News 2024

The Harding brothers win Crake Alternate Strokes

Crake Valley’s first tournament of the season saw 16 players compete the annual AC Alternate Stroke Doubles. Starting reasonably warm and dry, the weather wasn’t kind with wind & rain making conditions very difficult.

Two blocks of 4 pairs played each other, top of each block competing to decide the overall winner. In the final it was experience that took the lead, with some great shots made by Bowdon players Alan Mayne & Kay Martin. As the cold took hold and with time running out, one mistake was all that was needed for Richard & David Harding (from Nottingham & Llanfairfechan) to take a risk on hoop 6 that changed the game, giving them a 14:11 win.

1st April Update

The lawns had their first John Deere mow for the year this Easter Sunday with a huge amount of grass cuttings topping up the skip. The lawns were also treated, seeded and top soiled in places as we prepare for the summer season. Lots of work on the surrounds also took place including Brenda painting the gate. We hope the weather dries up a little to enable the car park extension and the rock garden to be completed.

On the lawns the social play on Club Days is proving popular as well as competitive play in both formats of the game. Two of our members have been selected for the England international development squad weekends, Neil Adams (at Ealing for Association) and David Cornes (at Wrest Park for Golf).

There are good numbers signed up for the 4 free taster sessions in mid April from which we hope to attract new members to the Club.

Crake Valley takes soak-away design to new levels

What happens when a club member offers to design and build a rock garden to hide an unsightly soak away? – – – –

John & Karen Bowes’ offer to build a rock garden was welcomed with open arms by the Crake Valley committee, but we could never have imagined just what an amazing structure they would create (with a little help from some willing hands!).

If you have ever visited Crake Valley, you will recall the bright yellow patch of bearded iris that hid one of our soak-aways. Removal of these was the start of a complete transformation of the club entrance area. Rocks arrived over a period of a few days, then digging began. Several loads of soil were removed, at which point we found the reason for flooding alongside the lawns: 10ft of blocked drainage pipe! This was excavated, creating an even larger hole, a new and extended piece of drainage pipe was installed and then creating could begin.

Rocks were lifted into place (some were quite heavy!), then followed the soil, membrane and four tonnes of decorative stone along with a few strategically placed plants. I make it sound so easy but without the dedication of the volunteers, John’s amazing vision and the very generous offer, this development would not have taken place, so thank you both John & Karen Bowes.

Work continues for the next few weeks, extending the car park area so watch this space for more news.

Update February 14th 2024

Despite challenging weather conditions, winter play continues at Crake. The high tides and what seems like continuous rain has not prevented the Club from cutting the lawns to host Social GC Roll Up sessions on Saturday mornings. The two most recent events have attracted 12 and 9 members with a format of random pairings playing three, 30-minute games. Any member who wins all 3 games plays off with nearest the peg as the winner. Congratulations to John Bowes and Frank Sharps who triumphed over these weekends. The afternoons are taken up with a mix of GC as well as tuition on AC from the experienced Neil Adams.

Congratulations go to Neil on his selection for the AC International Development Squad. He will join his peers in Ealing, London during March for the first coaching session.

The Club is hosting its AGM on Wednesday 28th February and has a Spring Lunch planned on Wednesday 20th March. Free “taster” sessions are planned for mid April with anyone interested in signing up asked to contact the club by email.

Good turnout at the first 2024 Saturday “roll up”

Ten members took advantage of the dry conditions to play in the Saturday “roll up” on 13th January.
Four Country members joined 6 locals in a variety of games on a cold but still day.
The Club has recently introduced a WhatsApp group for members to keep everyone informed of the condition and status of the lawns. This new aide to communication is working well as evidenced by the excellent turnout this weekend.