NHSJWL Winter League Presentation Day (A report by Alan Dixon) On a - PDF document

NHSJWL Winter League Presentation Day (A report by Alan Dixon) On a rather dull dewy morning of the 21 st March 2019 the Hampshire Senior Section, with permission from the Management of the Hampshire Golf Club, hosted the North Hants Senior Jubilee Winter League teams and organised the Presentation Day competition. For the uninitiated this was no small task. It required organisation of sixty players from arrival, getting them out on the course, playing the round, getting the results and then laying on a meal and conducting the presentation. The host for the day was the Hampshire Senior Captain Alan Griffin, with his behind the scenes team of Paul Ridge and Alan Dixon. These two were ably supported on the day by Gill Griffin. Early morning, 07:00 saw a hive of activity going on at the Club, with green staff frantically cutting all the greens along with positioning new holes for the day, as well as positioning all the tee boxes. At the same time staff from Management were busy preparing the club house with coffee and bacon baps for sixty as well as commencing preparing the meal. The administrators, Alan and Paul, were equally busy setting up PCs, putting up signs, preparing the booking in desk and putting signs out on the course. These being last minute details from what had already been a busy week as they prepared for the arrival of the competitors. This day was to see a number of new innovations for the Club, the first that would be seen was the opening of steps up to the first tee, something that in wet conditions would be very helpful and reduce the chance of slipping. 08:00 saw a steady stream of competitors arrive and be greeted by the host and owner of the Club Hassan and Alan Griffin. They were shepherded through to the booking in desk. Here with great proficiency all were checked in and handed packs with all the information needed for the day, as well as a raffle ticket, but only after paying entry fees for the raffle of course. Competitors were then shown into the bar area where the tea/coffee and their bacon baps were ready for them. On time Alan Griffin gave them a brief on the day’s proceedings and indicated timings they should leave to arrive at the various start positions, a shotgun start being used. Careful planning had been used to minimise walking distance as well as ensuring all could hear the Klaxon start. The Klaxon was sounded promptly at 09:30 and all players started their rounds. It was at this point that the administrators could have their first break. But not before carrying out the draw and marking up all the winning prizes. As players moved around the course it was good to note that whilst never sunny at least the temperature warmed up and the early morning mist soon lifted, and the dew dried out. Whilst no group had started on the 4 th hole, a challenging downhill par 3 it was here that the second new innovation, the introduction of tee signage reminding players that this hole would be a nearest the pin hole. No excuses for not knowing this time. Certainly, this player looks to have all in hand as he lines his shot up. As it turned out the hole seemed to be more challenging than we thought as it seems not many manged to find the green. With results showing only the one 2 managed on the hole and not a great list of names being recorded on the nearest the pin measuring stick either.

This another new innovation for the Club and one that most players, or at those that had reason to use used it were very impressed with. It certainly takes any guess work out of the question am I closer or not? Looking at this picture it would seem that some even found amusement in measuring the distance. The next time the competitors would see new Signage would be on the 8 th . Although a slightly curved long par 4 here was the straightest drive competition with a line being drawn down the centre of the fair way. Being simply a straightest drive, it was about hitting the ball straight and not so much with how far. This seems to have had more success as more names appeared on the marker as shots got ever closer to the line. The final new introduction would be one that may have cost the odd player a pound. It was the introduction of a charity bunker. The Hampshire Players will have to be wary of this for the rest of the year, for some could be costly. Not totally sure how many visited on the day but we do have a picture of the very first to go in the bunker, let ’ s hope the player was honest and paid up. Play continued for the expected four hours and it was now that second phase of the day would commence as players looked to hand in score cards. For them it was a case of what could have or should have been, and then off to have a shower and get dressed for the meal. For administrators it was back to the grind stone. Each card having to be checked for correctness, scores entered into the Club V1 PC so that the result would be passed to every Club. Cards were then passed to a second entry point where all results were collated onto a spreadsheet. This spreadsheet was displayed on a larger screen in the bar, and players could see their score being entered and have some indication of how individuals were doing. After all cards had been checked and entered the operator would then be able to present a screen showing not only who had had the best round but also the results for the pairs and team competition. Whilst all this was being carried out the players were taken up to the Burwood Suite for a sit-down meal.

This room had been excellently prepared by the Management, tables laid out, with menus and place settings arranged to ensure those playing together were sitting together and could carry on discussing the round or other interests they had found. After the meal Alan Griffin gave a short speech before presenting the prizes. Just to indicate how well the players played today take a note of the result of the team Competition. With 351 points The Hampshire and Weybrooke Park could not be separated. 351 points means a team average of 35.1 for each player. With Andover only a point behind it was really a hard-fought competition. The final prize being presented for the day was the awarding of the League Cup to this year’s winning Club, Weybrook Park. The Brian Young Cup being presented by Brian Young himself. Shortly after the players dispersed but not before collecting their raffle prizes. When leaving it was felt from comments passed by many that the day had been a success. The Hampshire had organised and managed the day well, making it an enjoyable one for all those taking part. Comments of appreciation were given to the Management and staff for the way the players had been looked after, for the Green staff in the presentation of the course, and not least for the organisers and those administering the day. From those at the Hampshire thank you all for your comments and we are glad you have all enjoyed the day. Some photos of the course for your memory banks.