by Bob Harvey
It is the wish of every golf club captain to achieve something special
during his year of office -and the privilege of being Centenary Year Captain
is in itself something very special.
My thoughts go out to many of our past Captains who wielded so much influence
in the development of the club and during years of steady progress. I recall
George Davis, who as Captain launched our new clubhouse in his own very special
way. We also extended our much-admired nine hole course to 18 holes in the
same year -a great achievement for a hard-working committee and the endeavour
of Bill Wilson, another Past Captain.
Frank Lindley, during his many years with the club, contributed to the
Corhampton success story as Captain and Secretary -and as our President guided
many difficult annual meetings and extraordinary meetings when the course
extension was being considered.
Another Past Captain, John Wright, put many hours of his life into our
club and was subsequently President and a Trustee.
All Corhampton Golf Club Captains have in their own way contributed to
promoting the club to its now prominent position in Hampshire golf and I
take this opportunity to thank them all on behalf of the members.
During my captaincy in 1977 we were able to sink a 400 ft. borehole for
our original watering system and with George Smith and his mole plough extended
watering points to several parts of the course.
Our first Pro-Am was launched in the same year and has remained a major
event in our calendar ever since thanks to the stalwart efforts of our professional
John Harris and his staff, and Gordon Jackson. The Centenary Year event will
be a "Classic" two-day competition offering £10,000 in prize money
for the professionals. I am sure it will be a splendid occasion for all competitors
and spectators.
So we come to this very special year in our club's history. I am sure
we are all going to enjoy the time ahead especially the Centenary Week events
in the first week of September.
I express my thanks to our Centenary Committee CliveWilliams (Chairman),
Sid Griffiths, John Harris, Peter Taylor, Barry Searle, Reg Betts and Tim
Wood. The committee's work has extended over a period of four years and the
Captain and Ladies Captain of the year attended meetings and were always
ready to assist.
The most important "thank you" is from me personally to all members of
Corhampton Golf Club for giving me the honour of being your Centenary Year
Captain. May you all have a memorable year and may the club continue to progress
over the next one hundred years.