DOCTOR STABLEFORD GIVES HIS NAME TO THE GAME

Storm Darragh did away with golf at Castletown this past weekend. Staying at home was the safe and sensible thing to do, or was it? Your humble hack skinned his shin when trying to prevent an errant fence from making more mess than a mangled mirror on a neighbour’s car.

Wednesday’s midweek men’s Stableford did take place, and so too the ladies’ 9 hole Stableford, but more about that later. As there is little more to report, some of you might be intrigued to know that the “Stableford” format was developed by Dr. Frank Barney Gorton Stableford.

The good doctor introduced it to deter golfers from giving up on their round after just one or two bad holes. Wallasey GC on the Wirral peninsula, where the doctor was then a member, held the first ever “Stableford” competition on 16th May 1932. It was an instant success, and the format has become established and appreciated worldwide.

To demonstrate their gratitude, Dr. Stableford was granted honorary life membership of Wallasey GC and his portrait, painted by J.A.A. Berrie, still hangs in the clubhouse.  

The late, great, Henry Longhurst once said, “I doubt whether any single man did more to increase the pleasure of the humble club golfer.” Clearly, a capital fellow and much deserving of a proper noun ‘S’ for Stableford.

Back to the men’s midweek Stableford. This was won by Jon Hall (24). His 34 Stableford points came from sixteen scoring holes and he too ought to be grateful to Dr. Stableford having not been deterred by some early sixes and sevens or his inelegant eight on the 11th.

Mark Reid (2) brilliantly birdied the Road Hole for four of his 33 Stableford points and so secured second spot. Simon Murray (1) went on a ‘bogey-fest’ and so slipped to ‘Dirty-Gertie 30’ for third place.

In the ladies 9-holer Jill Holiday failed to finish the Racecourse Hole (7th) but, as prescribed by Dr. Stableford, took her medicine, battled on and posted 17 winning points. Sophie Cope quite frankly didn’t on the 3rd, 4th and 5th, but a nett birdie followed by a nett eagle lifted her up to 15 points for second spot. Tami James came third with 14 and had the distinction of being the only competitor to post points on every hole.

At the club’s recent AGM former president Steve McGowan requested that the much-appreciated Castletown Golf Club Kids Christmas parties be allowed to continue. An email swiftly followed from McGowan inviting members’ children or grandchildren (up to age 11) to this year’s event which will take place from 4pm to 6pm on Wednesday 18th December. RSVP: stevemcgowan10@gmail.com

Weather permitting, this coming Saturday sees the second round of the Winter League which is an individual Stableford with a gross and nett eclectic prize pot based on final cumulative placement points awarded to the top fifteen finishers in each round.

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