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REPORTS

Captain:

Mike Boxall

CAPTAIN'S REPORT:

October 2009

Oh well summer's gone, what summer!!

At least September and October have been good.

Firstly, may I congratulate our Torbay Cup-winning team. It was a magnificent event played at Torquay at the beginning of August. The atmosphere and the camaraderie were first class between all the players and the supporters alike. It virtually went down to the last putt on the last green for Steve Thorne to bring home the trophy. Well done lads!

Congratulations to all the trophy winners who played on a great Finals Day in September, with lots of good golf and plenty of sunshine. I would like to thank Tony for all the hard work he put in to organising a well-run day and Sean for a wonderful BBQ to end the day.

The South Devon League season has finished and we didn't finish top. Thanks Bob Files for all the work you put in to running the team and playing so well yourself. I think changes are afoot for next year which may suit us better. Let’s hope so.

We had a truly brilliant time on my Captain's Away Day to Lostwithiel in Cornwall. I think I can say that all 32 of us had a magnificent time. I won't say any more as I adhere to the old adage from my rugby days "what happens on tour stays on tour”. Thanks to everyone for supporting me. Special thanks to my golf organiser Corby and the fines executives Graham Knight and Bob Coles. Churchy still thinks the fines went to my charity and I paid for all the wine.

Golf-wise it is winding down now, but we have good support for the Winter League. Please try and play all your matches, then this will be a success.

On the Centenary front we have the Centenary Ball at the Palace Hotel on 4 December and numbers are already looking good. Also there is the County Dinner on 21 November, I think at the Riviera Centre, where we will be presented with our Centenary Plate from the President of the English Golf Union. Good support for this from the members would be most welcome.

Let’s hope the weather keeps up to shorten the winter.

Mike Boxall

Centenary Captain, Torquay Golf Club

Chairman:

Alex Rowe

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

June 2009

With the golf season in full swing and the course now approaching its best, this is one of the most uplifting times of the year for me to be updating my report.

In spite of inclement winter weather and the continuing impact of the recession, I am pleased to say that the Club remains steadfastly on course to meet its budgetary targets, and whatever modest projects may arise for Board consideration I am sure these can be undertaken with confidence at the appropriate time.

The only concern looking forward is that the terms surrounding the Club’s lease are subject to review at the end of 2009 and I anticipate forthright negotiations between ourselves and our landlord – Torbay Council - as we seek agreement as to what constitutes a reasonable rent for the next five years.

This discussion inevitably opens the debate as to whether or not Torquay Golf Club should seek to purchase the freehold or a long lease over the land and I would like to reassure members that this matter remains a permanent item on the Board’s agenda and is subject to annual review.

At the time of writing we are now well into the second quarter of our Centenary year and it is particularly gratifying to see both the course and Clubhouse used to their full extent. This is a great compliment to those responsible for producing quality services and products for our members and visitors, bodes well as we set our stall out for the next hundred years and is the envy of many other golf clubs both locally and further afield.

Enjoy the rest of the golfing season and please support our Centenary competitions and events when you can.

Alex Rowe,

Chairman

Secretary Manager:

Tony Fensom

SECRETARY’S REPORT

February 2010

The Final Chapter

You might not believe this but I write this report on a day when it is not raining, snowing, frosty or even cold, so you never know spring may only just be around the corner and everyone will once again be back out on the course.

I am sure that most of you are aware that this is my final report as I will be leaving Torquay at the end of February. During my three and half years at the Club I hope that I have made a positive contribution both financially and socially. From taking over a difficult financial position we now have a very healthy reserve fund and you will see from the year end accounts we have produced an excellent profit in a very difficult financial climate. In saying that we have not stood still; many projects have been completed i.e. new lockers and refurbished men’s locker room, refurbishment of the Club’s lounge, tarmac paths around the course, alterations to the 8th hole, many other course improvements and we have continued to invest in course machinery. All the mentioned projects have been paid for in full; we have not entered into any credit arrangements.

Socially I have made many friends and I will miss my regular debates in the bar on a Friday and Saturday evening, it’s hard to believe that we are all experts on so many subjects.

I would like to thank all the Board members I have worked with for their support and the good wishes they have given to Dena and myself for the future. I hope that members will remember that Board members give their time freely and always try to do what is best for the Club. I feel they receive very little credit for the work they carry out.

I have been very lucky to work with excellent Ladies, Seniors and Junior Committees. They run their sections extremely well and ask for little assistance from the office. I wish them continued success in the future.

I thank all the members who have supported me and trust your drives are long and straight; to the others please remember to shout FORE.

Finally I would like to thank all the staff for their support and assistance especially Diane in the office.

Tony Fensom

Secretary Manager

Green:

John Churchward

GREEN REPORT

May 2009

My name is John Churchward and I am the Chairman of the Green sub-committee.

For the 2009/10 season I am supported on my Committee by a very good cross section of members. Richard Crook and Rob Corbett, both low handicap golfers, Bob Files who brings the views of the more ‘mature’ golfer, Joy Praill will represent the ladies’ views and more importantly support our budget when it goes before her Finance Committee. As always the Chairman and Captain are welcome to sit in and hear the debates.

Our intention is to try and ensure the course is in the best possible condition for members and visitors throughout the year.

The cold start to the year has certainly not encouraged growth and it is fair to say the greens have been disappointing through much of March and April. However, steps have already been taken to improve the putting surface and I am sure the results will be showing through by early May.

The new 17th tee is in play and the general view is positive, although my personal view is that it still plays too long.

The ditch on the first has been successful in draining what was a very wet area. It has now been brought into play with no more free drops out of it. I apologise to those players, like myself, who find that area a magnet for our first tee shot.

One contentious issue with some members is the alterations to the 8th hole. I would certainly agree that it has not given the hoped-for view of the 9th tee and fairway. However, I still think that the hole has improved with the visual approach to the green and new bunkering. It is the Committee’s ongoing brief to monitor the 8th and look at ways to improve it in future years.

Another area we are trying to improve is ensuring that members are kept up to date with any course information. In return I will always welcome members’ feedback on various issues as long as it is after my game of golf, not when I am playing.

My affection for the ladies is well known and as always the Committee will ensure their views are discussed and acted upon if possible.

Finally in this our Centenary year I wish all members and visitors a very enjoyable year on a lovely golf course. Please help us to keep it in the condition we would all like – replace divots, repair pitch marks, rake bunkers and keep the Chairman of Green happy with quality wine.

John Churchward

Director & Green Chairman

House:

Mark Jeffery

HOUSE REPORT

May 2009

Mark Jeffery

House Committee Chairman

Centenary chairman

Mike Boxall

CENTENARY COMMITTEE REPORT

May 2009

The Centenary Year is now well under way and everyone has joined into the spirit of things.

The official Drive-in on 7 March was very successful and we were indeed honoured to have Cllr Michael Hytche, Chairman of Torbay Council and his wife Elizabeth, with us to take part in the Centenary flag-raising ceremony.

Pictures of the events can be found on the Centenary News page of this website which will be updated as the year unfolds.

The Centenary Year golfing competitions are all arranged are are filling up quite quickly. Members and visitors who wish to play in these events should visit Centenary Year Open Events to avoid disappointment.

Mike Boxall

Captain & Centenary Committee Chairman

Finance:

Joy Praill

FINANCE REPORT

October 2009

We continue to operate within tight financial restraints but are still on target to achieve the budgeted profit for the year. On the plus side we have progressed well throughout the year, managing to keep the same number of staff who are a great asset to us, and with prudent cost control we have increased the profit in some areas.

By now you should have received your new subscription notice for year 2009/2010. As you will see there will be no increase in subscriptions.

The Finance Committee’s recommendation to the Board for this year was not to raise the level of Club subscription in this time of hardship for a large number of our members. We would have felt uncomfortable posting moderate profits and increasing our subscription. However this was a difficult decision to make and not without taking a small element of risk, but the Club is in a strong financial position. We have about the level of reserves that would seem appropriate for a club of this size and it was felt that we could hold the subscriptions for this year, even with an increase in our rent.

Joy Praill

Finance Committee Chairman

Sheelagh Dean

Ladies' Captain

Ladies’ Captain’s Report

January 2010

I hope that you all managed to enjoy both your Christmas and New Year celebrations and trust that you survived not only the excesses of the festive season without too much discomfort, but have also survived the excesses of the recent winter weather conditions in one piece.

I find it hard to believe that our Centenary year is now at an end - where did the last year go? In fact where did the last ten years go? It seems no time since we were ushering in a new millennium and here we are at the beginning of a new decade. However, before we start looking ahead into the New Year how did the old one end?

The annual team teas get together took place on Friday 6^th November. This is the occasion when all those who play for the Club during the year in the Still, President’s and Creasy teams round off the season by playing golf and then having tea with their team mates and all those who have caddied for them in their matches against other clubs. It is a means by which the Ladies’ Captain can say thank you to everyone involved for all their efforts. Originally this event was scheduled for Friday 2^nd October but it had to be altered to the new date for various reasons, which meant that only eighteen ladies were available to play in a three ball stableford team event, (full handicap, two scores to count) each team being comprised of one Still, one President’s and one Creasy player. Maxine Adams, Val Atkinson and Nicole Simonetti came in with the winning score of seventy six points.

On 10^th November the Tuesday competition was a Cap / Pro Challenge whereby yours truly and Martin Ruth, our professional, played together in a greensome stableford competition pitting our skill against the rest of the field, which had to beat our total points to win a bottle of wine. I am embarrassed to say that no one managed to beat our score of forty points – we gelled well together and had one of those days that are all too few and far between in golf, but worth waiting for when they happen! Although no one in theory qualified for a prize according to the original format, we changed the goalposts slightly so that the ladies in the teams that came first, second and third were awarded bottles of wine namely: Philippa Affleck and Anna Balfour who had thirty four points; Claire Carey and Di Evitts who scored thirty three points on countback from Sue Baxter and Toni Jones who also had thirty three. All the money paid in entry fees went to my charities, so thank you to everyone who played plus Martin for playing with me and providing the wine.

Sunday 15^th November should have been the mixed bottle competition, but guess what, it was cancelled due to heavy rain and rescheduled for Sunday 6^th December, and guess what, it rained again so much so that the course was closed. It is a good job that the contents of bottles have a fairly long shelf life and some contents actually improve with age! The competition is now due to be played on Sunday 17^th January – fingers crossed for third time lucky. I just hope that members weren’t banking on their winnings to provide their Christmas booze, because they would have had a very sober time if this was the case!

My bisque team competition planned for Tuesday 24^th November had to be cancelled - and once more no prizes for guessing the reason why. However, if the ladies imagined they had escaped this format they have another think coming!

Besides the first door of one’s Advent calendar being opened on 1^st December, miracle of miracles, all eighteen holes were opened on the course as well, allowing the county stableford to proceed as planned. Rather muddy conditions underfoot following an early frost did not seem to have any detrimental effect on Shirley Wilson’s game – she scored thirty two points in the sixteen hole competition thus winning bronze division one, and Claire Carey also coped pretty well with the conditions scoring thirty points, which made her first in the silver division.

One could be forgiven for thinking things would quieten down now that the main playing season is a distant memory and winter is here (with a vengeance) bringing with it all the joys of teeing off from mats or trying to putt on frozen temporary greens, but far from it. The end of November heralded the start of a frenetic few weeks starting with putting up the Christmas decorations in the Clubhouse on 30^th November – many thanks to those who helped with this undertaking. Thanks also go to all those who were involved in the ladies Christmas coffee morning three days later – be it setting up the stalls, manning them, making or donating things to sell, or just spending money, it all helped to make what I think was a very successful morning. The following day – Friday 4^th December – saw three hundred and sixty members, guests and friends fill the dining room and later on the dance floor of the Palace Hotel for the Club’s Centenary Ball, marking the end of our Centenary celebrations and what a way to end – we certainly finished on a high!

The stableford on 8^th December went the way of so many other competitions this year – cancelled due to the course being closed, though this did provide a brief respite from the hectic social whirl of the previous week, before it started up again on Friday 11^th December with the Ladies Christmas dinner, attended by seventy five of our members, who I hope had an enjoyable evening – I certainly did.

Believe it or not, our last official competition of 2009 actually went ahead – the format for this festive competition was loosely based on the “Twelve Days of Christmas” – let me explain. Basically it was a three ball stableford team event with two scores to count, played over twelve holes, but then on the first hole the total of the two scores was multiplied by one; the total of the two scores on the second hole was multiplied by two; on the third it was multiplied by three and so on until the twelfth hole where the two scores’ total was multiplied by twelve. As you can imagine this produced some amazing results (as well as testing the participant’s knowledge of their times tables in the process) – for example a couple of teams succeeded in scoring seventy seven on the eleventh hole (seven times eleven), a total any team would be delighted to score after eighteen holes under normal circumstances! The overall winners (Ann Needham / Barbara Hele / Joy Praill) amassed an incredible three hundred and forty eight points without running up a vast number of points on any one hole, but just a steady amount on each. Mulled wine and mince pies were enjoyed by all, following prize giving and also the presentation of Christmas gifts to our hard working staff as a way of saying “Thank you” for looking after the ladies so well during the year.

Those who still had some stamina left even after all the aforementioned activities, attended the Club’s Christmas Draw on Friday 18^th December, but it was apparent by the paucity of support (of both male and female members) that stamina had by this stage waned, which was a pity after all the effort that had gone into organizing the event. There were numerous prizes to be won, a tasty buffet to sample and an excellent choir (Riviera Sound) to listen to, what more could one want – well winning a prize would have been a bonus!

Although there was no official competition on Tuesday 22^nd December, Sue Slater and Muriel Mitchell kindly organized a roll up, with entry fees going towards the very worthy cause of Cancer Research. I fully intended to play, but the icy roads resulting from rain followed by freezing conditions, prevented me from leaving my house safely. No round of golf is worth broken bones or a wrecked car.

If anyone wanted to wear off their seasonal indulgences on Tuesday 29^th December with a game of golf, they couldn’t as the course was closed just for a change! The New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Club, attended by a hundred revellers, seem to have been a great success, with 2010 being welcomed in in true golf club style.

The decorations have now been taken down and it is time to get back to some semblance of normality, whatever that may be, though I think the weather at present may have other plans to thwart us golfers, whose first competition of this new year is on Tuesday 5^th January. In the near future hopefully we will be able to play the mixed bottle competition on 17^th January and the Captain’s versus Secretary’s competition rescheduled for 19^th January, but whatever the weather, the Charity Bridge afternoon will certainly go ahead on Monday 18^th January.

Before I close this epistle I would like to mention a couple of things I should have included in my last report, but omitted to do so. At the beginning of October June O’Dwyer became Captain of the Devon Past Lady Captains – a great honour for both her and Torquay Golf Club so congratulations to June on this appointment and I am sure we all wish her the very best of luck for a successful year. At the end of October we said a sad farewell to Jackie Collinson as a playing member of the Ladies Section, who after fifty nine years decided to call it a day, however it is not “goodbye” as happily Jackie has now become a social member.

That concludes my Captain’s report #8 (only one more to go!) and I leave you with this thought:

“The mark of a champion is the ability to make the most of good luck and the best of bad”. (anon)

Sheelagh

Ladies' Captain

Handicap & Competition:

Rob Corbett

HANDICAP & COMPETITION

August 2009

Following what can only be described as a summer of two halves weather-wise, we have seen some superb golf played at the Club. Matt Harkin has produced some wonderful scores to reduce his handicap from 7 to 3. In the Hale Cup, Paul Nunn returned a score of 61 net, on any other day a score certainly good enough to win, but nobody told Adam Jeffrey that – he also came in with a 61 net and won on countback!

The weather was good for Captain’s Day and Mike put on a superb day for us all. His devious competition format consisted of foursomes, greensomes and betterball and he succeeded in confusing many players, judging by the number of disqualified teams! The winners came in with a magnificent score of 14 under – well done to the Jeffrey family, the winners by a mile!

Torquay hosted the Torbay Cup this year and it will go down as a superb win for Torquay. The last 2 players out in the singles matches, steely-eyed Paul Crump and Mr Cool, Steve Thorne, were up to the tremendous pressure applied by the five times winners Teignmouth. The team, to a man, were fantastic and did all that was asked of them by Captain Chris Lang. The result bought a lump to Chris’s throat at the Presentation, so well done, lads! Thanks must go to Tony for the long hours he put in over the weekend – always cool under pressure!

CUP RESULTS TO 5 August 2009

DATE CUP SCORE NAME

4 April Birmingham Cup 44 points Jonathan Wilson

11 April Hale Cup 63 net Adam Jeffery

18 April Gray Cup 62 net Matthew Needham

2 May Brockman Cup 41 points Jeff Hewett

4 May Millennium Cup 65 net Roy Bovey

9 May Chatton Cup 41 points Matthew Passmore

24 May Riviera Championship 139 gross Steve Thorne

Victory Cup 131 net Nick Musgrove

30 May Jubilee Cup 64 net Jack Chalk

4 July Centenary Cup 62 net John Stonelake

19 July Captain’s Cup 62 net Matthew Passmore

Knockout Willes-Little Lenny Pym

Knockout Riviera Cup Terry Giffard

Rob Corbett

Handicap & Competition Chairman

Social:

Giovanni Butto

SOCIAL REPORT

June 2009

In this our Centenary Year I have booked both new artists and some who are old friends to the Club. The events for the remainder of 2009 are as follows:

Sunday 5 July is the culmination of our Centenary Golf Week with the Centenary Fun Day and Prize Giving.

The Centenary Caribbean Summer Ball will be held at the Riviera Centre on Saturday 11 July. The entertainment will be provided by Real Steel 5/6 Band and there will also be a disco. A special feature of this evening is the free prize draw. Each ticket for the Ball will be entered into a competition to win a Sandals Holiday for Two in the Caribbean – 7 nights free accommodation on an all inclusive basis. The value of this prize is approximately £1,800. Another reason – if one were needed – to attend this fun event. Get together a table of 10 or 12 friends and purchase your tickets from behind the bar. You are guaranteed of a good time.

Saturday 25 July is Captain’s Day and evening buffet with entertainment provided by David K.

A social event will be held on Saturday 19 September with cabaret provided by Chris Chaplin.

Halloween Dinner and Dance is on Saturday 31 October with Nick Barton’s Disco.

Saturday 14 November is a new event for Torquay Golf Club. A Murder Mystery Night with dinner. This is for anyone who fancies themselves as Colombo or Sherlock Holmes. Dress up in black tie, suits, cocktail dresses or ball gowns and try to discover ‘who done it?’

The formal Centenary Dinner and Dance will be held at the Palace Hotel on Friday 4 December. A black tie event with entertainment provided by the band Up 4 Grabs.

The Christmas Draw evening is Friday 18 December in the Clubhouse.

Finally Thursday 31 December means another year has passed and we will be looking forward to 2010. The entertainment for New Year’s Eve will be provided by Music Café. On each table will be a listing of all types of music for you to request that evening, so everyone will have a say on the choice of music played.

Giovanni Butto

Social Committee Chairman

Ladies Representative

Joy Praill

LADIES REPORT

May 2009

On 24 February our new Ladies Centenary Captain Sheelagh Dean drove in, resplendent in formal Edwardian costume.

The ladies enjoyed bucks fizz and smoked salmon sandwiches served by ‘familiar-looking’ butlers who were dressed up in appropriate uniform. This got the Ladies Centenary year off to a very good start and was much appreciated by us all.

Sheelagh’s drive was straight down the middle and did her proud but then she had to do it all again when the Centenary grand opening took place on Saturday 7 March. In front of invited guests including the Civic Mayor of Torquay and many, many spectators, Sheelagh joined the Club Captain, Junior Captain and Seniors Captain and had the nerve-wracking job of driving in yet again dressed in a hat and long Edwardian skirt! Thank goodness we don’t have to wear such apparel these days. Sheelagh did a great job under pressure, well done!

Surprisingly, over the last few weeks we have all enjoyed golfing in superb weather (not necessarily superb golfing....... although some ladies have achieved this as well) and let’s hope this lovely weather continues throughout the summer.

Our team matches commence soon and we wish everyone who has the honour to be chosen to play for the Club every success. We now have a new Centenary trophy cabinet that has been provided and fitted especially for the purpose of housing silverware. Here’s hoping!

Joy Praill

Ladies Section Representative

Seniors:

Brian Mallett

Senior's Captain

SENIORS REPORT

November 2009

In this report I must express my thanks and those of our members for the support we have received from the officers who give so much time and expertise in the running of the Senior Section. Mike Hutchings, our Secretary, has organised our matches and many other events. Robin Lovering has kept our finances in order and healthy. The Torquay Seniors’ Open was, again, a success and our thanks go to Trevor Sparkes, assisted by Mike Hutchings, John Phillips and myself and, on the day, we could not do without our voluntary helpers. I would also like to thank Tony Fenton and Di Evitts for all their help during the season.

Congratulations to our competition winners.

Singles Dave Earnshaw

Runner up Phil Bond

Pairs Mike Hutchings and Brian Mallett

Runners up Dave and Clem Robinson

Other trophy winners were:

John Brooks Trophy - Seniors’ Open - E Welsh – Robin Fothergill

Murray Park Trophy – Away Day - Mike Boxall – F Heal – B Holmes

Interclub Matches

First of all, I must thank the Match Captains for their hard work.

During the season we played sixteen matches Home and Away. We won 14 home matches and lost 2. We won 4 matches away, lost 9 and halved 3. Overall won 18 lost 11 halved 3.

We regained the Torbay Cup against Teignmouth - 7 ½ to 4 ½ with a good result

3 ½ to 2 ½ in the away match.

The match for the Duchy Shield against Launceston was halved. We lost the Away match 3 ½ to 4 ½ and won the Home match 4 ½ to 3 ½. Launceston retained the shield.

We also beat Torquay Ladies to retain the trophy.

Centenary celebrations within the section were most successful. We invited the Captain and Secretary of our interclub matches as guests and I am sure, from the comments received, that the event was well received and it built on the good will and friendship with these clubs.

A special summer competition was arranged with a meal afterwards to give our members the opportunity to participate in the Club centenary. We had an exceptional entry of 90 players. We had a very enjoyable day and I hope, in future, we can continue with a revised competition on an annual basis.

Finally, I would like to thank members of the Seniors’ Section for their continued support for charity. This year I nominated a children’s charity called Starlight and was pleased to send them a cheque for £500.00 which was gratefully received.

I now hand over to the new Captain John Phillips with his Vice Captain Brian Balsdon. I wish them a successful and enjoyable year. I am sure they will maintain the standards of the section and ask our members to give them the same support that I have received.

Brian Mallett

Seniors Captain

Junior Organiser:

Rob Corbett

JUNIOR SECTION REPORT

November 2009

Torquay Golf Club’s Junior Section held their annual Adult/Junior Competition on Sunday 25 October, over 18 or 11 holes depending on the handicap of the junior. Eighteen pairs played the full course and eight over the shortened course. The weather was good, and the younger juniors really enjoyed the experience of playing with an adult under competition conditions.

The afternoon ended with prize giving when all the Junior Cups played for over the season were presented.

The Club Captain Mike Boxall and the Junior Captain David Ruth presented the cups and vouchers, and Junior Organiser Rob Corbett announced that next year the Junior Captain would be Harry Thorne and his Vice Captains would be Emily Davies and Nathan Gilpin.

Rob thanked all the parents for their help, especially on Friday nights and also for all those adults who partnered a Junior in the Adult/Junior competition. Thanks were also given to the caterer who always looks after the novice juniors so well on a Friday evening.

Results of Adult/Junior Competition

18 holes

Simon And Peter Cross
Molly Haslam and Colin Rowland
Dillon Brown and Paul Batty

11 Holes

Jack and John Ireland and Grace Ball and Mark Smith
Jake and Charlotte Dommett

Rob Corbett

Director & Junior Organiser

Professional’s Report

May 2009

Martin Ruth

PGA Advanced Professional