Bar News
Just a quick reminder that Sunday roasts start this Sunday (2nd November) and must be booked in advance.
Winter Bridge
Winter bridge sessions will start again on Tuesday, 4 November from 1.30 - 3.30pm. Anyone who enjoys a fairly light hearted game will be welcome. For further details please contact Jeremy Ouvry on 01962 854643 or come along on the day.
Preferred Lies (Winter Rules) is now in operation. This means you can mark your ball on the fairway, clean it and replace it within 6 inches of where you marked it.
A number of pitchmarks have been found on the greens and we would encourage you to repair them immediately. The greens at Hockley are regarded as some of the finest in the county, and to keep them in top condition it is essential that any pitchmarks are repaired as soon as possible. The greens are softer during the winter period and more prone to pitch marks. You may repair any pitchmarks on the green before putting. Correctly repairing pitchmarks on the green takes a little time to do it properly but will improve the quality of our greens. Why not practice a little during your next round?
Rule 16-1c - Repair of hole plugs, ball marks and other damage The player may repair an old hole plug or damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball, whether or not the player's ball lies on the putting green. If the ball is moved in the process of such repair, it shall be replaced without penalty. Any other damage to the putting green shall not be repaired if it might assist the player in their subsequent play of the hole.
A pitchmark repaired incorrectly takes over 3 weeks to heal. Please take the time to look at the photograph on how to correctly repair pitchmarks. Correct repair will help protect the grass root system and benefit all members and visitors to the course.
Good Practice
1. Discard the loose piece of turf taken out by the ball.
2. Insert the pitchmark repairer tool just outside of the back of the pitchmark.
3. Lever the turf towards the centre of the pitchmark.
4. Repeat this motion from all sides of the pitchmark.
5. Gently tap the repaired area with your putter. This action stretches undamaged turf over the pitchmark providing instant recovery.
Bad Practice
1. DO NOT replace the loose piece of turf taken out by the ball. It will die and delay the healing process.
2. DO NOT pry up the centre of the depression with the repair tool as it exposes the soil and will delay the healing process.
3. DO NOT insert the repair tool and twist it. This only breaks more turf loose.
End of year for the Millennium League now. Hockley beat Royal Winchester in a very tight match last Saturday, which left them with a 100% home record and Jeff can confirm that the result gave a season's total of 43 points and placed us in 3rd position, tied with Hayling.
Broadstone won with 46.5 points and Stoneham were 2nd with 45. Thanks to all 19 players who made up Hockley's team over the year. 
The Kelly Salvers
Fighting against gale force conditions, the annual Kelly Salvers greensomes contest involving mixed pairs of the Ladies & the Seniors took place on Tuesday, 21 October.
A random draw put together the pairings and, despite the tough wind (at times some high wedge shots were coming back to the players!), some good scores were returned.
For a time, the early pairing of Judy Lewis & David Baldwin looked certain winners with their 34 points. However, they were eventually pipped by the highly impressive 36 points from Ailin Liu & Tony Cullen.
Captain's Drive In The Captain's Drive In was enjoyed by 88 members on a glorious Saturday morning and the fun event was won by:
Neil Cutmore, Andy Gradidge, Howard Barton and Malcolm Mackenzie with 89 points
Runners Up were: Mike Andrew, Mike Simister, Nick Bell and Anne Gleadow with 84 points
Third place went to: John Fisher, Kevin Stansfield, Steve Fennell and Ailin Liu with 83 points.
The lucky winner of the parking space was
Danny Munro, Danny had the closest guess of the combined drives, which was 829 yards. I am pleased to inform you that ALL the captains' drives were straight.
Preceding the 'Drive In' was of course the traditional 'Putt Out' of past captains and we broke with tradition very slightly this year to include our outgoing President Derek Sheppard, I am sure you would all join me in thanking Derek for all the hard work and hours he has put into Hockley over the past 8 years.
We wish his successor Bob Stilwell all the best as new President.
This Friday, 31 October from 10 - 11. 30 am, Chris will be running a Ladies only coaching session for only £10. Please contact Chris for more information or to book a place, or click here to get in touch.
The winner of the Ladies October stableford in Division 1 was Louise Spruce with 37 points and Division 2 June Bidmead with 39 points.
Sue Poulter was the winner of the Pope Cup, beating Kay Walshe in the final.
We have a number of lines reduced to clear due to new products being released by companies in the New Year:
Cobra and Callaway X2 Hot woods and irons up to 20% OFF
£10 OFF Cleveland wedges, current stock only.
Need some new shoes for the winter? Then why not come and take a look at our new 'Shoe Wall'. All of our shoes are now on display in sizes, in pairs and can be tried on at your leisure. To launch the shoe wall we are offering 20% OFF any shoe bag when you purchase a pair of shoes.
John Simpson Competition
The golf committee changed the format for the above event in order to allow 5 day members to compete. The response has been disappointing, but the new format will apply for one more year and entry numbers will be reviewed at the end of the competition.
The competition is a qualifying stableford played from the yellow tees and is the best 3 scores form 6 cards.
The 1st card will be played this Friday, 31 October, Saturday, 1 November and Sunday, 2 November, entry on the day in the Pro shop.
Please note now the mornings are darker, competition golf cannot be started until 8am, this is to allow the greenstaff to prepare the course.
Winter League
This competition will be open to all seven day members (Men, Ladies & Juniors) with active handicaps and entry will be via the PSI system as individuals, £6 per player.
All competitors will be randomly drawn into 8 different leagues (this assumes that there will be in excess of 40 entries) but if there are less than 40 entries the number of leagues will be reduced. These leagues will be approximately the same size, but any differences in numbers between each league will be due to entry numbers. The league stage of this competition requires all individuals to play against each other before January 31st 2015.
The format will be singles match-play off full handicap difference and from the Yellow tees. In the case of the Ladies they will play from the Red Tees and receive 2 additional shots and play off the Men's Card. Results will be entered on the Pro forms provided and returned to the Pro Shop. 2 points will be awarded for winning a match and 1 point for a halved match. Any matches not played within the allotted time frame will result in neither competitor receiving any points. At the completion of the League stage, the top 2 players in each League will become partners in a 4 Ball Better Ball Knock Out. League A will play League B etc.
Closing date for entries is November 15th.
