OGC News

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!!

Last Friday (21st Feb)…... an impromptu gathering took place to remember Neil Brenton, as it was the scheduled date for his ‘Stag Do’.

Over 30 members attended a convivial luncheon with Dennis Pick & Steve Nines saying a few words in his memory.

Brenters’ held various positions…...notably Chairman of Committee & House, former Seniors Captain and a driving force behind the 'Working Party’

As a man of detail and standards, all attendees wore the OGC tie……. Neil would most certainly have approved!

The Working Party were out in force again today with 14 OGC Members helping to tidy the course following Sunday's storm that hit the whole of the UK. Four trees came down which the Course Team set about very quickly with the Working Party clearing brash from the 1st, 2^nd & 18th fairways and rough along with a major tidy up round the 5th Green and 6th Tee.

With more rain and strong winds forecast later in the week it looks like the Course Team and Working party are going to have their workload increased over the coming weeks. Roll on the better weather.

Additional volunteers are always welcome. Contact Terry Smith for further details.

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Formed far too many years ago for most of us to remember, the Working party meets most Mondays between October and March to tidy up the Autumn’s leaves and other brash as well as hedge cutting and path clearing. Lead by our current leader Terry Smith, we have undertaken many special projects of which the team are very proud. This vital work leaves our Course Team more time to carry out the specialist projects during the winter months.

Why do we do it? Taking pride in our fantastic course is one reason, but also enjoying the camaraderie is a large part too. There are also a couple of social golf events and did I mention a well-earned free beer at lunchtime.

There were 17 Members out today clearing the leaves and brush between the 14^th green and 15^th Tee as well as the 16^th tee. We were so pleased with our work we decided to take a picture and tell everybody.

Today was almost a record turn out and had a few regulars not jumped ship for the day we would have been well over 20. 

We have decided to update the site on a regular basis so all can see the work we do. If you are stuck for something to do on Monday morning come to the Club for 9.00. Tools will be provided but bring your wellies and gloves.

The Working Party