Green Light For Golfers
Residents of a Suffolk village who receive a unique, free golf perk are in for another bonus from the sport.
Villagers can play for nothing on the nine holes laid out on their green at Newton, near Sudbury.
But if they wish to play the full 18 holes at Newton Green Golf Club they have to fork out a full green fee or join the club, paying £650 for seven-day membership. The subscription allows them to take a full part in club life, and enter competitions.
But now the golf club is to allow residents to take out full membership for only £300 for the first year.
For more than half a century residents played on the green for free and each household received a bag of coal as rent from the golf club.
A few decades ago, with central heating arriving, the coal custom was discontinued, and the club began paying rent for the original nine holes from a new trust set up to administer the land.
The deal allows for long-standing access rights to the land for residents to be continued.
The original, 105-year-old nine holes were designed under the supervision of legendary Scottish player and course designer James Braid.
Paddy Lockwood, golf club chairman, said already a number of residents were full members of the club, and there were about 30 villagers who played the old nine holes at various times during the year for free.
They had to be registered with the club and check in with the professional’s shop to make sure they were covered by the club’s insurance.
Mr Lockwood added: “A full fee in the first year when they can play half the course for free is a bit off putting for some. We want to make this gesture to encourage residents to become committed full members for the long haul. Newton has a great golfing tradition as a village and we want this to continue.”
Sprightly Frank Shoots Down Opposition
A sprightly 90-year-old golfer has organised a tournament to celebrate his birthday – and walked away with first prize.
The former World War 11 Battle of Britain Spitfire ground crew fitter, gunned down the opposition on a cold and frosty morning.
Frank Boutcher thought it would be a good idea to entertain his fellow golfers in the Newton Green Golf Club Old and Bold section to play for a trophy and celebrate his birthday.
But Frank, who was the oldest competitor in the field of the nine-hole event, had not banked on having to present the trophy to himself.
He said: “I think I just got lucky. It was a cold, frosty morning and the golf balls were bouncing about all over the place.
“I won a total of 12 balls, which should be enough to see me through till I am 100,” joked the pensioner from Hadleigh.
He continued: “I don’t hit the ball very far these days and probably lose only a few a year. It would be nice to keep going to bring up my century. But nowadays I have to get a lift in a friend’s buggy to complete nine holes.”
Golf is just one of the areas where Frank continues to give an up to par performance.
Since moving to Suffolk from Essex, where he had been an engineer and building inspector in local government, he has been a volunteer with the National Trust at Flatford. It was there he met fellow Newton member Peter Tonks, who introduced Frank to the club.
Retirement also saw him develop his skills as an artist. He joined Hadleigh Art GroupHe found he was able to sell his watercolours through local exhibitions, and for the last ten years has been a tutor at the town’s University of the Third Age art section.
Frank’s experience with Spitfire aircraft began in 1940 when he left his local council job to volunteer to become a fitter with a fighter squadron based in Sussex.
As the Battle of Britain concluded, he move with the RAF to Lancashire to work on bombers and then to Chedburgh in Suffolk, before being based at Gorleston, working across the North Sea to Holland on RAF air sea rescue craft.
*Although Frank is the senior citizen among male players at his club, he is still some way behind Pearl Schomer, who continues to tackle 18 holes at Newton at the age of 94.
Newton Green's Silver Lining
Financial clouds on the horizon for the economy are turning out to have a silver lining for Newton Green Golf Club.
In recent times the club has promoted a membership offer of 15 months for the price of 12 at the start of the year.
This year, however, the promotion looks like having a record take-up.
Paddy Lockwood, club chairman, said recent talk of a double dip recession had sent shivers through the spines of golf club treasurers, fearing a repeat of membership losses suffered three years ago from which a number of clubs were still reeling.
Newton, however, had recently been able to demonstrate an extremely competitive pricing structure in relation to what it offered members.
Golfers were looking to reduce their costs in regard to travelling and subscriptions, and were re-assessing Newton’s attractiveness. This included the condition of its course and general ethos of the club, the latter aspect having been singled out for praise by the sport’s county and regional leaders.
In recent times the club had placed considerable emphasis on bringing more women and younger people into the sport. The junior section now had a record level of members, and the club’s intermediate membership category offering reduced subscriptions for 18 to 30-year-olds was about to be extended to those up the 35 years old.
Newton Green Honoured At Suffolk Awards
Newton Green Golf Club has picked up two awards at the annual presentation night staged by the Suffolk Golf Partnership.
Ian Woodhead, the inspiration behind the club’s high achieving junior section, has been named Suffolk Coach Volunteer of the Year.
The single handicap amateur golfer, who captains the club’s Hambro and Stenson teams, has held the Professional Golfers’ Association Level One coaching badge for three years and at Newton works alongside professional Tim Cooper instructing 45 juniors. He is also manager of Suffolk under 14s.
One of Newton’s juniors, Connor Talbot, also figured in the Suffolk presentations. Newton is one of three centres of excellence in the county where promising youngsters are sent for extra tuition once a month during the summer. Connor was named best trainee at Newton, which draws its intake from across West Suffolk.
The award is given for commitment in learning, improvement and general demeanour. During the year his handicap has dropped from 32 to 18, and he is now in the Suffolk under 14s squad.
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Newton Ladies Bowl Over Men
Possession of a miniature toilet bowl trophy has become so intense a full compliment of 72 men and women lined up to compete for the porcelain prize at Newton Green Golf Club.
Each year the women of the club challenge the seniors to compete for the trophy, when there are normally about 20 players from each side.
However, this year there were 36 ladies and the same number of men from the senior section lining up to do battle, and seniors’ section captain Peter Webb reluctantly had to hand the tiny water closet to ladies’ captain Jill Symonds after her team were flushed with a victory by 11.5 to 6.5 holes.
Closest to the hole winners during the day were: 2nd Mick Barlow, 6th Jill Freeman, 11th Paddy Lockwood, 13th Odette Ford, 16th Steve Cragg and Steve Street, 18th Peter Webb.
National Call-Up For Newton Green Youngsters
The England Women’s Golf Association has called up two youngsters from Newton Green Golf Club for national training.
It is the first time the club has had players from its junior section named for elite training at this level.
Eloise Aldous and Alice Barlow are both aged 13 and have each had experience of winning competitions when competing against adult members of their club.
They are the only juniors from Suffolk named in this year’s revamped EWGA training programme. It no longer features instruction at county level, and now involves teaching the country’s most promising pupils at three regional centres.
Sport England helps finance the scheme, which aims to create a pathway right up to professional level, and the association believes the new format will help maximise resources.
The Newton pair is joining the scheme at Birdie 1 grade which provides advice on skills, physiotherapy, nutrition and psychology.
Alice, with a handicap of 10, and who recently set a new women’s amateur course record at Newton, is attending the course at Stratford Oaks, Stratford-upon-Avon. She recently finished 11th in her age group, national four-round championship event.
Eloise, who has a handicap of 11, is attending her eight days of training over the winter at Burhill, Surrey.
Jill Symonds, women’s captain at Newton, said: “Having our young players called up for national coaching is a very promising step for the club, particularly as we have been putting a lot of work into bringing more women into the sport.
“Our junior section is flourishing and both girls have strong family ties with the game, which shows that golf can be a good sport for the whole family. Alice’s father, grandfather and uncle are all Newton members, and both Eloise’s parents and brother play at the club.”
Eloise Is Top Girl In Newton Junior Open
Eloise Aldous was top girl performer in the Newton Green Junior Open, which attracted 70 entrants and made £1,000 for the club’s junior coaching scheme. There were also other Newton winners in divisional competitions. For full information see the Junior section on this web site.
Alan Cunningham and Eloise Aldous
Ladies Pink Ball Competition
The Ladies of Newton Green Golf Club recently raised £107.04 by holding a Pink Ball Competition in aid of Breast Cancer Campaign. The money was raised by entry fees and heavy fines imposed on those ladies not wearing pink or other misdemeanours. The results were:
Mary Wise, Angela Chapman, Glenys Grove 119 pts
Di Cunningham, Jill Freeman, Carolyn Cocksedge 117 pts
Dorothy Rattray Allan, Jill Symonds, Rosemary Thomson 116 pts
Pictures shows some members entering in the spirit.
Star Westwood Gives Tips To Newton's Jed
World number one golf challenger Lee Westwood has given a promising Suffolk school boy tips on how to follow in his footsteps.
Newton Green’s Jed Seeley played six holes with the super star along with one of England’s top girl hopes Charlotte Leathem.
They had been among skills test winners in earlier events organised as part of Westwood’s national academy scheme, and qualified to play six holes with him on his Lindrick, near Worksop, home course.
Jed, the 14-year-old Suffolk junior player and Sudbury Upper School pupil, who has halved his handicap to eight in the last six months, initially played 13 holes with Charlotte, who at the age of 16 plays off scratch and is one of England’s rising young stars.
Jed, who would eventually like to turn professional, said: “Charlotte and I were very evenly matched, although no scores were kept as it was for fun. We then played six holes with Lee and were able to relax as we both started by hitting good tee shots. He gave us advice on the importance of continual practice to develop our shot making, and we both gained a lot from the day.”
Jed initially qualified for the day by winning a qualifying skills test event, having been put forward by the junior section of the Suffolk Golf Union.
Newton Bow Out Of Stenson
Newton Green’s hopes of reaching a first Suffolk Stenson Shield final evaporated in a well contested match against a powerful Hintlesham team.
In a semi-final at Bury St Edmunds, which included a half-hour Saturday afternoon suspension of play for lightning, Newton battled well before going down 8 – 4.
The opposition side included both the current Suffolk match play and stroke play champions, and took a 3 -1 lead in the morning foursomes, which was to provide an impenetrable buffer to overcome.
Although Ian Ledieu, making an impressive debut for Newton, and his is partner Greg Hills won their game convincingly, there were reversals in the other three encounters.
In the eight afternoon singles, for which Newton captain Ian Woodhead brought in himself and Rob Sims, the leading two matches went to the opposition, increasing Hintlesham’s strong hold on the tie.
However, Newton fought hard in the follow six matches with wins for Adam Woodhead and Hills, and both Ledieu and Ben Mellon finished all square, but it was insufficient to turn the tables.
Hintlesham had themselves fallen at the same stage last year, and Newton’s longest ever run in the contest has helped push the club to the higher echelons of golf in Suffolk.
Foursomes (Newton names first): Mike Polley and Simon Bearman lost to Robert Salter and Nigel Redding 4 and 2; Russell Oakley and Ben Mellon lost to Jack Cardey and Phil Westley 8 and 6; Ian Ledieu and Greg Hills beat Nathan Overton and Jeremy Proctor 5 and 4; Adam Woodhead and Steve Wordley lost to Sam Debenham and Kevin Brooks 4 and 3.
Singles: Oakey lost to Redding 2 and 1; Sims lost to Cardy 3 and 2; Ledieu and Phil Westley all square; Ian Woodhead lost to Debenham 3 and 2; Adam Woodhead beat Ryan Talbot 2 and 1; Mellon and Overton all square; Hills beat Hellyer one up; Bearman lost to Salter one down.
Newton Green Shows The Way
A golf club has been boosted by a 20 per cent membership increase – while many others have been battling to mark time against the recession.
The club that has been defying current trends is Newton Green, near Sudbury, which has been transforming itself in recent times.
It has revealed a one fifth membership increase as it plans to stage another open day on Sunday, September 25, when potential new comers are invited to play nine holes without charge.
Paddy Lockwood, club chairman, said Newton’s formula for success had been to take a root and branch look at how it was performing three years ago, and set out a new path forward.
Despite a very difficult financial climate throughout the period, various new initiatives put in place had worked.
In addition to seeing a rise in membership, the club was blossoming in a number of directions.
Lockwood explained: “In a recent two week spell we saw three of our juniors making waves at national level; our men’s team made their debut in the semi-finals of the Suffolk Stenson Shield; and we had a golf week that broke all previous levels of support from the membership.”
He said the open day would commence at 1 pm with special joining offers available, including an initial three months for £125.
Records Broken At Newton Green Festival
The annual Newton Green Golf Club Jonathan Lambert Festival of Golf received the thumbs up from members, with record breaking turnouts in many of the events.
The number of more than 600 entries for the five days of play was in excess of 100 up on the previous year, and the week continues to go from strength to strength.
The Saturday night presentation barbecue also attracted record numbers, with event sponsor Jonathan Lambert handing the main prize of the week to senior section golfer Jeremy Hamp.
He joined the club as a pay and play Davey member 18 months ago, and this year converted to full membership – never looking back since.
His massive 47 points in the Jonathan Lambert Centenary Silver Salver left the rest of the record breaking 120-entry field in his wake, and he can now look forward to a hefty reduction in his handicap.
Tony Baker came home second with 45 points and lady vice captain Di Cunningham was third with 44.
Proceeds from the week are expected to be in the region of £1,000.
Main winners:
Delaney Scramble: Emily Penfold, Carolyn Cocksedge, Alan Alum and Jed Seeley.
Stableford: Harvey Watts, Pat Hawkins, Nick Smith and Alan Cocksedge.
Kiskadee Trophy: Phil Barlow and Jenny Downes.
Three clubs and putter: Steve Cragg, Jeremy Hamp and Thelma Ardley.
Jonathan Lambert Salver: Jeremy Hamp 47, Tony Baker 45, Di Cunningham 44. Best lady, Leighann Wordley 43. Best junior MaX Hemson 41.
Target golf: Jed Seeley 150, Kevin Levett 88, Ben Uttridge 86. Senior award, Anthony Bradley; Junior, Tom King. Team: Mark Barlow, Jed Seeley and Dora George.
Foxes and rabbits: Phil Newton and Ben Mellon. Best rabbit, Jenny King.
Cross Country: Robert Watts 34.5, Tom Lockwood 38 (ocb), Steve Knappett 38.
Delaney Scramble winners, Alan Alum, Jed Seeley, Jonathan Lambert, Carolynn Cocksedge and Emily Penfold.
Kiskadee Trophy winners: Phil Barlow and Jenny Downes with Jonathan Lambert.
Centenary Silver Salver winner Jeremy Hamp with Jonathan Lambert.
Winners in the three clubs and a putter day
National Success For Newton Youngsters
Three Newton Green youngsters have been making big waves at national level, including brushing shoulders with top international stars.
Twelve-year-old Great Cornard school girl Alice Barlow came 11th in the three-round English Girls’ Under 13 Championships held at Mentmore, Bucks.
She began the tournament with a handicap of 16, and over the three days shot gross rounds of 86, 79 and 82 – 17 under her handicap – and is likely to be cut to 11.9.
More than 50 girls lined up for the tournament and Alice comfortably made the last 18 cut for the final day, being in ninth place after two rounds.
Although she slipped to 11th by the end of the day, she finished second in the competition for the best net score.
Meanwhile, 14-year-old Jed Seeley, who is at school in Sudbury, and who has cut his handicap in half to eight in the last year, came top of the class in a three-day coaching course at the Lee Westwood Academy in Banbury.
He scored 171 points out of 190 in skills tests after being selected for the course by the junior section of the Suffolk Golf Union.
He won the top prize of six holes of golf with world number one challenger Westwood, which he will be playing with the super star at a later date.
Westwood was at the event and presented Jed with his award, along with a top brand driver and putter, balls and a pair of golf shoes.
The third young player making his mark from Newton is 12 handicap teenager Scott Edwards, who won the net prize with a score of 69 in the Ian Poulter Invitation at Woburn.
He was selected as a result of being on the Newton shop staff of Tim Cooper, who stocks Poulter equipment, and Scott won a set of custom fitted clubs for his success. The day included 18 holes of golf and a clinic with Poulter in the afternoon.
Newton Green Hammer Waldringfield
Newton Green stormed into the semi-finals of the Suffolk Stenson Shield for the first time since the competition was founded.
They overwhelmed their visitors Waldringfield by 11 games to one in the county’s premier team scratch competition and now meet Hintlesham on neutral ground on Saturday, August 27.
The other semi-final is between Ipswich and Woodbridge.
Recently, Waldringfield narrowly scuppered Newton’s chances in the Suffolk Hambro Cup handicap competition when the East Suffolk team won by one hole after the visitors had been forced to given them a total of 18 shots.
However, playing off level scratch, Newton’s generally lower handicap players put up a ruthless performance, being 4 – 0 up in the morning foursomes and then winning seven of the eight singles matches in the afternoon.
Foursomes: Adam Woodhead and Steven Wordley beat M Allen and S Shepherd 2 and 1; Russell Oakey and Mike Polley beat J Markham and K Proctor 5 and 4; Mark Duthie and Simon Bearman beat M Virley and S Coonan 4 and 2; Ian Woodhead and Ben Mellon beat A Pryke and K Calver one up.
Singles: Greg Hills beat R Ross 7 and 5; A Woodhead beat Proctor 5 and 3; Oakey beat S Creasey 5 and 3; Mellon beat Virley 5 and 3; Duthie beat Markham 3 and 2; Wordley lost to Calver 2 down; Bearman beat Pryke 6 and 4; I Woodhead beat Coonan 5 and 4.
Newton Green Chips In For London 2012
More than 60 young and old turned up at a golf club to celebrate London 2012 in an Olympic style decathlon.
The event was held at Newton Green Golf Club as part of the national weekend to mark the year-long build up to the London Olympics.
Newton professional Tim Cooper said: “We were delighted to see so many families, golfers and none golfers taking part. The event was a bit of an experiment but it went so well we will have to consider running it annually. I was successful in bringing a lot of new faces to the sport.”
The contestants were divided into mixed ability teams and undertook 10 simple tasks involving putting and chipping. Each team produced a gold, silver and bronze medal winner, with the overall most successful competitor being Darren Aldous.
Leading results
Group 1: Jason Dixon 118, Matthew Nunn 90, Patrick Cooper 75.
Group 2: Jason Hornsby 115, Harvey Watts 101, Rob Watts 92.
Group 3: Harrison Pars 62, Nigel Pars 54, Sarah Lister 38.
Group 4: Carl Cooper 109, Ian Brown 89, Sam Cooper 59.
Group 5: Steve Jobbins 114, Imagen Buck 56, Sheila Buck 43.
Group 6: Tommy Nitsche 111, Alex Ashworth 91, Millie Ashworth 22.
Group 7: Philip Lowman 77, William Telle 57, Toby Jugger 49.
Group 8: Darreb Aldous 142, Daniel Aldous 126, Eloise Aldous 95.
Group 9: Scott Edwards 87, Tom King 82, Jenny King 9.
A team of five lining up from left to right: Nigel Pars, Sarah Lister, Harrison Pars, Katie and Rosie Lister
Competitors who took part in the golf decathlon
Ladies Dominate Newton Veterans
The ladies of Newton Green Golf Club scored a convincing victory in the annual match against the club’s Old and Bold section for a Challenge Trophy put up by the senior players. The nine hole competition saw a 39 to 24 victory for the ladies as they retained the trophy.
Golf Club Clinches Deal With Jewellers
A three year, five-figure sponsorship deal has been struck by Newton Green Golf Club with jewellers Jonathan Lambert.
The support will help a wide range of aspects at the club, including the possibility of offering golf scholarship backing for promising young players.
Announcing the arrangement, club chairman, Paddy Lockwood, commented: "Jonathan Lambert first came on board with the club in its centenary year in 2007, and has since given further support, including being main sponsor of our golf festival week each August.
"To date the arrangement with the Sudbury company has been on a rather ad hoc basis, and from both sides it was felt a more formal tie up would be beneficial.
"In addition to giving a four-figure contribution to promote the golf week, the company will help sponsor our web site, fixture cards, advertising and highly successful junior open tournament.
"The progress made by the club over the past couple of years has encouraged sponsors, plus tie ups with other local partners. Another issue we are exploring is involving a local hotel group with a view to it offering golf at Newton to its guests."
Jonathan Lambert, who is one of the country’s leading independent jewellers, said: "My involvement with Newton Green has proved very positive, with the club’s membership providing a very good fit with our customer profile."
Mr Lambert, who plays his golf at Newton, added: "I am very keen to try and help encourage any young people wishing to further their careers in golf, and we are looking into ways of doing this through scholarship support."
Newton Green Mixed Open
Players from many parts of East Anglia took part in the annual Newton Green Golf Club mixed open – and brought with them the first wet day’s golf at the course for several months.
However, despite the gradually deteriorating conditions as the day wore on, scores were good and Royal Norwich pair Chris and Liz Wallace took first place with 40 points. Second were Kelvin and Angela Short, of Bentley GC, with 39 points, ahead of Sue and Richard Sage, of Thorndon Park, with 37 points.
Other awards went to the following: Ladies, longest drive, Nicky Topley, Lords of Rayleigh; nearest pin, Christine Concoran, Birch Grove. Men, longest drive, Chris Wallace, Royal Norwich; nearest pin, Barry Rockcliffe, Ipswich.
The event also included a section for Newton players, with John and Norman Humphrey coming first with 38 points, followed by Peter and Sally Cave 37 ocb, and Lucy Hensby and Peter Wordley 37.
Ladies, longest drive, Emily Penfold; nearest pin, Odette Ford. Men, longest drive, Steve Wordley, nearest pin, Neil Fenn.
Newton captain Alan Cunningham with mixed open winners Liz and Chris Wallace.
Alan Cunningham with Newton winners Norma and John Humphrey
The Olympics Start Here
A golf club will be helping lead the way locally in Suffolk as the county joins in The London 2012 Open Weekend celebrations from July 22-24.
Newton Green Golf Club has been awarded a grant from the weekend organising committee to help showcase itself as part of a nationwide three days.
Golf is not yet part of the Olympics, but the club is attempting to show the sport might have something to offer by organising an Olympic Golf Decathlon on Saturday, July 23.
Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to winning teams attempting ten easy golf-linked tasks suitable for participation by children up to grandparents.
All age group teams will be set up on the day and participants will be able to have basic golf tuition in order to allow them to try their skills.
The whole event will be free, including tuition, but entries must be made to the club’s golf professional Tim Cooper by Thursday, July 21, on 01787-313215.
Paddy Lockwood, club chairman, commented: "The year-long Olympic party really starts with this weekend and we feel pleased to have been accepted to participate.
"People of all ages, along with our own members, are invited to join in. Because teams will be graded, it does not matter if those taking part have held a golf club before or not. The day will also enable the club to showcase what it has for any potential new members."
Newton Green's Nnewcomers Boost Performance
Newton Green Golf Club men have followed up first round success against Diss in the Suffolk Hambro Cup handicap competition with a convincing win over fancied Aldeburgh in the first round of the county Stenson Shield matchplay scratch tournament.
Having attracted a number of single handicap golfers to its ranks on the past couple of years, Newton is no longer first round fodder in county competitions.
Half the eight players in the club’s victory over Aldeburgh - last year’s beaten semi-finalists - have joined the James Braid course club in recent times, including former professional Russell Oakey, previously at Gosfield, and who once enjoyed junior golf at Newton.
Another one-handicapper, Greg Hills, who has also opted to play his county golf in Suffolk, rather than look to Essex with Stoke-by-Nayland.
Hills has just retained his club championship title at Newton, with a 36-hole score of 145, three shots less than the experienced Ian Woodhead
Two other single handicappers, Mark Duthie and Simon Bearman, have come to Newton through its recently successful open days, which were originally launched to help introduce play and pay golf under the club’s new Davey membership. The days, however, have proved a success across the recruitment board.
After Newton and Aldeburgh finished all square in the morning foursomes, Hills, Bearman, Ian and Adam Woodhead, Mark Duthie and Mike Polley all won their matches in the eight afternoon singles to put the home side out of sight of the opposition. Ian Woodhead and Oakey finished all square and Rob Sims was the only individual to taste defeat.
Newton now go to Halesworth in the next round of the Stenson on July 16, with Ben Mellon and former club captain Steve Wordley lined up to take the place of the unavailable Hills and Duthie.
The away Hambro tie at Waldringfield is on June 26, before which Oakey and Adam Woodhead will both be playing for Suffolk men’s B Team at Overton Park, Northants.
Chivalry Wins the Day in Tolly Tie Cliffhanger
A nail-biting Suffolk Tolly Cup tie which hinged on contestants from both sides playing their opponents ball on a crucial hole ended in dramatic style with Newton Green defeated in chivalrous circumstances by the narrowest of margins against visitors Woodbridge.
When Martin Smith delivered a four foot putt on the last green in the final match to halve the tie it seemed he and partner Phil Green had saved the day to allow the home club to go into a sudden death extra holes play-off.
But on an earlier hole another Newton pair and their opponents had both played the wrong ball with their second shots. They received preliminary advice that they should both accept a half and move to the next tee but, as the final match completed it’s last dramatic hole, it emerged Newton's other pair should have conceded the wrong ball hole because they had been the first to play incorrectly.
However, the sporting Woodbridge visitors urged Newton to accept a play-off as they had not expected the earlier advice to be altered and believed honour would be achieved by going into extra holes.
But Newton decided to decline the offer, believing that, despite the generosity of their visitors, they should accepted defeat by one hole under the rules of golf.
Alan Cunningham, Newton club captain, commented: “It was extraordinarily generous of Woodbridge to offer a play-off but we felt it was not for us to go against the rules of golf and we decided to take our medicine and lose. It had been an exceptionally close match played in a wonderful spirit. In the end I believe the game of golf was the winner.”
Newton’s Tolly team was: Harry Wordley, Ian Coleman, Neil Fenn, Andy Roper, Scott Edwards, Andy Smiles, Gary Twyman, Phil Green and Martin Smith.
While Newton were going down in the Tolly, the club’s first team scored an impressive eight hole victory at Diss in the opening round of the Suffolk Hambro Cup, and now visit Waldringfield in the second round.
Newton were 11 holes up after the morning rounds, winning three and halving one match. Diss won three and lost one in the afternoon, but their victory margins were insufficient to cancel out the visitor’s morning dominance.
Hambro details: Morning (Diss names first): Chris Bartrum and James Biggs all square with Adam Woodhead and Greg Hills, Jason Sewell and Andrew More two down to Mike Poley and Russell Oakey, Paul Wright and Rob Attwood five down to Mark Duthie and Simon Bearman, Darren Maskell and Doug Trudgill four down to Barry Steele and Rob Simms.
Afternoon: Sewell and Moore four up to Woodhead and Hills, Biggs and Bartram one up to Poley and Oakey, Maskell and Trudgill four down to Duthie and Bearman, Wright and Attwood two up to Steele and Sims.
The Newton Green Tolly team, left to right: Harry Wordley, Martin Smith (back), Andy Roper, Ian Coleman, Phil Green, Scott Edwards, Neil Fenn, Andy Smiles and Gary Twyman.
Newton Green's Next Open Day
Newton Green Golf Club’s recruitment initiatives are now being followed by a number of golf clubs in Suffolk.
Paddy Lockwood, club chairman, said: "Several clubs have told us they are using our ideas to help turn round falling memberships.
"The golf world as a whole is making a big effort to move the sport forward and get people into clubs, and we are pleased to be playing a role in this.
"We are holding another open day from 1 pm on Saturday, May 21. This will include a free nine holes for any interested joiner, which is one of the ideas other clubs have followed us on. We put people on the course with our members, and the visitors get a chance to play, chat and get a general idea of what the club is like."
Mr Lockwood said in the last two years, when most clubs had been struggling to retain members, Newton’s income from the source had risen by about 18%. The actual number of individuals joining had been even higher because of varying forms of membership and different levels of subscription.
In particular, the Davey pay and play membership was performing very well, and had also led many people to subsequently upgrade to full membership.
Girls Are Now Into Golf
A new Girls in Golf initiative at Newton Green has swung into action with a free introductory series of lessons on Saturday mornings.
This picture shows club professional Tim Cooper with the line-up of girls and women he has been teaching.
A series of five free weekly lessons from 10-11 am on Tuesday mornings will commence on May 3, and any women interesting in being added to the list should ring the club on 01787-377217.
Newton Green’s Exclusive Company
Newton Green Golf Club has accepted an invitation to become a member of the exclusive Association of James Braid Courses.
The Suffolk club is one of around 50 courses that the legendary Scottish professional and course designer put his hand to.
Braid, five times Open Champion in the early part of last century, was the most renowned course designer of his time.
The Association of James Braid Courses consists of clubs which offer reciprocal hospitality in the form of allowing visitors from fellow member clubs to play courses at generally discounted members’ guest rates.
As Braid operated in the formative days of golf expansion, many of his designs related to clubs setting out with their first nine holes. This was the case at Newton, where the course was laid out on the gorse-lined village green.
Eight of the original holes are still incorporated in the present 18 holes that the club operates.
Paddy Lockwood, club chairman, commented: “We are delighted to have been invited to join the association because it is another way we can give our members added value in the form of being able to bond with other clubs and enjoy their facilities at reduced rates.
“Braid was eventually made an honorary member of the Professional Golfers’ Association, which also happened to our former, legendary professional Arthur Davey, who spent 60 years with the club.”
Other association members in East Anglia include Colchester, Rushmere (Ipswich), Royal Norfolk (Norwich), The Rochford Hundred, Boyce Hill and Romford.
In addition to many others in England, there are also 16 clubs in Scotland, eight in Wales, five in Ireland and one in New York.
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Captain's Drive-In
Retiring captain Paddy Lockwood putts out to end his reign with new captain Alan Cunningham holding the flag
Alan Cunningham drives off for his new season as captain
Alan Roscoe and Les Tatum the main trophy winners in the Captain’s Drive-In Stableford with Alan Cunningham
Jonathan Lambert Festival of Golf 2011
Tuesday August 2
18-hole Delaney Scramble 9 am
Cross Country Golf 6 pm
Wednesday August 3
18-hole Stableford 9 am
Target Golf 6 pm
Thursday August 4
10-hole Kiskadee Trophy 10 am
Friday August 5
18-hole Three Clubs and Putter 9 am
Foxes and Rabbits 6 pm
Saturday August 5
Jonathan Lambert Centenary Silver Salver. All Day
Presentation Barbecue 7 pm
March 2011 Annual General Meeting presentations
Prize winners lined up after the annual meeting
Retiring captain Paddy Lockwood and Caroline Sansum (widow of former head green keeper Kelvin Sansum) present a cheque for £1,000 to Ian Norris of St Nicholas Hospice.
Here Come The Girls
Young women golfers at Newton Green are getting in the swing to back a bid to bring more female golfers into the sport.
Pictured (left to right) are Alice Barlow (handicap 19), Emily Penfold (20), who is a member of the club’s recently formed Golf Development Sub Committee, and Eloise Aldous (18).
All three are developing talents who have benefitted from the club’s emphasis on giving backing to young or new faces showing promise in the sport
The club is launching a Girls in Golf initiative which will see free group lessons in a social atmosphere for any women from 10 am on Tuesday and Saturday mornings for five weeks, starting on March 29.
Details are available from club professional Tim Cooper on 01787 313215
Newton Green Golf Club Dinner Dance 2011
Adam Lifts Prestigious Junior Honour
Newton Green teenager Adam Woodhead has been awarded the Suffolk Golf Union Junior Section Nick Reiss Memorial Trophy.
The award is made annually to the junior who is considered to have contributed most to junior golf in the county in the previous 12 months.
He received the award at Aldeburgh Golf Club from Jan Reiss-Watson, who donated the trophy in memory of her late husband.
In making the award, the county junior committee take into account not only results and performances, but also the manner in which golfers conduct themselves, both on and off the course, and how they act as a role model for other junior golfers.
Adam, who has been involved in Suffolk junior golf since the age of 10, and has represented the county at every age group, including the Suffolk men’s teams, has recently completed his final year as a junior. He has been captain of the Suffolk Under 18 boys team which won the Junior Anglian League, and is current holder with Chris Bartrum of the Suffolk Junior Foursomes title.
Adam is currently studying at a golf academy in Spain, and the county junior committee has praised him for fulfilling all the principles required of a holder of the Nick Reiss award.
Previous winners of the prestigious trophy are current professionals Lawrence Dodd, Jamie Moul, Jamie Abbott and assistant professional Warren Goddard, along with James Reiss, now at golf college in America, former junior Welsh international Rhodi Harston, and England internationals Hugo Dobson and Patrick Spraggs.
Special Needs Pupil Gets Swinging
A golf club is spreading its wings to include coaching for special needs pupils.
Under the South West Suffolk School Sports Partnership, coaching is already given to a number of main stream schools by Newton Green Golf Club professional Tim Cooper.
Now he is holding regular sessions with Hillside Special School, Sudbury, and the teenage pupils have taken an enthusiastic liking to the game.
Hillside teacher Jan Ayres said pupils had reacted very positively to learning the basic skills of golf by using soft-play equipment.
She commented: “Knowing the basics of golf entails work on developing hand/eye skills, as well as social interaction. The students have to adapt to learning how to wait their turn when attempting different disciplines, as well as how to celebrate achievements of their fellow classmates.
“They are learning the basic principles of the game and opening a new sporting world to them. We would hope some could now give the sport a try with their friends or families at pitch and put or driving range level.”
Tim Cooper, who teaches via the schools sports partnership in primary and middle schools in Lavenham, Great Cornard and Sudbury, said the link with Hillside had proved very rewarding.
Unfortunately, there was a cloud over what might happen after the end of the summer term in view of Government cuts affecting money for sports partnerships.
Lisa Eves, one of eight sports co-ordinators covering the Haverhill, Sudbury and Cornard area, said the reduction in funding was likely to see the co-ordinating team reduced by half.
It was likely primary schools would suffer most from withdrawal of coaching funds, which had been particularly useful in engaging knowledge of minority sports among young people not necessarily interested in mass participation games.
Mail on Sunday National Knockout Competition
The Ladies are through to the second round of the Mail on Sunday National Knockout Competition having beaten a very strong Stowmarket team. Playing at home, Newton Green beat Stowmarket 3 – 2.
Results (Newton Green names first).
Di Cunningham beat Liz Laflin 2 & 1
Debbie Howlett beat Emma Earp 4 & 2
Eloise Aldous beat Mary Prentice 6 & 5
Norma Humphrey lost to Bev Waspe 3 & 2
Claire Aldous lost to Joan Hunter 2 down
Junior member, Eloise Aldous, handicap 18 and playing in only her second senior club match, had an especially good win against a player with a handicap of 10.
Left to right: Norma Humphrey, Eloise Aldous, Di Cunningham, Claire Aldous, Debbie Howlett
Coronation Silver Medal
Club Junior, Alice Barlow, was recently presented with an award at the Suffolk County Ladies Golf Association AGM. Alice won the Coronation Silver Medal Trophy for the best net score played in a EWGA medal round during 2010 with a minus score of 19. This competition is open to lady players of all ages.
Photo: Alice Barlow with Coronation Silver Medal Trophy
Newton Green Is High Status
Newton Green Golf Club has received its GolfMark High Achiever award from Suffolk Golf Partnership development officer Alastair Spink (centre right) who is seen with club manager Carole List, the club’s junior co-ordinator Ian Woodhead (left) and professional Tim Cooper (far right).
The Newton trio was responsible for preparing the club’s submission for the award, which recognises its expertise in coaching, creating a good playing environment, child protection policies and duty of care within the junior ranks.
Suffolk is ahead of most of the country in getting its clubs to achieve GolfMark status, with Newton being one of nine to have been awarded high achiever grading.
The award gives the clubs priority in receiving national funding for promoting and coaching the game.
At the same time, the club was presented with a special certificate to recognise it being chosen as one of three academies in Suffolk helping stage a new initiative aimed at developing young golfers from across the county.
Newton junior Alice Barlow, 11, has already received an award at the partnership’s annual meeting when named best junior in west Suffolk at the Newton sessions.
Hole In One
Pat Hawkins of Newton Green Golf Club Ladies Section recently shot a hole in one on the 126 yard 13th hole.
Alice Comes Out Top
A promising young Newton Green girl golfer has been presented with the best junior award in a summer-long coaching course covering West Suffolk.
Alice Barlow, 11, has already made an impact in adult golf at her home club, and has now been recognised by the Suffolk Golf Partnership, which organised summer coaching at three centres in the county.
The western area sessions for junior boys and girls took place at Newton during the year, and professionals that instructed at the coaching named Alice as their most promising pupil.
In three years she has reduced her handicap from 45 to 19, and has already won one of her club’s events staged for senior ladies.
She is seen receiving her award from Greg Say, marketing manager of Ransomes Jacobsen, who helps sponsor golf in Suffolk.
High Achieving Newton Gets Swinging
A free golf family fun day is being staged by Newton Green Golf Club to celebrate it gaining recognition for its standards and facilities.
The club will receive cash to develop golf and is using part of its initial grant to help promote the sport as a family entertainment.
Club professional, Tim Cooper, explained: “We want to give families the chance to learn a new sport in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.”
The open day will staged at the club from 1 pm on Sunday, December 5, and is open to members, friends and potential new members.
Tim continued: “The day will feature free lessons, putting and chipping games, and instructions on how to carry out basic shots. Prizes will awarded to winners.”
The money to help promote the day will come from the English Golf Union and English Women’s Golf Association after they awarded Newton GolfMark accreditation at high achiever level.
Anyone wishing to participate in the day should ring Tim on 01787-313215.
Newton Green Guest Day
Forty four players took part in the annual men’s guest day at Newton Green when an after dinner charity auction raised £470 towards junior golf at the club.
The fund raiser was organised by the club’s professional Tim Cooper, who also figured in the prize list with his winning team of R Watts, L Oakey and R Oakey taking the morning competition of three best Stableford scores with 68 points.
Second were L Tatum, P Grimsey, R Tatum and A Grimsey, with 66 points.
Other winners were: Betterball Stableford, 47 Richard Fryer and Glen Sorrell, 45 P Tatum and Jez Cork. Nearest pins: 18th Peter Mills; 8th in two shots Jez Cork; 13th Willie Burns; 11th P Grimsey; 6th R Oakey.
Newton Green's Latest Membership Initiative
Newton Green Golf Club is to mark a year of recruitment with an open day aimed at consolidating its expanding membership.
It has been in the vanguard of reviving a decade-long slide in membership which has affected golf clubs across the country.
Newton now has a membership graph pointing firmly upwards, and been praised by the English Golf Union for thinking out of the box with innovative recruitment tactics and marketing.
From 1 pm on Sunday, September 19, it holds an open day for new members, the third such venture in a year.
The two previous events have added more than 40 people to its roll, and it has also recruited steadily between these special days.
Captain Paddy Lockwood explained the tactics which have put the club on an upward trend: “We have undertaken a root and branch exercise to introduce policies which not only attract players of all standards, but also ensure we carry out good practices to encourage both new and existing members to stay with us.
“There are still things we need to achieve to reach where we eventually want to be as a club, with a five-year business plan being drawn up. However, already a lot of positive things are falling into place.
“We have to operate on a professional basis, yet still retain the obvious benefit of being a members’ club, with a special friendly atmosphere that such a club can offer.
“However, being a members’ club does not necessarily enshrine the right to be called friendly because, obviously, some such clubs are friendlier than others.
“We look to treat our members as very valued customers because, in the present financial climate, that is the way to survive and progress.”
He added: “We now have a range of membership packages that appear to have all bases covered when trying to meet the needs of any person interested in participating in the sport.”
The open day will feature the chance of a free nine holes of golf for any visitor, along with introductory joining offers of £125 for three months, £255 for six months, plus a one-day, 10 per cent off pay and play Davey membership. There is also a special £120 deal for beginners incorporating lessons and experience on the course.
Five Woodsman Conquers Newton
Five wood expert David Holmes clinched the Jonathan Lambert Centenary Silver Salver at the climax of the annual Newton Green Golf Club festival week.
In an all-time high field of more than 90 competitors, Holmes shot 42 points off a handicap of 26, steering his way round the course with a five wood as his only weapon from the tees on the par fours and fives.
He received his trophy, including a replica to retain, from Jonathan Lambert when a record 140 guests attended the final night presentation barbecue at the club.
Second place went to Tim Richardson, with 41 points, and third to Richard Jiggens 40. Leading junior and fifth overall was Lewis Woodhead, with 39, while Sally Cade’s 37 gave her the best ladies score.
Paddy Lockwood, club captain, said the week had been a resounding success, despite rain impacting on some of the days.
He continued: "This was the third and most successful festival we have run, with a record turn out in events from members. There were eight competitions over five days and the event has become a key feature of the club’s year.
"For the cross country golf evening it teemed down with rain from start to finish, but everyone just turned up and had a go. It showed what a spirit there is in the club."
Newton Green Golf Club Jonathan Lambert Festival of Golf Results
Delaney Scramble. 59.9 Pat Walsh, Di Cunningham, Bob Ablitt; 60.2 Margaret Hills, Peter Wordley, Alan Cocksedge; 62.2 Jenny Wilkin, Jim Ansell, Nick Smith.
Cross Country Golf. 22 Ian Coleman, 21 Ian Woodhead, 20 Martin Smith.
Whags Stableford. 44 points Jed Seeley. Best man 42 Tim Richardson. Whag 41 Jim Carnegie. Woman 39 Jill Symonds. Junior 36 Ben Uttridge. Eclectic: 52 Alan Cunningham, Neil Jacobs, Jenny Wilkins; 51 John Sherman, Tim Richardson, Marian Glumart; 50 Mike Wright, Peter Wordley, Di Cunningham.
Target Golf. Individual 98 Ian Woodhead, 78 Simon Bearman, 60 Adam Woodhead. Teams: 196 Ian Woodhead, Peter Tonks, Mike Powels; 141 Adam Woodhead, Geoff Kistner, Ken Rodwell; 140 Ben Mellon, Phil Rice, Ian Berry.
Kiskadee Trophy. 26 points Bob Thurlbourne and Sue Lockwood, 25 Rosie Allen and Liz Ward, 24 Roger O’Brien-Hilland Emily Penfold.
Three clubs and putter. 44 points Alan Allum, 43 Emily Penfold, 40 Bernie Pratt. Leading junior, 40 Ben Uttridge. Team, 106 Mike Norton, Leighhann Wordley, David Holmes.
Tim Cooper Power Play. 1 G Smiles 29 (ocb), 2 P Tatum 29, 3 P Wordley 29, 4 I Coleman 29.
Jonathan Lambert Centenary Silver Salver. 42 David Holmes, 41 Tim Richardson, 41 Richard Jiggens (ocb). Leading junior, Lewis Woodhead 39. Leading lady, Sally Cade 37.
Jonathan Lambert presenting the trophy to David Holmes (right)
Tim Richardson, Jonathan Lambert, David Holmes, Sally Cade and Lewis Woodhead
Debbie Howlett presents the Howlett of Lavenham award to Delaney Scramble winners Pat Walsh, Bobby Ablitt and Di Cunningham
Paddy Lockwood (captain) and Tim Cooper (club professional) with cross country golf first three Ian Coleman, Ian Woodhead and Graham Smith
George Bullett (right) presenting awards at the Whags Stableford event.
Peter Webb, Alan Allum, Emily Penfold, Bernie Pratt and Roger O’Brien-Hill at the Seniors Three Clubs and Putter presentations
Golder Alice In Wonderland
Eleven-year-old girl golfer Alice Barlow has left adult lady golfers trailing in her wake after winning an important club competition.
Members of Newton Green Golf Club have been playing for the Mabel Oliver Cup for more than half a century.
The trophy was given in memory of an early lady stalwart who joined Newton in 1912 - a time when few ladies ventured onto the links. Youngsters of 11 were generally thought only to be seen and not heard, especially near a golf club.
But times have changed as young ladies strive to follow in the steps of the likes of starlet Michelle Wie, and junior players can contest adult competitions, as long as they have the necessary qualifying handicap.
Alice, a pupil at Great Cornard Middle School, has been a member of the junior section at Newton for nearly four years, and her success in the 18-hole stroke play Mabel Oliver Cup has seen her handicap reduced to 20, half what it was less than four months ago.
On the day she won the trophy off 22, she finished five strokes below her handicap with a net 66.
Her handicap is now set to plunge into the teens, having since scored 42 points (equivalent to six shots below her 20 handicap) in a club charity competition open to women, men and juniors.
Alice, who receives coaching at Newton and at Suffolk county level, said: "In February I set myself a target to get a handicap of 20 by Christmas – but Christmas seems to have come early."
Her father Mark, with a handicap of 11, and grandfather Mick (16) are both members of the club.
Although a proud granddad, Mick admits to being somewhat financially overcome by the progress of Alice.
He explained: "Until a few weeks ago I was giving Alice a pound for every par she scored. I have now had to cut it back to 50 pence, but in the interests of my pocket I think in the near future I will only be paying out on birdies."
*This is the second time that Newton’s junior academy has produced spectacular results, with Eloise Aldous, then nine and playing off 34, beating 80 other members in the club to win the Jonathan Lambert Centenary Salver two years ago. Eloise has halved her handicap since and represents Suffolk juniors.
Newton Green Captain's Day
More than 80 players took in Paddy Lockwood’s captain’s day at Newton Green Golf Club, with an individual Stableford competition for men in the morning and a nine-hole mixed competition in the afternoon. Players received hospitality from the captain on the 1st and 10th tees during the morning, and the afternoon session ended with champagne and strawberries.
Results.
18-hole Stableford. Division 1: 45 pts Kevin Levett, 41 Simon Bearman, 38 Martyn Smith. Division 2: 39 John Ford (won on count back) from John Clark, 38 Rob Cotton.
Juniors: 38 Tom King, 36 Ben Uttridge.
Longest drive, Adam Woodhead. Nearest pin in two (14th hole), Jim Whittle; nearest 6th pin, David Carse.
Mixed: 26 points Steve Wordley and Odette Ford.
Winners Of Newton Green 36-Hole Events
Newton Green Golf Club has two new champs after 36-hole events to decide the best man and woman in the club.
Greg Hills, who plays off two and recently joined Newton, won the men’s title when he edged home ahead of Ian Woodhead by one shot with a two-round score of 146.
The 24-year-old has also won the individual Gainsborough and Constable course titles at neighbouring Stoke-by-Nayland in the last year.
However, he cannot play for Newton in their Suffolk Hambro Cup campaign this year because of being “cup-tied” as a result of playing in equivalent Essex competitions recently with Stoke.
Greg plays in the Suffolk Men’s second team alongside fellow Newton single handicapper Adam Woodhead.
The Newton ladies’ championship has been won by Claire Aldous, who is now a regular Suffolk second team player, and her latest success at club level means she has pulled off a hat-trick of titles.
Newton Green Golf Club Mixed Open
Pairs from as far away as Kent took part in the Newton Green Golf Club mixed open, and there were good scores in a day punctuated by thunder and rain storms.
Dawn and Bob Thomason, of Sene Valley, Folkestone, scored 40 points, following by Lesley and Martin Allen, of Waldringfield, 39, and Lyn and Andy Williams, 39, of Elthins Hill.
Highest scorers in the section for home players were Steven and Leighann Wordley, 44, followed by Tom and Sue Lockwood, 41 and Dennis Longhorn and Norma Humphrey 38.
Pictured left to right: Pat Walsh (ladies captain), Dawn and Bob Thomason, Leighann and Steve Wordley, and club captain Paddy Lockwood.
Bookings and sponsorship boost for Golf Club
Efforts to improve the use of its club house and develop more sponsorship are being made by Newton Green Golf Club.
It has just started a promotional programme to bring more events to the club, and also brought a new recruit on board to develop sponsorship opportunities in the form of Ted Clarkson.
Paddy Lockwood, club captain, said: "Major sports clubs serving the Sudbury area, such as the football and rugby clubs, have made considerable moves forward with facilities for the public.
"We believe the golf club has an important niche role to play in this line-up because we have very well appointed, yet smaller, function rooms that can be used individually or together to cater for gatherings from 30 to up to 100 people.
"On top of this we have a very good in-house catering facility that can operate at competitive prices. We already have a very good custom base for outside bookings, but know there is a lot more potential.
"We also feel this is the same in respect of sponsorship. We have an excellent main sponsor in Jonathan Lambert, plus others, but we need someone with the time to pursue other opportunities.
"To this end, one of our members, Ted Clarkson, is taking on this responsibility. He has a wealth of experience in connection with the running of several local sporting organisations, and is also well versed in fund raising through sponsorship.
"One of the areas he will be pursing will be maximizing support from businesses associated with our existing membership. There is untapped potential there and members who feel they could come on board should make contact with us."
Newton Green’s Partnership with Atlantic Health and Spa
The Club is pleased to announce finalisation of a partnership arrangement between Newton Green Golf Club and Cavendish-based Atlantic Health and Spa at Houghton Hall.
The aim is to allow members of each club preferential terms to join and participate in various activities at the centre which is not their main place of use.
Both have complimentary attractions and the two organisations believe a successful tie up will achieve positive results on both an individual and corporate basis.
Members of the golf club will not have to pay a joining fee for the spa, and will receive special rates for mini-breaks and other special offers.
In return, Spa members will not need to pay a joining fee at Newton; will receive 10% off their first year as a Davey member; and other offers as they become available.
Atlantic Health and Spa has a fully equipped gymnasium; a pool and jucuzzi in a stunning converted 15th century barn; and a sauna and aromatherapy steam room.
The two organisations will have reciprocal facilities for advertising their services at each partner’s site.
Further details on the spa are available on 01787-279009 or www.atlantichealthandspa.co.uk
Home on the rainge at Newton
Golfers at Newton Green are now able to take cover from the elements thanks to an offer by a sponsor to provide a new facility.
Howlett of Lavenham, who already support the club's professional Tim Cooper, has provided a Dry Rainge on the practice area at the 18-hold heath and parkland course.
The three-bay facility is open to all members, and the club professional will particularly be able to develop his winter coaching activities as a result of the move.
It will also assist him in teaching newcomers to the sport which the club is hoping to achieve when it launches a new beginners’ membership scheme within the next month, which will include lessons, experience on the course and vouchers to sample the club’s catering.
Paddy Lockwood, club captain, commented: “This important improvement provided by Howlett of Lavenham is a further step forward in our bid to upgrade what the club has to offer.
“A club must give customer satisfaction these days if it is to stay in business in a very competitive period. We feel we are on the right lines because our levels of subscription renewals are showing a very positive trend.”
Left to right: Simon Howlett (Dry Rainge sponsor), Tim Cooper (professional), Pat Walsh (ladies’ captain) and Paddy Lockwood (club captain)
Professional Tim Cooper (centre) and his assistants Adam Woodhead (left) and Ben Mellon (right).
New Beginners' Package at Newton
A FREE open day at Newton Green Golf Club will feature a new deal for people wanting to take up the sport.
The club is introducing a beginners' package which will give them the summer to make up their minds about the game before permanent commitment.
They will receive lessons and be given the chance to play on the course, as well as receive vouchers to experience the club’s renowned, value for money catering.
The package will be available for £120 and can be booked now or at a special open day from 1 pm on Sunday, May 9.
For the more experienced who want to join up, the club will be suspending its £100 joining fee and introducing part-year subscriptions – the latter coming into force two months earlier than normal, and enable newcomers to save £180 on the full, annual subscription.
Additionally, the club will use the day to promote its Davey Membership, which came into force 12 months ago and has enabled players with only limited time available to enjoy the game and become a member.
This value-for-money, pay-and-play membership available from £220 has been so successful that 25 per cent of those that joined have enjoyed the experience so much they have switched to full membership.
The open day will enable people to play the back nine at Newton for free, an experiment introduced for a similar event staged in September, which saw the largest ever influx of new members to the club.
Club chairman Paddy Lockwood, who is also captain for this year, commented: "We want to expand the membership still further and are continually looking for ways to make the package the club offers more attractive."
Ben's Four Round Feat
A young golfer is expected to have raised more than £1,000 for Sport Relief as a result of a 16-mile, non-stop, four-round marathon.
The Golfathon was carried out by ten-year-old Ben Uttridge at Newton Green, where he is a member of the junior section.
Ben, who lives at nearby Assington, has a handicap of 25, and was in inspirational form for the endurance test, completing the feat in well under eight hours.
His grandfather, Ian Berry, also a member of the club, who helped steward the day, said: "Everything went perfectly and none of the generally very serious Sunday morning golfers that had to make way for Ben took exception at all. They went out of their way to waive him through, and many applauded and gave him money.
"We had expected Ben to take up to 10 hours, but he was much quicker. For the first two rounds he was playing to a handicap of around 18. He walked all the time, and did not resort to using a buggy. It makes you wonder whether we might not all be better off in just going up to the ball and hitting it, rather than making a lot of elaborate practice swings. By the end of the day more than £840 had been contributed and a considerable number of other pledges still have to be collected, which should see the amount raised go well into four figures."
Captain's Drive In
The new season at Newton Green got under way with Captain Paddy Lockwood driving off in front of close to a hundred members and friends. Good fortune was on his side as the ball sailed straight down the fairway. 77 competitors then took advantage of the fine sunny though frosty morning to take part in a Singles Stableford competition. Duly refreshed during the round the players made light of the cold wind returning some good scores. The nearest the pin on the 6th was won by Phil Green, Longest drive (10th) by James Everett. The second division was won by Ian Brown with 41pts and the first division by Steve Arnold with 39 pts. Paddy commented, "Hitting that tee shot has to be among the hardest shots in golf." He added, "The weather was really kind and has contributed to an excellent start to the season and we look forward to continuing to progress as a club after the excellent year that has just ended spearheaded by outgoing captain Steve Wordley."
Captain Paddy Lockwood drives off
Division 2 winner Ian Brown is congratulated by Captain Paddy Lockwood, with Tim Cooper, Club Professional
Division 1 winner Steve Arnold receiving his prize
Paddy power endorsed at annual meeting and prizegiving
The club elected Paddy Lockwood, who has been fulfilling the role of chairman, as the new club captain at the annual meeting and prize giving.
The meeting also endorsed Alan Cunningham as club vice captain.
A well attended meeting endorsed a committee proposal allowing five and seven day members to transfer to Davey membership, subject to a limit of ten transfers per year. The meeting heard the pay-and-play Davey category had been a success and was now an integral part of the membership range offered by the club.
Finding if Newton is up to par
A golf club is sending out 500 circulars to its members to make sure it is up to par.
The survey being carried out by Newton Green Golf Club is part of its marketing strategy to find out what its members think of the club and the way they want it to move forward.
Chairman Paddy Lockwood explained: “The club has never previously carried out such a detailed exercise and hopes a large number of members will respond to ensure the club continues to carry out policies they feel are to their benefit.
“Members of golf clubs are a very diverse bunch, divided across the sexes and a wide range of backgrounds. The secret of a good club is to make sure this wide selection of people feel they have a common cause and positive feeling for the club.
“In the competitive world in which we live, with a potential over supply of facilities during a recession, it is essential to bring in new people to the sport, as well as retain those already involved.
“Inclusiveness and value for money has to be the watchword. It is important to get feedback from the grassroots of the club in order to establish the policies being carried out provide the basis for success.”
Mr Lockwood said every aspect of the club’s performance was being analysed in the questionnaire, ranging from the condition of the course to club house facilities, and from the effectiveness of staff to the efficiency of its communications with the membership.
In the last year the club has introduced a new Davey membership to encourage more people into the sport at lower cost to them, and will shortly be launching a starter membership for those interested in taking up the game.
Newton has recently been praised by the English Golf Union for its innovative approach to promoting the sport.
Newton Green Golf Club Annual Dinner January 2010
Adam Woodhead finishes eigth in rainy Spain
Newton Green’s Adam Woodhead finished 8th in a rain affected Andalucian Boys’ Open final held at Finca Cortesin – home of the Volvo World Match Play Final.
The Suffolk player had been looking for a top three place after finishing 8th and then fifth in the previous two years, but a few reckless drives in the first three of the five rounds scheduled over different courses spoiled his chances.
Additionally, his opening round was disrupted when his father, Ian, who was caddying, lost his footing on the steps of eighth tee and finished up in hospital being treated for a fractured wrist.
In a strong field of 24 boys who had qualified from throughout the United Kingdom, Adam was seventh after the first round and held the position on the second day, but the third day was washed out. On the fourth day he slipped to 11th, but still qualified for the final round at Finca, where fine blue skies were finally seen and the Suffolk player recorded a seven over par which was good enough to promote his to eighth.
Newton hosts West Suffolk young golfer initiative
A NEW initiative aimed at uncovering young golf talent in west Suffolk is to be based at Newton Green Golf Club.
Three professionals and a leading amateur will run the nationally funded, part-time scheme from Newton’s golf academy.
Home professional Tim Cooper has been named as lead coach for the initiative run under the auspices of the West Suffolk Golf Partnership.
Bungay and Suffolk Water Park, near Ipswich, will be the other bases for the scheme elsewhere in the county.
Tim Cooper will be assisted by Haverhill assistant Ollie Rush and Suffolk Water Park based professional Shane Warren, along with Newton single figure handicapper Ian Woodhead, who takes a leading role in Suffolk junior golf and holds a Professional Golfers’ Association level one coaching qualification.
The initiative will open with a talent spotting day for youngsters that have already started the game or are about to take it up. This will be held at Newton on Monday, February 15. Details are available by contacting 01787-313215 or 07771-324752.
Thirty juniors, including those based in Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, will be accepted for the monthly course stretching over six months. Three Newton youngsters, Ben Uttridge, Alice Barlow and Eloise Aldous, have already been pre-selected.
The coaching programme has been drawn up by Ian Woodhead as part of a new national strategy to encourage youngsters to join golf clubs and enhance their skills. Youngsters who shine will move on to the county under 15s squad, which will be managed by Ian from February.
Jamie's success follows Davey membership
A golfer who decided to join a club because of a new category of membership has finished up with two major trophies – one lifted with his dad as a partner.
Jamie Devereux had only played a few local courses with friends before he decided to take advantage of Newton Green Golf Club’s new Davey Membership earlier this year.
The scheme allows people to join for less than a third of the usual fee and has been named after the club’s former professional Arthur Davey, whose 60 years with one club is believed to be a Professional Golfers’ Association record.
Jamie was given a 22 handicap when he joined up, which has since tumbled to 17, and he has enjoyed his golf so much he has become a full member at Newton.
During the summer he knocked out four opponents in the President’s Tankard singles competition, before beating former captain John Scanlon in the final.
With his father Jimmy Devereux, a successful member of the senior and old and bold sections, who plays off 15, Jamie has now also won the summer pairs competition to take the Crosbie Shield.
Paddy Lockwood, club chairman, commented: “Jamie’s success is a real bonus for our Davey initiative because it has shown there are people out there who can get a lot out of the sport, if they are encouraged to join up as a result of realistic pricing. The scheme has uncovered many new members for us, and more than a quarter have already gone on to upgrade to full membership.”