Lt.Col. James Webly Hope OBE
October 1903 - June 2011.
An event in the clubs' history recently passed by with little notice. That was the passing of one of our members, Lt. Col. James Webly "Johny" Hope. At the age of 107 John Hope had without doubt outlived his peers but was still remembered by some of our longer serving members. He had a distinguished career in the Royal Regiment of Wales where he earned an OBE for action in Burma during World War 11 . After the war he saw service in Cyprus And Eritrea. In 1971 he and his Australian wife settled in Bowral and joined the Club that year. Because he had played in England Max Allen in 1973 asked him to look after and foster the game of croquet at the Club. He was still playing regularly in 2000 at Bundanoon and Cobbity, driving himself there in his car. Col. Hope is remembered fondly by those who knew him.
The Club owes a vote of thanks to Noel Symons and Bill Sherman who quietly and unobtrusively reset and strained the boundary fences along the 5th and 17th fairways damaged during the recent wind storms.
Our Junior program after a promising start is in danger of collapsing after our Cadet Master Alex Nicholson left the Club. James Burkitt is keen to keep this going but doesn't have the time required to be at all the clinics so if there is anybody out there willing to help please contact James.
Preferred lies on the fairways will continue until the growing season gets underway. There is another Local Rule in force that allows cleaning excessive mud from balls through the green this also applies to embedded balls. Check the Pro Shop notice board.
We have a quote for replacement putting cups and flag sticks for $1850. As our budget is tight, if there is any benevolent soul out there who would like to contribute to this worthy cause please let me know. I would like to say this act of kindness would guarantee the donor one putt greens but you wouldn't believe me if I did, so I won't.
It's an ill wind; due to the recent wild weather by hard work from Damien, Nathan and Matt cutting up the fallen trees we now have a very large pile of firewood that should last for some time and save your Club a lot of money. Thanks men!
COMING EVENTS
Saturday 13th August - Morning v Afternoon Players match. Shotgun start 11.00am - Sign up sheet is on the Notice Board - Sandwiches, pies and sausage rolls will be available after play. This has proven to be a popular event over the past few years, one of the few times we all get together at the same time so please sign up there are still quite a few tees vacant. You never know you might meet someone whose company you enjoy.
SATURDAY 27th AUGUST - Captains' Trophy and Dinner. The booking sheet is on the board for dinner. A Guaranteed Gourmet Dinner by one of the Highlands leading chefs Robin Murray from Centennial Vineyards Restraunt. A bit of trivia - Robin trained George one of the judges from "Master Chef".
MONDAY 29TH AUGUST - Greens renovations commence and our course will be rated.
Congratulations - James Burkitt hole in one 14th 6/8/2011.
David Mathers - John McMaster Memorial Medal Trophy nett 64
Until Next Week, good golfing
David Stanley
Captain