This week the newsletter comes from Chris and Tracy, as we are very pleased to announce that Gary has qualified for the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship at Close House in Newcastle and Jack, no not caddying for him, is away sunning himself in Egypt!

I am sure you will join us in wishing Gary Good Luck.

Click here to get in touch if you have any messages you want us to pass on to Gary.



Placing Rakes in Bunkers:-

In a change to the bylaws of the Club we would now ask all members to adhere to the following protocol. 

Having raked the bunker please place the rake in the bunker with the rake head pointing towards the pin and the handle resting on the grass edge (i.e. Outside the bunker lip) so that the next player to enter the bunker can lift the rake without having to step into the sand.



Srixon Sponsored Stableford

You will have received my special mail regarding the Srixon sponsored stableford on Saturday, 13 June. This competition is sponsored by Srixon and if you enter we will give you a FREE sleeve of either Z Star, AD333 or Soft Feel balls. We will help you determine the ball to suit your swing, normal entry conditions in the Pro shop on the day, Good Luck.

Click here to find out more about the Srixon ball range.

Fathers Day

Father's Day is fast approaching next Sunday, 21 June, are you stuck for a gift? 

How about a logo sweater, a pair of comfy shoes or just a pair of socks, we can cater for all requirements, alternatively we can offer Gift Vouchers for lessons with Gary or Chris, or for shop goods. 

Why not pay us a visit and see what fantastic gifts we have to offer.





Think Shoulder Turn To Improve Your Backswing

                 

DO THIS... (ABOVE LEFT) 

That's a great key with the driver, because it shifts your weight to your back foot, which sets up a powerful move through impact. A good turn also helps keep the backswing wide, with your hands stretched out and away from your head at the top. Golfers always ask, "Am I getting the club back far enough?" Forget that. The purpose of the backswing is to get in position to hit the ball. So turn behind it, and push those hands out. 

NOT THIS... (ABOVE RIGHT) 

Don't try to swing your hands high. People talk about Bubba Watson: how high his hands get at the top. I say, look at how much he has turned his shoulders! If you try for high hands, you'll tend to lift the club and drive your left shoulder down, with your weight stuck on your front foot. That's a weak position to hit from. Instead, extend your hands away from your body going back, and you'll have more power coming down. 

Click here to let us know how you get on with this, or if you have any aspect of the game covered in future.



Ladies this is your final chance to sign up for Ladies Captains day on Thursday, 18 June. Full details were issued last week and can also be found in the locker room, you are more than welcome to just come for afternoon tea, but you must also sign up for this. All by the end of this weekend please.

North Hants Trophy 

The ladies' North Hants Trophy team of Chris Quinn, Beth Goater and Jo Russell beat Bramshaw 3-0 at Hockley on Saturday. As usual, the opposition put their best player out second (so as to miss the unbeatable Chris). Once again, our number two (Beth) played superbly, winning 6 and 4. The team now look forward to their next match which will be against the winners of the Corhampton/Osborne match. Well done Ladies. 



The Octogenarians' Trophy 

What a delightful prospect - a select group of golfers in the autumn of their years assembled on the tee on the first day of summer to contest this prestigious trophy. In the event, however, the gale force wind produced a chill factor more reminiscent of January, rather than June. 

Undeterred, the group of ten players set off, displaying various levels of golfing ability as they progressed round the course, which was in immaculate condition, although the speed of the greens did cause more than a few three-putts!

The trophy, which was kindly presented by Ian Pirie in 2009 has now become a "qualifier" and a quick look at the statistics shows only two birdies - one by your correspondent on the 12th and, crucially, one on the 18th by Mike Chilcott, which earned him second place over me. The trophy was won by newcomer Peter Anthony and there is no suggestion that his 36 points (including a great many putts) was indicative of a questionable handicap!

The Seniors' Captain, Graham Light, acted as starter and kindly joined us afterwards for tea and teacakes, after which he presented the trophy to Peter (who really was a worthy winner) 

Mike Wells 

Match News

Lee-On-The-Solent - A warm sunny day and a course in great condition greeted us to play our return match at Lee who evened up their defeat at Hockley with a 3.5 to 2.5 win. A tight match with our three losing rounds went all the way to 18; not helped when our illustrious Captain Graham publicly admitted he had played the wrong ball on 10! Well-liked previous member at Hockley, Ray Hague (well into his 80s), played with Lee's captain - see picture. £15 for a fun social outing, great company, a bit of exercise and a tasty meal to follow takes a lot of beating! 

PS - Graham's after dinner story about Magda, the impoverished home help, is not repeatable here! 

GOOD LUCK - to Hockley Seniors' team next Monday in their third round match away to Romsey in the Knighton Heath Knock-out Trophy! 

Hockley Seniors Open on Tuesday, 1 September 2015, for details go to OPEN EVENTS on the Club's website. 
CLOSING DATE for entries - 4 August. 

PS - Geoff Charnley is organising the Raffle and would welcome prize donations from members; proceeds to the Captain's charity. 

Geoff Charnely



Mixed Match 

Hockley won the mixed match against Alresford last week 6 - 1. Sorry we do not have a full report, but we do have a picture of the teams in the setting sun. 

Jubilee Medal

Another win for Simon Orr in the Jubilee medal this weekend with a nett 68, and as Simon won the Tutt Salver last weekend he has received an 'exceptional scoring' reduction to his handicap, making him now 9.5. Simon only joined us in April with a handicap of 13, so he has done well in 2 months.

Knock Out Competitions 

A gentle reminder that the completion date for the second round of the Tutt Bowl is Sunday, 14 June 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 teams could be subject to elimination. 

WINNERS: please check that the win has been recorded



I would like to congratulate my good friend and the man who 'clicks' me back together! Tony Agius and his new wife Paulina on their recent marriage. They were married on the island of Malta, Tony's home country, the weather looks gorgeous, as does the bride.

We wish them many years of happiness together.



Saturday, 13 June is the Srixon sponsored Long Course Stableford, played from the white tees and enter in the Pro shop on the day. 
Ladies PING 4BBB 

Sunday, 14 June - Men's Invitation, please note the tee is closed from 8.15 to 10am and again from 1.45pm to 3.30pm. Click here to view the start sheet 

Presidents Texas Scramble on Saturday, 20 June, 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 to view the 18 holes to be played.

Missing from the diary was the popular Golfer/Non Golfer this has been put back and will be held on Friday, 3 July. Information is now on the notice board. Click here for more information

The next exciting event is Captains day on July 4th and all information has now been posted on the notice board. Can we please ask when you sign up that you also enter on the PSI, this will deduct the entry fee which is ALL going to the Captains charity, but also gives you free entry into the raffle.

Click here to find out more about our Captain's day.

The evening information has also been posted, but again this MUST be paid for at the bar BEFORE the event. Thank you. Click here to find out more about the evenings entertainment.

Club Championship on Saturday, 11 July, entry can now be made on the psi in the locker room.