Tuesday 23rd January

Another bad day weather wise which means we have only managed one handicap qualifying competition so far this year. I hear that Roy Williams is getting over man flu and AP has had a cataract op. If there's any relevant news please forward it. The Golf Club AGM is this coming Friday and I understand that removing the snooker table and using the space for something else is on the cards.

Thursday 11th January

First qualifying game of the new year and unusual as for the first time in memory we were asked to play off the yellow tees to winter greens. This meant the ninth had to be missed out. Honours went to Peter Taylor who had a better back nine than Willie Smith's 38. Joe Campbell generously got the drinks in to celebrate his hole in one on the 16th even thought the green was only 100yds off the tee.
Joe has also put up a sheet for an away day to Lochmaben in May. First 20 names accepted with a £10 deposit.

New Year News

Not the best of starts for the New Year weather wise as today was grim and Thursday looks even worse. Eight did set off today on the promise of a bright afternoon but only four got past the fourth. John Wraight and three doughty "companions" did manage eighteen.
I'm informed that Geoff Scott seems much brighter after a torrid time health wise and Alan Proud has finally decided not to renew his membership. The downside is that he's taking "past playing membership" in case he changes his mind.
All the best to past and present members for the ensuing year.

Thursday 21st September

Christmas came early for Robin Binny today as his 34 points was the best of the seventeen who played and second placed Brian Taylor with 33. Conditions were unusually mild and calm for the time of year. All the best to everyone for the festive season.

Tuesday 19th December

Cool and damp at the start for today's sixteen competitors. David Frith romped home with 40 points followed by Mike Mapleton with 37. Two members have been struggling with their health for a while. Tommy Neilly has shingles and Alan Heywood is recovering from surgery. Let's hope everyone recovers enough to enjoy Christmas.

Tuesday 12th December

Twenty dedicated Sandpipers turned out in what seemed like the middle of the night to play the annual Christmas Competition as a Texas Scramble. Unfortunately the course was covered in thick frost so as we were on the short winter course it was decided to cut across from the eighth green to the fourteenth tee thereby reducing the risk of frostbite. Everyone received a prize and thanks were given to Brian Taylor for running the comp, John Wraight for selecting the prizes and Bruce Bedford for his quiz on the rules of golf. No team got all the answers right. The caterer provided an excellent meal which meant I was too full to be bothered to write this report up last night.

Tuesday 5th December

Damp and windy today so not the conditions for standing about. The two winners came from the first two three balls, Jim Gilfillan with 37 points and John Wraight with 34.
Thursday's forecast looks poor so possibly our next get together will begin at 9.00am on Tuesday 12th for a Texas Scramble followed by lunch.
In the event of unplayable conditions lunch may be brought forward and the competition played at some future date.