Thought I might add a lighter moment to the trials and tribulations of the Stock Market in general and have arranged a Golf Challenge, fully supported by Money AM to be held in the heart of the Midlands at Leicestershire's renown golf club at Longcliffe.

Date: Monday 27th June

Practise round tee off 9.30am
Lunch 1.45pm (Sandwichs and soup or chips (cost 4 included in the entrance fee)
Competition round, tee off 2.30pm
Dinner & Prize Giving 7.30pm


PRIZES:

All entrants will get 3 months worth of Shares Magazine sent to their home every week.

Winner will get the MoneyAM Annual Golf Challenge Cup to keep for one year plus 1 years worth of MoneyAM Level 2 service worth 550+.

Second and Third will get a medal to keep, plus 6 months level 2 worth 225+.

Additionally, closest to the pin and longest drive.


Longcliffe Golf Club
Snell's Nook Lane,
Nanpantan,
Loughborough, LE11 3YA

http://www.longcliffegolf.co.uk/the_course.htm

The big day is now but tomorrow. Here is the starting line up:

Morning: Tee off 9.30

Team 1

PTH
Tallsiii
Paul Jacobs

Team 2

Ken Kennison
Paul 1812
Predateur
MG

Team 3

Stuart Lane
Eric Robson
Markus
Canary 9

(Eric will be a wild card for Team 1)

Format will be, maximum handicap of 24 for each player, stableford, best two scores for each hole to count. Thought about the 'orange ball' idea, which we can discuss tomorrow morning, but personally, would rather keep it simple.

Afternoon: Tee off 2.30

Group 1

PJ
Stuart Lane
Predateur

Group 2

Eric Robson
Paul 1812
Tallsiii

Group 3

Bob Colby
MG
Canary 9

Group 4

PTH
Markus
Ken Kennison

Format: Maximum Handicap 24, Stableford. Nearest the pin, holes 5 & 15, longest drive, hole 17. As stated previoulsy there will be a 5 fee to enter the nearest pin and longest drives to purchase some balls, plus a few bottles of wine donated by moi and Eric.

Remember to bring jacket and tie for the evening. If wearing tailored shorts, white socks must be worn.

Also no headbutting, gouging or biting and may the best man (me!) win.

Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow. I will be at the clubhouse by about 0815, so suggest everyone else gets there not long after so we can have a chat over a cup of coffee. Eric, will find out today if any food will be available on arrival.

Fundy

Played today for the first time in over five months. Course is in excellent shape for the time of year. Greens are looking good although too early in the year for perfection. Two months or so they will be incredibly fast and very very difficult to read!

PTH

PTH

ive had probs with knee most of winter so played last week for the first time in a good few months - nice to get out without all the waterproofs, umbrellas etc

greens made for me by the sound of it - i was brought up on as quick greens as there is in this country (the tour pros often used to use them for practise)and still struggle with pace on most greens in this country

Thought I'd better bring this back to the tope of the board. So far we have five of us plus Eric Robson. Need about 20 to make it worthwhils, so come you golfers, put your name down!

PTH

Count me in, please, PTH. Not played the course yet but heard plenty of positive feedback from 3 members I know there. In fact I was chatting to one of them on Wednesday. If it doesn't clash with a midweek comp (usually Wednesdays) then I'm definately keen. May even poach you for a courtesy round prior to the Challenge Day itself!

Prizes? Suggestion: take non-refundable deposits from us all (say a week in advance) and use the kitty to buy some decent stuff or shop vouchers? Assuming you would negotiate special guest rates plus a bacon cob & coffee!

Markus.

One point on the prize comments:

if you buy shop vouchers the shop needs to be open after the prizes have been given out otherwise anyone travelling any distance will struggle to use them - have had this prob in the past!!!! Better if poss to buy american golf/nevada bob vouchers which are easier for most to spend

So far, we have:

Dave1980
Tallsiii
Fundy
Paul1812
Partridge
Markus
Eric R
PTH
Predateur

Numbers slowly increasing.
Comments noted ref prizes. I will talk to the Pro about costs, food will not be a problem. Perhaps a 9 hole practise round in the morning followed by bacon cobs and the comp in the afternoon? The shop stays open till at least six, so spending winnings will be relatively easy, although fair comment by Fundy about Amercian Golf Discount.

Mark, quite happy for a courtesy round, was 15 quid last year when signed in by a member, vice 30 or 35.

Regards

PTH

pth,

count me in for the golf day, wednesdays avoid if possible, I think that goes for most of us.

Perhaps we could have 500 Aerobox as first prize...................or should it be last !!!!!.

Keep me informed.

Regards,
predateur

Predateur

Names on the list. I think a Tuesday or Wednesday would perhaps suit most. I will discuss with the pro on Tuesday and see what sort of arrangement we can come to. Not to sure about the Areobox shares though!!

PTH

I think a Tuesday or Thursday will be better for most Club golfers. As I recall, there's a golf store (American Golf Discount?) on the outskirts of Loughborough (on the A6?) so perhaps these are a good choice of vouchers for the journey home! American Golf stores are nationwide, as well.

It's YOUR prerogative as inaugural host, Peter, but howabout us all "chipping in" for a MoneyAM Trophy OR MAYBE MoneyAM would reimburse you (peanuts for them + it'll be free publicity for their Website!)? Presume it would be a best nett Stableford (full handicap) so the winner could keep until the next Away Day.

How far in the future are you planning for?

Markus

I certainly think that MonayAM should become involved (hope you are reading this Ian T!). As you say, very good business and publicity for MonayAM and perhaps some of their people would also like to participate. Best nett Stableford, full handicap sounds good to me!

PTH

pth
Count me in depending on date.Spent 6 years at LU in the days when it had it's own 8 hole par 3 course on campus.Never played Longcliffe.............Rod

Ah, starting to get somewhere now! Keep on coming.

Dave1980
Tallsiii
Fundy
Paul1812
Partridge
Markus
Eric R
PTH
Predateur
Canary9

Well done, Peter. Encouraging responses. bosley should be interested. Suggest you fill Ian Taylor in via Contacts. Argument for pro shop, if definitely open, is that it is better for the club. Could you put up 3 or 4 alternative dates so that people can check their diaries. Tuesdays and Thursdays are best for me as, it seems, for many others. Must be careful with handicap rampers! lol!

Eric

Peter,

Just emailed Ian (M-AM) sugesting a Trophy contribution so we'll see what, if anything, they propose! No mention of official handicap certificates - are you imposing an 18-handicap ceiling?

Thanks Markus, good idea. Hadn't really thought about Handicap limitations, max of 18 seems fair although may be unfair to others, so would consider 75% of full if the masses prefer. Also like Eric's idea of spending ones ill gotten gains in the Pro Shop. Once I have spoken to the Pro on Tuesday I will identify some dates. My inkling is to go for late May, early june when hopefully the weather will be better and just before the holiday season kicks in.

Not sure if we have any ladies interested yet, (I think not) but would be nice if there were.

PTH

A 3/4 Stab with max 24 handicap seems fair to me, Peter. Definately 75% if ladies are playing..... 2 shots on Par 3's from their forward Red Tees are an absolute p***-take! No doubt they'll be after 2 courtesy shots, as well!

A 3/4 max 24 is the fair way to go especially with some of the bandits on here. What about a nearest the pin and longest drive.?

Paul

PTHolden: Yes, we will put up some prizes. We will put up a winners trophy and 2nd and 3rd place medals. Just started to play golf myself but not yet received a handicap so won't take part unless you do clock golf:-)

Do email me : mike@moneyam.com

Bullshare

Many thanks for the support. Will send you an email tomorrow when I have made some enquiries at the Club.

Regards

PTH

put me down depending on dates. i can only do tuesday, and i will take the biggest handicap i can. i normally do 18 in about 110 - 120. like i said on the seo board, i am extremely bad but i enjoy playing when i get spare time. unfortunately that has not been often these last three years. if you think my playing standard is too shit , dont be afraid to say so...i wont be offended.