From   :-   Larry Macartney

Club Manager

In one of my quieter moments,  I tried to think about what a Club such as ours means to us.  In “Reading’s” case it is actually a huge green lung which offers quiet and tranquility in the centre of a bustling Alberton,  a place where like minded folk congregate to enjoy a game of golf,   or bowls,   have a drink and snack in the company of friends.  Can you think of anything better than to have a beer whilst sitting on the patio on a lovely summer’s evening ???

However,  there has to be other activities,  or reasons,   to come to the Club,   so to this end,  we have booked a Poker Evening for every last Friday of the Month, a Trivial Pursuit Quiz Evening for the third Saturday of every month, and now we are going to have a Bingo Evening, starting next Saturday  -  11th February 2012 at 7.30 p.m.  This initiative is thanks to Heather Reynolds,  who will be organizing the caller and necessary cards for the evening.  If successful,   then perhaps Bingo will become another regular event at your Club.

Next Sunday,  the 12th February 2012,   we will be hosting the “Nomads Under 23 Tournament”,  which means that the course will be closed to Members.   However,  we have arranged reciprocity at CMR   -  phone number (011)  472 8411,   Germiston - phone number (011) 827 7818 and,  as always, our friends at Glenvista phone number (011) 432 3150.   Remember also,  that we have reciprocity with Parys  -  if you feel like a leisurely drive out to the country.

This is a good opportunity to experience another facility   -  at their Member Rates  -  I bet none of them match up to us  !!

Friday Nights in the Pub are really pumping - and the atmosphere is electric.    Whether it is the “Happy Hour”,   the chance to win a bottle of whisky or the possibility of your name being called for the Barrel of Fortune,  it matters not  -  let’s keep it up as the vibe is definitely returning to our Club.

See you soon

Barrel of Fortune  -   27th January 2012

Ticket   No  267              M W Perry    Not Claimed       

Next Week                       R1250.00

Whisky   Draw

Pierre Taljaard                        George Robinson
Ronel Broodryk              Johan Kloppers

From   :-    The Club Captain  -  Kevin Gough

There is not much to report on the course this week except for the fact that the fairways are covering in nicely, the greens were a little on the slow side last weekend due to the increased growth that an application of fertilizer brought about.  You will see that we are trying to fix up the “road” by the side of 8  -  use the area as G.U.R until it grows in  -  and please  - no longer use it as a cart path.

The Mid-Amateurs had a pleasing start to the season with an away draw with CCJ,  while the Better Ball League did not fare so well losing 5-3 to Royal Johannesburg.   On a pleasant not Paulus Pienaar lost his league virginity after numerous attempts in the same match that “Medium Sized Brian” got his second Springbok Scalp.   Mind you Clive Rice hasn’t got much of a scalp these days.

Just a little lecture on discipline,  please don’t just stick to the rules that you like,  let’s abide by them all.  With just a few commandments to remember  :-

Apologies to anyone that I haven’t upset this week

Dates to remember

12th February    -  course closed
4 Ball Alliance Chip Out on 18th Green for “Nearest the Pin” 
4 Ball Alliance 2011 will be re-arranged
4th February   -   “Champion of Champions’
 Best Nett  for 2011 Monthly Best Nett Winners
“Mug of Mugs”                    Best Gross Comp for Monthly Mug Winners

KEEP SUPPORTING YOUR CLUB
Kevin Gough
083  601 7064

From the Pro Shop

Wednesday was a beautiful day for golf and taking advantage of the conditions was the one and only D Lezar on a very impressive 42 pts.   Hot off the tour in second place was B vd Merwe on a solid 40 pts and following him in third was K Ferreira on a respectable 36 pts.

Friday was our Nine Hole Meat Competition which was played over the back nine holes. Sizzling his way into first place, winning a two way count out was O Lombard with 20 pts,  followed by Noel Westoby in second place.  Third place was decided by a three way count out,  taking third place was P Carter,  fourth went to L Ashkettle and fifth place went to W Jacobs all on 19pts.

Saturday Morning was a 4 Ball Alliance  - 2 Scores to Count,  taking first place was the experienced team of M Perry, M Potgieter, S Laubscher and L Steenkamp on 85 pts. Second place was scooped up by the combinations of H Herman, B Donnelly, G Ellwood and C Jacobs on 84 pts.  Third place went to the three ball of A Ioannou, R Rynders and S Naidoo on 78 pts.

The Month-End  Alliance for the afternoon field rained out.

Sunday we had an Ind. Bogey Competition,  with only a few scorecards coming in there was hope for those who struggled.  First place went to P Madhav on +2,   followed by J Banks in second and G Britz in third with both having -3.

Just a reminder to all the Members that on the 10 Feb 12 (Friday),   we will have the guys from Taylormade at the Club with the latest demo Irons and Drivers they have to offer.   Please join us if you are interested in trying the latest from Taylormade.    

Darren Mower receives his price from Gavin Frazer for the Mizuno draw done on Saturday.

From the Lady Captain  :-    Blandyna Babski

Dear Ladies, and all Members

Another week passed with some rain,  with did not affect our golfing - too much.  The Golf Course is looking splendid.

We all have to say thank you to Sean Byrne (Greenkeeper),  and also Kevin Gough (Men’s Captain)  -  for their dedication and hard work.  We see plenty of Kevin on the golf course,  checking,  working  -  not playing  !!   We would like to request them to look at Hole’s No. 9 and 18  -   from a Ladies perspective.   The fairway is unreachable for most Ladies.   Please can you do something about that  ??

On Sunday the 29th January 2012,  we had the first Mixed Open of the year.  There were not many players,  but hopefully those participating enjoyed the game even though we did have rain interruption. 

Winners                :-        on 92 points   -  Lopez,  Joubert,  Daymond,  Vermeulen
Runners-Up         :-       on 90 points  -  Hammer,  Hammer,  Du Toit,  Du Toit

Longest Drive  :-            Men     -   Wayne Venter
                                      Ladies  -  Tracy Terblanche

Nearest the Pin              Men     -     Noel Whitehead
                                      Ladies   -   Blandyna Babski

Hamper                         1st                Craig Belstead
                                      2nd               Mark Peterson

Congratulations to the Winners.   Thank You all for participating and supporting our Club.   Next Mixed Open  -  26th February 2012.    Don’t forget to make your booking at the Pro Shop  011 907 3666.

Thanks for the great response to participation in “Ladies Reading Trophy”  -  we are fully booked   !!!   Thanks a Million for you support.  

From February 2012,   we start the Knock-Out Competitions for 2012.  
Draws for the various Knock-Outs  -  will be displayed in the Ladies Locker Room.  
Please try to arrange your games timeously,  and complete your play in the time allocated for each round.   GOOD LUCK  !!!

I am including again,  the dates  for the Mixed Opens 2012     :-   Please try and support us   !!!

Mixed Open’s  2012

Format :     4 Ball Alliance  -  2 Scores to Count,  and I am pleased to inform you that the same format applies for the whole year.

January      -        29
February    -        26
March         -        25
June           -        24
July            -        29
August        -        26
September   -        30
October       -        28
November   -        25

Remember our SUGGESTION BOX  in the Ladies Locker Room.

Blandyna Babski
Lady Captain   2011 /2012

Senior  Golfers

Senior’s Committee                          Sid Du Toit,    Roy McGregor,   Dave Ford
                                      (Roy is our representative on the Reading Golf Committee)

“Reading Senior’s”

Guidelines for Tuesday and Thursday as from 2nd February 2012

“Reading Senior’s”  -  was founded on the basis that Senior’s prefer to mix socially with their peers both on and off the course.   Therefore the following changes   :-

Starting Procedure

Carts

If a player is drawn with a group which includes a cart and does not want to walk with carts,   his ball may be held over for inclusion in the next group.

Competition Fees

Entry Fee is R10 per player.   Two Clubs pay R10.   Score Cards,  together with Competition Fees and Green Fee Slip must be handed to the Starter as soon as possible  -  after completion of a round.

Championships

Senior Members of “Reading” and Non-Members who had joined the Senior’s Competitions at least 10 times during the year,   will be eligible.

This will be controlled by the Committee who reserves the right of discretion.

General

Senior’s are encouraged to bring other Senior Visitors to our Weekly Competitions.
Non-Senior Visitors may be allowed  -  after consultation with any member of the Senior’s Committee.

Starters                :-                 Sid DuToit           (011 827 2035 or 076 375 3993)
                                                Roy McGregor    (011 435 9361 or 082 871 7013)
                                                Dave Ford           (083 257 8336)

Assisted by                                       Stan Ingram        (011 902 4345 or 073 544 7366)
                                                Wim Smalle         (011 907 4238 or 083 716 2555)

The Starter on duty will decide on the format of the competition