How Clean Is Your Kit?....

Last year MCC Golf Society was contacted by Michelle Lawton (MCC), who's husband runs an Ultra Sonic Cleaning Company. The email is below and we'd be interested in feedback from society members as to whether you'd like to see this as an option at future events

"I wonder if you would be interested in building in the above service, my Husband's business is Ultrasonic Blind Cleaning; verticals, venetians and rollers and he also has a ultrasonic portable golf club cleaning machine which cleans the heads and grips.

This year we have been around quite a few golf courses in Greater Manchester and the response we have been getting has been very positive Golfers 'can't believe how good the clubs come up'. If you were interested in this type of service for your golfers we could do a voucher scheme or the cost could be incorporated into the overall cost of the day etc. and all golfers would be entitled to have their clubs cleaned. We charge £4.00 for a complete set of clubs which includes the heads and grips (we even clean the woods).

If you need to discuss this further please can you contact Peter on 0161 633 0351 or email enquiries@sonickleen.co.uk"

Post comments here or email thoughts to mccgolfsociety@hotmail.co.uk

A Newcomer's Point Of View

Jennifer Overend first played a golf society event at Boysnope Golf Club in 2007, Jennifer kindly wrote an article on how she found the day.......

Where do I start?
Well, I think the beginning was a brief conversation I had in work about how good my swing was the night before at the driving range, (that was me bragging). It was also a white lie. If I remember correctly, out of 50 balls I think I hit only 10 on the first attempt, the other 40 took an hour to either roll off on to the bottom tier or if I was lucky they feebly flew a few meters ahead.

Anyway, my white lie got me an invite to MCCGS season finale! Through the excitement of the invite, I hadn’t really thought about the fact that I can’t actually play golf! That’ll teach me to show off.

Well, putting to one side the minor problem of not being able to play I decided it’s too late to pull out now, so off to the shops I went for a bit of retail therapy. First stop, Sports World.

I managed to bag myself a pair of golfing shoes for £5, a very nice glove for £3 and a few ladies sized golf clubs at £5 each, not bad considering I thought golf was a rich mans game, thankfully it can be played on a budget too.

The day started pretty early, but sat in the lounge area with breakfast, coffee and great company… who can complain. The boys all looked after me, first of all showing me how to fill out a scorecard (keeping track of someone else’s score, not my own unfortunately). Then off to practise on the driving range, I had plenty of help on how to swing properly and I even managed to hit a few homeruns.

There were 16 of us in total that day but my group of 4 walked to the golf course at about 11:45. I was excited and nervous at the same time, all I wanted to do was impress and not look like the typical girl playing golf that I’d had plenty of jokes about from friends and colleagues. After the first hole I realised there was nothing to be nervous about at all, not only did I get help and support from the others but also two of them played just as bad as me – yes you both know who you are!

Overall, the day couldn’t have been better, we laughed and joked, the sun was shining and the scenery was picturesque. I’d definitely recommend a golfing day out to anyone! All I can say now is, roll on next season.

Order of Merit 2008

New for 2008 is the order of merit based on positions achieved at each event. If players finish with the same score, the final position will be based on the player with the higher points total on the way back in to the clubhouse (i.e. the final 9 holes).

Stableford Format Of Scoring

• Eagle (2 under par) = 4 points
• Birdie (1 under par) = 3 points
• Par = 2 points
• Bogie (1 over par) = 1 point
• Double bogie (2 over par) = 0 points

All events are currently played under the stableford format of scoring where points are awarded for net shots on each hole (i.e. after taking into account the players handicap).

For example, a player with a handicap of 18 will receive 1 shot per hole. If they take 5 shots over the hole, their net shots for the hole are 5-1 = 4 shots. If this hole were a Par 4, they would receive 2 points for a Par.

MCCGS 2008 Golfing Calendar

2 May 2008 - CAPTAIN'S CUP Castle Hawk (Par 55 / 3276 yards)
Intricate 18 hole course great for sharpening that short game. North East of Manchester

30 May 2008 - TREASURER'S TANKARD Styal (Par 70 / 6194 yards)
A flat parkland course with many water hazards and interesting features. South of Manchester .

27 June 2008 - SECRETARY'S SHIELD Fairfield (Par 68 / 5276 yards)
A hidden gem! Attractive parkland course founded in 1892. East of Manchester

25 July 2008 - Boysnope (Par 72 / 6266 Yards)
An undulating course revealing natural ponds and water features. Large contoured greens and spacious raised tees make this a particularly enjoyable course. South-West of Manchester

19 September 2008 - AUTUMN TROPHY Heaton Park (Par 70 / 5579 yards)
Picturesque championship standard golf course in the grounds of Heaton Park. Includes spectacular views and several imposing tee shots. North Manchester

We aim to play new courses each year and any suggestions for courses to play in 2009 are welcome.

About MCCGS

Manchester City Council Golf Society (MCCGS) was formed in 2006 for the enjoyment of City Council staff. Each event brings together staff from across the Council for healthy competition and the chance to socialise with other Council staff over a round of golf and a bite to eat afterwards.