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The 137th Open Championship
Royal Birkdale
16th-20th July 2008
This year’s Open Championship took place on the Fylde Coast in the North West of
England at Royal Birkdale. Once again the Golf Club Steward’s Association were represented on
course in a fine marquee led by Open Championship Committee Chairman Eric Greig and his sidekick Les
James. Assisted by Stewards and Associates from the Midlands, National Chairman Ken Turney welcomed
100 keen guests to the annual Champagne Reception held on Wednesday 16th July.
A fine buffet lunch was prepared by Ken and his wife Pam and the Champagne, provided by Bollinger,
was flowing freely as officials from the R&A and our sponsors, Envision Media, Diagio, Imperial
Tobacco and Famous Grouse, mingled with us mere mortals from golf clubs across the country.
Ken said that he was proud to be National Chairman in his “local” area and he thanked
everyone for attending and making his day so enjoyable. He also took time to thank all the Stewards
who were there to help, giving up their time to make it so special.
Thanks to Envision Media we were able to broadcast the Open on four 50” screens in the marquee.
This provided a great atmosphere, especially when the weather turned bad. The guys from Diagio were
also on site to help pour the never-ending supply of Guinness – well it wasn’t quite never
ending as supplies were short on Friday afternoon!
It was good to see so many old friends who once again took the time to visit the marquee and who also
purchased raffle tickets for the ever popular gallon of whisky draw! Thanks must go to Geoff Wareham
who was magnificent in selling all the tickets. Thanks Geoff!!
Thanks also to the helpers…Roger Parker, Angelo Rodrigues, Andy Shaw, Boyd Weaver, Bernard Durnin
and Neil.
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NATIONAL STEWARDS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2008
The Annual general meeting of the National Stewards Association took place at Olton Golf Club in Solihull
on Monday 3rd March 2008 and was attended by members and guests from each of the regions.
Joanna Straten the outgoing National Chairman opened the well attended meeting thanking everyone for
their valued support throughout her year in office.
The meeting proceeded to the election of Officers for the forthcoming year and Joanna handed over the
Chairmans Chain of Office to Ken Turney
After the meeting Olton Golf Club provide a fine meal to compliment the fine hospitality throughout
the day. We were all treated to a famous Olton tradition of a Joint of Lamb carved at each table.
Click
here for more photos
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TARTS v BLOKES at Whiteleaf - Spring 2007
National Chairman Joanna Straten , Southern Chairman Sarah Mason and Yvonne Aldridge on a day
out at Whiteleaf recently . The day was arranged by the Steward Jeff Aldrige, 6 of the Southern Section
had a great day out with fine food and booze we played tarts v blokes and the tarts won by 1 point
Picture courtesy Glen Mason
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We have started the year very well with 7 new members in the last month.
We Welcome: Mrs. Jones-Davies of Abergele Golf Club, Mr. & Mrs. Aldridge of Whiteleaf Golf Club,
Mr. Coates of Presbury Golf Club, Mr. De Bruijn of Chistlehurst Golf Club, Mr. Slavin of Trentham Golf
Club and Mr. Tucker of Brocton Hall Golf Club. to the Association and hope that they gain in friendship,
fellowship and if necessary advice and help.
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New National Chairman 2007
Joanna Straten has been elected National Chairman for the coming year. Ken Turney is the new National
Vice Chairman.
Joanna Straten - National Chairman 2007
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OPEN SUCCESS – For Todd and the Stewards Association
So if you had a £10 bet on Todd Hamilton before the start of the 133rd Open Championship you
would have picked up a cool £5000 at most bookies. Todd & big Ernie gave us one of the best
finishes for years. The atmosphere at Troon all week was brilliant and gave us some great memories,
the fantastic support for local boy Monty, Ernie’s Hole in One at “The Postage Stamp”,
Gary Evan’s Albatross early on the first day, Tom Weiskof taking eight on the first hole, Tiger
failing in another major (is he just resting?) and most of all the fantastic chips and putts on the
last day.
The atmosphere in the Stewards Marquee was buzzing from the early week practice days through the end
of the Championship popular as ever and full up every day with some of the regular faces of championships
past and the same hardworking Stewards behind the bar. Even Manchester United’s Fergie popped
in this year.
Wednesday was National Chairman George Johnstone’s Champagne lunch with Champagne provided
to the guests by the girls from Bollinger and the superb food prepared as usual by Ken Turney, the Midlands
Chairman. As in the past years the Stewards Marquee had been organised and marshalled by Eric Greig
and his faithful team, Steve Brothwell, Ken Brothwell Walter & Sheila Wilson and daughter Carol,
Les James, Roger Parker and David Lithgoe sorry to any others that I haven’t mentioned like Eric’s
sister and Jeff from Ryston Park who does such a brilliant job on selling the raffle tickets. All the
hard work goes towards building up funds for the Association – Another great event lads and lasses
you should be proud of yourselves.
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Ken Goes To Denton
Midlands Chairman Ken Turney has moved from Aldwickbury Golf Club to Denton Golf Club and will be
organising the group of new members we have up in the Wirral area.
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Ken's 40 points wins first National Event of the Season
The first 'National' event of the year, The Brakes' Spring Meeting was held at Burnham & Berrow
Golf Club on Monday 19th April when 57 members and guest arrived to play this excellent championship
links course alongside the Bristol Channel at Burnham on Sea. This was a particularly pleasing turn
out as the weather forecasters had predicted in the days before rain, hail and high winds. In fact the
weather was warm with some sun. The predicted heavy clouds were in attendance but in the main blew over
the course before depositing the rain on the nearby Mendip Hills.
Most of the regions were represented with two Members travelling down from Gateshead. Several members
took the long journey down the A1, M25, M4 to the M5 from East Anglia while others had a less complicated
trips along the M4 or M5 corridors. It was also good to see so many of the members of the local section
in attendance.
The main honours however went to Ken Turney from the Midland Region with 40 points closely followed
by Colin England, with 39 points from the Southern Section. Local knowledge apparently didn't play an
important part.
Our thanks are due to Mr Paul Ware, the Secretary of the Club and to Mr. David Harris, the Club Captain
for the hospitality and courtesy we received. This was greatly appreciated.
Our thanks are also due to Mr. Richard Hill, from Brakes who has consistently offered us over the years
his support and backing for this our first competition of the Season. Again we are very grateful to
him and recognise the importance of the continued interest and assistance we receive from his Company.
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Stewards Census- 2003
To view PDFs, you will need Acrobat Reader. Click here to download from the Adobe
website.
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2003 What a Great Open for the Stewards
So poor old Thomas Bjorn got stuck in that bunker on the 16th and lost out to the Rookie from the
USA. Ben Curtis didn’t figure in the Stewards marquee discussions about who was going to win
and “who have you got your money on?”
Mind you poor old Eric, Steve, Walter, Sheila, David and Les could have done with some more help from
some of the other association members during what was one of the busiest Open’s for years.
On the Friday there were 44000 people on the course and at times it seemed as though they were in
our tent. Eric and the others were in Eric’s tent behind the Marquee, which seemed like a good
idea until the deliveries started to come in to various other tents at 4 in the morning.
Thanks to the guys who did turn out to help and a big thank you to the BIGGA boy’s who had to
help behind the bar and Geoff From Ryston Park who sold an amazing £500 worth of raffle tickets
every day Volunteers for next year at Royal Troon will be welcome on what is a great help to the funds
of the association.
Well done and thanks to the Stewards Open Committee for another great year.
Click on to the official Open web site for more details www.opengolf.com
> See You at Next Years Open at Royal Troon July 2004
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National AGM at Olton - Key Points from meeting
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Outgoing Chairman Eric Greig was praised from the floor by the members in attendance for the progress
that has been made on the three key issues for the Asssociation during 2002, Improving membership and
raising profile of the association through the web site, the production and distribution of an association
promotional leaflet to encourage members and the organisation with the Stewards Open committee of the
Open Golf Stewards marquee at Muirfield. A great year Well Done Eric.
Walter Wilson was welcomed by all as the incoming National Chairman and invited members from all regions
to any of the forthcoming North East Region meeting assuring everyone of a very warm and friendly welcome
to any Stewards and their guests.
John Shepherd from Cabanna Drinks and Ed Bussey of Gifana Reproduction Furniture were made Vice Presidents.
Trevor Reed was appointed and accepted the challenging role of National Handicap Secretary
Peter Payne the National Secretary reported 12 new members from the recent leaflet promotion that is
still ongoing and three from the web site.
Peter also requested that a survey form on terms and conditions of Stewards that he had sent out had
provided a disappointing return with only 28 out of 200 plus returned.Peter requested that all members
take the survey seriously as it can help in future issues over pay, terms and conditions for the Stewards.
A happy bunch
Great crowd with old and new members
Honorary Solictor Jonathon Eales discussing legal matters with
East Anglian Ken or are they talking cricket!?
The new Chairmans table
Competition
Antonio Rodrigues of Little Aston won the Stewards Stableford competion with 36 points Eric Greig was
presented with the order of merit, Mrs. S. Wilson won the ladies prize and Ian Duncan won the prize
for the guests.
The roast Lamb joint provided for each table by the Olton Club was an ideal way to finsih a super day,
a day that didnt see a drop of rain all day. Various tables took wine with each other we all welcomed
a new member Barbara and generally had a bloomin good time.
Winners at Olton
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National Chairmans Day at Ryston Park
What an exciting finish to a brilliant National Chairman's Day at the beautiful Ryston Park course
at Downham Market. Three pairs finished on 42 points but the winners on count back were the father
and son team from Rookery Park. That proved a great birthday present for young James. Sadly James is
still not old enough to take away one of the bottles of Famous Grouse so generously supplied by our
main sponsors.
Thanks to Greene King for providing the beer, Haverhill Cash & Carry for the Chocolate and T&W
Wines of Thetford for supplying the wine.
Coronation Cup (4BBB) |
1st |
John & James Rushworth |
42 |
25 back nine |
2nd |
Gill Johnson & George Lake |
42 |
22 back nine |
3rd |
Eric Grieg & Steve Tite |
42 |
21 back nine |
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Stewards Individual Jubilee Cup |
1st |
J. Rushworth |
37 |
2nd |
R. Berry |
35 |
19 back nine |
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Stewards- EAGCSA - Harp Trophy |
1st |
J. Rushworth |
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Nearest the pin |
4/13 |
B.Scarborough |
7/16 |
Marilyn Parmentier |
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Nearest to the FAMOUS GROUSE Line |
J. Rice |
Putting Competition |
Ray Spencer 17 Putts |
Pitch & Putt |
Phil Brown 29 |
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National Meeting at Mendip Hills
Main Prize Winners with the National Chairman
and the Captain of Mendip Golf Club |
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Winner of the Guest Prize |
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