The months are now flying by and another Captains Presentation Evening goes well even though I was coughing and spluttering all through it – thanks to John for standing by for me in case I didn’t make it. I wanted to make it because the following weekend was really huge for me and the A and B Teams – the County League Finals at Holme Hall on the Sunday. There was no way I wanted to miss out on that !!

 

Crawling off the sick bed on the Saturday morning I travelled up with Andy Watson and Steve Greenfield for a practice round and an overnight stay in Brigg – centre of the Universe !! Nearly 20 of us stayed the night and having been royally entertained on the Saturday evening by Quiz Master Adi Ward and a 1988 version of a Question of Sport we were well set up to do the business on the Sunday.

 

 

Getting both A & B teams to the County final is an achievement in itself. However, desiring to win both matches was what we were there for. Sadly the B Team just failed to lift their trophy for the 4^th consecutive season going down by 3.5 – 2.5 to Laceby Manor – well done to Martin Harvey and all the team for their efforts, we all know how hard you tried.

 

 

The A Team however came good by the narrowest of margins – tying the match 3 all with Lincoln Golf Club but winning through by 13 – 10 on legs won. The first time Stoke Rochford has won this trophy since it started in the early seventies, having lost out on three previous occasions.

 

 

Suffice to say, it was a great honour for me as Captain of the Club to receive the trophy but better still to have played a part as a team player. Also the support from a whole host of members on the day was absolutely brilliant .. we can't thank you enough !!

 

Well done to all the lads for the whole year – unbeaten in 10 league games and winning the County Final !! Congratulations especially to Andy Watson for motivating everyone the entire year and keeping us going !! It’s not easy being a team captain and he’s done a brilliant job.

 

 

The following Saturday Andy, Martin, club secretary John Martindale and myself represented the club in the South Lincs League Captains Invitation at the year end Presentation event played at Tydd St Giles. Andy and Martin picked up the League Winners Shields and cheques to cap off a tremendous season for them both.

 

The season is now rumbling to its conclusion but not before Lady Captain Dorne Werner and I had the privilege of hosting, at SRGC, the LUGC Jubilee Challenge. This is a Greensome event with pairs from around the county (mostly Lady Captains & Club Captains) therefore meaning a bit of pressure in terms of doing a good job for the club. We didn’t perform too well scoring 33 points but the club put on an excellent show with the course in great condition and the catering excellent.

The same day the final of the Captain / Pro Challenge was played and Bob Griffin / Simon Glencross came out on top against Mick Bailey & Robin Harris, winning on the fourth extra hole in near darkness. Well done to you all and thanks to all pairs who played this year raising nearly £200 for the Captain’s Charity.

 

The next weekend and Friz's Stag do at Forest Pines near Scunthorpe. Friz is a very popular member of the A Team and a total of 24 lads from the club and his mates enjoyed a weekend of golf, drinking and poker to celebrate his forthcoming wedding to Claire in November. Well done Friz and congratulations / all the best for next month !!

 

 

The last competition of the year on Saturday, 24^th October when 18 Past Captains played for the Gerald Morley Trophy. Malcolm Woods came out top with 36 points to claim it for the first time - well played Malcolm !!  A special presentation was also made to Bob Carvath who has now been a PC for 50 years - he was Captain in 1959 and still plays a mean game of golf ! Well done Bob - many more to come !!!

 

I'm all blogged out now .... but got up to date ..... and soon ready to become one of those Has Been Past Captain's !!!    A few more months yet though .... Winter League is on the horizon, the Annual Dinner at Greetham, Xmas Comps and the AGM in February to sign off.