Captain's Blog
July 2025
The "new" Captain's Day is fast approaching and I have my fingers crossed that it will actually happen this time. There's been a very encouraging response and I'm looking forward to the day/evening, spent among good golfing friends and acquaintances. Apart from there being prizes for the top six stableford scores, there will also be a prize for whoever makes the best gross score on the day. You'll be able to win a bottle of champagne for each of the nearest the pins (on 5 and 16) and - I couldn't resist giving the 'de Chambeaus' among us the chance to show their muscles with a longest drive prize too. It occurred to me to have the longest drive competition on the 15th, which would have put the cat among the pigeons with more people than usual going over the corner of the dogleg, but I've decided to make it the 13th instead. Just make sure you get your drive on the fairway.....
One or two members have spoken to me about a couple of less than savoury things that they've become aware of on the course, so I thought I would mention them here. Some of our smoking comrades have been being a bit careless about the depositing of their dog ends. Quite simply - as with ALL litter - you take your trash home with you, or at least as far as the next bin. If nothing else it shows a complete lack of respect for the brilliant work done by Jamie and his team, not to mention for the other members of the club, so please keep an eye on littering generally. Another aspect of the game is how we show our disappointment when we play a bad shot, which everyone does now and then (or rather more often than that if you happen to be this year's captain!). A couple of years ago I played in a competition with one of our better golfers, whose use of colourful language when he fluffed a shot could have been seen as offensive to those around him. We spoke about it before we played (someone had warned me) and I told him that he would be unlikely to upset me personally but that we all have a responsibility to avoid causing offence unnecessarily, sometimes thoughtlessly but always self-indulgently. Golf is a social game which should be enjoyed by everyone, not just you and your mates. Give a bit of thought to other people's pleasure - it's quite a grown-up thing to do.
In last Saturday's competition for the Robin Lloyd Memorial Trophy I felt sorry for one of our number who might have won the competition had he not called a two stroke penalty on himself for having played the wrong ball. Step forward Cej Burgess - and thanks for showing us all one of the strengths of our game - the innate honesty shown by the vast majority of golfers. Cej has also shown himself to be an enthusiastic organiser this year of the men's friendly matches with Eastbourne Downs, Nevill and Lamberhurst. Many thanks Cej - on both counts.
Vice captain Steve Morgan and I have been enjoying our challenge matches with enthusiastic and determined Highwoods members. The most recent match resulted in a good win for Dave Pragnell and Andy Coulter - the way Dave played the back nine was irresistible, especially the nett birdie on the 14th and the huge putt on the next hole! Steve and I suffered from the slight annoyance of playing the same holes badly and the same holes well; not a recipe for victory. Well played chaps - now you'll have a chance to get your names on the board later in the year.
Before I go I'll just remind you all that after the golf next Sunday there will of course be a prizegiving ceremony, followed by a relaxed evening of music, food and drink. Fun for all......hope to see you there.
Denis D
One or two members have spoken to me about a couple of less than savoury things that they've become aware of on the course, so I thought I would mention them here. Some of our smoking comrades have been being a bit careless about the depositing of their dog ends. Quite simply - as with ALL litter - you take your trash home with you, or at least as far as the next bin. If nothing else it shows a complete lack of respect for the brilliant work done by Jamie and his team, not to mention for the other members of the club, so please keep an eye on littering generally. Another aspect of the game is how we show our disappointment when we play a bad shot, which everyone does now and then (or rather more often than that if you happen to be this year's captain!). A couple of years ago I played in a competition with one of our better golfers, whose use of colourful language when he fluffed a shot could have been seen as offensive to those around him. We spoke about it before we played (someone had warned me) and I told him that he would be unlikely to upset me personally but that we all have a responsibility to avoid causing offence unnecessarily, sometimes thoughtlessly but always self-indulgently. Golf is a social game which should be enjoyed by everyone, not just you and your mates. Give a bit of thought to other people's pleasure - it's quite a grown-up thing to do.
In last Saturday's competition for the Robin Lloyd Memorial Trophy I felt sorry for one of our number who might have won the competition had he not called a two stroke penalty on himself for having played the wrong ball. Step forward Cej Burgess - and thanks for showing us all one of the strengths of our game - the innate honesty shown by the vast majority of golfers. Cej has also shown himself to be an enthusiastic organiser this year of the men's friendly matches with Eastbourne Downs, Nevill and Lamberhurst. Many thanks Cej - on both counts.
Vice captain Steve Morgan and I have been enjoying our challenge matches with enthusiastic and determined Highwoods members. The most recent match resulted in a good win for Dave Pragnell and Andy Coulter - the way Dave played the back nine was irresistible, especially the nett birdie on the 14th and the huge putt on the next hole! Steve and I suffered from the slight annoyance of playing the same holes badly and the same holes well; not a recipe for victory. Well played chaps - now you'll have a chance to get your names on the board later in the year.
Before I go I'll just remind you all that after the golf next Sunday there will of course be a prizegiving ceremony, followed by a relaxed evening of music, food and drink. Fun for all......hope to see you there.
Denis D