Past Captain costs City a point!

It was a difficult cold night at Newcastle United and unfortunately the lads went down 10-2 in some hard fought games, the results are listed below. The main event of the night came on the 15^th hole a short par three. In match No.5 Dave Ridley was fighting back after going 2 down early on. Spectators surrounded the green. The players indicated the ball was heading towards the crowd. Most of us ducked and moved to the right. Past Captain John Fanklin went left and was felled by the ball as it struck him in the back. We rushed to his aid (once we had stopped laughing) and all was well. Unfortunately he had prevented the Newcastle United ball heading into deep rough and instead their player had a fluffy lie which he chipped close and sank the putt. Dave missed his 5 footer for birdie and halved the hole. Apparently John has applied for honorary membership at United and took one for the team, just the wrong team in our case! Thanks again to all of those who travelled to support the lads it was as ever greatly appreciated.

Results

Andrew Minnikin v Mark Wharton               AS

James Walmsley v Cameron Stott              Loss 1 up

Karl Mossom v Simon Lee                             Loss 3&2

Paul Souter v Neil Gasgoigne                       Loss 4&2

Dave Ridley v Mark McNulty                        AS

Ian Davidson v John Simmons                      Loss 4&3

We return to home next week for the match against Tynemouth. Look forward to seeing you there.

Neil Walker

Captain

Fantastic start to the season away to Ponteland last night resulted in a 10 - 2 win for the lads.

Andrew Mnnikin 3&2 win

James Walmsley 1 up win

Karl Mosson 6&5 win

Paul Souter 3&1 win

Dave Ridley 3&2 loss

Ian Davidson 1 up win

Some fantastic golf with two games going to the last putt. Great support from members on a pleasant but chilly night hope to see you all next week away to Newcastle United.

You can tell the season has started, with snow, frost and course closed signs after a week of beautiful weather, Sod’s Law. We kicked off the new golfing season with a fantastic dinner dance on Saturday which was well supported and raised over £800 for our chosen charity the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. Many thanks to all who donated prizes and were involved in the planning, particularly Louise Lewis and Candi.

The competitive season starts on the 2^nd April with the Inter-County Foursomes at Newbiggin, for rounds 1 & 2 and 3^rd April at Warkworth, for rounds 3 & 4. The final takes place on the 1^st October again at Newbiggin. Good luck to our team of Andrew  Minnikin and Phil Ridden who take on Westerhope in the 1^st round.

The first NDGL matches are five weeks away on Thursday 5^th May away to Ponteland. The format is new this year with the League being split into 2 divisions and teams playing home and away. The bottom 3 will be relegated and the top 3 in Division 2 promoted, which will make for some exciting golf towards the end of the season.

Congratulations to Paul Messner and Stewart Simpson on their victory in the first board competition of the year. A magnificent score of 10 up sealed the victory in the Oliver’s , I look forward to presenting you both with your trophies in November at the Presentation Evening well done lads.

Neil Walker

Captain

Photo's from Neils Captain's Drive in

With only a few weeks until our AGM, my time as Men's Captain draws to a close. I'd like to thank everyone for the support I've had over the last 3 years (one as Vice and 2 as Captain!).

It's been nice to have a little bit of playing success with the lads:-

Alex Dixon - North & South Trophy

Phil Ridden - The Logan Trophy

Andrew Minnikin - County Champion then going on to win the national Champion of Champions.

A sixth consequtive Newcastle and District League title

A Dixon Cup win (5 northern leagues)

James Walmsley - individual winner in the Dixon Cup

Teams Championship in the Newcastle and District League (Andrew Minnikin, Karl Mossom and Ian Davidson).

Andrew with a great runner up performace in the North of England Open Amateur Championship this week, and a couple of scratch open successes.

Hopefully we're not quite done yet, with our defence of the European Men's Club Trophy still to come.

Thanks go to the support we've had at league matches, yet again second to none, 

But the Captaincy has been about so much more than 'team stuff'. 

It's been an honour and joy to work with Past Captain Julie Schofield and Captain Judy Lillico, and of course with Vice Captain Neil Walker who's been great support during the last 2 years.

The Past Captains have also been so welcoming, giving their help along the way: again very much appreciated.

It was great to meet the players on Men's Captain's Day, and to enjoy a tremendous night out at the Captains' Dinner Dance.

Finally, a special word of thanks to David Moffat for his encouragement throughout.

It's been my pleasure to serve.

Many thanks 

Geoff Davison

Men's Captain City of Newcastle Golf Club