1.      Tavistock Trophy at Mount Pleasant GC on Saturday 15^th June 2013

In order to have any chance of progression our Junior team had to ensure they beat the home team Mount Pleasant GC in this leg of the Tavistock Trophy and, in parallel, hope the home side could spring a surprise win over John O’Gaunt GC. Our Junior team managed the win over the home team but, alas, John O’Gaunt also gained a win over the home side and consequently progressed to the next round of the competition as a result.

With a difficult combination of intermittent sun, a strong wind and a spell of heavy rain to contend with conditions, once again, were anything but easy.

In this leg the counting gross scores were from Ryan Smith with a superb 74, Natasha Yesinkas with an 81 with the nett counting scores coming from BenMarshall with a 74 and Jonathan Wyllie with a 75. Well done also to both Elliot Roch and Shane O’Conner who didn’t get the best of luck on the day but battled through for the team.

Congratulations to Ryan who will see his handicap cut again on the back of a fine score in this competition and to all our participating players as we’ve completed our Tavistock Trophy matches for 2013.

2.       Ver League Match at home to Sandy Lodge GC on Sunday 16^th June 2013

Having come through against Harpendon Common GC in the last round Sandy Lodge were our next round opponents in the first and home leg of this round. Clearly, the Junior team’s goal was to take a lead of any kind to Sandy Lodge on 7^th July and this I am pleased to report was exactly what was achieved.

Match Details as follows:

1.       Ryan Smith halved – one down playing the last Ryan holed a 12-footer for par and a halve against a worthy opponent.

2.       Ryan Craig lost 2&1 – our “stalwart” so far this season came unstuck but will soon bounce back I’m sure to redress this loss.

3.       Ben Marshall won 8&7 – fantastically consistent golf gave Ben a very comfortable win.

4.       Natasha Yesinkas halved – a cracking 2-putt par for Natasha at the last probably resulted in a fair result in a very tight match.

5.       Jonathan Wyllie won 4&2 – Jonathan was never behind and closed his match out at the 16^th.

6.       Luke Bisset won 4&3 – despite not being fully in the swing thus far this season due to limited golf Luke scored a vital point from his match.

7.       Shane O’Conner won 4&3 – steady stuff from Shane who comfortably held out against his opponent.

Well done to all as we’ll now take a crucial 5-2 lead into the away leg, we wont have Luke for this match but I’m sure we’ll find an able deputy but let’s not get too carried away as its only half-time!!

David Wyllie

Junior Organiser     

Please be advised of the re-scheduled date for Junior Captain’s Day.

Tuesday 13th August 2013.

Put the date in your diaries now and hope you all support what is the highlight of the year for the Junior Section.

Following on from our request last week for more entries into Junior Captain’s Day, the entry sheet increased in numbers but not sufficiently to warrant running the day as intended.

We have therefore decided to postpone the day for now and will endeavour to come up with another date later in the season (end of August/ early September).

This date will be arranged as soon as possible in order for you all to put it down in your diaries.

Junior Captain’s Day is scheduled for Sunday 9th June.

We currently only have 8 names on the Entry List.

If you wish to take part in the most prestigious competition on the Junior Calendar then enter now. Please call the Pro Shop asap if you wish to do so.

If we do not achieve enough interest in the next weeks then Junior Captains Day will be postponed/cancelled.

We also need more entries into both the Junior Knockout Trophy and Fourball Knockout Trophy.  The draw for these Matchplay events need to be made shortly so enter now if you wish to play.

Result

James Yesinkas & Shane O’Connor Tied on Net 74

18 Hole Play-Off to decide Winner- TBA

This was the second of four Tavistock Trophy matches and our Junior team’s home match. The narrow loss we suffered at the hands of the John O’Gaunt side two weeks ago meant this match became a “must win” if our youngsters were to maintain an interest in progressing to the latter stages of the competition.

Once again I have to say our players all stepped up to the mark and we extracted a modicum of revenge by turning the tables on the John O’Gaunt side and winning our three head to heads simultaneously. This sets our Juniors with a target of bettering the John O’Gaunt returns in the remaining two matches and this will mean progression to the next stage of the competition.

Special recognition to two outstanding gross 75s from both Ryan Smith and Ryan Craig who will suffer some “damage” to their handicaps as a result – very well played lads!! The scoring net returns were made in this round by Elliott Roch and Jonathan Wyllie with 75 and 74 respectively – I should add that our remaining players Natasha Yesinkas and Shane O’Connor were a mere shot behind so some fantastic consistency right across the team’s scoring in this leg so well done EVERYONE!!

We move on to the away leg at Aspley Guise this coming weekend with confidence high. Thanks to all parents and supporters who acted as ball spotters and generally assisted throughout the day. Many thanks to Darren for taking care of the scoring and also to Lisa and Antonia for looking after the players post-match.

Following quickly behind last week’s Tavistock Trophy match this was our Junior team’s second competitive match of the season. Despite a last-minute un-communicated call-off we were still able to put a full team of seven players into the match – my thanks on this front to both Shane O’Connor and dad Terry for their support.

On the day weather conditions, despite a horrendous forecast, were kind for both tee-off time and throughout the front nine for everyone. That changed dramatically on the back nine however as the heavens opened a number of times making playing conditions extremely difficult. Our team mastered these conditions, a completely unknown course for most of our team and a strong Harpenden Common team to win the match – individual match results as follows:

Elliot Roch lost 3&2 – an outstanding putting display from Elliot’s 3-handicap opponent did for Elliot though he felt his ball-striking had been consistently good throughout the round.

Natasha Yesinkas lost 1 Down – never more than one hole in this match and a fair result would have been a half but maybe local knowledge just prevailed in this one but a real competitive effort from Natasha once more.

Ryan Craig – won 5&4 simply a rock solid performance with Ryan completely closing out his opponent despite the concession of 3 shots.

Ben Marshall won 2&1 – this match was a little tighter but Ben stayed strong through the back nine and never allowed his opponent to get a sniff of victory.

Jonathan Wyllie won 4&3 – not the best start with an OOB drive at the first, but Jonathan picked his game up from there, got ahead and steadily drew away from his opponent.

James Yesinkas won 2&1 – a fantastic introductory appearance by James who drove the ball well and recovered strongly from a stumble near the end to close out his match on 17.

Shane O’Connor halved –  Shane came in at the last minute and , as with last week’s effort, showed his game is improving in leaps and bounds. He’ll be the first to admit that a couple of putts prevented a win but I know he’ll be working on this – real promise here!!

So a fantastic 4 and a half to 2 and a half victory was realised by our Juniors and we progress to Round 2 where a match at Sandy Lodge GC awaits!!

My thanks to our players for their participation, the competitive spirit shown throughout the team and the way they all conducted themselves throughout this match. The on-course support from Keith Craig and Paul Fairbairn was also much appreciated as that Ryder Cup feeling “kicked in” near the end!!

David Wyllie – Junior Organiser

Result

Freya Daniels 41pts

Shane O’Connor 41pts

An 18 Hole Play Off now required between Freya & Shane to decide the Trophy Winner

(For the parents and junior members of DDGC)

Welcome

As someone just recently said to me, “Welcome back from your hibernation” . It has been a harsh Winter for Golf and many of you will have found other things to occupy your time rather than shiver on the Golf Course. I am certain that some warm sunshine, The Masters Tournament on the TV, and the smell of freshly cut grass will soon entice you all out onto the Golf Course.

This years fixture list with all the Matches & Competitions to take part in are on the Website,  so make a note so as not to miss out on all the  important dates.

The entry sheets for these competitions have just been posted on the junior notice board (Under the stairs in the clubhouse) These are 2 of the Club’s ‘Majors’ and are open to players with an active CONGU handicap. i.e. for players with a handicap <28. It costs £1 to enter. If you do not have a handicap or your handicap has lapsed…you need to get 3 cards in before the end of March.

For the singles: Get your name down now and put £1 in an envelope with your name on and place your entry in the junior box…or hand to Darren.

For the 4 ball: Choose a partner; check that he/she wants to play, that they have a handicap and then get your team’s name down. Put £2 in an envelope with both your names on and place your entry in the junior box…or hand to Darren. Closing Date for entry: Sunday 5^th May.

A warm welcome to all our new members who have joined us since the start of the year. We hope you thoroughly enjoy your time and golf at DDGC. If you have any questions regarding the Junior Section or need advice about your game, please call in the Pro Shop and Darren will be very happy to advise and help.

As part of your membership subscription, to encourage and improve the standard of the Junior Section, you are all entitled to FREE Coaching with The PGA Professional, Darren Charlton. Dont miss out on the opportunity to utilise his vast experience in both Coaching & Playing the game at the top level and make a start at improving your own game…and who knows, follow in the footsteps of the likes of Rory McIlroy in the future. Call the Pro Shop and book your Lesson now.

Last years Junior Open was a fantastic success and the Entry Forms for this years event are now available. The date is Thursday 25^th July so reserve the date in your diary and enter what will be one of the highlights of this years Junior Schedule.

We are entered into both of the above Tournaments and will be required to play the First Round Matches very soon (May). I will be looking to all of you with a current CONGU Handicap to make yourself available for selection and represent DDGC  in what are 2 of the most prestigious Junior Tournaments in the region.

And finally

We have 2 fixtures remaining for this month…weather permitting. Sunday 7^th April (Junior Medal) & Sunday 28^th April (Junior Stableford).  Dust the clubs off and join in.