpson 4th Card, played from the yellow tees and enter on the day in the Pro shop.
Sunday,
7 February - Capt/Pro the tee reserved from 11.55 - 12.05pm.
- Ladies Medal.
Sunday Roast 7th February, please book in advance at the bar.
Tuesday, 9 February - The
Ladies fun day, the tee is reserved from 9.30 - 10.30am.
Wednesday, 10 February -
Men's Short course stableford.
Friday, 18 March - Callaway Demo day from 12 noon - 4pm.
Click here to request your space.
