First New Year Meeting

According to the Club's diary we have our usual tee reserved for Thursday 2nd January so hopefully the weather will pick up by then.
Harry Wright is recovering well and sends his best wishes to everyone. He will be coming out for a stroll with us although it will be some time before he can swing a club.

Seasonal Greetings

Unfortunately I couldn't post this message in time for Christmas due to a power cut, but best wishes to fellow Sandpipers for the New Year, particularly those who for various reasons aren't able to join us for our bi-weekly competitions.

Tuesday 17th December

Nineteen took part in today's calm and mild conditions. John Gibson took first place with 33 points and myself second on best countback of the three 32s.
Thursday's forecast looks grim so today could be our last official meeting until the new year according to the club diary. Anyone wanting to play on Tuesdays or Thursdays will have to book via the web site or the professional.

Trolley Driving Test

FAILED

Tuesday 10th November

Nineteen turned out at the crack of dawn for our Christmas Bottle Trot and a further three joined us for the excellent meal provided by Octavia and David. Secretary Geoff Waite provided a full prize table, Joe Holmes' 36 points taking the whisky, Robin Binny's 33 the gin and Edward Harle's 16 the booby prize.

Christmas Luncheon

Just to remind everyone that if inclement weather forces the Bottle Trot to be abandoned then we have the meal at around 12.30pm. Dress is 'smart casual' and to assist with the prize presentation our golf scores will be entered in the computer.
Harry Wright has had a successful operation on his shoulder and we wish him a speedy recovery.

Tuesday 3rd December

Twenty took advantage of today's cool and calm conditions, Mike Mapleton blowing the rest of the field away with 40 points. My 33 was enough for second place.
Sandpipers were well represented at the Club's prize giving last Saturday night with Grant Anderson, Geoff Scott, Joe Penrice and myself collecting trophies. Joe Campbell assisted in his official capacity as Assistant Handicap Secretary.

Thursday 28th November

More like a late summer's day than mid winter with flat calm and warm sunshine.
Robin Binny and David Barnes were first and second with 33 and 32 points respectively and another twelve trailing in their wake.

Tuesday 26th November

Roy Williams and Ian Porter took the pot today with 38 and 32 points respectively. The other sixteen 'enjoyed' a walk in intermittent light rain.
The Competition Secretary has asked me to advise if any Sandpiper has consistently played better than his official handicap for his forthcoming review.

Thursday 21st November

It seemed as if none of the fifteen wanted to win today, Joe Campbell's 27 points leading the field and playing partner Geoff Waite claiming second on count back with 26. The sixth was closed as workmen opened a trench to the gravel pit for overflow drainage pipes to be installed.
Everyone sprinted round to complete in about four hours.

Tuesday 19th November

Cool and calm for today's twenty competitors, Joe Campbell winning with 37 points and Brian Taylor second five points behind.
As one of the last group I must mention that it took nearly five hours to get round due to slow play in front meaning it was nearly dark at 4.00pm when we finished.
Finally, the Christmas Meal menu is now on the notice board and it will help the caterers if we can select our preferences well in advance.

Maryport - Silloth Road Open

Patching completed and reopened today.

Tuesday 12th November

Considering it is nearly the middle of November conditions were good apart from a stiff breeze. Jim Gilfillan topped the leader board on 35 points and Ian Porter pipping me on the back nine with 31.

Silloth Road Closure (again)

The B5300 Allonby to Silloth road is planned to be closed from today (11/11/13) for five days between Dubmill Point and Beckfoot so should be open for Saturday.
The alternative routes are via Westnewton or turn right past Dubmill Farm and take the narrow back road into Mawbray. Turn right and follow a fairly decent road through Holme St Cuthbert to rejoin the Aspatria to Silloth road.

Thursday 7th November

Thirteen took on today's challenging conditions Two scores of twenty seven took the pot with Joe Holmes outgunning Tony Davis on the back nine.
The list is up for our annual Christmas bottle trot and luncheon. Please add your names as soon as possible.
Maintenance work is starting on the course in earnest now with some of the greens already spiked and diggers are opening trenches to the shore for the new drainage system.

Tuesday 5th November

Three seasons in one round today with warm summer sun, light autumn shower, a cold winter breeze and much better average scores.
Jim Johnson put together a winning round with 39 points, two ahead of second placed David Low.

Thursday 31st October

A brutal SW wind made scoring difficult with only three out of sixteen scoring more than 30 points.
Willie Smith won with 33 followed by Geoff Waite with 32.
Don't forget that next Tuesday we revert to the winter start time of 10.50am.

Tuesday 29th October

The first signs of winter today with a strong cold wind and a brief rain squall. David Low took first prize with 34 points and Ian Hind second with 32. Nineteen played.
The Maryport to Silloth road has reopened much to everyone's relief.

Thursday 24th October

Only two of the seventeen players today managed over 30 points, Roger Cutts with 35 and Joe Campbell with 31. The rest enjoyed a nice walk in the warm sunshine.

Silloth Road Closure

The B5300 road into Silloth is closed at Blitterlees to repair a big dip in the surface caused by a collapsed drain.
It is likely to take up to a week so the alternative route from the west is via Aspatria or accessing the B5301 through Allonby or Mawbray.
http://m.bbc.com/travelnews/cumbria/roads/planned/time
This gives up to date coverage.

Thursday 17th October

Another quiet day with fourteen competitors struggling to put a score together.
John Gibson's 33 points was enough to win with the recently 'in form' Joe Holmes one behind.

Sandpipers Web Site

The web site has been updated to include next year's fixtures and matches, also the minutes of our AGM, our Secretary's report and a gallery of photos from the prize giving kindly supplied by Harry Wright.
www.sunside.co.uk/sandpipers

Tuesday 15th October

Charles Woodhouse has figured in both this year's Texas Scrambles, this time alongside Tony Davis and Ian Hind with a remarkable nett 63.7 playing off 5.3.
An excellent turnout of twenty nine and the consensus of opinion at the 19th hole was that, if possible, the format should be repeated perhaps more often next season.

Thursday 10th October

What goes round comes round! 30 points won me £7.80p today at a cost of two shots. John Gibson was careless enough to come second with a worse back nine.
I forgot to mention welcome back to Willie Smith on Tuesday after a long lay off.
Don't forget that next Tuesday is a Texas Scramble and the more that turn up the better.

Tuesday 8th October

A good turnout of twenty five today enjoyed possibly the last of the benign weather conditions for a while.
Joe Holmes topped the leader board again with 38 points followed by Brian Taylor with a creditable 34 playing off 7, just squeezing out Roger Cutts on count back. Again it was pleasing to see the majority of players supporting the 19th hole.
A reminder to those not at the AGM that subs are due. John Dixon will be delighted to relieve you of £5.00p.

Thursday 3rd October

Thirteen were rewarded for taking a chance on the weather forecast being wrong and enjoyed a mild and mostly dry round.
Joe Holmes won with 33 points followed by David Barnes with 31.

Tuesday 1st October

A good turnout of twenty four for the Brindley Salver Greensomes played in breezy conditions.
The drawn pairing of Don Young and Grant Anderson produced 43 points, just enough to win the trophy.
A lively AGM followed and a report will be published in due course.
Worth a mention: - how do you manage to score nine points from two par three holes in the same round?
Joe Penrice can provide the answer.

Sandpiper Championship

My thanks to Ian Porter for a very competitive and sporting match to decide this year's champion.
The result could have gone either way but was finally decided on the seventeenth in my favour.

Thursday 26th September

Only twelve took part today, a disappointing turnout considering the mild conditions.
Brian Taylor won and with 37 points and forfeited three shots for £7.20p. Geoff Waite managed second place with 33 (and £4.80p).

Tuesday 24th September

Mild, muggy and flat calm conditions today yet only half of the twenty competitors managed over 30 points.
Tony Davis came first with 36 points followed by Joe Campbell with one less.
Don't forget that next Tuesday is our AGM with a greensomes competition kicking off at 9.00am followed by the AGM at 2.30pm. If the weather is too inclement the AGM will be brought forward to 12.00 noon

Saxons v Celts etc.

Saxons = 1/2, - Celts, Angles, Geordies and anyone else with something similar to a western european accent 5.1/2.

Thursday 12th September

Jim Gilfillan will be surprised to find that his 31 points was the best of thirteen today with Joe Campbell one shot behind for second place.
Highlight of the Day:

This is where the ball landed after a wild tee shot on the 7th. Believe it or not, the trolley is parked next to the waste bin alongside the tee box. Ian Hind can provide the full story. We all made suitable suggestions as how to play his next shot!

Tuesday 10th September

A bright and breezy day for eighteen Sandpipers and judging by the scores it was quite tricky.
Geoff Scott took first place with 34 points, just beating Mike Mapleton on countback.

Ellis Beattie Competition Cancelled.

Unfortunately our annual get together with the ladies on Tuesday 10th September has been abandoned which means it reverts to a normal Sandpipers' day.

Thursday 5th September

Only twelve turned out but Tom Neillly was way out in front with 41 points, Ian Porter claiming second place with 33 on countback from Don Young.

Appleby Match Result

A comprehensive 6 - 2 win under Captain Tony Davis finished the last of our matches on a high note. The course and meal were both of the usual high standard and our thanks to Octavia and David for the way they've looked after us through the season.

Tuesday 27th August

The fine weather continued for the Jimmy Banks Trophy competition that Joe Penrice won with 41 points followed by Joe Campbell one point behind.
Thursday is our home match against Appleby commencing at 10.30am.

Pull Trolley Loan (Update)

Could someone please lend me a pull trolley for three days commencing Sunday 1st September. I can't be bothered to lug the electric one to Kinross.
Update: Thanks to all who offered trolleys.
More Updates: Joe Campbell won the Trophy for the best Sandpiper score in the Seniors' Open together with a Charity Cheque for £50 which he wishes to go to the Eden Valley Hospice.
Robin Binny and Don Young have recently had health problems. Both are at home and will undergo further tests in the near future. Our best wishes to both of you.

Seniors' Open Results

Several Sandpipers finished well up the leader board in second and third divisions, notably John Gibson in div2 and Joe Campbell, Tom Neilly, David Low and Roger Cutts in div3.

Tuesday 20th August

The rearranged John Eilbeck Trophy competition was played in a strong breeze but otherwise pleasant conditions. Scoring was again low with Alan Proud's 35 points claiming second place and my winning 38 the best of twenty six entries.This coming Thursday is the Seniors Open.

Sandpipers v Appleby Team

Thursday 29th August

Dress: Jacket and Tie

10-30 -  T. Davis  ( C ) / R. Cutts
10-37 -   J. Gibson / J. Dixon
10-44 -  G. Anderson / M. Mapleton
10-51 -  S. Tonner / T. Neilly
10-58 -  J. Holmes / L. Heyes
11-05 -  H. Wright / J. Tudor
11-12 -  D. Young / B. Bedford
11-19 -  D. Wood / J. Campbell

Seniors' Open Info

John Tudor and others have put a lot of work into assisting in organising this year's open which takes place next Thursday. John has compiled some statistics:
"The entry for The Seniors Open includes entrants from 43 clubs (including Silloth) which I find pretty impressive, the most distant being a member of Woburn in Buckinghamshire and Crail in Fife the furthest of nine Scottish clubs.
Regards
John"

Tuesday 13th August

Another fine and blustery day for the Carrick Trophy and a much better turnout of twenty five.
Clive Milburn won the cup scoring 39 points with myself second with 38.

Tuesday 6th August

The Ronnie Thompson Memorial Trophy medal competition took place in fine and blustery conditions with twenty four entries of which only four put in 'no returns'.
Tommy Neilly won with nett 66 and David McCrum second with nett 70. Only three others returned par or better.
Not mentioning any names, but one player teed up his ball on the eighteenth then turned to one of his playing partners and said "sorry, your 8 beat my 9 on the 17th".

Thursday 1st August

Robin Binny's winning streak continued today with 35 points and myself second with 34. The grey clouds soon gave way to pleasant conditions and eleven of the fifteen competitors supported the 19th hole.

Tuesday 30th July

Only fourteen played today which might have been expected as eighteen are still recovering from yesterday.
Robin Binny took first prize with 35 points and Jim Johnson second with 33 in bright and breezy conditions.

Maryport Match Result

There's no easy way to put this - today we suffered a 9 - 0 whitewash. I'm off to lie down in a dark room.

Junior Open 8th August

It is possible that the juniors' competition may be cancelled due to lack of entries and the Sandpipers start time could be reinstated.
More information when available.

Thursday 25th July

Only fifteen set off today with a ten minute downpour spoiling an otherwise bright calm day.
Alan Proud celebrated his return from touring France with a winning 36 points and myself second with 32.
Please note the the date for the rained off Eilbeck Trophy is rescheduled for the 20th August. The web site calender will be amended soon.

Maryport v Sandpipers Team (amended)

Monday 29th July

Dress: Smart Casual

10.00 -  G.Waite ( C ) / T. Neilly
10.07 -  J. Gilfillan / L. Heyes
10.14 -  T. Stubbs / B. Bedford
10.21 -  H. Wright / G. Anderson
10.28 -  J. Gibson / J. Campbell
10.35 -  D. Wood / B. Bower
10.42 -  J. Holmes / R.Williams
10.49 -  E. Harle / M. Mapleton
10.56 -  I. Porter / A. Proud

Seascale Match Result

Captain John Gibson led our troops to a narrow 4.5 - 3.5 victory in blistering hot conditions. Not surprisingly a salad was the most popular choice from the apres golf menu.
Our next match is away against Maryport Bank Enders on Monday 29th and a sheet for names is on our notice board.

Tuesday 16th July

Twenty competitors played in sunshine with a breeze on our backs on the inward nine.
Jim Gifiillan's buggie had a falling apart on the sixth, but a knife,spare trolley strap and some old insulation tape fixed the problem.
Joe Penrice's 37 took first place on count back from John Gibson.

Regards
John W Gibson

Seascale Match Dress Code

I'm advised that in agreement with Seascale, in view of the exceptionally hot weather the normal "jacket and tie" has been relaxed to "smart casual" (probably to the relief of all concerned).

Tuesday 9th July

Nine Sandpipers played in excellent conditions, only for a slow round following a visiting party. Joe Penrice's 36 took the monies

Regards
John W Gibson

Sandpipers v Seascale Team

Thursday 18th July

Dress: Smart Casual

10-30 -  J. Gibson ( C ) / J Johnson
10-37 -  T.Davis / H Wright
10-44 -  I. Porter / T. Neilly
10-51 -  B. Taylor / T. Stubbs
10-58 -  J. Holmes / J.Tudor
11-05 -  D. Wood / B. Bower
11-12 -  J. Gilfillan / G. Anderson
11-19 -  R.Cutts / B.Bedford
Please note major alterations to team sheet due to a couple of withdrawals for domestic reasons.
Also that Joe's home phone has not yet been connected at his new address so only available by mobile until BT take their finger out

Brampton Match Result

The good news is that we won the aggregate of our home and away matches by half a point.
The bad news of course is that we lost today in near perfect conditions.
Next Thursday's team for our home match with Seascale will be published here soon.

Competition Secretary

8th July 2013
Handicap Secretary.
Unfortunately, Terry Stubbs is having to stand down as H/C Secretary.
His wife , Doreen, is demanding an increasing amount of care, and he will not be able to attend the Sandpipers as frequently as he has been.
Obviously we will be looking for volunteers at the AGM, but as an interim measure, John Gibson and Brian Taylor will attempt to cover. However, if they are both absent, we trust all Sandpipers will be understanding of the situation, and be prepared to help out if called upon, both in starting our competitions, and in sorting cards and updating sheets afterwards.
I have always believed the H/C job is the most demanding of any on the committee, and should be a shared position, but Terry has been doing it essentially alone since 2008 and his dedication in attending has been way above that which should be expected.  Many thanks Terry, and we send you and Doreen our best wishes for the future.

Geoff Waite

Carlisle Match Result

Like the weather our opponents were too hot for us, winning by 5.5 - 2.5.
I'm pleased to advise that Ian Porter seems to be OK at 7.30pm today and is just waiting for the result of precautionary blood tests before going home tomorrow.
It is thought that dehydration and too much sun cased low blood pressure so please make sure that everyone takes plenty of fluids for our Brampton match on Wednesday and avoid any overexertion. If in doubt hire a buggy.

Brampton Match Amendment

Apologies for incorrect information.
The dress code is "Smart Casual".

Tuesday 2nd July

I am informed that the winner of the Tommy Anderson Five Clubs competition was Roger Cutts with 36 points after countback from David Low.
This is some achievement if the conditions were the same as we played in at Cockermouth.

Brampton v Sandpipers Team

Wednesday 10th July

Dress: Smart Casual

09.30 -  D. Wood ( C ) / G. Anderson
09.37 -  B. Taylor / M. Mapleton
09.44 -  T. Davis / L. Heyes
09.51 -  H. Wright / J. Holmes
09.58 -  I. Porter / B. Bower
10.05 -  J. Gilfillan / J. Johnson
10.12 -  R. Cutts / J. Campbell
10.19  -  R. Williams / T. Stubbs

Reserve: D.Young

Peter Hetherington

Peter is home after a spell in hospital and hopefully his forthcoming holiday will help in a full recovery.

Tuesday 25th June

A winning combination of Joe Campbell and Charles Woodhouse won the Terry Walters Cup with the popular greensomes format, their 44 points 7 points clear of the second highest.
The sheet for the home match against Seascale on the 18th July  is on the notice board together with the teams for our away games against Carlisle and Brampton.

Willie Smith

Willie had his replacement hip done in Hexham Hospital and is now back at home. He's expecting to be off golf until end September.
Best wishes from all fellow Sandpipers Willie.

Carlisle v Sandpipers Team

Monday 8th July

Dress: Jacket and Tie

09.30 -  T. Davis  ( C ) / B. Bower
09.37 -  H. Wright / G. Waite
09.44 -  J. Holmes / T. Stubbs
09.51 -  B. Taylor / D. Young
09.58 -  I. Porter / J. Campbell
10.05 -  D. Wood / G. Anderson
10.12 -  R. Cutts / L. Heyes
10.19 -  J. Gilfillan / M. Mapleton

Reserve: J.Johnson

Brampton Match Result

Good news today with a 6 - 2 win in hot and wind free conditions followed by a super meal.
We look forward to the return match at Brampton on the 10th.July.

Tuesday 18th June

Much better scores from today's twenty competitors with Harry Wright and Joe Penrice taking the two top spots with 42 and 40 points respectively.
Good to see David Barnes back in harness and welcome to Jim Johnson who was lucky enough to have Terry Stubbs and myself as playing partners for his first game with us.

Sandpipers v Brampton Team

Thursday 20th June

Dress: Jacket and Tie

10.30 - D. Wood ( C ) / J. Campbell
10.37 - G. Anderson / B. Bower
10.44 - J. Gilfillan / I. Hoyles
10.51 - R. Cutts / T. Stubbs
10.58 - B. Taylor / L. Heyes
11.05 - I. Porter / B. Bedford
11.12 - T. Davis / G. Waite
11.19 - H. Wright / T. Neilly

Maryport Match Result

Our run of bad luck continues with a 3.5 to 5.5 loss on our own turf.
Joe is finding it increasingly difficult to assemble teams for our matches as several of our regulars seem to be reluctant to volunteer their names. With the holiday season approaching he needs more names as we had to sign up a ringer on Thursday (the competition secretary) and it is a long time ago that we had any reserves.
Please support Joe.

Appleby Match Result

The good news is that it didn't rain. The other news is that we were beaten 3 games to 5 so hopefully we can improve for our home match against Maryport on Thursday.

Sandpipers v Maryport Team

Thursday 13th June

Dress: Jacket and Tie

10.30 - G. Waite  ( C ) / H. Wright
10.37 - B. Bedford / L. Heyes
10.44 - B. Taylor / C. Milburn
10.51 - T. Davis / J. Dixon
10.58 - R. Williams / T. Stubbs
11.05 - D. Wood / B. Bower
11.12 - R. Cutts / J. Tudor
11.19 - J. Gilfillan / M. Mapleton
10.26 - I. Porter / T. Neilly
11.33 - G. Anderson / J. Campbell

Ellis Beattie

Sad to report that Ellis passed away last night having been a keen member for many years but suffering poor health recently.
He will be continue to be remembered for sponsoring our annual contest with the ladies for the 'Ellis Beattie Shield'.

Tuesday 6th June

An eventful day welcoming Ian Hoyles to our ranks and congratulating Brian Taylor for his 'hole in one' on the 6th.
Roger Cutts took advantage of the glorious weather winning with 38 points, two ahead of Brian Taylor who sneaked second place on count back.

Appleby v Sandpipers Team

Tuesday 11th June

Dress: Smart Casual

10.30 -  R. Williams ( C ) / B. Bedford
10.37 -  T. Davis / D. Wood
10.44 -  B. Taylor / J. Campbell
10.51 -  D. Young / M. Mapleton
10.58 -  G. Anderson / T. Stubbs
11.05 -  J. Gilfillan / T. Neilly
11.12 -  I. Porter / J. Dixon
11.19 -  R. Cutts / G. Waite

Charity Event

Charles Woodhouse is hosting a Garden Open at Quarry Hill House, Mealsgate on Sunday 16th June on behalf of the National Garden Scheme. Beneficiaries will be the 'Hospice at Home', 'MacMillan Nursing' and 'Marie Curie'. More information on posters displayed in the Clubhouse.

Tuesday 4th June

Possibly the calmest and hottest day for today's eighteen contestants so far this year.
Jim Gilfillan stayed cool enough to win with 33 points and Robin Binny with 30 points having the best back nine to take second place.

Tuesday 21st May

Seven three balls set out in sunshine with a slight breeze.
Tony Davis won the T.Sowerby Trophy with 37 points followed by Sandy Tonner with 36.
Don't bother turning up this Thursday as the Club is hosting a ProAM competition.

Workington Match Result

A disappointing outcome of 6 - 4 to the Beck Watchers means that they retain the Shanks Trophy but at least we had a warm calm day. 'Captain of the Day' Brian Taylor was suitably gracious in his after dinner speech and thanked team selector Joe for the effort he put into rounding up substitutes for the four late withdrawals.

Thursday 16th May

Another new name tops the list today as Clive Milburn scored 37 points, and Robin Binny repeated his Tuesday's second place score of 35.

Tuesday 14th May

Blustery but dry conditions for today's John Todd Shield competition.
A new name hit the leader board with Ian Hind scoring 36 points, one ahead of  Robin Binny, and the other seventeen trailing a long way behind.
Congratulations to Joe Campbell who was head hunted to be the Assistant Competition Secretary for the Club.

Workington v Sandpipers Team

Monday 20th May 2013

Dress: Jacket & Tie

09-30 - B. Taylor (C ) / T. Neilly

09-37 - J. Gilfillan / J. Dixon

09-44 - G. Anderson / C. Woodhouse

09-51 - D. Wood / M. Mapleton

09-58 - T. Davis / J. Campbell

10-05 - W. Smith / A. Proud

10-12 - S. Tonner / G. Waite

10-19 - I. Porter / J. Tudor

10-26 - J. Gibson / L. Heyes

10-33 -  J. Holmes / E. Harle

Seascale Match Result

The hottest day of the year so far and honours even at four games each against the Kestrels with "Captain of the Day" John Gibson.
I understand Peter Hetherington hasn't been too well lately so all our best wishes Peter.

Seascale v Sandpipers Team

Tuesday 7th May

Dress: Smart Casual

PLEASE NOTE REVISED START TIME

11.00 -  J. Gibson ( C ) / H. Wright
11.07 -  I. Porter / T. Neilly
11.14 -   T. Davis / D. Wood
11.21 -  J. Holmes / T. Stubbs
11.28 -  R. Cutts / A. Proud
11.35 -  J. Gilfillan / J. Dixon
11.42 -  B. Taylor / J. Tudor
11.49 -  G. Anderson / J. Campbell

Tuesday 30th April

A good turnout in near perfect conditions for the G.Doughty Trophy.
Our regular winner Ian Porter won with 40 points on a back six count back from David Low with Joe Campbell just squeezed into the unpaid third spot.
Next Tuesday is our away match against Seascale.

Thursday 25th April

Only twelve set out in light drizzle which soon cleared.
Tom Neilly was a clear winner with 37 points and Brian Taylor second.
Next Tuesday is the George Doughty Cup, a handicap qualifying stableford competition which isn't shown in the club diary.

Tuesday 23rd April

Twelve pairs set out in blustery conditions to compete for the John Cooper Trophy. Geoff Scott and Charles Woodhouse (with an outrageous 2 on the 16th) did enough to take first place with 57 points.
Silloth GC is hosting a "Help for Heroes" charity open competition on Monday August 26th, and with the approval of all those approached, the Sandpipers will be sponsoring two holes. Anyone wishing to enter a team should see Simon Parry with the entry fee of £100.
The Pals Invitation Golf Society (formed in 2003 from a core of Sandpipers aka The PIGS) is also sponsoring a hole.

Carlisle Match Result

A brutal south westerly made competing difficult but Silloth came through 5.5 - 2.5.
Joe is still one name short for our forthcoming away match against Seascale.

David Barnes' Birthday

Over a dozen Sandpipers turned up at the Royal Oak in Braithwaite today to help a very surprised David celebrate his 80th birthday.
He thought he was going for a quiet dinner time pint but ended up as host at a superb buffet for us, his friends and family organised weeks ago by his good lady.
Unfortunately the recent operation on his shoulder requires a lengthy recuperation but he hopes to be back in action by the end of June.

Workington Match Result

A disappointing result in benign conditions against the Beckwatchers which means we carry a 7 - 3 deficit forward to our return match at Workington for the Shanks Trophy.
All the games were played in the traditional friendly spirit and finished off with high quality meal by Octavia and her staff.

Sandpipers v Carlisle Team

Tuesday 16th  April

Dress: Jacket & Tie

10-30 - T. Davis (C ) / T. Neilly
10-37 - B. Bower / H. Wright
10-44 - D. Wood / J. Campbell
10-51 - D. Young / G. Anderson
10-58 - B. Taylor / B. Bedford
11-05 - J. Holmes / R. Cutts
11-12 - J. Gilfillan / T. Stubbs
11-19 - I. Porter / W. Smith

Reserves:  J. Gibson, M. Mapleton, G. Waite, J. Tudor, J. Dixon.

9th April 2013

The east wind returned to make the back nine difficult for today's championship qualifier. Tommy Neilly topped the field with 37 points and more than the sixteen required to fill the play off places turned up.
Unfortunately the print off for the competition couldn't be published  but the draw and play by dates will be on the notice board in due time.
Thursday is our home match v Workington.

Tuesday 4th April

All twelve of us had to wrap up warm again today.
One of our more senior members, John Dixon, won with 34 points, two better than Tony Davis.
Next Tuesday is the Sandpipers' Championship Qualifier and things will hopefully have warmed up by then.

Sandpipers v Workington Team

Thursday 11th April  2013

Dress: Jacket & Tie

10.30 -  B. Taylor ( C ) / R. Cutts
10.37 -  I. Porter / J. Campbell
10.44 -  D. Wood / B. Bower
10.51 -  H. Wright /  T. Neilly
10.58 -  T. Davis / G. Waite
11.05 -  W. Smith / G. Anderson
11.12 -  J. Gibson / J. Dixon
11.19 -  J. Gilfillan / J. Tudor
11.26 -  D. Young / B. Bedford
11.33 -  J. Holmes / M. Mapleton

Tuesday 2nd April

Low average scores today around the 25 points mark for the nineteen players in blustery conditions but the cream (in the shape of Ian Porter) rose to the top with 38 and Joe Penrice with 34.
Congratulations to Joe Penrice and Geoff Scott for their trophy winning scores of nett 67 in last weekend's club medal competitions.
The Workington match team sheet is on the notice board.

Thursday 28th March

Nobody more surprised than Tony Davis when his 30 points turned out to be the winning score with Tommy Neilly one behind. Not surprisingly considering the cold weather, only twelve turned out but good to see Jim Gilfillan back again.
Joe is still one short for our home match against Workington. Please add your name if available.

Tuesday 26th March

Slightly less severe conditions for the eighteen competitors today but Rogers Cutts' 39 points still took some doing as it was six points clear of second placed Robin Binny.
Welcome back to Tony Davis after his extended visit to NZ where they only had four days of rain!

Thursday 21st March

A biting cold strong east wind today for the eighteen players.
Grant Anderson did the business with 37 points, three ahead of second placed Terry Stubbs.
Good to see Malcolm Donald making an appearance again after a long layoff and it's Joe Campbell's **th birthday tomorrow.

Tuesday 19th March

Nineteen set out in dismal conditions for the first qualifying competition of the year, a bogey format.
Geoff Scott held it together to finish +3 with myself second on +2 with an east wind making the back nine difficult.

Thursday 14th March

Fourteen played today, Roy Williams winning with 38 points with Charles Woodhouse the runner up on 35.
Tuesday 19th is scheduled as a Bogey competition and finally, congratulations to Bernard Keighley who is 88 years old this month.

Tuesday 12th March

Commiserations to Brian Taylor for losing on countback with 41 points to Geoff Waite on the short course in bright calm conditions.
Team sheets are now on the notice board for home matches against Carlisle and Workington. Please assist Joe by appending your names as soon as possible for selection.

Tuesday 5th March

Twenty one entries were drawn into seven teams of three for the first Texas Scramble. Being out last with Ian Porter and John Tudor we didn't have much time to assess people's thoughts on the format but we did appreciate everybody waiting back to applaud our win with a gross score of 67 (minus 9.1 handicap).

Thursday 28th February

Balmy conditions for the last day of the month which suited Roger Cutts with 41 points. Alan Proud came second with 34.
Next Tuesday is pencilled in as a Texas Scramble subject to an appropriate number of players turning up.
Consensus is that if the teams consist of 4 players the handicap is 1/8th of the sum of the team's handicaps and at least four tee shots of each player must be used. Each team's captain agrees which of the tee shots should be used and all the team play shots from within 6ins of that ball's position. This is repeated (including on the green) until a player holes out. The medal score is calculated as if one player had played all the shots.
e.g. using the first as an example, player 2's drive is used and player 1 and 2 hit the green next. Each player gets a chance to putt from the preferred position and player 4 knocks his putt in. Gross score = 3 and the team handicap is deducted from the gross score at the end of the round.
For teams of 3 players the handicap = 1/6th sum i.e. (13 + 11 + 12) = 36 / 6 = 6.
Management may decide to adjust this suggested format on the day.

Tuesday 26th February

Nearly back on the full course today for the twenty two who turned out. Only the 6th and 12th greens remain unplayable and a lot of the surface water has disappeared.
Harry Wright took full advantage with 40 points and Geoff Scott second on 36.
Congratulation to Terry Stubbs on his 78th birthday yesterday.
Please note that next Tuesday we revert to our summer tee times commencing 11.00am.

Thursday 21st February

Much cooler today for the fourteen contestants playing sixteen holes.
Joe Campbell won with 37 points and from the three who tied for second place Willie Smith took the cash on countback.
Very remiss of me not to report one of Geoff Waite's infrequent wins last Thursday in a non qualifying eleven player event.

Tuesday 19th February

What a pity about the frost at the start as the afternoon was nearly warm enough for shirt sleeves.
Two winners tied for first place with 40 points with Ian Porter scoring the better back nine over Geoff Scott.
Eighteen played.

Tuesday 12th February

John Tudor's excellent 36 points in today's benign conditions was only good enough for second place against Tommy Neilly's 42, but Tommy won't be there on Thursday so everyone else will have a chance!
Eighteen played and everyone enjoyed the humour at the nineteenth afterwards.

Thursday 7th February

A decent day at last for an entry of sixteen.
Joe Campbell took full advantage scoring 41 points with Don Young taking second place with 37.
The water is starting to recede significantly but the 12th isn't in play yet.

Tuesday 29th January

With a dire weather forecast for this afternoon it seemed sensible to finish the outward half at the seventh and turn back down the fifteenth.
Tom Neilly's 20 points took 60% of the £12 prize cash, one ahead of Harry Wright.

Thursday 24th January

Two scores of 45 points topped the leader board today with Bruce Bedford edging Joe Campbell into second place on count back.
Fourteen played in relatively benign conditions on temporary greens.

Tuesday 22nd January

Once again playing the temporary course off half handicaps produced a couple of excellent scores with Brian Taylor's 43 points putting Robin Binny with 41 into second place. Sixteen played with everyone supporting the bar and enjoying the craic afterwards.

Hi from sunny Dubai

Hi Dave 

It's greetings from hot Dubai.

Hope you are still golfing in blizzard and rainy Silloth. Did go to watch Abu Dhabi HSBC golf last week it was very unlucky JR did not win it on Sunday after his superb round on Saturday. 

Regards
Ejaz

New Year's Greetings

Tony Davis has been in touch from New Zealand to wish everyone the seasons greetings and tell us he is managing to cope with the 30 degree temperatures. He's dividing his time between playing golf and cycling and has made sufficient progress to enter his wife Barbara for the NZ Iron Man cycling competition.
I forgot to mention that John Dixon was welcomed back to playing again after quite a long lay off.

Thursday 17th January

Biting cold today for the seventeen competitors but the half handicap scores remain impressive.
Brian Taylor was runner up with 41 points to Harry Wright's 43.

Tuesday 15th January

Incredible scores today from the eighteen contestants who played 17 holes on winter greens and half Sandpiper handicaps.
Ian Porter had the best back nine of the other three with 41 points but Geoff Scott's 42 took first prize after his card had been deciphered.
Harry Wright has a Hillbilly for sale including battery and charger. Very reasonably priced!!!

Thursday 10th January

A better turnout today with sixteen. Brian Taylor's 35 points took first place with Don Young second.

Tuesday 8th January

Today's damp gloomy start turned into a warm, calm afternoon but only twelve turned out.
Robin Binny shot himself in the foot with a winning 33 points (2 shot handicap reduction) and I didn't learn with a second placed 32 points.

Open Competitions 2013

The on line booking service for this year's opens started today so there are no paper forms to fill in. The only ways are by DIY on line or asking the Club's office staff to do it for you.
Computer entry is quite simple but you are required to pay by the usual cards via a secure server.

Thursday 3rd January 2013

First game of the New Year and the twelve who turned up made a quorum.
I have strong suspicions that the other eleven held back to let me win with 34 points and first prize of £7.20p (not much reward for the loss of 2 shots). Ian Porter went straight home so might not be aware that his 32 points cost him one shot for even less cash.

Casual Water

"Rules of Golf" regarding relief from casual water have been debated amongst ourselves (and other weekend playing partners), and at he risk of being flamed, I summarise from a series of internet articles on the subject.
a: The definition of Abnormal Ground includes casual water.
b: Ball actually seen landing in casual water.
c: Ball suspected of landing in casual water.
With regard to 'b', the player may take relief either by recovering his ball and playing from nearest point of relief or if unable to recover his ball relief must be taken from point of entry.
With regard to 'c', if the landing area of the ball is obscured from point of stance then it cannot be assumed that the ball has ended up in casual water and if not found is then deemed to be a lost ball.
If anyone finds evidence that the above is flawed please email me quoting the relevant citation.
The water looks likely to be with us for some time to come so hopefully we can all agree to sing from the same hymn sheet.
On a brighter note, Charles Tidsworth has undergone surgery and feels really well so hopefully he'll be able to join us again.