Paul Brown - General Manager
Our new General Manager, Paul Brown starts at Hockley on Monday 1st June. Paul, who is coming to us from Tidworth Golf Club where he has been Secretary/Manager. Previously Paul was a PGA Professional before turning to management. We extend a warm welcome to him and offer our very best wishes for the future at Hockley.
Tom Bremridge, Chairman of the Management Committee, would like to thank all members of both the Golf Committee and Management Committee, and the Professional Team and all members of staff for their commitment and support and for running the Club as normally as possible in the 6 months when we have not had a General Manager. He said, "My sincere thanks to everyone including all volunteer members who have gone the extra mile to make things work."
Bar Opening Hours
It is our intention to extend bar opening hours to 9.00pm at weekends. We will do this as soon and as often as possible but ask members to note that we are currently experiencing some unexpected staff turnover and consequent recruitment problems.
On a personal note Tracy and I would like to wish our son Jack a very Happy 21st on Thursday 28th May. He will be so pleased I have inserted these pictures, he was so cute!
Jack picked up a golf club as soon as he could walk. He did go on to develop a very nice swing at the young age of 6 and obtained his first handicap of 36 at Hockley, aged 8.
He has won the Family Foursomes with my eldest son Ben, the Junior Club Champs and various other trophies at Hockley, before turning Professional in 2013.
Jack had his first success this year by winning the Cams Hall Pro Am on 6 under par, so we look forward to Friday's scores in our Pro Am, when Jack, Chris and I are all playing and with Hockley members.
'Happy Birthday Jack'.
Wedge Project
Last week Chris spent the day with short game expert Andrew Rice who is Director of Instruction at Berkeley Hall. Andrew is a well-respected and renowned coach. The wedge project covered more than three years of in-depth research on wedges and pitching. During that time Andrew consulted and studied the technique and methods of multiple professional golfers and coaches, including Major Champions and Ryder Cup players. With the help of TrackMan he has been able to determine what it really is that allows great wedge players to be consistently good.
The day covered the technique and science that make wedge shots easy. He provided us with information, tips, and drills on how to become a better more consistent wedge player.
Chris looks forward to sharing these with you during lessons.
Game Improvement Champion Update
When we started with Ian his bad shot was generally going left, so initially we had to find out why? It didn't take long because once he addressed the ball we picked things up straight away in his set up.
In picture 1 you can see Ian was aiming right of target, a reaction to hitting it left, the ball was back in his stance, so this meant he would meet the ball too early and so have to manipulate the club and his body to get the club going somewhere near the target. Because of these two factors, when Ian delivered the club back to the ball he had to sit back on his right side, which again would make him hit the ball left.
So where do we start? You will see that in picture 2 we have neutralised Ian's starting position by moving the ball forward, squaring up his alignment and getting his hands opposite the ball not by his left thigh. With our first lesson we kept Ian's alignment square to the target and worked on getting his right side more active to help him deliver the club more down the line.
After a recent trip away Ian had some instant feedback on his changes, he became more consistent with his strikes and his direction. Keep up the good work Ian.
Ladies News by Julie Moss
Jill Hoarton and Jo Russell are through another two rounds of the Daily Mail Foursomes. They beat South Winchester 5-3, giving 12 shots, but finishing with an eagle on the 15th. Then they battled through against Knighton Heath giving 17 shots and finishing 1 up on the 18th. Well done Ladies.
Ladies Captains Day
This year Ladies Captains Day is on Thursday the 18th June. The golf will be run in teams of three, format to be announced during June. There is sign-up sheet on the Captains Notice Board in the locker room. The golf will be followed by afternoon tea and prize commencing 4pm ish.
The cost of the tea is £4.50. You are welcome to join the tea and catch up with friends even if you do not play the golf. Hope you can join me on the day. Julie Moss
Seniors Section
Glorious weather, a course in good condition, a drawn friendly match, a pint of Doombar and sarnies & chips for £6 made for a most enjoyable visit to Basingstoke on the 20th May. After announcing the match result, Captain Graham, thespian and a natural in 'Light' entertainment, regaled us with an unforgettable humourous tale. Sadly the story can't be repeated here because nobody remembered to write it down!
Pictured here Colin Showell recovering (his ball!) from a 15' putt to win the par3 5th. Nip and tuck continued through to a drawn game on 18.
Next up are away matches with Brokenhurst on 26th and Rowlands Castle on 29th May.
Mens Long Course Stableford - Wednesday 21st May
Division 1 Winner was Tony Hobbs on 37 points and winner of Division 2 was Paul Wynn with 39 points. New member Scott Williams had a Hole in One on the 12th using a PW, during the competition, but unfortunately this wasn't enough to secure a winning score.
Steel Charity Plate
A very good entry into the Steel Charity Plate on Saturday and the winner was Peter Eagles with a nett 69, beating Laurence Hopper on a countback.
Sunday Medal
A much quieter day on Sunday and a lower entry into the Men's Medal, which had to be processed as one division. The winner was Paul Ife with a nett 63 playing off an 18 handicap, his handicap is now 15.1. I am pleased to say after all his hard work and practice Shane Rose has cut his handicap from 3.6 to 1.8 in just a month.
The Satterthwaite Salvers
The winners were Helen Vidal Allen and Kevin Stansfield with 37 points, these two only made up the numbers the day before the event, bet they are glad they did! Runners up Jo and Jonathan Russell with 34 points, beat Kay Walshe and Mike Eames on a last hole countback.
My thanks to Tony Cullen for stepping in to do the prize giving.
Pro Am
A record entry has been received into our Pro Am this year with 36 teams playing, so I am hoping for a favourable weather forecast. Donations are still being taken for the Raffle on Friday in aid of the Captains Charity Macmillan cancer support. Thank you to those that have already given generously.
Please note the course will be CLOSED on Friday 29th May until 2.30pm, there will be NO early morning play.
Saturday 30th May: The Tutt Salver and EGU Gold Medal qualifier. There is a poster in the Men's locker room which details the Gold Medal information.
Sunday 31st May: The Brokenhurst Stag 1st round. The is tee closed from 9.15 am - 10.30 am and 2.45 - 4pm.
Sunday 31st May: Mens Long Course Stableford & The Ladies Pope Cup
Monday 1st June: The Octogenarians Trophy. The tee is closed from 1.00pm - 1.30pm
Sunday June 14th: The Men's Invitation. This event is now open for entry priced at £55 per pair. Why not invite a friend, relative or work colleague to play at Hockley with you. Entry forms are available in the foyer. Click here for more information.
Saturday June 20th: Presidents Texas Scramble. Entry information has now been posted on the notice board. Please note a minimum of two members of any team must be present to claim their prize. Click here for further information and click here to view the 18 holes to be played.
Missing from the diary was the popular Golfer/Non Golfer event. This has been put back and will be held on Friday July 3rd. Entry details will follow nearer the date.
