The Secretary's Blog

Irons used to publish a regular newsletter containing reports of recent events and details of forthcoming ones but it has been replaced by the Secretary's Blog. You can view copies of the newsletter by clicking on the appropriate link below. The blog and newsletter version published here has abbreviated surnames for confidentiality. We realise that many members may not be as 'out' as others and we take the confidentiality of member details seriously. (Incidentally, all members who are identifiable in the pictures that appear on this website have agreed for the pictures to be published). Many of our members are probably not too bothered about having their names published but it would take far too long to ask them so it is quicker to abbreviate them all!

July 2010
Since, I last wrote after the fourth Sunday event, we have had Captain's Weekend and the Wales Tour which have both gone exceptionally well.

Captain's Weekend, was a first at Wokefield Park and those of us who stayed over on the Saturday thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, with a super buffet meal as well. As for Captain's Day, it was a triumphal day for the Captain, as for the first time in a while, the Captain won "his event" scoring 38 Points, and presented with the trophy by the Immediate Past Captain, Mark B (slightly damaged after a couple of knocks in the President's car on the way down!). The longest drive was won by big hitter Alistair, and nearest the Pin by Ann. We had several matchplay ties, in which James L beat Clare B, and Melissa C beat Terry H on the 18th hole.

Just to clarify, that Captain's weekend is separate to the President Balls Competition, so though this was mentioned at the AGM, I will reiterate this again for any Members not present, that the scores for this event are not part of the overall President Ball's competition.

On to Wales, and remarkably even the weather behaved itself here as well, and though there were a few showers on only a couple of the days, it was probably the best weather we have ever had for the Wales Tour. The winners on each of the individual competitions days were as follows - Ju, Ken, James - well that was expected on his home course (Secretary in 2nd!), John D, and even the Immediate Past Captain, Mark.

The overall winner for the Wales Tour ended up being a tie for first on 24.5 points between Takashi and Eddy, with Ken in third on 23.5 points. The winner of Bessie's Bowl which are the best six scores between Weston and Wales went to Takashi, and finally the winner of the Pink Pot for the third year in succession was Jason!

On to the current standings for the President Balls, as we have played four events so far this year, and it is the best five events that count, I had been asked by Ken, to give us all a fuller update, so here goes - after 4 events - leading with 26 Points Ken C (with 4 events counting - lowest score 2.5 points, in second place our President, Martin with 22.5 points, (with 4 events counting - lowest score 3.5 points, in third place on 21 points, Alistair ( with 3 events counting - lowest score 3 points, and finally in fourth place, on 20 points, Melissa ( with 2 events counting - lowest score 10 points).

June 2010
Following an excellent event at Darenth Valley today, we now head across London to the west side and Wokefield Park for our Captain's Day.

Before the details on that, the results from Darenth Valley were as follows. In 1st place, with sheer straightness from Tee to Green (even if not far off the ground), was our Treasurer, David Hn winning with 39pts, in second place, with 37 Points our ever consistent Ken C, with the Immediate Past Captain (Mark B), beating the present Captain (Ian T) on count-back for third place on 35 Points. Ken also won nearest the Pin, with the Captain taking the honours on the longest drive!

In the race for the President's Balls which is the best five scores from the eight Sunday events, after Darenth Valley, we now have another new leader, Our "Ken" is on 26 points leading by 3.5pts from the President, Martin H, and Alistair has crept up to 21, with our previous leader Melissa on 20 points. Unfortunately, Melissa wasn't able to join us today and increase her points tally because she wasn't too well, so we wish her a speedy recovery!

The fourth event of the season welcomed another new recent contact, Debi S, for the first time, so we all hoped she enjoyed her first outing and look forward to seeing her again soon.

Now - on to Wokefield Park, one of the best courses we play during the Irons Calendar Year.

May 2010
Following an excellent event at Aldwickbury Park, with a new challenging course and very interesting and pleasant surroundings, we now head for our fourth event of the year, which is only three weeks away!

As for the results from Aldwickbury Park, there was a sensational performance by "our" Alistair, with 43 Points, four points clear of Melissa in second place on 39, another excellent performance and the President stuck home in third, with 34 Points.

Martin, The President also won his matchplay event against Kevin, so a double celebration. The longest drive was comfortably won by the Captain after the Secretary (sheer surprise for all) was the only other person on the marker, and Nearest the Pin was also won by the Captain, squeezing inside a very good shot from Godfrey. Finally, the only celebration for Mr Consistent Ken, was winning a bottle of champagne in the raffle held by the Aldwickbury Park prior to today's round which we were all invited to enter!

In the race for the President's Balls which is the best five scores from the eight Sunday events, after Aldwickbury we now have a new leader in an increasingly tight leader board, with Melissa on 20.00, The President on 19.00 and Malcolm, our last leader on 16.50pts, with Ken just behind on 16.00 and Alistair, bounding his way into 5th on 15.00.

The third event of the season welcomed another new recent contact, Justin, who thoroughly enjoyed the event, and we also welcomed back from Thailand Michael T-W.

April 2010
Following our second event of the year at Aldenham, many of you next week will be heading to Weston for the first of our three main Irons Tour for 2010. I hope the weather is good and you all play well!

However, in order to make sure you do not forget the next Sunday event I am sending the invitation out in good time for Aldwickbury Park, as it is also our first time at this new venue for the Irons Golf Society.

As for the results from Aldenham, it seems it was very tight at the top, with the top three scores at 31 points, so congratulations go to Neil winning on count-back from Melissa, and the ever so consistent Ken. The Longest Drive was won by Melissa and Nearest the Pin by Clare, so well done to you all. In terms of the President's Balls, which will be the best five scores from the eight Sunday events, leading at the moment is Malcolm on 16.50 pts, with Mr Consistency, Ken just behind on 12.50 and Chris in 3rd on 12.00 following his victory in the first event.

The second event of the season welcomed a further two new players. And I wanted to add a welcome note from the Secretary to both Andrew and John who played their first rounds with the Society.

Now - on to Aldwickbury Park, this is a new venue for us, so all to play for and hopefully you all be delighted to know that the Secretary will at last be attending, so I am very much looking forward to seeing you all.

March 2010
As for the results from Stockley Park, very well done to Chris S, excellent performance winning on his first appearance with the Society with 43 points and having an awesome swing to go with it! So I look forward to seeing that later on in year when I rejoin you all back on the course. 2nd place went to ever consistent Malcolm G with 38 pts, just pipping Gene S into 3rd place with 37. As ever Ju, managed to find at least one good drive during the round and won the Longest drive competition, and our President nipped in for the final prize of Nearest the Pin.

The first event of the season is always good to catch up with friends and I seriously missed doing that this time around so best wishes to everyone, but I also wanted to add a welcome note from the Secretary to both Chris and Nigel who played their first rounds with the Society, and to Jonathon playing in his first Sunday event.

Now - on to Aldenham, as it happens it was my first ever Irons event back in 2004 and as I am sure many of you will remember, I certainly made it memorable for all those watching on the first tee! As I again will be absent owing to election campaigning, if you want a laugh ask Ken C to recount it.........I'm sure he'll be delighted too!

September 2009
Just to recap the result of the seventh Sunday event at Hoebridge today, the most consistent performer of the year was out in front again, as Neil W with another superb 42 points won, with the ever improving Terry H finishing 2nd with 41 points and Steve I beating Clarke H on countback for third place. However, Clarke's excellent 39 points meant that she also became the first female winner of any of the Irons Trophy Competitions, winning the Matchplay Trophy with a 7&6 win over the Vice Captain Ian T. Clarke's scalps this year also included the Captain as well, so well done and congratulations to her on a superb Matchplay performance this year. Nearest the Pin was won by Clare, and Alistair won the longest drive with an approximate 350 yard drive - superb effort. After, seven events, nobody has managed to score in six events, so all scores count in the final event of the year. The scores in the President's Ball's race are as follows, Malcolm G leads by 4.5 points on 28.50 from Neil W on 24.00, Clarke H and the Captain share 3rd place on 23.00, however with neither Malcolm or Mark playing at Farleigh Court, the door is fully open with next event's winner earning 12.00 points means that Peter H, Godfrey J, Dave Hw and the reigning champion Alistair C can all take the title on the final day along with Neil and Clarke as the leading protagonists.

late August 2009
The result of the sixth Sunday event (at Stock Brook Manor) was another first time winner John D winning with 36 points, beating Takashi S on countback. Third place went to Godfrey J on countback from the Captain. After, six scores in the President's Ball's race, Malcolm G now leads by 2 points on 23.00 from the Captain in second place with 21.00, with Peter H in third and Godfrey chasing hard now in 4th alone on 18.00. However, 14 people are within one win of overtaking Malcolm G at the top, so it is all to play for in the final two Sunday events of the year at Hoebridge and Farleigh Court this year.

early August 2009
The result of the fifth Sunday event at The Hertfordshire: our winner was debutant Alan F, winning with 38 points, beating another relatively new Member, Malcolm G and an old stalwart, The Captain on countback with 19 points compared to 17 and 16 respectively for the other two. After, five events (best six scores count) in the President's Ball's race, Malcolm G now leads by 3.25 points on 23.00 from Peter H in second, ten people are then in the race for 3rd, as all our within one win of catching Malcolm, leading the charge is Clarke on 15.50, then Trevor on 15.00 followed by the Captain on 13.50 alongside Dave Hw on 13.50.

July 2009
Just to recap the result of the fourth Sunday event at Wokefield Park, our winner was Percy S with 35 Points, followed by four people on 33 points, with Peter H and Melissa C capturing the two other podium places beating on count-back Stephen H and Gary L. Dave Hw won the longest drive and nearest the Pin was won by a resurgent Clare. After four events (best six scores count) in the President's Ball's race, Peter H has broken away from the log jam at the top of the leaderboard with 19.75, however the next six positions are separated by one and a half points, in order Dave Hw 13.50, Percy S and Malcolm G on 13.00, The Secretary 12.33, Steven H on 12.25, and Neil W 12.00.

June 2009
Just to recap the result of the third Sunday event at Donnington Valley, our winner was Neil W with 35 Points, who played very consistently followed by vast improving Godfrey J in second place with 33 and our vet from down "south" in more ways than one, was Peter H coming in third with 30 Points beating the Vice Captain Ian T into 4th place on countback. The longest drive and nearest the Pin was also won by Peter who scooped 3/5 of the prizes! Well Done Peter. After three events (best six scores count) in the President's Ball's race, the leaderboard is very congested with eight people all within three points of each other, which highlights how the prizes are being shared about this year, however it is as follows, Malcolm 13.00, Secretary 12.33, Neil W and Peter H on 12.00, Clarke on 10.50, with Godfrey, Dave H and T all on 10.00 Points.

May 2009
Just to recap the result of the second Sunday event at Darenth Valley, our winner was new boy Malcolm G with 39 Points, who played very well off a low handicap followed by Trevor (Handicap Secretary) with 38, let's make sure he cuts himself and in third with 35, our former Captain Peter S. The longest drive was won by the Captain, and nearest the Pin was won by Malcolm also, with a terrific shot. It's still early doors in the President's Ball's race with five people into double figures leading by a whisker is the Secretary, with two points finishes on 12.3, Malcolm on 12, followed by Clarke on 10.5, Trevor and Dave H on 10 Points.

April 2009
As a round up of the first event result at Stockley Park, winning with 38 points was the Secretary (Adrian), followed by Dave H on 37, and the ever present Ken with 36. The longest drive was won by Vincent, and nearest the Pin was won by the organiser, Terry just inside Ken! . Obviously, this is only the first Sunday event in the President Balls Trophy but a good start for those early leaders to get points on the board!