Welcome to Ramsey Golf Club Mens News     2nd January 2007 ‘Out with the old and in with the new,’ or so the saying goes. And so it was on New Year’s Day for the Captain’s drive-in. Outgoing Captain, Seymour Corkill, looked on with a massed horde of hardy souls as incoming Captain, Fergus Murdoch strode purposefully toward the first tee. With his bright green berry cocked at a jaunty angle, and stapled to his head to ensure the gale force winds did not send it sailing over the clubhouse, he placed his ball on the tee peg, and then had to stoop to re-place it as a hefty gust toppled it off its perch. After a suitable introduction from yours truly it was time for our illustrious Captain to swing, true and sure. After a couple of bum-wiggles, a flex of the wrist, and one last look at the assembled gallery, the true majesty of the Captain’s swing was there for all to see, and the ball hammered away with all the accuracy and power of a wayward exocet missile. With the ball safely off, it was down to myself and David Platt to measure the distance driven in order to ascertain who had won the sweepstake, while everyone else retired to the bar to toast Fergy’s appointment. At a whopping 113 yards, somewhat shorter than the Lady Captain achieved on her drive-in, as I have been asked to point out, the shot would struggle to win a longest drive competition, but did prove a winner for Claire Waddington, who decided 97 yards would be the distance achieved, proving what the ladies have been telling us, that they are top in Ramsey. Kindly, Claire donated the winnings to the Lady Captain’s charity, the specialist brain injury unit. To further hammer home the ladies belief in themselves, the Lady Captain’s team proceeded to win the putting competition held in the clubhouse. Covering his disappointment with a hearty smile, and a glower to his vice-captain who missed his putt, the Captain thanked everyone for their support and announced the buffet was open. In conclusion, here’s wishing a happy and prosperous New Year to our new Captain and all at RGC. 2007 promises to be a great year, and it is down to all of us at the club to ensure it is so. Have a good one! 18th December 2006 Sadly, due to the cancellation of all social competitions owing to foul weather and localised flooding, there is no golf playing news as such. Although, it must be said, the Ramsey Sub-Aqua Club did hold a magnificent gala on the 5th green early last week in their place. Their underwater version of dancing around the pole went down a treat, especially with the elder statesmen of the club. One was heard to mutter something about it becoming an annual event, while feverishly clutching his quivering pint pot with both hands in case he spilled any of the Okell’s special brew contained within. In spite of the aforementioned’s obvious enthusiasm for such an event, the board have pooh-poohed the idea, and hope to have the green back to its proper use before too long. Weather permitting.          The only golfing treat to be had last week was the AGM. This was a well attended affair and, it being the first AGM subsequent to the club becoming a Limited company, was well received. During business, all existing board members were re-elected, Paul Morris was voted in to replace the out-going Dennis McGurgan as President, and Fergus Murdoch was duly sworn in as the club’s Captain for 2007. To everyone’s surprise, mine included, I was elected Vice-Captain for 2007, the reason given being I am the only one who can translate what Fergy is actually  saying. With business concluded it was time to thank Dennis for all his hard work for the club and to open the floor for questions. For a change, there were very few to answer, and these were dealt with in a professional manner, as one would expect. Aside from the question about Ramsey’s Sub-Aqua Club’s return booking for the same time next year. The still-perspiring member was dragged away, rubbed down with a wet rag, and then told to lie down in a cool dark corner until he recovered.          2006 is very nearly over and we have had a great year’s golf. Here’s hoping 2007 proves to be as good, if not better. Our new club Captain drives off at 12.00pm on New Year ’s Day and it would be great to see as many members as possible surround the first tee, if only to witness how poor Fergy’s swing actually is.             All that remains is for me wish you a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year from all at Ramsey Golf Club. May all your wishes come true. Well, aside from the guy with the fetish for blokes in skin-hugging wet-suits and over-sized flippers. Oops! Fins!