Fixtures 2020

VICTORIA GOLF SOCIETY FIXTURES 2020 COVID 19 - we have had to amend our fixture list in light of restrictions imposed due to the Corona virus outbreak.  At the time of writing, courses are open for members but not for Society Golf.
FRIDAY 13TH MARCH	FORMBY LADIES GOLF CLUB	https://www.formbyladiesgolfclub.co.uk/
FRIDAY 17TH APRIL	WEST LANCASHIRE GOLF CLUB	CANCELLED due to COVID 19
FRIDAY 15TH MAY	HESKETH GOLF CLUB	CANCELLED due to COVID 19
MONDAY 8TH JUNE	WARRINGTON GOLF CLUB	CANCELLED due to COVID 19 Booked for 2021.
FRIDAY 3RD JULY	BROMBOROUGH GOLF CLUB	CANCELLED due to COVID 19 Booked for 2021.
FRIDAY 7TH AUGUST	FORMBY LADIES Society Day	A Society Day was organised at Formby Ladies GC and was enjoyed by about 30 members.
FRIDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER	ORMSKIRK GOLF CLUB	The Society enjoyed a lovely afternoon at Ormskirk GC.  The fairways were particularly good to walk on and play off.
MONDAY 5th OCTOBER	CALDY GOLF CLUB	The showery October didn't stop members turning up at Caldy but a few didn't make it to the 18th hole.
MONDAY 9TH NOVEMBER	CAPTAINS DAY FORMBY GOLF CLUB	We were not able to play this fixture, but hope to enjoy a round at the fabulous Formby next year.
SUNDAY 6TH DECEMBER	FORMBY LADIES XMAS COMPETITION AND DINNER	Well there was no dinner but at least we were able to have a coffee before the round in a Tier 2 clubhouse!  Hooray.   After that it was a beautiful afternoon to play golf on the lovely Formby Links, not a sign of mud anywhere.  And to cap it off we had a HOLE IN ONE for Nick Pilkington at the 12th.  Not a Comp but worth a reward I think!  We don't have them often!  We were able to celebrate with a beaker of mulled wine afterwards, which was very welcome.  A GRAND DAY OUT at last. Here's Nick picking his ball out of the hole!!

Formby Ladies March 13th 2020

 An early start to the season didn't deter 33 golfers from the Society enjoying, for early March, a pleasant afternoon at Formby Ladies GC, not spoilt by a short shower. The course was in good condition considering the recent February rainfall, but the unusually high water table meant some bunkers were GUR.

The 9th green looking resplendent, with the eventual winners holing out

It was good to see so many new faces along with the regulars.  The biscuits were thoroughly enjoyed by all, with newbies to the Society being very pleasantly surprised.

There was an exceptional return of EIGHT 2s, from Nuala Robinson, Della Thomas, Steve Neale, Evan Bale, Denise McInerney, Mark Caddick, Chris Edwards and Lol Harris.  With a sleeve of Srixons for each this used up most of the seasons ball allocation!!

Dos Banditos

Captain for 2020, Ian Robinson explained that this year's charity is Cancer Research, and contributions for blobs and biscuits will be welcomed.  He noted that this year’s charity was chosen in honour of an ex-captain and blogger of our Society, Kevin Allars. The 2020 Captain's Challenge will be the most ‘blob’ free rounds for those with a handicap of 18 and under, and the most nett birdies for those with a h/cap over 18.

The subsidiary prizes of nearest the pin and longest drive were won by Steve Neale and Damian Ryan.  Third in the contest for the Spring Pairs trophies were Peter Watson and Sue O'Donnell on 47 points, second also on 47 were Paul Stanson and Evan Bale.  The winners with 48 points were this year's Captain Ian Robinson and last year's Captain John Wilson, a dream team indeed.  John Wilson was last year’s holder of the trophy [with Charles Shepherd].  He is going for the hat trick next year.

Next meeting West Lancs in April.

Wallasey Golf Course November 2019

Wallasey November 8^th 2019

27 members of the Victoria Society enjoyed a wonderful day at a chilly but sunny Wallasey GC on November 8^th.  It was a real treat after the wet weather of previous days and the course was in immaculate condition with fast greens and plenty of deep bunkers. The course was a credit to the greenkeepers of Wallasey.

However scoring was not easy and the winner of the Alan Bleeze Memorial trophy with 32 points was Treasurer Peter Watson.  Second and third on 30pts after countback were Ian Robinson and Paul Stanson. NTP was won by our guest the Head Greenkeeper from Wigan GC Paul Walker, with a shot that ended up 12” from the hole.  Needless to say no one bested him.

The longest drives were won by Chris Edwards and Nuala Robinson and 2’s were scored by the aforementioned Paul Walker and Steve Jones.

We enjoyed warming drinks under the watchful gaze of Frank Stableford, to whom we raised a glass, and then dined on a lovely curry and apple pie and custard, before heading home after a very satisfying day.

Formby Ladies – Auberge Trophy, December 1st 2019

An excellent sunny day, on a course frozen hard after successive sub zero nights, made for an interesting day for the Victoria Society Christmas meeting.  The course was firm so we played on Winter greens with extra large holes which helped the scoring.  Scoring was also helped by the firm surface so shots ran and ran, provided they were straight, otherwise you could unexpectedly end up in bother.  A few of us did!

The Formby Men’s Clubhouse, looking resplendent in the sun, a venue next year?

Above – the view from the 10th Tee – a fabulous day

The whole day was a hugely enjoyable one for the 30 players, and we all met at the Auberge Restaurant in Southport for a lovely meal and plenty of wine!  This was excellently organised by Chris Edwards and Peter Watson. The group tottered onto the stairs to pose for a photo towards the end of the evening.

The winner of the Auberge Trophy, The Claret Jug, was Steve Neale with an amazing 49 points!  No he wasn’t playing in a skirt with 6 shot allowance!  Closely followed by Helen Jones and Bryan Robinson on 46 points, Bryan nicking 2nd place on countback. Roger Barron amassed 48 points but sadly for him as it was his first competition with the Society he can’t collect a prize.

To cap a fine evening Bryan Robinson also won the Captain’s Raffle and collected a lovely fruit cake with a delighted look on his face!  Merry Christmas Bryan!

The Ladies Longest Drive was won by Della Thomas and Paul Stanson collected the men’s prize.  Nearest the pin in two on the 7th was won by guest Lisa Greenhalgh
TWOS – Peter Kenny, Dave Gant, Della, these being conventionally made on Par 3s.  However Peter Watson managed a 2 on the 4th, for 5 points he points out, and Roger Baron also had a 2 on a Par 4.  Well done guys!

The Captains Challenge for the year was the best points scorer on the Par 3s in up to 5 meetings.  The gross winner was that man Peter Watson yet again, and the winner with most Stableford Points was Kevin O’Donnell.  Thanks to the Captain John Wilson for sponsoring these prizes and keeping spreadsheets of the scores throughout the season.  Dave Gant was the winner of the Victoria Society Order of Merit for the 2019 season.  Well done Dave.

Finally many congratulations to Captain John Wilson for all his hard work and year raising so much for the McMillan Nurse Charity. 

Captains Day Pleasington GC Monday October 14^th 2019

John Wilson’s Captain’s day was held at Pleasington Golf Course near Blackburn on Monday 14^th October.

It was a lovely day with the course generally in excellent condition, with the greens being in fine nick.  And it didn’t rain which after the wet weather we’ve had recently was a real blessing.

Before the real action we all had three shots for nearest the pin on a hole set up in the golf swing room.  Many virtual shots must have gone into the water but Peter Watson won with an impressive 8ft from the pin.

The main competition was won by Dave Gant in fine form with 38 points.  He retained his trophy from last year.  Second was Paul Stanson with 33 points and Evan Bale was third. Nearest the pin was won by Chris Edwards.  The longest drives were won by Peter Watson and Sue O’Donnell.

A scheme by which we could purchase ‘mulligans’ proved very successful and raised £100 for the Captains Charity.  Thank you all for your support.