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.

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

predateur

27th June,18th July and 8th August OK with me.
Any format fine,
With meal will give us some social time, cost reasonable.
My AA Guide to Golf Courses highlights Longcliffe in green which sets it out as a course of note, reads well.
Thanks foryour efforts pth

Predateur

All dates Ok for me at present except 18th July. Any format - used to losing to bandits, but will enjoy it nevertheless!

Come on then Gentlemen (and ladies) Count me in i'll be representing the MAM mob. Any day's good for me - i'll be playing off 18ish just put in for my handicap at my course so i can play in the club comps, 94 at the weekend didn't help tho (par 73 course - Austin lodge GC)

FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!

My diary is always pretty busy but a lot more flexable that most so I am relaxed about the date. I'll tag along with the consensus.

The list is getting bigger so I think PTH will soon be able to make another "approach" to the Pro. There will always be a few drops out at the 11th. Hour so I really do recommend a small deposit is taken for material prizes. Good to read that PJacobs(M-AM) is joining us prsumably to present Peter (or whoever!) with their Trophy! Looking forward to it already.

Markus

Following nearly six months off the golf course and now trying to rebuild my swing, doubt very much that I will be in the frame! Having said that, I may get back into the'swing' quicker than I think. Funny old game, golf.

PTH

Subject to dates count me in.

The list continues to grow (15 now):

Dave1980
Tallsiii
Fundy
Paul1812
Partridge
Markus
Eric R
PTH
Predateur
Canary9
Bos
Scrip
Brain2Brain
Pjacobs
Cunningham

Regards

PTH

so are we going to firm a date as it would be a shame to let this fade away after the effort you've put in PTH (and the fact its a day on the golf course as opposed to a day at my desk, lol)

:)

pj

I'll sift through the posts later today and work out the preferred date so far. Once I have a better idea, I will offer a date and subject to BB approval make the booking. However, I would still like to see a few more numbers.

PTH

Yes, we need to keep a firm grip here and once we've drawn in a definate date, we should then be able to swing in a few other players, as well. The earlier the better.

You know me, always have to have a say! I note that the only date without a non-starter is 27th June, also the earliest date to strike while the Iron is hot (pity I'm a wood player!). Amazing how that top-negotiatior, markus, appears to have got away with the 3/4 handicap lark. He just happens to be single figures himself. And he wants a courtesy round - should dock him a couple fo shots for that.

Well done, Peter. I think there will be steady trickle of additional entrants once the date is firmed up. Eric

Ok guys

Will book the 27 June as all who have responded with a preference are available on that date. Will confirm later today or tomorrow, dependant on when I can get hold of the Secretary.

PTH

PTH

without wanting to throw a spanner in the works - 27th june is a monday and will be a nightmare journey in the morning for anyone travelling from any distance - thought we had agreed on tues/thurs?

Fundy

Unfortuntaely, the dates offered by the club all fall on a Monday or Friday with the exception of one Thursday which is in August. Accepted that travel could be a bit of a pig, but if we have just 9 holes practise in the morning, we could have a relatively late start (10ish). Also, of those who have expressed a preference (about 75% of the names thus far) the 27 June is the only date that all could attend. I will of course go with the consensus of opinion, but we really need to get a date firmly established.

regards

PTH

Fundy, I think it really depends on where you are travelling from. Leics. is very central and is easily accessible. Unless you are going on the M1 to London, most travellers will be OK even on a Monday. Your journey from Manchester will take you approx. 1:45 hours, I think, and will be well worth it, I'm sure!

markusantonius

the only way ill get from manchester on a monday morning in 1.45 hrs is if you are planning on booking me a helicopter lol

Autoroute states 1:53, Fundy, so what's the major problem here, mate? You're a young sprog with plenty of life and energy and you only live once so just do it! In the grand scheme of things it's ****er all to consider and you will enjoy a great day's ents with like minded people in a happy, friendly environment both on and off the course. So stop whinging and book the day off work NOW!

Alt. you could also travel down on the Sunday and join me and PTH for a courtesy round? B&B's are very cheap in the Midlands. On a one-off Sunday you'll be able to pick 'n choose, I'm sure!