Hello Malden Members,

 

I would like to start by thanking all those involved in getting Veronica our mighty relieved Lady Captain and myself to this moment of calm and stillness of thought, “not the Wanderers, longer than Veronica” you know all the usual stuff that makes our swings a blur of beauty. Helen, Phoebe, Will and Ian who kept the drinks flowing, Josh and his crew for the beautifully presented rough which gently cosseted our balls on the first ever joint drive in for Malden. Jon and Ann for the diligent work in the background unseen and often unappreciated. Ben especially for his wise words that described my driver as a better option as it has a “bigger sweet spot than my three wood”. It all came together on the day and with both drives in play at 399 yds, Nigel Gills our new Vice-Captain won the combined drive in prediction with 391 yds, closely followed by Jane Gear and the Chivers who were 10 yds adrift.

 

As we are not holding formal presentations, I am enjoying reading the posted results and referees reports and unusual photos and videos generated The most unusual presentation photo was of Daniel Walter receiving his Leonard Hall trophy prize in the middle of the 15^th fairway, a novel approach Ben. The Lady Captains Autumn meeting prize presentation video is also a must see. Congratulations to all the winners, runner ups and other prize winners, the ladies have quite a few from Septembers competitions. Please see the links at the end for prize winners and some photos.

My personal golfing journey as Captain can only go up. My first match was with the President, Dave Bigg, against the Vice-Captain Nigel Gills and the Vice President’s Ringer, Dave Woolmer which we lost literally on the last putt. Please get well soon Michael. Ben and I have our first Captain and Pro match on Sunday 4^th if we prevail the challengers will make a donation to the Captain’s charities, the alternative result is not worth discussing. I have a bottle of Champagne on ice to celebrate our first win, thank you Brian and Jane. Please see Ben for the additional dates. I am throwing down the challenge of mid-week away Captain and Pro matches at some of Surrey’s finest courses please let Ben or myself know if you are interested.
On Sunday 11^th at the request of members the Lady Captain will be selecting teams from individuals interested in mixed team golf. Details to follow. October will be Pink and I will be raffling my car parking space at the AM AM on the 25^thOct. Watch out for all the Pink October events and other generously donated raffle prizes. Pink drinks behind the bar, fines for not wearing pink are some of the fund-raising ideas Links to the Cancer Research UK fund raising page and events will be published soon.
I am still finding my feet as captain in this new structure, some steps are onto solid ground others are shifting and firming up but I am grateful there is a hard working chair and committee managing the business end of the club. I do attend board meetings, sit on the house committee and to date have several jobs up and running. Conducting a boundary review and managing any incursions, reviewing a developing our environmental policy which hopefully will be completed in the new year. Part of the plan includes producing our own Malden Honey which you will be able to purchase at very reasonable prices, once we have some, watch this space, summer 2021.
My most important role I believe is to be the social focus of the club along with the Lady Captain, to enable this I chair the Captains Social committee. We aim to drive and promote fun social activities and ensure that any event is supported and promoted by the club. We are having rather a soft launch at the moment as we are rearranging things rather than promoting them, roll on a vaccine. We are examining how we can provide social golf over the Christmas period that is Covid compliant but also celebrates the holiday season. A Christmas Jumper, hat or outfit competition with pictures shared and posted on the club photo wall etc so get knitting or to the front of the Aldi Lidl queue for this year’s Christmas specials. Suggestions are greatly received
 
Please stay safe and keep others safe and play well
See you on the course, hopefully on my fairway
Your Captain
Ewan

The hole in One competition

Won by Amanda Blackburne with 39 points with Shirin Dhala coming in  Runner up with 38pts.

September stableford 

Our winner was Anna Howell with a fantastic 41pts! second place was Katy Woodman with 39pts

Here are winners Elliott Langham and Nick Whiteford alongside Sponsor David Cureton and Captain Ewan Bennet with an amazing score of 46 points for which they have been cut 2 shots each!
Runners up with 41 points were Neil Gibson and Gary Robinson (USUAL SUSPECTS!)

We gathered on the first tee just before 8.00am. Professional Ben Tebbs, the Sponsor Alan Campbell, players Nick Stevens and Paul Colfar along with their respective caddies, Johnno Gordon and Peter McGinty. Nick was the first to play due to being top of the draw.

Our winner was Nick Stevens who edged out Paul Colfar to win by 3&2 after 34 holes gruelling golf.
 
Paul was 2 over when the match finished and Nick was 2 under par. Seriously great golf was played by both players and they did not bogey one hole between them.

Sponsor Chris Gems with finalists Mark Frost, Jon Lewis and caddy Barry Frost 

After a tough battle Mark Frost came out victorious with a 3&2 win