Hi everyone, Welcome to Team News Week 7. On Wednesday we hosted Hartlepool GC, who were recently relegated from League 1. This fixture marked the halfway point of the league campaign, and it certainly seems to have come around quickly! We started with our scratch section, who faced formidable opponents with handicaps ranging from +4, +2, +1, 1 and two players off 2. Every Billingham player gave their all against some top-class golfers, and there was some wonderful golf played by both teams. Our winner on the night was Jake Crowle, who won 2&1. Marc Symington earned a half after coming back from 3 down, which was a great effort. Our losing players were Josh Thompson 5&4, Phil Chadwick 3&2, Andy Hood 3&2 and Sam Griffiths 4&2. The final score in the scratch section was Billingham 3 points to Hartlepool’s 9 points. Switching over to our handicap section, our winning players were Nic Winstanley 4&3, Steve Smart 3&2, Daniel Spence 5&4 and Darren Hurst, who stepped in just two hours before we started and delivered a great 6&5 win. Great show, Darren! Our losing players were Graeme Nimmo, who came back from 3 down, and Will Bellerby, who came back from 4 down, with both matches going to the last hole and finishing 1 down. It was a great effort from both players. It was also good to see Will arriving with his own socks on this week rather than his fiancée’s - who knows what he may turn up in next week? The final score for the evening was Billingham 11 points and Hartlepool 13 points. I would like to thank some former members who are now team players for Hartlepool: Steven Wilson, Craig Wilson and, not forgetting their dad, Gerald. It was great to see you all looking so well and to have a good chat. We look forward to seeing you all again at Hartlepool. A heartfelt thanks to our squad players who turned up to give their support: Tom Lee, Craig Ewen and Paul McGrath. Your presence makes a real difference. A big thank you also to our caddies: Steven Lowth and Colin Spence (once the horse racing had finished on TV) and not forgetting Martin Griffiths. Well done to you all. And now to our excellent supporters, who turn out week in, week out to support the team regardless of the weather. Let’s start with our Captain, Albert Spence BEM, who must have had a long and trying day. He arrived in the afternoon to support the ladies’ team against Wynyard, a great win for the ladies, 6.5 points to 0.5, and then stayed to support the men’s team. Well done, Captain. Thanks also to Terry Buckley, Tony Littlefair, Marty Gingell, Dave McNeill, Steve Carter, Terry Conlon, Kirsty Smart, for once knowing how her husband was doing, and, of course, our resident older distinguished gentlemen, Howard Gill and Robert Scotson Smith. I must also mention my new co-pilot, Holly, who puts up with my poor buggy driving! If I have missed anyone, please accept my apologies. All of your support is appreciated by every player. Once again, a big thank you to the bar and catering staff for the excellent hospitality delivered to both teams and managers. Colin, the Hartlepool manager, was very complimentary about the kindness shown by everyone. Thank you to Beth, Katy and, not forgetting top chef Porchy. Both meal choices were greatly appreciated by everyone on a busy night, and the service from all of you was first class. Well done all. Thanks also to John Dales and his greens staff for presenting the course in outstanding condition, which was appreciated by both sets of players. Looking ahead to next week, we are away at Hunley Hall GC on Wednesday 24 June. It would be fantastic to see as many supporters as possible coming along to cheer the team on. So, if you fancy an evening out supporting the lads, or if your other half would welcome a bit of peace and quiet at home, this could be the perfect opportunity! They might even get the chance to catch up on all those programmes they have recorded! Thank you once again to every team player. Your incredible effort, team spirit, camaraderie and unwavering dedication to your club and fellow players makes me so proud to be part of such a magnificent group. Here’s to many more memorable evenings and experiences together. Regards, Tony Evans & Neil Kerr Team Managers