CAPTAIN'S REPORT - AUGUST 2023
SCRATCH TEAM
This year, once again we have managed to stay in Division 1 in the county. This is done by staying in the top 12 at the First Division Team Championships and is a remarkable achievement. This showcases and cements our club at the very peak of Yorkshire Golf. To remain in the top 12 golf clubs (out of a staggering 190) in the whole of Yorkshire is a very special thing.
This was achieved at Hornsea Golf Club on the 26th of July by Ben Cheetham, Paul Arthurs & Chris Green. I would like to personally congratulate all those players on a great achievement both individually and for the golf club. Well done lads – you have done the golf club proud.
None of this is possible without the dedication and hard work from Mr Cec Bloice. The time committed by Cec to make sure we have one of the best clubs, not just in the Bradford Union, but in the whole county doesn’t go unnoticed and it is appreciated by everyone at Cleckheaton Golf Club.
8-15 TEAM
Congratulations to the 8-15 team for winning the Bradford Union 8-15’s Championship at Baildon on Sunday 6th August. The team consisted of Matt Hall, Craig McAllister, Danny Cox & Mark Gibson. Bringing home silverware to our golf club is a fantastic achievement.
The team also finished 3rd in Division 1 this season with Ryan Metcalfe claiming Player of the Year for Division 1. That is a big success for the team and for Ryan this season – well done all.
All this cannot be done without the hard work of Rob Cole, the 8-15’s organiser. Having worked closely with Rob during my time as Vice-Captain, it isn’t easy getting players together for matches and for championships. Well done Rob and thank you on behalf of the club for your continued hard work.
OUR COURSE
Big thank you to the greens-staff who have coped tremendously well with the adverse weather in this so-called ‘Summer’. Our course continues to flourish and be shown in a positive light, and it is down to the hard work of Paul Sykes and his team.
I’m sure we can all agree that the course is a pleasure to play, and you should all be commended for how well you have gone about dealing with the wet weather we have had recently. Not just in producing a fantastic course for the members, but during that difficult patch of weather, we have had a couple of open days and the feedback from the visitors has been fantastic to hear. Thank you, Paul and your team.
JUNIOR GOLF
It is great to see so many new Junior golfers down at the golf club this summer playing the course and using the facilities we have to offer. Encouraging Junior golf is something that as a golf club we have really taken on board and having seen the work of the new Junior Organiser Matt Owen alongside our Head Professional Lee, we are now seeing the next generation of this golf club really getting into the game.
From juniors entering more Saturday and Wednesday competitions, booking to come down and play during the week and taking part in the Junior golf camps, there are always new faces around and I think it is fantastic to see. Let’s all continue to encourage the next generation.
JACK KELLY
I had the honour of playing in the Yorkshire PGA Premier Pro Am at Fulford and Ganton at the start of August with Jack, John Harris and Karl Austerfield. Jack managed to finish in 5th place overall, beating some top Professionals in the process. One round consisted of a bogey free 67 (-5) at Fulford on day 1 and he produced some of the best golf I have ever had the pleasure of watching. Well done Jack.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Motor Neurone Charity Day on the Friday 1st September is full. The response to the day has been overwhelming and we do have a reserve list in place. We are really excited for this day, and I would like to thank everyone who has entered a team to support the day. Information regarding tee designation will follow in due course. I would also like to thank the people who have helped with the donation of auction items to help raise more money for a great charity.
The Gents’ Am-Am is now on Sunday 27th August and there are still some spaces available. It would be fantastic to see some more Cleckheaton members enter and support this event as you have done in previous years. For more information on this or to book your time in the event, please contact the Professionals Shop and they will take care of it for you.
The Cleckheaton Pro Am sponsored by The Metal Store, is on Friday 25th August and the field is one of our biggest to date. I would like to thank Lee for his continued efforts alongside the Yorkshire PGA in bringing some top Professionals to our club on what is always a great day from start to finish and one of the highlights on the golf clubs’ calendar. If you wish to find out more information regarding the Pro Am then please contact one of our Professionals, Lee or Jack.
Best Regards,
Adrian Jowett
Club Captain