Pro-Am
After months of preparation, the Pro-Am had finally arrived last Thursday and thankfully it was a great success, which could not have run any smoother. In the end we had 29 teams consisting of three amateurs and one PGA South Region Professional all of which were as hungry to perform and win the top prize as the next team. Even the carnage that had unravelled on the motorways wasn't enough to foil the day with everybody managing to get here, albeit juggling a few tee times around so everybody could compete.
As people were arriving they were heading straight for the breakfast bar, fuelling themselves for a busy day ahead. We also had six teams who decided to upgrade to our VIP package which got them exclusive parking areas, champagne breakfast in their own roped off part off the clubhouse and a few gifts upon arrival. Some teams will do anything to find an edge on the rest of the field ...the question is, was it worth it?!
Once everybody was finished in the bar they begun to head to the range to warm up the Rolls Royce and get their eye in on the putting green, looking out onto the range it was great to see the amount of quality that we had attracted to R&CPGC and that was even before I went out onto the range! Once a majority of the teams were on the course and the shop had quietened down it was time for me to go and warm up so I could weave the Old Wozski magic on the course with my team of Lady Captain Sue Siddle, Maggie Gill & Mary James. As I progressed through my round it became very apparent that the Golfing Gods were not on my side, everything I tried didn't quite go to plan having said that I battled on and managed to shoot 76, five over par, which for only my third round this year I was very pleased with. It was nice to sign off my round with a nice little chip in! What do they say about form & class?
At the top of the Pro's leaderboard was Zane Scotland, son of R&CPGC member Bernie Scotland, firing in a fantastic score of 64 seven under par finishing his round with an eagle and a birdie; Taught him everything you know, right Bernie?
Zane snatched victory from Jordan Godwin & Chris Gane who shot earlier rounds of 66 five under par. Our own Matt Haines also managed to return a 67 four under par.
The course showed its class with the difficulty of the long rough and the condition of the greens but the scoring was still as fantastic as we hoped, contributing to how well the day went.
After play the teams headed back to where it all started...the bar. After getting suited and booted everybody sat down for a carvery dinner which was expertly prepared by Jackie and Bernie in the kitchen and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Thank you for your efforts Jackie & Bernie!
After dinner MC Robin Packer took to the microphone and got the auction underway, we had some fantastic prizes such as fourball vouchers at The London Golf Club, Royal Cinque Ports, Royal Wimbledon & The Buckinghamshire as well as those prizes we also had a set of PING i25 irons with a Hoofer golf bag and a limited edition print of our 16th hole. Robin hounded the crowd and managed to raise over £1700, great job Robin and thank you for your help & support!
We must not forget the members who kindly gave us their time in order to make the day the success that it was, Karen Sinden along with Jo Marchant, organised registration and a ball sweep, successfully selling £500 worth of tickets. Audrey Thompson down at the halfway hut refuelling those tired and weary golfers with snacks, water and the occasional can of beer for the golfers in dire need of a change in fortunes!
We also had Bob Hawker, Dave Raymond & Jeff Wakelin on car park duty ensuring that everybody was parked in the correct places.
A big thank you to all five of you and well done!
We also had Dan Pullen taking photos of the players hitting their tee shots down the first hole and also taking team photos. As you can see below of winner Zane Scotland and his team.
If you would like to purchase a copy of your picture Dan has left a proof sheet behind the bar along with an order form, digital copies are 3 for £10 and prints are £7 Each, 2 for £10 or 3 for £15. Thank you Dan for your help once again this year!
The Open Week
Don't forget we have The Rochester & Cobham Park Putting Competition on Sunday 19th July which will be running at 11:30am, defending champion Terry Watts will be keen to hold the trophy for another year so your putting needs to be sharp!
Entry will cost £1 per go and it will be a nearest the pin style competition.
As you are probably aware The Open is right around the corner and no doubt it promises to throw up all sorts of surprises, can Jordan Spieth really win all four Major Championships in one season? To get into the spirit and be part of the excitement we are running a sweepstake, all you need to do is pick an envelope that will contain your player. Envelopes are priced at £5 each and enteries close on Wednesday 15 at 6pm.
From 7:30am on the Saturday to 5pm on the Sunday at The Open every purchase made will come with a chance to win a discount of between 5% up to 50%. This will be done by way of balloon raffle where the balloon you pick will contain a slip detailing your discount.
On and around the green are where most of your shorts are played from and this part of the game is what the guys at The Open will be focusing on the most if they want to be in with a chance of winning the Claret Jug. Therefore I have also arranged four short game clinic over the course of the Open for you to touch up your techniques. They are as follows:
Putting 16th July at 11:30
Pitching 17th July at 14:30
Bunker 18th July at 13:00
Chipping 19th July at 08:30
If you are interested sign up can be made in the ProShop. Sessions are limited to a maximum of eight people and will cost £10 per session.
Armitage Trophy
It was that time of year again, no not the return of The Open but for John Aughterlony to blow the cobwebs off the golf clubs and take to the links fairways of Littlestone Golf Club with Captain Peter Goodsell to do battle against other Captain and Secretary pairs from around Kent. In typical blowy conditions Littlestone Golf Cub was playing firm and fast but this was no bother for John & Peter as they returned with a fantastic score of 37 points winning by two, securing back to back victories for our Club Manager. Time to hang the boots up for another year or so John!
Terry, John & Graham Charity weight guess
Week one is complete and I'm pleased to announce the prize fund for 'Guess our weight' has crept over the £100 mark, which is great news for the Captains Charity the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Our target is to reach the £200 mark by the end of July, so please if you haven't manage to place a guess please do so, either behind the bar or in the Proshop, its for a great cause and half of everything we earn goes towards it.
Entry fee is £2, half will go to the charity and the other half will go to the person who makes the closest guess to their combined weight. If you don't already know these guys don't be deterred, just think BIG!
All guesses need to be in lbs and just remember its all for charity!!
