2010-2011 - The BRIAN BALSDON AGE.

"A great day, one I shall remember" – the words of Brian Balsdon, Seniors Captain  describing his Away Day at Honiton Golf Club on Thursday 29 September 2011.

Brian once again arranged beautiful sunshine for a major event in the seniors’ calendar and fifty four members enjoyed an excellent day. Teams of three, drawn by ballot, competed on the well manicured Honiton course. The format brought together players of different handicap ranges and new friendships were forged – in most cases! The teams met with varying degrees of fortune and the golf provided the basis for plenty of conversation at the dinner table.

Michael Goodrich, Bill Webb and the beaming Philip Westwell amassed 78 points to win the Murray Park Cup. Eric Welsh, Gerry Beadle, Trevor Ashforth (76 points), Paul Adams, Eric Baines, Don McKnight (75 points) and Rob Corbett, Peter Gillies, Joe Foweraker (71 points) occupied the minor positions but a share of the major bragging rights.

Brian Passmore used his short game skills to win the ‘nearest the pin’ contest with a superb shot to the second hole. Bob Coles muscled his tee shot on the eighteenth straighter than most. Numerous golf balls of a variety guaranteed to enable him to strike the ball even further in the future were the reward for the Longest Drive.

Brian thanked his helpers and everyone for supporting the day in his usual humorous way and skilfully ensured his team did not appear amongst the prize winners.

Honiton Golf Club has a catering reputation second to none and again delighted everyone with the quality and variety of the cuisine. All except the drivers sampled the local alcoholic beverages and safely returned to base after a highly enjoyable day. 

Trevor Sparkes, ...your Roving Reporter

 (If you really feel the need - clicking the picture will give a larger image!

This increasingly popular event was held on Thursday 1 September and the Seniors Captain had graciously arranged a beautiful summer’s day for all players. With the course in excellent condition good scores were expected for the Four Ball Better Ball format which was played off three quarters handicap. The Organisers were not disappointed.

Brian Balsdon, Seniors Captain, thanked all the competitors for taking part and presented first prize to Eric Welsh and his partner R.Botting (Dainton Park). Their 44 points narrowly outscored Trevor Sparkes and partner Rob Fairclough (Exeter) who took second place on count back with 43 points from John Phillips and S.Lewis (Okehampton). Club Chairman Terry Steer partnered by S.Lock (Worlebury) 42 points completed the prize list with the addition of ‘Nearest the Pin’ for Philip Bradford. Prize giving was attended by all the winners and the happy atmosphere in the Clubhouse was an indication that a good day was enjoyed by all.

Trevor Sparkes, ...your Roving Reporter

Seniors Summer Competition Thursday 18 August

The early competitors in the Seniors Summer Competition on Thursday 18^th August were greeted by heavy rain more reminiscent of Tuesdays, Ladies Days.

The weather dissuaded some entrants from playing at all and others abandoned their attempts at an early stage. However, the hardier persevered and were rewarded with a typical English Summers day – slight drizzle and grey skies!

The winner of the Alan Dale Trophy, Larry St.Croix , recorded a commendable 39 points. The members were pleased to see Alan present the trophy to the over all winner.

 The Seniors Captain, Brian Balsdon, somehow accumulated 38 points and congratulated the winner with slightly mixed feelings. Brian’s excellent score was rewarded with first position in Division 1, handicaps 0 to 17, from Richard Hutchings and Mike Tonkiss both with 36 points.

In Division 2, handicaps 18 and above, leader Brian Stanyer (34 points) overcame a close challenge from Professor Joe Foweraker and Peter Cross (32 points each).

Trevor Sparkes carried off the over 70 prize (34 points) and John Leeding walked away with a bottle of wine for nearest the pin on the 11^th. hole.

The prize winners will all happily talk you through their rounds over a pint.

A good day enjoyed by all (well most).  

Trevor Sparkes, ...your Roving Reporter

The Emerton Court team bowed out of the 2011 competition to strong Yelverton opposition. A stirling home display was not enough to overcome a crushing 5 matches to nil defeat at Yelerton. We wish our opponents every success in the future matches.

Congratulations are due to all players for the skill and enthusiasm displayed and let us hope we can lift the trophy next year.

Trevor Sparkes, ...your Roving Reporter

The golf course in perfect condition, a full house of 200 golfers, a happy band of volunteers greeting the players with smiling faces, good food and company and fine weather all combined to make the  TORQUAY GOLF CLUB SENIORS OPEN a huge success.

Thursday 21 July 2011 started early and a fine array of valuable and acceptable prizes was soon on display encouraging the competitors to raise their games. This, of course, had the desired effect in some cases and proved too much for others. However, all eventually completed the Four Ball Better Ball competition, some more rapidly than others.

Brian Balsdon, our beaming Seniors Captain presented the John Brooks Trophy to Torquay members Keith Sutton and his accomplice, the evergreen Charlie Carter. An impressive 46 points just pipped Eric Welsh and Rod Fothergill on count back. These fine golfers continue to grace the fairways with a mixture of excellent golf and unique senses of humour.

Prizes were awarded to Torquay players and visitors proportionately and other winners are detailed below.

The Captains Raffle, with prizes contributed by club members, raised an excellent £380 for Rowcroft Hospice and Brian expressed his thanks to all concerned.

This popular event receives great support and many returning visitors help to create the enjoyable atmosphere making this a special day in the Club's calendar.

Prize Winners_______________________________

Overall - John Brooks Trophy

Keith Sutton and Charlie Carter - Torquay GC

Visitors - N.Baverstock/T.Landau (Teign Valley) 43 points, R.Stubbles/G.James (Staddon Heights) 42 points on count back. D.Giles/N.Greenland (Dartmouth) 42 points. P.Tregellis/G.Midgley (Teign Valley) 41 points on count back from D.Jones/G.Howe (Okehampton) and S.Stevenson/J.Faulkner (Weymouth).

J.Leonard/G.Howes (Okehampton) 40 points on count back from C.Barnes/D.Jones (Churston)

Torquay - E.Welsh/R.Fothergill 46 points. KD Sutton/P.Gillies 44 points on count back from D.Needham/R.Hele. P.Nix/D.Jones 43 points.A.Bastow/G.Bicknell 42 points from P.Keen/M.Ellison. R.Files/B.Passmore 41 points.  

Seniors update: 10 July 2011

CONGRATULATIONS !

This is a good time to congratulate members of the Seniors section.

Survivors of the early rounds in the Individual and Pairs KO competitions.

Victorious pairings in the many team matches.

The Emerton Court team on progressing to the latter stages of the competition.

The Seniors Captain for reducing his handicap - an achievement thought unlikely by many discerning and knowledgeable golfers.

The winners of the Teignmouth Seniors Salver - an Open event won by the two pairings of Barry Long partnered by Paul Keen and Don McKnight, partner Peter Williams. The combined total of 85 Stableford points was enough to win by one point. The Salver now resides proudly in the Torquay Golf Club trophy cabinet and each of the four members are considerably more wealthy.

ERNIE PRYCE for his magnificent win in the Centenary Cup.

His fine net 64 propelled Ernie to the top of the list, ousting some of the clubs finest golfers in the process. We feel sure Ernie will be happy to give a Masterclass to anyone wishing to emulate his style and grace on the golf course or alternatively talk you through his round - yes - shot by shot !!

All Seniors will monitor future progress off your greatly reduced handicap with interest, Ernie,  particularly your early morning chums.

Hopefully we will be celebrating a 'Home' win in our Seniors Open on 21 July but, more importantly, a fine and happy day for all the 200 entrants. 

Trevor Sparkes, ...your Roving Reporter

EMERTON COURT NEWS

The Torquay Golf Club Emerton Court team, secured a four matches to one lead to at home to Dainton a couple of weeks ago despite the absence of their Captain. Local knowledge enabled the home players to gain an important advantage prior to the return match at Dainton. A hard fought 3 matches to 2 victory was secured away and Torquay progress to the next round. Seniors Captain, Brian Balsdon, having returned to the UK, will be adding his substantial support to the team in their quest for the Trophy.

THE SENIORS OPEN IS NOW COMPLETELY FULL !!

Excellent support from visitors and members has resulted in a field of 100 pairs competing for the John Brooks Trophy on Thursday 21 July. Hopefully the sun will shine and the competitors enjoy the day.

Please enter your names on the Reserve List if you have missed the opportunity to enter this popular event

Trevor Sparkes, ...your Roving Reporter

EMERTON COURT NEWS

The Torquay Golf Club "Emerton Court team", again led by Michael Goodrich, secured a four matches to one lead to at home to Teign Valley a couple of weeks ago. Local knowledge enabled the home players to gain an important advantage prior to the return match at Teign Valley. Experience of playing the course on a regular basis usually gives the home team an edge and Torquay  certainly needed this margin when playing away on Tuesday 19 April.

The leading pair of Michael Goodrich and Rob Corbett secured a valuable point to leave Torquay needing a further half point to win the match over all.

Losses in the next three games left the final result in the balance. Eventually the considerable experience of Charlie Carter and his younger companion, Keith Sutton, gained the necessary half to ensure the narrowest of victories for the team.

Good luck to the team for the next and, hopefully, future matches.

Trevor Sparkes, ...your Roving Reporter

 SENIORS CAPTAIN AWAY DAY

and look forward to receiving your support at this popular  course with excellent food.

I will let you know full details later in the year ---------Brian Balsdon, Seniors Captain

Please note that the list is now full.

Add your name to the Reserve list in case of cancellations.

TORQUAY GOLF CLUB SENIORS OPEN - THURSDAY 21 JULY 2011.

The poster and entry forms are now available to download on the Club website in the 'Opens' section.

The format and entry fees are the same as previous years and you are invited to enter this popular event at an early date to enable a tee reservation matching or close to your preferred time.

We are already receiving interest from visitors and the most popular times will soon be taken.

TIMES ARE ALLOCATED ON A 'FIRST RECEIVED AND PAID BASIS'

The excellent and valuable prizes are awarded  proportionately between member and visitor pairings.

Home players in the fourball format are both required to be male members of Torquay Golf Club over 60 years of age.

Please remember....

Cheques payable to 'TORQUAY GOLF CLUB SENIORS SECTION'

Seniors Bottle Competition

The frost abated, the snow held off, main greens miraculously awaited and a full field of intrepid Seniors optimistically set forth in their quest to win a coveted bottle of liquid refreshment.

Rob Lovering, Seniors Treasurer, conjured a fine selection of prizes from the entry fees and the players compiled respectable scores from the 16 hole Fourball Better Ball format. We are pleased to report the safe return, during daylight hours, of all contestants.

Brian Balsdon, Seniors Captain, presented the prizes with his fine sense of humour after reporting on members unable to play due to incapacity. All members sent their best wishes to temporarily absent friends.

The leader board had a familiar ring about it with many of the usual suspects picking up the most valuable prizes. Eric Welsh accompanied by the quiet and ever modest Rod Fothergill claiming first place with 42 points closely followed by, would you believe, Charlie Carter and his assistant Keith Sutton (41 points) on countback from the inspired pairing of Geoff Bates and Bill Walsh.

An excellent day was enjoyed by all with the non winners now needing to visit the local wine store to stock up with the alcohol they were hoping to win.

BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A HEALTHY NEW YEAR.

Trevor Sparkes, ...your Roving Reporter