Newcastle & District Golf League

Fixtures - 2014

Date

Day

Venue

Golf Club

Result

Score

Points

BLYTH 2 v CITY  10

Vice Captain Bob, and myself were greeted by Captain Tom and Vice Captain Kevin.   We would like to thank the Greenstaff from Blyth, who did a fantastic job to get the course in a playable condition.

The player's wearing the new team jumpers and Tee shirts looked immaculate. On a cold and dim night Mark McCarthy hit the first ball of the season.

A good following from the City witnessed some superb golf. The only game that went to the 18th was Simon, who was up against a former Backworth player Steve Anderton. Simon taking the lead on the 17th hole. Playing the last hole with light rapidly fading,both players had good Tee shots. The long par 5 could not be reached in two. Simon and Steve playing their third shots were about 25 foot from the flag. Simon's put was about four foot short. Steve had A birdie chance to win the hole,but fell short. Simon then proceeded to hole his put. Excellent wins for Alex, Simon, Neil, Jonny,and Steve. Thanks also for the two reserves, Gary Owen and Andy Elliott.

Next game home against Backworth 8th May. Past Captain Dave

City 12 v  0 Backworth

Arcot 9 City 3 On a calm and warm summer's night, Vice Capt Bob and myself were greeted by Capt Bob and Vice Capt Peter.

The City team after two games were table toppers. Jonny Todd continued his winning ways, and Simon halving his match on the 18th. First recorded defeats for Alex,Jack, Neil, and Steve.

Having collected 3 points, I'm sure the lads will gather their thoughts for the next game.

The Arcot Capt complimented on the City support, and wished they could generate a similar group.

Once again well done lads. Next match away to Ponteland 22nd May. Past Capt Dave. 15/05/14.

City v Newcastle United

29th May  Thursday Home Newcastle United

On a chilly night we achieved a very good win against a strong Newcastle United team. Excellent wins for Jack, Jonny and Steve and a half for Si.

Next match away to Ponteland.
Past Captain, Bill

Ponteland v City 

A great result at Ponteland. Good wins for Alex, Jack, Neil, Si and Steve. Ponteland Captain commented on the support from the City.

Next match away to Morpeth.
Past Captain, BillCity

Morpeth v City

CA difficult away fixture, Morpeth have had a good start to the season. A good win for Steve and hard fought halves for Neil And Si who both came from being down to half their matches on 18th. Neil finished with 3 birdies!

Next match at home to Gosforth.
Past Captain, Bill.

City 10 v Gosforth 2

We welcomed Capt Paul, and Vice Capt Tom our friendly neighbour's from Gosforth.

A good result for the City Boys. Our points total after 7 games is 56. Excellent performances from Alex 6/4, Neil 2up, Mark 3/2, Jonny 6/5, Simon 3/2. Jack lost his match 2 down to Nigel Snowdon who chipped in for a birdie three on the 16th, and also birdied the 18th.

Shot of the night belonged to Jonny Todd who was 6 inches short of a hole in one on the 6th.

Next game away to Whitley Bay on Thursday 19th June. Past Capt Dave 13/06/14.

Whitley Bay  8 v City 4

On a pleasant warm summer's evening,Vice Capt Bob and I were welcomed by Capt Phil and Vice Captain Duncan.

The Bay course looked stunning. After 8 holes we were down in all 6 matches. 4 matches going to the 18th hole. Mark McCarthy birdied the last to seal victory,Neil and Jonny's matches all square.

Alex going down 2/1, Simon losing 4/2, and Steve lost by one hole.

Next game home to Westerhope Thursday 26th. June.

Past Captain Dave v City

City of Newcastle 9 Westerhope 3.

On a pleasant benign night, we welcomed Capt Rob and Vice Capt Ian.Alex and Jack were not available for tonight's match.

A quick phone call to Zak Laws to play number 6. Neil playing number 1 found himself 2 down with 3 to play. A nervous 3 footer on the last earned a well deserved point.

Jonny again 2 down with 3 to play, birdied the last hole for victory. Zak had a great victory 4/2 standing in at the last minute, well done Zak.

Excellent performances from Mark and Steve. Simon losing his match 4/3. Congratulations to Alex Dixon in qualifying at Northumberland in the British Open.

Good luck in the next round.

Next game away to Tyneside on Tuesday 1st July.

Past Capt Dave. 27/06 /14

Tyneside 6 v City  6

A perfect summers night with the team scoring a very good 6 points against a strong in form Tyneside team at what is a difficult course for visiting teams.

Excellent wins for Neil and Simon with Jack and Gary halving their matches.

Jonny and Steve lost their matches but overall, a good performance.

Next game at home to Tynemouth on Next Thursday, 10th July.
Bill Gibson, Past Captain.

City v Tynemouth

City men turn the tide on Tynemouth On a night when the weather men predicted a dull and wet afternoon and were proven wrong, it was up to the City men to provide a more reliable result to a promising forecast from the team and supporters.

They didn’t disappoint the “collection of past captains” and supporters which not only inspired the team but hugely impressed the visiting Captain Noel and his Vice Captain Dave.

Each of our men teed off confidently, with one or two exceptions and in no time were turning in good performances. As we continued to bask in the sun on what was proving to be an almost breathless evening Jack, Jonny, Steve and Neil blew away the opposition securing 8 points.

Unfortunately a confident Paul Oliver was creating his own depression over Mark turning in a good performance to beat him on 14 but in his own positive way Mark will overturn this brief lapse of form and soon return to winning ways.

Alex was blowing up a storm with Tynemouth’s number 1 and eventually won 15, to go two up 16 was a little more like the unpredictable weather forecasters with both men hitting massive tee shots and then both hit poor approach shots missing the green. Stew Fell pitched on and missed the return put and after playing a brilliant bunker shot Alex held his nerve to sink the put for a 3 and 2 victory, well deserved.

By this time sweaters we being sought as the temperature was dropping rapidly as Ben Luckley was upping the temperature on Neil, who had been 5 up at one point and was clawing back holes to reduce the deficit to 3 down at 15. Was Neil about to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and see his lead disappear into the mist? No chance, in true gladiatorial Neil brushed away the late surge from his worthy opponent on 16 to win 4 and 2 With Steve winning 5/4 Jack 7/6 Jonny 5/4 it was a convincing 10/2 victory and very much consistent with our own forecast.

Rather like the premier league this season, the Newcastle & District League is wide open with not one team dominating. The next couple of weeks are going to be a huge challenge to all of the top four clubs, not least our own. We wish them luck and pledge our continued support for them

Jim Screen Acting Vice Captain

Northumberland v City

No walk in the Park for City men.  The City men approached this match without a full team but with a determination to do well and although we had an encouraging start, it turned out we were not at the Races.

Dave Ridley in his debut appearance was holding on to an all square result after 6 with City favourite Jordan Cook who was playing no 6 for Northumberland but square changed rapidly to pear shaped as Jordan took a commanding lead and closed the match on 15.

Jonny Todd, City’s top scorer put on a brave performance to go neck and neck with Graeme Forrest but carrying the extra weight of a virus proved too much and Jonny tired in the final straight to go down 2and1 Neil, according to Cindy, was not on his best form and suggested if he had been a Mare rather than the Stallion he is, it would have been a menopausal display!!  Good to have the honest support of your Partner as a caddie! Neil could do little to hold on to firm favourite Paul Caldicot and lost 5and 4 Gary was out of the traps like a thoroughbred but tired in the heat of a scorching night to go down 3and 2 to Andrew Gibson, a frustrating finish for him after a promising start.

Steve Slater has shed a few pounds and his meagre frame allowed him to gallop through on the rails against a confident opponent who could not contain the City man who proved to be our first man past the post to win 4and 3.

Jack was riding in poll position against the County Captain Andrew Minikin and a formidable opponent on his own turf, but Jack was able to match him in every department and out flank the Northumberland number one Jack cantered along two up until 15 where he was made to sink a gimme of a put to end the match and provide another two valuable points. Unusually not one match went beyond 16 and it was a disappointing if not predictable result for a team who were very much depleted against a home team coming through the field strongly in the final furlong.

Ravensworth have built up a commanding lead of 10 points which might prove too much of an uphill struggle for us, but we are certainly not short of determination fighting spirit and support and will go down the final straight in second place hoping to overtake at the winning post. Well done team City

City 10 Newbiggin 2

City men blew the title race wide open with a comprehensive win as the clouds rolled in on what had been a baking hot day. Although the temperature dropped rapidly over the course, the “Seasiders” were soon feeling the heat as Alex Dixon and a fully fit Jonny Todd along with Steve Slater were sailing into convincing leads.

Gary and Neil were slightly adrift early on but soon tacked brilliantly to all square Unfortunately the tide was turning against Mark as Mick Woodhouse could do little wrong, despite Marks best endeavours and was soon out of site, leaving Mark stranded with a 4/3 defeat. Alex Jonny and Steve were on the crest of a wave and were soon to be on the bags of their team mates kicking sand in the faces of their opposition with Alex winning 6/4 Jonny 5/4 and a massive 7/6, for Steve Slater, the win was massive not Steve!!

Gary Owen won 7th to reduce the margin to 1 down and was soon confidently putting the pressure on his opponent Paul Liddle When Paul drove into the trees on 16, 2 down, with Gary’s ball in the middle of the fairway he was scuppered conceding the match, with a 3/2 win for Gary. Neil Elborn, adrift from his beloved partner Cindy, was once again wrestling defeat from the jaws of victory as he drove off first on 17, 2 up, carving his drive towards the second green and unable to see the wood, or the green for the trees. His sea side links opponent Nick Dent, who hardly knew what a tree was before the match, was waiting patiently with his ball situated perfectly in the centre of the fairway and after Neil tried to weave his way through the trees, he conceded and the two of them nervously stood on the 18th T, both with drivers in hand.

Clearly Nick had to win 18 to get a point and proceeded to crack his drive against the trees over the burn and miraculously back into play in the rough at the side of the burn. Neil probably considered steering his ball safely down the middle with an iron, for a few seconds as he was swinging his driver, but by the time he had struck the ball it was too late.

His drive sailed down the same cracking route and with both balls virtually unplayable, it was Neil who had to make the first move and decided to take a drop and then put his ball pin high to the fringe of the green. Nick however, decided against a drop and instead of taking a “weadge sideways” in the opinion of Captain Nick Marshall, his attempt to gain distance down the fairway cost him a dropped shot and with Neil in pole position for 3, Nick was left floundering and out of his depth, sinking to defeat 1 down and a relief for us all. So many possibilities exist as we take on the League leaders Ravensworth on their home turf next week, and with the third and 4th places 3 and 7 points behind us have an opportunity to get closer with their respective challenges for the league title. Every captain we have engaged with this season has remarked on the outstanding level of support we provide for the team the Captain and if ever it was needed more, this is the moment.

Please continue to give support for the team and Vice Captain Bob who is doing a magnificent Captains job in steering the team this close to a league title and potentially a first ever win for the City with a Vice Captain at the helm and with Dave Fletcher and Bill Gibson by his side. With all of the team members hopefully available for selection, there will be disappointments for some, who we trust will get behind the team, regardless of that disappointment, as will the supporters who we hope will inspire a good result at Ravensworth and provide the springboard to go on and win the title.

It’s in our hands and with Vice Captain Bob and a talented team it’s in safe hands

Good Luck Jim Screen Acting Vice Captain

Ravensworth v City

City Men Reload at Ravensworth 5/7 For the last away match of the season to the league leaders, it was a classic case of referring to the expression “if you could keep your head, and your balls, when all around you are losing theirs!” Alex, lead the team off and immediately departed from the expression, and his ball when both his drive and provisional faded into the vegetable patch of the nearest garden out of bound, he wandered head down from the first T to the second without a ball in play. He fought admirably to reduce the deficit throughout the match with some brilliant golf but gave up the fight on 16, 3and 2. Jack was keeping his head but he too was having problems keeping the same ball throughout the match on a very inhospitable course for the visitor and he too could go no further than 16. Neil however was in no mood to sacrifice his 2 points and after being 2 down early in the match he fought back valiantly closing his match on 17, 2/1. Jonny’s head was focussing on more pressing matters as “he’s getting married in the morning” so although he was also desperate to hold on to his balls and his 2 points, the 16th was also as far as he would go on the night. So we had clawed back two points and it was depressingly like it might be the only two points we would get Steve was battling away with and soon had his opponent Mark Ibbetson by the… time he reached the 12th as he ground out two more valuable points, changing the mood of the prolific band of home and away supporters on 15 with a 4/3 win. All our hopes were now focussed on Mark, going nervously on to the 18th T one up. Mark had given a display of golf full of skill grit and determination up to this point in order to retain his 2 points and sent his drive beaming up towards the reachable 18th green. When his opponent failed to reach half way with his drive, it was the home supporters turn to witness a rare smile on Vice-Captain Bob’s face. Marks opponent, Louis Frazer pitched his ball into the heart of the green and as we approached the green we found Mark had almost driven the green and was in the greenside trap. Surrounded by a sea of moving and murmuring home and away supporters Mark confidently, or as it turned out, over confidently, chose to put his ball on the pin, rather than the heart of the green, and his ball caught the face of the bunker and spiralled over his body back on to the fairway. The half he needed to retain both points was cruelly snatched away from him when he failed to make par, as had Louis and the match was halved. So we take heart taking 5 valuable points from the league leaders on home turf and allowing only two points to be added to the deficit between us. We go into the final game needing 5 more points than they can scramble away to a feisty Blyth team as we face Prudhoe on our home turf with the biggest band of supporters in the League confidently behind Vice-Captain Bob and the team. If you are not there to support them on Thursday night you could miss a great night in the history of this great Golf Club, so be there if you can. Jim Screen Acting Vice-Captain

City v Prudhoe

Victory against Prudhoe 8/4 secures Runners up spot for City Men. So near, but a valiant win in the last match securing 8 points was not enough to topple a Ravensworth team, 4 points ahead on the night, who also secured 8 points. Individual performances on the night are irrelevant, what is important to say is that in every match throughout the season each member of the team has contributed to this “runners up” position and in the process, honoured both Club and Vice Captain Bob. The support for the team has been magnificent all season and members of the team have already expressed their thanks to those supporters who were present on the night and wish to extend their thanks and those of Vice Captain Bob, to all who have provided that support. Vice Captain Bob has done a brilliant job in steering the team to this position and along with the Team and his Acting vice Captains, is to be congratulated. I remember reading something along the lines that

“Defeat is an education, the first step to something better and not a source of discouragement, but rather a fresh stimulus."

I have no doubt that asCaptain, with Vice Captain Simon at his side, they will be determined to achieve that “something better” next season so watch this space Acting Vice Captain Jim Screen