June 2013 Number 259

MELTHAM GOLF CLUB BULLETIN

Ashley Campbell Junior Captain 2013

Captain's Log From the Starship Meltham Golf Club.

We are just leaving the Galaxy of May and entering the Galaxy of June...

As most of you are now aware we have terminated the contract of the caterers, I would like to add that this has been with more or less the full backing of the membership, although there has been a few negative responses to the decision. However, C'est La Vie, we move on. On a more positive note, we have interviewed three candidates for the position, all promising and a decision will be made as soon as possible.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Denise Mear who stepped in to help run the catering at short notice. Denise has undertaken all the catering commitments throughout May with outstanding success above and beyond the call of duty. She has worked tirelessly in the kitchen to clean and organise it back to full working order, to the point of where we may have had to tell her to take time out before she made herself ill, in the amount of work she was doing. I am sure the members will appreciate the work Denise has done and please take the opportunity to thank her when you see her. Also thank you to everyone who chipped in to help clean the kitchen areas.

Also I wish to thank Noel Gleeson for running the bar, organising the cellar, and helping the bar staff. Noel has been another unsung hero, please thank him when you see him.

As Captain of Meltham Golf Club, I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank John Dixon, Hon Secretary of the Club, for his tireless work and enthusiasm shown in all situations. Over the years, John has done above and beyond the call of duty in this position. All employed positions have to be filled through the Secretary from the cleaners to the professional which in- cludes hiring and firing which is not an easy task. At the end of the day, this po- sition is an honorarium, not a full-time one. This man is the cornerstone of this Club and gets little appreciation for his efforts.

Now golf news - in May, we welcomed twice the Veterans Ladies Golf Association who played their matchplay competition and team match against Northumberland. This was all done with the help of, Rosamund Lumb, who is this year's captain of the Yorkshire Veteran Ladies well done Rosamund and team. The Yorkshire team 5th Division championship was played here and we re- ceived excellent comments on our course and catering, it was nice to hear compliments again about our excellent facilities at Meltham.

It has been the golden age for winning this month, Dave and Peter Kelly, won the Fisher Cup Foursomes no-one can ever come back and say I cannot do 36 holes anymore I am too old! Clive (Karaoke) Jackson won the CH Watts all carrying the flag for the golden oldies.

However, youth came through with Charles Taylor and partner winning the Mens' Invitation and James Fish winning the New Victory Cup.

Millenium Trophy was won by Andrew Fretwell this was held on a Sunday and was open to all members so well done Andrew.

Well done to all the winners.

The team matches are now in full swing, I watched the juniors play against and how refreshing it was to see young men not messing about but playing good golf and good camaraderie between them. They all enjoyed a meal and made their speeches, well done boys.

I hope to watch all teams at some point in the season.

Captain's team matches - we have a big match coming up against Crosland Heath and I do know they have recruited a very strong team to visit us. Players who have not played for years in their team matches are playing. We need a strong team out against them so let Norman know you are available. We have not won the Sykes Cup (this is the trophy we play for against Crosland Heath) for a few years now, so all you established players get your names down. We have had a good response for the matches, new players are starting to come forward, so a big thank you for supporting them. To all new members, and dormant ones, come along and enjoy a round of golf at other courses followed by a light meal and a beer.

Captains Trio The first of our charity nights the 'Race Night' was a great success with over 90 people attending and helping to raise funds for our chosen charities. We will give the exact figure when all totals have been sorted out. We would like to give a big thanks to Meltham Lodge for their help and generosity in running and helping us on the night. The Social Committee for their tireless work and help on the night. Special thanks to compere Chris Breslin and bookies runners John and Anne Szlachcic. But most of all to all members and friends who came and supported the night and a big thanks to all who sponsored the horses.

Simon, our professional, sponsored a team for The Children’s Forget Me Not Trust which is one of our charities at Fixby which was enjoyed by all of us. Many thanks to Simon for this gesture. We also enjoyed a splendid meal with our wives to round of the day.

We will be selecting three bunkers on the course for our charities, we hope you will all support the causes.

We look forward to seeing you at our next event which will be advertised in the coming weeks.

Before I sign off this month's log, a special thought to one of our hard working stalwart members, Phil Walton, who is going through a tough time at this moment, I am sure you will be back amongst us shortly. So get well soon Phil from everyone at the Club.

Captain's log signing off see you in the next Galaxy.

Richard Johnstone Captain Dear Members

Sweepstakes

Thank you to all who took part in the player Sweepstake, congratulations to Phil Sagar, the first time Tiger Woods has actually come good in any of these sweeps. The US open sweep will be coming soon, please look out for details on the notice board.

Pro/Challenge Matches

As we did last year we will be running several Pro challenge matches with The Captain, Lady Captain the Seniors and the Rabbits. Each match will have a £5 wager per player and that money goes onto your pro shop account, if you beat me I will add another £5 to your account. If you don’t then you still have the £5 you put in…. so really you can’t lose!! Sign-up sheets on the notice boards, Dates below:

Seniors: (all 10am approx.) Thurs 30th May Thurs 20th June Thurs 18th July Thurs 8th August Thurs12th September

Rabbits: (all 5pm approx.) Wed 5th June Wed 19th June Wed 3rd July Wed 21st August Wed 4th September

Captain/Pro: (all 5pm approx.) Thurs 27th June Wed 17th July Wed 31st July Wed 11th September Wed 18th September Ladies (all 10am approx.) Friday 24th May Friday 7th June Friday 26th July Friday 30th August Friday 13th September I look forward to seeing you out on the course!

Order of Merit Lastly, we will be running an order of merit for the men’s section for all money won during club competitions in 2013. This will include, weekly Saturday competitions, club open competitions, and Tuesday pro’s comps. The leader board will be posted weekly on the pro’s notice board, with prizes being given to the top 3 at the end of the year.

Simon Professional

MELTHAM JUNIOR SECTION

If you land in the bunker on the 3rd, 8th or 14th please put 50p in the bottle on the bar to help the Trio of Captains charities Ladies News Hi Ladies I would like to start by saying a huge thank you to Denise Mear who stepped in to help out with our recent catering issues. I’m sure you will all agree she has done an outstanding job. Thank you for all your help Denise!! I would like to thank all the other ladies who helped Denise in the kitchen also.

The beginning of May went very well with the YVLGA Championships and the weather was beautiful.

3rd May B team away Woodsome 7 Meltham 0 5th May medal 6 was won by Debbie Berry 99-33=66 8th May medal 7 & CH Watts was won by Denise Mear 93-23=70 net 10th May B team Sitwell Park away - draw 14th May YVLGA 7 Northumberland 0 15th May Ping 4 BBB postponed until 16th June 17th May A team Sitwell Park away 20th May Hornsea home 6/1

Ladies Mixed Open am am (thank you to Sue Whittaker for organising such a lovely day). Winners were Andrew Passmore, Patricia Passmore, Chris Hodson and Karen Payne - 86 points from Rossendale Golf Club

Lady Vice Captains Day was enjoyed by all who played (thank you again to Sue Whittaker for a lovely day and evening). Winners won with 82 points - Pat Smith, M Bottomore, and Mary Shawley

Ladies Open am am – due to the unfortunate weather conditions some of the ladies came off the course. The winners were: 1st Val Marshall, Sue Whittaker, S McFadzean, J Teale 142 2nd J Crosby, S McMahon, M Fowler and D Szwedzinski 155 all from Hickleton gc 3rd M Shaw, S Guest, G Fearmley and R Wilson 157 Nearest the pin Rhoda James 3ft 9inches 2s competition Elayne Wears-Taylor from Wath on Deame Mr Captain, Mr Rabbit Captain, Simon and myself played at golf club unfortunately we failed to win but a great day was had by all. Let’s hope the weather picks up in June

Dear Ladies,

Hopefully the bunker tips helped, here are some key putting tips, hope they help too!

1. Palm to palm grip Dangle your arms in front of you and clap your hands together with palms facing, before gripping the handle of the putter softly. Ensure the back of the left hand follows through on the line on which you want the ball to roll. 2. Ball between the eyes Most good putters have their eyes over the ball. In practice take your stance and address and drop a ball from between your eyes. In the correct position the ball should fall on top of the club head. 3. Short range practice On the practice green concentrate on good technique and consistency by holing a succession of four-footers. It will give you confidence in hearing the ball rattle into the cup rather than randomly firing long-range putts that never go in and ruin your focus.

Elaine Schofield

Lady Captain Rabbits News

May has been a very busy month! Our Meltham team turned out at OGDEN for the HHDRGA Presidents day on a wet / windy and grim Friday. Those who played in the morning, came in proper drowned! SOME (Binnsey being one of them! – Didn’t even finish!!!) Consequently our team score was one best forgotten. On an individual basis RON, (Wearing Peter Storm) Mellor, managed to brave the elements, scoring on all holes and coming in to finish 3rd in the days individual event. Well done Ron.

I was invited to play for the HHDRGA area team match v at . A similar day to Ogden – wet, wild & windy - (At similar altitude!!) I managed to cling onto the hillside and get a win, though the team had to accept defeat on the day.

AGAIN - Many, many, thanks to Ron Mellor, Vice Rabbit captain, for organising the friendly fixtures. Ron is ensuring any new Rabbit members are getting to play these fixtures. To date I believe we have played 25 different Rabbit members! – Keep your eye on the notice board for the forthcoming fixtures.

Those Rabbits who have entered the Area competition are generally doing very well, with the exception of myself, losing in the R T Morley. Keep it up and I believe a couple of you will go far in these comps. Let’s get someone picking some silverware at the presentation dinner!

NEW RABBITS T SHIRTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE PRO SHOP – See Simon.

EVENTS / DATES FOR THE DIARY :

Rabbits v Pro Challenge – see notice board Rabbits Centenary Trophy 16th June Rabbits v Ladies 30th June – see notice board in entrance Rabbits OPEN 7th July – Get your names down and invite a guest (See Edwin Mitchell for further details)

Keep going with the individual and Greensomes competitions. Get all fixtures played by the correct date. Exceptional circumstances will be given slight flexibility!!! The Buck Rabbit update will be on the notice board soon.

Rob Berry Rabbit Captain YVLGA CHAMPIONSHIPS

I would like to express my thanks to Meltham Golf Club for hosting the YVLGA Championships this year. Thank you to all members who gave up their playing time and special thanks to all those who assisted me in running the three days of competition. Our Lady Captain Elaine was in support every step of the way and her team of volunteer spotters and caddies and meeters and greeters all helped to create a very happy atmosphere that all our visitors appreciated. My thanks to our President, Ron, for his help with the car parking. To Chris Naylor for help as a starter and to Mr Captain, Richard Johnstone, for his help in refereeing the final on Thursday.

We were blessed with three dry sunny days which I am sure the course staff were grateful for. The course was presented beautifully and all the competitors had high praise for their efforts.

The eventual Champion was Pat Wrightson of Huddersfield G.C. who triumphed over Carol Simpson of Malton & Norton G.C. Carol won the best gross on the qualifying day but Pat proved what a competitor she is by winning the championship for the seventh time (not quite in seven years)

The knowledge gained in the three days of the championship was put to good use by my chosen team in our first county match two weeks later against Northumberland. Yorkshire won 7 matches to nil. Thank you to those ladies who caddied and came to support the team.

Ros Lumb

Captain YVLGA 2013

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

SUMMER BALL SATURDAY 6TH JULY

ENTERTAINMENT BY

CRAIG WILLIAMS

MR PRESIDENTS PRIZE SATURDAY 27TH JULY

ENTERTAINMENT BY SAUL

JUNE DIARY

Sat 1 Medal Cheese & Wine Tasting Sun 2 Invitation Mixed Greensomes Tue 4 Rabbits Friendly V Marsden Tee 4.30—5.15pm Social Bridge Wed 5 Medal 8 & Medal Winners Brooch Thu 6 BMW Golf Day Shotgun Start 1.00pm Scratch Team V Huddersfield Tee 5.30—6.15pm Sat 8 Centenary Salver Sun 9 Ladies Medal 9 Yorkshire Junior Girls Tee 2.00—3.00pm Mon 10 Ladies A Team V Hessle Tee 1.15—2.00pm Tue 11 Mid Week Medal Rabbits Friendly V Tee 4.30—5.15pm Wed 12 Gladys Sykes Cup Thu 13 Probus Carvery 12.00noon Ladies B Team V Sitwell Park Tee 1.30—2.00pm Captains Team Match V Crosland Heath Tee 5.15—6.15pm Fri 14 Senior League V Bradley Park Tee 11.00am—12.00 Friday 4’s Sat 15 Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Tri-am Sun 16 Rabbits Centenary Trophy Mr Morelli Meal 12.30—6.00pm Mon 17 Ladies Scratch Team V Tee 1.15—2.00pm Tue 18 Rabbits Friendly V Crosland Heath Tee 4.30—5.15pm Social Bridge Wed 19 Lady Captains 1st Round & Medal 10 Mr Tinker—Carvery 12.00—6.00pm Thu 20 Scratch Team V West End Tee 5.00—6.15pm Handicap Team V Halifax Tee 5.30—6.30pm Fri 21 COURSE CLOSED M Latham Carvery 7.00pm Sat 22 Meltham Trophy Sun 23 Union V Tee 9.00—11.30am & 1.00—3.30pm Steph Horne Carvery 12.00noon Mon 24 Ladies Scratch Team V Pannal Tee 1.15—2.00pm Tue 25 Ladies B Team V Sitwell Park Tee 1.15—2.00pm Rabbits Friendly V Longley Park Tee 4.30—5.15pm Wed 26 Lady Captains 2nd Round Handicap Team V West End Tee 5.00—6.15pm Thu 27 Ladies B Team V Woodsome Hall Tee 2.00—2.45pm Fri 28 V/P New Inn G/S Tee 10.30—11.30am Ladies A Team V Woodsome Hall Tee 1.15—2.00pm Junior League V Huddersfield Tee 5.00—6.15pm Sat 29 Jubilee Trophy Sun 30 Rabbits V Ladies Tee 9.00—12.00noon