Dear Members, We hope that you have had a very enjoyable Christmas and we wish you all a very happy and successful 2015. Although we all experience good and sometimes not so good situations during the year let us hope that in 2015 there are lots of the former and few of the latter. Good nature and friendship are constants that abound amongst our members. Oxley Park has always been a club that exudes such camaraderie and long may that continue. January 2015 will see several changes when, at the A. G. M. on Friday 30th at 8:00 pm, our current Captain, Richard Moroz, completes his year of office and presents his Vice Captain Elect Rob Eynon with his Captain’s jacket. This evening will also mark the culmination of three excellent years in office as President for Terry Reynolds who will propose the new President. Richard Moroz, Rob Eynon and Terry Reynolds have all done excellent work for the club over the year/years and we will be able to give these three our thanks and congratulations and to greet the new Club Officers at the Hail and Farewell the following night, Saturday 31st January 2015, at 8:00 pm with a complimentary finger buffet. A number of the current committee will also have completed their term of office and the board for nominations will be placed in the club for anyone, who has been a member for three years or more and who wish to seek election to the Committee, to put their name forward. The Course Our grateful thanks must go to our Greens Committee Brian Hyde, Tom Wood, Jim Dixon, agronomist Chris Roberts, greens staff Ian, Geoff, Frank, Bob and Tony for keeping the course in great condition and open throughout 2014. The Winter Programme of Work is well under way with the winter tees on holes ten, sixteen and seventeen now in use. New irrigation has been installed and trees felled on the tenth tee and a new path constructed from the tenth tee to the Ladies tenth tee. New irrigation work and winter mat. Trees felled to improve light to the tee. Bob, Frank and Ian excavating and preparing the ground for the new path. Frank, Bob and Tony laying the new path The large tree on the left of the seventh fairway has had to been cut down by our green staff as it was in a very dangerous condition. The base of the trunk was rotten and hollow. Frank and Geoff clearing some of the debris from the felled tree. At the moment temporary greens will be used when we have had overnight frost or after heavy rain
when the greens are too wet. You may rest assured that throughout the winter, whenever possible,
the course will remain open.
Social
A well-attended and fine evening of carols and Christmas songs, hosted by Pat and Cliff Rogers, was
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held and enjoyed on Sunday 21 December. During the songs Pat narrated in several parts, as it was
quite long, a very humorous Black Country version of the Nativity. John Gamston and Cliff performed
‘We Three Kings’ as a duet while Sue Will added extra humorous actions, extra words and phrases to
‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’. Cliff also read his now famous 12 days of Christmas dinner.
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Saturday 17 January we have a Motown Evening arranged by Tom Wood. Tickets are available from
the bar.
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The Dinner Dance on January 24 is sold out. Enquiries for any possible cancellations to be made at
the bar.
Rob Burlison
Although no major success came Rob’s way in 2014 he continued to represent Oxley Park,
Staffordshire and England with great verve and style and ensured that Oxley Park and Staffordshire’s
names were prominent in many events. Playing for England Rob played against many top amateurs
from European countries which must prove useful in the future. Rob will be away with the England
squad for training again possibly in March. I am sure that you will all join with us in hoping that 2015
will be a successful year for Rob.
You can find more about Rob on his website at
robertburlisongolf.com
Ladies
Happy New Year to our Lady Captain Janet Fleetwood and to all in the ladies section.
The ladies continue to give splendid support to Oxley’s social events and in fund raising. Many thanks
for all the floral arrangements that have brightened up the club house throughout the year and to the
ladies who have worked on the flower beds and surrounding areas of the club house.
County Report
Staffordshire Ladies County Golf Association (SLCGA)
Miss Diane Bailey (nee Robb) is to be the next President of the Ladies Golf Union and will take up her
post at the annual meeting in February 2015.
Diane started her golfing career at Oxley Park. Diane Robb is on an Oxley Park Ladies Honours
Board having won the Sir Robert Bird Bowl in 1958.
In 1961 Diane won the British Girls’ Championship and was runner up in the Ladies British Amateur
Championship that same year.
Diane Bailey M.B.E. represented England in Home internationals from 1957 to 1971. She also
represented Great Britain and Ireland in Curtis Cup fixtures against the USA in 1962 and 1972 and
captained the team in 1984, 1986 and 1988.
A great start at Oxley Park!
Staffordshire Veteran Ladies County Golf Association (SVLCGA)
Doreen Banks has been a member of Oxley Park for over 50 years. During that time she has been
County Captain, County President and President of the County Vets. She is an Honorary Member of
the County Associations and the Midland Vets.
In 2015 Vets Championship at Brocton Hall GC, a Silver Salver will be awarded to the lady in the 70+
age group with the best gross score. This is to be called The Doreen Banks Salver.
Doreen Banks and Eve Worrall, both Past Oxley Lady Captain’s, are the only two Staffordshire
County Captains to have won the County Championship, another double honour for Oxley Park G.C.
Doreen and the Staffs Ladies at the Men’s County Dinner and Presentation at Aston Wood.
Juniors
It was good to see some of our Juniors participating in recent Mixed and Four Ball competitions. We
hope you all have had a splendid New Year and that 2015 brings lots of good golf and success to
you.
We also hope that Pete Prescott, our Junior Organiser, has enjoyed his first season in his new role
and that he too is looking forward to success in 2015.
Winners of the Mixed Christmas Competition.
With Lady Captain Janet Fleetwood, Jim Will and Phil Chambers
Some photographs taken by Les Burlison
Five members enjoying the Presentation Evening.
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Geoff Palmer, John Foster, Ant Colton, Andy Laville and Trevor Ruby
.Winners of the Shotgun Scramble. Chris Banks, Paul Bailey, Kim Hughes and Jon Hounslow.
Second Shotgun Texas Scramble winning team. Mark Penney, Tom Wood and Mark Hale.
Graham E Walton was the fourth member. Barrie Passmore who played all 18 holes with the ‘Tea and Toasties’ in his Santa’s
outfit. Brilliant!
Oxley Park Gentlemen at the County Dinner and Presentation at Aston Wood
President Terry Reynolds, County President Mike Roberts, Brian Hyde and Jim Will Is “Santa” Barry Whitaker really receiving the Ryder Cup for Oxley from the County President Mike
Roberts?
In Conclusion
The group involved in the proposed club house development has worked tirelessly and with club
member Alan Evans, whose business acumen, knowledge and expertise has proved invaluable,
continue to move the project forward. Be assured that we will let you know as soon as any pertinent
information is known.
We would like to thank all the volunteers who have helped in and around the club house, the various
flower beds and borders and the divot filling on the course. Thank you all for freely giving of your time
and effort.
A special thanks to Marcus Springthorpe who, as the new franchisee, with his team of Lois (his Mom)
and Sue have provided excellent food and service. An excellent caterer for any party or celebration at
the club.
Thanks to Sandra Payton and her staff Sally and Anne, to Karen Nicholls and Karen Roberts in the
office and to our Professional Les Burlison, his wife Sue and brother Brian for providing competitive
priced quality goods and splendid service in the shop.
Last, but by no means least, thank you to the General Committee who have done their best for the
club and all its members.
Roger Cox
Jim Will
January 2015
Please let the club office know of any changes to your
home details or Email address.
Oxley club contact is:-
[email protected]