Review of
GCA Annual Golf Day and Dinner
Thursday 21st June 2007
at
The Hilton Puckrup Hall Hotel,
Puckrup, Tewkesbury GL20 6EL

This event is always the most well supported event in the GCA’s calendar, with 2007 being no exception, proving to be the best yet. The venue this year being The Hilton Puckrup Hall, Golf and Country Club at Tewksbury, Gloucestershire, set in Cotswold parkland.

 Julie’s efforts had ensured that a record turnout of familiar faces, first timers, and guests had gathered in The Oaks Bar in plenty of time for registration, coffee, bacon butties, and members’ promotional products. By the time 12-o-clock came 36 golfers had found out who their playing groups and tee off times were, and introductions made. All hoping the showers were going to be kept to a minimum and with any luck, waterproofs would not be required. Our optimism was not to be rewarded however, and some groups started to get their new blue GCA Golf Day 2007 shirts wet on the first tee.

 The course itself, although nowhere near as difficult as last years venue, would challenge all abilities with some very well placed hazards, which I am sure many of the players found themselves in. Our four ball had many highlights over the eighteen holes, some of which are mentioned in this brief report.

 Golf courses must often be designed by masochists judging by the decision to place a tree in the centre of the fairway at the first hole. My three big hitting colleagues could attempt to drive over the tree, with the emphasis on attempt. The result being under or around, but nevertheless all scores at the first were virtually level.

 On reaching the second tee, which was the nearest the pin hole, we noted that somebody had dropped a ball onto the green. They could not possibly use a golf club to get it that close to the pin! After being intimidated in this way none of our group was anywhere near to being nearest the pin.

 The fourth hole has a lake situated exactly where the long hitters would like to place their drive, but Simon Winfield and Paul Stanfield tried to clear the water. Even with the penalty shot for not clearing the water, Simon still managed to score two points, but even though Paul’s ball remained dry, we couldn’t find his ball after his second shot. This fourth hole is aptly named “Gamble”.

 The fifth hole is also suitably named “Swan Lake” because of a lake to the right which will drown a miss hit drive, and another longer narrower lake to the right which will swallow a wayward longer drive, which Paul promptly obliged with.

 By the time we reached the turn and met with Jill Kirk and Dennis Beadman with their welcome refreshments, our group were feeling quite pleased with the team score, mostly scoring 4 points per hole, with the occasional 5 or 6 points, but also a few below four.

 The par four 12th again was suitably named “The Graveyard” and is a long par four dogleg right with an elevated green. I am sure “The Graveyard” buried many extra dead balls on this day.

 After dropping our average on the first few holes of the back nine, we excelled at the 14^th with both Paul and myself each scoring 4pts enabling us to record 8 points on one hole. This was short lived however, and the team score continued downhill from here.

 The 17th is another dog leg left, but unless your name is Tiger, you have no chance of going over the trees. Those brave enough to try often finding themselves in the water under the trees.

 The 18th and final hole is a very good 182 yard par 3 to finish with. Over a lake, and if you clear the water the bunkers in front of the green will soon gobble up the ball. All of this in front of the earlier finishers seated at the back of the green with their well earned refreshments. The big hitters found the green, but needless to say I found every hazard and didn’t add any points to my scorecard.

 A great way to spend almost 4½ hours with fabulous company, and I am sure these same comments could be repeated for the whole field.

 Almost 60 guests gathered for pre dinner drinks in the Worcester Room before the wining and dining, and again it was extremely pleasing to see the fairer sex in great abundance, and also new faces who were attending for the first time, with special greetings to Fiona and Sandy McKewan. It seemed a pity that so many conversations between competitors and friends who may only see each other once a year at this event were interrupted when the call for dinner came. It was disappointing that some people could not make the event this year for various reasons. All were missed with special mention for one of the elders of the industry, Alistair Ingles, and also the McKnights.

 The day could not have been such a success without the support of our sponsors, to whom we extend our thanks.

                                     Silicone Engineering Ltd.

                                    Trelleborg

                                    JP Polymer Sheetings Ltd.

                                    J-Flex Rubber Ltd.

                                    Novus Sealing Ltd 

Also a special thank you to Julie Mellish and Keith Shepherd for their superb organisation.

The atmosphere continued after leaving the dining room, but as one of the earlier to bed and earlier to rise people, the few members I breakfasted with the next morning, informed me that the bar was well supported until the early hours.

 We look forward to seeing everybody again next year.