News

Hi All,

I have put the Seniors Winter Stableford no 4 on to HOWDIDIDO for you to sign up. It is on WEDNESDAY 6th JANUARY. Due to groundworks on the course in January it is unlikely to be a qualifying event but it will count in the Bob Chapman Trophy for the best 3 of the six winter stablefords.  There will of course be prizes and a 2s competition as usual. The entry list will close on Friday 1st of January and I will do the draw then.

ROLL UPS will continue on Mondays in January. The list for Monday 4th January is up on the website. Remember the BRS bookings open two weeks ahead now so it won't be long before we will be booking for the 4th January.

Due to the Covid crisis we have not really celebrated the winners of the Summer knockout competition as we would normally present the Jim Sparkes Trophy at the Christmas Lunch. So many congratulations to :

TONY DIGBY the winner this year and to KEVIN KENNEDY the runner up.

It looks unlikely we will be able to have the usual AGM at the end of February 2021. It will have to be a virtual event instead. Ian will be setting up a section of the website where the various reports and papers will be placed in the middle of January so look out for these as they are completed by the post holders.

It only remains for me to thank The Captain, Russell, my fellow committee members and all the members for their help and support in keeping a wide range of golfing events going this year despite the extreme difficulties of the COVID crisis. We have had exceptional levels of entries from the members for all the events we have put on and despite the obstacles put in front of us all the events have been very successful.

I hope you will have a safe and happy Christmas and look forward to a better 2021.

regards,

Robin

All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf Concedes Golf will be in lockdown from Thursday

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf has conceded that there is no more that can be done to persuade the Government to alter its position to allow golf to continue during the upcoming lockdown and the Government position will remain.

The Group’s Chair, North Warwickshire MP Craig Tracey, made the following statement ahead of legislation being introduced in the House of Commons to implement the month- long second lockdown:

“I am grateful to the industry bodies involved in the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf who have been as united in their pragmatic approach to this second lockdown as they were the first. Unfortunately, unlike the lockdown earlier this year, the Government has decided to take a different approach despite golf having demonstrated it can meet the necessary requirements of the upcoming lockdown to continue to be participated in safely.

“By playing in pairs, closing clubhouses and maintaining the socially distancing rule changes already implemented, the sport could continue to be enjoyed by the 3m participants across the country. When you look at the facts, it actual poses less risk than, say, walking with a friend, which is something people will be allowed to do, in closer proximity without the oversight that golf clubs provide.

“Obviously the Government has difficult decisions to make at this time but when you consider significant mental and physical health benefits of golf, and that it is a sport that is enjoyed by such a wide range of people, we are naturally disappointed they have taken the position that it has. There is still time for this to change and we remain available to all Ministers and Officials to explain how golf can be played under the upcoming Bill or to answer any questions they may have.

“I would also like to thank the golfers who signed the petition that will now be debated in Parliament, and those who contacted their Member of Parliament making clear the case for golf. Colleagues from across the political spectrum spoke to me about the volume of correspondence they received; it was a quite a monumental movement of people in a very short space of time, and it provided Members of Parliament, myself included, with necessary groundswell of support to make the case we did.

“As was made clear in our letter to the Prime Minister, the golf industry is convinced that golf can be played safely in these times, and all involved in the All-Party Parliamentary Group reiterate our pledge to work with government to provide it with the evidence it requires to allow golf to return.

“Industry members involved in the APPG met this morning to discuss what the steps the sports should take over the coming weeks to ensure it comes back in an even stronger position once it gets the green light to return. So, we look forward to welcoming golfers, old and new, back to the fairways once the measures are lifted, so they can all enjoy the significant benefits that playing golf brings”

Hi All,
Weather is looking better for the rest of the week. We had a good game today playing an 'Away Day' match. That is playing the Elsham course but scoring on a Cottingham GC card.
We have a number of events coming up to get yourself involved in :

1. The Veterans Trophy competition is on WED 5th AUGUST. This is a club competition for anyone over 60 years. It is filling up nicely with about 65 players entered so far. Last year we had 87 people in this match so we need a few more yet ! Enter on HOWDIDIDO. The list will close on Monday 3rd August and I will do the draw and publish it.
2. We have been invited to play an away match at Hessle on 10th AUGUST and Holme Hall on 26th AUGUST. These fixtures are virtually all that's left of our inter club matches we play in the summer. I think the team for Holme Hall has already been selected but the list for Hessle is still open. Look on the Seniors website under 'interclub matches' to sign up.
3. The Seniors 'Open' Competition is on MONDAY 7th SEPTEMBER. This match is usually well supported by our Senior Members but there arn't many seniors on it so far. It is £30 per pair (with a halfway house and good prizes). There are tee times available between 8.44 and 9.24 which I would like to fill up from our members if possible. I attach the entry form - the best way of entering is completing the form and ringing up the office to pay over the phone and posting your form in the office letter box.
   
4. Our first Autumn Texas Scramble will be at Cottingham on FRIDAY 4th September. We got a deal price last year which will be the same this year for two games (Cottingham and Skidby) for £40 including bacon bap at the beginning and one course meal at the end on both matches. (You can just do one if you want for £30). The Skidby match will be on 21st October. The entry will be on the Seniors Website next week so sign up for that.
5. Next week we will just be organising a 4 ball roll up on Monday entry as usual on the Seniors website . The draw will be done on FRIDAY AFTERNOON and you need to book it on Saturday at 7.00pm.

Thats all I can think of at the moment
Best wishes
Robin

Hi All

Well I suppose it was inevitable - the course and club at Elsham is closing this morninguntil further notice. We had just started getting the hang of 'social distancing' as well!

Despite the thrashing at the hands of Terry and Steve yesterday I really enjoyed our round and thanks to the hardy few who took part in the roll up yesterday. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, my lawn is just not good enough to practice any of my golf shots so I guess thats it for about 3 weeks at least.

The Committee have decided that the Doubles Knockout competition will be abandoned for this year and I will give you a refund at some point. We do want to continue with the Singles Competition but the first round will have to be postponed until we are back at the course. Also we have decided to cancel the Exchange Day with Wheatley this year.

A number of people have said that they do not think they have had a refund on the cards for the abandoned Winter Stableford no 6 on 27th Feb. I will take this up but probably not before the re-opening of the course (who knows when).

I hope you have plenty to do at home. I have never seen so many pristine and gleaming cars in the car park at Elsham yesterday. At least the weather is nice for this week so I will probably be cleaning my car again before the end of the week.

I wonder,  if I cut my lawn every day  would it be anywhere near an Elsham putting green - probably not.

Ian has put a new 'chat' feature onto the website. Give it a try - its quite easy to get started and is another way of keeping in touch during this period of confinement.

The main thing now is to keep yourself and your family safe. I am sure we will look back on this episode of our times as unbelievable - but it will pass and we will be back on the 1st tee before you know it.

Best wishes for better times,

Robin