So after all the hype and build up the Ryder Cup has arrived. Let's hope for some fantastic golf played in a great spirit and hopefully another nail biting finish!

Patrick left West Hill a week ago last Tuesday, having decided to work nearer to his home in Oxford, and we have been lucky enough to employ our new head assistant, Greg Middleton. Greg worked for me for four years in my time at Basingstoke Golf Club and was also a junior member of West Hill for eighteen months in about 1993. Greg has been a fully qualified member of the PGA for about 10 years and lives in Knaphill with his wife, Sarah, and 3 year old son, Ollie. He is very much looking forward to meeting the West Hill members and providing an excellent service in retail, custom fitting, coaching and also playing with members so please pop into the shop and give him a West Hill welcome. Michael, who joined us 3 months ago, would also like to play more golf with the members so click here to invite him for a game.  

Members Away Day to visit Cliff - Reigate Heath Golf Club
  
I am organising an afternoon's golf at Cliff's new club, Reigate Heath Golf Club on Friday 14 November. The cost is £30 a head to include golf and prizes. We are limited to a maximum of 48 people so it is first come first served. If we fill it we are likely to have an 11.30am shotgun start followed by casual drinks with Cliff in the bar!!!! Click here to join us.

The President's Cup came to a climax last weekend with Daryl Ware & Paul Hanley defeating Jimmy Sweetzer & Ben Warren in the first semi whilst John Reynolds & Fergus Mooney beat Jonathan Hewett & Greg Gould in the second.

The final was a 5&4 victory for Daryl Ware & Paul Hanley. The other happy winners will be the Kevin Thomas syndicate who bought them at auction along with the Kevin Parrington syndicate who purchased the losing finalists.

Congratulations also to Richard Bolton and Mark Randall who stormed to a 4 shot victory in the Norris Foursomes on Sunday with 36 pts. Richards' game has been revolutionised since the purchase of his new TaylorMade irons. Second with 32 pts were Mike Coulson and David Defty with Terry Atkinson and John Watts third on countback.

The other major trophy played for last weekend was the Shepherd Trophy. Here is a report from Mike Graves "The Shepherd Trophy was started after Donal Kelly hit a drive and started shouting "away away, come back come back". Billy Sutcliffe commented that Donal sounded like a Shepherd and the 'Shepherd Trophy' soon was born. Billy found a Sheep in an antique shop and had it mounted on a plaque. Rob Winckley won first prize with Fergus Gilmore and Mike Graves tied for 2nd!" 

 

Did you notice last week's deliberate mistake. The above photo was in the newsletter with no report! Virgin Captain/Pro challengers Alastair Hancock and David Brown were receiving 10 shots and took us to the last hole when the Captain fired an 80 yard pitch into 4 feet to seal the victory. We then had a superb steak and claret lunch and I think Alastair and David will be challenging again next year!

As many of you know I would like to play a friendly fourball with all new members and with members with whom I have never played before. Please click here to join me on any of the dates below.

Friday 17 October 12.00pm 
Sunday 2 November 8.34am 
Thursday 6 November 12.00pm 
Sunday 9 November 8.34am 
Friday 14 November 12.00pm 
Sunday 16 November 8.34am 
Thursday 20 November 12.00pm 
Thursday 4 December 12.00pm 
Sunday 7 December 8.34am 
Friday 12 December 12.00pm 
Friday 19 December 12pm

Well done to Janet Lea who won the weekday medal last week with a net 74. Second was Liz Hooper with net 76 and third Janet James with net 77. Group coaching sessions for the Ladies Pearson Trophy team will be coming up very soon with both Guy and Greg so look out for the sign-up sheet on the ladies' notice board.

The FC Brown Salver knockout final was a walkover for the third consecutive year with Terry Atkinson the winner and David Mills having to unfortunately concede with an injured knee. The FC Brown Stableford was won by John Stone with 35 pts. Second was Neil Blick with 34 pts and third Terry Atkinson with 33pts.

Remember that New Year's Resolution to play more golf in 2014? There are lots of competitions coming up so sign up online.

Saturday, 27th September - Jubilee Medal 
Monday, 29th September - Captain's Charity Day
Sunday 5th October - Old Aldenhamians Salver
Monday 13th October - Weekday Stableford
Saturday 18th October - Club Medal
Wednesday 22nd October - Captain's Roll Up and Lunch
Sunday 26th October - Buchanan Trophy

Click here to get in touch with the club.