Oakmere Park

Dress Code

Following a question raised at the last AGM the standard of dress required to play golf at Oakmere Park was discussed and agreed at the Executive Meeting on the 5th January. The following image illustrates the standard of dress expected.

The Captains Drive In 2012

On a fresh New Years Day the Captain, Mick Snell and the Lady Captain, Julie Walkden, started their new year with the Captains' Drive In. Both of them were relieved to get their drives away without any embarrassment, though Julie did manage to out drive Mick, a feat I’m sure he will be reminded repeatedly  though the year.  A large number of Past Captains, members and guests came along to give their support  and make as much noise as possible.

The Captains were piped to the first tee by the piper and were led by the Club Secretary and Past Captain, Jeff Brinklow followed by the Director of Golf, Daryl St John Jones who would normally accompany the Clubs President, Mrs Mortensen but she unfortunately could not attend this year. They were accompanied by the Men's and Ladies Vice Captains, Dave Hallam and Carol Houghton. Also in the group were the outgoing Men's and Ladies Captains, Chris Wilson and Nancy Sheffield . Afterwards both Mick and Julie gave short speeches before everyone tucked into the excellent free buffet provided by the lady members. The winners of the nearest to the Captains' drives competition were, Joyce Hammond for the Captains and Diane Ward for the Lady Captain. The raffle, run in aid of the Captains' charity, the British Heart Faoundation, raised £140.

2012 R&A Rules of Golf Changes

The R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA) have announced the publication of the new Rules of Golf for 2012-15. This four-yearly revisions to the Rules of Golf, which for the first time have been designed, published and presented jointly by golf’s governing bodies will be effective worldwide from 1st January 2012.

The good news is that there are very few changes that will cause difficulty in understanding and remembering. The majority of the changes are amendments aimed at improving the clarity of the existing Rules. A summary of those changes is as follows:

Definitions:  Addressing the Ball

At present, a player has addressed their ball when they have taken their stance and have also grounded their club. Under the revised Definition a player will have addressed their ball as soon as they ground their club, whether in front of the ball, or behind it. There is no requirement to take a stance. Consequently, a player will no longer address their ball in a bunker or a water hazard, as the Rules do not permit the grounding of a club in a hazard.

Rule 6-3a: Time of Starting

Previously, a player arriving on the 1st teeing ground even 15 seconds later than their official starting time incurred the penalty of disqualification from the competition, unless the Committee had introduced a condition of competition reducing the penalty. Now, the penalty for players arriving within five minutes of their official starting time is two strokes in stroke play, or loss of the first hole in match play. Anyone who arrives more than five minutes late still incurs the penalty of disqualification.

       Rule 12-1: Seeing Ball; Searching for Ball

Until 1st January 2012, there was no penalty for moving a ball while searching for it in loose impediments (e.g. leaves) in a hazard, whilst there was a penalty for the same act through the green (e.g. in the rough). Many golfers considered this differentiation curious as the player whose ball was in a hazard was treated more favourably than the player whose ball was not in a hazard. With the change, a ball covered by loose impediments moved during search will be treated the same both in hazards and through the green - with a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a and the ball must be replaced. Changes such as this one are steps towards the goal of simplifying the Rules.

Rule 13-4: Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions

This will be a welcome change for golfers and course maintenance staff alike. Players will be permitted to smooth sand or soil in a hazard at any time, including before playing from that hazard, providing it is done for the sole purpose of caring for the course and nothing is done to improve the position or lie of their ball, the area of their intended stance or swing, or their line of play. How often have we wanted to smooth irregularities made by previous groups at the back of a bunker when our ball lies waiting to be played at the front? Well, now we can.

Rule 18-2b: Ball Moving After Address

Most of us will have been sympathetic when Padraig Harrington penalised himself one stroke during The Masters in Augusta, in 2008, because his ball had moved after he had addressed it, even though the movement was obviously caused by the gusty wind blowing around the course. There have been several other similar, high-profile incidents since then. An Exception to Rule 18-2b now exonerates the player from any penalty if their ball moves after it has been addressed (remember the new definition of address) when it is known or virtually certain that they did not cause the ball to move.

For a further explanation of all the changes and supporting videos visit the R&A  site by clicking the following link: The R&A New Rules Changes 2012-15

2011 Annual General Meeting

The 36th AGM was held in the club lounge on Monday, 12th December. The meeting was opened by the Chairman, Director of Golf, Daryl St John Jones, and was conducted by the Captain, Chris Wilson. The main business was the Annual Reports given by both the Captain and the Lady Captain, Nancy Shefield as well as the Financial Report of Accounts given by the Treasurer, Tony Crabtree. This was followed by the election of officers for the coming 2011/12 golfing year:

Election to the Executive Committee:

Men's Vice Captain - Dave Hallam

Lady Vice Captain - Carol Houghton

Honorary Secretary - Jeff Brinklow

Honorary Treasurer - Tony Crabtree

Social Secretary - John Cockell

Election to the Men's Committee - Stephen Spencer, Gary Oscroft,  Bill Sheffield

Election to the Junior Committee - Robert White (Junior Orgniser)

                                                           - Bob Ward

Election to the Ladies Committee - Ruth Milliken

Both Captain's thanked individually all the committee members who work freely behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly and efficiently before extending a warm welcome to new members of the committees and thanked them for being willing to give up some of their own time for the benefit of the whole club membership.

They also thanked all the retiring members of the committee not only for their support this year but also for all their contribution in the preceding years as well.

Copies of all the reports to the meeting, as well as all speeches given by the incoming Captains and Vice Captains, can be found in the Minutes of the AGM, filed in the computer cupboard in the Spike bar. After the meeting closed, all the attendees were offered a free buffet.

The Captain, Chris Wilson, presents the incoming 2011/12 Captain, Mick Snell, with his club blazer, Captain’s tie & badge.

Mick then gave a response to the meeting.

                                                                                            Mick  presents Chris with his farewell gift &

                                                                                             Past Captain's tie.

The Lady Captain, Nancy Sheffield, then presented the incoming Lady Captain, Julie Walkden, with her club blazer and a Lady Captain’s badge & wished her well for her year in office.

Julie then responded to the meeting.

Start of a new 2012 partnership, the new Captain, Mick Snell & new Lady Captain, Julie Walkden resplendent in their new Captains jackets.

Annual Dinner Dance

The 2011 Annual Dinner Dance took place on Saturday 12th November. This was the third time since the event was held in the Club House that we have had live music and it again proved to be a great success.

Following the meal the Director of Golf, Daryl St John Jones, the Captain, Chris Wilson and the Lady Captain, Nancy Sheffield all gave speeches. Then followed dancing into the early hours.

Some of the  guests enjoying their meals before dancing late into the evening.

The Director of Golf,  Daryl, begins his speech & toast to Oakmere Park.

            The Captain, Chris Wilson and the Lady Captain, Nancy Sheffield, respond.

Annual Committee Trophy Competition

The 2011 Committee Team Trophy Competition was again held at the UK number 1 ranked inland course, Woodhall Spa, Linclonshire on Friday, 11th November. It was a misty yet not too cold day with no wind and four 4 ball teams competed in a combined team stableford competition ~ the Captains, the Immediate Past Captain, the Secretary and the Ladies Captain Teams.

The trophy winners this year with a combined total score of 135 points were the Immediate Past Captains Team, beating the Captain,s Team into second place.. A singles stableford competition was also run at the same time.

The winning team receiving the trophy from the Captain were Dale Shepherd, Joe Aslam, Bob Ward and Darren James.

The individual stableford winner was Darren James with a score of 40 points - he his now going to buy some new trousers with his winnings!