Ralph Tiller Life Membership

Ralph Tiller, one of Freshwater Bay Golf Club’s longstanding members, was honoured at the recent Annual General Committee with the award of life membership. Past Captain Tony Black paid eloquent tribute to Ralph’s accomplishments on behalf of the General Committee who had proposed him for the rarely given honour. A member since the mid 60s Ralph was instrumental in the purchase of the Club and Course by the members in 1976 and one of the instigators of lengthening the course by reclaiming the now 9th and 10th holes. Another of his successes was the establishment of the 10 hole Fristab competition which is still running every Friday night form April to October. Ralph’s playing pedigree includes representing Freshwater in the IWGU League, numerous appearances in the coveted Rosebowl Match and he was made Vice President of the IW Golf Alliance for his contribution to their re-organisation with the addition of the Seniors Alliance. In accepting the Life Membership Ralph thanked the Committee and Members for granting him Life Membership and thanked his wife for not giving him too much “ear hole” for playing golf over the years. He concluded by commenting on the great atmosphere at the Club and by saying that in his eyes Freshwater course was the best challenge on the Island, if you could master the game here you could play anywhere.

Derek Wright 65

Round of the week at Freshwater goes to Derek Wright playing in the Wednesday Medal carding a gross 65 giving him a nett 62 off his 3 handicap, which included no less than five birdies. Derek picked up first spot in Division One but was by no means was way ahead of the rest of the thirty strong field with Steven Cooke only two shots adrift on 64 off of 15 handicap in second place from his father Gary (14) in third with a 66. Division Two where even closer with Gordon Day (17) first with a 63 and Seniors Captain Brian Whelan (27) in second on 65, Pete Miller finished in third on 66 off of 16 handicap.

Not to be out done by his elder brother Keith Wright won the monthly medal on Saturday 24th when conditions were some what tougher. Keith (7) returned a nett 68 to edge clear of three players on 69 with Dave Morey (15) finishing in second place on count back from two in form players Gary Cooke (14) third and Derek Wright (3). Three further players tied a shot back on 70 - John Burke, Hugh Morrison and Mike Hailes – but commiserations must go to Ian Ball who carded the best nett of the day with a 64 and had to be disqualified for not signing his card.

Captains Drive In

Despite an horrendous weather forecast Sunday bloomed with blue skies and sun shine, although a little on the chilly side, some 95 members attended Freshwater Bay Golf Club’s Captains Drive In. Out going Captains Bill Hinchen and Rita smith had the easy job of playing a ball up the 18th fairway whilst the incoming Captains had the unenviable task of trying to hit the renowned 18th green into a blustery wind with out of bound down the right and the green thronged with members. Kevin Garret must have had some inside knowledge to pick up the bottle of scotch for putting his peg nearest to where Club Captain Barry Hunter’s ball would finish, with Ian Andrews collecting a bottle of wine for predicting that Sue Keen, Captain of the Ladies Section, would completely clear the 18th green. Members were treated to mulled wine and a meal after which Club Captain Barry announced that the day had got the Club’s 2009 Charity, EMH Hospice at Home, off to a rousing start of £350. On behalf of the members Vice Captain Chris Tansley thanked the Captain for his hospitality and for organizing such a great start to the year, especially as Chris himself managed to pick up no less than three prizes in the 10 hole stableford including nearest the pin on the 14th.

First prize in the hidden pairs went to Hugh Morrison and Sean Clark returning a commendable 41 points, with John Meredith and John Sexton in second with 39 and Roger Thomas and Chris Tansley scoring 38 to take third spot.

In the singles Tansley improved on his third place in the pairs and picked up first place with 22 points beating Sean Clark into second on count back. John Sexton finished in third place with 20 points holding off Dave Wright, Ryan Harmer and John Veal on tie break.

The mid week stableford on the 14th January saw Frank Ing take first place in Division One scoring 41 points, a single point ahead of Steven Cooke with 40 and Gary Cooke in third on 39 points. Father and son Gary and Steven continue their battle of handicaps with them both being cut to 15.

In Division Two the scoring was not quite so good with Mike Dowsett scoring 36 points off his 18 handicap to pinch first place from Gordon Day off 17 returning 35 and Ray Cooke collecting third place with 32 points.

Saturday’s Division One of the Stableford was ably won by Derek Wright scoring 38 points and reducing his handicap back down to 3. Frank Ing finished in second beating Derek’s younger brother Keith on count back after both players returned 37 points.

In Division Two Gary Cooke stole a march on his handicap race with his son by carding 40 points and getting cut to 14, Mike Black playing off 16 finished in second with 38 points and Dick Leppard third with 36 points off of his 19 Handicap.

12th January 2009

As soon as the thaw out from the excessive cold spell was underway Freshwater Bay members took to the course in a Stableford Qualifier competition played on the main greens. Scoring was consistent with both divisions being won with 35 points and the Competition Standard Scratch rising to 70.

Keith Wright too first place in Division 1 with 35 points off his 7 handicap closely followed by 15 handicapper Steve Sargeant in second with 33 and Pete Miller in third scoring 31 points off of 16. The scoring in Division 2 was identical, John Riddlesdell taking first place off with 35 points playing of 19, while two 18 handicappers finished in second and third spots - Dick Leppard finishing with 33 and Ray Cooke 31.

New Years Day

The New Year was heralded in traditional manner at Freshwater bay Golf Club with the Peter Guy Memorial Trophy; a greensomes event played on the 1st January each year. Eight pairs finished within 3 shots of the eventual winners Dougie Weedon and John Meredith, who returned a net 66. Second place went to Frank Ing and Colin Thompson finishing on 66.6 a mere 0.2 of a shot ahead of Club Captain Bill Hinchen and his partner Hugh Morrison.

Friday 2nd January saw the first senior event of the year with Glenn Carter taking the Veterans Monthly Stableford with 37 points, John Davis finished second on 36 points beating Brian Whelan, Jim Payne and Peter Marsden on count back all returning 36 points. Sixth placed on the day Dennis Smith leads the Ogle Tankards, awarded for the best six scores returned in the Veterans Stableford in the twelve month period starting December. A 43 and 34 gives Dennis total of 77 points, six points ahead of John Davis in second on 71, with third and fourth placed Peter Marsden and John Mew in the mid sixties.