Captain's Day Notes - Tomorrow Some notes for all golfers to be aware of ahead of Captain’s Day tomorrow. The Format The format is American Foursomes Stableford, which we don’t play very often, so here is an explanation on the format: How to Play • The competition is played in pairs. • Both players tee off on every hole. • Each player then plays their partner's tee shot. • After both second shots have been played, the pair chooses the better of the two balls. • The player whose second shot was not selected then plays the next shot. • The pair continue from that point in alternate shots until the ball is holed. Example • Dave and Tom both tee off. • Dave plays Tom's drive and Tom plays Dave's drive. • They choose Tom's second shot as the better ball. • Dave (whose second shot was not selected) plays the third shot. • They then continue in alternate shots until the hole is completed. Lost Balls & Out of Bounds If one tee shot is lost or out of bounds: • The pair continue with the ball that remains in play. • The player whose tee shot was lost or out of bounds plays the second shot with their partner's ball. • The player who hit the tee shot that remained in play then plays the third shot. • The pair continue in alternate shots from there. If both tee shots are lost or out of bounds: • Both players return to the tee and replay under stroke and distance. • Each player then plays their partner's new tee shot. • The pair choose the better ball after both of those shots have been played. • The player whose second shot was not selected then plays the next shot, before continuing in alternate shots. Once the pair have selected a ball and are playing alternate shots, the normal Rules of Golf apply. If the chosen ball is later lost or goes out of bounds, the pair proceed under the Rules of Golf, maintaining the correct order of play. We hope you enjoy the format. It is a great test of teamwork, strategy and course management, and we wish everyone the very best of luck. Entry Fee Please sign-in in the Pro Shop before you go out to play, and the £10 entry fee will be deducted from your swipe card. Printed cards for each pair will be ready for you to collect. Cash Please bring some cash with you to enter the raffle on the day. Nearest the Pin – Swing Studio As part of the entry fee, every player has 3 goes at a nearest the pin competition in the swing studio before they go out to play. This will be on the postage stamp hole at Royal Troon. There are some excellent prizes for this so don’t forget to have your go before you go out to play. Prize Giving – 7 pm The prize giving will take place at 7 pm tomorrow, before the Captain’s party gets underway. If you are a prize winner, please ensure that at least one of your pair is attending the prize giving to collect your prize. You can track the leaderboard on the app, so you will be able to see if your score is featuring in the prizes. Prizes go down to 6th place. Pace of Play Please be aware that Captain’s Day is always a slower round than normal, largely due to the multiple visits to enjoy the Captain’s hospitality at the Halfway Hut. The American Foursomes format should help to speed the golf up, but please be warned it won’t be typical Foursomes pace of play. Smoking on the Course At its recent meeting, the Board discussed whether to introduce a temporary smoking ban on the golf course during the current period of drought. After considering the matter, it was agreed that, as we have no significant areas of long rough, the risk of a fire spreading on the course is very low and a smoking ban is not considered necessary. However, we would ask all members and visitors who smoke on the course to be extra vigilant while these dry conditions persist. Please ensure that cigarette butts are fully extinguished and disposed of responsibly. Thank you for your cooperation in helping to protect the course. Seniors Captain's Day Results The Celebration of Senior Captain Peter Kay’s Year What a really lovely day was enjoyed by the Senior Gentlemen of our wonderful Golf Club. 72 seasoned players played in an Individual Stableford with many chances to win a special prize on eight different holes. So, lots of fun for all. Peter had special treats waiting in the tented gazebo. All had a Yorkshire twist, as this is Peter’s Home County. There were Yorkshire Puddings with gravy, fine Yorkshire cake and Wensleydale Cheese with John Smiths Ale or a cup of Yorkshire Tea. This was really splendid as was the Yorkshire White Rose gracing our flag pole. He was ably assisted by jolly girlfriend Pilar and close friend Karen Crichton making the five-minute stop over a joyous occasion. Peter has had a dismal time of it for his triumphant, as so looked forward to, Captaincy, with a fall causing a dislocated finger to bar him from golf since May with no “Zoom back into action” on the horizon. I know that all our members wish him well and I hope that he might be able to lead our Senior Matches in September. Fingers Crossed!! The winning score of 39 points came from Ian Hirons who beat Steve King, on countback, again, who in turn was just ahead of John Hoare. Division Winners were Don Barrett, Pete Buckland and John Mathe who added to their kitty in the Pro Shop. All other winners can be found in the attached. So many thanks for Peter for providing a super dooper day with an excellent Barbecue provided by our wonderful chefs and fantastic service, as always from Debbie and her team who make everyone feel special and looked after. Always a bonus for us old chaps with fading memory, ability and prowess of any sort, but at least all were still here for the barbecue and will be able to pop home for a little nap before supper. The next Senior Gentlemen’s Event is the 4BBB Holland Shield Wednesday 12th August: Any time through the day. Details of events are always displayed on the board in the Changing Room. Cheers Hicko