Welcome to Views of the Vale 2025
Happy New Year to All Members, Staff, Professional and Officers
I’m sure we are all waiting to get back to playing eighteen holes on our forever improving course and reducing handicaps.
There was a great turn out for The Drive In that went ahead with some fairway splitting drives and an enjoyable meal to follow. Our 2025 Men’s Captain, Huw reminded me that I once was Junior Organiser in the 1970’s. Included in the section were Mr Captain, last Year’s Captain Gwynfor Jones, Russ Adamson the late Richard Evans and quite a few more! I was organising events for the section for nine years and the lads were a treat to take to play in Shropshire, North Wales coast and in our own Junior Section cup comps. Happy Days.
Thinking back whilst everywhere is under ice and snow. I thought it would be interesting to ask, What is your playing eclectic score? I’ve played for 66 years and on various occasions, due to sheer skill or most fortunate luck I’ve had low scores at each hole and they look like this
1st Playing with Betty (My Wife) Sandra Gittins and Hillary Wells on the first game of a year many moons ago. I drove, reasonably well, pulled my second shot slightly left and then holed out with a fortunate 9 iron.
2nd Not too long ago I drove the second green (off a forward tee) and sank a putt. 2
3rd I’ve had a few 3’s in my time but the third hole seems to be getting longer each time I play it!
4th Same as the third, its threes.
5th Playing a while ago in a Seniors Stableford, I holed a 7 iron for my second shot>
6th Bought a set of irons and set out in the evening to try them out. Started on todays fifth tee and the holed my tee shot and still have hole in one tie to prove it. (Terry Ellis was Secretary Pro was Keith Rowlands) Sadly, when got back to the Club the bar was closed so Keith and I celebrated in The Tyn Y Wern Pub. A cheap round for sure!
7th and 8th
Three is again my best. Chipped in on eighth in a County Championship Day. Led field after morning round and my lead didn’t last long in the afternoon.
9th River Hole has got to be a three and there have been many high scores through the years.
So, have you got the idea? That’s an eclectic score of 3/2/3/3/2/1/3/3/3 = 23
10th Played in a turkey trot with an old friend, John Prydderch and hit a drive down the left, just past the oak tree. Decided on a 7 iron, for a cold day into the wind, and holed out for 2.
11th Haven’t hit the green too many times but 3 is always acceptable.
12th Not all due to me as my favourite three on this hole was in the mixed Morris Cup. Playing with Mary Evans, a sister to our lady Vice Captain, Mary is sadly no longer with us. She hit a great drive to just short of the 200 yards marker and my three wood put Mary about four feet off the cup. Mary calmly sank the putt. Oh, and we won the cup!
13th Went out for an evening knock with Gavin Jones, a fine player who was a low handicapper. Not a great drive but I holed out with a three wood for a 2 (One up!)
14th A few close shaves but only 2s to remember.
15th As on the 3rd it’s 3s through the years.
16th To my partners delight (Trefor Vaughan Jones) I sank a 5 wood for a 2. It sealed our friendly match!
17th Its 3s and a few expeditions to the left and right.
18th 2’s but a chip in from the right side of the green in The Morris Cup again is my favourite, playing with Betty, we won the comp.
So back nine score is 2/3/3/2/2/3/2/3/2 = 19
Final Eclectic for 66 years is 23 + 19 = 42
I’ve also played in quite a few comps where the last man in has beaten me on the back nine or by a shot. I’m sure there are plenty of members who can beat 42. So, let me know your Eclectic All Time Total Scores.
May all of your drives stay straight and putts drop
Ken Williams
Welcome to 2024 with Views of the Vale – as always thanks to Ken Williams
Trip down Memory Lane with “Old” Views of the Vale