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.

We high handicappers are no good at medals and should leave them alone. Started off 6, 7 against pars of 3 and 4, including 3 penalty shots. Got back to one over after 12, then out of bounds and a 4-over par 8. Think I did well to end at 4-over. If not 7/8ths I'm voting for full handicap. Hopefully, there are more high handicappers than low and we can outvote you out-performers.

Eric

Dave1980
Tallsiii
Fundy / Handicap 5 / 75% Handicap
Paul1812 / PAID / Handicap 9 / 75% Handicap
Markus / Handicap 10 / 75% Handicap
Eric W R / Handicap 20 / Full Handicap + a bit
PTH / PAID / Handicap 18 / 75% Handicap
Predateur / Handicap 14
Canary9
Bos
Scrip
Brain2Brain
Pjacobs
Cunningham
Bob Colby / PAID / Handicap 17
MG / Handicap 13 / 75% Handicap
Andy Smith
Tony Andrews?

A few more cheques arrived in the post today (thanks Ian), keep them coming guys. Just for information, i won't cash any cheques until approx ten days before the event, just in case of any last minute hiccups!!

Latest standings, vis-a-vis entrants, paid status, handicaps and vote for handicap format, (currently favouring 75%).

Dave1980
Tallsiii
Fundy / Handicap 5 / 75% Handicap
Paul1812 / PAID / Handicap 9 / 75% Handicap
Markus / Handicap 10 / 75% Handicap
Eric W R / PAID / Handicap 20 / Full Handicap + a bit
PTH / PAID / Handicap 18 / 75% Handicap
Predateur / Handicap 14
Canary9 / PAID /
Bos
Scrip
Brain2Brain
Pjacobs
Cunningham
Bob Colby / PAID / Handicap 17
MG / Handicap 13 / 75% Handicap
Andy Smith
Tony Andrews?

Pth, handicap 21.1

Winning prizes isn't important as long as I can pick up some points in good company.
The more points I get, the better i'll enjoy it though!
Just back from the Algarve. Weather was perfect, and nearly every par 3 was made for my trusty 5 wood!

Dave1980
Tallsiii
Fundy / Paid / Handicap 5 / 75% Handicap
Paul1812 / PAID / Handicap 9 / 75% Handicap
Markus / Handicap 10 / 75% Handicap
Eric W R / PAID / Handicap 20 / Full Handicap + a bit
PTH / PAID / Handicap 18 / 75% Handicap
Predateur / PAID / Handicap 14
Canary9 / PAID / Handicap 21
Bos
Scrip
Brain2Brain
Pjacobs
Cunningham
Bob Colby / PAID / Handicap 17
MG / Paid / Handicap 13 / 75% Handicap
Andy Smith
Tony Andrews?

Moving along nicely now. Have recieved some more cheques but not entirely sure who they are from, so just checking real names against aliases with MAM

PTH

PTH,

When I forward the cheques over from now on I will give their alias as well to help you out. Forward me the names on the cheques and I will then let you know who has paid and who has not on the list.

Ian

Ian

Have sent an email to Mike asking the question.

PTH

PTH,

Thanks I will deal with it and E mail you back.

Ian

Regret that I'm not able to make it on 27th so please delete me from the list.

Thanks

Dave1980
Tallsiii
Fundy / PAID / Handicap 5 / 75% Handicap
Paul1812 / PAID / Handicap 9 / 75% Handicap
Markus / PAID / Handicap 10 / 75% Handicap
Eric W R / PAID / Handicap 20 / Full Handicap + a bit
PTH / PAID / Handicap 18 / 75% Handicap
Predateur / PAID / Handicap 14
Canary9 / PAID / Handicap 21
Bos
Scrip
Brain2Brain
Pjacobs
Cunningham
Bob Colby / PAID / Handicap 17
MG / Paid / Handicap 13 / 75% Handicap

Pete, unfortunately as expected, my work commitments are going to clash, it doesn't help that at the end of that week I'm off on hols. Sorry but I have to withdraw on this occasion. Andy

I can now vouch that PTH should play off 50% handicap (9) in the forthcoming Event after seeing first hand his eagle putt on the 17th. Hole from a "pin high" position. What an absolute el Bandito with pars from all angles and the odd birdie thrown in, as well!

How many 18 handicappers do you know who can drive the ball 260+ yards on a regular basis? Answer: very few. A word in the ear of the Handicap Chairman (preferably before mid June!) would be appropriate, I think!

Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

You sure PTh wasn't playing off the reds!! it's only 372yrds for the girls and 497 for the men.

Paul, wot are the reds?????

Mark, has omitted to tell the whole story, no surprise there when you consider the result of our match, with which I won't embarrass him by posting on this thread.

Following a prolonged absence from the game, I have been struggling to find any form at all and as Mark knows, I managed to card 114 in last Saturday's comp. However, after today's game I appear to be getting back into shape and considering the blustery wind I think we both did quite well to get round in fairly good order. I fully expect to be cut by June 27 (to about 17.9) and will of course be playing off 75% of whatever handciap I am allotted by then. I think Mark really enjoyed the game in beautiful surroundings and has no doubt learnt a few things about the course that will stand him in good stead come the big day.

PTH

I assume Mark will be having his handicap reduced a couple of shots for having had a practise round :-)

Yep, from 10 to 5, I think would be fair!!

Just to say that I concede defeat over handicaps. I must say though that the fact that our handicap chairman, off 18, should accept 2/3rds is only on account of his currying popularity with the low handcappers who also happen to be the best tipsters and those with most lolly. Well, I'll just concentrate on the nearest the pin. I'll play the one hole and then retire to the bar!

Eric

Yep, good idea, Eric, as the Bar is good, must admit. PTH even treated me to a bacon cob which was excellent!

Just for the Record: Peter strikes the ball like a single figure handicapper and "local knowledge" on this course definately gives him a clear advantage. Weather was gusty and absolutely freezing today and just ask him about his unique handicapping system for today's matchplay? Should really have been: 18-10=8 x 3/4 = 6 - agreed? But how many shots did PTH receive? Ans. 18 (yes, uno per hole)!

But all will be different on The Day with "a Card in your hand". Only 95% of golfers can hold their nerve in a winning situation. Fact.

Seriously: I doubt that anyone will be disappointed with LGC. Beautifully maintained tree-lined fairways amidst very pleasant surroundings indeed. Food and beverages are of equally high standard and anyone hesitating over an entry or not - my advice is to just do it! You will not regret it.

Finally noting that "90% of trees are air..." - strange then that I kept hitting the remaining 10%!!!!!!!! :o(

Markus foregts he also had ten shots, talk about SPIN!