OUR own Alan Glynn crowned a fine morning round of 69 with a course-record-equalling 65 to win the King George V Coronation Challenge Cup by four clear strokes – the first time it has been claimed by a Porters Park player since Campbell Boal achieved the feat in 1990.

Nineteen-year-old Alan’s six-under-par aggregate also won the Ralph Wehner driver for the best performance by a home member. His 65 was distinguished by birdies at his opening 10th  hole, the 12th, 18th, 2nd, 6th, and 7th, but marred by a double bogey on the 8th.

Since last year, this prestigious amateur event, open to category 1 golfers nationally, has combined on successive days with Moor Park’s Hertfordshire Stag, also played over 36 holes, to form a 72-hole competition for the Hertfordshire Bowl.

The Bowl went to Mill Hill’s Daniel Brooks with a four-round total of 282, three shots ahead of Tom Lewis from Mid Herts. Alan finished as the leading Porters Park player on 290. The Herts Stag was won by Moor Park’s county stalwart John Ambridge on 141 after a sudden-death play-off against 19-year-old Brooks.

At Porters Park, Lawrence Allen, of Brookmans Park, was Alan’s nearest challenger, his 138 total pipping Brooks by three strokes.

One of the day’s highlights came from Tom Speyer, of West Herts, who hit the perfect shot at the 6th to hole in one.

Thanks to the ladies and all members who offered support by maintaining the scoreboards at the 1st and 10th tees, ball spotting and helping to control play. Spectators were joined by a number of onlookers from outside the club, as well as several officials from the HGU.

SATURDAY, September 9, is Charity Day - a 'don’t miss' date in the club’s golfing and social calendar.

To be part of the action, share in the fun and help support a deserving local charity, sign up now in the Palm Court.

If you can’t make the golf - all playing members are welcome to compete for some wonderful prizes - you are warmly invited to come along in the evening, bring family and friends, and enjoy a champagne reception, a sumptuous gala dinner and an auction that promises to be both lively and entertaining.

For full details, see the notice board or, if it hasn’t reached you by email, pick up the latest Porters Park Special.

The Committee has unanimously accepted the recommendation of the Nominations Sub-Committee that the Vice-Captain, Jas Arora, be nominated as Club Captain for 2006/7, and that Lionel Cooper, who will have served three years as Hon. Treasurer, be nominated as Vice-Captain.

The Committee has also unanimously accepted the recommendation of the Nominations Sub-Committee that Jeff Cloke be nominated as the new Hon. Treasurer. Jeff was, for several years, Treasurer at Arkley GC before moving to Porters Park. He was recently co-opted on to Finance and Resources Sub-Committee to enable him to become familiar with the club’s affairs.

The Committee has been informed that the Ken Brown will not be seeking re-election when his term as Chairman comes to an end at the AGM in December. In accordance with the rules, the Nominations Sub-Committee has provided the Committee with the name of a candidate who has agreed to be nominated by members for election as the new Chairman. Other nominations by members should be submitted to the Managing Secretary by October 12 so that the requisite announcements can be posted on the club’s notice board not later than October 15 in accordance with the rules.

Kevin O’Donnell’s first term as an ordinary member of the Committee will come to an end at the AGM in December, leaving just one vacancy for election on this occasion. Again, the Nominations Sub-Committee has provided the Committee with the name of a candidate who has agreed to be nominated by members to fill this vacancy. Other nominations by members should be submitted to the Managing Secretary in time for posting on the club’s notice board by October 15.

Resolutions for consideration at the AGM must be submitted to the Managing Secretary, having been duly signed by two members, at least 30 days before the date of the AGM. This year the closing date for resolutions will be November 10.

Wednesday, September 6: Member’s golf party - 1st & 10th tees reserved from 8.30am. (morning only).

Wednesday, September 13: Herts captains’ mixed match - 1st & 10th tees reserved 1.30pm (afternoon only).

Monday, September 18: ‘For Dementia’ charity day - course closed morning only.

Friday, September 29: M&S corporate day – course closed all day.

The course has held up particularly well during the long dry spell. We can put this down to several years of good work by Martin Smith and his team, allied to the investment made over this period.

The over-seeding and the regular winter aeration have left us with a course that, though dry until recently, has good grass cover. There are few bare areas so that one seldom gets a poor lie on the fairway. Comment during the recent KGV tournament was generally very positive.
Members will have noted that during the dry spell hand-watering was carried out on a regular basis, mainly on tees and greens. This is because the existing pump does not have the capacity to get sufficient water onto the course at night. The electrical work needed for the new pump is now well under way and should be in place by early autumn.

A noticeable feature of the course at the moment is the fringe areas to the bunkers; the grass faces are green and benefiting from our timely investment in mist sprayers earlier this year. Without these sprayers all of the faces would have died off, leaving us with a large bill for re-grassing.

There is a further, rather quirky side-effect; for deer and rabbit these lush fringes are the best eating available, though they often stand in the sand to make the most of it. This leaves us with rather more footmarks than we would like, although the staff are raking the bunkers three times weekly.

The RSPB has yet to do a bird count, but will begin this work shortly. I would remind members that we hope to buy bird boxes from the society (they will place them to best advantage), and the office will be happy to receive any donations in support of this venture.

Neil Coles and co are due to start the first phase of the new greens programme shortly (drawings and recommendations). The next element of the fairway watering system is scheduled to start in early October. I will keep members up to date in both instances.

Alan Pountney
Chair of Green

For the third time in four years the weather did nothing to favour the club’s very popular Picnic in the Park, writes Chairman Ken Brown.

But with a strong show of club spirit the picnickers refused to be downhearted and retreated indoors which, being free of wind, rain (and also wasps!), allowed the creation of a warm, friendly and congenial atmosphere throughout a rather full dining room.

The Fine Arts Brass Ensemble were the stars of the evening. The five players, who gave the impression of enjoying the proceedings as much as the members, entertained us with a range of classical, popular and jazz pieces. These were nicely introduced and then performed in own particular style and with superb individual and group skill and flair. One of many memorable highlights was the ‘whipping in’ of the slow movers into the second part of the evening’s presentation by means of a lively rendition of The Post Horn Gallop, with the post horn soloist chasing them from the picnic into the lounge.

We were privileged to have the ensemble at the club. 

This truly wonderful evening was organised by Kevin and his team with their usual expertise. Many thanks to them, and to the members who helped to raise over £1,000 for Aspire with a champagne raffle. Well done!

COMING SOON: Friday, October 20: The Kinks make a welcome return for a great evening of dancing and dining.

Following the driest July on record, the fairways are recovering quickly after the much welcome rain. An application of wetting agent has helped the water to penetrate the dry patches.

Greens have been hit by an untimely attack of fusarium. This has been treated and should disappear.

The willow tree on the 2nd was looking rather poorly. At the suggestion of a representative from Majestic Trees, it is being given regular applications of mycoprhiza root treatment every two to three weeks through to autumn. It is now looking much healthier and leaf growth has returned.

Weeds are once again a problem around the 13th pond and will be cleared shortly. They will be left on the ground for about a week to allow the wildlife within to migrate back into the pond.

 new mains cable is to be installed from the road to the pump house. This will necessitate the digging of a large trench across the 7th fairway. Machinery will also be operating in this area for a few days and your patience will be much appreciated.

Martin Smith
Course Manager

English champion and international Kerry Smith chalked up another achievement this month when, playing off a +2 handicap, she shot sub-par rounds of 72 and 70 to lift our Centenary Cup at her third attempt.

Kerry, a former Curtis Cup team member, took the cup by two strokes from Anna Scott, of Consett and District Club in Durham, who scored 71, 73.

Anna played in the 2003 English Girls’ Championship held at Porters Park and had entered our Ladies’ Scratch Open last year but withdrew at short notice as she had reached the final of the St Andrews Junior Ladies’ Open, which she won.

Clara Leathers, from Ellesborough, took third place with 71, 75, helped by a hole in one at the 12th – an achievement matched at the 6th by Clare Brown, from Furness in Lancashire. Who said the pin positions were difficult? Not me!

Of the 43 competitors, three played off plus handicaps and 35 were category 1. All credit to Martin Smith and his staff for an excellently presented course.

Angela Davis
Organiser

Date change: The Captain v. President team match, originally scheduled for Saturday, September 16, will now take place on Saturday, September 23.

This month’s Ladies’ Open attracted 81 entrants from 27 clubs.  The winner was Jenny Perkins, from Mentmore, playing off 12.  Visitors were very complimentary about both the course and the friendliness of the club.  Thanks to all members who helped on the day.

A reminder that the closing date for entries to the club’s photographic competition is Saturday, October 14

The mixed social golf matches have been much enjoyed by everyone who has taken part – the final one this year is on Sunday, September 10  at home against Brookmans Park, teeing off at 12.30. If you would like to play, the list to sign is in Palm Court – it would be great to see some new faces in the team for this last match.

Porters Park juniors Callum Shinkwin (37pts), Benjamin Lawrence (42pts) and William Gallimore (36pts) won the Junior Champion Club title at Brookmans Park earlier this month. Their victory with 115pts - 6pts ahead of their nearest rival, Welwyn Garden City - sees the team through to the national final at Woodhall Spa in October.

The Captain is pleased to welcome as playing members: Paul Marsden, Martin Delaney, Jamie Hamilton, Gordon Parsons and Jenny Chan.

Michael Moore who won the 36-hole final of the club championship by defeating Jason Mitchell 5&3

Stephen Pike who emerged victorious from a three-way tie to win the Dearbergh Challenge Cup with 72, 70 = 142 from Steve McAlister also with rounds of 72, 70 and Richard Newton with 69, 73

David Talbot who won the August midweek stableford with 36pts from Brian Morris (last 9) and Tex Uwins, both with 35

David & Fiona Holden who won the Nathan Cup from Howard & Gerri Warnes

Linda Lambert who won the Lane Salver with 72, 73 = 145 from Fionnuala Smith with 71, 75 = 146

Carole Bamford who won the Rushton Cup with 88-23-65 from Rena Delaney with 87-21-66 (both bronze division). Lucy Glyn won the silver division with 80-11-69 from Gerri Warnes with 84-14-70

Judy Williams who won the Hopkinson Salver with 37pts. Jane Bellis won the silver division with 41pts. Gail Ralph won the bronze division, also with 41pts, from Gillian Edmonds (last 9) and Rena Delaney, both with 36.