New Membership Bag Tag and Centenary pouch

Your new 2014/15 Membership tag and a Centenary pouch is awaiting your collection from the Pro Shop.

It would be enormously appreciated if you could make every effort to collect them within the next 10 days or so, and DISPLAY IT PROMINENTLY ON YOUR BAG. In recent years we have become lazy in asking members to do this, and as a consequence it has become difficult to manage and police players on the course. We all have a very real interest in making sure only Members, their guests or green fee payers are on the Course, and we see this as an important step in that direction.

Congratulations to Chris Quinn

Congratulations to Chris Quinn who reached the final of the Senior Women's Amateur Championship last week!

Chris was sadly beaten in the final 2&1 by Julie Brown of Trentham GC. Despite the result, there were no regrets for Chris, who has won the title four times. "This is my seventh final and I'm thrilled to bits because the 'young ones' keep coming up," she said.

Well done Chris.

Hockley win first Mixed match at wet Tidworth

7 brave and committed pairs of golfers braved the elements at Tidworth for the first match of 2014 winning 5-2. The match was curtailed to 14 holes due to the rain, but all the discomfort was annulled with a fabulous roast dinner and the odd glass of wine.

The Bunch Bowl

The winners of The Bowl were the Senior Men after a hard fought greensomes match against our ladies winning 3 matches to 2. All involved enjoyed the competition and the after match Curry which was delightfully cooked and presented by Tina and her team.

The County 7's Team

The 7's Team began their 2014 quest on Saturday to go one step further than being losing finalists in 2013. The draw had handed them an away match at Test Valley - always likely to be a difficult game. Gary Whitfield led the Team out and won his match 2 & 1. Howard Barton and Nick Goater lost to a pair of very low handicappers - Nick losing down the 19th - whilst John Clark won easily 5&4. So 2-2 after 4 games. Alan Drayton lost on the 16th - so 2-3 down!

However, in true fighting spirit, the Team fought back to pick up wins in the last two games - Steve Elliot winning 4&3, and Alan Carpenter then closed out his win on the 17th Hole 3&1 - to record an overall Team win by 4-3. So a great start to the campaign - the Team now face either Gosport & Stokes Bay or Sandford Springs - venue to be decided. (Thanks also go to Steve Moore and Rob Bailey as supporters on the day).

The winners of the St George's Day stableford were:

Division 1 Danny Francis with an amazing 44 points 
Division 2 John Mintrum with 42 points 

Both of them have received a 2 shot handicap cut, must be those lessons Danny?

The overall winner of the Saints Day Trophy and a great competition supporter is James McIntyre, Well done.

The Men's medal on Saturday was won by Guy Horsey in Division 1 with a net 69, and in Division 2 by Peter Toms with a net 76.

Sunday's Long Course Stableford had a very low turnout due to the awful weather, but the winner was one of my pupils David Jeckells, using his new JetSpeed Driver and 3 wood.

The winner of the Ladies April Stableford was Wendy Evans with 33 points.

There are no forthcoming competitions to mention due to the course maintenance, but please be aware of the 2 Tee closures on Sat 3rd and Sunday 4th May for Etretat. 
Sat 10.30 - 12.30 
Sun 9.30 - 11.30 

A gentle reminder to you all,

Can you please make sure you enter your score after play into the psi in either the shop, or in your respective locker rooms. Even if you have decided to No Return your score, we still need this putting into the system and your scorecard posting in the box, please DO NOT destroy or take your card home. We need to match cards and scores with the number of entrants, failure to provide your scorecard will result in a DQ.

I have received a good response to my new grip bar, even changing my own grips from Midsize to a grip with 2 layers of tape, then shooting 3 under par for the first time in months. It really does make a difference when playing with the correct thickness of grip, so come and have your hands measured correctly. If you have 10 or more clubs re gripped, I will give you 10% discount.

I have just taken delivery of the new Titleist Vokey SM5, the TaylorMade Tour Preferred wedges, and the Cleveland wedge 'Trade in' promotion continues until July.

Click here to find out more about this great trade in deal.

An apology to last week's Pro Am request, I said April for the Romsey and Cams Hall Pro Ams when I meant May. I require two more players for Romsey on 23rd May, and Jack requires two more players for Cams Hall on 20th May.

Please come and see us about entering our own Pro Am on Friday 30th May and support the Captains Charity 'Parkinson's UK'. Also, we are after some Lady volunteers to operate the refreshments on the 11th for the day. Probably starting about 10am through to 4pm, on a rota basis. Please let Tracy know if you are able to help. Thank you.

On a personal note, Tracy and I spent a lovely day at Birmingham University on Friday celebrating the graduation of our eldest son Ben. Many of you will remember Ben when he started his PGA training with us 4 years ago he then moved on to The Grove and more recently Moor Park, where Ben is now Head professional. A very proud day. 

Jack has just completed his first year assignments and exams, and we await the results in July. This now gives him the summer time to concentrate on playing, which he does best.

PING Fitting day

On Friday 9th May 12.30pm we are holding a PING fitting day here at Hockley GC, please note this is a FITTING day with only 3 slots available each for 40 minutes, so it is for those who are genuinely interested in getting PING equipment.

Demo clubs will be available for you to try, should you not require a full fitting service, and I will be on hand to advise.

Srixon ball fitting 12th June 10.00am - 13.00

Cobra demo day 26th June 14.00 - 18.00

Click here to request your fitting slot.

The Delhi Cup - Saturday 17th May

This is an Open event which members are entitled to play in. You must have a handicap of 9 or under to enter, please complete an entry form available in the foyer or from the office.The entry fee is only £25 for the 36 hole medal event, and the closing date is 10th of May.

Please return your entry and fee to the office, thank you.

Howard is still after about 20 volunteers for the Delhi Cup on Saturday 17th May, please contact the Pro Shop Team initially who will give you Howard Gleadow's e-mail. Howard is co-ordinating the helpers. Your support is much appreciated.

Senior Captain/ Pro challenge

Stuart and I have played our round and the score is sealed. Scoring is on a stableford basis rather than medal to make your task a little easier! To give you some encouragement we battled with heavily sanded greens in part, rain and in Stuart's case a very sore heel. Whilst waiting in the hut on the 11th, Stuart and I were chatting with Frank Hollick, who was unable to play in the Pro Am but has decided he will still take up the challenge to beat us, thus still supporting the charity, thank you Frank. Please support this charity event, and make payment to the Pro shop BEFORE you play.

Preferred Lies have now been taken off.