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.

pj

Great job, well done, assuming everyone turns up, should have 12, which is a nice round number.

Plan is to mix everyone up in the morning with regard to handicaps, but in the afternoon will let the lower handicappers go first. As you say, it may help some, but may also hinder others.

pth

pth, pjacobs

I'm happy to go out with anybody (what is anybody's handicap?) high or low. I believe the day is about having some fun, good company, good conversation and to relax away from loosing money on the markets. (loosing that's me).

Lower handicapers don't usually make the best company because they tend to have single track minds when they have a sniff at a prize. In this case that will not happen because pth and eric are earmarked for the 1st and 2nd prizes. We will have to be content with fighting ower the minor prizes hence making better company.

Paul

Paul im playing just to take part as im a rank outsider for any prize what so ever, you never know a lucky shot on a par 3 might get me nearest the pin, saying that longest drive i might be a contender :)

Trophy has just arrived and looks top notch, the tension is getting high :)

paul,

the way I'm playing I could shoot 75 or 95! No idea what's coming off the club next. Spent a whole round on tuesday without any woods or driver, hit some lovely irons. Medal yesterday, hit the driver great and couldn't hit an iron?

Stupid game!!

pth

Peter

did you get my mail?

fundy

mail received, will reply tonight, many thanks, sorry you can't make it.

peter

looking forward to meeting you all and having a great day.

Sorry Fundy can't make it on monday.

so what are the numbers as we stand today?????

pj

Spot on 12.

So, four three balls morning and afternoon. Unfortunately, a few people put their name down and didn't bother to confirm their attendance or otherwise.

pth

Paul1812, You asked where I was, I believe (post: 333)? Actually I am retired. Also just returned from 2 days on the NW coast battling the Links again (social rounds).

Having been in horrendous form of late, round 2 this afternoon saw me beat my handicap for the first time in aeons, incl. being back in just +3 gross. The heavens opened up just after we finished so we were very lucky today. Still think I am in serious danger of creeping up to 12 though after this weekend's imminent 36-hole 2-day Medal. But will give it my best shot.

Golf and investing have been absolutelty DREADFUL for me recently so I'm just hoping for an enjoyable and relaxing ensemble with like minded people on Monday. Myself and PTH hit it off straight away with some great banter over our 2 social games and really hoping for the same on Monday with the rest of you guys, as well.

Agree with Paul: reckon we are all playing for 3rd. prize (plus spot prizes) after PTH and Eric will be hot favourites to fill the top 2 positions! Either way I'm actually starting to get in the mood for it now....!

Pete, do you have tee-off times/pairings sorted out yet for at least the Main p.m. Event?

markus

you can tee off in the morning and then again in the afternoon!!

Will be collecting some score cards tomorrow and working out the pairings over the weekend. As I recall you said, 'don't pair me with that bandit Robson in the morning!'

Will post again over the weekend. Hope everyone is going to turn up, quite a few entrants have not posted for quite some time!!

See you all soon.

pth

Actually, ERIC, if you're reading this, I have asked Peter if we can be paired together for the morning round, 7 times already!!!!!!! Looking forward to meeting you in person after all this time and same goes for all you other guys, as well. Many of whom I've read your various posts over the past few months.

Well, win, lose or hack (probably the latter!!) - I'm really looking forward to a great day's banter maybe more so than the golf, in some respects. Just hope the weather stays reasonable albeit a gusty afternoon would sort the men out from the boyz!!

Hey guys, be careful out on thay golf course.

wilbs: guess you'll be alright, given that you have enough balls for all of us!
Mind, I like your model caddy - I hope Peter has got the message!

Eric

I wish I was coming with you all but I can't even hit a ball!!!
Hope you all have a great day and don't let Marcus give you any excuses if he looses!!!
wilbs

wilbs: I notice that marcus talks a 'bad game' - its a way of reducing pressure on himself. As for pth, I think he's a bit of an Andrew Murray and will thump the daylights out of the ball - mind, he could well slice it out of court! Thanks for your photogenic contributions; get practising for next year!

Eric

Eric, I wouldnt know where to start!!

Either Marcus will thrash you all and say ' I played better than I thought' or
loose and then have the excuse of' told you im not playing too well!.

Is this a good club to start with? I belive Marcus plays with one.

I decided that my Mrs is a bit too top heavy so if its ok with you all I will be bringing my bit on the side??

Or her friend??

Pth

Sorry for delay in response to your 327 post, I was on holiday in France without my laptop.

I definitely reconfirm I have two guessts for dinner, Peggie and Barry Kinley.
I was only waiting for you too advise the price.

Also I reconfirm I will only be playing 18 holes in the afternoon. 36 holes a day is too much for my arthritic body.

regards

Bob