Richard Lomax

Club Captain 2010/11


Dear Members

Here is my Captain's report to the committee meeting held on 5th July, covering the period since the last meeting on 7th June.


A relatively quiet month for a change!

However, there have been some low as well as high points.

A recent incident on the driving range brings to the fore the need for self control and safety at all times on the golf course and a message to this effect has already been posted on the members’ website.

The Midsummer Madness competition was enjoyed by all who played in it. It was a pity that we only had about 40 entrants but the day clashed with the DBs’ tour and another group’s away day. However, the winning team of Gill and Tom Lane with Mike WIlliams and Colin Henley were very worthy winners having easily outscored all opposition and achieved three birdies and a par on the par three 7th along the way!

The Hillman team won their first Plate round with a comprehensive 6.5 to 0.5 win over Weston Turnville.  Congratulations to James Dawes and his team of Sean Sargeant, Geoff Kells, Ray Ross, Mark Seymour, Clive Norkett and Hillman debutant Cliff Waller, who turned a "4 down after 9" position into a win on the 18th!

Sadly the Mens’ Interclub team have not had a good month, losing 4-2 to The Lambourne at home and then 3-2 away to Castle Royle.

The highlight of the month for me personally, and the club, was the team win in the Newbury Interclub Challenge, held at Sandford Springs. This competition was originally started by Donnington Grove  and the trophy donated by the club back in 2003. We won the cup that year but have failed to win it ever since, until this year, that is. Our great rivals at Donnington Valley have won it for the last three years running and put out a crack team most years. We have chosen to field the team from our committee as a sort of thank you for all the hours they put in during the year. So, it can be a bit of “hit and miss” as to whether or not we have a strong team! However, the team this year of Tim Brunsden, Ann MacDonald, Sylvia Davies, Brenda Agutter, Gill Lane, Tony Coleman, Mike Williams and, last but not least, yours’ truly, put in a great performance and won by 6 points. The cheer which went up when our win was announced was reflective of how much we really wanted this one!  It is our year to host the competition in 2011 and Tim Brunsden will, no doubt, be fiercely defending the trophy on our behalf, with the benefit of home advantage.

Another reciprocal course, Heythrop Park, near Chipping Norton, has been added during June to the list of courses which members can play free of charge. Tim and I played a round there last month and can report that it is well worth a visit. However, like Castle Combe/Manor House, a buggy is recommended!

Our course has suffered to some extent during the June dry spell, although the greens are in great condition. Much as we have all enjoyed playing in the sunshine we could do with a good fall of rain to restore the fairways to their former lush condition. Just so long as it rains during the night and shines during the day we don’t mind!


Richard Lomax
Club Captain 2010/11



Donnington Grove - July Medal Divisional Winners

Division 1

Division 2

Division 3



Colin MacDougall
Gross 79  Nett 71


Josh Wintrup
Gross 80  Nett 69


David Adams
Gross 89  Nett 70

Member's News


 

Goggy Goes For a Swim!

No better way to celebrate winning the Club Championship than to cool down by diving into the pond beside the 18th green!

Having been confirmed 2010 Club Champion, Goggy took the bait from the Club Captain, who suggested that it was customary to jump into the pond. He gamely obliged with a triple roll and pike, finding three golf balls in the process! These he quickly secreted down the front of his trousers for future use. If you look carefully you can just make them out!

Well done Goggy. You are a worthy champion!

Lynn Turner retained her Ladies title and Josh Wintrup and Ann MacDonald won the nett competitions.


My chosen charity for the year is Help for Heroes. This is an amazing charity dedicated to supporting many young men and women who have suffered life changing injuries through serving our country since 9/11. Click here for further information. I hope that all DG members will support me in raising funds for this very worthwhile cause during my year in office.

If you have any issues you wish to raise with the committee just click on the email link at the top of this page and let us know about them.

Click here to read Richard's letter to members which accompanied the annual renewal letter from Donnington Grove.

Let us know if you are competing in events outside of the club. If you are successful tell us. We will be happy to publish your achievements on the website. Just email the details to:- committee@donnington-grove.com



Latest News


Hole in One for Marjorie Follows!

Marjorie Follows had a hole-in-one today at the 7th. Well done to Marjorie, who was clearly on a high in the bar afterwards on the experience!
» Read More

Three Champagne Winners today!

A big turnout this afternoon in the weekly Champagne Roll-up, with three bottles won. Sean Sargeant took first place with 23 points followed by second placed Mark Brown (22 points) and Darren Boyce with 21 points after count back.
Geoff Kells', who had a mediocre score of 13 points by his normal standards, was still smiling in the bar afterwards having eagled the 9th.
Dympna Batley's name was drawn in the weekly cash draw but as she was not present the money rolls over to next week.
» Read More

Seniors bounce back at Caversham Heath

Beware the wounded Senior!!!  After suffering a defeat to The Springs on Tuesday, the Seniors took it out on Caversham Heath today and came back 5-1 winners! Past CH member Ian Gaskell was one half of the only DG pairing to lose and there were suspicions that he had been bought over by his CH friends during the pre-match coffee and bacon rolls!
However, the home team made us all very welcome, and the meal afterwards was one of the best so far this season with a lamb shank main course followed by bread & butter pudding and ice cream. Who wouldn't wish to be a Senior with days like today!
» Read More

Seniors not quite up to the mark at The Springs

Home advantage clearly helped The Springs to a home win (3.5 to 2.5) over the DG Senior team today. The matches were all very close on a course which most of the DG team had not played before. So, next year will, we are sure, be very different!
The Springs is now on our reciprocal list of courses which DG members can play for free. So, if you haven't yet played the course, book a tee time through our Pro Shop and you will be sure of a good day out.
» Read More

Phil Lewis takes home the champagne!

A "stonking" round of 24 points by Phil Lewis easily secured him a bottle of bubbly last Friday in the champagne roll-up. Well done Phil.
Mick Clifford would have won £250 in the weekly cash draw had he been in the bar but, as he wasn't, the money rolls over to next Friday.
» Read More

Mixed Results for the Mixed Team v The Springs.

Sylvia Davies, Lady Vice Captain reports as follows on yesterday's mixed match:
This year we seem to have been blessed with having lovely sunny weather for all our mixed matches and Sunday 25th July was no exception.  DG were host to The Springs in a tightly fought match, which although unfortunately ended in a  2.5/3.5 loss for DG, was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.  Andy Ward, Jan King and Cliff Waller, Lesley Dixon won their matches and John Tonner, Sylvia Davis halved their match.  We learned after the match that four of The Springs ladies are through to the Oxfordshire County Semi finals, so we thought we had done quite well.
» Read More

Captain's Pick wins the Bonus Ball Sweepstake!

Richard's lucky number 27 has been drawn for the second time this year and therefore the entire pot of £39 goes to the Help for Heroes charity. A new sheet is on the bar for the next draw on Saturday 31st July.
» Read More

Summer Disco Party Definitely On!

We now have enough tickets sold to go ahead with the Summer Party. There are still tickets left and if you haven't yet bought your ticket please contact Sylvia Davies, Lady Vice Captain on 07770 684688. The date is Friday 6th August.
» Read More



 


Member's Survey