The Beaconsfield Niblick- April 25 :: Beaconsfield is a traditional Members club with a classic Harry Colt designed course that opened in 1914. The course is beautifully presented and complemented by excellent practice facilities. Visitors are welcome by prior appointment.

Beaconsfield Golf Club

Beaconsfield Golf Club
Seer Green, Beaconsfield
Bucks, HP9 2UR

01494 676545

From The Captain

What a Masters eh! A real roller-coaster and to me, the most exciting tournament ever! Now that it’s over the season is in full swing with many ‘double-header’ weekends which is great if challenging when you end up playing 11 games in 13 days this last few weeks but at least it’s good fitness training for my 100 Holes in June.

Last month we had the epic England vs RoW match led by Martin Hucker (England) and Hasan Abdat (RoW) which is reported separately but I heard from Martin and Has (I was in Portugal in the rain) that it was a competitive but good humoured day.

The Team Championship on Good Friday was a great success as always – what a great format to bring together and mix up all the different sections of the club. Also a pretty good debut for my newbie ‘Captain’s Crew’ finishing second. Congratulations to the Ladies Bronze Scratch Team led by Di Bovey who took the honours being 3 points ahead of us on 179. Also to Tim Whittaker (who created the Team Championship originally) returning from surgery to win the individual with 40pts. Knowing Tim’s remarkable ability to concentrate and focus on his golf I thought it might be something more exotic than just his knee!

The Practice Range is coming on well now and we are trying to make up for the delays caused by the building regs issue. We plan to have an opening ceremony at the end of May. Suggestions welcome but so far the best one was; synchronized driving by all the different Team Captains – any better ideas?

100 Holes Charity Update

All going really well and looks like we will end up with 34 players as injuries have meant a few drop-outs.

We have 3 Tee Sponsor slots left if anyone knows local businesses who’d like to get involved? A recent one was S-Thetics, a local state of the art aesthetic clinic in Beaconsfield Old Town so I told the team we may be doing 100 Holes guys but don’t worry, we’ll all finish looking 5 years younger! We also signed up Canon House Clinic (high quality dental aesthetics) today so make that 5 years younger with impressive pearly whites! The photos will show it all I’m sure…

Please also have a look at the Silent Auction as some great items there - https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/100holeschallenge#none

Thanks to all the members who have donated and supported us – we are well on the way to our target and breaking all BGC records!

Captain’s Day - 2025

Just an early ‘heads-up’ that I’ve made a few changes for this year’s Captain’s Day – my aim being to make it much more of a fun event.

Last year it was really cold in early June, so I’ve slipped it to Sat July 12th hoping it might be a bit warmer. As we’ve had such an amazing last few weeks it will probably rain all through July but I’m trying. There will be plenty of beer/drink stops and I’ll be on the buggy as well. Maybe also a few other surprises...

Format will be a Shotgun start at 8.30am and 1.15pm with teams of 4 playing a stand-aside Scramble. Each team needs a (suitable) name and there will be some special arrangements for shot allowances around my pink breast cancer charity theme. So get your 4’s lined up – no excuses as you have 2+ months to organise! Also, pls make sure at least 2 of your 4 can be there for the prize-giving else… no prizes!

I’ve always felt Captain’s Day celebrations could go on longer after 7pm so this year we will also have a DJ for the evening to extend the day till 'late'. So bring your partner and the kids and let’s have a Captain’s Party as well! Any special music requests to the office please.

Competition Tee Times – clarification on process

Finally, as I mentioned last month, I have booked a 9am slot in every competition until Oct 12th. If you’d like to play with me at this time just enter your name as the slots will be open (not ‘reserved’) and Victoria will debit your IG account for the £10 Charity donation to Breast Cancer Now. Thanks to those who have already played with me and kindly contributed. I’ve enjoyed them all very much and met members I didn’t know previously which was excellent.

That’s it till May,

Dave Booker

Captain's Charity for 2024/2025

From the Ladies Captain

Congratulations to the Men’s team who achieved a score of 86 to 68 in the annual bridge match against the ladies. 48 players took part and as usual it was fiercely competitive. Many thanks to Kay Lubek and Steve Lynch for organising the event.

The Ladies fared better in the Team Championship with our Ladies scratch team captained by Di Bovey winning the team event and Jan Collis coming second in the individual event.

The ladies hosted the Artisans for a friendly competition on the sunniest Friday so far this year. It was wonderful to have supper outside on the new patio. The winners were Anna Robinson and Frank Wood.

I am looking forward to enjoying an evening with ‘The Hole in the Wall’ band who have generously offered to play for our charities on June 7th. There will also be a BBQ and tickets are now available online.

Ros Johnstone

Ladies' Captain's Charity for 2024/2025

News From The Junior And Younger Members

Well, the season is now in full swing and the juniors have been able to get out on the course during their first school holiday of the year.

There is a warm welcome to the new additions to the junior section: Henry Sharma, Mikey Mills. Harvey Cooper, Luke Waldegrave, Fraser Fyfe, Olly Woods, Olly Hunt, Euan Topham, Joshua Adele, Joshua Sykes, Sam Whitehead, Luke Whitehead, Rory Swindle, Angus Fyfe.

We hope they all enjoy their golf at Beaconsfield, feel very much a part of the club and make many friends along the way, hopefully helped by the new “buddy” system which has been introduced to make their early days at BGC all the more enjoyable. We also welcome into the junior section, but without his school shorts and tie, Stuart Langhorn who somehow convinced us he still has some spare time left in his busy day to fit in yet another committee meeting, I think there is going to be some internal competition between Ingrid, Eddie and Stuart as to who is the most enthusiastic, I know whose money mine is on?

On the 16 April we saw a three-player team comprising of Laurence and Will Butcher together with Alex Zhang compete in the BBO Club champs and despite enduring some really tough conditions scored an impressive 62 points, 15 points behind the eventual winners, Henley GC. Competition wise we’ve held 2 JOOM events, the first on the 14 April where it was a “Lock-Out” with a Lockwood one / two, Megan Lockwood on 52 points pipping sister Scarlett by 5 points with new boy Rory Swindle 3rd with a highly respectable 46 points. The second meeting was held on the 19th and won by Lily Swindle with 43 points just ahead of Mikey Mills 41 points and William Butcher with 37 points. This event included a post round Easter egg hunt around the clubhouse suggested and organised by Tilly, what a great idea!

Prior going to press the team event was held on Good Friday and was very well supported by everyone in the club, including the juniors who clearly picked up the loudest cheer of the day, more from relief when collecting the wooden spoon but beware they have promised to come back better and stronger next year!

Their last competition of the month is scheduled for the 27 April which is another JOOM qualifier, and we would like to see a large field take part, so please confirm on the SPOND app which is proving a great addition to encouraging juniors to take part.

Tom’s excellent coaching programme has started and all have been well supported with his next session scheduled for 29 May with particular focus on our junior Associate members to help them perfect their swings and feel part of the section. There are further sessions fixed up for:

30 May

23 July - Tom has set this date as a golf clinic with Q&A from John Gough who has kindly agreed to come along and pass on his wealth of experience, offer tips, advice and answer any questions, a real treat for those attending and a big thanks to John for agreeing to give up his time.

Thereafter 25 July, 6, 15, 18 & 29 August with more planned throughout the summer, all these are limited to a maximum of 8 Juniors per session, so please make sure you sign up ahead of the sessions to confirm your place and don’t forget these sessions are free!

In the meantime the committee continue to make plans for the coming season, there is much to do with the organisation of the competitions and of course The Luke Donald Salver on the 20 August where Andy McFee and Janet Beal have kindly offered their referreeing services. Watch this space when we advertise for ball spotters and general help on the day. In the short term we are looking forward to all our juniors being able to get kitted out in club colours, so not only will we have the best junior section in the area but also the best dressed!

Keep swinging!

Ingrid Creighton and The Junior Committee

Mixed Golf

After our difficult first match away at Berkhamsted the mixed match schedule continued with a home game against Lambourne. Many thanks to the team that played and for Dick Van Wely who acted as match captain. It was a close game but we lost by a narrow margin.

Thanks to those who made up the Mixed Team at The Team Championship on Good Friday. The whole team said it was a very enjoyable event. A big well done to Jan Collis who scored 39 points and came second overall. The Mixed Team didn’t quite achieve a podium place but a good showing nonetheless.

Our next mixed match is on Sunday 27 April when we host Harleyford. Hopefully we will see that elusive first win!

In terms of future matches we still need a few more people for Denham away on 8 June. Also the revised date for Bearwood Lakes away has been confirmed for 27 July.

The first Bank Holiday event was held on Easter Monday and thanks go to Paddy and Eilish Kelly for all their organisation. We had a full turnout (bar one last minute withdrawal) which was great. The weather was typical Bank Holiday, including a particularly nasty 20 minute squall. Nonetheless there were as ever some very good scores with the team of Alan Cornwell, Linda Cornwell, Helen Coughlin and Richard Coughlin taking first place on a fine 89 points. Congrats to them. The next bank Holiday event is on Monday 5 May – there are only 2 slots left so hurry to secure your place.

The first Supper Greensomes of the year is on 2 May and is already full. The following one on 16th May is nearly fully booked so move quickly if you want to grab the last slots.

Simon Mouncer on behalf of the Mixed Golf Committee

Project Du Pre

Following the recent communications and delay due to the implications of the fire regulations and funding, the Clubhouse project is now moving into the final design stages (Technical design) including interiors.

We have re-engaged the Project team, and this next stage will provide the final details and specifications for the Contract Tendering process. We expect this stage to take ca. 8-10 weeks through to the end of June. Simultaneously we will be resubmitting the Planning Application for the revised plans resulting from the changes necessitated by the fire regulations.

We anticipate the Tender process starting around July with any building works commencing later in Q4 with specific dates still to be confirmed. In the interim we are working to finalise the logistics and operating plans around how the works will be phased, the implications for club and its operations, including subsequent contingency plans to help maintain as many of the normal services as possible during the refurbishment.

We will keep members fully informed once the development plans are finalised especially regarding any subsequent implications to club operations. Thank you for your continued support.

Richard Cottrell

Chairman of House Committee

Course Update and Rainfall

The course is progressing nicely for the time of year despite the cold nights and lack of rainfall. Over the last nine years, the average rainfall for March and April was 121mm, however this year we have only averaged 36mm of rain over the same time period. The team have managed this through the use of irrigation and hand watering to encourage new growth.

The team have seeded and divoted any bare and worn areas around the course which is germinating well. The first Artisan’s fairway divot has also taken place in the last couple of weeks. These areas will fill in quickly when the night time temperatures rise. A selective herbicide is being applied to all tees, carry's, fairways, approaches and bunker faces to remove any weeds. 60 tonnes of new bunker sand is being added to the bunkers around the course to improve levels.

As we head into the golfing season, more focus will be put on supporting the greens so that they play faster and truer. This will be achieved by fertilising the greens with a liquid feed on a ‘little and often’ basis. This gives the grass plant just enough food to produce a lean, tight and healthy surface, without being over fertilized and lush.

Lee March

Course Manager

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Chris' Corner

Dear Member,

I hope you are well and enjoying the sun!

We have got all our summer colours in the shop now and proving to be popular! There are some great patterns this year from Footjoy and Under Armour, it would be a great idea to update your wardrobe this summer!

We have teamed up with Golfclubs4cash and organised a Trade in Event! Golfclubs4cash accepts a wide range of trade-ins, such as brands up to 25 years old - in addition to just golf clubs, they accept top brand bags too!

The event will be held on Friday 9th May 12pm-3pm.

The money that you get offered will be put onto your pro shop account should you accept, to use for upgrades to your equipment! Any quote you receive you are not obligated to accept.

**Please note we will not be able to hold any clubs before the date, you will have to bring them up on the day**

It is always worth checking your grips at this time of year, stop by the shop and we can have a look to see whether yours need some new grips for the season!

As always, if you are struggling with your game - let us know and we can get you booked in for a tune up!

Kind Regards,

Chris, Adam and Tom

Tom's Top Tips

Player responsibilities within the World Handicap System™ (WHS)

The new domestic golf season is officially here and we hope you have a fantastic year on the fairways! Before you tee up, we would like to remind you of your player responsibilities under the Rules of Handicapping™.

The World Handicap System™ (comprising of the Rules of Handicapping and the Course Rating System™) was launched in 2020 and is now being used in over 130 countries, providing benefits to golfers across the world through a single, consistent measure of playing ability.

But did you know that – just like the Rules of Golf – you have certain responsibilities for handicapping when you play a round?

The R&A has created a flipbook to try and increase player awareness of their responsibilities under the Rules of Handicapping. The information highlights what players must do in order to comply with the Rules of Handicapping. Please find a copy of the flipbook here....

Stuart Langhorn

General Manager

In the Bag...Course Etiquette

Now that the weather is getting better the course is getting busier and you may end up either waiting to tee off or waiting behind other groups. Golf is a game where players are expected to be self-policing and it is important for us all to show consideration for other golfers.

Starting Times

The summer starting times on Mondays and Fridays have been changed to add a 2 ball priority slot from the 1st tee between 7.30am and 8am. Early morning 2 balls are encouraged to take advantage of this slot. Before 8am on Mondays and Fridays (8.15am on weekends and bank holidays), 3 and 4 balls may start if there are no 2 balls on the tee or waiting to start.

Please check the online diary for tee bookings and try to avoid these times. The online diary is kept up to date with all the latest tee bookings. Remember that organised competitions, matches and societies with tee bookings will expect to tee off at their allocated time, so you may have to stand aside and let them play.

Priority on the Course

Unless otherwise defined by the Committee, priority on the course is determined by a group’s pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round. The term “group” includes a single player. It should be remembered that consideration should be shown to others on the course at all times.

Pace of Play

Slow play is one of the most common complaints by golfers.

I know it seems counter-intuitive, but teeing off too quickly behind the group in front on the first tee is one of the main causes of slow play. A good indicator at Beaconsfield is to let the group in front get beyond the ridge on the 1st fairway before teeing off.I know it seems a long wait, but if each group keeps to this, then everyone should get round the course more quickly.

If your group keeps up with the group in front then you can rarely be accused of slow play. Always look forward and try to maintain a good position in relation to the group in front.If you reach a par 4 tee and the group in front have already left the green, then you are probably too far behind and all the players in your group should take responsibility for making up that ground as quickly as possible.

If a group cannot keep its position on the course for whatever reason, and is delaying the group behind, then it should invite the group behind to play through.The size of groups is irrelevant, it is the pace of play of the group that is important.

Ready Golf

The R&A promote Ready Golf to improve pace of play. Ready Golf means playing out of turn in a safe and responsible way, rather than adhering strictly to the ‘farthest from the hole plays first’. Ready Golf is NOT used in matchplay. Examples of Ready Golf include:

Shorter hitters going first if a longer hitter is waiting for a group in front to clear.
On the green, a player decides to continue putting rather than marking and waiting.
On the tee, one player tees off before marking their card provided it is clear to go. The other players can mark their cards and be ready to play as soon as the first player has teed off.
Players should walk directly to their ball, provided they are not in the way of another player, so they can prepare for their shot while others are playing.

You don’t have to run round the course to play quickly. Be aware of the others in your group and use the time when they are playing to prepare for your shot. Make sure you leave trolleys and bags in the best place for a quick exit from the green to the next tee. Watch everyone’s shots so you know where to look for their ball.

Janet Beal

Trophy Roll Of Honour

Click here to see all the Winners for the Trophy Competitions

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