Forget Super Saturday, it's now Spectacular Sunday. What a day for Team GB, Olympic Gold for Justin Rose as well as Andy Murray and many others. Justin Rose definitely deserves that gold medal, he has totally embraced the Olympics and is a true ambassador for the game.
Along with the first hole in one, the Hampshire man has certainly made history.
As you can see Ben is having a great time in Rio and caught up with Justin shortly after the medal ceremony.
Enjoy the glorious weather and the remainder of the Olympics, I hope the Ladies golf is just as exciting as the men's.
August traditionally brings long hot days and drying winds and this year that is proving to be true. Whilst my children are at home enjoying the summer holidays playing in the paddling pool, our focus here is keeping the right amount of water on our playing surfaces to keep them playing well.
Gradually grass growth is beginning to slow but we are still in the same kind of mowing regime as I would expect in a normal June. The Course conditions still feel around 6 - 8 weeks behind where I would expect them to be and I have heard other course managers saying a similar thing. Some of the more technical guys in the trade are relating this to last winters extended growing season and the plant using up carbohydrate reserves normally reserved for spring. I personally believe the weather isn't something to be relied upon but I'm sincerely hoping for a long and happy Autumn.
The drier recent weather has begun to cause some weaker areas of greens to struggle a little and has caused our older silty sand in bunkers to firm up more than I'd like. We've decided to grow the front of 2nd, 4th and 5th greens at approach height for a few weeks and will lower the cutting heights again in the autumn. Bunkers are getting "turned over" as regularly as feasible to ensure they remain playable. These and many other activities are explained in more depth on our blog http://hockleygc.blogspot.co.uk/
The end of the month see's the departure of two of my team, Ollie has been a great asset to us and leaves for a new role at Winchester Garden Machinery, and Leigh my Assistant Course Manager of nearly 4 years leaves to become a Course Manager at Windlesham Golf Club in Surrey. I am incredibly grateful to the pair of them for their hard work over the last few years and wish them both all the best in their new exciting roles. If you get an opportunity I know they'd appreciate your thanks too.
As always any feedback or questions please put them into the office and I'll do my upmost to explain what we're doing.
Glenn Kirby
Course Manager
Sadly, we are to lose another member of the bar team, Jacob will also be leaving us on August 26th along with Jess. We wish him well as he also starts University in September.
There are only 2 weeks left on our Summer Sale with:
20% OFF all Summer Clothing, excluding logo lines.
15% OFF any golf bag
10% OFF any pair of shoes, excluding previously reduced lines
£50 OFF Nike Waterproof trousers
£50 OFF adidas Boost shoes Great savings to be had in store.
Drop into the pro shop while our sale stocks last.
Don't miss our Oakley FREE Trial
Now the sun is shining why not trial a pair of the Oakley Prizm sunglasses, discover the performance benefits of golf specific eyewear by getting involved in our exclusive FREE Oakley trial.
Click here to find out more about the stunning Oakley eyewear range.
We had a great day to have all the Odyssey putters out on the putting green. Wall to wall sunshine all day, no wonder Jack and Chris were so keen to help.
It was great to see so many of you trying out the latest Odyssey putters, and experiencing the benefits of each different type of putter.
If you missed the event, but would still like to be fitted for a new putter, why not come and have a chat with us in the pro shop, or click here to get in touch.
Click here to find out more about the Odyssey putter ranges.
North Hants Trophy
Congratulations to our ladies' scratch team. We are through to the Semis and Finals day of the North Hants Trophy at Royal Winchester on Monday, 19 September.
The quarter finals were played at Hayling on a beautiful sunny day last Friday. Chris won on the 12th, Beth on the 14th and Judie was called in before she had finished. Well done ladies.
Please put 19th September in your diary and come and support us at Royal Winchester. We would love to have lots of supporters and Royal is very local.
We have a strong squad (Chris, Beth, Janet, Jo, Judie) and are all excited that Helen Bailey is now fit enough to play. See you at Royal Winchester. More details to follow.
Jo Russell
Ladies the Toogood draw has now been posted on the notice board in the changing room and on the website under the member's section.
Phew - hot isn't it. Team selections have now been sorted for the last 9 summer friendly matches and the John Charles Triangular with our Ladies and Juniors is well in hand.
BUT ... have YOU entered our SENIORS OPEN yet?
Wednesday, 7 September, only £20 for a handicap qualifying stableford competition including refreshments and great prizes. Nearest the pin, 2's plus a raffle in aid of your Captains' Charity; Hampshire and IoW Air Ambulance.
CLOSING DATE for entries 31 August 2016. Entry forms on our website: Click here if you are interested.
Geoff Charnley
Seniors Captain
The Centenary Bowl Retaining their title are: Ken Shaw, Steve Pullen, Ian Smith and Mark Abel with a score of 106 points.
Runners Up with 105 points were: Mike Cranswick, Murray Ellis, David Foulkes and Malcom Cake.
The Best Ladies team with 81 points, although only 2 entered were: Gill Quick, Nicky Stilwell, Mary Ritchie and Alison Coulter
Hockley hosted the PGA in Hampshire Patrons Junior Pro Am last week, I played with the Hockley team of Junior Captain Beth Goater, Taylor Archer and Laurie Tennant, we shot 8 under, but were beaten by Chris's team on 16 under.
Unbelievably this didn't win, they came 4th as a team on 19 under won.
More juniors are needed for the junior championship on Tuesday, 30 August, please enter on the psi in the changing room.
Thursday, 18 August - Men's Long Course Stableford, enter on the day in the Pro shop.
Saturday, 20 August - The James Braid Medal, played from the white tees and enter on the day in the Pro Shop. Please note you are able to play in a fourball for this medal.
Sunday, 21 August - Please note the 2 tee closures for the Bowker Cup, 9 .00 - 10.30am and 2.00 - 3.30pm
Saturday, 27 August - The Winchester Triangular draw has now been made. Please click here to see which course you are playing at.
Tuesday, 30 August - Cobra Demo day from 2 - 6pm. Click here to request your FREE fitting slot
Sunday, 11 September - the Sonny Sharpe Trophy, a 36 hole event and entry can now be made on the psi in the changing room. Please note a start sheet will be produced for this event and the closing date is Saturday, 3 September.
Sunday, 25 September - the Champion of Champions an 18 hole stableford will take place, this is a shot gun start at 9.00am and a draw will be made for starting holes before the event. A 2 course meal is included and the presentation of the trophies won during the year will also take place.
This invitation goes to all winners of stableford's, medals, scrambles, trophy competitions and knockouts. Please sign up in the foyer and if you are unsure if you have qualified please ask a member of the pro team.
