Date last updated on 30th January 2012
Club News
30 January 2012 - Keith Hornby
It is with great regret that we announce the sad news that Mr Keith Hornby died on Sunday 29 January. Our thoughts are with Jackie and the Hornby family at this very difficult time.
The following arrangements for the funeral.
On Monday 6 February there will be a private funeral at Pleasington Crematorium for family and invited guests only. A memorial service will then take place at Blackburn Cathedral from 1.30pm. Jackie, Jill and Joanne would like to welcome members back to Pleasington Golf Club to honour Keith's memory.
Family flowers only please, however there will be further details of charity donations in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.
Some of Keith’s achievements and enormous contribution to Pleasington Golf Club and Lancashire Golf are listed below:
- Joined the Pleasingon Golf Club in 1953
- Scratch Golfer for more than 25 consecutive years
- Name appears on the Club Honours Boards 24 times
- Has won The Club Championship (Scratch Medal) 8 times over 5 decades
- Served on Council for 28 years at various times between 1962 to present day
- Elected Captain of the Club twice (1984 & 1991 for the Club’s Centenary) being the only person since the First World War to have been asked to be Captain twice
- Elected President in 2010
- Won the Harold Ryden Trophy (East Lancashire Championship) twice. Won the ELGA Scratch Gold Medal twice and the ELGA Seniors Scratch Medal once
- Represented Lancashire on 63 occasions - serving as Captain for 3 years. Elected Lancashire County President in 1993/94
- Been a Vice President of Lancashire for 18 years serving on the Executive
Announcement of 2013 Captain and Lady Captain Nominations
Council are pleased to confirm that John Wild has been nominated as Captain Elect for 2012 and Tracey Mendham as Lady Captain Elect for 2012.
Announcement of 2012 President and Vice Presidents Nominations
Council are pleased to confirm that Ian Espley has been nominated as President for 2012 and that John Howarth and Tony Hedley have been nominated as Vice Presidents from 2012.
Seniors Make It Three In A Row
At the club’s recent prize giving dinner, Pleasington Seniors team captain Graham Robinson collected the Ribble Valley Seniors League Trophy for the third year in a row.
The seniors league is for over 60’s golfers , and is keenly contested by ten of the premier clubs in the East Lancs and Fylde area.
Anyone eligible and interested in playing in the 2012 season should contact Graham Robinson.
(left to right on the photograph: Mike Dunn, David Eyles, John Wild, Graham Robinson and Dennis Lawless)
Winter Rules
Download a copy of the Pleasington Golf Club Winter Rules Document (PDF)
2011 Winter Competitions Program
Download the 2011 Winter Competitions Program (PDF)
Jack Takes First Step
Jack Brooks has won his first professional title on the Gecko Euro Pro Tour. Jack took the decision to leave the amateur game at the end of September to try and make his mark in the professional arena and is currently in Spain playing on the Gecko Tour. Follow his progress on his own Web Site or via the Gecko Tour Web Site
International Travel Date set for PGC Ladies Mail on Sunday Team
Pleasington Ladies Mail on Sunday team are now in the Semi Finals of the Mail on Sunday Golf Competition to be played at El Rompido Golf Club in Costa de la Luz (Southern Spain) in November. Over 3000 clubs enter this keenly fought contest each year and we are now down to the final four.
The squad of six comprising Louise Blahuta, Susan Caton, Catherine Roberts, Nicola Robinson, Linda Singleton and Jeanette Williams travelled to the Worsley Marriott Golf Hotel this weekend for the UK Quarter Finals and were drawn to play Aberdour Golf Club who are based in Fife.
Although the weather was fine the course was playing very long and the five nominated players were all giving lots of shots (12, 5, 9, 8 & 16) the team recorded a comprehensive 5-0 victory with none of the matches going to the 18th.
The other successful teams were Ganton GC, Northamptonshire County GC and Aldeburgh GC.
This is the fourteenth year that the Ladies have entered the Mail on Sunday competition and was the fourth time that they have reached the National Quarter Final Stage. Only once have they lost (2004) and this will be the third time they have been in the final four having been to SanRoque in 1998 and El Rompido in 2008.
A great achievement and the Club are rightly proud of the Ladies Team and wish them all the best for the Finals in Spain.
Pleasington Golf Club has new caterers!
Pleasington Golf Club has recently changed its caterers. Many members may have already noticed a new menu and some new faces. So without further ado we would like to briefly introduce ourselves. Rob and Anna have set up Pleasington Catering Ltd to provide catering at the golf club, with Rob ably assisted by Lisa in the kitchen, whilst Anna and Nicola provide great service out front.
With many years of experience in the hotel and catering trade we are proud to now be associated with the renowned Pleasington Golf Club. We foresee exciting times ahead with proposed opening of the millennium lodge (half way hut), fine dining evenings with improved catering and service for its members and guests. We have also adopted the same till system that operates at the bar, so now you can use your existing smartcard to order food.
We are more than capable of covering a wide range of catering needs. From everything in the club house: Annual functions, social and private events, company days and visiting societies, to offsite: Dinner parties, weddings, birthday parties and christenings.
Catherine Breaks Course Record!
After winning the decisive tie in the Mail on Sunday the previous day, Catherine Roberts once again showed what a talented golfer she is by breaking the course record with a fine 70 gross at Ashton & Lea in the Lady Derby qualifying event held on Monday 8th August. She now goes through to the Matchplay stages which will be held at Lancaster later this month.
Good Weekend Despite The Weather
Congratulations go to Jack Brooks who won a record fifth successive Scratch Medal on Saturday after rounds of 72 & 71 gave him a 2 stroke victory over Sean Nicholls and Chris Brown who tied on 145. Competitions Chairman Simon Hulme took the 36 hole handicap salver with an impressive 4 under par 138 total.Onto Sunday and Pleasington hosted the Town League finals day; Chris Brown completed a memorable weekend to take the Town Trophy with a great score of 70 played in terrible conditions during the morning. Pleasington also won the team gross prize (Chris Brown 70, Chris Williams 75, Michael Hunt 75 and Neil Williams 76) to go a small way to make up for the disappointment of narrowly missing out on the A league.
Last but by no means least our fantastic Ladies’ Mail on Sunday team managed to overcome torrential rain, winter greens and a 4 hour trip to Scotland! to once again reach the quarter final stages. Pleasington were drawn away to Cathkin Braes Golf Club near Glasgow and the team travelled up on Saturday for a practice round in time for the match on Sunday. Heavy rain closed the course on Sunday morning and initially there was talk of playing the match on a nearby neutral course but our eagle eyed ladies on consulting the rules realised this was not possible - the match would have to be played back at Pleasington!
After further discussion the course at Cathkin Braes re-opened with some of the greens not playable so some temporary greens had to be used. Pleasington ran out 3 - 2 winners and now move on to the UK finals at the Marriot Worsley for the fourth time in the last eleven years. Should they win their quarter final they go through to the Grand Final at El Rompido in Southern Spain. Well done ladies on a fantastic victory in Scotland and best wishes for the quarter finals!
(left to right on the photograph: Louise Blahuta, Susan Caton, Linda Singleton, Jeanette Williams, Catherine Roberts and Nicola Robinson)
Inaugural Keith Hornby Trophy Field Almost Complete
Nine Thursday Medals have now been held so far this summer and the final is shaping up to be a memorable occasion. This year the Thursday Medal Final is being re-named as the Keith Hornby Trophy and a field of 60 will compete on Sunday 18th September. There is one Thursday Medal left to be played on the 25th August - if you haven't yet qualified this is your last chance.
Download a copy of the 2011 Keith Hornby Qualifiers Now (PDF)
Following the presentation of prizes a dinner will be held and tables can be reserved through our Caterers directly on 01254 207 346 or by e-mail
Nikki Foster qualifies for Women's British Open
Nikki Foster has qualified for the Women's British Open which starts at Carnoustie on Thursday. She qualified at Panmure with a 69 being the only amateur to qualify from this venue.
Low Scoring Gwynne Jones Trophy Ends in a Tie
Tied 1st: - Paul Kilshaw - 76 - 9 = 67
Jack Brooks - 66 - +1 = 67
Best Gross: - Michael Hunt - 68
3rd Nett: - Philip Carr - 78 - 10 = 68
4th Nett: - Mike Ivison - 83 - 15 = 68
After an 18 hole play-off Jack Brooks came out on as the winner
Jack Brooks - 69 + 1 = 70
Paul Kilshaw - 82 - 9 = 73
Double Brooks
Father Martyn taking the Pleasington Stag Trophy with Tony Flannagan by 4 strokes, and son Jack joined by Andy Palmer picking up the best gross by 2 strokes. The playing conditions were some of the worst I’ve ever experienced at Pleasington!
Weekend of Success for Pleasington
The Pleasington Team consisting of Martyn Brooks, Andrew Walsh, Sean Duxbury and Kevin Stanton won the E.L.G.A. Handicap Trophy held at Marsden Park on Saturday. This is the first time Pleasington have won this event since 1980!!
The Brooks family had a further success on Sunday when Jack Brooks won the prestigious Pines Trophy at Hillside this after helping Lancashire overcome Durham at Brancepeth Castle the previous day.
Jack Walker Trophy
Michael Hunt won the Jack Walker Trophy on Saturday by two shots with a fantastic (66 +1 67) . His round which was played in very difficult conditions included 4 birdies and an eagle.
2011 Junior Newsletter
Download a copy of the 2011 Junior Newsletter Now (PDF)
Formby Tamed By Brilliant Brogan
There was a stunning start to the season for Junior Captain Brogan Townend who spread-eagled a high quality field at the Leveret Trophy. A pair of 68’s at Formby Ladies GC gave her victory by five shots in what is widely regarded as the first major event on the Ladies Calendar; the field comprised a number of internationals including Pleasington’s Nikki Foster.
Her six under par total will bring down Brogan’s handicap to plus 1. Well done on a great start to the season.
Pleasington Golf Club Invite applications for an Assistant to The Secretary/Manager
Pleasington Golf Club is seeking to appoint a successor to Jean Leyland who is retiring after 28 years with the Club. Ideal candidates will have a sound working knowledge of computerised administration systems and be numerate and able to work with accounting software e.g. Sage, Croft etc.
The successful candidate will assist the Secretary/Manager in the implementation of Council and Committee Policy to ensure the efficient management of the Club’s affairs.
Applications in writing including a CV should be sent to Chris Williams at Pleasington Golf Club, Pleasington Lane, Pleasington, Blackburn, BB2 5JF or e-mail the Secretary/Manager of Pleasington Golf Club
Closing date for applications 1st March 2011
New 10 Year Past Captain's Photo
A new Past Captain's Photo was taken at the 2011 Past Captain's Dinner. The fantastic turnout saw all bar three of the living Past Captain's in attendance.
BACK ROW
D. Adams - 2010, A.M. Hedley - 1994, D.A. Lawless - 2006, D.R. Rushworth - 2003, H.M. Ivison - 1997, R. Barker - 2002, P.D. Espley - 1995, J.F. Howarth - 1992, D.G. Jones - 2001
MIDDLE ROW
D.S. Shann - 2009, J.R.G. Weisters - 2004, W.S. Woolley - 2005, M.J. Dunn - 2007, A.J. Dugdale - 2008, B.C. Marsden - 1993, E.P.B. O’Connor - 2000, M. Trickett - 1989, R.C. Taylor - 1999
FRONT ROW
J.N. Prest - 1981, E. Bancroft - 1979, W.I. Woolley - 1975, R.C. Crompton - 1972, R. Ashton (Captain) - 2011, K. Hornby (President) - 1984 & 1991, J. Caton - 1978, I.N. Espley - 1985
Social News 25-01-11
Download the latest Social Newsletter (PDF)
Announcement of2012 Captain and Lady Captain Nominations
Council confirm that Keith Ramsbottom has been nominated as Captain Elect for 2011, and Elizabeth Hedley as Lady Captain Elect for 2011.
Use of Mats
Download a copy of the Pleasington Golf Club Mat Policy Document (PDF)