Each month, our three Captains share with us their news from the previous few weeks and take a quick look ahead to the upcoming month. This time, Matt Tunstall, Jill Pottle and Kevin Price look forward to the start of the new golfing “season”.

Men’s Captain, Matt Tunstall

Well, that’s January over and done with. One Month closer to some better Golfing weather!

As most of you are aware, this time of year is generally very quiet with on course events, however, behind the scenes, there is plenty of preparation going in for the coming golf season. I would start by introducing you all to this year’s team captains:

• Thornton Cup – Steve Wood, Email: swoodmiester@gmail.com
• Leslie Wood – Kevin Hitchman, Email: kev.hitch@gmail.co.uk
• Curry Cup – Ian Thompson, Email: ian.thompson10@outlook.com
• Jubilee – Steve Hale & Ian Smith, Email: shale7762@yahoo.co.uk , iansmith.playgolf@gmail.com
• Norman Plum – John Sandford & Keith Hodgson, Email: john.sandford@hotmail.com ,
keith.hodgson@me.com

All captains will be present on the revised ‘team get together’ day on February 22. Please feel free to register interest with the team captains before this date if you are unable to attend.

Secondly, I would like to thank Clare Nixon and Anita Sparrow for organising and carrying out the first aid evening held last week. This was a very well supported event and something I would encourage as many people as possible to attend.

Thank you all and I hope to see you around the club.

Ladies Captain, Jill Pottle

Well, what a pleasure it has been to continue playing golf throughout the first part of Winter without getting too wet and muddy.

I think you will all agree that the course is currently in fabulous condition and playing really well for the time of year. I would like to send a big “Thank You” to all our Greenkeeping staff for managing the course and conditions so well and enabling us to keep active.

The Ladies Section has successfully run a few competitions recently with a good turnout each week due to the fairer weather we have been experiencing. I just hope that we don’t pay for this good Winter weather come the Spring!!

On Thursday February 6 we are playing in a Fundraiser for my Charity, Parkinson’s UK. Following our golf, we will be participating in some fun games and activities (including a ‘Nearest the Pin’ competition in the simulator) and enjoying lots of lovely sweet and savoury goodies that some of the ladies are providing. I will be asking for donations towards my Charity for anything consumed! If any of you are at the Club that day and feel like indulging in the treats come and find us – I’m sure there will be plenty for everyone!

Finally, could I please remind all golfers to adhere to the club’s winter rules regarding keeping trolleys off the fairways on both courses. There are still a lot of you ignoring this request which frustrates those people struggling to carry that are obeying the rules. Please be considerate when playing your rounds.

Happy Golfing!!

Seniors Captain, Kevin Price

January has been a relatively quiet month for the senior section with only one competition of note, although, we have started our weekly swindles, which are always played with a competitive edge.

I always find January and February an exciting time of the year. Hopefully, we are on the verge of better weather, but also, we have many club, senior and team competitions to look forward to.

The senior section participates in 30 Interclub matches over the course of the year and these matches are open to anyone who is a paid-up member of the senior section. 15 of the matches are played at home and 15 away. They are a great opportunity to play team golf against different opposition, both at Stoke and at different away venues.

The seniors are involved in two county knockout competitions. These are the John Day Trophy and The Essex Seniors team. This year, the teams will be captained by Ian McKay and Eric Fisher respectively. Anyone wishing to play in these teams should sign up on ClubV1. Remember, you do not have to be a member of the senior section to apply for the knockout teams, but you must be over the age of 55.

We have three competitions coming up in February and it’s really encouraging to see the level of participation, with a number of events full up. Hopefully, that will be a trend that continues throughout the year. One of February’s events is ‘3 clubs and a putter.’ I always find it fascinating that the winning scores are quite often higher than competitions played with a full set of clubs.

Wishing everyone a great month.