Well done to everyone who played in the Ladies Club Championship on Wednesday, 29th June and many congratulations to the following:

Gross Club Champion

Adrienne Lane with a total of 168 shots

Runner Up

Chris Jones with a total of 171 shots

Net Club Champion

Melanie Fortune with a Net total of 148 shots

Runner Up

Ann Brinklow with a Net total of 150 shots

The annual battle took place between Letchworth, East Herts, Knebworth and Dunstable Downs on Sunday. This prestigious 4 clubs Trophy Competition comprises 12 mixed couples from each club- playing foursomes and is always played in a very competitive environment.

The Competition is unusual in that 6 players play the round together (3 couples from different clubs) but as it is a foursome- only 3 play off at any one time.

It was however stated in the speeches afterwards that in some cases 4 players played off the same tees as usually the male members aggressive drives into the golfing unknown, were penalised with requirement to take a provisional ball off the men’s tee-so this involved the ladies having to make the long trudge back to the men’s tees and play from a golfing position that they had never before experienced

For Dunstable Downs there was added pressure this year as the match was at home and the last time that we won was at home in the centenary year in 2007.

The weather held for the best part of the day and all the visitors eulogised about the quality of the course.

As usual the après golf was extremely convivial and Lisa once again did us proud. The speeches from the various Captains were by tradition made in reverse order however at that time nobody actually knew the result- so enormous cheers were heard when the Knebworth Captain John had to make his excuses as representing the club in fourth position. Ironically Letchworth and East Herts tied in first place last year and they tied again in second position this time but with Letchworth(Acting Captain Nick) called upon first and Alan Sigee mischievously not announcing with whom they were tied – everyone was kept in suspense as to the eventual winners until the last moment. The result was then announced and greeted with thunderous applause from the Dunstable Downs contingent and not a little relief from the Club Captain –Graham.

Derek Godber is the East Herts Captain and he had a celebration of his own as not only did he present the cup to Captain Graham but he and his wife Pat were presented with a bottle of Champagne on behalf of the Dunstable Downs membership to celebrate their 46^th wedding anniversary .

Many thanks to all the team that contributed to this epic victory!

Following a recent  course assessment by the County, the men’s standard scratch score has been raised to 71 from the white tees. Play from the yellow tees remains at 69 and the Competition Standard Scratch will still vary and depend on scores returned.

Sylvia Scullion would like to thank all members and staff who sponsored her to take part in the Race For Life in Glasgow. It was very much appreciated and £525.00 was raised.

It rained, it rained and then it rained some more. Having enjoyed Men’s Captains Day in glorious sunshine the day before with only sun factor 15 protecting me from the elements, the boys needed umbrellas, gloves and wet weather gear to give them half a chance against the cold, wet and windy conditions. But compete they did and on a day that I am sure most of them would have preferred to be at home, the turnout was excellent, with an encouraging complement of 25 juniors enjoying (sic) the day out.

My thanks to Margaret Austin, Evelyn Ward, Noreen Cole, Kate & Dave Price and Steve Harris who were all on hand to ensure the day went without a hitch.

The Prize Table, too, grabbed a lot of attention and my sincere thanks to the following members who have keenly and very generously supported this section of the club. Tony Cain, Tony Bennett, Gillian & Walter Johnson, Kate & Dave Price, Claudine & Graham Tate, Mary & Brian Starkey, Dick Rogers, Barry Potter, Debbie & Doug Chalmers, Julian Richards, Darren Charlton & Margaret Austin, The members too rallied to the cry from Ashleigh Adams on Captain’s Day by digging deep to the tune of £507.80. Quite simply the junior section could not run events of this quality without this generous support so our sincere thanks to everyone. A half dozen adult members were on the 1^st tee sheltering behind their umbrellas to show their support and watch the spectacle too. My thanks to them for braving the elements.

 The overall winner of the Junior Captains prize 2011 was Luke Bisset who scored 34 points. Luke is pictured here receiving the trophy and prize from Junior Club captain Tom Howson.

Final Results

Division 1: 1st, Luke Bisset 34pts 2nd, Brandon Black 32pts, 3rd Tom Howson 28pts.
Division 2: 1st, Alex Winter 31pts, 2nd, Ryan Shilleto 31 pts, 3rd Ryan Craig 30pts.
Division 3: 1st, Ashley Easton 25pts, 2nd Connor Petrisor 19 pts, 3rd George Hewitt 17pts.
Best Gross: Ryan Smith
Longest Drive: Brandon Black
Nearest the Pin: 17th in 2: Ryan Shilleto

Ashley & Connor have now joined the ranks of the 28 handicap players and eligible for team selection. Well done to you both

The world’s best young golfers descended upon East Lothian, Scotland for the prestigious U.S. Kids Golf European Championship during the recent Whitsun holiday. More than 500 players (boys and girls) from 40 nations competed in Europe’s premier junior tournament with many national golfing organisations sending their best junior talent to compete. The championship is held on Scotland’s historic links golf courses, including Gullane, Craigielaw and Longniddry and our own junior members Ryan Smith and Freya Daniels were taking part.

In the boys U12 section Ryan had scores of 74, 76 and 76 for a three round total of 226 (+10) which saw him achieve his best ever finish of 8^th in a highly competitive field of 60. During the competition Ryan was able to experience playing with partners from USA, South Africa, Ireland, Holland and the Czech Republic. The score of 76 on day two is all the more impressive when you take into account the 45 mph winds that were blowing across the links!! His top ten finish has enabled him to qualify for the World Junior Championships at Pinehurst, USA in August.

Freya had scores of 89, 98 and 92 for a three round total of 279 to finish 13^th in the girls U10 section. This event gives youngsters an opportunity to showcase their talent and if you have the chance please watch the coverage on Sky Sports golf channel when it is shown.

Dunstable Downs Golf Club can be proud of Ryan and Freya’s achievements and it bodes well for the future of our junior section.

The day was a great success particularly as the weather held up for most of the day –this was a particular bonus taking account of the dire forecast earlier in the week.

The course was in superb condition but was set up with one or two difficult pin positions and some relatively easy ones- the result being that several individuals managed to score extremely well in the 18 hole morning round. Mark Devereaux was the best for this- scoring a highly creditable 41 points. Unfortunately the convivial nature of the break and excesses of liquid refreshment could well have taken toll as Mark’s first shot from the 11^th in the afternoon ended up closer to the quarry than the middle of the fairway.

A day like this is for keen competitive golf but also for enjoyment of another kind and the beer tent was well used throughout the day and everyone was in high spirits especially when the Cushman driven by the vice Captain and the Captain appeared at various places on the course to add to the beverage consumption as well as supplying Apples and Bananas.

The liquid refreshment may account for the extended time for the 26 holes as it did get slow later on in the rounds.

The Captains day winner for the 26 holes of golf was Tony Ambrose with a superb 56 points (38 + 18). In his speech on receipt of the prize-Tony said he had played in this competition for 24 years and had been runner up and third and fourth on previous occasions and he had always dreamt of winning-well this was his day!! As well as the Captain’s Day cup he received a DDGC engraved decanter plus six glasses all displayed on a polished wooden (galley) tray as well as a winner’s memento.

David Taylor was runner up on count back so he too should be congratulated-he did however receive a rather nice chess set with golfing characters representing the board pieces-whilst not playing the game of chess at the moment David said that this could be the time to learn-otherwise it is a good table decoration.

Our congratulations go to all of the other prize winners.

Our thanks also go to all of the staff members (including our manager Alan Sigee who arrived at 5.00 a.m. in the morning).All helped the day run so smoothly and we were wined and dined extremely well-but a special thanks to Margaret and Terry Pead with Terry doing the Tote on Friday and part of the day on Saturday. In spite of arriving at 5.30 a.m. Terry still managed to play his 26 holes. Marg. assisted Alan in doing the cards for the whole day and I think slept very well on Saturday night.

Jim Jameson with Rod Hacking as assistant- as usual did a wonderful job as bartenders-although maybe he was a bit too generous with plying the early finishers. Many thanks to them as well.

My thanks to all who supported the day and made my Captain’s day so very special-hopefully you will see the video evidence on the screen in the bar very shortly.!!!

Graham Tate, Captain

What a party!

Despite several heavy downpours during the day, everyone had a good time.   The atmosphere on the 1st tee and the marquee was merry and there were many worthy winners.

Lady Captain’s Day Results 2011

Captain’s Cup and Lady Captain’s Day Prize - Anita Booth 41 Points

Silver

1st & winner of the Babs Oakins Silver Salver Chris Ball – 35 Points  (OCB)

2nd Ann Alston – 35 Points

3rd  Claudine Tate – 35 Points

Bronze

1st & Winner of the Babs Oakins Bronze Plate Jenny Webb 36 Points (OCB)

2nd Anita Moroney – 36 Points

3rd Sylvia Austin – 35 Points (OCB)

4th Mary Starkey – 35 Points

Past Captain’s Trophy Ann Alston – 35 Points (OCB)

Bunny Cup Ann Butler – 33 Points (OCB)

Best Front 9 (Silver ) Pam Gaunt – 18 Points (OCB)

Best Front 9 (Bronze) Sue Walkerdine – 20 Points (OCB)

Best Back 9 (Silver ) Alison Hayward – 19 Points

Best Back 9 (Bronze) Ann Butler – 19 Points

Nearest the Pin (18th Hole) Ann Butler

Longest Drive – Silver (17th Hole) Anita Booth

Longest Drive – Bronze (10th Hole) Maureen Taylor

Afternoon Competition – 3 Ball Alliance Stableford

1st Deborah Chalmers, Mary Jones, Chris Jones – 55 Points

2nd Adrienne Lane, Claudine Tate, Jenny Webb – 54 Points

3rd Brenda Swain, Sue Walkerdine, Jan Griffin – 53 Points

It what can only be described as horrendous wet, windy and cold conditions 25 boys competed for the 2011 Captains Day Trophy. On  a day that I am sure most of them would have preferred to be at home, the turnout was excellent. The overall winner of the Junior Captains prize 2011 was Luke Bisset who scored 34 points. Luke is pictured here receiving the trophy and prize from Junior Club captain Tom Howson.

Final Results

Division 1: 1st, Luke Bisset 34pts 2nd, Brandon Black 32pts, 3rd Tom Howson 28pts.
Divison 2: 1st, Alex Winter 31pts, 2nd, Ryan Shilleto 31 pts, 3rd Ryan Craig 30pts.
Divison 3: 1st, Ashley Easton 25pts, 2nd Connor Petrisor 19 pts, 3rd George Hewitt 17pts.
Best Gross: Ryan Smith
Longest Drive: Brandon Black
Nearest the Pin: 17th in 2: Ryan Shilleto

The June Newsletter can be read and printed HERE