Captain Hugh's Newsletter IV
Hi all
Welcome to my first newsletter of the new season. Now that we are well underway with the new season’s competitions up and running, it’s time to look at what has happened at Dunning so far.
We got the ball moving with an absolutely fantastic Opening Day Texas Scramble and an unprecedented number of members, both new and old. Teams of seven and eight meant a relatively leisurely round was the order of the day! Our Match Secretary’s organisational skills were tested to the full. Given that the weather was fantastic, and everyone enjoyed the golf, I think we can say he passed with flying colours! Well done, Al.
Coupled with the opening day was the opening of our new catering offering, the Tee Room. Erin and Lisa did a fantastic job, having to cope with seventy golfers descending on them en mass! All this on the opening day for their new business. It must have frightened the life out of them! Well done, and a big thank you to both the ladies and all their staff. It’s great to see that the Tee Room has made a “fast start” and gathering custom from golfers, villagers and tourists alike.
Our next big day was the U.S. Masters Mixed Texas Scramble on Wed 8th April. Again, another resounding success, with the weather blessing us once again, and a fantastic turn out of forty members. There were Ladies and Gents, new members and old members, handicappers and non handicappers. Everyone mixed up into ten teams of four! Another nightmare for Alan, but he triumphed once again. And another success, and bumper take, for the ladies in the Tee Room!!
It’s great to see the course looking in such good shape so early in the season. A great tribute to Ian Armit, our Greens Convenor, and Sandy Hunter the Greenkeeper for all the hard work put in over the winter. Keep up the good work, boys! As you will all have noticed, the new bridge adjacent to the fifth green is open, but not quite finished yet, with the coping stones still to be put on. Jim Crowe, the builder is still trying to locate enough stones, and the bridge will be completed as soon as possible. Once finished there will be an opening and naming ceremony, currently scheduled for Sunday 24th May. The bridge will deservedly bear the name of David Williams – a true gentleman of Dunning and a stalwart of our Club, having been Membership Secretary for 15 years. David sadly passed away last year
With the Tee Room now in full swing, the offering to our members and guests is much more complete and this has opened up a brand new chapter for Dunning Golf Club. I hope more and more members will take the opportunity to sample what's available and spend a bit more time (and money) in the Pavilion before and after their game. You will not be disappointed!!!!!
“There’s no point in coming to Dunning if you’re not going to go in the sand”
We’ve got some super bunkers at Dunning – even more super when you finish your round by avoiding them. However, if you do venture in, please ensure you rake the sand properly before leaving. Spread it evenly around the bunker and not up the back, front and sides. Then make sure you leave the rake in the middle of the bunker on a flat lie. Whilst there is no hard and fast rule, the R&A actually recommend leaving the rake outside of the bunker where it won’t impede play. But we have a small course where golfers approach holes from a variety of directions (!) It is also used as a public park so our recommendation is the “flat lie” placement.
Volunteer Day
Even in a small Club like Dunning, there are able always jobs to be done. Most of these are completed on a daily and weekly basis by a small bunch of (usually) willing volunteers, helping the very small number of paid staff we have. But twice a year, we give you the exciting opportunity to join a larger group of volunteers and help out in a Volunteer Day. The first of the season is coming up this weekend. Sunday 19th April with a 9.30am report time at the Pavilion for a 2 hour stint of weeding, shifting, repairing divots etc. Attendees will be rewarded with a free bacon roll and tea / coffee at the Tee Room. Please leave your name with the Starter if you can help on the day. Your Club needs you.
Kennie Barrie
To finish on a more sombre note, I have to report the passing of one of our past captains, Mr Kennie Barrie, who passed away earlier this month. Our deepest condolences to all his family.
It's good to see so many folk enduring their early season golf at Dunning. Keep it going!
