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.

A tight course should benefit accuracy not necessary the low handicappers or long hitters. Definitely PTH for the cup with Eric second. I recon Fundy is a single figure handicap!!

PTH - Well done for organising the day

I think we should provide handicap certs along with payment to PTH. He can then post when all the funds are in after any deadline is made? Otherwise some might be detered from entering. What are we doing about allowances for those without official R&A handicaps: 28 (21) or 24 (18) perhaps?

Can I suggest 24 (18). One shot per hole is more than enough.

I agree, Paul. This should also be the cap even for those certified 25-28.

Suggestion to M-AM... Why not promote this in a similar way to The Traders' Day, in London? I think this would help PTH to get his cheques in early not to mention entice a bigger starting line-up? All good freebie publicity for M-AM!

PTH - cheque posted to Ian today.

Paul, well done and many thanks, that makes two of us!

Maximum handicap will be 24 at 75%.

PTH

Cheque in the post. Current handicap is 21.1.

I have no handicap certificate because I have not been able to play regulary for a long time because of injury. I've only recently started hitting a ball down the range again. I will join a club this year as soon as I am certain I can last 18 holes. I guess this will be my first big test.

I was no better that a bogey golfer when I last played regulary. No idea what I will play off currently as I need to get out and have a few rounds. I'll try and get a few rounds in before the tournament so I can give a better indication.

Would be interested in joining you depending on the date finally selected.

tonyandrews

date is 27 June

PTH

paul

i was a single figure golfer but currently have no handicap so 18 will do me.

Seriously, my handicap (5) elapsed nearly 2 yrs ago when i moved north and i have played only a handful of times since - having not joined a club and had serious probs with my knee. I am happy to play off what is allocated, i cant win off 5 but would have an outsiders chance off 8 though am not overly fussed about winning (except the longest drive - the macho comp lol) - just looking forward to a good day out

Updated list:

Dave1980
Tallsiii
Fundy
Paul1812
Partridge
Markus
Eric R
PTH
Predateur
Canary9
Bos
Scrip
Brain2Brain
Pjacobs
Cunningham
Bob Colby
MG
Andy Smith
Tony Andrews?
(19)

I think I need to have a cut off date for confirmed entries and receipt of cheques. Not too sure when Longcliffe will be pushing for a deposit, but will go for the 31 May 2005. The earlier the better of 'course.'

Many thanks folks

Regards

PTH

Fundy, Once a Category One player..... always a Category One player. You are playing off 5 (4), mate!!!!!!! OK?

PTH, Count me in, of course. Will pay you in cash in a fortnight, as promised. Telephone conversation refers.

All the best,
Markus.

pth: excellent progress. 19 by now could double over the next month. Wonder if Shares dare risk using it in entertainment mode - a cross section of their most avid supporters and critics (various shades of grey). Course sounds better and better - water, narrow fairways, dog-legs. Sob stories already coming out - weeping over poor old Fundy: my conscience says we have to let him play off 6, nett 5. After all, he is doing all this missionary work in the north.

Eric

No, in the absence of an R&A certificate, Fundy MUST play off his last officially recognised handicap of 5 (4) otherwise we'll all be making excuses. Of course he could lie and be manipulative however I have found that Category One players tend to be the most honourable and I expect pride and integrity will kick in when Fundy submits his cheque and hcap fig to PTH. Remember that "Golf is the Game of Kings".......

PS. I was only joking when I stated mine to be 25, by the way! It's a bit lower than that.

Markus

got plenty of R&A certificates - now what number shall i write on it lol.

More than happy to play off 5 (4), but if more than 40 points wins it ill be demanding a stewards enquiry :-)

1. It's all down to your own integrity, Fundy!
2. And so will I.............................!
(But highly doubtful off 3/4 handicap though)

If somebody gets 40+ points off 3/4 he will have a drugs test

Absolutely, Paul. Reckon Eric, Peter and Fundy should all provide both blood and urine samples before they get anyway near the 19th. Hole! I've heard whispers that Eric also uses an illegal 7-wood which far exceeds the LACI (that is: the Leicestershire Accuracy Coefficient of Inertia)!

Markus

i can guarantee i will have enough of all the required drugs in my system lol