Marlborough latest News - Winners of Wales Open Pro-am
7th June 2010

Winners of the Celtic Manor Wales Open Pro Am – team sponsored by BMW, l to r : Gareth Edwards*, Pro Henrik Andersson Hed, Marlborough Club Captain Neil Patch (H'cap 8), Marlborough Golf Club General Manager Les Trute (H'cap 13) and Marlborough lady member Nina Davies (H'cap 8). and below

Les Trute, Henrik Andersson Hed, Nina Davies, Gareth Edwards

Wales Open Pro-Am 2010 - The story of this great and exciting day - #courtesy of Neil Patch -Club Captain

Celtic Manor, Twenty Ten course

Well where do I begin, with the Ryder Cup being held on this course in October this year the excitement was even further hyped to the extent that the decision was made to arrive at the course a full 3 hours before our scheduled tee off time.

You're met at the clubhouse by the Celtic Manor staff where the experience begins. A warm welcome to the resort is further enhanced because at this point your clubs are taken from you, to meet up again on the practice ground, the car is also parked for you. After a complimentary breakfast on the balcony over looking the 18 th green we go down stairs to meet the buggies that will take us to the practice ground and meet with the rugby legend Gareth Edwards (who is Honorary Captain of the Twenty Ten course) who shares our buggy.

Now we get to share the practice area with David Howell, Colin Montgomerie, Darren Clarke etc. and confirm just how well they do strike the ball. On the first tee our team of myself, Les Trute and Nina Davies are introduced to our pro for the day Freddie Andersson Hed . Freddie has had his most successful season on the tour so far this year winning the Italian Open in May and finishing 2 nd in the PGA at Wentworth 2 weeks earlier. The starter announces us all on to the tee and with a few butterflies we all hit good drives (well Les did put it in the bunker but he'd be very used to that after a couple of holes!)

We were following Monty and his team, including Gareth Edwards, who rather slowed the pace but then as Ryder Cup Captain Monty was being interviewed at most tees and even had Wales Today film each shot on the 5 th hole followed by another interview. Our start was poor really and with the modified scoring system we were only 3 under par after 8 holes but the ninth was were it started to improve we pulled another 3 back on this hole with each amateur adding a birdie to the score, now we have reached 6 under at the turn.

The second 9 holes were much improved with everyone playing their part but by the time we reached the 17 th we thought we were not going to be in the running. All 4 players hit the difficult 17 th green and each had a makeable birdie putt this would be our move but alas everyone missed. It was left to the 18 th a par 5 with water just before the green which was to see 70% of all competitors hit. Freddie the pro hit a 256 yard 5 wood with a tad of fade to 7 feet from the pin (I've never seen a shot like it) The Marlborough Captain hit a 4 iron to 5 feet below the pin, Les hit a great approach which finished past the pin leaving an almost impossible putt down hill to the pin with the water waiting. Nina for once decided to leave this hole to the others having found that lake.

Freddie was first to putt, he missed the eagle but secured a birdie down to -15. Yours truly missed his putt to add a further birdie the crowds and the nerves taking over. It was left to Les if he could make this putt it would be for a birdie and a nett eagle giving us a -17 total. You know by now he made it and the club have not heard about anything else since, I've even heard the putt had grown to 50 feet in length! We will all certainly let him have his glory after all it was a great team effort and added to Marlborough Golf Clubs reputation.

The visitors to the main event could see on the big screen replays of the prize giving as we collected the winning prize from Gareth Edwards, a day never to forget and certainly a highlight of my year as Captain.

May has been a busy month and June and July will be equally hectic as the competitions get into full swing and the weather is on the improve!

Recent Club events :

Quiz Night on Friday 28 th May was a great success with a very interesting mix of questions covering everything from Politics, Pop Culture through to Sport.  Remind me again, who was Pelorus Jack?  Congratulations to Guy and Jean Piercy's team from Ramsbury!

Friday 28 th May - Vowles Trophy – Stableford competition for the over 55's – CSS : 72 and Par : 72

1 st            B Moore              43 pts    H'cap 21.7

2 nd           Barry Nunn         36 pts    H'cap 11.1

3 rd            Richard Pickles  35 pts    H'cap 13.9

Saturday 29 th May – Extra Medal

Sunday 30 th May – Boardman Salver, an event sponsored by our Patron Freddie Boardman who was at the halfway house offering very welcome refreshments to all.

Sunday 30 th May – Marlborough hosted Donnington Valley for a Mixed Friendly match, which followed a fabulous brunch.  It was a most enjoyable event again with Marlborough winning 4/1.  The event was really enjoyable and a return match at Donnington Valley is already planned for October.

Monday 31 st May – Hughes Trophy.  Every year this is a closely contested event where pairs are mixed. The format is fourball, betterball stableford.

1 st           David Tyler and Ruth Hodgson – 40 pts

2 nd                Jeff King and Pauline Ruddick – 39 pts

3 rd            Terry Meacher and Doreen Whant – 36 pts

Next weekend we look forward to Lady Captain's Day, a cannon start at 2.00 pm with great prizes and funds raised will be donated to lady captain, Pat Sutton's chosen charity Naomi House.

Other events in June :

Tuesday 8 th – Seniors Open Day

Tuesday 15 th – Rotary Club Old Town Swindon Golf Day

Thursday 17 th – Ladies Quad Match, teams from Marlborough,

Sunday 20 th – Dawn Chorus for hardy golfers a start at 4.45 am!

Saturday 26 th   – Junior Fun Day, again fully subscribed this year with a BBQ for all.

Sunday 27 th – Captain's Day

Wednesday 30 th – Ladies County Centenary Foursomes