WILLOW VALLEY GOLF CLUB

   15 AUGUST 2010

 After weeks of rain in West Yorkshire, we again enjoyed perfect weather for our monthly competition at Willow Valley. This is probably the trickiest course we play this year, so we needed all the help we could get from the conditions, particularly as this was a stroke-play event.

Scores were generally better than last year, when the course was rather boggy. Personally I enjoyed the challenge, although my round was a bit of a Parson’s Egg – good in parts. The good part was the last hole, where I holed a 20ft putt for my maiden birdie in the Society.

The major prizes were won by two local lads. Runner-up was Zen Sydor and the winner was John Pasicznyk with a tremendous net score of 68, an emphatic return to form after some poor scores this year. Is it a coincidence that both winner and runner-up live within a stone’s throw of the course? We may never know.

The nearest to pin prize went to Zen Sydor and the longest drive was claimed by Mick Borys with a monstrous effort which just about held onto the fairway.

We also had a contender for the shortest ever drive when Derek Gosling, on realizing that this was the longest drive hole, took an almighty swish at the ball, only succeeding in dislodging it with the draft from his driver as it missed the ball by several inches. I am reliably informed that this “drive” was accurately measured at one and a half inches, surely a record.

I enjoyed the light snack after the round, better than a full meal in hot weather and leaving me with more opportunity to slake my thirst.

Hope to see you all at Thorpe Wood, Peterborough on the 12^th of September for our penultimate event.

Roman

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RUFFORD PARK     11 JULY 2010

 Another glorious day dawned over Rufford Park Newark, as the UGAGB rolled in for their 4^th monthly competition of the year. We've been a bit spoilt with the weather this year, and I or one don't find it helps my golf. I'm used to playing at the crack of dawn in the winter, with frost on the ground and freezing fog in the air. Still, apparently most people prefer warm, sunny weather so I have to presume most of you enjoyed it.

The course was very pretty, in great condition and a good test of golf. Scores very fairly good and some of us thought we had a good chance of a prize, until the last group came in and Michailo Bdzola was announced as the winner with 41 points, to a general chorus of Bandit calls. Anyway, congratulations to young Mick, who further increases his lead in the order of merit. Apparently, the secret of his success is to roll in at 5am after a night on the tiles. We'll have to get his dad to keep him in on the night before our comps in future, to give the rest of us a chance.

Runner up was Zen Sydor with 35, a round not without the odd stroke of luck (balls bouncing out of the woods and skipping through bunkers etc.).  Still, a very good score from a 13 handicap. Nearest to pin prize went to Kris Taylor and Mick Borys hit the longest drive.

The meal after the round was pretty good, if a bit rushed for later finishers, the service was friendly and we all agreed we should play Rufford Park again next year.

Our next event is at Willow Valley, Huddersfield on 15 August. This is a tight and tricky course, so accuracy will be essential - get some practise in!

Hoping to see you all then.

Your faithful chronicler.

HAWKSTONE PARK WEEKEND  4-6 JUNE 2008

(AKA The Dirty Dozen Play Away)

 It has been said that 'to travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive'. That's how it turns out for me most of the time but I aint everybody. As Friday dawned with the anticipation of glorious weather, more than ample golf and copious drinking, all seemed set fair for a great weekend. All in all, except for a few minor niggles, that's how it turned out for most of us.

 The accommodation was good, except for the lack of refrigeration in our rooms, which would have been a blessing with the heat we experienced on Friday and Saturday. The food was good and the games room helped pass the time in the evening. Also, the Sky TV in our rooms allowed us to see how golf should be played.

 And so to the golf - most of us had reasonable scores on at least one day and one person, John Pasicznyk, had the top score on two days and so ran away with the overall event by a margin of 10 points over his nearest rival (see below).

 The event was split into 3 daily competitions. On Day 1 we had 3 groups of 4 - this was won by Team B - consisting of Mix. Bdzola, Ray Gregory, Mick Gillies and John Pasicznyk.                          

Day 2 was contested by 6 teams of 2 and was won by the uberteam of Paul Allen and Roman Skalsky.

Day 3 was an individual event won by John Pasicznyk, closely followed by Paul Allen and Mix. Bdzola.

Again, congratulations to the overall winner, John Pasicznyk, winning team members and all the individual nearest to pin winners, who are too numerous to mention.

Finally, I would like to offer my condolences to Paul Killoran who was injured on Sunday morning while sprinting to get into the team photo. Get well soon Paul and hopefully I will see you and the rest at our next event at Rufford Park, Newark on 11 July.

MAPPERLEY GOLF CLUB      23 MAY 2010

 Some days promise to be perfect, but then…..   I was woken at 5am by the sound of water gently cascading from my loft into the hall 20 feet below. Having spent the next 2 hours effecting a quick fix, I persuaded her indoors that everything was OK and made a quick escape to Mapperley, forgetting to bring last years trophy in the panic.

 Like I said, the day seemed perfect but there again, it was just a bit too hot and sunny and most of us didn't play very well.

 There were however, three notable exceptions.

Congratulations to Paul Allen, who came in with a tremendous score of 41 points, his best performance for some years. Sorry about the trophy Paul, you'll get it at our weekend event.

Close behind were Slawko Bdzola and Kris Taylor, both on 39 points with Slawko snatching the runner up prize on count back, an emphatic return to form after posting some abysmal scores in recent months.

 The longest drive was won by our guest Anton Sydor, with a 3 iron! Oh, and I was nearest to the pin - about 5 foot, but still didn't get a birdy.

 After our rounds we retired to the clubhouse to consume copious amounts of liquid refreshment, replacing the gallons we had lost on the course. The meal was good, the service friendly and everyone went home happy.

 I'll see some of you again at our weekend event and the rest at Rufford Park Golf Club on    11 July.

 See you soon

 Roman

 Our second event of the year took place in ideal conditions, despite ominous weather forecasts. It rained before we started and after we finished but during our rounds it was mainly warm and sunny.

 We played here a few years ago in blustery winds and torrential showers, the character of the course seemed completely different in this year's easier conditions.

Also, thankfully, the buggy-taxi to the 10^th tee was working this time, as we've all got a few more years in our legs and would have struggled to make the ascent.

Scores were generally higher than last month, perhaps indicating that we've had more opportunity to practise with the long hard winter having finally succumbed to spring.

Congratulations to Mick Melnyk on his victory, back on the winning trail after a barren spell last year. Runner up, Mux. Bdzola could have snatched the prize but for a missed short putt on the 15^th green which spoiled his concentration for the closing holes. Kris Taylor and Zen Sydor also deserve a special mention, with good scores from low handicaps.

An extra special mention should go to Mick Rewilak, who had the round of his life. Since joining UGAGB last year, Mick has not broken 20 Stableford points at any event. He must have put in some practice recently because not only did he break the 20 barrier, he soared through the 30 landmark with a super score of 31. Well done Mick!

The final hole was especially eventful, with Mick Melnyk hitting his second shot out of bounds onto the club house patio, shortly followed by Paul Allen, whose ball bounced back into play. Unfortunately, Paul's recovery shot was hampered by the pressure applied by the jeering gallery.

After the golf, we all sat down to a good dinner. All that is but Paul Allen, who having received a fearful ribbing regarding the size of his burgeoning stomach, appears to have immediately gone on a diet.

The carvery was very popular although the plates seem to have been too small judging by the heaps of food on them. The last time I saw grub piled so high it was on Desperate Dan's plate.

All in all, a good day. Looking forward to seeing you all next at Mapperley, just down the road from Ramsdale. Reports suggest that climbing equipment and oxygen masks are advisable, so come prepared.

 Regards

Roman Skalsky