Forrester Park
Vets Member Area

The draw for Vets' summer singles and pairs Competition has been drawn. Click on the link below to see the draw.

Vets Summer Draw Link

This link will automatically update when a change is made to the matches played.

Singles competition - Match play to be played off of the yellow tees with 100% course handicap.

Pairs Competition - four ball better ball match play to be played off of the yellow tees with 90% course handicap.

Note :- Please let Peter Waknell know the result of the match asap after it is played. Please play the match by the date shown.

Please Read – Updated 12th May 2025

1.    New - Charity fun day - The Signup sheet for the sponsored holes is on the Vets notice board. All vets please donate something towards the raffle table.

2.    The Wednesday competition start sheet evolves over the week and will change frequently. To be sure of your start time and playing partners, check the finalised start sheet on Tuesday evening.

3.    Please write on the scorecard the time you actually start and finish your round in Wednesday competitions. This is so we can get an idea of how long a round will take.

4.    The Vet home friendly against Clacton on June 11th signup sheet is now on the Vets notice board. Cost £tbd. Please signup as soon as possible. We need a minimum of 16 players for each game (it would be nice to have a few extra sign up for reserves, just in case). If you have not played in these before, they are a good way to have some fun, eat some food and meet new people in a relaxed atmosphere. The Vets shirt and jumper are available from the club pro shop. 

Reminder

Cut off time for entry into Vets weekly competitions is the Sunday evening before the Wednesday competition.

Many Thanks

Thank you to all of the people who signed up to play in the first three friendlies of the year. Played 3, won 1, drawn 1, lost 1

Home against Ballards Gore – Forrester’s 4 / Ballards Gore 4

Home against Maldon – Forrester’s 5.5 / Maldon 2.5

Away against Harwich - Harwich 5.5 / Forresters 2.5

The next match is away at Maldon (28th May).

• May 21st - Charity Fun Day - sign up sheet for sponsored holes on Vets` notice board now. Please donate a prize for the raffle.

• May 28th - Away friendly against Maldon (Team Selected)

• Friday June 13th - Pat Servis ( Vets’ vs Ladies Section), sign up sheet on vets’ notice board now. £10 with food.

• June 11th - Home friendly against Clacton (Sign up sheet on notice board now)

• June 18th - Home friendly against Brett Vale Golf Club. (Signup sheets on notice board soon)

Information from the competition secretary Ron Stovell.

Starters:- Please remember to complete the reconciliation sheet before you finish. Thank you.

Note to all members:- Please check that the scores on your card are correct and both the marker / player signatures are completed, before you hand in the card to the card collectors.

Please note :- when playing in a pairs competition, if you cannot play for any reason, it is your responsibility to notify your playing partner.

Wednesday competition late entry or cancelling entry:-

Cancelling :- if entry sheet is still on Vets’ notice board. Do not cross out your name on entry sheet. Just write No next to your name.

Late entry / cancellation :- If the entry sheet has changed to a start sheet on web / Vets’ notice board, either:-

1 - fill in the late entry / cancellation sheet at the bottom of the start sheet on the Vets' notice board.

or

2 - contact Ron via one of the three methods below.

[1] Telephone landline, [do not text] :- 01621 853555 and leave a message on the answer-machine.

[2]Text to mobile :- 07788 635002 

[3] Email :-   stovelr@btinternet.com   

Upcoming Wednesday competitions:-                 

21st May 2025 – Charity Fun Day, Yellow Tees – Non Qualifier - Stableford – 95% of playing handicap.

28th May 2025 - Stableford, Yellow Tees – Qualifier – Stableford. 95% of playing handicap

4th June 2025 - June Medal, White Tees – Qualifier – Strokeplay - 95% of Playing handicap.

11th June 2025 - Waltz 1-2-3, Yellow Tees – Non Qualifier – Stableford – 95% of Playing handicap.

Wednesday competition results:-

The compitition results are usually shown on either the Howdidido app or on masterscorecard. To login into masterscorecard goto www.masterscoreboard.co.uk Click list of golf societies, select Forrester Park Veterans’ Golf Society, enter password ‘green’. These results are generally available immediately after a Wednesday competition.

Please note :- The handicaps shown on masterscoreboard are not valid. You can check for any changes to your handicaps in howdidido.com or England golf. If your Handicap has changed then it will automatically updated onto the Vets’ computer for use in competitions.

Please see below pdf, which shows an example on how to fill out the scorecard for this weeks competition.

Notes from the General Secretary

Contact Details:

Telephone: 01621 891443

Email address: iansmith_home@yahoo.co.uk

Current News

At the appropriate times, up to date information and results for the following are contained within individual pages here:

Vets Committee minutes

Course Committee minutes

Current results of Winter League competition

Current results of Golfer of the Year competition

Current results Dennis Morley Trophy competition

Making payments using Bank Transfer

The treasurer, advises that for online banking, use Forrester Park Golf Club Veterans as the name of recipient. Sort code 20 - 97- 40 and account number 10382655. This is designated a “business account” if you are asked.

Please indicate the reason for the payment e.g. balance top up, Christmas 3 club or Guest Day.

Telephone Lists.  

Lists of members’ telephone numbers are available to individual members. If anyone requires a copy, then email me and I will send you an up to date one.

Club ties, caps, shirts etc.

Club ties, caps, are available from Mike Donovan. Shirts and sweaters can be purchased directly from Forrester Park Pro Shop.

If you have any queries please contact Mike.

New members please note that if you wish to take part in the friendly matches against other clubs, you are expected to wear a club shirt and/or sweater for the match. If a jacket and tie are specified for the meal afterwards then a club tie should be worn.  This is becoming less common and smart casual is often adopted, so please check.

New Members

Anyone wishing to join the Vets` Section should contact me. Contact details as above. The present joining fee is £10.00 per annum or part thereof; there is a separate entry fee of £3.00 per weekly competition. Payments to cover these amounts should be added to your Vets’ account using the bank transfer details above.

As a general rule approximately half of all entry fees is spent on prizes and the balance saved towards competition day lunches and other expenses.

Special competitions, such as the Winter League and Summer Knockouts, are subject to additional entry fees.

A welcome pack will be given to each new member containing all the comprehensive information on the Vets' Section that they will require.

Handicapping.

Item 1 - All new members must have an official club handicap before they can win prizes or trophies in the Vets' competitions. If a new member does not have an official club handicap, they can enter the Vets' competitions for free in order to obtain the three signed cards necessary for the Handicap Secretary to award an official club handicap via Howdidido.com or Englandgolf.org.

Item 2   Up to date handicaps can be seen on the England Golf App, “MyEG” and Howdidido, who advise changes by email.

NB. Handicaps shown on the masterscoreboard.co.uk website are not Official and should not be used in competitions.

If members have any queries concerning the actual handicap they should contact the Handicap Secretary Kevin Royan.

Members Queries.

If members have any queries that they want answered, on any subject concerning the Vets' Section, please let me have them and I will endeavor to provide a satisfactory answer. If I can't, I will seek an answer from the Committee or the Club.

Incapacitated Members.

If members become aware of others in the section that are unable to play due to injury or illness, please let Bob Ward know.

Bob will be keeping a check on their progress on behalf of us all, to let them know they are not forgotten and that we all hope to see them return to playing.

Ian Smith - General Secretary             September 2024

Please can you check your current vets balance as there are many accounts in the red. Many thanks.

MARCH MEDAL - NOT INCLUDED AS OFF RED TEES.

Updated 7th May 2025

Golfer of the Year - Updated 9th May 2025
1st Place - James Davis
2nd Place - Tony Hennessey

Message for the Vets’ Committee

Can we please ask members to be aware of very slow play and act to speed up play. Below are a few tips on what you can do to speed up play.

1.    Arrive at the nominated tee, at least 10 minutes before your allotted tee time and be ready to play.

2.    If you cannot score on a hole, pick up your ball and move on. (Stableford games only)

3.    Be aware of the time you should have completed 9 holes. (Guideline time for 9 holes is 2 hrs 10 mins)

4.    Be aware of where you are going next; leave your clubs at the side of the green at the nearest point to the next tee.

5.    Play ready golf whenever possible.

6.    Be ready to play your shot. While you’re playing partner is hitting their shot, use your time wisely and decide how to play yours. Be respectful, of course, but get your yardage, make your club selection and pick out your target line. You should be ready to go when it's your turn to play.

7.    Limit your practice swings. Taking practice swing after practice swing is a sure fire way to slow the overall pace of play down - and alienate your fellow golfers in the process.

8.    Watch every shot. Yours and you’re playing partners; this will help locate the ball quickly. Get a good line on any ball hit into the rough and walk down that line; you will find the ball more quickly.

9.    Play a provisional. If you are not completely confident you will locate your golf ball, play a provisional.

10.   When you are trying to locate your golf ball, limit looking time to 3 minutes.

11.    Mark your scorecard on the next tee.

12.    Try to keep up with the group ahead. Do not lose a hole between groups. (If you cannot see the group ahead, you are too far behind and should strive to catch up)

13.    Let faster groups play through. If you are struggling to keep up with the group ahead and the group behind are continually having to wait for your group, wave them through.

14.    Hit your shot first and then chat – don’t delay play to finish an anecdote.

15.    Remember golf should be fun; try to enjoy yourself out there. The more relaxed you are the better you will play.