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.

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.

Bos

I've put your name down on the list. It's more about having a fun day out really and getting together outside of shocks and scares; although I am sure there will be plenty of stock market discussions!

PTH

Dave1980
Tallsiii
Fundy
Paul1812
Partridge
Markus
Eric R
PTH
Predateur
Canary9
Bos

Latest list of entrants. Just in case you have missed it, Monay AM have offered to put up a trophy and medals for 2nd and 3rd places. So we now have corporate support.

PTH

If you want to do an overseas tourny I can organise a fabulouse event/deal here at Boschenmeer/Paarl in the South African Winelands!

I'll be interested also. Just coming back from a year out after a nasty foot injury which still isn't healed so slowly building up my activity again. Keep me in touch with any developments.

Well done, Bullshare - hope you can get some of the MoneyAM folk to compete. Note that we have some low handicappers, e.g. Markus and Paul, always want to reign in the higher folk like me. Like the idea of longest drive and nearest the pin - make sure the latter is exactly 175 yards, just right for my favourite seven wood. Good also to have a nosh together afterwards - would the club lay on something like shepherds pie; could be a buffet, but prefer a real buxom Leicestershire wench myself!

Eric

I'd throw in the wife, but a) she might not be too keen and b) she's from Nottinghamshire.

Scrip

I'll add you to the list.

Little Willie

SA sounds great, I'll ask MAM if they will pay for the trip!!

Regards

PTH

Latest Contenders:

Dave1980
Tallsiii
Fundy
Paul1812
Partridge
Markus
Eric R
PTH
Predateur
Canary9
Bos
Scrip

Bullshare, any chance of some free advertsing in the Shares Mag?

More news tomorrow or Wednesday.

Regards

PTH

The Longcliffe Golf Club deal:

12-19 players 26 per round or 36 for the day
20-40 " 24 " " or 34 " " "
Over 40 players 22 " " or 32 " " "

Inclusive of 2 course meal:

12-19 players 36 per round or 46 for the day
20-40 players 34 " " or 44 for the day
Over 40 players 32 per round or 42 for the day

Lunch also available at 4 quid for soup or chips & sandwiches.

Not many dates available:

27 June
01 July
18 July
08 August
18 August

It's not particularly cheap, but then it is a very popular and good golf course. Comments welcome. I will also send an email to Bullshare.

Regards

PTH

Can make 27th June, 18th July, or 8th Aug currently. Any of the golf packages are OK by me. Will need to eat anyway...............Rod

Sounds fine; inclusive of meal with snack lunch options. Only date of 5 that I can't do is 8th August.

Fun comp. in morning (9 holes) perhaps texas scramble so that people get to know each other - mix of handicaps. Sweepstake for prize with main competition in afternoon.

Eric

PTH

price strikes me as very reasonable - a lot of clubs are charging a lot more than that!!!

as for the dates, all are currently fine

agree with EWRobson re a 9 hole texas scramble in the am and then 3/4 hcap stableford in the pm

Would very much like to join in with this as I only live 3/4 hour down the road but depends on final date chosen. I can probably make the 27 and both 18ths.

Cheers

B2B

Good stuff. But I think we're splitting hairs over a couple of quid though. Let's just do it regardless of numbers and have a great get-together; play as much golf; drink as much beer; and eat as much food as possible! Still think we should put in a few quid (say a fiver per man?) for 1st., 2nd..... etc. It's ****er all in the grand scheme of things really! (For me, all dates are OK exc. maybe 1st July?)

For anyone who is contemplating an entry and is 50-50 - I would say: Just do it! Never played Longcliffe myself but I know 3 members there and over a dozen others who've played the course..... virtually all positive feedback especially bearing in mind that golfers, by nature, can be highly critical bar stewards!

For those without a recognised R&A handicap cert, would you propose a 28 max (= 21 (75%) in the Stab.), Peter? Personally I wouldn't have a problem with this, that is providing the winner didn't bag 48 points off 21, of course!

All dates are clear for me at present. Any package will do and I agree with EWR on format

Paul