In a break with tradition Club Captain, Jasminder (Jas) Arora invited the Captain of the Ladies’ Section, Linda Lambert, to join him for the traditional Captain’s Drive-in. In a further break with tradition Jas arranged for his son Manjeev to drum them both to the first tee. Jas’s account of his introduction to office follows:

Club Captain, Jas Arora , and Captain of Ladies, Linda Lambert being escorted to the first tee

My year as Captain started with my Drive-in.  Fortunately we were blessed with sunshine and blue skies, and a significant number of club members, guests and family members watched the Captain of the Ladies section, Linda Lambert, and I being drummed to the first tee by Manjeev.  David Gleeson invited Linda to tee off, she became the first Captain of the Ladies section to take part in the official club Drive-in She set the tone with a long, straight drive of 169 yards up the middle of the fairway. 

I used the Club’s tradition hickory shafted brassie and guttie ball and somehow nearly managed to match the high standard set by Linda with a drive of 157 yards. Loretto McHugh won a bottle of pink champagne for being the nearest at estimating the length of Linda’s drive, and Alasdair Forrest won a gold sovereign for predicting the length of my drive.

There followed drinks and a superb Members Christmas Lunch thanks to Tim, Flora and the rest of the catering staff for the delicious food; and Gill, Adrian and Vanessa for great bar service and Peter Marshall and his team for organising the entire day.  Finally a special thank-you to all members, guests and family members for making the whole day most enjoyable and memorable.

As usual the club was a buzz of activity throughout the festive season. Events teed-off with the traditional Family Christmas Lunch attended by members and younger family members.  Each table was visited by a tall, Australian-accented, Father Christmas who exhibited many of the mannerisms of Tim McRae.

The Annual Carol Concert was a complete sell-out with some members unfortunately unable to book a table (next year it is suggested that there be a ballot for tables). The visiting choir was directed by Nick Robinson who compered the evening with wit and charm. David Tricker's ‘5 gold ring’ table was seriously challenged for vocal supremacy by Ed Dyan's ‘partridge in a pear tree’ ensemble.

The Carol Concert was closely followed by the traditional Members’ Christmas Lunch  following the Captains’ Drive-in. This was attended by a record of 150 people necessitating a serving station in the lounge as well as in the Dining Room.

Next, we had another great New Year’s Eve Party with dancing to the Bruce Boardman Swing Band. Our thanks to the Social Committee for organising everything and to the bar and the catering staff who worked so hard to enable us to enjoy ourselves.

Finally, our first event of 2007 was a Curry and Bingo Evening, attended by over 100 people. Some expert calling by former House Manager, Linda Herring. The star prize for the final round of £200 was won by Nick Kilhams who left nobody in any doubt how pleased he was this result. The superb curry dishes by Tim McCrae won applause from all - including our Captain Jaz!

Don’t miss Club Captain ‘Jas MacArora’s Scots’ Night to celebrate the birthday of Scottish bard Robert Burns on Friday 26 January or Valentino's Night Italian Buffet on Wednesday 14th February - with music by Classic Cabaret.

Future dates for your diaries should include a French Evening on 16 March, a Fish Supper on 6 April, St George’s Night on 20 April, a Greek Night on 18 May, a Nine, Wine and Dine Evening on 8 June, and the Summer Ball on 23 June.

This winter’s unseasonal weather has sadly led to a number of course closures with many working members being deprived of much sought opportunities of playing weekend golf.

A number of members have asked whether, when the course has been declared unplayable by the Course Manager or his staff, arrangements could be made for a second inspection at, say around 10.30am.

The Committee has reviewed Section 7 of the Course Policy Document which states that once a decision to close the course has been made it shall not be rescinded for the rest of that day. Having consulted with the Course Manager, and in the light of experience, the Committee has decided that the current policy should remain in place. The reason for this decision is that greens staff only close the course when, in their considered opinion, damage to the course would result if play were permitted that day, irrespective of any improvement in the weather.    

In the meantime members wishing to hear about the state of the course before leaving home can listen to a recorded message from the Course Manager by selecting option 2 on the Club’s regular telephone number (01923-854127). Alternatively the same information can be heard by dialling 01923-853944.

Most of the course is at saturation level but seems to be holding up very well taking in to account the amount of rain we have had. Those areas that are extremely wet have but have been roped off and will be drained some time in the future.

Dale Pangbourne is using his past experience as a landscape gardener to enhance the car park surrounds which are now looking much tidier.

At the recent meeting of the Greens Committee it was decided that the small triangular yellow flags on the flag pins which indicate pin positions will be withdrawn as from the March Men’s medal (or sooner if delivered) and replaced by three coloured flags which will indicate the following positions:

Red for front
Yellow for middle
Blue for back.

It was considered that this will be far more helpful to members than the current policy of indicating pin positions by varying the height of the flags on the flagstick.

The gradient of the walkway to the right of the 18th green has now been reduced to give easier access up the slope by reducing the gradient.

M J Smith
Course Manager

Following the success of the Ladies Academy last year we are holding two open days this year which will include a taster lesson and the opportunity to sign up for a group of six lessons with David Gleeson. The two open day dates are Saturday, 24th March and Saturday 2nd June both starting at 2pm. There is then the opportunity, when course approved, to join the Academy. Prices and times are yet to be confirmed but if you know any ladies who may be interested in playing golf or joining Porters Park please contact Linda Lambert (01923-855996).

Norman Ackroyd who was awarded the CBE in the New Year Honours list for services the engraving and printing

Christina Lye who won the Silver Division of the December Stableford with 37pts from Fiona Holden with 34pts. 

Dan Marsh who won the January Stableford Division 1 with 39 points from George Copley with 38 points. Mike Ewer won Division 2 with 38 points from Jeff Cloke with 36 points.

Sandra Mackenzie won the Bronze Division with 34pts from Jenny Chan with 30pts.  

Judy Williams won the Silver Division of the 5 Clubs and a Putter Stableford with 35pts from Anita Prosser with 32pts.  

Rod Kirkland who won the January Mid-week Stableford with 34 points from Ron Culnane with 33 points.

Sandra Mackenzie won the Bronze Division with 33pts from Gillian Edmonds with 30pts.

The report on the AGM in the December edition of Tee Times gave the wrong figures for the vote on the resolution concerning the Club’s catering. Scrutineer Brian Morris has pointed out that the correct figures were 63 against the resolution and 49 for the resolution.