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Captain’s Blog – Stardate September 2010  What’s the best job in the world? Do you have your ideal job? Is there such a thing? How about a Golf Course Designer? We can all ‘talk the talk’ on that subject but what ‘pipe dreams’ do you have for Broadstone Golf Course? Let me tell you a few on mine. I personally would like to see another par 5 on the course. A par 5 that measures at least 520 yards and presents many challenges. The problem being is which current par 4 would you lengthen? The 10th would be my choice. Clear out the trees behind the current green and then place the green at the bottom of the turf nursery. Yes this may impinge on the 11th tee just a little but what a terrific par 5. I would also move the 14th tee about 80 yards further right by the pine trees. If you have time just take walk over there and you will see what a terrific dog leg this hole would become. You would also be teeing off playing into the fairway slope rather than across it. I would do the same with the 16th tee. Move it about 100 yards right and back a little so you are looking straight up the fairway and again playing slightly into the slope. I would widen the ditch in front of the 17th and also place another bunker on the left hand side of the 3rd fairway. But do you know what, I’m no golf course designer but surely I’m allowed to pretend! Anyway, I’m fully content with our beautiful course as it is and I continue to receive many compliments about Broadstone Golf Club on my travels to other courses and from visitors who time after time are just full of praise. Be proud, be very proud of your marvellous golf club.
Do you have any visionary design changes for our course? Why don’t you send them to me on an email, neil.irish@yahoo.co.uk, and I will collate all the ideas and publish a booklet, should be fun reading!
 No I haven’t entered the world of politics, I’m just of the opinion that we need to move towards introducing Proxy or Postal voting for our AGM. With today’s lifestyles it is not always easy for every member who wants to attend the AGM to be there to cast their vote on important proposals that will shape the future of our golf club. I truly believe that our AGM next March will be key to the future direction of Broadstone Golf Club. Should an EGM be called to propose this form of voting prior to the next AGM? Should the EGM also contain the potential voting in of a proposed new management committee so it can commence operating straight after the AGM or even before? Only members can call an EGM and decide.
 Many congratulations to Kyra Horlock and Ashley Beckett who were triumphant in lifting the Dorset County Scratch Mixed Foursomes trophy at Parkstone. The Club Juniors have continued with their fine showings both individually and as a Team. Jordan Howlett and Billy-Joe Bugden finished 1st and 2nd respectively in the Bridport Junior Open, Billy-Joe then went on to win the Dorset Age Group Championship at Ashley Wood with a fantastic gross 69 and at the same course Ben Small won the Under 12 Dorset Age Group Championship with a superb 39 points, Jordan Howlett won the Under 15 Gross Championship and Mark Sandford won the Under 16 Net, a fantastic day for our Juniors at Ashley Wood. The Dudsbury Junior Open was won by Alex Shenton with a terrific gross 73.We are now into the final stages of our Club’s Summer Knockout competitions so I wish to pass on my ‘best of luck’ message to all members who are through to the semi final stage of the various knockouts.
Mat and I are now halfway through our fixtures and we have played 10, won 9 and lost 1. We had another excellent match in August against past Captain Ian Macfarlane-Thompson and his playing partner Chris Roberts. Ian and Chris were 4 down after 11 but put up a spirited fight to pull back a couple of holes but the match was closed out on the 16th. Don’t forget you can all have the chance to beat the Captain & Pro as on September 25th there is a Captain and Professional Better Ball Challenge competition.
 We have already raised over £8,000 for the Children’s Wish since March this year. The picture below shows the amount we raised on our Charity Pro-Am day along with Helen and Julie from the Children’s Wish. As you know, we are now on our way to fulfilling a further two individual children’s wishes, firstly for Jacob whose wish is for a Trike and secondly Joshua whose wish is for a Garden Den. I will update you with full details and pictures when the information becomes available. The next big Charity Event is the Captain’s Charity Golf Day on Sunday September 12th. This event is already a sell out and is sure to be a fantastic day. We have been donated some fantastic raffle, experience and auction items along with rounds of golf for 4 players at various courses including  Remedy Oak, Ferndown and Parkstone. The experience prizes include a week in Scotland on a fantastic resort, a 4 hour trip on a Sunseeker for 6 people and a fantastic Spa Day for two. We also have a Canon Digital Camera on offer. Even if you are not playing on the day everyone is welcome to come up to the club, buy a raffle ticket, place a bid on an auction item, have a drink and join in the fun. The more we can raise on the raffle, auction and experience prizes the more wishes we can fund for children with life threatening illnesses. In this difficult economic climate the support that I have been given so far this year is nothing short of spectacular. I am hoping to raise a further £7,000 on this day and this will grant at least another 3 individual children’s wishes. It’s truly wonderful what we can achieve and I am so grateful for all the kind support, sponsorship, donations and prizes that have been given by Broadstone members, friends, local businesses and national companies, I’m indebted.
‘What else’ I hear you cry. I have been in discussion with Mathew and we will very shortly be publishing details about a ‘Winter Eclectic’ competition. This will run from November to the end of February. The competition will be run by Mat and his team in the Pro Shop. Full details of format etc will be published on the competition board in the corridor shortly. This will ensure, if that is what you want, that there is a format of competitive golf running right throughout the Winter months.
We are going to bring the Ryder Cup atmosphere to Broadstone. On Sunday, October 3rd, we are holding a Ryder Cup Team Event with a Shotgun Start at 8.30am. We don’t very often have a Shotgun start but this will mean all the Teams will be back in the clubhouse for 12.30pm ready to watch the Ryder Cup singles matches on the ‘Big Screen’. The format will be teams of 4 and it will be the best two stableford scores to count on the even holes and best three stableford scores to count on the odd holes with ¾ handicap allowance. Please note that this competition is limited to 20 Teams to allow for a Shotgun start so get in early when the booking opens on September 13th. I will be speaking to our caterers to organise a few special dishes for when we return to the clubhouse and cheer on the European’s to bring home the Ryder Cup. Prizes for the first three teams will be presented on the day.
Club Teams
Our scratch team travelled to Brokenhurst to face them in the semi final of the Beckford Bowl. Our boys put up a brave fight but playing against a particularly strong Brokenhurst team on their home track we bowed out of the competition. Well done to the team for getting through to the semi final of this highly competitive competition and I’m sure we will go one step further next year. The Hardy A team finished their season with a fine home win over Canford Magna which propelled them to the top of the League. It is now down to just one match to decide who wins the league this year. Canford Magna meet Wareham and the permutations are just huge but basically any one of the three teams, when you include Broadstone, can win the title. We want them to draw as this will mean Broadstone regain the title they won the year before last. The Millennium Team are facing a tough period with a bout of away matches. Following a defeat at Blackmore they have three away matches to conclude their season and are still in with a fair chance of winning the league. Our Over’s 50 team just lost out in their quarter final match at Ferndown by the narrowest of margins.
And Finally……………………….
A Hole in One! Which hole I hear you ask? Well believe it or not it was on the 12th……………..or so I’m told. I’ve seen a few drives end up 20 yards short of the green before but never have I witnessed anyone driving it! So the story unfolds…………..it was a tee shot hit with such force that it was pulled hooked, smashed head on into a pine tree, ricocheted 20 yards to left landed softly on the green and rolled into the hole! Still can’t believe it?.................................the tee shot was hit from the 13th tee! I’ve yet to find out who got this hole in one but when I do I’ll let you know as he still must owe a few drinks for his achievement! As ever, if there is anything you like to talk to me about or give me feedback about then please do not hesitate to call me on 07886031619, email me on neil.irish@yahoo.co.uk or just grab me up at the club. Best Regards - Neil Click here to read previous editions of the Captain's Blogs. Captain's Blog June 2010Captain's Blog July 2010 Captain's Blog August 2010
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whilst you see more on the TV and can sense the atmosphere, being there is just electrifying! I have been very fortunate to be able to obtain tickets for the Friday of this years Ryder Cup and I just can’t wait for October 1st.