I am at that age where, my mind still thinks I am 29, my humour suggests I am 12, while my body mostly keeps asking if I am sure I am not dead yet. In days past when I had a waist, you could find me running around a pitch chasing an odd shaped ball, please talk slowly to me I was a prop forward, we weren’t known for our intelligence back then. I was told “Sport is good for you when you’re young” in the past few years I have discovered it’s not very good for you in later years, two new hips and some scaffolding in my back goes to prove that.

I became a member of our great club 13 years ago, with believe it or not a playing handicap of 3 and a waist. This great golf course has taken its toll and I now knock it round off 12, now and again I play a few holes like I used to but not very often. I join the club committee as members rep a few years later. It was an eye-opening experience realising what goes on behind the scenes. 

I was asked to be vice-captain in 2013 which I accepted and went on to be Club Captain in 2014. I was asked to take on the role of Handicap and Competitions secretary in 2017, which I did for two years, and now, here I am as your club President.

You can find me in many places at Donnington Grove, trees, bushes, bunkers, pro-shop, but most of all you will always find me post round in the bar, after a bad round give me chance to get the first Guinness down, and then it’s safe to come and have a chat about anything you want. I will probably forget your name, too many whacks on the head in the front row, but I will always listen.

Playing golf is what it’s all about, feel free to, join me for a game, give me a call, drop me a text or e-mail if I can I will be there, if there is a space in the group in competitions put your name in. The golf may not be of the highest standard, but we will have a laugh, and that’s what we are here for after all.

Have a fantastic golfing year, but most of all “Have some Fun”

Andy

I have always been involved in sport and played it to a good standard. I played every sport going at school and for every team. So much so while studying my A levels this was recognised and I landed a job at Kennet sports centre where I trained and gained qualifications to coach everything from trampolining to swimming. In my own time I played a wide variety of sports whether that was Table Tennis to county standard, cricket for Thatcham and Peasemore, Hockey for Newbury in the first team for several years, or just 5 -a-side football in local leagues.

In latter years injuries to knees and ankles put pay to the football and more physical sports.

My first introduction to golf came when my grandad gave me an old 8 iron which was way too big for me, I was 9! I used to take it over the road to the moors playing fields where I would see how many shots it would take me to get across the field. At secondary school we were offered the chance to take golf in PE for a term with a lucky few chosen of which I was one. I had a terms worth of lessons at the old racecourse driving range and learnt how to swing properly. From there I continued to play without ever joining a club irregularly into my early/mid 20’s, circumstances changed I then didn’t play for around 10 years.

About 15 years ago I was on a night out with a group of friends and it turned out we all had played golf in the past so we decided to have a game. This turned into a regular weekend thing, we became golfing nomads and started our own little society. This became more and more expensive so we decided we needed to join a club. I joined Donnington Valley in 2013 and quickly became involved in club life. I was co-opted into their handicaps and competitions committee where I served for 2 years before taking up the role of chairman of the H&C committee. I fulfilled this role for an initial year before being asked to become vice captain. For the next year I carried out both roles while we looked for a suitable replacement as Chair of H&C. I became captain in April 2020 in Covid and had the job of bringing the club out of lockdown and reinstating competition in a new way. In August 2020 Donnington Valley decided they wanted to change their operation to a play and play only course and so we were homeless. The logical choice was to join Donnington Grove and it has been the best decision I have ever made. It was like moving from primary to secondary school with my Handicap dropping from 9.6 to 6.1 since joining. I quickly got involved with playing in the Concorde League side, and now act as vice captain for this team. I have also played for the Hillman Trophy team, the Kyocera team and the tri-series team. Interclub matchplay for me is my favourite form of golf and is where I have shot some of my best ever rounds.

Whether on the range, chipping, putting, on the course, or in the bar, there is nowhere in the UK where I’d rather be. If you fancy a game give me a shout or if you want to discuss anything regarding the club come say hi. I’m always here to chat and listen.

I was born in Cardiff but I'm an 'Old Newburian' because I've lived in Newbury since I was a child and I'm now getting on a bit!

Locally schooled, my two younger sisters and I played all sports. I loved netball and athletics and competed at both county and regional level.
Mum and Dad played golf and organised junior girls coaching at Newbury & Crookham where the pro, 'Uncle' Jack Hughes coached us. My sister to professional level and me to a mid range handicap which held me in good stead for later years.

I have three sons and for several years I ran a cub pack and worked at Falkland Primary School, outward bounding with them in North Wales. My boys played cricket at Falkland CC and I became an ECB level 1 cricket coach...as you do.

I retired last year and have never been so busy, particularly since the arrival of my beautiful granddaughter.

I am honoured to be the Lady Vice Captain at Donnington Grove and look forward to supporting Helen in what I'm sure will be a great golfing year.

I am a Cornishman who has lived in the lovely Newbury area for more than 30 years. We moved in 1993, when the head office team at English China Clays was relocated from St Austell to the new business park at Theale. In 1997 I joined the Smiths Industries head office team based in London, which meant long daily commutes.
I started playing golf in my early fifties when my reducing work commitments meant that I had the opportunity to take up a hobby.
Golf is a very addictive sport! It presents the golfer with the constant challenge of trying to improve your game, one measure of which is the World Handicap System (WHS) handicap. There are the health benefits of exercise (it’s a long walk!) and socialising with fellow golfers, plus the mental challenge of trying each time to make that perfect shot, which I mostly fail to do!
At Donnington Grove there is a vibrant Seniors membership with lots of friendly and fun competitions to enter and enjoy. I’d be delighted if you could join me for a round of golf. Our ethos is to have fun!
It is an honour to be the Seniors Captain for the 2024/25 golfing year and I look forward to another enjoyable year’s golf at Donnington Grove.