Hello golfers,

Happy summer holiday! Well can’t you tell it's school holiday time, rain, rain and more rain. Let’s hope some of the weather in the continent blows up this way very soon. I hope you all find time to enjoy another edition of our weekly newsletter bringing you up to date with all the latest news and offers from Hockley Golf Club.

Greenkeepers' news

Course Update

As you will be aware we are renovating greens this week, this is an important operation to sustain the long-term quality of our putting surfaces. The forecast for the week is looking a little questionable at the moment so we ask for your patience while we work around the wet weather that is forecast.

Whilst we are working on greens, or the greens are not playable, we will ask you to putt to a hole on the approach. When renovating greens it's important to utilise the dry periods and with a questionable forecast like we have there may be periods when a high number of greens will be out of play.

The good news is that whilst it's difficult for us, damp mild weather like this is great for recovery. The chipping green and putting green which has been done in advance have recovered far quicker than I hoped.

Thanks in advance for your patience,
Glenn Kirby,
Course Manager.

Shop news

Shop Sale

Time to re vamp your wardrobe? Then take advantage of our summer sale, with 20% OFF all men’s and ladies Summer Clothing, excluding logo lines and previously reduced lines. 10% OFF shoes and bags and 20% OFF all Puma clothing and shoes.

The sale applies to stock lines only.

Titleist NXT Ball Promotion

NXT Tour and Tour S ball reduced to £24.99 (Saving you £5 per dozen). Both are high performance balls delivering low driver and long iron spin for outstanding distance along with excellent shot stopping control the Tour S ball delivers the same performance with a significantly softer feel. Hurry while stocks last.

Not sure if you are using the correct ball? Why not come along to Titleist ball fitting event tomorrow from 10:00am – 2:00pm.

Another Cobra Fitting Day will be held on Sunday, 20 August from 10:00am – 3:00pm, contact one of the pro shop team to book a time to try the Cobra equipment.

Tip of the week

Avoid These Ego Mistakes

The key move - Don't go all out... Take one more club on approaches and think 75 percent. The two most common faults I see amateurs make are not taking enough club into the green and using too much loft around the green. They're both ego mistakes.

Everybody wants to hit the ball farther and everybody loves that soft little pitch shot that nestles up to the pin, but reality has to top your wish list.

Here's my advice - Take an extra club on approach shots and then swing within yourself, you'll hit the ball solid a lot more often if you go at 75% instead of 100%. Trust me, your swing will be mechanically better at a speed you can support. Around the greens use different clubs, don't just grab your lob wedge. Let the lie and the amount of green you have to work with dictate the club you pick.

Then you can use the same swing for most greenside shots. In other words, you're changing clubs not your swing to hit different shots, it's simpler that way. If you are still struggling with your game this summer and would like to book a lesson here at Hockley, please click here to get in touch.

Junior news

Junior Open

Our Junior Open held last Friday saw some of the best juniors in the County compete on our course. The winner was Sam West from Liphook (Pictured left with Vice Captain Damian Cain) on a score of 2-under-par, 140. This was after a playoff with James Freeman from Stoneham, Sam won on the fourth extra hole. Pictured left is Christian Lindgreen from North Hants who won the Nett Trophy on net 136.

These events don’t run themselves so I would like to thank Paul Brown, Tracy and Jack for organising the day with special thanks to Adrian Nicol and Colin Field for staying all day to co-ordinate scores etc and to our other volunteers John Clark and Nigel Newman and of course to our Vice Captain Damian Cain for presenting the prizes.

Seniors' news

Seniors' Open

A reminder to enter the Seniors' Open on Wednesday, 6 September. Entry forms can be found on the club website or in the clubhouse lobby. As usual the seniors will be holding a raffle on the day with all proceeds going to the Captain's Charity Naomi House and Jacks Place, if you are able to donate prizes please contact the Vice Captain Geoff Roberts.

Tony Crawford.

Ladies news

Your Club needs you...

The men’s Vice Captain needs you for the Winchester Triangular on Saturday, 26 August as more ladies are required, please support this event and sign-up in the foyer.

Competition news

Mixed Open

In near perfect golfing conditions 42 pairs took to the field in the Mixed Open last Sunday.
Home advantage was expected to be a major factor with nine Hockley members bringing guests, but it was three pairs of visitors who took the honours. In third place Jane and Alan Douglas from Stoneham, scoring 40 points, were pipped to second place by Linda and Nigel Dell from The Army also scoring 40 points, but beating them on the back nine. Runaway winners however, with a magnificent 43 points, from Parkstone, were Marissa and Mike Male who are pictured receiving their prizes from Vice Captain Damian Cain. Neither of them had played Hockley before and were very impressed and thanked Glenn and his team for a great set-up and will definitely be back again next year.

A special thanks go to Steve and the catering team for providing a superb buffet after play, to Tracy for setting up the prize table, to Gary Whitfield for acting as starter on the 1st tee and to June Glasspell and Pam Chrismas for serving refreshments on the 11th tee. Finally, to Adrian Nicol for spending all day at the club dealing with the registration of players and visitors then onto scoring and prize giving, all on his wife’s birthday.

Mixed Match Report

The message to the team for the mixed match at Bramshaw was that 'We have not lost a match this year' and so, motivationally charged the team did not lose on this occasion either. An 'onourable 'alf at four matches each concluded a great fixture in blustery sun and shade conditions on a well turned out Manor Course. The team, expertly led by Vice Captain Damian on his debut, were in fine spirit as can be seen on the post wine photo. Onward we go, the next match is against Hayling who are generally tough opposition, but the lions and lionesses of Hockley expect to prevail.

Mid-week Stableford

The Mid-week Stableford was won by Brad Barber with 39 points, closely followed by Bill Harrison with 38 points.

RAF Cup

An excellent entry into the RAF cup on Saturday, although many of you got caught in the sudden downpour at lunchtime. The overall winner with 44 points was Wayne Brackstone and runner-up Steve Briggs on 41 points.

Knockout Competitions

A reminder that the Quarter-finals of the Candlesticks, the Tutt Bowl and the Heriot are to be played by Sunday, 13 August and there will be no extensions.

If your match has been played, please ensure the result has been recorded on both the draw sheet and the psi. If the winners are not posted by the round completion date the game could be assumed not to have been played and therefore both players could be subject to elimination. Winners - Pease check that the win has been posted.

Upcoming Events

There are a number of events coming up at Hockley including:

Saturday, 12 August - Men’s Long Course Stableford.
Tuesday, 15 August - Ladies Hornsey Bowl.
Satursday, 26 August - Winchester Triangular - Information has now been posted, ladies, men and juniors needed, please support this event.
Sunday, 10 September - The Sonny Sharpe Trophy is now open for entry on the psi. This is a 36-hole event, 18 holes of medal in the morning and 18 holes of stableford in the afternoon. The stableford points are deducted from the net medal score – lowest score wins, £15 per person. This event is also open to five day members upon payment of a £10 green fee, the event is limited to 66 players and if oversubscribed the entries will be balloted by handicap.
Sunday, 17 September - The Junior Championship will be an 18-hole stableford, please enter on the psi. More information has been posted on the main and junior noticeboards.