Captain's log

It’s been a hectic and productive couple of weeks for developments within the club – the announcement and promotion of Tom to Golf Manager, replacing JP is a smart move by the management and well deserved by Tom who with his team have started to make some real inroads with bringing the club on with the various facets that needed addressing. 

With Tom, and his boys Morgs, Alex and Al at the Helm, Mark and Sophie looking after the catering and Billy and his team finally able to start making progress with the course requirements, at last we have the semblance of a young and enthusiastic team who know what they want and need to do to improve their respective areas. Equally important is that they are supported by the management and owners of the business with the necessary funding and that does seem to now be happening with recent commitment and signing off on works to the irrigation system and bunker programmes not just for now but on-going. Personally, I do sense a change in the direction and at last in these areas which have been causing concern – I think with this team in place the next 12-18 months could be very exciting and rewarding for us all.

Matters on the course have been interesting too; sadly, we lost to Leamington away, one of those days (no need to dwell on that though!). Then we had a lightening affected game at home on Saturday against Hearsall which ultimately had to be abandoned, so the match was halved after we’d been in a good position - Iain Lythall (up for Captains Player of the year award) led the charge from the front after eventually being joined by another chap who had taken himself off the Hearsall thinking it was an away game, obviously we won’t embarrass him by naming names, although allegedly Pete Richards also played that day.

And then we entertained The Abbey in the Avon League on Sunday, both sides very much needing the win in an attempt to finish in second spot in the league. I’m delighted to say it was another proud day for the boys who handed out a spanking (5-1) with Messrs Lythall and Day recording a 6-5 win in their match, likewise myself and Kristian (Manc’s up to no good again!) but a very solid and well battled performance from all the boys. Having spoken to the guy who runs and organises the league he seems to think it’s now between ourselves and Atherstone (who he plays for) to get to second spot. We’ve got one more game at home against Stratford Oaks, so we’ll need another big win, but it’s still on! And next year we have the two trickiest clubs (Atherstone and Warwickshire) at home in this league so I do really fancy us as the dark horses for next year’s Champions. Come on!