On the 20th July I had my Senior Captain’s Away Day at Davenport Golf Club. 37 members joined me in an enjoyable days golf and excellent meal.

Our thanks have been emailed to their Secretary and to pass on to all their staff a big THANK YOU for looking after us in a most professional way. We were treated with the upmost respect from our arrival until our departure. I’m pleased to say a great day was had by all.

Prize Winners

1st Place Nick Wittich 39 Points

2nd Place Roger Sharratt 37 Points

3rd Place Jim Blairs 36 Points (Won on Back 9)

4th Place Dave Burgess 36 Points

Nearest the Pin on the 16th Dave Smith (Endon)

Nearest the Pin on the 10th Ken Ratcliffe (Senior Captain)

Over 70’s Prize Dave Smith (Endon)

My personal thanks must go to the following gents for their help in organising the event and in making it a most successful and memorable day; Trevor Smedley, Mick Wainwright, Dave Burgess (Senior Vice Captain), Dave Toft, Tony Brindley, Mick Hughes and Kevin Yeomans.

I gave apologies on the day from some of our most senior members, Bernard Whittaker, Roy Emery, Don Eardley, Mike Ottewell and Bernard Matthews. Gents, I sincerely hope that all is now well with you and your families. My thanks also to our Club President Mr Dave Allen for giving up his time to be with us on this special day.

Our Seniors Secretary Mick Wainwright is progressing quite well following his operation and looks forward to joining us very soon. He sends his best regards to you all. John Isaacs is doing well following his operation and sends his regards too. He hopes to be back playing very soon.

I would like to finish this newsletter with again a very big THANK YOU for your continued support.

Thanks Gents,

Your Seniors Captain, Ken Ratcliffe

On the 1st June our Senior Section held its annual Seniors Open. It's with pride I can report that this event went very well & as reported by our Senior Secretary, Mike Wainwright it attracted senior golfers from 37 different clubs. 

The feedback from a great number of players was excellent . They were very impressed with the complete set up, from car park to registration. They also commented on how well our course is, & further to this how well they were greeted by all plus our hospitality throughout the day. 

My sincere thanks to all those who gave up their time to help make this a successful day. All of you have been mentioned in our Secretary's Report & derservedly so. We now look forward to next years open 2019, interest in this has already commenced. 

Just a quick update since my last newsletter; We have played, Stone (Lost 5 1/2 - 1 1/2), Brocton (Won 6 - 2), Trentham Park (Lost 6 - 2) Ingestre Park (Won 6 1/2 - 1 1/2) & Buxton High Peak (Lost 6 - 2). 

Gents we are now looking well in our dresscode (white shirts) & (black jumpers), those who have still to aquire these please do so as it has started to impress with other clubs. 

Many thanks for your continued support. 

Your Captain,

Ken Ratcliffe

The Senior Section held its annual Seniors Open on Friday 1st June 2018 for players aged 55 years and over. The event attracts interest from all across Staffordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire. This year there were players competing from 37 different golf clubs. The competition was fully booked with a total of 98 pairs entering.

The tournament is a Stableford Fourball Better Ball for teams of two and prizes are awarded to the first 5 places with 2 prizes for the over 70s outside the top 5. This was also prizes for the nearest the pin on the 7th, 11th and nearest the pin in two on the 17th and should anyone get a Hole in One on the day there was a prize for that too!

A total of £500 was raised on the day which has been divided between the two senior chosen charities: Horton Lodge Special School & The Donna Louise Trust.

I would like to thank everybody who helped to make it such a successful day:

Raffle: Jacqueline Salt, Jackie Sumerling, Lady Captain - Lynne Ball, Lady Secretary - Karen Wilshaw, Hazel McGrady, Nell Boulton, Janet Allen & Anita Wainwright.

Millenium Hut: Carol Nixon & family & friends.

Paramedic For The Day Steve Smith. 

Starters: Club President - David Allen.

Seniors Support Staff: Senior Captain - Ken Ratcliffe, Senior Vice Captain - Dave Burgess, Past Senior Captain - Alan Bonehill. 

Administration: Mike Wainwright (Senior Secretary), Trevor Smedley (Treasurer) & Jim Cumberbatch.

Hon. Match Secretary: Mike Barker.

Carpark Attendants: Joe Smith & Wilf Bentley.

Club Professional: Greg Rogula & Assistant Pro: Jacob Bagshaw.

Club Catering: Adam & Team.

Bar Catering: Tony & Team. 

Greens: Frank Colclough, John Turner, Ralph Harrison & Team for all their hard work getting the course in fantastic condition.

Office Adminstration: Tracey & Karen.

Here's to our Senior's Open 2019!

Michael Wainwright

Senior Secretary

Finally our season has started.

Friday 30th March was the visit from Buxton High Peak. We have had positive feedback from their members who look forward to the return match. Result was a win for Leek 5 - 3. Well done gents. On the 11th April we played Cavendish & the 16th April we played Trentham Park. Both matches resulting in wins for Leek. 4 ½ - 3 ½ and 6 ½ - 1 ½. Again well done to all who played. A cracking start to our seniors season. 

Unfortunately this run of luck ended on Friday 20th April when we saw a visit from Prestbury. We lost this match 4 ½ - 3 ½. 

All these team members enjoyed their day with us and very much look forward to the return matches. Each Captain wishes to thank our catering staff and bar staff for the excellent meals and refreshments. 

May I take this opportunity to thank all those members who very kindly stepped in at the last moment to help out. Adding to this a big THANK YOU to Jim Cumberbatch and Syd Birch who were asked to play without a partner, well done gents. 

Gents, if you still have not ordered your jumpers please see Greg in the Pro Shop ASAP. It would be great to see us all representing Leek Golf Club Seniors Section dressed the same and also please try to wear white shirts as well, thanks gents for your understanding.

May I welcome Lindsay Allen to our Section. It's great that he has chosen to do this. Lindsay you will enjoy it and please feel free to putting your name on the match sheets. 

Just to let you know Wilf Bentley is feeling a lot better and hopes to be back very soon. 

Thanks gents for your continued support. 

Your Seniors Captain - Ken Ratcliffe

SENIORS SECTION

I am sorry to have to commence this article on a sad note. You may or may not be aware of the deaths of three of our Clubs most senior members: - Arthur Garner, Arthur Davenport and Donald Tooth. Our thoughts are with all of their families at this very sad time.

I would now like to update you all regarding our Senior jumpers. We now have sample sizes in the Pro Shop for you to try on before placing your order. Please see Greg over the coming weeks to try these jumpers on for size & then place your order with him. The cost to us is only £15 which will include our Club and sponsors logos. The colour will be black. Shirts will be white. Thanks to Lindsay Allen “Supersport” for his kind involvement in producing these for us, also a very big thank you to “Pointons” our sponsor.

This leads me to welcome new members:- Bernie from Pointons, Dave Griffiths, John Moss & John Plant. Gents I’m sure you will enjoy your time with us.

Our noticeboard now has our first two games sheets for you to append your names. Our pre-season tournament is being held at the Club on Friday 9th March. We are still looking for more names so please sign up. Thanks gents.

Michael Wainwright our Seniors Secretary sends his regards & thanks you all for your enquiries regarding his health following his operation. He will be back very soon & looks forward to seeing you all.

Any other information you may require please contact Trevor, Mick or Myself.

Your Seniors Captain

Ken Ratcliffe