NORTH OXFORD GETS GOLFMARK ACCREDITATION

North Oxford Golf Club has been awarded the prestigious GolfMark
Accreditation, giving a boost to the club’s junior section and to the club’s coaching activity in the community.

NOGC Professional Lee Jackson, who is the current Berks, Bucks and Oxfordshire professional championship holder and who coaches the club’s junior section, said: “The accreditation will mean additional free coaching becoming available within the club and in the community.  It will increase our level of activity in introducing young people to golf and to coaching them to a high standard.

“GolfMark also assures parents that the club looks after the welfare of junior members in a safe environment.”

NOGC manager Bob Harris said: “This is another feather in the cap of the best value members’ club in the area.  Winning the GolfMark should also help to expand our growing family membership category as well as introducing more young people to the game and into a healthier lifestyle.”

GolfMark finance is provided by the English Golf Union, the Women’s Golf Association and England Golf.

Details of junior membership and coaching are available from Lee Jackson and Bob Harris on 01865 554924.

NOGC HONOUR FOR RUMMINGS

Thirty-one-year-old Mark Rummings, who is in the top 300 golf professionals in America, has been given life membership of North Oxford Golf Club, where he first learned to play.

In proposing Rummings for the honour at the club’s annual meeting, last year’s captain Ian Booth said: “We should recognise his fine achievements within the golfing world at an early age.”

As a junior at North Oxford Golf Club he won the club championship on four occasions, represented the club in the Shaw League and won the major BB&O trophy – the Penfold Trophy.

Rummings, who is now business manager of IMG-David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Florida, turned professional in 2000.  He is a former North Florida PGA champion and has played two US PGA Tour events.

After moving to the US he excelled at college before becoming an instructor at the IMG-David Leadbetter Golf Academy.  Rummings won the North Florida Club PGA Championship at Eagle Creek in Nov 2009, which qualified him for the Club Pro PGA National Championship to be played in June 2010. His parents, Colin and Eunice Rummings, have been members of North Oxford for many years.

Former NOGC Professional and current manager, Bob Harris, who coached Rummings, said: “He is a great ambassador for the club.  We pride ourselves on nurturing young golfers.”

NOGC LADIES HIT WINNING STREAK

North Oxford Golf Club ladies have hit a winning streak in bagging two Open trophies within five days - and three of the four lady members involved played in both winning teams.

A team of four chalked up the first victory in winning the Weston Turville Ladies Open. The team of Ladies’ Vice Captain Liz Hardy (20 handicap), Margaret Eynon (27), Jane Roberts (20) and Jean Simmie (18) won the Alliance stapleford with a combined total of 122 points.

Liz Hardy, who scored her first eagle on the 14th hole, said: “We were delighted with the win.  Members of our ladies section have a lot of fun taking part in competitions and matches at other clubs in the area and we enjoy hosting matches and competitions on our home course.”

Within five days  Margaret Eynon, Jane Roberts and Jean Simmie won the Ladies Open at Chipping Norton by one point, scoring 80 points in an Alliance three-ball stapleford where the two best scores counted.

TIGHT FINISHES AT CAPTAIN’S DAY

Tight finishes at this year’s successful Captain Day meant that the first four in the stapleford competition were only one point apart, with the placings being decided on countbacks. 

The winner was 13 handicapper Jon Beever, who got off to a roaring start with three birdies in the first five holes, with 40 points after a countback.  Brian England (8) came second with 40 points, hotly pursued by 17 handicapper Joe Simpson taking third place with 39 points, also after a countback. Colin Varney (14) was fourth on 39 points.

Lady President Pauline Sydenham continued to shine by winning the ladies’ competition with 38 points, five points ahead of Mrs Carolyn Sampson, to add to her recent successes in setting a new course record for ladies and winning the ladies’ championship, all within the last six weeks.

Winner Jon Beever said: “It was a very good day and was well organised, including the drinks on the tees and a splendid meal after play.”�

Other prizewinners were: Nearest the pin -  2nd: B England; 4th O Marsden; 6th D Hedges; 10th J Goodacre; 11th P Baker; 16th C Beauchamp.  Nearest pin in 2 on the 14th, P Barrow; longest drive,  J Maloney.

The sum of £540 was raised for the Captain’s Charity, bringing the current total of the fund for Sobell House to £2,600.

PROAM 2010

The annual NOGC event took a new format this year with a 12.30pm “shotgun start”. Twenty teams from all over the BB&O competed for both the individual Professional and team prizes.  The sunny day proved challenging with a stiff N/W breeze ensuring club selection was very difficult.

Last years team winners Design Online prevailed again with a fantastic score of -14 (120). Their Professional was Tom Fleming of Frilford Heath who shot a very impressive -4 (63 gross) to win the individual prize. The second team spot was won by Savona Foods -9 (125) whose team consisted of Gary Watts, Colin Varney and Steve Horn with their Professional Scott Marshall of Lambourne shooting a 66.

Gerry Pead the acting Course Manager was delighted to receive numerous plaudits concerning the condition of his course with work commencing with his team at 5am on the day. The day proved very successful for the club and concluded with a Jazz Band and Buffet for all the members to enjoy the evening celebration.

NOGC Golfers raise £6,200 for Sobell House charity

Members of North Oxford Golf Club dug deep to support both their Men’s Captain Mick French and Lady’s Captain Jenny Lindsay’s joint charity, raising £6,215.00 for the Oxfordshire based Sobell House. Since 1976 the Sobell House Hospice has provided care and support for those affected by life-limiting illness inclusive of NOGC members in 2010. Lindsay Manifold, the Chief Fundraiser of Sobell House received the cheque at the clubs Prize Presentation Evening and said how pleased she was to receive the generous donation and thanked everyone at the club for their efforts in raising this fantastic total.

Left to right: Mick French (Men’s Captain), Joel McCluskey (Junior Captain), Lindsay Manifold (Sobell House) and Jenny Lindsay (Lady’s Captain.

Mid-Silver League

Congratulations to our Mid-Silver League Team who won the inaugural event this year. Our Ladies Captain Jenny Lindsay proudly received the trophy at a celebration dinner at Tadmarton Heath.

Left to right. Back row: Cynthia Peddy, Ann Coyle, Liz Hardy. Front row: Pauline Sydenham, Jenny Lindsay and Sally Stewart.

OLCGA County Seniors Championship

Our own Ann Coyle won this event at Chipping Norton Golf Club with a splendid 36 points.

NOGC LADIES SECTION 2011

You can be assured of a friendly welcome here, whether you are an established golfer or beginner. Our section is vibrant, with approximately 80 members with a wide range of handicaps.  All new lady members are invited to meet with the Lady Captain and Vice Captain to help them integrate into the section.

Thursday is our competition day with the course reserved for us from 8.30 until 11.00, with an alternate competition day on Saturdays.  We have many competitions throughout the year, the majority of which are held in the summer months.  Fun and social golf is also of prime importance and includes Lady Captain’s Day, which is usually held in June. Our 24 EWGA medal competitions are played between March and October, and other competitive golf includes numerous trophies to be won via matchplay or strokeplay events. 

Club matches within Bucks, Berks and Oxon are also very popular, as a game of golf at a different course can be had just for the cost of your tea.  Our Senior ladies too have a very full calendar of matches, fun and knock out competitions.  Saturday matches are very well supported, especially by working ladies, who are always given priority when the team is selected. The Club is, of course, compliant with the latest equality legislation.

The course is ideally located, close to the city, with good access to the ring road.  Its maturity ensures it is a great test for all, resulting in our ladies often succeeding in local competitions.

For further information please contact our Ladies Captain, Liz Hardy, via the office on 01865 554924, who will be delighted to meet you in person to show you round and answer any questions that you may have.