It was great to see so many new Society members at the pre-season meeting at The Green on Thursday 26th January.  The virtual reality golf experience in the City Centre was fitting because technology is becoming a theme of the Society this year.  Thanks largely to event sponsors I-COM, we now have our own YouTube channel, LinkedIn group and twitter account (@GMCCgolf – follow us if you can!).

However, your old fashioned and stuck-in-the-mud Captain is getting nervous.  Because Facebook asks what you are thinking, Twitter asks what you’re doing and Foursquare asks where you are, he is beginning to worry the Society is turning into a crazy girlfriend.

You would not believe the behind the scenes communication about which course we were to play.  Augusta?  Not on the system.  Pebble Beach – maybe.  How about Valderrama?  We settled eventually on Harbour Town.  Though in reality we were hitting a ball against a wall, the President insisted Harbour Town had tough closing holes.  His judgement was confirmed by 3 handicapper and club champion Ian Bardsley (IDB Scanning) who shot 27 (!) on the 18th.  He’s allowed us to say this so long as we tell everybody he also hit the longest drive, winning an excellent rescue club from sponsors I-COM as his prize.  Rachel Matthews (Quality Golf Destinations Limited), our 9 handicap lady member also excelled on the evening, winning the nearest the pin.

However the overall winners were the team of Liam Ahern of I-COM, Marc Jackson of GMChamber of Commerce, Dave Moores of Geopost and Nigel Noble of Tyrone Stone.  Well done chaps. (Pictured below with our Vice-Captain and Sponsor, Tim Roberts (left), and Captain, Michael Sweeney (right).

We were fortunate to have the excellent services of two teaching professionals on the evening.  Jersey-born Charles Le Sueur of Cheshire Golf Studio managed the longest drive and nearest the pin with great dignity and forbearance in the midst of considerable gamesmanship from members.  Matthew Ellis from The Golf School, Altrincham, was also on hand to help with the technology and provide occasional instruction.  Indeed Matthew’s advice to your Captain convinced him he had now unlocked the secret that would see his handicap plummet this season.  Bless him, he often feels like this …

A special thanks then to our professionals and to our sponsors for their generous contributions.  It all bodes well for the season proper, which starts on March 15th at St Annes Old Links.  Book early – the tee times are filling fast!

The winning team, playing over the last 3 holes at Harbour Town was:

Marc Jackson (GM Chamber of Commerce) (not pictured), Nigel Nobel (Tyrone Stone), Liam Ahern (I-COM) and David Moores (Geopost).  Also pictured is Rachel Matthews (Quality Golf Destinations Limited) - nearest the pin winner.

Enjoying a drink after the golf!

Special thanks go to our Sponsors - I-COM

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2012 Golf Society Fixtures

15^th March – St Anne’s Old Links Golf Club (Sponsored by The ICM) - Click here to book online

19^th April – Stockport Golf Club

17^th May – Delamere Forest Golf Club

14^th June – Manchester Golf Club - Captain's Day Team Event (Sponsored by Good People)

12^th July – Hesketh Golf Club

9^th August – Wallasey Golf Club

12^th September – Worsley Park, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club

9^th October –– Sandiway Golf Club with End of Season Presentation (Sponsored by I-COM)

November – Winter Warmer – Dubai and Abu Dhabi (Yas Links)