After what has been a seemingly interminable wait from the last match of the 2024 season in October, finally our first match of 2025 will shortly take place in early March.
Despite the many obstacles placed in our way with regards to booking venues and regardless of the extravagant price increases imposed by some golf clubs, and petty changes to booking conditions from others, I have been able to arrange our usual 12 match itinerary. It is somewhat unfortunate that we will not be visiting clubs that we have enjoyed year in year out but thanks to scouring the pages of Midlands Golfer at courses on offer throughout the magazine I have managed to fill any gaps with courses that welcome societies and offer value for money.
This year we both start and end our season with a visit to Stonebridge Golf Centre nr Meriden, taking advantage of their 27 holes to give a different feel to both visits. In April we make our first visit as a society to Scraptoft GC nr Leicester. Its always good to find new venues which, am sure you appreciate, after 35 yrs are hard to find but thanks to Midlands Golfer’s advice, this one fits the bill.
Visits to Hinckley GC and Stoneleigh Deer Park are both in May and on June 6th we once again hold our Annual Charity Day at Oakridge GC nr Nuneaton. This year our captain has chosen Prostate Cancer UK as his charity as he is currently undergoing chemo for this condition.
Last year we raised £1,526 on our day and if any society would like to enter a team or teams and help us beat that total you would be more than welcome. This is a stableford competition for teams of 3 or 4 players, there are several prize holes and a trophy to be won, with a prize presentation following a meal in the clubhouse. For further details and entry forms please contact David on enquiries@abbeypanelsgolf.com
Our season continues with visits to Glen Gorse GC, then Beedles Lake in July followed by two venues in August, the first at Lutterworth and then a return after a gap of 21 years to Ullesthorpe Court where I am sure we will see many changes since our last visit. Rugby Golf club is our penultimate match before the aforementioned return to Stonebridge closes our season.
I am sure as ever that no sooner do our fixtures begin it will seem like no time at all until the season comes to an end and the process starts all over again, lets hope that bookings for all societies are easier next year.
Thanks to David White – Abbey Panels GS organiser for words and images and we wish them all a happy golf season ahead.
