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CAPTAINS CORNER

FINALLY UNDERWAY AND IT’S BEEN A GOOD YEAR

At our Autumn Meeting in 2020 – the only get together we had that year – we were optimistic that 2021 held the promise of a more normal year. In the event, the early matches either had to be postponed or deferred to later in the year. Covid restrictions meant that my Captain’s Day had to be put back to September, whilst it was touch and go as to whether the Captain’s Tour to Dale Hill could proceed – it did and was most enjoyable.

Questions over dress codes have been a feature of the summer. Initially, showers at golf clubs were not fully open and towels were not available. Clubs allowed golfers to eat dressed in the golf clothes in which they played. I favoured the smart casual approach. Gradually, as the summer progressed and members became more confident of their surroundings, we returned to some form of normality and returned to wearing blazers and ties at dinner. I must say, though, that I favour the smart casual approach and the lowering of the level of formality at our matches, although I recognise I may be in the minority.

But what of the matches, you say? Well, we have done rather well. Of the seven county matches, we have won five – very respectable. We came second in the Four Counties South competition at Maidenhead, to a strong team from Oxfordshire, who also beat us in our county match. However, we won the Four Counties North match at Thetford, by a single point from Norfolk. There were several strong performances, notably from your Hon. Sec. Peter Short who parred the final hole – a par four, 476 yard hole played of the white tees. We also won the pairs competition with Brian Rodgers and John Newell scoring 41 points and Bob Barnes completed the clean sweep in winning the competition for the travelling reserves.

Alan Rose has had a good year, retaining the Miners Helmet at my Captain’s Tour, an event enjoyed by everyone. This is the last time the Captain’s Tour will be played over three nights with four games of golf. Next year, the venue will be Dorset Golf & Country Club and the duration will be two nights and three games of golf, much less exhausting! John Mannering is due to Captain next year, please give him your support.

Alan Rose also won the Mixed Invitation with his partner, to keep up his winning ways. This is an excellent competition. We only had nine couples playing and it deserves your support – please put this one in your diary for next year.

In the Past Captains competition, which is only open to Past Captains of the Association, Roger Warren was the victor – well done Roger.

This year, due to a vacancy, I have been handling the Match Secretary position as well as being Captain. However, I’m pleased to say that Colin Elwell will take over next year.

As my year is drawing to a close, I look forward to seeing as many as possible at the Autumn Meeting, at Aspley Guise. To all of our new members, I say welcome and apologise if I haven’t spoken or played with you, but I’m sure our paths will cross. To all of our members, I say, please encourage your club’s past captains to join our Association. We need new members and we are a good crowd of people, playing enjoyable golf on good courses.

Finally, I offer my best wishes to John Mannering for his captaincy in 2022 and to all of our committee, who work very hard for the Association – it has been great fun working with you.

David
Captain 2021