The first phase of the Tree Planting and Course Ecology Plan, as displayed in the Palm Court a few months ago, was completed this spring.

The work has been paid for by members’ generous donations to the tree fund, which have included specific sponsorship for certain copses or trees.

For example, the annual Portugal golfing group (called CHAPPS) sponsored the copse on the 18th, our President Rob Reith the willow on the 2nd in memory of Ann, and Ron Swithenbank the three sweet chestnut on the 4th in memory of Jean. All the trees will be tagged with common and Latin names, date of planting and sponsor’s name.

Many members have inquired about sponsoring trees/shrubs and the committee has therefore decided to launch an appeal to members for donations towards further plantings and water feature improvements (the ponds on the 11th and 13th holes form part of the plan).

The cost of the trees planted ranges from £80 to £150 for an individual specimen, £300 to £1,500 for a copse, and £600 to £2,500 for individual mature specimens. The hope is for further autumn planting, including rhododendrons at £120 - £180 each, subject to availability of funds.

The planting programme will be displayed again to coincide with this appeal to members for sponsorship for a specific tree or shrub, copse or water feature. Any donations, however modest, will be added to the tree fund, which will be used for unsponsored planting.

The trees are mainly maple, plus some varieties that provide fruit/berries for wildlife. They have been selected for size (helped by Neil Coles), shape and hue, and are intended to add beauty and a splash of colour to our already handsome display. Members may have noticed the strong impact the spring planting has already made.

Peter Marshall has a full list of trees and prices to supplement the planting plan and will co-ordinate the sponsorship appeal on a first-come-first-served basis. General contributions to the fund should also be forwarded to Peter.

Any water feature improvements will depend on the total money raised by the appeal.
 
Alan Pountney
Chair of Green

After much debate in several forums, the general committee has approved the following Porters Park mission statement:

“To provide all our members, guests and visitors with an
enviable quality of golf, sociability and service in keeping
with the best traditions and spirit of the modern game.”

The statement is designed to encapsulate for the benefit of all connected with the club what we believe should be the guiding philosophy of Porters Park Golf Club.

It was felt that an ideal way to help members identify with our aims would be to run a photographic competition over the summer months.

Members are therefore invited to use their imagination and creativity to take pictures that both reflect life at the club and convey a flavour of the values expressed in the mission statement.

Whatever the subject – the course, the clubhouse, social events – we will be looking for something more than the likes of holiday snaps.

A word of caution: in your quest for the unusual or creative shot, please remember that the activities of the club must not be disrupted in any way. This applies in particular to members playing their golf.

The entries will be judged in October by an independent person with photographic expertise and prizes will be awarded to the winner, the runner-up and the third-placed contributor.

Please submit your pictures, clearly bearing your name, in a sealed envelope marked “Photo Competition”, care of the club office. After the competition has been judged and the winners chosen, a selection of members’ entries will be displayed in the clubhouse.

Over-seeding of the greens took place in late April using three varieties of bent seed, as recommended by the Sports Turf Research Institute. This will be repeated again in July and after deep scarifying in October.

Weekly brushing of the greens will continue throughout the season as this lifts the grass upright to help give a better quality of cut.

We have a new addition to the machinery fleet. The purchase of an excellent second-hand fairway mower is now allowing us to cut the fairways on a more regular basis to give better presentation.

Our old Toro greens machine has at long last been replaced with a brand new diesel version.
A number of machine companies will be demonstrating rotary rough cutters as we are considering buying one. This would give the rough more consistency.

Vibrating rollers which would give a smoother, quicker roll over the greens are also being made available for us to inspect with a possible view to purchase.

Weed killing on all tees and fairways will take place soon, weather permitting.

The artisan section has started a divoting programme on the fairways and the strimming of the ditch.

M J Smith
Course Manager

On Friday, May 12, Neil Coles took on for the first time the updated Porters Park course that his well designed and cunningly positioned bunkers have played such a key role in creating.

The English Ryder Cup golfer, noted for his many tournament victories in the 60s and 70s, was joined in a fourball by Vice Captain Jas Arora, Chair of Green Alan Pountney and Immediate Past Captain Peter Robinson.

His swing as smooth and elegant as ever, Neil is still competing on the UK Seniors Tour, where he often concedes more than 20 years to some of his rivals.

At Porters Park he did not disappoint. Helped by his accuracy from the tees and a deft touch around the greens, if not by any particularly long putts, he still managed to score to his age.

In the course of the round he played several exhibition shots from some of the new bunkers. Just to prove how fair they are, he got up and down from greenside sand and achieved considerable length from fairway traps.

Our thanks go to Neil for taking time to play the course – and look for Alan’s ball on several occasions. Thanks, too, to our own David Bailey in the person of Eric Cheek, who tracked the whole round with a multitude of cameras and lenses recording all the action. It is planned to display Eric’s efforts in the clubhouse.

The new bunkers were brought into play and the course set up superbly for the Herts champion club, played at Porters Park last month.

Representing Porters were Alan Glynn, Ewen Wilson and Geoff Kirby. The tournament was won by Welwyn Garden City G.C., with Porters finishing sixth.

We also played in the Peak Production trophy at John O’Gaunt, where Michael Moore, Ewen Wilson and Geoff Kirby tried to defend the tournament they won last year. Unfortunately, we could not repeat the glory of last year but finished in a creditable fourth place.

This month, we start our scratch league fixtures at home to Letchworth. With Nick Pateman and Jason Mitchell home from their studies in Florida, we are hoping their welcome boost will help us get off to a flying start.

We look forward to your support.

Geoff Kirby

Thirty-seven ladies braved the rain to attend Porters Park’s first academy day, arranged with a view to attracting new members to the club.

After tea and coffee and a short introduction, 13 aspiring golfers played a few holes while the other 24 repaired to the practice ground.  The latter were shown the golf grip by professional David Gleeson. They then divided into three groups, David spending about 30 minutes with each.

Over a farewell glass of wine in the clubhouse, everyone was issued with a pack containing details of lessons/membership. Twenty-six ladies signed up for lessons with David and eight or nine expressed interest in the academy visitors’ membership.

Our thanks to David and all the lady members who helped, both on the practice ground and in making the visitors feel welcome. If the day achieves its aim, it may become an annual event.

For the benefit of our many new members (and some older ones), this is a short history.
The Commandos were formed in the late seventies by Tony Randall and Freddy Taylor, both, alas long gone. The purpose was to provide friendly golf matches for the older members, played mid-week against other local clubs with similar sections. 

From somewhat sketchy records it seems likely that the first match was in 1979 against the Sandy Lodge Wags. Alf Draper, of Fleet Street fame, is the only survivor, but says that sadly he has no recollection of the game. Further matches were later arranged against Verulam, Moor Park, Hammonds End and West Herts. 

Today we play 15 matches home and away and two with the ladies. We hold a ladies’ night dinner and our own dinner annually at which next year’s captain is announced.

I should make it clear that we are not a “club within a club”. If you are over 55, are available for midweek golf and would like to play, just enter your name and handicap on the lists on the Commandos board in the men’s changing room. If you are not eligible now, you will be eventually!

I am grateful to Ron Hewitt and Leslie Major for their recollections of the early days.

Keith Jenkin  
Commando Captain 2006

Our junior team got off to a solid start to the season, beating West Herts in the first round of the Ver League, both at home (5-2) and away (4-3). Very smart they looked, too, wearing new slip-overs kindly bought by the club President. Next round is against Brookmans Park.

Helped by a healthy inflow of new junior members, there was a good turn-out for the President’s Prize early this month. Playing off the white tees, William Gallimore (13) shot a gross 71 for 48pts, pipping Jamie Kehoe (14) and Jake Harris (26), each with 43pts. Callum Wright took the honours off the yellow tees. Playing off 39, he managed 41pts to beat Ben Cherkas (40) on 39. Chicken burgers and chips followed – again thanks to the President.

Our pre-juniors (5-8 years) now have their own equipment, kindly donated by a friend of a very, very pre-junior Freddie (Lewis). Next session will be on June 4 at 10.30am. Please sign up in the pro’s shop.

Before then, on May 30 (half term), David Gleeson will be giving a lesson to all juniors at 11am.  Do your best to be there.

A host of team and nearest-the-pin prizes, gift packs for all who play, mid-round drinks… Pro’s Day on Saturday, June 10, promises to be the usual fun event.

The golf is open to all members and will be played in teams of four as a Texas Scramble, with shotgun starts at 8.30am and 1.30pm. The entry fee is £10.

The day’s play will be followed by an all-you-can-eat Italian evening, which will be open to all members and their guests. Your £15 ticket for this event also scoops £500 of fun money to wager during the race night that will follow the meal. There will be prizes for the winning punters.

Please note that you don’t have to play golf to eat. You are free to take part in either event, or both. One of the high points comes late – the drawing of the raffle which will be ongoing both before and throughout the day. Tickets are £1 each, and the lucky winner will walk off with a set of clubs.

Entry sheets will be posted in the Palm Court. So don’t miss on the fun. After all, the alternative could be watching England play football, where no enjoyment is guaranteed!

Plans for this major fund-raising event on Saturday, September 9, are moving ahead smoothly, but much work is still to be done to ensure a successful day.

We are looking for support from as many club members as possible, either by playing golf on the day or by attending the fund-raising dinner.

David and Julie Talbot wish to hear from any members who would like to support the sponsorship opportunities (sponsor a tee, nearest the pin, longest/straightest drive competitions), or who have contributions to make to the auction or the prize raffle.

The format on the day will be 24 teams of four playing a fourball better ball for the Four Nations Cup. Entries will be on a first-come-first-served basis. So plan your team early and enter names on the board when it appears in the Palm Court.

Aspire will once again be the main beneficiary of the money raised and representatives will be at the club during the event.

This Thursday afternoon/evening competition is now fully underway, with 18 holes being played each week. So far more than 80 golfers have taken part, many of them new members producing some good results.

The eclectic is first and foremost a fun/social game and offers a unique opportunity to play with a wide range of members of different abilities.

The first tee-off time is 3.30pm with the bulk of players going off between 5 and 6pm. If you haven’t played yet, give it a try.

Following the recent ballot, there will be a total ban on smoking in the clubhouse from Monday, July 17. Voting was: In favour of a total ban – 174. In favour of a partial ban – 63.

The committee unanimously approved the move, but is giving consideration to the possible provision of some sort of rainproof area outside the clubhouse for smokers.

Wednesday, June 7: Large society (M&S retired staff) - possibility of two tees closed in the afternoon.
 
Thursday, June 8: Large Society (Gristwood & Toms) - two tees closed in afternoon.   - Eclectic competition to be rearranged.

Both the above society bookings have been generated by members.
Friday, June 16: Society booking (normal tee reservation) instead of Thursday.

Members should note that the committee has decided to change society bookings to Wednesdays and Fridays next year. The aim is to free up the course for the eclectic on Thursdays. In this transition year some societies may be booked on Thursday, others on Friday.

Monday, June 19: BMW golf day (as last year). Course closed in the afternoon.  No society on Wednesday, June 21.

Wednesday, July 5: Large society all day.  Course closed pm only.

Thursday, July 13: Allied Irish Bank golf day (as last year). Course closed in the afternoon.

Paul and David Tomblin will use the long daylight hours to undertake a sponsored challenge on Friday, June 30. Their aim: to play FOUR rounds of golf in a day.
 
They say: “As some of you may know, we lost our father to cancer last year and are undertaking this challenge in his memory and to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, who did a wonderful job of caring for him during his fight against the disease.

Donations can be made online using the webpage http://www.justgiving.com/tomblin or behind the bar. Details of the challenge can be found at http://www.macmillan.org.uk/golf/index.asp . Thank you for your support.”

Two stalwarts of the social calendar again drew capacity attendances.

This year’s St George’s Day Celebration combined an enjoyable mixture of fine English food, patriotic entertainment and delightful renditions of British anthems and melodies. Tim McCrae presented Sir Loin of Beef and Alan Lambert delivered a theatrical St George’s Day charge. Then Kevin and Cynthia O’Donnell with Melissa Lawrence reminded us of the melodies of Ivor Novello and led the audience of more than 100 members into a rousing Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory.

Also well attended was the earlier fish supper, which was followed by a fascinating quiz set by Martin Jeens and John Webb. Thank you both.

Forthcoming events:
Friday, June 2: Wine tasting and European supper (£9.95)
Saturday, June 24: Captain’s Day followed by the Summer Ball. Tables for this, the major event of the social year, are filling fast. Be sure to book yours.

Word is that there is soon to be a delectable new house beer. So if you’re a real ale fan, stand by for a treat.

The Captain is pleased to welcome as playing members: Philip Korn, Garry Tarvet, Christopher Harris, Helen McDonald, Gudmundur Oddsson, Sharad Raniga, Ian Hall and Simon Trewin.

The club regrets to record the deaths of Gareth O’Donaghue (member since 1972), Richard (Dick) Clough (1974), Frank Woolnough (1989), Bruce Sandford (1987) and Robin Harrington (2001).

Barry Barnes who won the Humble Salver medal with 77-17-64. Runner-up was Luke Gutteridge with 71-4-67. Rick Todd was third with 80-11-69

George Copley and Arnie Hubbard who won the Whitehead Salver with 43pts (last nine) from David and Paul Tomblin, who beat Jas and Manvinder Arora on the last six

Simon Roland who won the Benevolent Cup running stableford with 39pts from Leon Sultan with 37

Ellie Brede who won the April extra stableford (silver) with 36pts from Judy Williams on 35 Carole Sharp won the bronze with 35pts from Gillian Edmonds on 30

Linda Lambert and Eirwen Cox who won the Centenary Foursomes with 37pts from Gail Ralph and Angela Davis with 34

Jenny Gelson who won the April stableford (silver) with 39pts from Suzanne Peterson with 38.

Juliette Anthony won the bronze with 35pts from Juliet Talbot (back nine)

Carole Bamford who won the Grannies’ stableford with 34pts from Carole Sharp with 31

Spring Meeting: Fionnuala Smith whose 83 gross (playing off 6) won the President’s prize for the best scratch score. Dagny Moffat won the silver division with net 73 from Janet Hardy with net 74. The bronze winner was Denise Liddle with net 73 from Carole Bamford with net 74.