Club President Andy Storer

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 15 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”

Club Captain Allan Furlong

Ladies Captain Lydia Rayne

I was born and raised in Scotland.
Learnt to play golf in Fife.

Senior school in St. Andrew’s.

Represented Scotland in 2 Lacrosse World Cups. Travelled and worked in Australia after World Cup in Perth, Australia.

Ex Director of Sport at Downe House for over 25 years. Retired after 37 years of teaching PE.

Twin boys born in Millenium and I now live near Abingdon with my husband Tim and my ever growing Bassett Hound pack!

Seniors Captain Simon Vines

I lived in Essex for the majority of my life and only moved to the Newbury area in 1997 with work,  spending the first 11 weeks here living in the Donnington Grove Hotel and, enjoying the golf course and going for runs with the restaurant manager.

I've always enjoyed playing most sports, but from teenage years I focusing mainly on running for the following thirty years, to a good club level, breaking 68 minutes for a half marathon and representing Essex and the British Polytechics on many occasions

I first played golf as a 14 year old scoring a magnificent 164 shots! And I still have days where it feels like I am still going to hit those dizzy heights again.

Following retirement, I restarted playing golf and joined Donnington Grove in 2020. It was quickly obvious to me that the Seniors section was very well run here, and it is now an honour to be the Seniors captain this year. I I look forward to a good and happy golfing year for all.

Club Vice Captain Paul Greening

I grew up in Newbury playing many sports, at a young age football and Athletics were my main sports.  As I got older Darts, pool and Ten Pin bowling took over.

I had always watched golf but had never played until one day a friend ask me to Caddy for him, you can imagine my reply.. The offer came for him to buy the beer in the clubhouse once finished, obviously at that point my reply changed to a definitive Yes.

That was hook line and sinker for me, the following day clubs were purchased and long hours at the driving range became a regular occurrence until I learnt how to hit that little pimpled white ball.  That still happens even now!!

My first club was a small course approx. 5800 yards, within 12 months of joining I had won all 3 divisions and multiple other events, within 0ne year of playing my handicap was 7.

As life changes so does our golf courses, after a few years away from golf I Joined Tylney hall Golf club in Hampshire where I was a member for approximately 3 years.

Once I left Tylney I never played golf for around 10 years.  

I finally joined Donnington Grove and over the years I have been on the competitions committee and handicap secretary.

Ladies Vice Captain Toni Hinson

Club Senior Vice Captain Clayton Thornton

I’ve always loved and played competitive sport: ice hockey, volleyball, softball & basketball - but was too short. My golf started as a caddy in London (Canada that is) and then joined a local course at 15 stopping at 18 due to university.

All sports ceased in Jan ’88 when Sheridan (my Brummie spouse) and I moved to Maidenhead in Jan’88.  A 1-year assignment to help setup data networks across EMEA.  With a 2 year stop in Germany and a couple of companies later, my 1-year assignment ended by retiring in 2018.

I started golfing again in 2019 at Castle Royle, where I started with a 36+ handicap, which I managed to get it to 13 by spring of ’22.  Then our house sale & finding the right new house and town to live in took hold.  We finally moved into our Newbury house in Dec ‘ 22 and joining DGGC.  I was told I was too young to join N&CGC!

In spite of having explored all the nether regions of our course, I’ve really enjoyed these past 3.5 years.  We’ve a great group of people playing and working here.  My ex-CR friends (22 this year) love their annual trip here.  Many making a special point of saying what a great environment we have here and they all enjoyed their away day.

I’m always happy to meet, play and listen to anyone, as I see education/learning as key to keeping this a great place to be and golf.  I look forward to being part of the team and to continue to help improve things, whilst learning how to assist the very busy back-office teams that keep everything ticking over, like a swan floating down our lovely Lambourn river chalk stream.