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Yes indeed, which means that there is plenty to get through in the May edition of your society newsletter.

Apart from publishing the results and news from Fulford Heath and Droitwich we intend to bring you all fully up to date with handicap adjustments and merit league placings.

Apart from the notice of our next venue (printed on the blue sheet attached) which will require your immediate attention you will find an article concerning our July fixture at the Rolls of Monmouth, our annual championship, which certainly needs to be read to avoid any confusion or extra work on behalf of the secretary.

There are a number of other articles which need to be read which do effect the society and are very important to each member so it is in your own interest to take a little time to “cover” the whole of this May edition.

The first important announcement follows with the headline

Membership Closes for 1999

We have been highly successful in obtaining a large turnout at each of our three fixtures this year, well into the fifties on each occasion, and it is for this very reason that we have decided to close membership for the current year.

The organisers, especially Larry, have been fully aware that we have had some minor grumblings concerning the time members are being asked to wait for the presentation of prizes at the end of the day especially when some of the membership have a considerable distant to travel back home afterwards.

The organisational aspect runs smoothly, especially since we introduced Rod Hardman, Neil Flannery and Stefan Roberts into the equation and issued copies of Today’s Format, the whole set up could easily cater for more, but we all have to be aware of the time element in all this. It takes over one hour to get nine fourballs out on the course, and it therefore follows that we have taken nearly two hours recently to clear the 1st tee, even with an official starter.

Slow play contributes further to delays as does “playing out” when unable to score. Something had to be done. We want everyone to enjoy our fixtures and return month after month. So where do we go from here?

We are fortunate that at our next two fixtures we are able to use both the first and 10th tees, so numbers will not be that important.

However, it may be that in August we will have to put a limit on the number of bookings we accept for Whittington, probably 50 / 52 to accommodate both the wishes of the club and those CATS who can ill afford to wait around.

What ever the decision it will become even more important than ever that Larry receives the full co-operation of the whole of the membership. Every single member will be fully informed through the pages of Kitty Times.

“I will do my utmost to ensure that no one is disappointed” says Larry” And I do have certain ideas that I will discuss with Bob Harris that may just make the day more entertaining for those of us “out” early and “home” early“.

So their we have it. Your quest for new members is no longer required. Or is it?

A waiting list for a golf society is unheard of, especially when you are only a quarter of the way through your current season. Guests may well wish to join today, but in nine months time it may be a different story. Experience tells us that it would be the latter. It also has to be considered that every year any members organisation loses ten per cent of its membership, and The CATS are no different in this respect. Anyone who is on a waiting list for membership needs to be committed to joining, and that means putting their money where their mouths are. Therefore, we have introduced a new scheme called quite simply.

Associated Membership

Anyone wishing to join our ranks can now be offered associated membership only. The cost is £15 per year but will have the following restrictions applied.

1. They will only be allowed to attend 5 fixtures in the current year.

2. They will not be allowed to invite guests or introduce other associated members to the group.

They will however, receive a CATS logo shirt and be asked to pay the same green fees as that of a full member.

Come the new year, they will be offered the opportunity to replace those of the current membership who choose not to renew.

As is usual with all CATS fixtures these days, Thursday, 29th of April proved to be no exception. After days of constant rain and course closures, Larry once again managed to get everything right with the weather, a beautiful day, sunny, and ideal for some excellent golf. No one knows how he does it, but he does. “My luck has to change” says Larry “Apart from which, the local vicar in Bridgnorth is getting to think I am a born again Christian with all the time I spend in church on the Sunday prior to a CATS fixture.”

But Fulford proved to be ideal for one of our founding members, Chris Bissell, who took the opportunity to record his first ever CATS win with a quite magnificent “knock” of 42 points, streets ahead of the rest of us.

Only Bob Edwards, our first captain, threatened to spoil the day for Chris but even he ended up three points short of the mark. Well done mate, it could not have happened to a more devoted CATS fanatic.

And how about Dave Lea ? What a return to form for our official starter, who crawled home, totally knackered, with an excellent 38 points. Every member was delighted to see him back to something like the real Dave Lea. Things certainly look good for the future.

Our far travelling members from Hampshire didn`t go home emptied handed either. Rob Doley won the longest drive, whilst his partner Dave Sanders, joined the likes of Colin Butler, Tony Walters and Dave Lea in achieving a nearest the pin victory.

Our captain of 98, Colin Evans led his team of Graham Hancox and Bob Edwards home to claim the Team prize, closely followed by a whole host of teams just one point behind.

Turning to “THE FLAP” it gives us no pleasure at all to report this “feeble” effort – we occasionally lie as well – but 17 points on such a course as Fulford leads us to believe we need to supply a guide dog or at the very least a white stick for Royston Heaton for the next event, otherwise we may all be left waiting until midnight for him to come home. Max Carroll was delighted to hand his close mate the trophy and bottle of Cat Pee.

Finally, a word of thanks to our two prize sponsors, Dave and Mark Edginton. The prize table they provided was exceptional, and was well received by the whole membership. Many thanks guys.

Joe Davis who happens to be a member at Droitwich pre– warned many of the membership that the course should not be taken too lightly if we wanted to head the winners enclosure at the end of the day.

How true his words of wisdom proved to be. What a magnificent course, what a challenge of golf.

The strange thing was that most of us stood on the tee and thought “looks easy enough” and suddenly “ouch”. The rough got a grip of your ball and gave each one of us the biggest kicking of our lives. Without doubt, the course was not for the faint hearted, if you got around with more than thirty points, you had, without question, had a good result. In fact the average points tally for the day was 28 such was the quality of the challenge.

Bearing all this in mind, its remarkable that Dave Edginton even managed to return home, but he did, and with a winning score of 38 points. “Cut the b...x.y.z.” says the captain. Cut he is. Great round Dave, full credit to you.

Simon Lewis recorded his usual boring three over par gross and admitted “yeah….some course”.

It was magic to see two of our original members in the winners enclosure. Tony Wall and Nigel Tonge claiming the first two places in Division Two. How the hell Nigel managed to keep his ball on the fairway is beyond belief, usually his tee shot is likely to go anywhere, and Droitwich ain`t the course to go “walkabout”. Perhaps it was Nigels day.

And guess what? Stefan Roberts got himself into the prizes as too did Bob Edwards. No more Division 3 for Bob after this knock.

The nearest the pins, on four of the most difficult par three`s you are likely to come across were claimed by Ian Bissell (our prize sponsor), Tony Walters (yet again), Ken Shorney and with the most brilliant piece of golf, (or so he tells us, again and again and again) our secretary.

The team prize was claimed by Dave and Mark Edginton ably supported by “first timers” Ken Morley and John Briggs.

The prize presentation was yet again something you had to see to believe. Our captain Bob Harris was in full flow and was even asked by the club president “where do you get your material from?” Need we say more.

It should come as no surprise to any of the membership that we have re-booked already for next year. The club have indicated that they will be delighted to see us back. We will be delighted to return.

And What About Those Shirts……….

It cannot be left to go unreported that our turnout wearing our CATS logo shirts has not gone unnoticed.

At both Ludlow and Droitwich we were congratulated by the club secretaries on our appearance.

“Very smart and professional” and “ Setting a high standard that we wished other societies would adopt” are just two of the comments made to your secretary and captain, and it is only right that the CATS membership should be made aware of just how well we are being received.

It does make a difference with the respective clubs, especially when they are being asked to accommodate larger numbers than those usually associated with societies. If we look the part, it becomes far easier to gain acceptance. Our course etiquette has never been questioned, the 1999 shirts have just applied the finishing touch.

It goes without saying therefore, that the reason for introducing the rule concerning appearance of a member not wearing “our colours” is fully justified. No shirt—two shot cut in handicap.

The excuse that your shirt is in the wash gets you no sympathy at all as one member found out at Droitwich to his cost.

The message is simple—”No kit, your handicap gets hit”.

Captains Day— back to Shifnal.

Thanks to John Bromley we have re-negotiated our Captains Day Event in October and will be going to Shifnal as originally planned .

We had experienced some problems with the course if you remember and decided to move elsewhere, however John had other ideas and took the matter up with the committee at Shifnal, where he is a member.

The nett result is a return to the course where Bob Harris originally planned to have his Captains Day Event in 1999.

For those members who are not aware of this course, please be assured that it is a “classic” venue and is so good that along with Worfield is co-hosting the PGA Seniors Tour in June.

We are confident that any member who would like to go along and watch this event can get all the details from John who will no doubt be only to obliged to help.

However, as far as our organisation is concerned, we are delighted to be going to Shifnal, and cannot thank the club committee and secretary enough for taking another look at our request. We know you will all enjoy the experience.

The Cats Sweatshirts

Many of you have now purchased the new 1999 sweatshirt. Rather than ordering another batch Larry has decided that your future requirements will be to ORDER ONLY.

If you should require one, speak to our secretary, who will take your order and arrange for manufacture. The selling price remains the same at £10 each.

Whilst on the subject, we have been asked if we can provide extra polo shirts for those who want them. The simple answer is yes, but at a cost. Again speak to our secretary who can, like most things, make the necessary arrangements. Cost £8 each including the art work, name etc.