The finals of the Jubilee Plate knockout were held at Vale of Llangollen GC on Sunday 6th October.

Can we start by giving our most sincere thanks to the club for allowing us their course as a last minute replacement as the original venue of Clays was still suffering for the recent heavy rain.

 When the teams arrived, the sun was still hiding behind the mountains and we were fearful of a dank and drizzly day. Most players grabbed a quick coffee, but as the kitchen was not open at 07:30 (tbh most of the County was still asleep), rumbling stomachs could be heard!

 A blind draw was made for the two semi-final games:

Howells & Williams (Denbigh) played Parry & Waddell (Moss) and Father & Son pair Keith & Joel Baines (Wrexham) played another Wrexham pair of Rutter & Moore.

 The referees for Match 1 (Baines - v- Rutter & Moore) were County President George Smith and Incoming President Jonathan Tym.

 The referees for Match 2 (Howells & Williams – v- Parry & Waddell) were County Captain Gareth Roberts & Event organiser Andy Brown

 Around 9:00am, President George vanished into the clubhouse and reappeared with a box of steaming hot Bacon Rolls which were distributed across the games and graciously received by all.

 Match 1 was somewhat restrained and with both pairs being somewhat cautious, not willing to give away a hole and settling for 'halves'. Eventually, the odd putt dropped, here and there and with Rutter & Moore winning 2&1 on the 17^th.

 Match 2 was dynamic, with Waddell of Moss (playing off a 9 handicap and being given shots) achieving 4 gross birdies enabling the Moss pair to achieve a comfortable 4 & 3 win.

 After a welcome and warming lunch of home-made Scotch Broth Soup and assorted sandwiches, the final and consolation matches commenced. Sadly, Baines junior was taken ill shortly after the morning round, but father Keith was insistent that he would play his match, two against one.

 With some inevitability, his match did not progress past the 12^th green, so 3^rd place was gained by Howells & Williams of Denbigh.

 The finals were a very closely run game. Nip and tuck the whole way round until, during a period of heavy drizzle, Moss secured two quick holes before ending the match on the 17^th.

 So, in darkening light and increasingly heavy rain, all players and officers gathered in the clubhouse for the traditional meal and presentation of Vouchers and obligatory publicity photo of the winners alongside the Shield.

 The Course was in truly magnificent condition and with greens referred to as 'Billiard Table Quality'. Games were played in a spirit of friendship and with laughter and congratulations being a common thread – and which is the whole ethos and wish for our annual event.

 A big thank you to every competitor and hoping to see you all in 2025.

AUTUMN MEETING at Llangollen GC.

Entry Sheet now published.

# Please note that, due to a VERY full field, start times have been set at 8 minute intervals not 10 minute as originally published #

Please arrive in good time and enjoy your day.

Before we give the names of the great and the good from the day, on behalf of all players and our Union, we must give an enormous THANK YOU to Denbigh GC.

Not only for hosting us at very short notice but then for the truly magnificent way they helped us to run the day. From player reception and greeting, to the extremely welcoming and efficient starter, then refreshments available for nominal donations at the halfway house and ending with the return of cards and scoring assessment.

When you consider the absolutely abysmal weather we have all endured over the past months, to discover that the course was so receptive and playable was a joy to us all. Indeed, for those who had been unable to play a full 18 holes for several months, it was also somewhat of a shock and tiring exercise.

 Nevertheless, everyone had a smile of their face when enjoying a drink in the clubhouse and that was the whole reason for the day.

 So, to the scores:

 1^st Place : J Griffiths and M Davies : Denbigh : 47pts : Voucher for £90 ea.

2^nd Place : G Smith & J Tym : DGU : 43 pts (count back) : £70 ea.

3^rd Place : A Matthews & N Buley : Clays : 43pts : £50 ea.

4^th Place : A Williams-Owen & C Davies : Abergele : 42pts (count back): £40 ea.

5^th Place : G Baxter & P Tatlor : Abergele : 42 pts : £25 ea.

 Vouchers will be distributed directly to each players club.

In addition there were 13 ‘Holes in 2’ paid out.

Our next event of the year will be County Captains Day, held at Clays GC on Sunday 4^th August. Posters are already on display at all clubs and the entry sheets should become available around June.

 Gentlemen of the Denbighshire Golfing Union.

 Every one of us is aware that our national weather over the past few months has been absolutely atrocious and we here in Denbighshire have not been excluded. All of us have struggled to play and courses across north Wales, even links courses closed or with greatly restricted play.

 Abergele, our host club for the Spring Meeting, has been particularly hard-hit and today they have written to me as follows:

 “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Abergele Golf Club are unable to host the DGU spring meeting on 21st April. They have undertaken significant drainage maintenance work during the winter months. This, together with the prolonged poor weather over the winter period has resulted in the course being unfit to hold a County event. We regret any inconvenience caused.”

 With that sad news, I have contacted our clubs and I am extremely grateful that Denbigh have immediately responded and have offered their course and facilities for our day.

 They really have provided sterling assistance, even persuading their Ladies section to move their planned competition to an earlier time and to allow us to continue with our scheduled 10:30 first tee time.

 The only slight hiccup is that they have an immovable visiting four-ball booked at 12 noon. I was of course happy to retain that time for them and we will simply incorporate that group into our day. They are playing casual golf so will not impact on our event.

 I have also agreed with Denbigh that our event will be “Preferred Lies Through the Green”. We simply want players to enjoy themselves and get around the course with minimal effort or disruption. We will also make a decision on bunkers on the day, based upon weather conditions.

 I have therefore created a slightly revised start sheet, moving the Denbigh players to ‘first out’ and then the remaining players in roughly the same order and times as before.

 The revised start sheet is now attached.

 Many thanks for your continued support

 George Smith – County President