ILFRACOMBE GOLF CLUB

THE BIRDIE

Winter 2015

The Captain’s Blog Amazingly I am already well over a quarter of the way through my year as Captain! Where has that time gone?

Looking back however quite a lot has happened. I played in two club matches at home against Enmore and Saunton which we halved and won respectively. I also played in the Vets Inter Club Challenge Cup at Minehead where Ilfra-combe played against ten other teams and came out on top pushing Saunton into second place!

A big thanks must go to Dean for organising a Race Night followed by a Curry Supper Night in October which were great fun and raised important funds for the club. Watch out for future social events where just by being there you could win £50 or more just for being there!

We also had a very successful Presentation Evening on Friday 13th November followed by some excellent food and the odd bottle of wine or two. Many thanks to Geoff Smith and Ken Geraghty for sorting out, cleaning and getting the trophies engraved. Well done to all the trophy winners.

We now have new videos on our website with excellent commentary by Peter Alliss and if you haven’t yet seen them yet do go to the home page on our website and click on the links. Well worth viewing.

As many of you appreciate, some of our clubhouse facilities are less than those required by a modern progressive golf club. I have therefore been looking at the possibilities for redevelopment of the clubhouse. More details on this can be found elsewhere in this copy of the Birdie.

As Chair of the Marketing Committee I have also been looking into the use of Social Media Marketing, that’s Twiiter and Facebook if you didn't know. I believe that this offers a more pro-active way of attracting people to our golf club. We are talking to a local company who are specialists in this field and we will make a decision soon on whether we should be using this approach on my return to the UK.

I am working closely with Treasurer Tony Woodward and

Hon Sec Kit Leck. We have a good working relationship

and get things done. However, I did have to step in and do

more in the office when Kit went off for three weeks sunning

himself in Mexico and in an attempt to preserve his liver in

Tequila.

By the time you read this I will be sunning myself in South Goa where I spend January and February.

Naturally I am thinking of you all. Has it stopped raining yet (LOL).

Inside This Issue

Page 2 Great Lives.

Page 3 Quiz Night & Solar News

Page 4 Pro’s Corner & Tales from the Crypt

Page 5 Situations Vacant

Page 5 Our Vets Pull it Off & Stuff

Pages 6 Birdie Colour Supplement

Page 9 Un-sung heroes

Page 9 Ladies Roll of Honour

Page 10 &

11 Presentation Evening

Page 12 Bits ‘n’ Bobs

From Schoolboy caddie to

Honorary Member!

Bill Fowler was born a stone’s throw from the Club in Hele. Golf was always going to be an influence on Bill’s life as he lived next door to his Uncle Will who just happened to be our Club’s first professional. As a school boy Bill would "caddie" for the prominent members of the club who were mainly either professional or business men. He along with friends, would have twilight rounds with borrowed clubs (hickory shafted) after the

members had gone home. Even then it was obvious he had a natural flair for the game.

He returned to golf after the Second World War and was given an handicap of 8. Although this seems a bit harsh he still went on to win the Club Championship and not long after his handicap was reduced to 4. A handicap which

stayed with him for many years. This didn't stop him winning several Club and team events across Devon; including the Palairet. But it was during the 1950’s, when playing against his old friend Percy Corke, that Bill’s golfing pedigree was sealed. Playing in a final of the Club championship (match play) it went to the 41st hole before Bill emerged victorious.

Later in life Bill encouraged his wife Rene to take up the game and of course she went on to be Ladies Captain. He also, along with four other senior players set up what is now our Vet's section. And of course he managed to card a gross 69 in his 69th year and become Devon Senior Champion.

And he was just as active off the course. Bill helped David Hoare in the Pro Shop, building up a great rapport with all members, for nearly 20 years. He always had time to give the odd word of advice (particularly to his son Geoff) to improve their game and loved every minute!

It was during this period that his lifelong friend and ex IGC professional Ernie Goodman, then at St Enodoc, asked him to manage his business whilst

he went on holiday. Of course Bill jumped at the chance, so for just a short time he actually went professional.

In recent times when playing golf became too difficult he still took an interest in the club and loved to attend Vet's lunches and Christmas Din-ners. As one of our few Honorary Members Bill Fowler will be sorely missed. But thanks to the generosity of the Fowler family his legacy will live on with the lovely clock now installed outside the Pro's Shop. reminding us of the lovely chap he was...

You can see my cabbages from ‘ere!

Compared to others, Brian “Willy” Williams, was-not a member for very long; but by-golly you always knew when he was around. With the Vets; and probably many others, the craic is as much of a reason for playing golf as the game

itself. But when it came to banter Willy was in a league of his own. Of course according to Willy, the only luck he ever had was bad luck. So a well hit ball; at best would usually find a bunker or was lost in the beautiful sunshine.

At the “chuck up” there was hardly a Vet that didn’t secretly hope to be playing alongside Willy’. We all knew that he was always ready to share his chicken sandwiches and a piece of cake after the 9th hole. Even if you had to put up with his most famous refrain on the 11

th…”you can see my

cabbages from ‘ere!”

Willy was a generous man; giving his time to any-one who wanted to know about golf, fishing or be-loved allotment. Most of us chose the gardening option. He was always chirpy and one of his many sayings was “that’s the hand I’ve been dealt!” Willy once said that when he joined the Vets, “the first person to shake his hand and welcome him to the Club was Mike Bradshaw; closely followed by Dean Richardson. And that friendliness remains to this day.”

Willy will be sadly missed by the Vets… but probably not by the chickens.

Great Lives: Celebrating the lives and times of

two very different IGC members.

Treacle Miners take

top spot

A big thanks to Dez & Linda Barrington and helpers for organising another great quiz night. And let’s not forget Dean Richardson for the interval top grub. But the real honours belong to Dave White and his fellow quizzers. The Birdie caught up with an emotional Dave later that evening; “I’m so proud of my

team-mates. We played the long game and it paid off hansom!. We've been in strict training for weeks by watching endless daytime TV quizzes. So it will be

great to get back to Cash in the Attic”

The above scores go to show that the winning team didn’t have it all their own way …..not! And if you do choose to call your team “N.F. Chance” its probable

that your self fulfilling prophecy will be correct!

But the N F Chance have another opportunity to secure their place in history. Des and his Team are

going to do it all again on 26th February.

And just to get the old grey cells warmed up…”Whose England and football career ended in 1993 when he lost his foot in a helicopter crash? And What event that shook the world took place on 26th February 1993.

Good luck to all the quizzers.

Solar News

The Solar Panels are continuing to make a

significant impact on the Clubs finances and

energy bills. For the period 29/09/15 – 11/09/15 the

Club had received payments from Good Energy of

£892.69 for “generation” and £184.87 for “export”.

A further payment of approximately £600 is

anticipated for the next period.

And talking of “impact” the panel suppliers are

going to extend netting to prevent further damage

to the panels from wayward tee shots from the

18th. They will continue to make good any

damage and have indicated that they will be

challenging the manufacturers previous statements

regarding the panel being golf ball proof!

If you want to know more about the Solar Panels;

Ted Jonesis your man.

The Vets Captain and The Treacle Miners

Treacle Miners 73.5

Yokels 55.5

Team Aquilera 53

Clueless 52

Harbour View 51.5

Mad Hatters 49.5

No Knows 49.5

Mexican Wave 48.5

Hopefuls 45

Kentisbury Wanderers 45

Campervanners 43.5

D.J.s 41

Team Bulleridge 41

Hobsons Choice 39

N.F Chance 35.5

Membership

The Winter membership offer continues to attract

new members; by the turn of the year the Club had

30 new members. And what with High Bullen

closing 9 holes for building development there is

potential to recruit new members. It’s an ill wind

that blows nobody good…...

Thought for the day As you sit down to your evening Fayre;

Think of those poor golfers with no scores to declare.

No place to grumble at slow play;

We thank you Lord for one quite day.

And as you gather yourself for many more golf days to come;

Think of our golf club which gives you such fun.

Bob Hobson

Pro’s Corner In this issue our Club Pro explains

how you should tend the flagstick.

I’m guessing that know that you'll incur a penalty if you putt the golf ball into the hole with the pin/flagstick still in. If you don’t believe me look in your blooming Rules Book given to you with the

2016 diary. For most peo-ple tending the flagstick is pretty simple, but there are a couple eti-quette issues you need to consider.

Hold flagstick standing at arm's length. Be making sure that you are not walking across or standing in anyone else's putting line. NOTICE HOW CAPTAIN PHIL IS WELL OFF

TED’S PUTTING LINE!

Stand still and quietly so as not to distract the player for whom you are tending the flagstick. SEE HOW MR T USES THE TIME TO

CHECK HIS SHOPPING LIST!

After the golfer makes contact with the ball and the ball begins rolling toward the cup. REMEMBER TO LIFT THE FLAGSTICK OUT

OF THE CUP!

Be sure to lift the pin straight up - don't bend it or pull it toward you as it's possible you could pull out the cup liner, too. DON’T LAUGH!

After you remove the flagstick, what do you do? As the ball approaches, walk away from the hole the same way you approached the hole and AGAIN AVOID LAUGHING!

Take the flagstick to the edge of the green and lay it down off the putting surface in a location where it is least likely to get hit by a ball should someone get crazy with their stroke.

AS IF…!

If you are fortunate to hole your putt; DO NOT SCOOP THE BALL OUT OF THE HOLE WITH YOUR CLUB it can easily damage the hole.

When the hole is completed, RETRIEVE THE FLAGSTICK AND REPLACE IT IN THE CUP and don’t bang the bottom of the flagstick against the sides of the hole - that can cause turf damage.

Tales from the Crypt

“What’s big ’n’ red and booteeful?”

You guessed it…the Green keepers have got a new a Toro Workman. Sadly, the old one finally gave up and not even Ray Knight could save it this time. The Birdie caught up with an excited Mr Cutter not long after its delivery; “The new piece

of kit has the DeDion rear axle design is an auto-motive technology which isolates the engine, transmis-sion and main frame from all load forces, eliminating

stress to these main components. The I-beam de-sign provides superior ability to handle vertical loading, exactly the reason I-beams are used ex-tensively in the construction industry………”

Ed. What Cutter is trying to say is “it does what we want it to do!. And what with Mr T was getting a great deal from the suppliers with full payment de-ferred to the April 2016 he ain’t ‘alf saved us a bob

or two. Result!”

“Support your green keepers this winter!”

Try to keep out of staked/roped off areas and do not play your ball from GUR.

Replace divots and repair pitch marks.

Remove excess mud and stuff from your shoes before going on the green.

Let us know ASAP of any potential or actual action required to maintain health and safety on the course.

Your help and co-operation is needed to ensure you have the best possible course to enjoy your golf.

Hole in One 2016

The Birdie would love to pub-lish your Hole in One stories in a future editions.

And of course celebrate by publicising your achievement on our electronic notice board.

John, Paul, George and R---- Here’s one for the baby boomers.

All you need to do is insert the song title!

Y- - - - - - - everything seemed fine for L- - - - - R- - - whose job made her unpopular with the residents of P---- L---. She travelled in a Y----- S-------- as a D-- T------ with her T----- T- R--- to a N-------- W---, (why she had to be in Scandinavia was beyond me). She hadn’t needed to do this because I said she could D---- M- C-- though if she didn’t she’d have to G-- B--- for 11.00pm as I needed to go H---, T---- A-- E--------- the next day. Indeed my journey felt like I might be T--------

- A---- T-- U-------.

A few days later it was time to attend the Vets Christmas lunch but before we could C--- T------- to listen to A D-- I- T-- L--- of E------ R---- (which turned out to be dull because of her isolation) I had to do S-------- about the T-----. (It looked like I’d been working E---- D--- A W--- carrying on my trade as a P-------- W----) otherwise I’d end up looking like T-- F--- O- T

-- H--- which would be odd because I live in Norfolk.

On my way to the office down the L---- A-- W------ R--- I saw John’s son so I shouted H-- J--- and he came over saying

his father had fallen out with his mother because he’d been singing T-- B----- O- J--- A-- Y---. I told him things might not work out because, although A-- Y-- N--- I- L---, sadly money C--- B-- M- L---. Sometimes you just have to L-- I- B-.

Luckily I was OK because I was able to give A-- M- L----- to M------ who certainly was my belle. “G---“, I said to her, “D--- E--- C-----“ because “things are G------ B------, I’m feeling G--- A-- O--- and look, despite the fact that it’s dark now, H--- C

---- T-- S-- so P----- P----- M- and please L--- M- D-.

Clue: For the younger members they are all Beatles song titles!

Our Vets Pull It Off

Back in November, when it wasn’t raining quite so much, eight of Ilfracombe finest headed north to take part in the Minehead Invitation Trophy. The eight who went onto to generate were Graham Roach & Colin Wilkins; Roger Jones & Ian Smith; Eddie Beer & Chris Jay; and Phil Webb & John Arscott.

Other clubs competing were Minehead, Saunton, Taunton & Pickeridge, Tiverton, Vivary, Long Sutton, Cricket St Thomas’ Enmore, Drayton and Oake Manor.

The 4BBB competition format obviously favoured our brave lads because they blew away the opposition with a stunning 162 pts to take the silverware.

A special mention must go to Smith and Jones who returned the highest individual score of the day of 45 pts. Congratulations to all concerned.

Situations Vacant

The Birdie and it’s partner organisations want to expand across North Devon and the wider uni-verse. There are a range opportunities. Check these out!

Chief reporter and newshounds wanted for a prestigious periodical. Must have own pen or know someone that has one! Rudimentary grasp of English language helpful. Apply the Editor in Chief at the Birdie.

Web designer wanted to refresh and skinny-down our immensely popular website. Ideally you will have access to one of those computer thingies and able to colour in between the lines. Apply Captain Ilfracombe Golf Club.

Girl/Boy Friday wanted for busy admin office. Available any week day. GSOH essential. Must be able to work to fluid deadlines. Must me able to smell. Apply Hon. Sec.

And the winners are….Ilfracombe!

The Birdie Colour Supplement

Clubhouse Redevelopment Phil Webb, Captain Ilfracombe Golf Club sets out his vision for the future

The facilities at the existing clubhouse are now 23 years old and times have moved on very quickly since it was built. Golfer’s expectations and changes to golf equipment have meant that many of our facilities are no longer fit for purpose. For example the locker room is amongst the worst in any of the clubs around Devon where we go to play matches, the lockers are too small for today’s larger golf bags and there is a waiting list for lockers as we don’t have enough capacity. As we anticipate an increase in membership

numbers the situation is likely to get worse and the trolley store is also inadequate and there too there is a waiting list.

The pro shop is also too small as Mark struggles to properly display the stock he holds. He also has no room for a golf simulator which he would like as it would help him and members with his teaching. Mark also wishes to change his aging petrol buggies for quieter more efficient electric models but has nowhere to charge them at present.

The office is overcrowded and is likely to be inadequate for future use, particularly when we employ a full time Sec-retary as the club grows.

The restaurant and bar offer great views of the sea and coastline but could be further improved by rearranging the area and with a more attractive patio and/or conservatory area.

The member’s area is no longer attractive and gets little use and is not the best use of the space available. I am sure others can add to this list but it is clear that we need to start thinking about how we want our golf club to be in the future to satisfy the needs of members and to ensure that it has long term sustainability.

For this reason I have been talking to my former colleagues at the Town Council and North Devon Council as well as the North Devon AONB to establish what may be possible in the way of redevelop-ment from a planning perspective.

I have now had a number of meetings both at the golf club and at council offices and wish to inform members where we have got to. This is all still at very early stage and there are therefore many more questions than answers at this stage but let me start by reassuring members that to date no decisions have been made and no money has been spent on this project.

I have discussed various options for the redevelopment of the club-house from fairly minor alterations right through to demolition of the ex-isting facilities and replacing it with superb new clubhouse facilities, in-corporating a golf hotel and spa. There is a high degree of support from all those I have spoken to but design and size of any future develop-ment would need very careful consideration.

However before we go any further we need to look at how this could be funded and that means being fairly certain that whatever we do is sus-tainable and makes good financial business sense. We will therefore need professional expertise to prepare a detailed business case and that is the next step we need to take.

Of course all this is likely to take several months and I will keep mem-bers informed of progress on a regular basis.

Image courtesy of Kyle Davies

Clubhouse Circa 1912

Clubhouse Circa 1924

Just in case you’ve

been on the Planet

Zog all summer...

Social Media: It’s a Marmite Thing!

The Captain and Committee are having talks with a local specialist organisation as to how we might use social media as a marketing tool across the whole of the Club. “Love ‘em or hate ‘em” the likes of Twitter and Facebook are here and used by all organisations that want to target and engage with new and existing customers. Social media marketing is a much more proactive approach used to identify and engage with potential customers rather than just hoping that they will find and visit your website and subsequently visit the golf club. Sadly, we currently use the latter!

Essentially, the Club would be looking to increase the number of followers we have on Twitter and the number of likes we have on Facebook. In the longer term we would expect to see greater engagement with the Club; resulting in a significant increase in green fees and some increase in membership. The Club, the Pro and the Steward would all benefit.

Nothing has been decided yet regarding getting outside help. But whatever the outcome we need to up our social media game. More information to follow. Ed. “Which reminds me; have we got your email address?”

We’ve been having

too much weather!

This will not come as much a surprise ….but it’s wet outside and is probably going to get wetter.

Well not according to our digital notice board. Both images were taken within minutes of each other by the Birdie’s ace photographer.

All of which goes to show that Mother was always right when she said...“just because it’s on the television does not mean its real!”

Not that the odd blustery shower deters our gallant green keepers. The lads were captured on film repairing the practice nets. Unfortunately, progress was somewhat hampered when Mr Cutter realised he’d lost his best colouring-in book and could not quite remember what he was making.

Anyway it all ended happily and we now have an up-grade on our practice nets. Which thankfully remain the only practice nets in the known Universe were you can actually loose a ball!

Keep up the good work Mr Cutter.

Another Top Tip

Mark Davies

OK the weather’s naff and the course is closed; so what better time is there to crack on with those household jobs you’ve been putting off till a rainy day.

Well that day, or days, are here.

As a top golf pro I find that its really important to get in some pre-

contemplative planning done before I start getting down to things. And as with all things; practice and repetition is critical to the desired outcome.

Don't forget that its during the cognitive develop-ment process that you can transfer you new skills and knowledge across to the golf swing.

Just look at the image above. Notice how I’m keeping my head still and tilted slightly to my right. My shoulders are pointing along the target line and my upper body is nicely relaxed. I am ready to start my practice swing. And just to save time there’s another waiting; I’m taking no chances.

A few more “reps” and I will be ready to take on any pro-shop challenge!

Happy Golfing……...

Ladies Section Roll of Honour

AMERICAN TROPHY: Karen Green

BAILEY ROSE BOWL: Jill Bastock

BANFIELD SALVER: Linda Barrington

CAPTAIN’S CUP: Mandy Meleragni

CHANNEL VIEW TROPHY: Dot Stairmand

FORD FOURS: Jean Wills & Liz Thomas

FOURSOMES: Linda Barrington & Pennie Richards

GRANNY’S CUP: Jean Wills

HARRIS BOWL: Mandy Meleragni

HIGHCROFT TROPHY: Sheila Greenbank 2014 Jean Wills 2015

HOLE CUP: Janet Pollard

HOTELS CUP: Fran Svenson

MEREDITH CUP: Jo Smith

NAPIER BOWL: Anne Scholes

NEW YEAR’S CUPS: Jean Wills (Silver)

Elizabeth Thomas (Bronze)

PAST CAPTAIN'S SALVER: Pennie Richards

ROWE CUP: Mandy Meleragni

SANDS SALVER: Brenda Arscott

SCRATCH CUP: Jean Wills Karen Green Sheila Greenbank Silver Bronze 1 Bronze 2

SMYTH CUP: Dottie Sibbald

STID BOWL: Karen Green, Janet Phillips & Jean Wills

SUE WRIGHT BOWL: Jackie Knight

WILLS-SMITH: Janet Phillips & Linda Barrington

Our Unsung Heroes

Ilfracombe Golf Club is blest with having members that are will to give up their time for the benefit of the whole club. Today we salute Matt Richardson and Ken “Odd

Job” Geraghty. Thanks Matt for your nocturnal sanding and staining activity in the bar and to “Odd Job” for doing eve-

rything and anything with a smile on your face and a song in your heart.

Incidentally the Committee have agreed to the “appointment” of members to undertake routine maintenance tasks around the Club.

Richard Lewis will be looking after our plumbing and central heating.

If there is a repair or something that you think needs attending to please speak with Geoff “The Governor” Smith. Geoff is looking to manage work around and inside the Clubhouse.

Tell the Birdie if you think there is another Unsung Hero

worthy of a shout in a future issue.

Bits ‘n’ Bobs

Shock Horror…..It ain’t How-Did-I-Do!

In a shock move the Birdie Editorial Board have announced that they won’t be publishing scores and results in future editions of the Birdie.

A spokesperson said “It was a no-brainer. This is the 21 century and with the advent of internet and websites most golfers know where to look for the results! So there’s really no need to waste valuable space publishing results that people probably already know”.

However an anonymous source told the Birdie that this decision is unlikely to upset many members as they are fully aware the competition winners (and losers) are pinned-up on the notice board in the clubhouse foyer.

“Gender Free” tees are growing in

popularity.

A growing number of clubs are abandoning traditional men’s and women’s tees and replacing them with tees that any member can play off to suit their ability and preference.

This approach is designed to encourage improving players, retain aging golfers and promote social golf.

Golfers who are losing length can move to forward tees, improving players can have an extra challenge by moving back and social golfers can chose to play together of same tees.

(Abstract from English Club Golfer. Issue 64)

The Birdie would be interested in receiving printable suggests and comments. Tell us what you think?

The VAT Update: or its not the principle that

counts. It’s the money!

Following the VAT Tribunal hearings in June and July 2015, the decision of the First Tier Tribunal has now been published. The good news is that the repayment level accepted by the tribunal has now increased to 90% in all cases from the 50/33% which was provisionally agreed by HMRC last month.

It seems incredible that it has taken almost two years since the original judgement in this case to get any-where near a resolution of this long outstanding mat-ter which first arose in 2008.

Let’s hope that HMRC finally sees sense in that any refunds will undoubtedly generate significant tax receipts from all taxes as the repayments will be

ploughed back into the Clubs’ facilities and courses for the benefit of all, especially as it has recently introduced legislation to charge corpora-tion tax at 45% on any restitutionary interest on the claims. Extract Golf Club Secretary December

2015

Ed. Speak to our own Mr T if like me you don't understand this and what you really want to know is when do we get our hands on the filthy lucre.

ClubV1: It’s not rocket science!

The Birdie has learned that Ilfracombe Golf Club has recently “migrated” to a new Fully Hosted Golf and Management Solution. Well that’s what it says on the tin.

In a candid and frank interview, Hon Sec, Kit told the Birdie, “We are still trying to come to grips with the enormous computing power and flexibility of V1. And once we’ve found the on/off switch we’ll be able to manage the whole of the club and membership data more easily. The immediate benefits will be the ease of which we can send electronic birthday cards.”

Website Development

Ilfracombe Golf Club has agreed to major changes to it’s current website. The new site will be a “skinny down” version of their current offering. i.e. From 20 to 6 pages. From his sun-lounger in Goa; Club Cap-tain Phil Webb told the Birdie, “The new website will be an important portal by which visitors and potential members can gauge the type of club we are; and can I have another Kingfisher now.”