OGC News

Olton Golf Club's Joe Macilwraith, broke the two year old gross 65, course record set by Michael Pell. Joe's card recorded 2 bogies and 9 birdies for a gross 63.

Well done Joe

I am very sorry to have to report that my father, Eric Hopton, passed away peacefully at Knowle Gate Care Home on 8 May. Whilst Dad had been resident in the home with progressive dementia for over 3 years, he remained physically strong and continued to demonstrate so many of the social skills so integral to his life, but sadly this was eclipsed by the onset of COVID 19 like symptoms in recent weeks. He had recently reached his 90th birthday although the celebrations sadly had to be put on ice due to the lock down.

Following the tragic & unexpected loss of my mother, Sheila, in 2004 following a very happy 50 years of marriage, Dad was very fortunate to meet Maureen Yardley at an OGC Fish Night Supper and she has been his devoted partner & companion ever since splitting much of their lives between Plymouth & Portugal. Maureen has remained at his side daily in the care home right up to the complete ban on visitors at the start of the lock down. Whilst the change of circumstances meant that Dad was a rare visitor to OGC in the past 15 years, the club was an integral part of his life for nearly 50 years. He was a popular B Team Captain, a regular member of the West Midlands League Team and was OGC's senior living Past Captain, an office he held in 1977. He never lost his competitive spirit honed on the rugby pitch during his first class amateur career initially at Bristol Rugby and subsequently at Bath Rugby.

Like so many others who have also lost loved ones during this cruel and unprecedented crisis , we have felt so helpless that we could not visit Dad in person for the past seven weeks or be with him to comfort him at the end . Whilst the last few years have been difficult at times, Maureen, my brother Jerry and I all draw huge comfort from the thought that Dad lived a long and fulfilling life and brought joy to us all. I hope Dad will now be at peace and have the opportunity to be reunited once again with Mum

Mark Hopton

With the brook finally cleared of weeds and free flowing once more, 18 members of the Working Party set about digging out the brambles to the left of the 17^th tee and clearing fallen debris from the fairway and rough too. This was probably their toughest job of the Winter season as bramble roots are none too keen on coming out. With the team just as stubborn the tee side looks much tidier. A very satisfying morning’s work.

Well done guys

Throughout the winter months, your Scratch Team has been representing Olton in the Warwickshire Cup, a foursomes competition consisting of 3 pairs on a knockout basis.

On Sunday, the team played in the semi-final away at Coventry Hearsall Golf Club in some very testing weather conditions. A very strong performance from all 3 Olton pairs saw the team win 2.5 points to half a point. (Joe Macilwraith & Ryan Hinsley won 2&1; Rob Tovey & Luke Allen won 5&4 and Mike Pell & Tom Shiels halved). Full details of the event are available at https://www.warwickshiregolf.com/wugc_warwickshire_cup . You can also have a look at the photos from the last time Olton won the Cup back in 2017!

This year’s final is due to be played on Saturday 28th March, which unfortunately clashes with the Toffs & Tuffs club competition.

The Scratch Team would again like to thank Rob Lakin-Hall and Elite Windows for their continued sponsorship of the team shirts; if any members are looking for new windows and doors then please do  give Rob at Elite Windows a call. If any other member or their company would like to be associated with possibly the best amateur Scratch Golf Team in the Midlands then please contact Rob or Paul Tovey for a chat regarding other sponsorship opportunities.

The team would also like wish Liam Phipps all the best for the future. Liam decided to turn to the professional side of our sport earlier this month.

Paul and Rob Tovey

Scratch Team Captains

At last the sun came out. Armed with forks, heavy rakes and wearing our wellington boots, 15 members the OGC Working Party set about clearing the weeds from the course brook. Pictured in front is Paul Evans who found the only deep part of the brook. With his boots full of water he quickly empted them and rung out his socks and was back in the brook within a few minutes. Did we laugh? You bet...

Check out the Before and After Pictures. A free flowing brook keeps the brook clean and we can find our balls!! Shouldn't be in there anway

Our final job of the season is to clean up the patio furniture and course benches ready for the summer season.

It’s got to stop raining at some point!!