Hi everyone,

You can always tell when the Glastonbury Festival is on because the weather invariably turns to welly wearing! This week the flip flops have been firmly stored away until we get our next heat wave! (I hope)

Saturday 28th June saw our lovely Club Captain Azim Dinani hold his Captain's Day. The day started off sunny and I was hopeful that it might stay that way, but unfortunately the bad weather from the Pilton pop festival also crept its way over to B&C and we saw rumbles of thunder, menacing skies and some heavy showers of rain at times during the morning.

This didn't dampen anyone's spirits and it was game on as usual. There were 66 competitors for the morning shotgun at 8.45am and another 80 or so for the 1.45pm klaxon. I am very proud of you all for staying strong and playing through the rain! It was for a fantastic cause, the Captain's Charity Young Bristol, which gives young disadvantaged Bristolians a chance to better themselves. Wonderful Azim has also supported our own charity, The Daisy Garland, for disabled children with life limiting epilepsy. I am thrilled by this, thank you so much.

Paul also supported the day by challenging participants to hit the green on the 13th, and for a nominal fee they could win balls. £210 profit was made from this and this will be going to charity. What a great result!

A delicious meal with salad bar, some delicious home made Indian treats (made by Shamim, who is obviously fabulous at cooking) and Buck's Fizz was served between shotgun starts. Luke, Kris and I certainly chomped down a few of all of those!

Two presentations saw Mark Dalton and Richard Bromilow as the winners of the morning and Tony Mann and Mike Blake victors for the afternoon. First prize walked away with a Motocaddy S1 Lite trolley, second prize received an S800 stand bag and third prize won a crested holdall. There were bottles of champers for the winners of nearest the pin on 7th and longest & straightest drive on 14th. Congratulations to our winners, you played very well indeed.

Thank you Azim and Shamim for hosting an amazing Captains Day. Your generosity and kindness is always appreciated and you are both such fabulous people.

The Mixed Open

Following Captain's Day, the 29th June saw the Mixed Open held at Bristol & Clifton. The field of 124 competitors set out throughout the day, with the last group heading out at 2.30pm. The weather was a bit happier and everyone who played seemed to enjoy themselves. Our course has been in the most incredible condition lately, thanks to Matt and his team, and the compliments have been flowing freely for our golf club. It is a pleasure to work at such a highly regarded course.

The winners of the Mixed Open were Kim and Rosie Thompson who won on countback with 39 points. Our very own Sandra Gibbs and Pete Lane came third, also on 39 points. They also won the Gunn Cup for best B&C pair. Bristol and Clifton had another great result in Pete Muddiman and Joyce Forrester coming fourth. Our congratulations to them and well done to everyone who played. We look forward to welcoming you all again. I would also like to thank Brian Macmahon, Evan David and Bob Bennett, who do such a great job on these Opens. The club and Academy salute you for your hardwork and cheerfulness.

In other golf club news

On the 24th and 25th of June, the ladies James and Challenge cups were held. The overall winner of the two days was Ali Vyas, and in second place Veronica Shorttle. Fantastic results Ladies! Day one was won by Claire Fairman and day two won by Alison Leatt. Congratulations to you all.

What's been happening at the Academy?

We have been introducing Ladies only beginner coaching to the Academy, as part of our Get Into Golf centre initiative. Last Friday, Paul took six beginner Ladies down to the chipping green to teach them the basics of the short game. They had already covered the fundamentals of grip and swing in their previous sessions with Paul, and they have all enjoyed the sessions so much that we have organised more Ladies only beginner and refresher groups for the autumn, costing £7 per Lady per session. Full details and sign up sheets are in the pro shop, so please pop in or email us at bristolandcliftonproshop@gmail.com for more details and to sign up.

If you have friends who have been interested in playing but have found joining a club or coming to a lesson intimidating, this is the group they have been waiting for. I went into the bar after the session to find the lovely ladies having a cuppa together. One of them even texted her hubby to say she was too busy having a chat with the other ladies to come home for shopping. This is very refreshing and I am thrilled to see some more potential lady members and friends of the Academy. Regrettably I would never be too busy for shopping!

Not to leave the chaps out, we also run mixed beginners groups with Andy, again to encourage more people to try the game. These are held on Tuesday 8th July, 22nd July and 29th July, starting at 6pm, and cost just £5 per person per session. Last week we had another new beginner lad to look round the club, have fun at Andy's session and enjoy all that B&C has to offer. I am excited that we can introduce more people to the sport and to our lovely club. As before, please do pop in to the Pro Shop for more details, call us on 01275393031 or click here to get in touch for booking or for more information.

Just to fatten up my waist a little more after Shamim's goodies, our very good friend Tony Mann brought in another of his wonderful wife's home made chocolate cakes for Cameron. However none of us in the shop are one to pass up a slice of anything delicious (except Andy who is losing a battle trying to keep us thin!) so we all tucked in and I have to say, this cake is sublime. Cameron's words were "it's lush". He's getting ever so bristolian y'know! Worryingly! He must get it from his father........! Tony please can you thank the fabulous Mrs Mann for feeding the little lad (and the fat ones in the shop), we love her cakes.

I would also like to thank academy friend John Savva for our fruit supplies. One week we get gorgeous cherries, then blueberries, we won't get scurvy! We are such a lucky bunch and we will keep our teeth!

I will be on holiday this week, only in Norfolk, but I guarantee it will be quieter in the shop in my absence. I'm off for a donkey ride and a Whippy with a flake by the seaside, so I hope you all have a brilliant week and I will see you all on 9th July.