STOCKS GOLF N E W S and COMMENT

Very Sad News

I was shocked to hear the very sad news (from Mike Tonge) that Pete Freeland passed away peacefully on Thursday (29th July 2010) after battling in hospital for a week against acute Pancreatitus and severe complications. He was in China with HP/3Com at the time and his family were at his side. I have since received a number of emails and calls expressing shock and sadness. The following are a couple of your thoughts and some pictures. There will also be information regarding funeral arrangements as soon as I hear. As most of you know Pete was a brilliant and enthusiastic supporter of Stocks and was not only a memorable captain but also a fully paid up member of the Saturday Morning sWindle and Stockmans. We will all remember him fondly.

From Nicky King (Stocks Lady Captain 2003:
“It is with utmost shock and sadness that I share with you trying to take in the devastating news of Pete's untimely death long, long before his time. Among Stocks members are many who knew him far better than I but I wanted to share with you my extreme gratitude and appreciation for his kindness, support and wonderful company throughout our captaincy in 2003 and beyond. It was an absolute honour and privilege to serve alongside him and support him in his Captain's year - throughout he was a true gent, one of the best, not only an excellent golfer and true sportsman with great spirit, but as many of us know, with a truly keen sense of humour. I have some absolutely wonderful memories of times spent with Pete and was thrilled to catch up with him again albeit only briefly just a few weeks ago. His absence now will leave a gaping great hole for all of us who knew him and his cheery smile both on and off the course. I am sure I share this along with all of you and send our heartfelt sympathy to his family who must be at a complete loss at this very difficult time. I know he will certainly be long remembered by us all with great fondness and affection.”
The picture above shows: Pete's Official Stocks Captain 2003 Photo. (and can be changed by clicking on the thumbnails)

** UPDATE 17th Aug 12:45 from Mike Tonge **

The family have decided the reception will take place in the Marquee at Boxmoor Lodge in Hemel. Don't forget to let “ Co-operative Funeralcare” in Hemel Hempstead (Tel: 01442-255689) know if you plan to attend the service and/or reception, so numbers can be catered for.

** UPDATE 12th Aug 19:15 from Mike Tonge **

Pete is now back in the UK, having been flown back from China earlier in the week. His funeral and service to celebrate his life will be held on Tuesday 31st August at 11.20am in the North Chapel of West Herts Crematorium, Garston, Watford, WD25 0JS.

His family would love his golfing friends to attend, but request that flowers come from the family only. However if you would like to make a charitable donation to DebRA in Peter’s memory that would be great. After the service there will be a Reception to have some food (and a drink or two) and recount memorable stories about his golfing prowess and the like. This will be local to Stocks hopefully and options are currently being considered (thanks to Nicky King for all her help here).

If you would like to attend the service please contact ‘Co-operative Funeralcare’ in Hemel Hempstead Tel: 01442-255689 – and let them know as soon as you can and also tell them if you also wish to go on to the reception afterwards. They will also deal with any charitable donations.

The family will be compiling a book of memories. Pete wasn't married and his life was all about his family and his wide network of friends. If you have any poignant memories or pictures of Peter that you would like to share then please email his sister, Clare Freeland at jcfreeland@talktalk.net. It has meant so much to them that he was loved and respected by so many people around the globe.

STOCKS T E X A S   &   Prize Presentation (click-a-pic)

14 teams of 4 battled under blue skies and returned scores worthy of Texans. All then adjourned to the bar at Ivinghoe Golf Club. The winning team was Adrian Marshall, Steve Berry, Vince Lewis and Carlton Humphries.
Prizes and trophies were also presented for the 2009 Summer Knockout Doubles Winners Carlton Humhries & Adrian Marshall and Runners-Up Will Spreadbury & Richard Huxtable, SKO Singles Winner Will Spreadbury and Runner-Up Clinton-Coleman, and Millennium Winner John Cooper and runners-up Steve Mason and Frank Whittle, and also to the top ten Club Champions Scores with Oly Browning the winner, Will Spreadbury 2nd and John Cooper 3rd (see full table below).
The current picture above shows: The Texas Team Winners : Carlton Humphries, Steve Berry, Adrian Marshall & Vince Lewis (click one of the row of small pics above to change it )

Good Luck to Bob

Chris Medley kindly sent this picture of the Saturday sWindle with Bob (Jenkins) having presented him with Gardening Vouchers which will hopefully help him enjoy the newly found 'retirement hours' after 2 hundred years at STOCKS!
(ed: as there's a bit of word-space I will add :) I note some old faces in the group who may also recollect Bob in various guises over the years including serving Breakfasts in the Restaurant in the time of Neil List & Hillary Schneider , pouring pints in the 'members' bar under Duncan Saville & the Harlequins (!) and of course the last years providing Tea and Golf Advice from the Starter's Hut during the current Peter Harris & Maggie West era. I am sure many of us treasure fond memories of his consistent kindness and straightforward approach.

STOCKS MENS CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP    R E S U L T S (click-a-pic)

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Apart from a couple of wet hours on the Saturday the weekend of the 1st and 2nd August blessed us with Good Weather and Great Golf. After the first day of 44 entries battling off the Blue Tees Adrian Chadwick was in the lead (as last year!) with Will Spreadbury (Gross 77) and Frank Whittle (Gross 78) in 2nd & 3rd but closely followed by Simon Phillips, Stan Burkett-Coltman & John Cooper (all on 79) and then Russell Howson, Steve Mason and Eugene Smith (all on 80). It could hardly have been any tighter! What was perhaps a surprise was to see last year's champ (Oly Browning) back in 11th having shot 83.
All was set for an excellent continuation on the Sunday. With the best scores teeing off last Oly completed his round well before the leaders of Saturday - with an amazing gross 72 - which of course filtered back through to un-nerve the field. Oly's 83 and 72 making a clubhouse lead of 155.
In short Will just missed holing out on the 18th to post a 156 for second place and John Cooper failed to hole his Bunker Shot for a 157 and (again in the frame) for third place. It was good to see the support and enjoyment of all on the 18th (and 19th!) and Oly fighting back so well to retain the trophy - CLUB CHAMP! The current picture above shows: After the Battle and in the ‘Spike Bar’ (click one of the row of small pics above to change it )

New Handicap Status:     "I n a c t i v e"

The EGU have introduced a new Handicap Status of Inactive for players who have not returned sufficient scores in the period between Annual Reviews. As it happens I envisage that it will not have a huge effect at STOCKS (an inactive handicap will suffice for most standard monthly mens competitions) unless a player wishes to participate in some open competition where it may be an entry requirement to have an Active Handicap.

To allow players (who may have limited golf availability) to re-instate their handicap from an inactive to active status Supplementary Scores have been introduced whereby scores for handicap purposes can be submitted.

A Member may return a Supplementary Score for handicapping purposes in compliance with the following conditions:

• Shall apply to Handicap Categories 2, 3, 4 and [5] i.e. NOT Category 1 handicaps.
• In order to qualify for the return of a Supplementary Score a player must have returned only six or fewer Qualifying Scores (excluding Supplementary Scores) in the preceding period between Annual Reviews (which will be the year up to December 31st 2009 for Stocks).
• A Supplementary Score may only be returned at the Home Club of the player.
• An acceptable score for Supplementary Score purposes is any authenticated score over 18 holes under Competition Play Conditions over a Measured Course in compliance with the conditions listed in this clause. The format may be Stroke Play or Stableford.
• Up to a maximum of ten Supplementary Scores may be returned in the period between Annual Reviews.
• In general (without previous agreement) a member is limited to the return of one Supplementary Score per week.
• A player intending to return a Supplementary Score will be required to signify his intention prior to commencement of play (*see below).
• A Competition Scratch Score shall not be calculated and adjustments to handicap, in accordance with Clause 20.6, shall be made in respect of the Standard Scratch Score.
• Stroke Play returns shall be subject to Stableford / Nett Double Bogey Adjustment in compliance with Clause 19.
• The Supplementary Score will be recorded in the Player's Handicap Record (on the computer system.
• If a player who has registered for a Supplementary Score subsequently does not return a card an increase in handicap of 0.1 may be applied.
• Returns may be subject to action under Clause 23 (B) if ‘manipulation’ is suspected.
• Players who have recently been allocated a CONGU® Handicap qualify immediately for the return of Supplementary Scores.

* We will therefore endeavour (as of Jan. 2010) to ensure that a sheet be available in the Starter's Hut on which a player who is about to play a round for a supplementary score can sign in. Immediately after the round the signed (and marked .Supplementary Score.) card must be placed in the box and Simon (our handicap secretary) will then endeavour to process within the month. Please note that the card should ALWAYS be returned even if the round was not completed.

 £60 per Month

A letter from Mr Harris (dated 9th July) has been sent to all members stating that he would be working with advisors to decide the best way forward after the Dacorum Planning Refusal and proposing an increase of monthly fees from £40 to £60 (+ VAT) to cover more of the actual costs.

The PLANS for the NEW CLUB HOUSE, access, putting green and such like were submitted to Dacorum on the 21st November 2007 reference: 4/02806/07/MFA - as we were informed (30/11) in the letter to us all from Peter Harris. They are available for inspection via the Dacorum Web Site with, for example 8 pages of architectural layout at
http://www.dacorum.gov.uk/webcache/aa3347/aa3347d1ac8511dcae75000f20701db3.pdf.
And here for current status.

Members Charity Day - Sunday 14th June

the weather turned out to be brilliant - shining on 80 contenders who returned some excellent scores. Peter Harris presented prizes of fine wines and flowers to the winners :

• LD Ladies : Lynda Collinwood
• LD Men : Tom Halliday
• NP Ladies: Shirley Palfreeman
• NP Men: Dave Potter
• 3rd Place Team Better Ball: Tom Halliday, David Potte, Neil Challice & Peter Hall
• 2nd Place Team: Clinton Coleman, Clive Jackson, Roger Cumming & Tony Jeffries
• 1st Place Team : Steve Mason, Frank Whittle, Russel Howson & Oly Browning

Below is an image of the Score Card of the Winning Team - note that Olly (in the column marked D) shot 2 over gross!

Marion Made a Hole in One

Marlene tells me that during todays (30/04/09) ladies mid-week golf Marion Millwood had a hole in one on the seventeenth. Congratulations Marion!

London Pride Medal

The 2 days of Mens Monthly Meadal on Saturday & Sunday 18/19th April saw 47 Stocks golfers competing in the sunshine for the shear joy of it, the usual vouchers and a case of London Pride. Colin Brown managed a 2 on the 12th but the overall winner was Steve Mason who shot an impressive net 69 (HC 8). The top 3 on each day and the 2's winners can be seen on the Results Page

Mens Competition & Prizes

As you will note in the Diary Page on this site we have 2 weekends of mens competitions each month: 2 Stablefords on the first Saturday of the month and the Sunday after; and 2 Medals: one on the 3rd Saturday and the other on the Sunday after. After each monthly competition (when Simon has received all the cards and processed the results) he sends me the competition data which I will then use to send an email voucher to the winners and a copy to the Valiant Trooper, Andrew Ainsworth Golf Academy and Ivinghoe Pro Shop where the vouchers can be exchanged for goods/ services. If you wish to donate your winnings to charity or even me then fine - otherwise please ensure that I have your current email address and that you have read your mail. For those that don't have internet access please help them to nominate someone else's address!
Don't forget to take a copy of your 'email voucher' with you (see the shop page for the addresses and more detail of voucher exchange options).
Included in your £4 entry fees for the comps is 50p which goes to Bob & Tony and allows you the opportunity to ask (nicely!) for a coffee.
Also please do email me if you think there is a demand for another type of competition such as a Shot-Gun Scramble or perhaps one of the annual competitions we used to hold such as the "3 Clubs and a Putter"....

The Entry money for the competitions is all returned in prize vouchers - see the Results page for detail as to how the Prize Amounts are calculated

NEW Mens Monthly Competitions

As of April 2009 we are going to try to provide FOUR qualifying events i.e. two medals (one on the Saturday and one on the Sunday) in the weekend of the 1st Saturday of the month AND two Stablefords (one on the Saturday amd one on the Sunday) in the weekend of the 3rd Saturday of the month. However the results from the New Sunday Competitions will typically not be available for some days as the cards will be posted to Simon to process for handicaps and the results will then be sent to me for prize distribution e.t.c. We will be reviewing the popularity of the events in 3 months time when we expect to continue with the arrangements unless average attendance is low.

St David’s Vase Competition 2009 (clickapic)

The Stocks Ladies ‘St David’s Vase’ Competition actually coincided with St David’s Day this year - Sunday 1st March. Twenty-seven ladies played; 17 from Stocks and 10 ex-members. We enjoyed Welsh cakes beforehand and warm winter Pimms half way round. The weather was almost spring like and the course was in tiptop condition. After our golf, we had a two-course meal at the Greyhound and the hardiest amongst us stayed on, in true Stocks style, to drink the health of St David.
The St David’s Vase was won by Marilyn Barratt with an impressive 41 stableford points, second of the Stocks Ladies was Norah Crammond and third was Lynda Collingwood both on 36 points. Liz Richards also came in with 41 points to win the Visitors prize, Maxine Chew was second with 40 points and Dawn Harris third with 37. Longest Drive (on the 7th) went to Susanna Hall and nearest the pin (on the 10th) was won by Isobel Wilkinson. Dot O’Gorman won the best front nine and Marion Millwood the best back nine. The current picture above shows: The St. David's Vase Winner: Marilyn Barratt (click one of the row of small pics above to change it )

No Words Necessary

Taken and sent in by Norah who thought that Alec & Ed's smiles 'epitomised the relaxed attitude of Stocks Golfers'

Alec Dalton & Ed Coote are pictured enjoying the bench on the elevated 14th Tee at STOCKS.


Thanks Norah.

STOCKS Seniors

This energetic group have their own page - see Latest Seniors News

STOCKS SUMMER KNOCKOUTS 2009

Click here to see the SKO page with draws and contact detail of players. Some 42 entrants with 20 doubles teans and 22 singles - visit the page to see some fascinating draws including Father vs Son and Doubles Partners playing each other in the singles!

New Car Park New Course Order

(Apparently heard among front line troops) a new car park may be built for 45 cars in the field by the 3rd and the current park would then be grassed over. The course will then be played as follows:

The old Blue & White 3rd tee positions will not be used And the old 2nd will probably be played over water from what was the occasional tee. All engineered to avoid crossing the "new road".

Ladies Bring and Win Competition December 2008 (clickapic)

On Sunday 7th December, 28 ladies (eight teams of three and two of two) enjoyed their Stocks Ladies Christmas ‘Bring and Win’. The course presented a veritable Winter Wonderland - all coated in a layer of glistening frost. With the trolly ban in place a change of plan was quickly adopted and the competition became '3 Clubs and a Putter' at least until half way when some had the energy to gather further clubs and wheels. We all muddled through and then it was back to Norah’s house for some well-earned nosh and a drop of vino. The winning team were Laura, Jenny and Annette, with Dawn, Alison and Pam coming second and Lilian, Joan and Janet a fine third. Dot and Dawn ran their tote as usual and raised £80 for the Hospice of St Francis. With money collected from the bar and donations in lieu of sending Xmas cards the event raised a healthy £189 for the local hospice. The current picture above shows: Every One (justabout!) (click one of the row of small pics above to change it )

MEMBERS' TEXAS    Saturday Nov. 1st    Results & Pics

The Winning Scramble Team

All seemed to go ok - I certainly enjoyed watching my team mates excel - they (we?) birdied each of the first five holes!

Amazingly all 88 of us turned up - albeit thanks to a few reserves over the last days.
In fact a couple more arrived to play at around 9 o'clock - but as they hadn't registered they humbly gave way to our arrangements - even though they owned the course! source: Tony Slattery told me PWH and friends had arrived to play their weekly round but accepted the situation in good humour.
We were also lucky with the weather which although a tad bracing did stay dry & bright - the cup of warm soup at Ivinghoe was most welcome and deserved thanks must go to Bob & Tony who conjured up supplies of coffee for all of us (hope your 50p went in the box?) The scores showed that we were not the only team that had hopeful eyes on a prize (in fact our net 12 under only gained a 4th place and no cigar whatsoever) with 3 beating us by .9, .6 and .3 net shots (as you can see below). Chris Beard presented the prizes to the top 3 teams and also appropriately etched trophies to the years (mens) major winners. Roger Petts also honoured some 2008 golfing achievements amongst the Seniors. The photos are just those I managed to 'click' but seem to show there were a few smiling faces!   If you click an arrow the pictures will change in the chosen direction. If you click on a picture they will flick through automatically.

.... and the next 8 teams all had a score of 65 or less!!

A few of us got together to arrange the event - we hope you enjoyed it

HGU to allow DMDs in 2009 events

The Hertfordshire Golf Union (HGU) has also now taken the decision to allow Distance-Measuring Devices (DMDs) to be used in all its championships in 2009. This follows the decision recently made by the EGU to allow DMDs in their 2009 tournaments. Only DMDs that calculate distance will be permitted. Those providing other information such as wind speed, temperature and elevation, will not be allowed. Any player found using such a DMD will be in breach of Rule 14-3 for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used. The HGU would recommend that Hertfordshire clubs follow suit in allowing DMDs, but emphasise that this is at the discretion of each club. e EGU is currently looking at trolleys which carry DMDs that include temperature gauges and will make a statement in due course.

2008 Stocks Summer Knockouts.   R E S U L T S !

WINNER in the Mens Singles is Dave Spacey beating Adrian Marshal.

WINNERS in the Mens Doubles are Jon Bryan & Peter Hall (beating Mark Trustram & Richard Howells).

WINNERS in the Mixed Doubles are Martin Crisp and Sue Bone (beating Geoff & Norah Crammond).

Last Year's (2007) SUMMER KO winners were :
   Open Mens SINGLES   Winner: Richard Howells
   Open Mens DOUBLES  Winners: Chris Beard & Roger Charge
   Open Mixed DOUBLES  Winners: Andrew Barratt & Susannah Hall

Ladies at Aldwickbury (clickapic)

The Friday of 4th October saw a splendid turnout of 20 girls playing in the Stocks Ladies AwayDay at Aldwickbury Golf Club. What a great turnout! In a 'report' from Norah we learn that they played on the Par 3 course in the morning and came in with reasonable scores despite the greens looking and playing like coarse corduroy. Joan won the nine-hole competition with an amazing nett score of 18, Pam was second (nett 19) and Issy third (nett 19.5). The morning sunshine disappeared after lunch but luckily we remained dry as we played our 18-hole team competition on the main course. Anna, Laura and Jackie were the winners and so will be organising our Spring Awayday. In second place were Kate, Liz and Heather and in third place were Janet Blair, Margaret and Lilian. Kate won both the longest drive and nearest the pin (no surprises there then) but we decided to award the longest drive to Jackie, who had come a close (!) second.
The picture above shows: The Winning Team : Anna, Laura & Jackie
(click one of the row of small pics above to change it )
Norah, along with Janet B, and Shirley all pass on their hope that everyone enjoyed themselves as much as they did. One of their highlights being when Janet introduced Shirl and Norah to the delights of TK Max, where they spent 3 blissful hours filling a trolley full of prizes. Aldwickbury Park proved to be a very good choice of venue (thanks Shirley) as the food and welcome were first class. We're looking forward to hearing where Anna, Laura and Jackie plan to take us next time.
'Love from Janet, Shirley and Norah xxx'

Low Tach Artificial Intelligence Report

Stox Golfer in VT walking past a vending machine was surprised by its passing comments as to his scruffy attire was then unexpectedly reassured by a remark from the dish of peanuts on the bar ...
In response to his query to the landlord the golfer was told that the vending machine was "out of order" and the peanuts were indeed "complimentary"!
         credit to Martin Burns in VT 140908

Lady Captain’s Day 2008

Fresh off the Medley Press comes news of Helen's Captain's Day. The picture on the left shows: Helen and the Winning Team (just click one of the small pics above to change it). The facts and all the pictures were sent in by Chris M and confirm the expectation - excellent competition, good fun and even the weather was well arranged!
Snacks and Pimms were served at halfway and the 'spike bar bar' was again put to good use with all enjoying an excellent buffet following the play.
The main event was tightly contested with the winning team of Maxine, Anna & Shirley just pipping Isobel, Jackie & Marion with 37 points on countback and Susanna, Alison & Pam in 3rd (71 points). Other 'worthy mentions' include: Susanna with the best back 9; Maxine best front; best par 3's: Norah; Longest Drive 'Silver' & 'Bronze': Fran & Marion; Nearest-the-Pin 'Silver' & 'Bronze': Isobel & Norah. The grand total of £300 was also raised for the Breast Cancer Campaign from other well contested competitions such as the Chipping Contest (won by Lilian) and the 'Tees-in-a-Bottle' where Isobel was supreme.

International Sports News      (hourly from AFP)

Congratulations on the New Handicap (2.2) Olly

The next time you have a bad start to a competition you could perhaps be encouraged by the example set by Olly Browning (one of the GreenKeeping Wizards).
Note the 4 birdies from the 12th to the 15th and 2 par threes, even though he started with a blob!

2008 STOX Stats - A few playing and course statitistics

This year there have been 9 mens monthly competitions with 270 entrants (average 30 per competition) in total from 99 separate individuals. Quite a few of you have only missed a couple but only one has missed only one! Guess or see who .
Our handicap system also provides a report on handicap change over time - this one shows the best 20 improvements since 01/01/07.
And do you want to see how other people play the 5th - or any other hole. Click here to see the average scores on each hole (white tees competitions) over the last year.

And NOW some MORE STATS - this time over all White Tee Comps from January 2007

• MOST FREQUENT (Top Ten) Mens Competiton Entrants no Simon is not at the top by himself!
• Course Analsysis of all White Tee Competitions January 2007 to date
• Current Handicaps after May Medal 2008
• (You will need Adobe Reader for the last two)

2008 Club Champs & Millennium - Tough Start - RESULTS

The Saturday saw some 44 of you start off and 32 return cards. You seem to have found the opening holes a particular challenge with four out of the first five holes showing the highest average scores above par. The table below is an excerpt from the 'course analysis':

At the end of the day the nett Champion (2008 Millennium Winner) was Ian Plummer with a score of 87 - 20 = 67, Chris Medley came 2nd with 84 - 12 and in third was Adrian Chadwick with 78 - 5 (the lowest gross score of the day!). In the lead of those playing the 2nd day (i.e. the Club Championship) were Will Spreadbury, John Cooper & Mark Trustram = all shooting 80.

On the second day however, Tom Halliday shot a 78 and Olly Browning - Our New Club Champion shot 75.

New HGU County Secretary

Mr Christopher Murray (ex Old Fold Manor) has accepted the appointment of County Secretary. John Newton will continue to work with Chris to ensure a smooth transition.

Sad Note from HGU

"It is with regret that I have to inform you that Clive Harkett died yesterday. I will let you know funeral arrangements as soon as I have them. You may wish to put a notice on your notice boards, as Clive had many friends throughout the county". (received Sat 25th September 2008)

I have recently heard that (allegedly) one 'Emma Adams', (Head of Conservation and Design at Dacorum) sent the plans to the Inspector of Historic Buildings – Essex and Hertfordshire in mid-September, a department in English Heritage. The old plans were not sent to them and she was advised by all concerned that this was completely unnecessary. However, she went ahead. The reply has now come back (verbatim) 'this was not something on which English Heritage need comment' !!
Understandably I gather that Mr Harris's planning people are absolutely furious that the Lady has wasted a further 3 months and suggest ......! Apparently there still has not been an official statement but there is another meeting at Stocks on Tuesday 9th with the planning people.........

I am told by Maggie West that the estimated £1500 annual membership fee may have VAT added for the first year until club (non VATable) status is achieved and that Peter Harris's intention is to simply cover costs. She also reminded me that although there would be no societies playing on the course we would have the option to arrange inter-club matches as in the past. I also have heard that there may have been a file opened of new applications - a Waiting List of sorts.

It would appear that the current arrangement of paying £47 per month will continue in the meantime.

STOCKS Golfer in London Marathon

I believe congratulations are in order for Mark Williams who successfully completed this year’s Flora London Marathon in 4 hours and 6 minutes. Chief amongst the reasons for his brave efforts is his heartfelt campaign to raise funds for the National Autistic Society (NAS) which helps victims who suffer from the disabling condition of autism (sadly including Mark's son). Not content with the massive £3,600 he has already raised Mark has also organised a Charity Golf Shield at Mentmore on Friday 18th April. If you can also support his efforts to raise money for NAS please visit www.justgiving.com/markwilliams2.

NEW Course

I am told by those that may know that the new course layout for the front 9 will be (numbered as we currently know them) holes 3 to 9 then 1 and 2 with the Back 9 starting at the current 11th, continuing to the 18th and finishing with the 10th.

2009 Charity Days

Maggie West has again been busy promoting the use of the course for the benefit of charities providing facilities which will include a grand marquee, changing rooms and bar. Steve Mason and his team will also (no doubt) present the course at its best. The dates for this year are Saturday 6th to Sunday 14th June (to avoid Royal Ascot). The members’ day will be the 14th, with the possibility (should it be needed) of overspilling to the 7th June.

Last Year's Winners' Card:

Current at STOCKS: COMPETITIONS & HANDICAPS

Again this year (2009) Mr Harris is paying our annual EGU and HGU subscriptions thus allowing us to continue to run qualifying competitions (i.e. official handicap events). At the moment we are not booking specific tee times and entrants should just turn up, sign in (at the Starter's Hut) and play. All entrants should then place their signed and checked score cards into the box next to the computer AFTER entering their individual hole scores into the Player Self Input System (on the computer in the Lounge Hut). (** Due to some strange new behaviour of the club2000 system Simon is currently finding it easier to key your scores in himself - so please just leave them in the box. **)
All entrants must have their official handicap registered with us (either as a HOME or AWAY player). I will continue to advertise all the (at least mens) competitions on this site - see the events page.

NEW Events DIARY

The 2009 STOCKS Competition Diary is on the Events Page the table now shows both the general pattern of events and a diary of competitions etc including the Seniors and Ladies.

The Shop Page

Entries on the 'shop page' now include Professional Golf Lessons, Car Mechanics, Financial Advice, Plumbing and Golf Clubs!
Please send me an email if you also want to benefit from this free advertising.

Starter's Telephone: 07818 093522

The land lines at STOCKS are no longer functional but this mobile is often answered by Tony or Bob (the course stewards)

Mens STOCKS CLUB HANDICAPS

Simon Lavers is still stoically looking after the mens handicaps. Please email Simon if you have any questions and particularly if you are not on the stocks HC list or need to update your AWAY detail

C O U R S E     R E P O R T - June 2007 (nout since!)

With the course never having been in better nick I recently again approached Steve Mason (winner of the July Medal) to attempt a little insight:
Firstly the team (who incidentally all seem to be cat 1 golfers or thereabouts!): Russel Howson is the Deputy Course Manager (on right of Steve in pic) though Frank Whittle, John Frampton, Leigh Welford and Olly Browning apparently do all the work!

Understandably some projects are somewhat in the air pending the outcome of the planning permission for the club house but I learnt more detail regarding the extension of a wet front to the 2nd and possibly the 10th! Apparently the lining of the lake is limited to some 20 years and therefore the opportunity arises whilst replacing it to extend its area. I guess that will be a bonus to all - in terms of visible appeal, bio-diversity and ball sales.

Another fact that I reckon not everyone is aware of : the greens are cut every day (weather permitting) during Summer and to either a depth of 4mm or (now and then) 3.5mm. One key aspect effecting the way the ball rolls being the application of the roller (purchased not so long ago). Whereas most of us have noticed the nap of the grass which seems (to me) more visible these days particularly in the attractive striping when viewed from afar, some will know that meadow grass (which is seasonal) is probably the main culprit for adding (unwanted) friction on the ball (visible with its whitish seed heads).
(If I've got this right) the fairways and approaches are cut with a depth of 15mm and surrounding bands of semi are typically cut to 50mm and 100mm with widths of around 12 and 6 feet (the cutting boom apparently being 6 feet). Therein after the rough has been persuaded not to be too voluminous for a further 12 feet - all of which ensures our balls should never be in the thick stuff!
I know that most of us do fulfill our small duty of repairing pitch marks and replacing divots but it is sadly a fact that there are still some exceptions - lets change that?
Steve & Russell said they would be prepared to provide us with a guide to flag positions (especially for competitions) if there is a demand ...

• Irrigation System

  Structural work now Completed. Each hole now has 4 sprinklers on the green and 2 on the approaches and each sprinkler can me managed remotely either by computer or 2 way radio!

• Pot Bunker project is on-hold but the first trial may be on the 8th!

All that and they still have the energy to achieve winners in the monthly comps.

Loss of Country Club!

For some years we have been labouring under the rather inappropriate title of 'STOCKS Golf and Country Club'. In line with the wishes of PWH we have now re-registered the simpler 'STOCKS Golf Club' with the EGU, HGU and the howdidido web site.

L O C A L    R U L E S

I noticed that local rules (at least on some of the cards) are out of date! After discussion with the rest of the mens committee and the guys in charge of the course the following updated rules should be used :

Winter Rules

(As from the December Stableford and until further notice) A ball lying on a closely mown area through the green may, without penalty, be moved or may be lifted, cleaned and placed within six inches (150 mm) of where it originally lay, but not nearer the hole and not in a hazard or on a putting green. A player may move or place the ball once and after the ball has been so moved or placed it is in play. (“closely mown area” means any area of the course, including paths through the rough, cut to fairway height or less).

Through the green, a ball that is embedded in its own pitch mark in the ground, other than sand, may be lifted without penalty, cleaned and dropped as near as possible to where it lay but not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green.

N E W      Measuring Devices

(The English Golf Union (EGU) has taken the decision to allow Distance-Measuring Devices (DMD's) to be used in all its championships in 2009. The move was agreed by the EGU’s Board of Director following the recommendation of the Championship Committee at its recent meeting at Woodhall Spa and the change will be written into the conditions of each of next year’s events. Officials have contacted the R&A and the other Home Unions to inform them of the move. Your mens Committee have thus decided that a new local rule should also be applicable to mens competitions at STOCKS (unless otherwise specifically stated)):

Distance Measuring Devices may be used during a stipulated round ONLY IF they calculate ONLY distance. Those providing other information such as wind speed, temperature and elevation, will not be allowed. Any player found using such a DMD will be in breach of Rule 14-3 for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.

Out of Bounds on LHS of 13

We now have 3 internal O.O.B.'s (all marked with white stakes): the 6th LHS; the 3rd RHS and more recently, the 13th LHS.

Unstaked Young Trees no more

It is no longer considered necessary to protect the trees (of any height) IF they are not staked. i.e. They will be staked if they need protection and only then can a player drop a ball under Rule 24-2b (immovable obstruction).

Drainage Lines and Tyre Marks

Players may continue to take relief from distinctly visible drainage furrows and/or clearly visible ruts in the ground caused by vehicles. They should be treated as Ground Under Repair and relief can taken under Rule 25-1.

GUR

Ground under repair will be otherwise marked with a white line.

Sprinkler Heads

Apart from the normal relief offered to a player for an “immoveable obstruction” it is also deemed appropriate to offer relief of “line of sight” when the players ball is within 2 club lengths of the green and the sprinkler head is line with the players ball and the intended direction of putt (on to that green).

Stones in Bunkers

Relief from stones in bunkers continues. (normally a stone is a loose impediment and not moveable whilst in or touching a hazard but under this rule they may be treated as moveable obstructions and Rule 24-1 applies)

ANd a NEW One : A N T S

Having wrongly assumed that ants were animals and clearly burrowed, I had thought they were covered - however they are apparently not and anthills (of which I am told there are many on the course) are, henceforth, to be considereed as Ground Under Repair and relief may be taken under rule 25-1

CONGU Matchplay Handicap Revision

Apparently England is the only country in the world that still has some clubs using the three-quarter handicap allowance for singles matchplay! - The CONGU recommendation is FULL DIFFERENCE (remains three quarters for Better Ball) see Congu Web Site

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