updated JUNE 7th   2008

This is the latest news from the golf league

With the season well under way I have to say how impressed I am with most of you when it comes to returning results cards & information regards re-arrangements.  Most results are with me within 24 hrs & I make every effort to publish straight away.  The one thing I must stress however that it is very important that the team captains make sure that when they exchange names at the tee the writing is very clear.... we have had a few instances where names have been submitted which are completely different to the actual name & obviously the person submitting the sheet has guessed the name due to bad writing. Luckily quite a few have been spotted by the visiting team captains after receiving their copy. However I can well imagine that it’s not all result sheets that are checked after submitting.

Most re-arrangements are made within the alloted time period which is just as well as the season is soon slipping by....including the tee times on the web site seems to be appreciated & must therefore be a great help , but remember BOTH teams must confirm any adjustments before they become binding

We are sorry to learn that Danny Savage (Bristol & Clifton third team team Captain)  had a heart attack recently. We all wish him a speedy recovery

The results of our HILO Foursomes championships at Tall Pines are

1st  Team Bristol & Clifton 149 points Foursomes Trophy Winners   2nd  Knowle 146  3rd Tall Pines 144 points

1st pairs  Lewis 0’iegan & Jack Trump Knowle 44 points       Pairs Trophy Winners

2nd Ian Cornwall & Theo Hall Lansdown 40 points  (back 9)    3rd  Dave Mann & Robert Skinner B & C 

We have been given further advice regards the measuring devices

It has been suggested that we might want to clarify because there is a difference between DISTANCE measuring devices which may be permitted by a local rule and WIND and GRADIENT measuring devices which are not permitted under the rules of golf in any circumstances. Any player which uses a device which can measure wind or gradient will be disqualified, even if they have that facility switched off. The suggestion is that at the end of the section "4. Local Rules" on our Rules page, following the sentence about local rules being those in force at the club on the day of the match, we add another sentence to read....

“For all Bristol and District league matches, played at any course, a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. gradient, windspeed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.”

We have had numerous comments regards Measuring devices.                                                         It appears that we (the Committee) are expected to make a decision regard this item of equipment. So after consideration we conclude......

Measuring devices, whether attached to a buggy, trolley or hand held ARE PERMITTED in Bristol & District league matches & in all Bristol & District League competitions.

As the season has already started & these devices have been used the above resolution has been decided but this can of course be discussed by all clubs at the next Annual General Meeting.                                                                                                                                                                 All participating clubs have been informed

Knowle beat Minchinghampton 5 - 1 at Knowle in the second leg of the inter league final

MINCHINHAMPTON V KNOWLE (24^TH March 2008) 3 - 3

SHANE WINSTONE & TONY BAKER LOST TO TOM BOWERY & LAURIE POTTER 3&2

BRAD SELWOOD & BEN DINHAM BEAT LAUBIE LAUBSCHER & PAUL McNALLY 2&1

DEAN SMART & JASON CUFF LOST TO BOB BROAD & ROB STEPHENS 5&4

RICH WHITE & NICK GLASSPOOL BEAT PAUL PUTNAM & CHRIS ORGAN 4&3

DAVE WILLIAMS & ALEX BRAND LOST TO COLIN PATTISON & DAVE CLUTTERBUCK 5&4

TOM FLETCHER & JACK TRUMP BEAT PHIL GRAHAM & JOHN POVALL 1 UP

KNOWLE V MINCHINHAMPTON (30^TH March 2008) 5 - 1

SHANE WINSTONE & TONY BAKER BEAT TOM BOWERY & PHIL ELLIS 6&4

RICH WHITE & RYAN COLES BEAT COLIN PATTISON & DAVE CLUTTERBUCK 5&3

BRAD SELWOOD & BEN DINHAM BEAT BOB BROAD & NIGEL CLARKE 5&4

DEAN SMART & JASON CUFF LOST TO STEVE BISHOP & ALAN DANGERFIELD 1 UP

DAVE WILLIAMS & NICK GLASSPOOL BEAT SEAN LYNCH & ANDY YOUNG 1 UP

ALEX BRAND & JACK TRUMP BEAT PAUL KNIGHT & PAUL HILL 1 UP

Knowle earned a 3 - 3 halve at Minchinghampton in the annual inter league match against the North Gloucester Foursomes league Champions. It was a bitterly cold day,  the greens had recently been hollow tined & both teams fielded weakened sides.  The return leg is at Knowle on Sunday 30th March so it looks like our champions have a great chance to retain the shield for the BDGL.

TO CONFIRM....   The league has NO powers to allow or disallow GPS distance measuring devices & advise all clubs that they are always governed by the local rules of the club at which they are playing

CONGRATULATIONS to Worlebury & Mendip Golf Clubs on reaching their Centenary year. The League Committee wish them a successful year of celebrations.

The dates for the inter league matches between our Champions, Knowle & The North Gloucester Foursomes league will be ....at Minchinghampton Monday 24th March at 2 p.m.       & at Knowle on Sunday 30th March teeing off at 1 p.m

Two new items have been added to this web site.  On the result card page you can find a printable “Are you available” card & separately a printable sheet of the entire league situation in table form. (It could be that these tables may not be updated as often as the ones already in the divisions page with results)                                                                                                                  The one page on this site that hasn’t seemed to “taken off” is the YOUR SAY page. Maybe because it is attached to the About us page ?   There have been just two letters  in two years when I expected many interesting topics & debates about our league or any golfing matters. It is a good opportunity to “air” your views so send me some material. With 21,000 hits in just about 4 years there must be someone out there with a moan or even some praise or just an argument !!!!????

The 2008 Fixtures are virtually complete & are entered on this web site- it is worth noting that this year to alleviate any of the disputes that we experienced last season the dates AND TIMES are included & these will be deemed final in the case of any disagreement about dates & times. Team Captains of BOTH teams are strongly advised to inform the league of any changes in dates OR times & regularly check with the web site

A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL PARTICIPATING CLUBS....WE WISH YOU ALSO A HAPPY & SUCCESSFUL NEW YEAR

At the AGM (at Saltford 26/10/07) all proposals were passed with just a minor ammendment to a rule change. The minutes will be circulated & published at this web site during week commencing November 4th when the Chairman returns from holiday to approve them.              Fees are now due & there was a £20 reduction for all clubs but a reduction of £80 for the clubs that agreed to participate in a 4 ball courtesy scheme for Baker Tilly, This was unaminously agreed at the AGM    A request for payment of fees has been sent to all clubs however if your club requires comfirmation etc please contact Alan                                                 Mark Priest reported at that meeting that Minchinghampton are the new North Gloucestershire Foursomes league champions & Knowle will be playing them in the inter league final (dates to be arranged)                                                                                                                President Alan Shore  Chairman Richard Bennett  Secretary Roger Webb & Committee members Alistair Hannan Mark Priest & Terry Glossop were re- elected to serve the Committee for a further year

Above....Stuart Wylie & Roger Giles from Weston-S-Mare with Chairman Richard Bennett (L) President Alan Shore (R) & Baker Tilley director Mark Colling on behalf of the winning team at the foursomes finals at Cumberwell Park.           All results can be found on the Foursomes Finals page of this site

ALL details regards the 2007 AGM can now be found on the meeting page on this site-Please make every effort to ensure that your club is represented (OCTOBER 26th at SALTFORD)

For next years diary...Our HILO foursome championships will be at Tall Pines on Saturday May 10th & the foursomes finals & presentations will be at Thornbury on Sunday                  September 14th ** - this date has now been changed from the 7th

The league committee have been forced to make changes in the formation of divisions.. Please see the Divisons page on this site to see new formation & explanation etc

The League finals & seasons Presentations took place at Cumberwell Park, who were excellent hosts giving every assistance to the league committee & presenting a fine buffet & a good assortment of prizes as well as assistance from the Pro’ shop                                               It was a fine day with very good support from participating clubs who generally speaking all arrived in good time.  Maybe playing this event on a Sunday is the answer for beating the busy traffic of a Saturday ?     All results & a report can be found on the foursomes finals page of this site

Sadly Stockwood Vale have withdrawn from the league.   This leaves the lower divisions in disaray however all will be re- formed during the coming week

Unfortunately the committee has found it necessary to enforce rule 10 & suspend Worlebury 2nd team from the league.  After two exceptionally late concessions (about an hour prior to tee off) & no attempt to re-arrange the last home fixture with five weeks to go, despite much prompting from the league & opposing club. This left them minus 4 points in their division, the committee felt that they had completely ruined that division creating advantages to some clubs & disadvantages to other.  The Committee has received no explanation or apology so therefore feel completely justified in their action. This has not affected the Worlebury first team who have caused no problems (as far as we know)                                                                       Worlebury may apply to re-enter their 2nd team after one season

Saltford are division two champions & will move to the top division for 2008

Below is most of our Committee wearing their new BDGL Committee shirts

IS YOUR CLUB PREPARING A TEAM FOR OUR LEAGUE FINALS AT CUMBERWELL PARK ON SUNDAY 9th SEPTEMBER ?    All clubs have details of this event but there is details on this site under Foursomes finals.  Please make sure that your team captain selects your team in plenty of time

Wells seconds are promoted for the second season running after winning the division seven title but by just point five of a better win average than Thornbury first. Hard to bear for Thornbury who have looked like winning that division all season

The Kendleshire 1st have won the division 4 title making 2007 a very successful season for the club who, after an uncertain 1st year with the league, have settled well with both teams excelling. Meanwhile Bath 2nds take the division 6 title after a tussle with Tall Pines & Kingsdown all with the same points but Bath edging the games won average

Roger has had a few e-mail problems & although he sent details of the finals day to all clubs TWICE it appears that some clubs haven’t received them.  Alan has now re-sent these details  to all. Apologies if you have received two or even three copies. Of course if you believe that your club have still not received details Let us know or print off from this web site (Foursome finals)

THE PLAYERS CLUB are champions of division nine

KNOWLE ARE THIS YEAR’S LEAGUE CHAMPIONS  - Knowle beat Chipping Sodbury who had been setting the pace all season 3 - 2 (14/8/07)  to win the division one title. - Tony Baker (Knowle) slotted a twenty plus foot putt to win the final game one up - a game in which they had been five up but Nick Lewis & Stuart Macdonald (C/S) clawed back to take the game to the last.  Over 50 people were around the last at Knowle to witness this thriller. Just days before the teams had halved at Chipping Sodbury

PLEASE NOTE  we have experienced a few “hiccups” with e-mail - say from Aug 9 to Aug 14 Please check that your team’s details are correct & let me know of any “misses”

The Kendlehire 2nd team have won the division 8 title & look forward to next season in division 7

Weston- S- Mare have won the title in division 3 dropping just one point & with one game to play.

The Bristol 1st team become the first divisional champions this year   They won division 5 with a game to play gaining 16 points from 9 matches   CONGRATULATIONS to The Bristol

As our season enters the last stages.......We remind you that this year we are experimenting with bringing the fixtures meeting forward to September (the date will be forwarded to your Secretaries/Reps by the league Secretary)  Also we ask the team captains to start thinking about getting their team together for the League finals to be played at Cumberwell Park on SUNDAY September 9th.  Details of the event will be with you shortly but we find that so often team captains leave it too late to raise a team & struggle then to send anyone so start planning soon.

EXTENSION TO THE SEASON  The exceptional weather has caused so much disruption to league fixtures & club competitions that the league committee have decided that the season shall be extended by one weekend.  Therefore the season will end on September 2nd for this 2007 season only

This extreme bad weather is once again going to take it’s toll on fixtures so please consider the following....As soon as you have to postpone or re-arrange LET US KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENNING this is of course up to the home club but if either team have a problem or dispute CONTACT US. Then try to sort a new date as soon as possible & TELL US.  Our season is short so don’t leave it too long to re-arrange

The Committee have decided that due to the resignation of Shire 3rd & Shortwood Lodge in divisions 7 & 8 the following.....     One team be relegated from 7 & two promoted from 8. one team relegated from 8 & three promoted from 9. This brings 7 & 8 back to full compliment but leaves 9 with 5 teams however does provide good movement for teams in the lower divisions

WELLS WIN HILO         Wells Golf Club won the hilo foursomes championships at Worlebury       Simon Lord, Graeme Dowden, Mark Wintersgill, Adrian Lawrence, Alan Todd, Glen Crocker, Mike Metcalfe, Steve Linter, Mark Western & Simon Jackson were the team from Wells returning 133 points (best 4 from 5)   Saltford were second (125) & Clevedon third (124)            D. McGovern & N Griffiths (Clevedon) won the best pairs cup scoring 38 points having a better countback than A. Leonard & R. Palmer (The Park). M. White & P. McMenamin  (Thornbury)  were third with 36.                                                                                                                     The course was in good condition & Chairman Richard Bennett thanked Worlebury G.C. for their hospitality etc

   Wells Pair Mark Western & Simon Jackson collect the Hilo Trophy from the                                             Worlebury Club Captain on behalf of the Wells Team

                              

                         D. McGovern & N. Griffith (Clevedon) receive the best pairs cup

Hole in one at The Park !                                                                                                                               Mike Stroud of The Park notched a hole in one at the 12th on his home (Cromwell) course in a halved division nine match against The Players Club  (13/5/07)

Don’t forget the HILO foursomes championships are on May 19th at Worlebury. Make sure that your team Captain/Rep has all the information & is making the necessary arrangements.   All information can be found on this site (Hilo rules & times) Remember your entry fee has been paid by your club. 

SUPERB WIN BY OUR CHAMPIONS                                                                                                               HENBURY became the first team to win at Cotswold Hills for nine years.  They won the second leg of the inter league challenge shield by beating the North Gloucestershire Foursomes League Champions 4 - 2 after a convincing home win of 5 - 1.   Things looke as though the game could go either way after nine but a determined back nine brought the trophy to a Bristol & District Golf League team for the very first time... WELL DONE HENBURY

 Photograph shows the Cotswold Hills team (left) With Henbury (right) with Captains Dave Williams (C.H.) & John Morrison (H) holding the shield with Alan Shore the BDGL President

Shortwood Lodge have had great difficulties in raising a squad due to several internal problems at their club & have withdrawn from the league. Teams in division eight will therefore play just eight matches & with just one team relegated

Sadly due to a drop in membership Shirehampton find themselves light in numbers of their squad. They have therefore withdrawn their third team from division seven. Whereas this is a blow to the league at least they have withdrawn before the league season started.  Teams in division seven will play just eight matches each this season & the Committee have decided that just one team to be relegated.

Here is a memo sent to the legue by the Clocestershire Golf Union...

Amateur Status of Club team members                                                                                                          There has been a recent problem with Club teams and the showing of team sponsors logo’s on clothing.                         To clear this up & before engaging in the fitting of sponsors logo’s for 2007, team captains must make themselves aware of the rules regarding their team members, especially juniors.                                                                                         The leaflet regarding the rules of amateur status can be downloaded for free from the R&A website but it would be more sensible for the club to purchase the decisions on the rules of amateur status for about £8 from the R&A bookshop. It will leave you in no doubt about what you can or cannot do with a sponsor’s logo.                                                                 To remind you, it is a player’s responsibility himself to know the rules of golf including the rules on amateur status. I am mindful of the fact that not all players particularly juniors, take much notice of this fact. Captains of teams who allow logos on clothing & equipment have a responsibility to make sure they do not put their players at risk of losing their amateur status. There are only 2 penalties that can be applied, one is a warning to the player not to do it again or they will lose their amateur status. The other is automatic loss of amateur status for a period of time resulting in the player only being allowed to play in a professional tournament & removal of their CONGU handicap. These penalties will be applied by the R&A.

The relevant decision that you should read is 6-2/15.3b.

It say’s that the manufacturer & one sponsors name may appear on each garment. It must not exceed a perimeter measurement of 220mm. Two sponsors on a single garment will breach the rules. The R&A confirm that a breach reported to them will be investigated.                                                                                                                       Some teams have had the name of a sponsor put on the back of clothing from shoulder to shoulder. This is a breach of the rules, please do not do it.                                                                                                                                            If you have multiple sponsors you can have a different sponsor for each piece of clothing (i.e. different sponsors names on shirts/pullovers/waterproofs/shoes/trousers) but not on the same article of clothing. I know that sounds strange but it is a way out at the moment & keeps your players the right side of the rules & gives you the opportunity to have more than one sponsor on your kit.                  Please get in touch with me if you are unsure of anything I have said. We don’t want our players being picked up on this because the Captain has given them some free kit.                                    For your info Decisions 6-2/13 & 6-2/15 will be revised a little in 2008 in the new ‘decisions on the rules of amateur status’ book. I will keep you informed of those slight changes.                                                                                                Ian W        Ian Watkins              Secretary GGU

                                   EXCELLENT FIRST LEG RESULT FOR HENBURY !

Henbury won the first leg of the inter league challenge with Cotswold Hills 5 - 1 & puts them in a strong position for the return leg on April 29th

Results (Henbury first)...

Alex Cousins & Sam Payne             bt               Stuart Baker & Andy Deall                     4 & 3           Nick Day & Nick Scholey                  bt               Ian Melvin & Drummond Watt                3 & 1         Paul James & Richard Gorney        lost to      Simon Green & Elliot Nichols               4 & 3            John Morrison & Ian Broome           bt              Steve Prosser & Adam Stevens           5 & 4             Richard Bolding & Julian Church    bt              Stewart Logan & Tom Dawson           1 up             Colin Jackson & David Windebank  bt              Ian Benzie & Ashley Wilson                 5 & 4

You have ample notice of your start times for the HILO foursomes Championships....All times & rules etc are now posted on the HILO foursomes page of this site

Photographs of our finals day presentations are now posted on the Photograph page of this web site     Apologies for the delay - due to a few technical problems. Please send me names etc.

2007 Fixtures are now printed in divisions pages                                                                                       The Secretaries & Reps names & details have been updated according to data sent in but please check YOUR Reps’names etc & tel.no. It could be vital in a late cancellation etc Also please check ALL e-mail addresses as we have received many changes from clubs  but are keen to establish that we are now up to date ?

Our Secretary is desperately waiting for fixtures from many clubs . It is very important that he receives ALL fixtures so that he can carry out a cross check - & this is quite a job.                          Please talk to your Reps or Secretaries & make sure that YOUR fixtures are sent off to Roger.     Unfortunately it is not just the fixtures that are outstanding as there are quite a few clubs yet to pay subscriptions  !!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE As we approach the new year we ask you to ensure that you have given us any new contact information or e-mail address changes as soon as you can to enable us to update records

The Chairman reports that our Sponsor, Baker Tilly have agreed to continue their sponsorship of the League during 2007.           Richard Bennett expresses his delight on the Chairmans’ chat page on this site

At the AGM (Oct 27th) The Chairman Presented retiring President Bob Harvie with a decanter & a bottle of blended whisky   Bob now 86 years old has been with the league for over 25 years & President since 1996

Chairman Richard Bennett presents Bob Harvie with a decanter & whisky

Alan Shore was elected as the new President

New & Old. Alan Shore (left) new President with retiring President Bob                                               Reports will eventually be posted on the meetings page of this site but the following were elected to the Committee ...Alistair Hannan (Henbury) & Nigel Cowper (Long Ashton)                     A proposal to change the rules of the number of matches a player can play etc was defeated.    Cumberwell Park were elected to enter a second team & along with The Park 3rd & Chipping Sodbury 3rd will join division nine & rule 6d will be re-introduced (allowing players in div 9 to play 12 games).  Any team conceding a match will now not only be logged as losing 5 - 0 but will be deducted a further two points.