Toffeeweb Golf Outing

Reading back through, I meant to say, that should sufficient numbers be interested, it is intended to take place either August OR September. Ray Roche will be helping to organise this with me, especially if Huyton and Prescot is the preferred venue. Could you all please, if interested, state which Course you prefer, as that will make things easier to arrange one way or another. Both courses are reasonably flat with slight undulations, so walkable for the majority, Aldersey is not particularly difficult (?) but there are a lot ponds and streams, which could come into play (wayward shots) on 14 holes.

Yes, they do have them, and locker/changing/shower rooms etc, however such are things with this Covid that no-one is prepared to take chances, at the moment or as it stands. However if it is that we get the numbers required (at least 12) and the Clubs concerned have changed their facilities, I will as in ' Oliver ' Review the Situation, and you Sir will be informed by Mr Bumble in person! 😋

Dave, thanks for the offer.
I will need a hand mate, ive had to let Guiseppe.
He got his fingers caught in the meat slicer.
Ive had to let her go as well..

I’m very surprised Gyp turned out to be a rotter and surprised he was targeting a lady, he had his hands on his hip quite a lot even when he wasn’t carrying a tray, so thought he was a bit Kenneth Williams (ish) although there’s nothing wrong with that, in case I’ve offended any ToffeeWebbers, if you’re that way inclined it doesn’t make you a bad person!!

Alan (10), Yes you’re right, don’t know what came over me, I think it was the shock of finding out Gyp was a tea leaf, been with Thomas for years and Thomas treated him like son, Brent Stephens will be upset, he was awfully fond of Gyp!!

I warned Guiseppe about knocking around with Brent.
A corrupting influence on a young man trying to make his way in the world.

I know, that Brent, the way he comes on here like butter wouldn’t melt, don’t know what way the world’s going, think I’ll take two paracetamol myself.

Actually a golf day sounds great but with my bad back I'd need more than the 18 max handicap that Mr Starter is prescribing.

Sept is good, would give me a few months to limber up. I just need a bigger EFC polo shirt after gaining weight over the last year.

I'm sure Derek can swing it for you!

You will need balls too, in fact some spare ones as there is every likelihood you could lose some on the day, especially wearing a blindfold, as finding them will be an arduous task.

I am only trying to introduce you to the correct 'golfing vernacular' next lesson will all be about holes, and how to negotiate them, especially if the groundsmen haven't recently cut the grass around the same, and it is known as a slightly 'hairy hole'.

You are also permitted, within the Rules of Golf, in certain situations 'take relief' which can, and usually is behind a tree, an erection, or a man made obstruction. It is in such event, also permitted, after informing your playing partners, that you are going to clean your balls, which you then appropriately mark and continue.

You are solely responsible for the maintenance of your 'own equipment' in which common sense should prevail. Though many Clubhouses will post notices reminding 'gentlemen, to please refrain from washing their balls in the sinks provided'. So just a few basic ground rules for you to inwardly digest, before you consider this day out is really suitable for you. :-)

I still desperately want to know who is
'genuinely interested' on turning up for what will be a Good Day's Golf, a chance to meet some of the well known names on TW, and a few 'characters too'. I am still collating information on both Cubs, and have contacted them to see if they can 'do a very best deal'. Remember the more we get in numbers, the better the chances that they will listen, and offer a one-off special price.

Also hope anyone reading, who attended the last one at Frodsham GC. I seem to recall we had a group photo, either before or after, but I have never seen it, or know whose phone it was on, it would have been nice to have added it to the header of this post. Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me, (goes with the grey hair), but I have been to so many different Golf Days, and organised a few too, maybe I am getting confused!

Also the more we get, the more we can incorporate some sort of Stableford Competition, in addition to the nearest the pins, and possibly get the Host Club to help out with some small prizes. There won't be Holidays in Bermuda (possibly New Brighton, at Typhoid Mary's Guest House) or anything that extravagant. I must also interject that people who have gone to Mary's in the past, have looked a lot better than when they arrived, albeit in a wooden box!

Oh God, inadvertently back into comedy mode, sometimes I can't resist it, better than being miserable though! I am also hoping, again dependent on numbers, and according to Handicaps, to pair 'lows and highs' together as a team. Trust me if you are a high handicapper, you tend to focus more when playing alongside a more experienced player, and can often improve your Course Management skills, as you discuss between you, how to gain maximum points from a certain situation, whether it be combined scores, or better ball etc.

I am hoping (again there's a lot of hope involved here) that we WILL get sufficient numbers solely from TW Members, but if it looks like we are struggling. Friends of TW's may be permitted to increase the numbers, but again that is a last resort, but basically if they are Blues, it doesn't take a long initiation process to join TW, and it is quite painless initially.

I moved out of the area, and was also involved with 3 Golf Societies at the time too, so I was paying a King's Ransom but hardly ever playing there (WDGC), so it was a decision that was easy to arrive at.

Aldersey Green is just outside Chester on the A41, CH3 9EH they are very experienced at Hosting Society Events and the Catering and all facilities, when in normal use, are excellent too. It is in an excellent location and not overlooked by any Houses, but you have to drive along millionaires row, before arriving at an impressive Driveway with ample parking for Golfers.

They have a sizeable number of Buggies too for those who require one, and I think they are reasonably priced (£ 12.50/15) if memory serves between two people! They have a Beer Type Garden and a Gazebo Structure, overlooking the eighteenth green, where you can enjoy post-game refreshments in the warmth of the Sun.

Thomas I'm sure someone will take you up on the Offer, but I will either have my Electric Golf Trolley or depending on my knees and ankle nearer the time, I may also opt for a Buggy.

Don drove an ageing Silver/Grey Mercedes, that we all often used to rib him about. We used to frequent Bas's Wine Bar in Aigburth as our local then. God, memories are flooding back already. I believe it is now called the Fulwood Arms as it has changed hands several times since Bas, who also died, and it was left to his sons, who had little or no Interest in it.

Ironic that after wishing to join for so long, my stay was one of brevity due to reasons already stated. My friend and fellow golfing TW'er Ray Roche, has a brother at WDGC and has been, for many years but I can't recall ever playing with him, or meeting him. Like I said I am hopeless with names, but faces, poetry, history, geography, to name but a few, funnily enough, I tend not to forget.

Recent events and posts have been so depressing it is a refreshing change to see some lighthearted banter and a bevy of political incorrectness.

Great job.

https://tbrfootball.com/everton-fans-love-what-tommy-fleetwood-has-done-at-the-masters-2021/

Of course Golf Clubs do have Rules and Etiquette which may seem silly to the non-golfing fraternity but there is some measure of reason, and justification behind them. I have organised a few (not on TW) and always wanted to do a Fancy Dress Golf Day with hopefully a Charity benefitting in some way or another.

Sounds fun, etc but doubt whether any Clubs would allow it, not only does it breach any dress codes but depending on what you turned up in, could make playing almost an impossibility which could threaten the safety of others. Imagine, a very inebriated WC Fields trying to play with spats, and a Top Hat on, or a Roman Emperor with sword and helmet and a skimpy toga in a biting wind. I wince at the very thought of it, especially if I happened to be WC Fields or Caligula !

I dare say someone may need a ball attendant, who would be responsible for the cleanliness of the aforementioned golf essentials, and require scrubbing and cleaning regularly during a game. The Masters is currently in progress, and don't know whether you watch or not, but you won't catch anyone at Augusta with soiled or dirty balls. Thanks Jay! :-)

Oi, Knox, I don't like the implication.

I'd be interested in playing, Derek, but have to say the fairway and me are normally strangers.

It's not the winning, it's the taking part, that counts. Any prizes will be of smallish value, but will be a bonus on the day. Although I have heard that Farmer Joskins is thinking of donating a live pig as the first prize. Try explaining that one to the Mrs, as you go through the front door. Look what I won love!

I will start training tomorrow.

Been looking out for you at Augusta all day!!! Count me in and maybe try a Friday before a home game again.

As someone else mentioned Allerton is a decent venue with good bar to discuss everyone's birdies!!

Great too, to see kids doing something like that rather than playing on a PS (whatever number they are up to) they will learn a lot from it. They have got a whole bunch of adults and sailors round the World, helping them, great again to see. Be interesting to know if they pursue a Career connected either with the sea or Oceanography!

https://track-adventure.squarespace.com/?fbclid=IwAR0qUIrNHlN2cI3b6N4mZga-ysLdB9IYooT0-LNTDFAHVXqJDPXt3_F9JzY

Dave, how / where did you find out that Gyp was a tea leaf? Unless Thomas keeps his float in a very strange place!

Really enjoyed playing alongside you and David Pearl at Frodsham, on the last outing, and very impressed how you played, considering it was the first encounter with that course. Which, sadly is not even under consideration as a venue as they have basically ruined both Course and Clubhouse (Which is now a Nursery, believe it or not).

Thanks again Clive, we seem to be gathering numbers now so it will be fixing a date, but don't know if we can wait till the fixtures are released though, as that may be cutting it fine.

I am hoping by next week to have the quotes in from the Golf Clubs approached as potential venues, so will then hopefully be able to get a date fixed and ascertain where to play. So everyone will know where they are at, and can either plan ahead, or in some case it may coincide with a pre-booked holiday, which is unfortunate, but there will always be someone, who whatever the date, that does not suit. Hoping though that is not the case.

I heard it was a 'night' he regretted and wanted to forget! :-)

The date will be the Friday 27th August, which I hope will not inconvenience too many or any, the inevitability with organising anything like this is that while I want everyone to be happy, it is almost Sod's Law that someone may not be able to make it, but hopefully that won't be the case. At least we can plan ahead now in the knowledge that a date has been allocated.

Now coming to the venue, I have made several inquiries, and the Course that is best suited to our needs on the day will be Aldersey Green G.C. Nr Chester CH3 9EH. The Club has hosted many Golfing Society events, and are very experienced in doing so. While we are not exactly a Society as such, similar criteria applies.

The decision to choose Aldersey is for a variety of reasons, they are an established Club and Course, of which I doubt anyone will be disappointed with. They must be doing something right because Societies keep going back year after year. The other factors affecting the decision were concerning protocol and and finance.

Whilst all Golf Clubs are governed by the Royal and Ancient Society, who set the playing Rules which are applicable to everyone playing the game, both Professionals and Amateurs alike. Some Clubs also have their own protocols and tend to still be, in this day and age a bit old fashioned, and try to be exclusive. While they purport to welcome Visitors on a specific day, their decision to do so is purely to bring revenue into the Club. Some are more welcoming than others.

Huyton and Prescot have quoted £47.50 as the minimum to pay for each individual, they do not have Buggies, are very strict on Dress Code both on and off the Course, and I believe still have strictly Members Only Lounges and Facilities. While it is a nice Course it may be a bit too prestigious for those who just want a fun day out with Golf getting in between a Bacon Butty/Coffee, and a 2 Course Lunch/Meal.

Whereas at Aldersey, all Visitors are welcomed and may use all the facilities that are available to Members too. Like I said before they are far more experienced, and accommodating at hosting events such as this day out. For the same deal as H&P, they have quoted £31 per head.

To me, that is a no brainer, when you factor in everything, plus they have, I think 14 Buggies, which have to be booked in advance and I believe are either £12.50 or £15 which would be shared by two players. While it is a fairly long Course, (longer than H&P) it is fairly easy to walk or pull/push a trolley. There are 3 par 5's whilst only one at H&P.

Assuming it will be decent weather on the day, Aldersey have an excellent outdoor drinking area which is situated overlooking the 18th Green, and have also recently built a Beer Gazebo too which is adjacent and near to the practice putting green and First tee. The Club are renowned too for their excellent catering and home cooked food.

It is situated on the A41 Chester to Whitchurch Road, suitably linked and close to M53 an M56, so there is no need to go through Chester (which can be a nightmare at the best of times even if you know where you are going in the ill-designed one way system.

The only thing I need now that a date is set and people can plan accordingly is some sort of commitment and a pretty good idea of who will be going. Remember as I said in the opening thread, where Catering is concerned, they have to know the actual numbers, and any shortfalls have to be paid for too!

Hopefully that has covered everything, but if there are any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. The only other thing left as far as Booking is concerned is getting a Starting Time, which I would hope to be about, ideally 10.00 am which gives people ample time to get there, get changed etc, have their bacon Butty and Coffee and start off.

I also hope when I know definite numbers, is to get a block booking so we will all play consecutively, and all finish within a reasonable time frame. Have a drink and then a sit down to a 2 Course Meal. Again depending on the numbers, I would like to draw names out of a hat, so you won't know who you will be partnering, or playing alongside till the day.

Also when I have a better idea, on not only the numbers, but approximate Handicaps too, I may have a little twist to the format, with a better player (low H/Cap) partnering a higher H/Cap, and have Better Ball style of competition (Stableford) I'll also try to get some sorts of prizes as an incentive on the day. Any donations will be most gratefully appreciated.

Right hope that's it folks, now you know you can plan, but please we want this to be an enjoyable day for all, and while it is nice to win, there can only be one winner, or a winning pair, but hopefully we can do a few 'nearest the pins, (par 3's)' that gives everyone a chance. May have a little raffle too.

The pairing of a low/high handicap player will be helpful to some lads who may be a bit nervous about playing competition golf but as it's as much for fun as it is for the £500 first prize that you have generously offered, I'm sure that they will enjoy the day.

What? The £500 was a joke? Oh. what a shame.

Mykitchendesign.live would be happy to donate a £50 Pizza Express Voucher for either a prize or a raffle on the day.

I will book the time off so see you there!

Aldersey is a fine course, one of the best I've played over here... if you can call it playing.

How many have confirmed so far??

As for numbers it is gradually building up, and I have had a few contact me privately too, I am hoping now the date is almost set in slow drying concrete, more people can organise and commit. The last tentative count was about 13, but I hope, and have told Aldersey to expect about 20, which would be ideal. They have also allocated the First , and subsequent Tee times, starting at 10.30, if anyone goes to support the event, or just caddie, they are going to get back to me with a 'special price' for the food, but no golf.

I have at least one Buggy guaranteed already, but subject to requirements, will be able to request more, I now have my own Electric Trolley, so will probably, if limbs hold out, use that on the day, so that frees up a Buggy up for someone who needs it more than I do.

I hit a good looking shot which I saw hit the green and start to 'run' but because of the topography of that particular hole, the base of the flag, and the hole itself were obscured. I then approached the green, initially disappointed that the ball was nowhere to be seen on the surface. So I presumed it had run off the back, proceeding to look at the back of the green, there was no sign of it all. The grass had been recently cut, so I thought it may have buried itself under a pile of residual cuttings, again nothing.

As it was a brand new INESIS ball which I was trying out for the first time, and only started using on the 12th, (2 holes previously) I was doubly 'gutted' so shrugging my shoulders I reluctantly and mentally 'wrote it off'. As I proceeded to the next Tee and walking back across the green, there in the hole, was the ball 'winking at me'.

Needless to say my disappointment had turned to absolute glee in a matter of seconds. I didn't have any witnesses, but had to tell someone, I phoned the Clubhouse and told the Assistant Pro, Alec who was delighted for me, I tried to phone Ray Roche, because I was with Ray representing Everton against Liverpool (2 decent lads actually, a rarity) at Frodsham when he had a hole in one on the 5th at Frodsham, but a poor signal could not get through.

I then phoned David Pearl, who should have been playing with me, but had to cancel due to his long standing back problem, bad for David, but a great feeling for me, tempered by the fact that Welsh Covid Rules meant the Bar remained shut. So I was saved from a hefty Bar Bill. Some Members wanted it 'put on a tab till the closure changed' to which I reminded them my 'benevolence would expire at midnight' yesterday!

I can't explain the elation it means to a golfer to get a hole in one, but I have had 4 now, mind you it has taken 50+ years and a lot of games, home and abroad, to achieve that. I would also interject, while taking some of the shine off yesterday, that had I played the same shot (or similar) the week before, it would NOT have happened.

It was a lot wetter (though not raining) and colder there was very little run on the ball, fact the balls were staying in their own pitch marks much of the time. So there is a lot of luck combined with a vestige of skill in getting the much coveted Hole In One!