2026

The Wrekin

Back in 2019 I wrote “a hidden gem is the best way to describe this one”, and to be honest I don’t think I was wrong. On arrival finding a parking spot proved to be difficult in what must be one of the smallest car parks we’ve ever encountered but once parked up we sat down to what has to be the best breakfasts we’ve had in a long time.

The Wrekin isn’t long but it has some holes where ball placement off the tee is key to hitting a good score. The first is a blind tee shot to a green that if anything is missed to the right your ball can run away down the hill and you end up quiet a way away. Talking of hills the path to the second was a steep climb and carrying that big breakfast didn’t help.

With greens that looked fluffy but were lighting quick and with some tricky reads to them it took some nerve to hit the line you wanted to with enough pace sometimes. With six par 3’s and no two’s to pay out I think this says a lot about the greens.

My only criticisms of The Wrekin are, with some fabulous views of miles and miles of flat scenery why build the course on a hill! Seriously great views but my pet hate is walking across a slope. Up hill or down hill is fine but my knees and ankles can’t do across I’m afraid.

With two nearest to pins on offer Trevor took one and I took the other. The main competition was close run thing with a number of golfer finishing on 29 points and two finishing on 33 points Steve Smith just beating Bob Clarke on count back, leave our winner Ben Stevens to take the Marston Shield with 35 points.

Bondhay G.C.

Once again the society visited Bondhay in Nottinghamshire and once again we weren’t disappointed. 

At the AGM last year we asked for a vote of commitment to the society to ensure we wouldn’t be left with fixtures being booked and only getting a few members turning up. This month’s fixture had 17 members put their names down to play but on the day only 15 “Committed” members attended.  One pulled out with a bad back, the other ???? Who knows rumours of a stag weekend in the Canaries have been mentioned but surely not his!

After the usual decent breakfast there was a mix up over the allocation of buggies, with two being booked but only one available. This meant the two 60 year olds took the buggy leaving the 80 year old to walk the full 18 holes! Well done Fred, a brilliant effort. I’m sure the medal is in the post.

In 2023 I wrote that Bondhay had had a lot of trees removed but it had still left a tight course and the same is true today with lovely lush fairways this course is a joy to play. My only complaint would be some of the bunkers have very little sand in and what is in there isn’t good quality. The greens have always been consistent if a little slow compared to what we are used to but always in good condition.

And now to the controversy, Bob Clarke was announced as the winner with 32 points beating Sam Jackson on count back. Bob was convinced he’d scored 31 points and afterwards asked for the card to be checked again. This is the beauty of golf for me. It’s an honesty thing that keeps this game a true sport. Bob’s honesty handed Sam his first win in the society. So congratulations to Sam and a massive well done to Bob who I know couldn’t live with the fact that he’d won by a miss calculation.

Texas Scramble

Maybe this should be called the Texas Scramble Massacre!

The usual opening fixture this year took place a month later than normal and so it seemed a long time since we’d all met up and played golf together. I must say it was really good to see a few faces I’d not seen since maybe October last year.

Although a much smaller turn out than normal, only 13 members with 4 teams of 3 and Fred only playing 9 holes. On what turned out to be a day of 40 different types of weather but mainly a bitterly cold wind the teams, after a wonderful breakfast set off to do battle.

I can only speak for my team, the winning team I might add but the conditions didn’t really play a big part in our round. We seemed to do better playing into the wind rather than having it behind us. We dropped a shot on the tenth but then had a great run to birdie 12, 13 & 14. Some great shots by our captain Yorkie to secure those birdies.

The teams were Steve Smith, Lee Dishington & Simon Douglas who on paper were favourites to win. Bob Clarke, Ben Stephens & Sam Jackson, I think Sam was there to bring the average down. Andy Grice aka Yorkie, Steve Jackson & myself. Depending on how I played and if Jacko fresh from his India trip was back in the swing of things we’d be okay. The final group was Martin Sanford, Ada Phillips & Dave Shilton, Again another strong group depending on how well Ada played after being off for a while.

The end result was not quiet a massacre but a big win for Yorkie, Jacko & myself with a score of level par and beating Smithy, Dish & Simon by 6 shots Third were Sanny, Ada & Shilts on +7 with Bob, Ben and Sam bringing up the rear on +10.

Great day out and I hope to see a few more members and the next day out in April.

On another note a few questions were asked about which T-shirt colour should be worn but on the day but we thought that under waterproofs or the many layers that would be worn it wouldn’t matter. I had a few comments that we should all wear the same colour to keep up the standards so I have added shirt colour to the fixtures for the future reference I hope everyone is happy with this.

 

The usual course websites can be viewed simply click on the links within the calendar and there should be all the information you need. The times you see for each event will be the first tee time. Don’t forget to get there at least an hour before this time if you want your breakfast.