ABOUT THE SENATORS

The seniors section of the club is called the SENATORS.  This is a well established group, currently numbering over 70 players aged 50 or more. The Senators hold roll-up competitions three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8.00am to 8.45am.  No need to book – just turn up and enjoy a warm welcome from a bunch of fellow golf enthusiasts.   In addition to the roll-ups we have Inter-club Matches, Intra-club Competitions, Monthly Medals, Summer Ecelctic, Summer and Christmas Texas Scrambles and more !!!

Here are some details:

Roll-ups:

Roll-ups are played in threesomes and are open to all Senators. Usually the first 9 balls are drawn just before 08:00 am.  Other players arriving join the next available threesome.  The block-out period for the Senators is until 08:45 and any player arriving before this time will find fellow Senators waiting to ensure that everyone gets a game; as a consequence the last group may be a 2, 3, or 4 ball. Stableford scoring applies and the highest scores win the pot. The pot is made up from a £1 contribution per head per round and usually the first and second placed players receive winnings, depending on the number of players on the day.

A record is kept of all scores and the Senators operate a system of handicap adjustment based on roll-up performance. This is separate from the club handicapping system and club handicaps are not affected by the roll-up results.

Normally a team game is played on Fridays, the form of which is announced by the secretary at the start of each month. On these occasions each player contributes £2 to the pot.

The Summer Eclectic competition is carried out during the course of the roll-ups.  

Inter-club Matches:

The Senators play the seniors sections of a number of local golf clubs.  A club handicap is required to play in these events and the minimum age is 55, in line with the seniors/veterans sections of the majority of other clubs.  About three weeks before a match the captain of the Senators posts a notice inviting members to add their names to a list if they wish to play in a particular match.  About a week before the due date the Captain and Vice-Captain meet to select the team, usually 6 pairs.  A number of reserves will also be designated to cover for late withdrawals and one member will be designated match secretary, with responsibility for ensuring the availability of all team members and for collecting the match subscriptions.  The golf format is better ball matchplay and lunch is included (see dress code below).  Most inter-club matches are held both home and away.  The committee is concerned to give all those who apply an opportunity to play in a number of matches; the spirit of the Senators, and of our opponents, is to enjoy these matches to the full, and no attempt is made to pick “the best team”. 

Senators Competitions:

In addition to the Summer Eclectic there are Summer Singles and Greensomes competitions and a Winter Pairs competition.  Notices are posted electronically and on the Senators notice board inviting members to apply for these competitions, the combined entry fee being £20.  The formats adopted for each competition, handicap allowances and a results sheet are posted on the Senators notice board well in advance of each competition and prizes are presented at the Championship Dinner and the Christmas lunch. 

Medals:

Senators Monthly Medal competitions are played from April to September and Monthly Qualifying Stableford competitions are played from November to March.  Cups are awarded to the players with the best four medal results and the best four Stableford results.  From 2009 onwards there will also be opportunities for members to play additional qualifying rounds for handicap adjustment purposes.

Away trips:

The Senators have, over a number of years organised a three day golfing trip to a UK venue in May and, more recently, a three day golfing trip to Le Touquet in October. 

Dress code:

On certain occasions members will be asked to wear smart casual attire, usually out of respect for our guests, our hosts or the event.  All lunches at Inter-Club matches, Invitation Day, certain Intra-Club matches (e.g. against the WAGS and the Ladies,) plus the Championship Dinner and the AGM lunch following the Christmas scramble qualify.  Usually a reminder is posted in order to avoid embarrassment.

The Committee:

Each year the Senators elect a Captain (known as the Caesar) and a Vice-Captain who normally becomes Captain the following year. Other officers are the Secretary and the Treasurer; these posts are also elected annually but the individual office holders may continue in post unless alternative candidates come forward.  The committee is responsible for all of the Senators golf activities, liaison with the management of the club, financial control of the Senators funds and calling and administering the Senators Annual General Meeting.

The current committee are as listed below and would welcome contact by any senior member wishing to join the Senators.

CAPTAIN (CAESAR)         BEN BLACKDEN           01753883264         blackden@btinternet.com

VICE CAPTAIN                    MAURICE TENNANT     01494 671430      motennant@hotmail.co.uk             

SECRETARY                       JERRY GROSS                      01753 890732          jerry@jgross.vispa.com

TREASURER                       MICHAEL CROFT BAKER  01494 672772          mcbycb@btinternet.com