Contact MARIE 01704 840139

Every TUESDAY 10.00am or 1.00pm start at Leisure Lakes Golf Academy, Mere Brow

This is an energetic group of people who have only recently started to play so we have 'good' and 'bad' golfing days but thoroughly enjoy the company of others.

We play Tuesday morning and afternoon so if you would like to join us the choice is yours - to play all day or just morning or afternoon whichever falls in with your plans.

You Can Stand Under My Umbrella – If, that is, I could find it! (September 2024)

Not exactly what Rhiannon wrote, eh, eh – but strangely apposite for the memorable and moving Annual U3A SGA Awayday Tournament at Garstang Golf and Country Club this autumn.

On the day when the River Wye raged around the edges of a rain-sodden Course and more than a month’s rain fell in a day in parts of England, the U3A put its best foot forward in the face of an avalanche of water that proved as relentless as the members proved determined to Carry on Regardless.

And what a Carry-On it was. Brian blessed us with extensive time in the woods, foraging in his own unique fashion. Peter, who likes to leave an umbrella on every course he plays on, proved as reliable as ever depositing his latest brolly somewhere between the 10th and the 13th tee. He was not amused – but took it like a man.

And Simon, the author of this piece, decided that best way to determine just how wet the course was, was on his back after whipping his own feet from under him on his rapid descent from the 10th tee!

In between all this, there was some determined golf being played, with Francis blitzing the Longest Ladies Drive – it was the drive that was the longest – not the lady. Francis was gracious enough to admit that she then took 8 more shots to complete the hole! On the same hole, adjudication was needed between the men as Simon and Barry both thought they might have had the title of Men’s Longest Drive with Simon in the 1st Cut and Barry perfectly placed on the middle of the fairway. Morally the title should have gone to Barry, but under the rules – it was Simon who walked, or rather slithered away with the title for that one!

And then there was the nearest the pin competitions…on the 3rd it was Frances and Dave that came closest and, on the 7th, it was Doreen and Robin. To even be on the correct hole – and some of us weren’t – was an achievement so credit to all four of them!

Amid all this, there was one player who was quietly getting the job done. Ray. Finding shots in the driving rain when no-one else could, it was Ray who took the title for the tournament. By some fluke of handicap, the author of this piece came in behind Ray with the cool and ever suave Gerry coming in third.

According to Doreen the only downside for Ray was the moment Robin told him he was reducing his handicap by 2 points after he won the second nine!

A special mention should go to Barry who had more than a ‘Hand’ in the amazing trophies presented over Dinner. Grandchildren are trying to pull model cars from the top of them as we speak!

Huge thanks to Marie and Robin who organised the event and kept track of things in the heat – wishful thinking – of the competition. You did a great job and we were grateful. Thanks too should go to the staff at Garstang who proved attentive, kind and helpful and served a fine breakfast and very acceptable dinner with well=kept beer and spirits.

While Tuesday’s golf brought more benign conditions, play couldn’t really start until U3A members had managed to pull various sodden articles melted onto super-hot towel rails following the deluge of the previous day!

But through all this, there was one U3A member who was front and centre of everyone’s thoughts – and that was the lovely Ian who we lost this September after a short battle against a cruel illness. 

Everyone said the same thing about Ian – he was kind and lovely man – who took a real interest in people and always engaged with things. It was right and proper that we all raised a glass to Ian in a bitter-sweet moment over dinner. 

RIP Ian and sincere condolences from all of us in U3A to your family.

This Tournament was in your memory Ian.