Club & Course News
[** PLEASE NOTE: Additional news items may be found on the ClubV1 Members Hub **]
Non-Submission Of Scores & Incomplete Scorecards In Competitions
WHS and R&A rules state that if a player signs up to play in a Qualifying Competition, they must complete their round and submit a score, unless there is a valid reason (see link 1 below).
If you finish your round and cannot process your score or if you are unable to complete your round you should advise the competition organiser of the reason. This will normally be Sam in the Pro’s shop, or his staff, or alternatively advise Steve Yates behind the bar.
If you do not advise the competition organiser then, after the competition has been closed, a procedure will be followed where players who have not submitted their score will be awarded a N/R (No Return) score. They will then be contacted by email and asked for an acceptable reason for not submitting their score and will be given the opportunity to take their scorecard to the Pro’s shop for processing. Similarly, if the player has walked in and submitted an incomplete score they will be contacted by email requesting a valid reason. Repeat offenders will have a penalty applied and their handicap index frozen or removed for a period of time.
The procedure, which has been signed off by the Management Team and England Golf, will be implemented from 1st August 2024. This can be found on the New Mills Golf Club website and on the ClubV1 Members Hub, together with a Complaints Policy & Appeals Process (see Link 2 below).
Link 1: 2024 Rules Of Handicapping : (See Rules 2 to 4 and Appendix A : Rights & Responsibilities)
Link 2: NMGC Policies, Processes & Procedures
The Handicap Committee
Greens Gossip – 26th July 2024
COURSE MAINTENANCE
- The weather has allowed us to regularly cut all areas of the course.
- We hope to complete installation of the yardage discs on all 18 holes in the near future.
- There are now new parking signs for committee members, the professional, the greenkeeper and disabled.
GREENS MAINTENANCE
- As mentioned in the last ‘gossip’, work on the greens will commence on Monday 29th July until Friday 2nd August. The temporary greens will come into play for the week, during the work of hollow tining. The height cut of the grass on the temporary greens will not be the same as the main greens, as to do so would impact on the overall health of the approaches to the main greens once work is completed. We are grateful for your patience during this process, as the long term benefits will be worth it.
- The process will involve removing cores of soil, which will help remove the thatch beneath the surface of the green. These cores will then be back filled with sand to create a more free draining surface. Ultimately, this will allow longer play on the main greens for 12 months, with fewer use of temporary greens over winter.
- I hope that you have remembered to defer any competitions from week commencing 29th July.
- I do understand that many of you will question why we are disturbing the greens that are playing well. But, grass growth at the moment is good, whereas if done over the winter the greens take much longer to recover. The end result will be that we have greens that are playable for most of the year.
FUSARIUM UPDATE
- Fusarium has reared its ugly head in the last fortnight, but we are pleased that it is nowhere near as severe as previous infections, and in much reduced patches. As a result we did not need to apply a fungicide, which is our longterm goal. The hollow tining will help reduce the soil moisture on the greens ( which fusarium thrives on), and help reduce recurrence of the disease over the winter period.
GENERAL INFO
- My sincere thanks to all the greens team and the volunteers. l would not be able to maintain the course without all of them contributing their time and effort.
- They will all be working hard next week to ensure the work is being done as quickly as possible, so please be patient with this temporary inconvenience, and think of the long term benefit to your playing period.
Thank you,
Nigel.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (E,D&I) Policy – How it will affect our Members
The Management Team have signed off the E,D&I Policy which will broaden opportunities for members to enter competitions during each week of the season. The changes will take effect from the beginning of July 2024.
These changes relating to ‘Integrated Golf’ are being adopted by many golf clubs nationally, this is new for all of us, so if we need to refine and improve the format, we will review and take into account feedback from our members.
HOW IT WILL AFFECT YOU:
- Men and Ladies may compete in competitions held on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays;
- Fundamentally little will change, you can play with whomever you wish, booking on BRS as is currently the case;
- On Wednesdays, Ladies will have an allocated 1 hour slot for 9 or 18 hole comps (11.30 to 12.30) but can play at other times of the day if its more convenient;
- Majors will remain separate for Men and Ladies, but standard competitions will be open to all members.
Further detailed information can be found under Members -> Equality, Diversity & Inclusion or by clicking here.
New Internal Out of Bounds (OOB)
As voted for and discussed at the AGM, the internal OOB is now in play for this season. The main reason for this was to improve the safety of Golfers walking down the 3rd hole.
An image is attached indicating where the OOB area is. This area will prevent big hitters blasting driver up the 3rd hole from the 5th hole. White posts are now on the course.
If your ball comes to rest in the OOB area at any point during the play of hole 5, you must take action of rule 18 below.
18.2b – What to Do When Ball Is Lost or Out of Bounds
If a ball is lost or out of bounds, the player must take stroke-and-dista
[Simple terms = If your ball is in the OOB area marked by the white posts you must play your shot again from the same location and add a 1 shot penalty]
PLEASE NOTE THE INTERNAL OOB ONLY APPLIES WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING HOLE 5.
A full picture and local rule will be put up on the club noticeboard.
Clubhouse News
Hiring the Clubhouse For Your Special Event
The Clubhouse can be hired by both members and non-members. Further details can be found by visiting the Clubhouse section of the website.
Forthcoming Events
Bingo Madness with Lauren on Saturday 19th October – come and join us.
To make a booking please call 01663 746161 or pop into the clubhouse. Please visit the Clubhouse section of the website to view all forthcoming events.
Competitions & Other News
26th July 2024 – Vets Cup
Congratulations to Mr President (Steve Ashworth) winner of the first of this year’s Seniors “board competitions”, the Vet’s Cup, with a nett score of 70. Thirty one seniors took part and enjoyed a mostly dry, warm morning (apart from one brief shower!). The course was in very good condition and the greens were very fast!
Jeff Stewart was in 2nd place with 71, Neil Stafford in 3rd place with 74 and Brian Hattersley in 4th place with 75. Well done to all the prize winners! (The full competition results list can be obtained via the ClubV1 Members Hub or How Did I Do).
26th July 2024 – Odd Sock Cup Day
All proceeds from Odd Sock Cup Day, in memory of Josh Webb, will go to New Mills Volunteer Centre.
1ST (£50 GIFT VOUCHER EACH)
89 points : Tony Jennison, Paul bowers, Richard Blackwell, Richard Hilton;
2ND (PUMA CAP & TOWEL)
86 points : Ian Wyatt, Andy Bowers, Callum Clarke, Neil Hyde;
3RD (DOZEN CALLAWAY SUPERSOFT BALLS)
85 points : Jez Unsworth, John Samme, Stu Heard, Stu Dowell;
4TH (GOLF SOCKS)
84 points : Andy Russell, Matt Gibbons, Bill Duke, Simon Turner;
NEAREST THE PIN 8TH (DOZEN TAYLORMADE DISTANCE) : Harrison Webb;
NEAREST THE PIN 16TH (DOZEN TAYLORMADE DISTANCE) : Kev Drinkwater;
24th July 2024 – Millers Win D&C League A With a Game To Spare!!
Following other results, it is confirmed that New Mills have won D&C League ‘A’ with a game to spare, qualifying for the semi-finals with Home advantage. The team still have to play Shrigley Hall away next Thursday to complete all fixtures and they await their opponents being decided from League ‘B’. (Previous D&C League updates can be found under Members->Competitions->Derbyshire and Cheshire League or by clicking here.)
21st July 2024 – NMGC Juniors Sixes Team make it 4 on the bounce!
Our Golf Sixes team have made it 4 wins on the bounce! We played away at Romiley GC and won by 8 points! We are leading the league and can hopefully hang in there!
– New Mills : 111pts
– Stockport : 103pts
– Marple : 100pts
– Romiley : 91pts
(More Juniors updates can be found under Members->Junior Section or by clicking here.)
20th July 2024 – Hole in One for Simon Webb!
Many congratulations to Simon Webb, who scored his first hole in one on the 15th hole in today’s Medal No.4. There was a family celebration, as Simon and his brother Andrew were playing in the same group!! (Photograph can be found on the Seniors section of the website).
14th July 2024 – Mr Captain’s Day to Ladies
Congratulations to Jane Howard who won the Mr Captain’s Day to Ladies 18 hole Stableford with a score of 36pts. In 2nd place was Alison Wright with 33pts and Liz Milne was in 3rd place with 32pts. Jane Gee won the 9 hole Stableford with 13pts.
13th July 2024 – Mr Captain’s Day
Many congratulations to 13 year old Joel Wood, winner of the 2024 Mr Captain’s Day Prize with an excellent score of 42pts off 16 handicap. In 2nd place was Ian Brown with 41pts, beating Dan Thomas (3rd) on a card playoff. Other prize winners were 4th place Dez Walker with 39pts and 5th place Jack Marshall with 38pts. Jack Marshall also won the best gross prize. Ash Womack won the best over 24 handicap prize with 38pts. Nearest the pin prizes were won by Rob Westbrook (8th hole) and Phil Urmston (16th hole).
Well done to Joel and to all the prize winners.
7th July 2024 – Hole in One For Paul Holland in Taskers Victory!
Well done to the New Mills Taskers A Team on a fabulous away victory at Birley Wood, qualifying for the quarter-final of the Taskers Plate (which will be vs Rotherham at home). Congratulations to Paul Holland who got his second ever hole in one in this match!
6th July 2024 – Anderton Bowl
Many congratulations to Dave Joyce, winner of the Anderton Bowl with a score of 5up. This is the only Gents “major” that is played as a “bogey” competition. In 2nd place was Stu Bradley with 4up and in 3rd place was Paul Bowers with 3up. In 4th place was Jon Nuttall with 2up, beating Ryan Monk (5th) on a card playoff. Jack Marshall won the best gross prize with “level” and Colin Skeen won the best over 24 handicap prize with 1down.
Well done to Dave and to all the other prize winners.
24th June 2024 – Hole in One for Graham Elliott!
Many congratulations to Graham Elliott, who scored a hole in one on the 4th hole in this morning’s Seniors rollup. It is Graham’s first hole in one, but he has been well prepared for this event for some time, as he was carrying a bottle of Bourbon whisky which was put on the clubhouse bar!! (Photograph can be found on the Seniors section of the website).
Seniors Trip to Shaw Hill : 19th-20th June 2024
Fourteen Senior members visited Shaw Hill Golf Club near Chorley this week, an annual event on this challenging course. They were particularly fortunate with the weather this year and the players enjoyed two days golf in good summer conditions.
Winners on Wednesday with 69 points and a better back 9 were Neil Stafford, Alan Goodall using borrowed clubs (and a stick of celery!!) and Stan Spencer. Winners on Thursday with 74 points were Pat Walker, Dave Rose, and Clive Garside.
The trip was enjoyed by all and plans are in place to return again next year. (Photographs can be found on the Seniors section of the website).
16th June 2024 – Lady President’s Day
New Mills Lady President, Christine Currie, hosted her day to Ladies on Sunday 16th June 2024. The weather was kind & there were even spells of sunshine! The Pimms & nibbles at the half way house were appreciated by all.
The 18 hole Stableford “board” competition was won by Kath Lindsay who scored 37 points. Second was Liz Milne with 32 points. The 9 hole Stableford was won by Judith Johnson & nearest the pin on the 4th by Marie-Anne McGibbon.
Kath thanked Lady President for her day & generosity and Lady President thanked Kirsty for the tasty food & all her help.
(Photographs can be found on the Ladies section of the website).
15th June 2024 – Bramhall Trophy
There was a 3-way tie for the Bramhall Trophy , with Martin Wild, Rob Elliott and Steve Worrall all scoring 41pts. As this is a “major” competition, there will be an 18 hole playoff at a later date to decide the winner.
In 4th place was Elliot Brownsword with 38pts and Nigel Garside was 5th with 37pts. Wayne Travers won the best over 24 handicap prize with 35pts, beating Pete Christian on a card playoff. Jack Marshall won the best gross prize.
10th June 2024 – Easter Egg Competition
32 members of the Ladies and Seniors sections took part in this year’s Easter Egg competition, which was rescheduled from April due to the wet course conditions. The weather was more like Easter than summer, but was (mostly) dry!
Played as a Texas Scramble over 13 holes, the winners with 41.2 were Lady President (Chris Currie), Gill Downes, Kevin Smith and Peter Coull. Runners up with 41.7 were Kate Bromilow, Marianne McGibbon, Nigel Thorpe and Keith Wright.
Further information and photographs can be found on the Ladies and Seniors sections of the website.
9th June 2024 – Mr President’s Day to Ladies
Congratulations to Gill Downes who won the Mr President’s Day to Ladies 18 hole Stableford with a score of 33pts. In 2nd place was Liz Milne with 30pts and Jane Howard was in 3rd place with 26pts. Marion Harrison won the 9 hole Stableford with 11pts.
8th June 2024 – Mr President’s Day to Gents
Congratulations to Chris Lees who won the Mr President’s Day to Gents Stableford with a score of 37pts, beating Callum Clarke, who also scored 37pts and additionally won the best gross prize. Other prize winners were 3rd place Sean Moore, 4th place Aran Brooks and 5th place James Ignotus, all with 36pts. Rob Westbrook won the best over 24 handicap prize with 34pts.
1st June 2024 – Hibbert Cup
Many congratulations to Martin Wild, winner of the first 2024 Men’s “major” with a score of 67. In 2nd place was Gary Hopkins, also with 67. Other prize winners were 3rd place Mick Goddard with 68 and 4th place Oliver Wong, also with 68. Jack Marshall won the best gross prize with 70 and Stu Fletcher won the best over 24 handicap prize with 70.
Well done to Martin and to all the prize winners.
28th May 2024 – Hole in One for John Downes!
Many congratulations to John Downes, who scored a hole in one on our 4th hole in this morning’s Seniors’ match versus Macclesfield. John commented that it’s his first hole in one, but he still needs to get another one to match Mrs Downes’ current total of 2 hole in ones!! (Photograph can be found on the Seniors section of the website).