Hi all,
It's been a great week here at B&C and at PMGA (Paul Mitchell Golf Academy ha ha - do you like my abbreviation? Yeah… no it's a bit rubbish)
I have been off on my travels this week, and visited a most incredible little secret place in Devon. More on this later!
Our Ladies played in the Challenge Cup last week, held over two days, and the winner of the two day event was the lovely Paula Keaney.
Paula won with a fantastic nett 149, pushing Su Worthington into second place with a nett 150. Congratulations to you both.
Another great hole in one happened last week - this time it was one of the Ladies' section who achieved this great accolade. Veronica Shorttle got a hole in one on 6th - what absolutely fab news Veronica, thrilled for you.
Calum Mortimore won the Weekday medal last week with a super score of 68, nett 64 and
David Crews came second with 83, nett 69. Again great golf boys, well done to you both.
And now for Paul's report on the Club Championships.
"The most prestigious club event of the year took place last weekend and was closely contended, both in the gross and nett competitions. The Club Championships always produces extra nerves and as per usual, a beautifully presented golf course.
The first round on Saturday played slightly easier but taking the lead in the gross competition was
Noah Hessey with a good round of 73. Youngsters
James Mitchell and ex Champion
Myles Angell scored 74 and a good round of 75 from
Oli Nevin had put them all in contention for the title. More 'experienced' members
James Webber and
Andy Harris both had scored 76.
Sunday was a totally different affair with a gusting 20 mph wind and some tricky positions. Leader Noah made a double bogey on the thirteenth, and had 165 yards to the flag on the fourteenth for his second shot. He had an unfortunate flyer from the rough and the ball cleared the green, bounced out of bounds and he proceeded to make a triple bogey seven. Suddenly the Club Championship was an open affair, but everyone was struggling in the extremely difficult conditions.
Thinking he would need something special on the last hole to stand a chance, Noah hit a fantastic two iron to twenty feet and shaved the hole for eagle. A round of 77 and a total of 150 was good enough to win the title by two shots from a surprised
Andy Harris and defending champion,
James Webber (153). Andy had his best ever performance in the club championships and played solidly over the two days with two 76 nett 71's. It's not very often that a five handicapper competes with scratch golfers in a one day event, let alone a two day event, and there is no doubt this will give Andy a huge confidence boost for the rest of the season.
The winner of the nett competition for the Gonne Cup was
Edward Brown with a brilliant second round nett 65, winning on count back from
Andy Harris.
Nick Sarsfield finished third with a good round of nett 74 after a first round nett 70.
Well Played all of you.
Jimmy Mullen competed in the British Amateur Championships at Carnoustie last week and finished sixth in the 36 hole strokeplay qualifier. He swept aside his first round opponent 3&1 but unfortunately lost on the last hole in the last 32 tie. Now onto the Brabazon trophy at Hollinwell this week.
Woody plays in Germany this week and is on the verge of an Open spot after the win in Austria. He still needs some good performances in the next three weeks to earn a trip to St. Andrews".
PaulWe have been busy bees getting ready for the festival - a full round up next week.
Apart from this, we have been very busy recruiting again. We are now going to be working with the scouts - ha I love it. It is really great to be reaching out even further into the community. We are offering taster sessions to the Almondsbury branch of the scouts, and I am very excited and proud to be introducing more children to golf.
The place I visited this week in Newton Abbot was mainly down to seeking new therapies for Cameron. There is a most incredible little place there called
Hannah's at Seale-Hayne, and it is an oasis of calm, relaxation and therapies. Cameron's new Occupational Therapist is based there, and there are amazing facilities such as a hydrotherapy pool, sensory room, farm, kitchen garden, activities such as archery, paintballing etc, and all of this was set up for disabled people to access. It is open to absolutely everyone and it is such a beautiful place - I am hooked. Cameron loved it too, so this will be a huge benefit to him.
The other reason for our visit is that Hannah's (set up and owned by the Dame Hannah Rogers Trust) is also looking for new activities for their disabled participants. Well that got me thinking that we should talk to some people about helping out - and we may be able to travel to Devon to deliver some tri golf and golf xtreme there. Golf is a great from an OT perspective, it is easily adapted for maximum benefit, and I have a fully inclusion trained team with lots of equipment. We are going to do it! I am in talks currently but I would love to offer taster sessions there, so I will keep you posted!
I have also been in the capital this week - I never really go to London very often, as I am a traffic jam phobe (not phobic really, I just get really really cross!). Anyway I had to go to Temple Bar so I attacked the city centre in my white and pink "popemobile" and I have to admit, I do quite like a bit of London. It's bonkers, it's busy, it's stressful, it's a bloody parking nightmare ……but I do like it!
It ended up being an unfruitful day but I am glad I saw some great things and ate some nice food, and the food is the most important of course!
I had a nice surprise this week and received a lovely cheque for
£750 from the Golf Foundation, to continue all our junior activities, increase participation, retention and for inclusion. I am so lucky to be so well supported, it means we can buy the correct equipment, pay for the staff to run groups, visit schools and generally make a lovely nuisance of ourselves!!!
Thank you this week to Mrs M - as usual, top quality cake!
Next week we will see another instructional by Andy - keep your eyes peeled!
We have also heard very good news - Kristian has been able to secure a place at Saunton Golf Club to continue his PGA training. This means he is going home and he is thrilled. This is the best news because he can now live at home whilst he saves money for his impending wedding next year. It also means he is back with his friends and relatives. Congratulations Kris
Next week sees a report on the Baked Beans Challenge! This is the last week to sponsor me as I am doing the Beans Jeans
this Friday 26th. If you would like to sponsor me, please
click here or visit my moneygiving site at
uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CarenJasmineMitchell or sponsor me in the shop or on the day (I will have collection tins). I can truly say that I am proud to be helping the Daisy Garland and the Children's Chronic Arthritis Association.
So on that note I will bid you farewell - tatty bye til we meet again!
Caren, Paul, Andy &
Luke