Lots of great work going on at Abridge Golf club this week
Turfing around the 18th complex and other areas
Topping up of paths
And the bad boy is out spitting and shattering the fairways
Come and see New Abridge and what all the fuss is about
Well done to Jean Shulton winner of this weeks ladies competition. She beat off all the opposition in very cold,wet and windy conditions.
Next Tuesday we have a captains pick competition. Please be there at 8.45 for the draw
Love Deborah
I’m sure you are all aware that there are rule changes coming into effect in 2019. Here is an excellent video that summarises the 20 most important changes. It’s worth checking out.
Preparation is key when planning a society golf day and communication with all the players is very important so that everyone knows what is going on and everything can be finalised well in advance of the event day. We have prepared our top ten tips for making your society day one to remember.
Make sure you pick a golf course that all the people can get to. Travel time limited to 45-60 min its probably the max when arranging a day trip.
Using something like google maps is a great way to narrow down your search and make sure its reachable for all you society members. It’s also great way to discover some great golf courses in your area you might have not been visited.
We would all like to play at St Andrews on our society day, but you need to put a budget together that’s not going to break everyone wallet. Even if you haven’t got dates and players confirmed its always worth asking the golf club for availability and a quote so you can be armed with information when your society members start asking questions.
It’s worth doing a bit of extra research and seeing if the golf club offer practise facilities, most clubs will have a practise putting green to use before you go out. It’s worth checking out if they have full driving range or practise nets so you and your guests can make use of the facilities at the club and make a full day of it.
Ideally this should be multiples of 4 so you have even numbered groups. A good way to guarantee numbers is to collect all the monies in advance so there are no last minute payment issues. Creating a Whatsapp group is a great way of getting people together to chat through options sprinkled with a bit of banter and will get people excited about your day.
Once the venue is known and the dates and numbers are confirmed then you can book your day with the course by paying a deposit to secure the reservation. It will also give you time to chase up those late payers and a chance to get a bit of banter before the big day.
It’s worth going the week before the event to play the course. Go and introduce yourself to the admin staff and pro shop who will help you finalise any of those last minute details, or suggest ways they can enhance your day.
These should all be ordered in good time and collected in the week before the event. There are also plenty of online places that will engrave you trophies and deliver them direct to your door before your society day.
A running order start sheet should be pre prepared showing the players’ names, their selected groups and details of their tee times and the format for the day. The individual scorecards should also be written out in advance with the players’ handicap details. It’s going to be hectic with people turning up different times have a running order available will help you stop answering the same questions as you society members arrive.
Put yourself out in one of the first groups so they can be ready to collect and record scorecards at the end of the round, and remind the last group to pick up any nearest to the pin markers or longest drive markers. You dont want to end up having to run out to the 15th Par 3 to find out who has won.
Finish the day on a high by collating all the scorecard information correctly and make sure that the presentations are made in a timely manner once the last group are back in the clubhouse.
Remember, once the players tee off there is nothing more you can do other than to focus and make sure all the hard work is worth while by enjoying your own round.
If you would like us to help arrange your society day you can fill out one of our contact forms or give the office a call.
It has been an exciting and eventful year for the Abridge Junior section. We are fortunate to have some very accomplished golfers in this age group.
In June at Upminster Golf Club , Curtis Knipes successfully defended his title as Essex Amateur Champion. In his opening round he recorded 7 birdies and dropped just one shot to set a new amateur course record of 63.
Curtis also won the Abridge club championship for the second year in succession!
The Junior team had an excellent run in the Essex Youth Shield (Scratch) competition. The team reached the knockout stage by winning their group and went on to finish runners up.
A highlight was in the semi-finals where we played against Orsett. In what turned out to be the pivotal match, George Hallybone came back from 5 down with 6 to play, to chip in on the 18thfor a win taking Abridge through to the final against Colchester.
Sadly, the date of the final clashed with the date of the England Golf Union Men’s County Champion of Champions tournament at Woodhall Spa, which Curtis Knipes had qualified for as Essex men’s champion.
At Clacton, the boys were narrowly beaten by a very strong Colchester side. George was almost the hero again. At 2-2 in matches completed, George was 2 down with 2 to play against Charley Hatley of Clacton. George tied the match on the 18thtaking the match down the 1stbut unfortunately for us, Charley prevailed on the first play-off hole, so result was a 3-2 win to Colchester. Congratulations to them!
Meanwhile, while this match was taking place, Curtis Knipes was busy at Woodhall Spa.
I am delighted and very proud on behalf of Abridge to report that Curtis WON the England Golf Union Champion of Champions event where he birdied the fourth hole in a sudden-death play-off in this 36 hole competition.
I would like to thank all of the boys that represented the club this year and wish them luck in the future. I would like to thank Harvey Sullivan who served as Junior Captain this year.
Find out more about our junior golf membership
General Conduct
Etiquette on the Golf Course
The guidelines for good golf etiquette are there for several very important reasons: Many of them relate to the safety of golfers, many relate to pace of play (which helps keep the game enjoyable), and other rules of golf etiquette relate to maintaining the quality of the golf course.
In other words, golf etiquette is an essential part of the game. And it’s something that newcomers to the game often learn as they go – on the course,when playing with more experienced golfers.
If you are new to the game, or just need to brush up on your golf etiquette, here are some basic rules that will help keep the game enjoyable for you and those around you.
Keep It Safe
Do not swing your club until you know that others in your group are at a safe distance. Likewise, keep your distance when others are swinging. Be aware to steer clear of trouble.
When practising your swing, never swing in the direction of another player. There may be pebbles or twigs or other matter in the grass that could fly up and injure a playing partner.
Do not hit the ball until you are certain that the group ahead of you is out of range.
If your ball appears headed toward another player or another group, give them a warning by yelling out, “Fore’’ (an internationally recognized alert).
Observe the safety suggestions posted in golf buggies and drive carefully.
Never throw clubs in anger. In addition to being rude and childish, it could also be dangerous.
Ring the bells on the 6th and 8th holes on passing, and 11th tee on arriving, to advise following players that it is safe to play. Listen for these bells before playing your tee shot on the 6th tee and when approaching the 8th and 10th greens.
The retrieving of balls from the pond on the 2nd is prohibited.
Maintain a Good Pace
Keep the round moving by being prepared to hit your shot when it is your turn. You probably don’t like waiting on other groups – don’t make other groups wait on you.
Do not spend too much time looking for a lost ball, particularly if there is a group behind you ready to play. If you insist on taking the full five minutes allotted in the rule book to look for lost balls, golf etiquette says wave up the group behind to allow them to play through.
Always try to keep pace with the group ahead of you. If space opens in front of you, allow a faster group to play through.
When two players in a buggy hit to opposite sides of a hole, drive to first ball and drop off that player with his club, then drive to the second ball. After both players hit, meet up farther down the hole. When walking from your buggy to your ball, take a couple clubs with you. Taking only one club, then having to return to the cart to retrieve a different club, is a huge time-waster.
Always leave the putting green as soon as your group has finished putting.
Be Kind to the Course it is there for all of us to enjoy
Observe buggy and trolley rules. Stick to buggy paths wherever practicable and when directed by notices on and around the course.
Keep them away from greens and hazards. Do not take them between the greenside bunkers and the green as the wheels can damage these sensitive areas. Please try to avoid damaging the course.
Repair your divots in the fairway.
Repair your ball marks on the green.
Always rake sand bunkers after hitting to erase your footprints and damage to the area where your ball was.
Avoid taking a divot on a practice swing.
Use your hand to remove the ball from the hole NOT your putter as this often misshapes the hole.
And a Few More Golf Etiquette Hints
Never talk during another player’s swing.
Do not yell out following a shot. Even if boisterous behaviour doesn’t bother your playing partners, there are other people on the course who may be within earshot.
Be aware of your shadow on the putting green. Don’t stand in a place that causes your shadow to be cast across another player or that player’s putting line.
Never walk through a playing partner’s putting line. Your footprints might alter the path of a partner’s putt. Step over the putting line, or walk around (behind) the partner’s ball.
Club House, Patios and Car Park
Golf Course and Practice Areas
IF YOU ARE NOT PROPERLY ATTIRED YOU MAY BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE CLUBHOUSE/COURSE BY A MEMBER OF STAFF OR CLUB OFFICIAL
Swindles who runs them and when
There are informal swindles and roll up competitions throughout the week and run throughout the Summer and winter seasons, These are open to all club members and all players are made welcome and it is a great way to meet members, come along and join in.. Below are the current approximate timings and who organises them:-
Monday Morning Group first tee off approx 9.16 am (arrive by 9.00 am at the latest)
Organiser Lewis Shurlin
Wednesday Captain’s Club Morning made up of 9 holes, lunch, and then cards. This will be through the Winter months and should the weather not lend itself to the 9 holes, we would still like to meet for all the other activities and a general get-together. All are welcome.
Organiser Stuart Disdale
Thursday Morning Group first tee off approx 9.16 am (arrive by 9.00 am at the latest)
Organiser Lewis Shurlin
Thursday Afternoon Group first tee off approx 11.25 am (arrive by 11 am at the latest)
Organiser Dennett Harvey
Sunday Afternoon Group first tee off approx 11.25 pm (arrive by 11 am at the latest)
Organiser Kevin Rabbitte
Pro Shop
We have a fully stocked Pro Shop for all your golfing needs, from chocolate to golf balls, clothes and equipment. Also this is the place to book tee times and enter competitions.
Golf lessons are available from our Golf Professionals, Paul Holland, Jack Winer anmd reece Francis. Lessons can be booked in the pro shop.
Within the pro shop we have the “Golf Principles” club fitting studio. Jason Macniven is one of the leading independent club fitters in England and he will be delighted to arrange to “custom fit” your next set of clubs.
Opening Hours
Winter Weekdays7.30 am to 16.30 pm, Weekends 7.00 am to 16.30 pm
Summer Weekdays 7.30 am to 19.00 pm, Weekends 7.00 am to 19.00 pm
Buggies
We have 10 buggies which may be hired from the pro shop. At peak periods these should be booked in advance.
Members may store their own buggies at Abridge at their own risk,with permission as we have limited storage space. For fees and to arrange storage please contact the office
Club Storage
Members are able to store their golf clubs and trolleys at Abridge in the trolley store next to the Pro Shop in new specially designed lockers. For more information on cost and to reserve a space, please contact the office.
In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s a nucleus of Jewish golfers formed the South Essex Jewish Golfers Society (SEJGS) as they were being refused membership to local clubs on religious grounds. Because of the situation they decided to setup their own golf club. The founding members agreed to invest, and with the help of a wealthy benefactor, JohnRubens, purchased the farm land where we are today. The Club was finally opened in 1964. Abridge accordingly respects its Jewish heritage and is closed on theJewish Holy Day of Atonement, as well as Christmas Day. In the constitution of the Club, we are proud to state that not only do we welcome members of the Jewish faith, but all creeds and faiths have and will always be welcome.
