'Circuit Breaker' Lockdown

Good afternoon,

I’m sure many of you would have seen yesterday’s Welsh Government announcement (Wales Golf statement below)regarding a so called ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown, sadly this will result in Builth Wells Golf Club having to close at 6pm on Friday 23rd October, re-opening on Monday 9th November. Therefore the golf course will be CLOSED for this period as will the Pro Shop and clubhouse, whilst the changing rooms will remain locked. Diego has the opportunity to offer food on a ‘takeaway’ service, this is entirely Diego’s decision, if he decides to do so a takeaway menu will be sent out.

The club competitions arranged for this coming weekend have been cancelled, Winter League will NOT start on Sunday 8th November as was the intention, it is hoped to start winter league on Sunday 15th November however this will depend on what restrictions are in place when reopening on Monday 9th November. The Ainsleigh Jones Trophy (seniors) scheduled for Monday 9th November has been moved to Monday 16th November.

The online booking system has been amended whereby no tee times are available from 6.00pm on Friday 23rd October – Sunday 8th November; tee times can be booked from Monday 9th November onwards (dependant on whatever restrictions are put in place).

Course maintenance – we are awaiting confirmation that the scheduled greens maintenance (verti draining) can take place on Monday 26th October as planned, the greens should hopefully have recovered by the time the golf course reopens on 9th November.

This is a very disappointing announcement given that golf is played outside in the fresh air, however we look forward to reopening on Monday 9th November, in the meantime stay safe and look after yourselves.

Wales Golf released the statement below:

The First Minister has announced a circuit-breaker lockdown to take place between Friday 23rd October at 6 pm until Monday 9th November. It will apply to everyone living in Wales and will supersede all local restrictions currently in place.

The Welsh Government has stated ‘Golf and tennis clubs will be required to close during the period of the lockdown.’

The clear stay at home message means that all non-essential retail and leisure are to close during this lockdown period. ‘Your exercise should start and finish from your home and you should exercise alone or with a member of your household’

Wales Golf will provide a further update when information becomes available.

Memorial Open Team of Three Competition

The final Open event of a very strange 2020 was the Memorial Team of Three Competition; 2 best scores to count on all holes apart from 6, 13 & 18 where all 3 scores to count, 90% handicap, stableford.

33 teams entered the competition, special thanks to Ludlow Golf Club members who had 6 teams and Shrewsbury Golf Club members who had 2 teams, thank you for your support.

The 2020 Memorial Trophy winners were local members, Tom Offa, Aaron Evans and Cairan Price playing off 14, 5 & 11 respectively; they scored 85 points (7 under the par of 78 points), runners up with a score of 83 points were Darryl Wood, Andrew Claridge and Jack Hammond also home club members.

MEMORIAL COMPETITION RESULTS

Winning the ladies section were Lady Captain, Hayley Price, Sherrie Edwards and Lisa Hughes with 77 points, congratulations to all the winners and a huge thank you to everyone that supported the Open event.

Stay safe and we hope to see you in 2021!

72 Club Draw September 2020

THE SEPTEMBER 72 CLUB DRAW HAS TAKEN PLACE, THE LUCKY WINNERS ARE SHOWN BELOW:

   1st               JOHN PARKER                                    £100

   2nd             GRAHAM PARKER                                     £80

   3rd              MO INGLIS                                                   £60

   4th              JOHN & SHEILA SAER                 £40

   5th              MIKE & CELIA SPEAKE                                                              £20

ANYONE WISHING TO JOIN THE 72 CLUB PLEASE ASK IN THE PRO SHOP OR SECRETARY'S OFFICE. THE COST IS £24.00 PER YEAR WITH 4 DRAWS PAYING OUT A TOTAL OF £1,000 PLUS IN PRIZE MONEY.

Spring Open - John Jones Trophy

The re scheduled Spring Open 4 Ball Better Ball stableford took place on Saturday 12th September 2020 following its postponement in May.

52 pairs entered the competition with the men playing for the fabulous John N. Jones Trophy; numerous visiting golfers commented on the condition of the golf course with one group stating “the course is the best we have seen it in 30 years and the greens are the best we have played on this year”.

Scoring was very tight at the top in the men’s competition - the 2020 winners were Peris Hughes and Stephen Payne with a score of 43 points, they pipped playing partners Thomas Edwards and Matthew Bufton on the back nine also with 43 points, in 3rd place also with 43 points was John Parker and Andrew Evans.

Peris Hughes & Stephen Payne 2020 winners - John Jones Trophy

Peris Hughes & Stephen Payne 2020 winners - John Jones Trophy

The ladies competition saw an outstanding score of 47 points posted by Lady Captain, Hayley Price and Club Champion, Sherrie Edwards; playing off 90% of 11 and 5 respectively. Unfortunately the trophy was for the men’s section only. Runners up with an excellent 39 points were Lisa Hughes and Lindsay Jones.

SPRING OPEN 4 B/B/B RESULTS

Covid 19 update Monday 14th September 2020

Following Friday 11th September’s announcement on the tightening of Covid 19 restrictions the following statement has been released by Wales Golf:

CLARIFICATION

The Welsh Government have introduced a tightening of the COVID-19 restrictions from Monday 14th of September:  

  • A maximum of six people from the extended household bubble will be able to meet indoors at any one time. This rule applies in clubhouses including restaurants and bar facilities. Please note: Children under 11 will not be counted in the six people.

  • It will be compulsory for people over the age of 11 to wear a face-covering in public indoor space such as professional shops & clubhouses.

  • Face coverings will not be required by customers in pubs or restaurants (E.G Clubhouse bar and restaurants areas)

  • Up to 30 people can still meet up outside

Local authorities are being given more power, so it is extremely important you keep up to date with the latest guidance for your local area and implement such changes in your club/facility risk assessment. 

Therefore as of Monday 14th September face coverings WILL be required in the Pro Shop, Clubhouse, Changing rooms and indoor areas at Builth Wells Golf Club; face coverings are NOT required when eating or drinking!

As per the statement above – Local Authorities have been given more power to deal with premises, they are also carrying out regular visits, please adhere to the rules, they are not our rules they are set by the Welsh government, whatever you think of them they are there for the protection of staff, members, customers and the wider public.

Please remember, if you are showing any symptoms of Covid 19 i.e. high temperature, dry cough, loss of smell/taste you should self isolate and certainly shouldn’t be playing golf or mixing with people.

Heart of Wales Trophy

The final day of the 2020 Builth Wells Golf Club Open Weekend saw the playing of the Heart of Wales Trophy, individual stableford, full handicap. The winner of this lovely trophy could be either lady or man as the best score against standard scratch wins the trophy.

A field of 108 players took part with scoring very tightly packed; overall winner on the day was home club player Jon Samuel with 40 points playing off 6 handicap, in doing so reducing his handicap to 5! Runner up with 39 points was Chris Offa playing off a handicap of 9, 3rd place overall was Sherrie Edwards, the leading female, with a score of 38 points playing off a handicap of 5.

Sherrie Edwards and Jon Samuel - Heart of Wales ladies winner & overall winner 2020

Sherrie Edwards and Jon Samuel - Heart of Wales ladies winner & overall winner 2020

HEART OF WALES TROPHY RESULTS

Nearest the Pin 5th hole - Patrick Clinton (Stonebridge)

Nearest the Pin 15th hole - Ceri Jones (Llandrindod Wells)

2’s winners - 26 players scored a two - £6.50 per two


Hugh Vaughan Mixed Greensomes

The third day of the 2020 Open Weekend saw the playing of the Hugh Vaughan Mixed Greensomes; format, greensomes, medal, 1/2 combined handicap - a minimum of 6 drives per player must be used.

40 pairs entered the competition with some excellent scoring taking place on a golf course in excellent condition.

The Hugh Vaughan Cup winners were Lady Captain, Hayley Price and her brother Wynford Mills with a fine score of 78 - 15.5 = 62.5, runners up once again (runners up in 2019) were Lisa Hughes and Lee Bullock with another good score of 75 - 9.5 = 65.5, third place went to regular visiting pair Tina & Ian Kinsey (Hurlston Hall) with 84 - 18 = 66.

Wynford Mills & Hayley Price, Hugh Vaughan Cup winners 2020

Wynford Mills & Hayley Price, Hugh Vaughan Cup winners 2020

HUGH VAUGHAN CUP RESULTS

The gross competition was won by regular visitors, Elsbeth & Malcolm Morton (Formby & Formby Ladies) with a score of 75, runners up were Sherrie Edwards and 13 year old son Thomas Edwards with 79.

Jim Downs Cup/Manchester Trophy

The 2nd day of Open Weekend 2020 saw the playing of the men’s Jim Downs Cup and ladies Manchester Trophy, 4 ball better ball stableford, 90% handicap.

160 players took part with clubs from Liverpool, Leicestershire, London and Birmingham represented.

The 2020 Jim Downs Cup winners were Builth Wells pair Lee Bullock & Matthew Bufton with 44 points; runners up also scoring 44 points were Builth junior members, Aaron Evans & Tom Offa, losing out on the last 6 holes on count back. 3rd place went to another local pairing in Stephen Payne & Peris Hughes with 42 points.

Matthew Bufton & Lee Bullock, Jim Downs Cup winners

Matthew Bufton & Lee Bullock, Jim Downs Cup winners

The ladies Manchester Trophy was won by Lady Captain Hayley Price and Lindsay Jones with a score of 39 points; runners up were regular visitors to Builth Wells, Chris Morris & Sara Goode (Greenmeadow Golf Club) with 38 points. 3rd place with 37 points were defending champions, Anne Lloyd & Sherrie Edwards.

Lady Captain Hayley Price & Lindsay Jones, Manchester Trophy winners 2020

Lady Captain Hayley Price & Lindsay Jones, Manchester Trophy winners 2020