This weekend we will have the first men’s medal of the season and the ladies have already had a medal competition and we have certainly had a few days to make us think that spring is in the air.
Don't forget that Sunday 14th March is Mothering Sunday and of course if your mother plays golf you could certainly buy her a lesson or two from the lovely Jason. However, if you want to treat her to a sensibly priced roast dinner then you might want to book a table at Stover Golf Club. A two course carvery with coffee is just £8.50. Please book at the bar.
14 March - Don't Forget!
Anne Marie and Karen
Looking Back...
Stover bar and catering staff Karen and Anne Marie successfully walked the 12 miles from Vennford reservoir to Princetown. This was a tremendous effort and this was in aid of the Captain’s charity - the NSPCC. I know many of you sponsored Karen and Anne Marie and a big thank you to all involved.
Looking Back
I know many of you like the old pictures that I dig out and another picture above shows former Stover Golf Professional Steve Leatherbarrow and his wife standing outside the old Pro Shop back in 1967
Let’s hope spring is round the corner!
Regards,
James
Important Message:
Due to continued connection problems with the Course Information Line the number has been changed as follows:
01626 352460 Option 5
Last weekend I was delighted to see Roger and Linda Clake winning the Winter Mixed Foursomes. Roger and Linda had a staggering 50 points and Steve and Shirley Williams must have been shocked when their 48 points was 2 shots behind. Lovely to see Alex and Kate Kennedy in the frame coming in 3rd with 44 points beating Derek Ellis and Rochelle Yea on the countback. It's good to see some new names doing so well.
Last week the bridge work was hampered a little with the rotten weather, however work is continuing and the steel frames should go in this week.
A couple of weeks ago in my newsletter I featured an embarrassing picture of myself from yesteryear and I would be delighted if anyone else has any pictures from years gone by (but not of me thank you very much). I have dug out another photo of the old clubhouse (and bridge). If you think you may have something, click here to let me know.
Also, don’t forget you have a chance to win A YEAR’S SUPPLY (that’s 12 dozen to be exact) OF PERSONALISED GOLF BALLS; all by simply entering your most creative ball slogan on my website. No purchase is needed, just a little creativity!
This competition closes at the end of the first week of march so you have a little over two weeks to come up with your best three-liner! Click here and give it your best shot. It’ll only take 2 minutes; what do you have to lose?
Have a great week!
Regards,
James
Last weekend the men’s section managed to play one of the first events for some weeks. The Texas Scramble was won by Jack Potter, Danny Greenberry and Robert Vooght with a superb net score of 61. They beat Nick Dodd, Dave Mugford and John Pitts by 0.1 of a point
The ladies had a hidden partners competition (many remained unfound!!) and Maggie Jeffs and Jo Wright managed to find each other with a score of 66 points. Ricky Pawsey and Judith Moran were second with 63 points.
The work on the old first tee and new bridge is progressing well and the pictures show how much hard work is taking place by our green staff. They are very versatile and can put their hand to most things.
FORTHCOMING SOCIAL EVENT
Quiz Night
On the 5th March at 7.00pm the club will be hosting a Quiz Night. If you know the answers, the questions are really easy!! The entry is £5 which will include a hot baked potato with many fillings.
Drive and Wedge
I live in Bovey Tracey however it's only a drive and a wedge to get to work.
Look forward to seeing you all soon.
JL
Thursday 28th January
Although this past week has been colder, at least we have avoided the rain and snow and we have been able to get out onto the course.
Work will start shortly on the new bridge across the river and the demolition of the old bridge has started. The Kitty Badcock Bridge has many tales to tell and her plaque will be reinstated in due course; however the bridge had to come down due to safety reasons. Reconstruction of the old first tee and bridge area will take place over the next month.
Soon you will see some of the large poplar trees being cut down and although this creates a bit of anxiety amongst some, the reason we have to bring these trees down is due once again to safety as we have been advised that these trees are very brittle and large branches could fall at any moment.
I was able to watch some of the European Tour golf last weekend in Abu Dhabi and it was fantastic to see that after the tournament had finished the Europeans had 6 players in the top 10 of the world (only 4 Americans) which is just fantastic. It's great to see young Rory McIlroy (my buddy as I played a hole with him once) play so well as he has such a positive approach to the game.
Well done to vice captain Dave Marks and partner Ryan Stevenson who shot a stunning 45 points to win the Winter League last weekend. In second place were the in form duo of Ray Sewell and John Searle. The final Winter League will be played this Sunday.
Thursday 21st January
It's been nice to see a few more playing this last week as the ground turned from white to green. I walked the course a few days ago and despite the rotten weather it is not too wet on the course. However, a nice dry spell would go down very well!
Towards the end of the month the handicap committee will have a review of the men’s sections handicaps. If you feel for some reason you are playing from the wrong handicap (too high or too low) please contact Will in the office and they will look into your form and reasons for the adjustment.
This Sunday we have a mixed foursome and we are hoping for some nice weather. However, please note that the kitchen have an amazing offer as they have a one course carvery for just £4.95 and would welcome all players and members to come and enjoy a smashing lunch at the club.
On Saturday 13th February the club is running a Valentine’s Night Dinner. Now then, men. Get your brownie points in early and book up now. As usual the clubhouse will be decorated beautifully giving a truly romantic experience. Come on everyone, support YOUR club and put your name down.
Speaking to club secretary Will Hendry, the club is in the process of putting all club competition result and handicap lists onto the Stover Golf Club website. At the moment it is in a trial period under club news (ie this page which will be renamed 'Members', and will roll out in the next few weeks (see above)!.
Thursday 5th November
Last weekend we had the annual presentation evening. Each year I think it is nice to see all of the trophies out on display andwhen I see a trophy that I won umpteen years ago, it brings back some good memories.
Quite a few familiar faces collected some of the major trophies. However, it was nice to see some new members and new faces collecting the spoils. I have a small selection of prize winners below, however in due course I shall publish all the winners on my website.
The weather on Sunday was awful and the club competition was cancelled. However, on Saturday the second winter league took place and Neil Hayman and Del Boy Ellis romped home in first place (Neil is the man in form at present and is often in the frame). Well done to both of you. However, it was good to see Steve Henson and Richard Loughton in second place, as Steve has not played for about 5 months after a hip operation – he was not even sure that he would finish the round. Good for you, Steve, and it’s good to have you out plying again! Roger Fyfe and Andy Carpenter came in third with Jason Hampton and Andy Beazley in fourth place.
With the rotten weather and colder temperatures, it is easy to pack away the clubs at this time of the year. But Stover Golf Club is a far better winter course than it used to be, the drainage is much better and we use temporary greens a lot less. So keep your game in shape, wrap up warm and I’ll look forward to seeing you out on the course.
Monday 7th September
The JAHD Trophy was an eighteen hole Stableford competition off full handicap played in three sections. These were ladies, juniors and men with three prizes being awarded for the first two categories and four in the men's. The ladies’ category was won by Sally Hicks-Beach with thirty eight points. Second place went to Lesley Pascoe with thirty six points beating Jackie Carr on countback. First place in the junior section went to Ryan Stevenson with thirty eight points. This total was also shared by both Alex Webb and James Parker, who finished second and third respectively on countback.
Ryan Stevenson
John Bailey and Sally Hicks-Beach
The men's section was won by John Pitts, who also scored thirty eight points with Tony Lloyd losing out on countback. Third place went to Richard Pascoe and fourth to Clive Hutchings, who both finished on thirty six points. With a total of six players finishing on thirty eight points, the overall winner of the JAHD trophy, with the best back nine, was Ryan Stevenson. Four of the top six places were filled by juniors, which underlines Stover's present strength in this department, having recently won the local junior South Devon League.
Last Wednesday Jason Fullard and his Stover team including Martin Wright, Andy Moore and Chris O’Brien managed to win the Torquay Pro Am. Playing in the morning they managed to miss the rain and they posted a solid 10 under par, which remained unbeaten throughout the day.
After the course maintenance week the course is in pretty good condition and considering the solid coring of the greens, they are putting quite well.
Late News
Unfortunately the ladies’ Still Cup team got beaten in the semi-finals at Dawlish Warren. Well done, ladies, for getting to the final full report next time.
Monday 24th August 2009
Junior Open - 2009
This years Junior Open and Daily Telegraph Qualifier took place on Friday 21st August. Pictured above are the Prize Winners.
From Left to Right:
Thursday 6th August 2009
DCGU Dartmoor Trophy - Ladies Championships
The weather over the past week has been shocking! However Stover was proud to be host to the Dartmoor Trophy last Thursday. As a club we are not on the DCGU Rota very often and it was great to showcase our course and facilities to golfers across the south west. The event is for single figure golfers aged over 35. Former Stover member Graham Ruth pipped our very own Jason Hampton for the trophy (hard to believe that Jason is over 35!)
The Ladies’ Section at Stover was well supported when they played their Club Championships; over 36 holes on Ladies’ Day this year unlike the previous few years when it was played over 2 days at a weekend. The weather for the day was exceptional as there were no rain showers! The course for the day was in excellent condition, making the day very successful for some of the participants. This year Nikki Kedge edged out Jo Hicks Beach with two solid rounds of 81.
The Club Championship Salver was won by Nikki Kedge off a 6 handicap with a gross 162 over the 36 holes. The runner up to scratch was Jo Hicks-Beach off 2 handicap with a gross 164 and won the Molly Prowse Plate. Third scratch was Sarah Hoff off 5 handicap with a gross 167.
1st Net (over 36 holes) was won by Ann-Marie Cleave (18) with 145 who received The Handicap Salver. 2nd Net was Annette Haigh (9) with 153. 3rd Net was Ladies’ Competition Secretary Angie Hickey (12) also with 153 over the 36 holes.
The best 1st round scratch score was Sally Hicks-Beach (9) and the best 2nd round scratch score was Betty Pledger (17). The Silver Eclectic winner was Hilary Richards (17) with 68 and the Bronze Eclectic winner was Anne Greenwell(23) with 65.
Thursday 11th June 2009
Captains Weekend
Last weekend Club Captain hosted his Captain’s Day and despite the rotten weather on Saturday it remained a huge success. On the Saturday the ladies and juniors played and the juniors managed to play the full 18 holes before the heavens opened. However, the course became unplayable for the ladies, which resulted in the competition being reduced to just nine holes. The men’s event was on Sunday and the previous evening there were thoughts about postponing the event due to the course being unplayable, however the 178 competitors did not get a drop of rain and the course played superbly.
John Bailey hosted the day superbly offering his wit and a small tipple after nine holes and the clubhouse was packed to support John Bailey and plenty of money was raised for the Captain’s charity. Many thanks to all that supported the day and well done John for all your efforts.
The main prize winners on the day were:
Men’s Individual = Jonathan Young
Men’s Team = Alan Hartigan, Michael Clare and Keith Forsyth
Ladies’ Individual = Candice Armitage
Ladies’ Team = Glynn Harrison, Liz Payne and Candice Armitage
Junior Individual = Ryan Wheeler
