Hi everyone,
The result from GolfMark's Club of The year award was announced to me last week, and although I am meant to be sworn to secrecy, I would like to tell you all as I am sure you won't tell anyone else.
So sadly we didn't win despite being shortlisted, and that wasn't a huge surprise as there are lots and lots of good guys working hard in golf. However we also didn't come third out of three shortlisted…..We were RUNNERS-UP!! I am totally thrilled that we were so close to taking the title Club of the Year, and it is a testament to my husband and my staff, the club and all its members that we almost took the title. I am so proud to work for you guys, and you should all be proud of yourselves that we can achieve such great things together.
There will be a formal presentation here by England Golf, after the club who won has been formally announced in April (I sadly don't know who they are but I hate them grrr ha ha ha), and we will receive an award and plaque to display. I am apoplectic! Cooooool!
The Pro Shop Stableford took place last weekend, and the winner with a shiny total of 43 points was Roger Speakman. In second place was Iain Black with 40 points. Great golf guys.
There was also a hole in one on Saturday at the 7th - congratulations Ed Brown. Make mine a G & T!
In the Ladies' Scotch Foursomes last week, Paula Crabtree and Su Worthington took the coveted first place, followed by Julie Knox and Joan Little in second place.
Congratulations all, what a fab golfing week we've had.
Even better than the Club of the year award, Chris Hicks from England Golf also told me that they were so impressed by our inclusive group work and festivals that they want to come down and work with us and give us more support to increase what we do. I was honoured and thrilled to hear this, as I love working with some of the big associations and organisations. This will allow us to hopefully gain more funding, go into more schools and get even more people involved. Excited!
I have also made it clear that I will be winning it next year, in readiness for the 125th anniversary (ha ha I don't think this is likely but a girl's gotta dream big!).
This is really a great start to 2015 for B&C and I am confident we can go one better for 2016.
Personally I have been working on a different project this winter. I am learning (very slowly I might add!) British Sign Language. This is because my cousin has been Deaf since birth and because there are many Deaf schools which could benefit from extra sports coaching. I believe we are the very academy to teach them, so I am on a course to learn the absolute basics of BSL in readiness to train the lads (which I think may be a challenge...but I am not scared…yet). There are over 145,000 people in the UK who can sign and indeed do so every day.
Previously the only sign language I knew was mainly used whilst suffering from road rage, but I have actually been fascinated by BSL and although I will never be quick to sign or wildly proficient at it, it is great to be able to converse in some way with someone who cannot hear. I am currently learning fingerspelling the alphabet and signing numbers, and I got 90% for my level one assessment, woo hoo. Onwards and upwards we go!
Now over to Paul for staff training updates!
Last Wednesday we had an informative presentation and trial day with Callaway Europe at Cumberwell Park Golf Club. We spent the morning learning all about the new technology behind the latest Big Bertha Alpha 815 and XR range. I must admit this stuff is outstanding and I am really excited to be stocking and fitting such technologically advanced golf clubs.
The Big Bertha Alpha 815 isn't the cheapest line of metals on the market but boy can we adjust these babies to suit your game? More than any other club out there on the market!
We can alter shaft, loft, slice, hook and best of all, can increase or decrease the spin you impart on the ball. Generally speaking when we fit drivers, we are looking to achieve between 2300 and 2600 revolutions per minute off the face of a struck driver for optimal launch conditions. The Big Bertha 815 driver Gravity Core allows us to adjust the centre weight closer to the bottom of the face to decrease spin, or higher on the face to increase spin. In simple terms, fit correctly we can increase your distance dramatically. Just ask Mike and Sandra Gibbs. That's if you haven't heard from Mike already!!
The Big Bertha irons are also the most forgiving irons I have ever hit. Again, not cheap but wow do they perform. The best set of irons for anyone with a handicap above 12, although Colin Montgomerie has a set in the bag. If they're good enough for him, they're good enough for me!
The Callaway XR Metals have also arrived and for anyone looking for ball speed, these have been proven by the Iron Byron mechanical machine golfer, to hit the ball 12 yards further. We can still adjust these woods to fit your game but sit at a more reasonable price point.
NEWSFLASH - The Callaway XR irons are Hot! The ball speed off these irons is tremendous and best of all, it doesn't matter off which part of the club face. These irons are also particularly suited to players who hit the ball low on the bottom of the face (what I class as a thinned shot). Available in a larger head for the mid to higher handicapper and a smaller head (Pro) for the mid to low handicapper.
What a great day we had with Callaway but best of all, we are fully kitted to fit this technology to your game. Comprehensive FlightScope Fittings start at just £30 per hour and best of all, if you place an order, we will refund the fitting fee. Why not try it?
Click here to find out more about the fantastic new Callaway ranges
Click here to get in touch if you would like to request a fitting.
REMINDER - Tickets for Karl Morris are still available, Wednesday March 11th at 7pm. Make sure you don't miss out. Book your tickets in the pro shop.
Thanks Paul, it's good to know you are all so knowledgeable now!
We now have a sponsorship sign-up sheet for my Bath of Beans Challenge in June, and it is living on the Noticeboard in the Pro Shop, alongside gift aid forms. So if you would like to, you can now sponsor me in three ways! There's the UK.virginmoneygiving.com/CarenJasmineMitchell way, the sponsor form on the noticeboard way or the donation pots by the till. There's a Daisy Garland collecting jar and a Children's Chronic Arthritis Association one, so you can always donate by putting coins in those, especially if you can't or don't wish to gift aid. Every penny goes to helping the children and not on administration. Sara Garland is sending me a charity t-shirt to wear in the paddling pool of beans and I have some other cool items so hurry up June! And don't rain!
I have also come up with another Get Into Golf Day, this time in early August. At this stage I am in talks and nothing is set in stone, but the location is exciting...sorry can't tell you yet! (I know, I know, sorry!). When I get the green light I will tell all I promise.
The first of our junior coaching dates is fast approaching. March 8th is the kick-off for the new season. All our junior coaching dates are on our website, click here for the complete list or catch us on kidsclubbristol.co.uk.
Don't forget our Easter Tri Golf (Tiny tots with Kris), Easter target golf (age 8+ with Luke) and Easter egg treasure hunt with gifts aplenty on 5th April at 11am. This is strictly booking only, £10 per child, so call us on 01275 393031 or click here to book.
Our established inclusive group starts again in April, so I am looking forward to seeing our friends Phil, Kane, Joe, Joseph and my little Cam on the range again. We have two new attendees for these groups so I am super excited to meet them.
The Bristol & District Junior Golf League kicks off again on March 22nd. Our first junior team match is against Long Ashton and will be a hotly contested affair. We have some awesome players to field this time, with Harry Kennedy (amazing), Finn Ellis (fabulous), Harry Buchanan (super) and Finnian Smith (brilliant) all ready to do battle. Oh my gosh what a team! Boys you are incredible and I am so proud of all of you. We still need two more players to match the six that LA will be putting forward, so please come forward if you're awesome and ready to join our incredible team. All welcome!
My thank you this week is for Mrs Mann for another delish cake - oh you do spoil us, we LOVE it! I would also like to thank Annette for the shortbread biccies, they weren't here very long but we enjoyed their stay! They're now on vacation in our bellies.
So that's all from me this week. Paul will be reporting next week after his trip to Dubai with a newly engaged Chris Wood.
I decided to say goodbye in a different way so ciao for now!
(Sign language finger spelling for goodbye)
Caren, Paul, Kris, Andy and Luke
