The final of the Captain Pro challenge took place on Sunday on a tough scoring day. The final was contested by 12 pairs, and the winning pair was Derek Noyce and Roger Broadgate with 33 points, winning on a last 6 countback from Alan and Brian Drayton.

It has been an eventful Centenary Captain/Pro series after Steve was ill for quite a few of the matches, and John Poulter stepped in to cover. He then had an operation on his neck, so Mike Eames (2013 captain) and Stuart Hopkins (2014 seniors captain) stepped in. So numerous Captains and Pro's took part in a total of 46 matches, which equated to 34 wins and only 12 losses.

Thank you to all who played and for raising funds for Parkinson's UK. Steve is pictured with winner Derek Noyce.

Please remember, the First Tee Management system (FTMS) will be introduced this weekend, the 12th and 13th of April 2014.

Your 2014/2015 membership bag tags and Centenary tee pouches are now available to collect from the Pro Shop, can we please ask that you keep the bag tag attached to your bag at all times.

The flooring is now complete in the bar, and we thank you for your patience whilst this was being laid, it's well worth the wait.

Hockley/Etretat Twinning 

This association between ourselves and this picturesque club on the cliffs of Normandy is unique as far as we know.

In simple terms, all members of each club are at the same time honorary members of the other. So if you want to have a trip to France and include a game of golf, then make your way to Etretat, a small town between Le Havre and Fecamp. There, on the picturesque cliffs immortalised by Claude Monet, you will find a magnificent golf course, founded in 1908, with a great layout and offering superb views along the coast.

The twinning arrangement (or jumelage as the French have it) was entered into in 1983 and cemented by our first formal visit to Etretat in the autumn of that year. The visit was reciprocated by our French friends when they came to Hockley in the Spring of 1984. Those regular Autumn and Spring weekends with golf and social activities continue to this day, and will hopefully do so for many years to come.

But remember the formal weekends at each club are open to everybody, and are only part of the association. So if you are a Junior, Lady, or Gentleman member you can visit and play Golf d'Etretat. The only conditions are that you should advise the Hockley Admin Office of the approximate date of your visit, and take with you your current membership card to confirm your membership of Hockley. You may play at any time, except during their Club Championship, subject to the normal tee time reservations.

So brush up your French, (although English is widely spoken), and go to make new golfing friends across the Channel. I played Etretat a few years ago, it really is a beautiful course in a great location, well worth a visit.

The first Long course stableford of the season was played on Sunday in very dreary conditions, and the winner of Division 1 was Merrick Denton Thompson with 35 points, and Division 2 was won by new member Bryan McIntyre with 31 points As I mentioned last week, the knockout draws have now been posted on the notice boards and on the club website, please be aware of when the first rounds have to be played by, the Tutt Bowl first round is by 21st April.

The Masters, the first major of the season is now upon us, and to celebrate this and the opening of our new shop from Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th April only, I will be offering 10% OFF all clothing and footwear, (excluding shoes in the trade in promotion).

Also, with any Nike purchase over £35 you will receive a FREE Rory or Tiger tour cap.

The Pro shop Masters draw has now been posted on the notice board, so keep an eye on your player, as there is the best and worst score of the day prizes, we will update the leader board daily.

This will be the first Masters without the Eisenhower Tree, and the first one Woods hasn't been a part of since 1994.  O'Meara has said. "I think it creates more of a buzz when Tiger's here. Yet, saying that, he's not here, and it's still going to have a great buzz", do you agree?

This week's bargain buy:

A dozen Bridgestone xFIXx balls for only £11.99.

Saturday 12th April is the Tank Cup and Wells Trophy, both medal competitions played from the white tees.

Sunday 13th April - We have two tee closures, 10.45 - 12 and 14.15 - 15.15 for the Men v Lee on the Solent match.

Monday 14th April - Junior triangle match from 12.00 - 13.00

Tuesday 15th Ladies - coffee morning from 08.45 - 12.15.