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GASKET CUTTERS' ASSOCIATION |
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Review of the Annual Golf
Day & Dinner Because of an administration error by The Forest of Arden, (they were quite happy for us to use the golf course, but unfortunately forgot to reserve the rooms and so there was no room at the inn for our bodies), this years Annual Golf Day and Dinner took place at the substitute venue of Breadsall Priory Hotel and Country Club. Located just outside Derby, the standard of the Hotel and Course, it’s facilities, staff and service, were all first class. Directions that were supplied for finding the course were very easy to follow, however many participants did not find their rooms and relevant car parks quite so easily. Julie’s efforts had once again ensured that a mixture of familiar faces, first timers, and guests had gathered in plenty of time for registration, coffee, bacon butties, and members’ promotional products. With the experienced gained from last years golf day, some changes were made, but to the disappointment of some of the high handicapped bandits, the handicapping system remained as last year with no competitor having more than 1 shot per hole. Nevertheless more than half of the players had the maximum shots to play with. Six players were fortunate enough to find out just how difficult the course was on the preceding day. Probably the biggest advantage gained was make sure to take a buggy because the very hilly course was a real test of stamina, especially for the more mature members. Only one of these six appeared in the prize winning list of the actual competition and he played the course twice the previous day! Obviously we should have all played two rounds. Unfortunately, my colleague Greg Mazurkewicz had to cancel 2 weeks before the event because he had mislaid his diary and double booked appointments for this day. It was eventually found in his golf bag! Only one of our colonial cousins could put an appointments diary in such an unusual place. For this unforgivable error Greg had to miss his stressful time at Breadsall and have an easy day at the office. (What a plonker)! Then to cap it all, our customer guest Duncan McIntyre withdrew the week before. I can only assume neither of them wished to return the fivers they had taken from me in the previous 2 years. Alan Prior, our warehouse manager was then invited as a substitute, but only on the condition that he contributed to the £5 wager for the best BG score. The rain had ceased about 20 minutes before our first tee off time; the day remained dry but cloudy with a stiff strong breeze. I then had the honour of having the first tee shot of the day, followed by my colleague Alan, Roy Gutteridge and Jovial Dave Fielding whom I had been introduced to 30 minutes earlier. As usual my expectations were still high, and with an audience watching was extremely pleased to hit a creditable tee shot just to the right of the first fairway. Alan then proceeded to hit his tee shot 40 yards further, and in the centre of the fairway. I then realised that I was giving Alan 4 shots and a considerable distance advantage. Roy’s tee shot was straight albeit shorter, and then Dave was probably slightly nervous and overawed after just meeting this motley crew, and hit the shortest tee shot. There were many highlights during the next four and a half hours. Apart from the great company, some very good shots were played, also some not so good shots, and second putts that were farther from the hole than the first. A short putt being a collector’s item. The more memorable events being Roy’s shot on the nearest to the pin hole being the first marked one of the day, but only because it was the only one on the green. Alan’s longest drive on the longest drive hole – if only he had found the correct fairway! And my nearest the pin shot which was on the seventeenth and not the prize hole. At least I was lucky it wasn’t a few inches longer, it would have meant taking out a bank loan to pay for all those drinks. After talking to other groups as they came in, these same comments, plus some different highlights could be repeated for the whole field. After 18 holes I had the best score of our four, was leader in the clubhouse, £5 better off, but have still not recouped losses of previous years. Just wait till next year. That’s if OAP’s (sorry, Senior Citizens) are allowed to enter. Once again the ambience continued over dinner, which was held in a building and bar exclusive to the GCA. The Reverend McKnight replaced his normal odes for Grace before the wining and dining and an enjoyable night was had by all. Again it was extremely pleasing to see the fairer sex in great abundance, and also new members who were attending for the first time. This year the formalities were kept to a minimum and the prizewinners richly deserved their awards, which were earned after competing on a very difficult course. As one of the earlier to bed and earlier to rise people, I must assume that because I only saw few members at breakfast the next morning, the enjoyment of many people continued long into the early hours. Or had they returned to their offices before I was down to breakfast. Our thanks go to our Sponsors for the day, JP Polymer Sheetings, Trelleborg, Grange Gaskets, Novus, SPG, and also to Keith Shepherd, Max Rowland, Julie and the Secretariat for organising such a successful day. We look forward to seeing everybody again next year at The Forest of Arden. 2005 Prize Winners
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