Now I know I keep starting these emails with 'What a weekend' but once again another fantastic couple of days at The Golf Club. We had two major events this week, the re-scheduled Pro Am on Saturday and The Grand Match away at Banstead Downs on Sunday, both were super events.

Before I give you all the happenings of the Pro Am, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the small army of people who helped make this such a special event and one now that very well known for. I would like to thank all on Pro-Am Committee, the Green Staff for the great presentation of the golf course, Sean and all his staff in the kitchen, all the bar staff, especially Ann and Tina in the office and finally all the ball spotters and car park helpers. It is the efforts of all these members and staff that make for such a wonderful event.

 

Pro-Am

So with 41 teams lined up to play and the first bleary eyed members heading out at 7:50am the Pro-Am was underway in some drizzly conditions. But the weather picked up for the afternoon, which was handy as I tee'd off in the Captain's team just after 12, full of pain killers for a dodgy back, old age is rapidly catching up with me I'm afraid. Our team didn't set the world but we did have a very enjoyable round on a golf course that looked superb.

But who did set it on fire, well the Professional event was tied on a superb score of two under par 68 by Ben Cummings, Robert Gowers and Richard Neil Jones who took home a very nice cheque each.

The amateur team event is always hotly contested by our members teams but this year one team took a clean sweep of both the Corporate and main prize, Team Olympic Security lead by Jamie O'Sullivan picked up both the trip to Spain, donated kindly by Costaless Golf, as well as the Callaway Golf bags. A great day for Jamie and his team of Mark Bridgman, Sid Drapper and Professional Dave Osbourne. The score, we think, is a record for the Pro-Am, winning by five clear shots with a sensational 20 under par. Great golf chaps.

Jamie made a 'heartfelt' speech and I believe he and his team mates celebrated well into the early hours. Another great day which wouldn't happen if not for the support of the members of Epsom Golf Club, especially those who also doubled up as corporate sponsors, the likes of Hector and Horatio of King of Cotton, Simon Ray of JR Hoarding, Sean Duffy of Absolute Mortgages, Nick Smith Fencing and Ray Williams, Simon Halls of Wildheart and Disco Del and Ken Mumford of My World Film. Thank you and thank you to everyone who helped make it another great event.

Barnstead Downs' 125th Anniversary

Then however, the very next day we were straight back into it with the 52 a-side match at Banstead Downs to celebrate their 125th Anniversary. Everybody turned up raring to go for the shotgun start at 9.30am, I played with the Captain and we took on Banstead Captain and Pro, we ran them to the 17th and it was a great game but unfortunately finished a close second. Banstead put on a great day, lunch was very good and was followed by both Clubs Presidents some some lovely word about the respective Clubs and the history of the relationship between the two Clubs. However it finished on a sad not as our Captain, Tony Filbin had to announce the result. 17-10 to Banstead I'm afraid but again another great day. So I guess the weekends will takes some beating...I'll let you know.

Course Maintenance

As you will have seen from the club diary next week we are due for some course maintenance, please don't worry the course is not shut. We simply like to warn you that there will be some work on the greens. On Monday the boys plan to solid tine, topdress and overseed the greens, finishing them off Tuesday morning. We are then going to scarify the tees and surrounds and topdress the tees, this won't interfere with play as we can work round the golf with this task. This is essential work that must be carried out to maintain the quality of the course and we hope this does not cause any inconvenience.

However on a slightly lighter note, a very rare sight was spotted over the weekend, I'm sure you're are thinking of a rare bird or flower out on the course but no something far less seen and we had actual photographic evidence. The special moment was a beaming smile on the face of our Head Greenkeeper!

But seriously, well done to Mark and the boys the course has looked great over the past few weeks and long may it continue.

 

Lots of new gear in the pro shop

We have had lots of new arrivals in the shop this week including the new Callaway Great Big Bertha, the Foremost exclusive line ProQuip suit, the new Srixon AD333 golf balls and the new autumn/winter range from J Lindeberg.

Make sure you visit us over the weekend to take a look for yourself!