23rd September 2022

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Captains Blog: Par Date 23rd September 2022

 

“Dear Members of S&GGC,

 

Wow, that was quick! The Summer has come and gone in a flash and I have been remiss in my blogging duties!

 

The last time we caught up was late June. Since then we have had a hot, hot summer and lots of golf!! Across July, August and September our bonny little course has seen some brilliant events… Including a wonderful Toffs Captain’s Day and a very successful Captain’s day. Events like this are sociable, gently competitive and enable us to raise a significant amount for our chosen charity, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

 

We have also been successful in competitions against other clubs, winning both the Three Counties Cup and the Ingleborough Trophy and coming a very, very close second in the Dales League (huge thanks to Chris Sharp, our Dales League Captain this year).

 

Whilst all of this has been going on there have been significant developments on the course with new tee beds, improved irrigation and upgrades to flags and tee markers. Again a big thank you to the Greens Committee and those who spend hours each week lovingly tending to our course.

 

We genuinely are so lucky to be part of this; the phrase “Millionaires Golf” has been used to describe how it feels to be playing on a late summers evening at S&GGC with no one else on the course, however I’m not sure even the wealthiest of course owners can match our experience.

 

It really doesn’t matter what type of golfer you are… very social and occasional outing with friends, a keen beginner trying to improve, someone who enjoys the gentle competition of club events or a competitive player taking part in matches against other clubs… Settle & Giggleswick Golf Club provides the perfect setting; beautiful, testing, uncrowded and sociable.

 

There is another club wide event on the horizon and I would love as many members as possible to be there. It is our annual Presentation Dinner held at North Ribblesdale RUFC on Friday 21st October.

 

Full details in the next few days.

 

Get out there everyone! Autumn is a wonderful season for golf!!

 

DC”

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26th June 2022

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“Captain’s Blog - Par Date 26th June 2022

 

Hello fellow members and friends,

 

When is it definitely not Captain’s Day? Well not on the advertised date of 17th July and not today! Why?

 

Firstly, I have decided to move Captain’s Day from it’s scheduled date of Sunday 17th July to a new date of Sunday 14th August. This will give time for the course works to be completed so that it will be looking at its very finest on the day!! More details to follow.

 

Secondly, not today!! We’ve all had those days where nothing goes right and our golf is worse than poor. One of mine was today. Competing in the Summer Bogey Competition I managed to play some of the very worst golf ever witnessed at S&GGC and I apologise to my playing partners; six holes was enough for me today!! Why? Well obviously a lack of talent comes to mind but also my mind was full of stuff and none of it golf related; it’s hard to play when your noggin is scrambled!

 

Anyway, I got home and Susan (Mrs C.) could see I was crestfallen and disappointed, she suggested that I go back and play a few holes of practice. “No chance”, says I and “I don’t need to go back to Settle today”. However Susan points that she needs me to go to the Co-op and, so at 4pm today I headed back to the club.

 

The sun was shining, my mind was less occupied and suddenly golf didn’t seem so daunting. I played much better, hardly Seve standard but adequate, and a smile returned.

 

The purpose of the story? We all play poorly at times but no how badly we do we shouldn’t give up. It’s a beautiful game and we have a beautiful setting to play it in. Also a messy mind is a real handicap!!

 

So here’s to a following wind, sunshine, fairways found, tight lies and generous “gimmies”. Also I think instead of putting practice before a round I’ll meditate , Ohmmm!

 

One final note, I would like to pass on our condolences and best wishes to our Lady Captain, Corinne Beck. Corinne’s mum passed away last week and this will be a difficult time for Corinne and her family. Our thoughts are with you Corinne and we hope to see you back on the course soon.”

 

DC

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June 2022

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Captain's Blog - Par Date 1st June

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Fellow Members and Golf Enthusiasts,

 

So here we are, 1st week of June and the season in full flow! It’s fair to say the weather has been somewhat mixed, although mostly dry, over the last month or so, let’s hope for a flaming June!

 

Things have been hotting up on the course though with competitions, socials and matches a plenty throughout May. There isn’t room to go through all the results and you can catch them on Masterscoreboard in any case but there are a couple of people/ events to mention.

 

Eddie Kidd – our oldest member; his mantlepiece must be groaning under the weight of silverware this season, most recently winner of the individual Millenium Cup and also winner of the Men’s Senior Open (pairs) comp with our President Ray Jones. Well done Eddie, you are an example to us all!!

 

Ladies Section – The Ladies Summer League is well under way and looks like it will be a very closely contested comp; three different winners in the last three rounds - congratulations to Daphne Wright, Corinne Beck and Sue Johnson. Our Ladies have also started their interclub competition “The Bronze League”.

 

Three Counties Trophy – We hosted the annual “Three Counties” competition on 15th May, taking on Lansil GC (Lancashire) and Casterton GC (Cumbria), and were very pleased to run out winners; taking the trophies and enjoying some good weather, cold beer and warm friendship with old rivals.

 

Speaking of food, the Dales League, (played on a Tuesday evening against local(ish) sides, commenced this week with a home fixture against Kirkby Lonsdale, although the result didn’t go our way I hear that the curry cooked by Dales League Captain and Head Chef Chris Sharp was fantastic!

 

Future Events

A quick heads up that the closing date for entries to the men’s singles and pairs Club Championship close at 5pm on Sunday 5th June. These are knockout comps that run across the course of the summer and rounds can played on any day that suits both sets of competitors. So come on and get your name down for the singles and find a partner for the pairs. Entry is via masterscoreboard. Remember, the important thing is to take part and enjoy yourself, anything else is a bonus.

 

Friday Roll-up

Each Friday the club is open from 4:30pm and we have a very informal 9 hole comp (enter between 4:30pm and 6pm on the evening) and raffle. The Friday roll up is a social event open to all, hope to see more of you there!

 

The weather is set fair this weekend so hopefully we’ll all manage to squeeze in the odd round or two amongst the celebrations for HRH!! I look forward to seeing you on the course.

 

Keep Swingin’!

 

DC

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April 2022

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Captains Blog Par Date 18th April 2022

 

Dear Members and Friends,

 

Easter weekend is just about behind us and the weather has feeling distinctly spring like, at last!

 

Following our successful start to the season with a wonderful turnout at the Captains’ Drive in, we are now heading into the “season proper”!!!

 

Most weekends there will be some form of competition and we’ll be having regular matches against other clubs and little “awayday” trips on a social basis to play at other courses around the Dales and the North.

 

In May we will also start our regular “roll ups” on a Friday evening; a chance for all members to get together, socialise and play some fun golf… no handicaps required!

 

Back to the competitions though. Three so far already with Nigel Green victorious in the Bernard Cox Trophy, Ian Johnson triumphant in the C.E. Wright trophy on Thursday 14th April; a round I witnessed first-hand and came second behind Ian and John Read in the Riseley Trophy Medal on Sunday.

 

Ian is one of our higher handicap players and it really goes to show how the new WHS (World Handicap System) works and ensures everyone has a chance to compete, also we had several new members playing in their first competitions which is brilliant . 😊

 

The remaining weekends in April see the Ladies and mixed competitions starting in earnest with a Mixed Summer Medal next weekend and Ladies 9 hole Summer League beginning on Weds 27th April and the first Ladies Medal on 30th April.

 

It would be fantastic to have a high number of Ladies taking part in the Mixed Medal over the 23rd/ 24th April (you can play on either day, whichever is best for you) and more new members playing in competitions.

 

If you don’t have a handicap please, please put a little time and effort into obtaining one. If you don’t know how to go about getting one just drop me a note at davidcolgrave@btinternet.com and I’ll put you on the right track!!

 

We use Master Scoreboard www.masterscoreboard.co.uk  for registering for competitions and keeping track of results/ handicaps, all members are set up on Master Scoreboard with user ID of first and last name.  There are also information posters around the locker rooms but if anyone is still struggling please drop me an email as above.

 

As Captain of the club this year my main overarching goal and theme is to get as many members playing, be it social golf, competitions, matches or just the odd evening knock in the summer, all enjoying our fabulous corner of the Dales!!

 

One final point, I know my fellow committee member Peter Johnson is currently following up on unpaid annual subscriptions. Please give him a hand pay any overdue subs as soon as possible.

 

Here’s to a fabulous golfing summer!!

 

DC

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March 2022

 

Captains Log  Par Date 31st March 2022
 
Fellow Members and Frustrated Major Winners!
 
So the season officially kicked off on Saturday with the Captains’ Drive in, our first “event” of the year. I would just like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved.
 
God – for the weather, simply glorious, he is a Yorkshireman!
 
Members – A fantastic turnout, I was genuinely blown away by the interest and attendance from both established and new members, plus family members who joined us for food and socialising in the clubhouse post event. Seeing a clubhouse full of animated, smiling and happy golfers and their families was the absolute highlight for me.
 
Volunteers – A huge thank you to everyone who helped out with catering (what an amazing spread!) and organisation. It just goes to show what we can achieve together everyone, please keep this passion for our club rolling all year!
 
Players – Big congratulations to the winners on Saturday but, really, it was all about taking part. The majority of us, definitely including me, will probably not win a trophy during the season but we can take part and enjoy the walk, the friendship of fellow members and the sublime beauty of hitting the odd shot that makes us smile from ear to ear!
 
Everyone – Don’t be put off by words like competition, matches, teams, handicap etc… Jump in and join in, get yourself a handicap, it’s really easy, just hand in three completed scorecards to get the ball rolling and set yourself a benchmark and then challenge yourself to get better
 
Keep supporting our club, let’s make this year special with maximum participation and enjoyment.
 
Cheers
 
DC"
 

February 2022

 

“Fellow members, friends and team mates…

 

“The second Captain’s Blog - Par Date 08/02/2022 (I hope someone has got the reference…)

 

So, early February and we are halfway through the darkest, wettest, coldest period of the year. The weather hasn’t let us down; biblical rainstorms, hurricane force winds and biting cold mornings.

But we persevere, in the odd “weather window” and even when the weather has firmly shut the door; I vividly remember finishing a round early in January in a snow storm and the ball on my final putt being twice the size by time it dropped into the whole. If it had been a long put I reckon I could have started building a snowman!

 

However, we’ve had a number of early year competitions on Sunday mornings and the Toffs (The Over Fifty Fives) have been playing most Thursday mornings, warmed by the post round pie and peas! They also play regular competitions, matches against other senior sides and the odd away day. If you are age qualified get along and have a blast, you’ll be warmly welcomed.

 

The form horse so far this year has been John Read, posting some strong consistent results and, as always, maintaining his position as” Baron of Banter”!

 

Can I please encourage everyone to get out and play, join in the social events and post a few scores. It doesn’t matter what they are but handing in a few cards will enable you to have a handicap and play in the competitions throughout the year. Don’t mistake the word “competition” for a pressured, unenjoyable experience…on the contrary they are always light-hearted, friendly and fun!

 

As we move towards March the weather should improve and the days become longer so we need to get out there more.

 

The season will officially commence on 26th March with the Captains’ drive-in, more details to follow.

 

The committee are working very hard to improve facilities both on and off the course and there will be some significant changes to both over the next few months, I’ll update you as these roll out.

 

On a final, very, very, very important we’d love to increase membership numbers this year and you can all help by:

 

• Rejoining – our membership fees are outstanding value compared to all the other clubs locally

• Bringing in a new member (friend/ relation/ colleague)… we have a range of incentives that make this financially advantageous

 

For info on these incentives please contact Peter Johnson at  pjohnson317@btinternet.com

 

As ever drop me a note if you have any thoughts/ questions/ ideas.

 

Cheers

 

DC”

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January 2022

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“Fellow members, friends and team mates…

 

“This is my first (of twelve monthly epistles) Captain’s Blog - Par Date 02/02/2022 (I hope someone gets the reference…)

 

We are in the depths of winter and coming to the end of the festive season; mornings and afternoons are dark and the weather for the past month has been wet, wetter and a bit too much like Noah’s adventures…

 

This is the time of year that golfers hibernate; keeping a low profile, dreaming of sun kissed afternoons in May when the ball carries miles and runs even further and greens are shorn and quick.

 

I’ve been out a lot recently (post a Covid episode), playing pretty average golf but loving the fresh air and beautiful scenery that blesses our bonny little course.

 

On Friday I had the pleasure of playing a few holes with our oldest member, Eddie Kidd. Eddie is an amazing character, with more stories and experiences than most of us will ever accumulate, and he hits it annoyingly  straight!! Our wander around the holes on the bottom field reminded me that comradeship and conversation is far more important than getting that little white spherical object in the hole.

 

I urge you all to ignore the damp underfoot fairways and less than balmy meteorological conditions.

 

Get out there, play golf!!

 

What is the alternative? Hiding behind the sofa watching the Ashes is no fun for anyone!!

 

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic New Year.

 

Here’s to a happy, healthy and handicap reducing 2022!!

 

DC