NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

Welcome to the November edition of the Club newsletter. Whether you’re planning to put your clubs away for the winter and hibernate or earnestly prepare for the new season over the next few months, I can assure you we have something to interest you, be it our new teaching professional or some exciting social events.

James Veal PGA Professional

James Veal was appointed Club Professional with effect from 1^st November. Having grown up on the course, previously winning the Club Championship and jointly holding the course record with Derek Wright, it can be said that he knows his way around the course. His Professional career started at Shanklin under Peter Hammond before moving on to Westridge Golf Centre, and he now returns as our first professional since we became a members Club in 1976.

He hopes to introduce new golfers to the Club, provide a teaching service to current members and increase his teaching of the juniors, which he has been doing for some years now. The junior roll-up will continue throughout the winter on a Saturday morning and he has already held a Juniors Golf Day during half term which consisted of 6 ½ hours coaching, covering putting, long game, lunch plus rules, short game clinic and a 10 hole competition with prizes all for just £20!

James can be contacted at the Club or on 07808 395320 and his tuition rates are as follows:

Member / Non Member

½ hour individual £15 / £17

1 hour individual £25 / £27

On course and video also available.

Discounted packages are available for group lessons or for blocks of four individual lessons.

Rules 2008

You are all probably aware that the Rules of Golf will be updated from 1^st January 2008, the new version of the rules book will be available from the bar once they have been delivered from the R&A. On the same date the “Non Conforming “ Drivers rules come into force. If you are unsure if your driver is legal or not please check the R&A website at www.randa.org where there is a full list plus photographs.

Fairways End

Dave and Cheryl would like to thank all the members for their valued custom since taking over in March and would like to take this opportunity to let you all know what is happening this winter.

Winter Opening Times

Monday – Thursday 11:00 to 15:00

Friday 11:00 to 20:30

Saturday 09:00 to 17:00

Sunday 09:00 to 16:00

From now on at weekends, breakfast will be available from 09:00. There will be a Friday Night Special Menu, and a three course roast Sunday Lunch for £9.95 – a full menu will also available.

Monday – Friday Lunchtimes - two course specials £5.95 or bring a friend and two can eat for £10.

If you want to see how Fairways End can really perform book into our fine dining evening on Saturday 24^th November held in conjunction with Medina Wine. Dave’s pedigree as an award winning chef at the Farringford combined with a different glass of wine with each of the four courses and ambient setting with classical background music will give you a night to remember– please don’t forget to book your taxi home.

Forthcoming events

We are planning a busy run up to Christmas with hopefully something for everyone.

Saturday 24^th November

Fine Dining Evening

Monday 5^th December

Seniors’ Dinner

Saturday 8^th December

Barry Hunter’s “Christmas” Quiz

Thursday 6^th December

Ladies’ Christmas Lunch

Saturday 22^nd December

Christmas Social

Wednesday 26^th December

Three Club Event

National Trust Cattle Grazing

At the AGM in January the membership will be asked to approve an extension to the area grazed by the National Trust through Den Philips farm at Compton. The area in question is on the south side of the downs below the 11^th and 12^th holes; white posts will be erected to show the line of the new fence which will start from the end of the existing rabbit proof fence adjacent to11^th tee and continue diagonally down the slope to the “Whiteways” car park on the Military road. The area is well out of normal play and would take a very vicious hook from one of our longest hitters to get anywhere near it. Please take a look before the AGM.

Ladies Friendly Matches

We played away to Osborne, Cowes, Highcliff Castle, Cams Hall and Shanklin with home matches against Newport, Ryde and Cowes. It was a good season with players taking part who were new to golf. Results were excellent; we never lost a match – 4 wins and 4 draws. Matches were played in a friendly atmosphere with Matchplay format thus helping our new members experience head to head match conditions. They all enjoyed the matches and are already looking forward to next year.

For the first time Freshwater Ladies were invited to play in a Scratch friendly v Shanklin which involved our more experienced players mostly chosen from the Stoneham Cup Team. It was competitive but also enjoyable: we lost 4/3 (next year we host the match – blow wind blow!!!) but have great expectations for the future.

Greens

I think you will all agree that the use of the micro tines on the greens have proved far less intrusive and facilitated a quicker recovery. Work like this is always necessary but we will always try to minimize any negative effects on play.

We are beginning to see greater definition throughout the course; as always we must ask you to play your part during the winter. If at all possible, please leave your trolley at home and carry your clubs – the trampling of the powakaddys has the most detrimental effect on the growth of grasses. If you are unable to get round the course without a powered trolley, consider hiring a buggy for a change and share it with one of your playing partners.

If you do really need your trolley, please continue to avoid the rough – this is beneficial to both the rough and your trolley!

Christmas Presents

Our range of clothing and golf accessories is ever increasing. With Christmas coming, give your family a hint for jumpers, fleeces, gillets, polo shirts, hats, gloves etc all nicely embellished with the Club Badge. Gift vouchers are also available please ask Sue, Maureen or Keith they will be only too happy to assist.

Website

The latest addition to our website is the Club News page which is updated every Tuesday with who won what the week before.

These are the unedited reports that are sent into the County Press.

We will also be posting the updated winter knock out draws as the competition progresses along with any other breaking news that may be of interest to members.

New Members

A warm welcome to the following new members who have joined in the last few months:

Victoria Bassill

John Blakemore

Simon Bonser

Tom Branagh

Paul Brown

David Burrough

Shaun Clark

James Dawes

Gordon Day

Annette Edmunson

David Lindsay

David Lloyd

John Moss

Paul and Rosemary Nunn

Lee Ray

Peter Renouf

Julian Rowe

Philip Rustell

Michael Searle

Steven Snary

Peter Stenson

Philip and Elaine Todd

Bryan Wells

Robin Wilbourn

We still need more members so please encourage any new blood to come along and give golf a try.

Fairways End

in conjunction with

Medina Wines

Present

A FINE FRENCH DINING EVENING

Saturday 24^th November

at 7-30 pm

A sumptuous four course candlelit dinner with four different fine wines to complement each course all accompanied by the classical guitar.

The inclusive cost is £24 per person. There will only be six tables of six available so get your party together and book early.

When it’s full it’s full!