Geoff Comb was formally

elected to office as Club Cap-

tain at the AGM on 27 March

and has taken to it like a duck

to water.

There is no contribution here

from Geoff as, believe it or

not, he had nothing to add to

the weekly blog that he has embarked upon.

Members should note that the

blog will appear in the News

section on the website and the

email version will be phased

out. That means there will be

one less email to worry about!

As you can guess, this photo-

graph was taken in week 1 of

Geoff’s tenure. Let’s all see if

the smile is still there at the

end of the year (indeed, on

closer inspection, this one

looks a little forced)

April 2014

Captain 101 2

Juniors News 2

Lady Captain 3

Members’

Corporate Day

3

Outgoing Presi-

dent—David

Thornton

4

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

FORTHCOMING

EVENTS AT BEDFORD

& COUNTY GC

Easter Monday—Hulance

Mixed Greensomes

23 April—St George’s

Day Society

26 April—Ladies and

Girls Open day

27 April—Carol Sparrow

Trophy Medal (Ladies)

and Texas Cup (Men)

28 April—Senior Men’s

County match v Norfolk

5 May—Caroline Dell

Quaich—Mixed Double

Greensomes

8 May—Senior Men’s

Open

Club Captain

NEWS & VIEWS

Captain Geoff

In all seriousness, Geoff has made

quite an impact in his first two weeks

and we wish him every success for the

remainder of his term of office.

Lady Captain

Just the week before the Club AGM, the Ladies’ section

held their AGM and Angie Grafton was duly elected to

office.

As the editor of this publication, I must refrain from any

comments that hint of favouritism so let me say immedi-

ately that the last three weeks have been very hard—for me. that is. Never knowing when she is going to be at

home (rarely), never knowing if I am going to get any at-

tention when she is (nothing new there then), and very

much having to do as I am told (something very new

there).

As with the comments about Geoff, we all wish Angie a

most successful year. I can vouch that she will give it her

all. Her initial contribution is on Page 3.

Lady Captain Angie

Past Captain Ron (Captain 101)

“I have had a very enjoyable year as captain and my final month was full of activity after a quiet January

and February.

“The men's annual dinner was very well attended with good food from our chef Jonathan and an entertain-ing speech from my guest speaker,

Aaron James.

“The club played a men’s inaugural match against John O'Gaunt at which they looked after us royally but also beat us soundly 2-6. Next year I hope Captain Geoff can take

revenge over them on our course.

Page 2

“Later in March we played our usual mixed match against John O'Gaunt in which we had a big turn out of 17 pairs aside. I regret that, again, they beat us 6

-11.

“My farewell dinner organised by Dave Thornton was a fitting end to my year, with Captain Geoff adding a Red Indian headdress to my attire. It's a long story and you had to be at the Captain’s v Vice Captain’s match and dinner, which my team lost by the narrowest of mar-

gins, to appreciate it.

“My year has been full of surprises, one of which was the great support I re-ceived from all of you to make my year so successful. Thank you again to eve-ryone - members, office, greens and bar

staff.

“My second big surprise was the Cap-Pro matches. These were played in an excellent spirit and Steve Vinnicombe helped to improve my game - not an easy achievement. The final event was the Cap-Pro final with 5 pairs taking part, out of 35 challengers, and was won by James Dean and Rob Hender-

son with 41 points. Very well done.

“Finally I wish Lady Captain Angie and Captain Geoff an excellent and enjoya-ble year. “

Past Lady Captain Heather Nolan

The last couple of months have been very hectic with my farewell event, the ladies AGM and the Club AGM all coming up within 10 days – so

lots of preparations.

My farewell competition on 16th March was a great day to which we welcomed John Garnham as our special guest to present the trophies he had kindly donated in memory of Jan – the Jasper Trophies – so named after her lovely dog, Jasper. The winners on the day were Carol Gould and Rachel Rushton seen here receiving their trophies from

John.

John also donated a lovely bench for

outside the Pro Shop where competi-tors can sit in the sun and mark their cards. On 2nd April, exactly one year after Jan sadly passed away, John and his family came up to the Club to place a plaque and flowers on the

bench in her memory.

In my last submission we were look-ing forward to the birth of Pippa Smith’s baby and just before the AGM we had the lovely news that she and Nick now have a lovely son called Callum. After some early wor-ries we are delighted they are now all home and making very good pro-

gress.

Keech Hospice Care for Children was the chosen charity for my term of office and although I do not have

the final figure for the monies raised I know that with the efforts of the ladies, the proceeds from the Charity Day which Ron and I ran together last Sep-tember, the Corporate Charity Day, and the valiant efforts of Steve Vinni-combe on that longest day last June we have raised over £4000 which is quite superb and I thank everyone for their

help in raising this wonderful sum.

At the ladies AGM on 21st March I handed over the reins to Angie Grafton to start her year as Lady Captain and I wish her, her Lady Vice Captain Glynis Winrow, and all the committee every

success in their roles.

My thanks go to everyone who helped me during my time as Lady Captain and I wish the Club and everyone all the

very best for 2014 and the future.

I would further like to thank everyone for their support of my election as our first Lady Director and to promise to use my best endeavours to ensure a great start to our second 100 years in

Clapham Park.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone. The warmth and sin-cerity of the congratulations and good wishes that I have received from all sections of the club have been quite overwhelming. The year ahead looks hectic, to say the least, but to quote one of the Headmis-tresses I used to work for ‘busy girls

are happy girls’.

“I am extremely fortunate to have the pleasure of working with Captain Geoff and I am sure there will never be a dull moment. We are hoping that there will be a large number of mixed pairs keen to take us up on our Captains’ Challenge, the details of which will be found on the mixed

notice board.

“The first highlight of my year as Ladies’ Captain was the arrival of baby Callum. Our congratulations and very best wishes go to Pippa and Nick and I am sure it won’t be too long before Pippa has Callum following in her footsteps on the golf

course.

“Our annual match against the Junior section was played on Wednesday of this week and we could not have wished for a better day. It was truly glorious and the boys, and Beth, were a delight to play against—courteous and well-mannered throughout even in defeat. Sorry guys, I had to get it in that the Ladies won by 6 games to 2 (albeit that Heidi and I lost to Jack Bateman and George Garnham—well done to both of you. It was a treat to play with you and to be shown how

golf should really be played).

Lady Captain Angie Grafton

Page 3

Members’ Corporate Day—Friday 20 June

In June 2013, we hosted a brilliantly successful members’ Corporate Day, where members were able to invite valued clients and/or colleagues to join

them in a competition at the club.

So successful was the day that many of the teams immediately stated that they wanted to return in 2014. The date for this year’s event has been confirmed as Friday 20 June and invita-tions have been sent out to all previ-ous participating teams. A number of spaces have been filled but there is

still time to get a team entry in.

Initial details are on the website and on flyers placed around the club (copy opposite). You are encouraged to get your entry in as soon as possible as

the places are filling quickly.

“Special mention should be made of the 46 points scored by Dilys Maggs and Pam Castle and the, as yet, un-named Eagles player who came up to practice and found himself taking part in the match. Both he, and his father who stayed for the game, had a thor-oughly enjoyable time and remarked how welcome they had been made to

feel.

“One final moment of celebration at the end of the match was the commu-nal singing of Happy Birthday to David Manley, our Juniors’ Organiser, who gives so much of his time to enable the section to flourish. Thank you

David.”

Callum Smith who weighed in at

9lb 4ozs.

Page 4

“……… before I go any further

would you allow me to say ‘thank

you’ to my wife Elaine for her fantas-

tic support, not only for the years

she has put up with me with regards

to meetings, golf, and more meetings,

listening to speeches and so on but

also because it was our 41st Wedding

Anniversary on Monday of this week.

Her support for me has been im-

measurable over the years and with-

out it anything I have done or

achieved here would not have been

possible.

“My first visit to Bedford and County

Golf Club was as a ten- eleven year

old, arriving to caddy for my father at

some ungodly hour on a Saturday

morning. This was at a time when youngsters were frowned upon on

the golf course and were not particu-

larly welcome in the club house ei-

ther.

“My father and his partners had

played ten holes and driven off on the

eleventh tee; I moved away down the

steep slope at pace, to avoid any

suspicion of slow play - something I

have always been keen to avoid! I had

his trolley in tow and then went

sprawling. What happened to me was

of no consequence, ‘Just get those

clubs back in the bag and get a move

on’, he said. As you can imagine, that

was my first and last visit to Bedford

and County for some considerable

time.

“I was allowed back though several

years later when the club had 3 or 4

vacancies. I clearly remember standing

on the first tee, now as a new mem-

ber, and thinking ‘Bloody hell! I am a

member here.’ I was so chuffed and

proud to be a member of this club—a

sentiment that still remains with me to

this day.

“Again moving on, and many more

years later, I stood for

committee but changed my mind, with-

drawing my nomination. However, I

stood again the following year and, got

elected. In the year 2000, Aubrey

Collett asked me to be his Vice-

Captain. I was genuinely honoured to

be asked and, after some considerable

thought, was pleased to accept his invita-

tion and became Captain in 2001, fol-

lowed by Chairman from 2004-7 and

President from 2011-2014. I thank the

club members most sincerely for giving

me those opportunities.

“I would be lying if I said I had not en-

joyed the experience because I have, tre-

mendously, and further, I would be wrong

to say that I shall not miss it, because I

will— well most of it.

……...

“More recent memorable times have to

be and, I suspect for many others also,

the Centenary year and its associated

events. None of these should ever be overlooked because they all contributed

to making our club what it is - far more

than just a golf club.

“The club staff have always been fantastic

to me, which is why they are represented

here tonight by Rita, Wendy and Geoff,

together with Steve and Kate who have

settled in so well.

“A lot of good things have been devel-

oped in this club over the years by its

various committees and managers,

through experience not by accident, and

that includes our relationship with our

staff. Long may that relationship contin-

ue.

……..

“The club has just started off on a road

that is exciting and has the right people

leading it. I wish them every success.

“There’s no better way to finish my term

than to be among the friends I have

served. I wish the club and the new

Board of Directors under Steve Holloway

all the very best for the future together

with the committee members.

“Thank you all for your support through the years and giving me such a brilliant

send off.”

Dave Thornton—Outgoing President

Excerpts from the President’s farewell speech

It was good to see that the President maintained his dignity right to the end of his tenure. Here he has just accepted a bottle of Newcastle ‘champagne’ from

Captain Geoff.

The representation of our junior club members at county level is nothing short of fantastic. This must be one of the best in the southern region and the brilliant job our juniors have done in representing the Bedford and County Golf Club demands recognition. Listed below are those that have played

for Bedfordshire:

Tom Mead U18

Elliot Smith U16

Ollie Saunders U14

George Garnham U14

Jack Manley U14

Bryce Tracy-Smith U14

Jack Manley, Oliver Saunders and Elliot Smith have also been invited to training sessions under the Talent Identification Programme. This is a selected group of 12 juniors whereby the aim is that par-ticipants, with additional coaching, halve their handicaps year on year. To have three members of the club involved in such a select programme is a great ad-vert for the club, the boys and the sup-

port that they receive.

Other good news includes a great victo-ry for the Bedford and County Juniors in the first round of the Tavistock Tro-phy which included a win over last year’s rivals and winners of the compe-

tition, Beadlow Manor GC!

The winning team included Ted Nelson (Junior Captain), Beth Healey, Tom Mead, Elliot Smith, Ross Hamilton and

Richard Davis.

Please see junior notice board for facts

and figures.

Further congratulations go to Beth Hea-ley, Elliot Smith and Tom Mead for achieving 5th place in the Paton Trophy, a twelve team competition held at John O Gaunt GC. The field included top players from the national team as well as top clubs in the area. Well done to

all three of you!

Unfortunately, the Juniors had to play second fiddle to the Ladies section in their annual match. Angie Grafton’s

brief report is shown on page 3.

Juniors News David Manley

George Garnham narrowly missing his birdie putt on the

18th against the Ladies

Bedford & County Golf Club

Green Lane

Clapham

Bedford

MK41 6ET

Phone: 01234 352617

E-mail: office@bandcgc.co.uk

News and Views Editor:

Mike Grafton

E-mail: mikegrafton@btinternet.com

Bedford & County Golf Club

General Manager: John Olds Head Pro fessional : Steve Vinnicombe

Course Manager: Geof f Fenn Bar Manager: Ri ta Bourne

Head Chef: Jonathan Goodwin