Page Last Updated 04 May, 2008

Welcome letter to New Members of Waterstock Golf Club - Valid to December 2008

As current chairman of Waterstock golf club I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you as a new member of the club and to let you know a number of things that we hope will make your membership more enjoyable and rewarding.

Firstly, my role as Chairman, those of the Captains and various committee members are separate from the owners of the club. Our role is to organise/administer internal competitions and friendly or league matches with other clubs. The day to day operation of the clubhouse the management and upkeep of the clubhouse and the course is not inside our area of control. However, we do discuss these with the management who will take our views into consideration as they operate their business. Andrew Wyatt is our primary management contact and he is also open to direct communication from all members.

At Waterstock we strive to be an open club providing competitive and friendly golf for all standards of player. There are effectively four sections to the club:-

• Men’s                    • Ladies                        • Senior Men’s                    • Junior’s

Handicaps

Before providing you some specific information about the various sections, a quick word about handicaps.

If you are joining us from another club and have a current handicap, please provide the handicap secretary (Pat Hingley for men and Pauline Swan for ladies) with a copy of your handicap certificate and preferably a copy of your playing record for the past 12 months. The handicap secretary of your last club should have no problem providing these. You should also advise your old club that you are transferring your handicap to Waterstock. If you are retaining membership at another club, please let Pat/Pauline know this so that you are entered onto out clubs handicap system as an “Away” player whose handicap is administered by another club. Remember you must report to your “Home” club your playing record in all competitions to maintain your handicap under the CONGU handicapping rules.

If you are new to golf and have never held a handicap you will need to submit 3 cards to allow calculation of your first handicap. These cards MUST be marked and signed by a member with a valid handicap who is known to the committee. For men, one of the rounds must also be with a committee member. The easiest way to do this is to participate in the teapot or main competitions. This also allows you to meet other members and get to start up new friendships. We ask that the 3 cards are submitted together and, again for men, are accompanied with a handicap application form available from the Pro shop, or downloadable (Click Here) from the members’ web site in the New Members Information page.

For men who have been allocated their first handicap, or for male members who have previously held a handicap and whose playing record is not extensive, an additional 4 rounds of golf in “Handicap Qualifying” competitions will need to be played before you will be charged entry to competitions and for you to be eligible to win them. This is to allow the committee to verify the accuracy of your handicap.

Web Site

The members have their own dedicated web site for news and information, which can be accessed via the URL www.waterstockgolfclub.co.uk. This website contains information about what is going on in each section and also contains both weekend competition draws and results for men’s events. It also has links to the R&A Rules of Golf, the R&A decisions website and the CONGU handicap website as well as information on club competition rules and disciplinary procedures.

The management also have there own website the address is http://www.waterstockgolf.co.uk/

Ladies Section

The Ladies section is captained by Ann Purnell.

The Ladies have a number of internal competitions and friendly matches. Details of these are on the Ladies notice board in the changing room. In addition there are Ladies Mornings which are on Tuesday at 09:30 and Saturdays at 08:00 where all ladies are welcome to play.

Senior Men’s Section

The Senior Mens section is captained by Clive Hallett

The Seniors have a number of internal competitions and friendly matches. Details of these are on the seniors’ board in the clubhouse. In addition the senior’s have a teapot every Monday for senior members present at 08.15 and an open teapot (non seniors welcome) on Fridays also at 08.15.

Juniors Section

The Junior’s section is captained by Charlie Sykes and is organised by Andy Wyatt. The Junior’s have a number of internal Junior competitions and their own league. Details of these are on the Juniors’ notice board in the clubhouse.

Tom Baker as one of our professionals is also supporting the Juniors with coaching and lessons and can introduce you to Charlie.

Men's Section

The Men’s section is captained by John Jacques, supported by his vice Captain Dave Hill.

There is a full calendar of competitions for the men’s section with a Weekend Medal and a Weekend Major competition played as a bogey/par or stableford every month, with other drawn competitions on top of this. During the summer there are 3 match play events (singles/pairs/scratch) and over the winter months there is the winter league. To enter any of the Weekend events put your name on the entry list by 13:00 the Saturday before the competition.

When there is not a drawn competition then there are Saturday and Sunday teapot events for all members present in the clubhouse at 08:15. During the summer there is also a Wednesday evening teapot for members on the practice Green at 17:15.

The club also plays both league and friendly golf against clubs in the area. These are generally over the months of April & October. To be considered for selection for the scratch Foursomes, the Central Sevens (6 to 18 Handicap) or Chiltern Breakfast League (up to 20 handicap) put your name down on the team sheet and tick the dates you are available for selection. The selection committee will pick from only these names on the basis of current and past form in order to give the club the best chance for success. Friendly matches are also played and are open to all male members with a handicap. For each friendly match an entry sheet will be posted for members to express there willingness to play and the team will be picked giving priority to members who are not able, or not being selected to play for the league teams.

Finally watch the notice board for other competition, Captains’ Away days and Pro-Am events which again are open to all male members.



That is about it from me for now, if you want to know more please do not hesitate to approach me, any of the Captains, or committee members (you will find out photos in the bar area in the clubhouse), or of course the Pro Staff. We are keen that all members feel welcome and participate in the club activities as much as possible.

Regards
Alan Hughes
Chairman