THE ROCHFORD HUNDRED GOLF CLUB ANNUAL CORPORATE BROCHURE 2013 – 2014

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

Official Club Brochure 2013-2014

Contents

Photography by Martin Roffe of Michael Wynne Photography (www.michaelwynnephotography.co.uk) and RHGC.

5 ....................

7 ....................

13 .....................

16 .....................

21 .....................

24 .....................

29 .....................

33 .....................

Welcome History The Course Take the Course Tour Practice Facilities The ‘DNA’ of Our Private Members’ Club Members’ Golf Membership

35 .....................

37 .....................

39 .....................

41 .....................

43 .....................

45 .....................

47 .....................

50 .....................

Social Activities Our Professional and the Pro Shop Tuition Committed to Growing the Game Visitors and Societies The Clubhouse Functions, Conferences & Restaurant How to Find Us and Contact Us

www.pinnacle.uk.com • T: 08707 707 765 • E: info@pinnacle.uk.com • Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Pinnacle wish to thank the businesses who appear in this publication for their support and wish them every success in deriving business from its circulation. The contents of this book are believed to be correct at the time of printing, nevertheless, we cannot endorse and readers should not rely solely upon the accuracy of any statements or claims contained herein without prior consultation with the service provider.

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

3

MICHAEL CLARK DESIGNS

Welcome

Rochford Hundred is an historic golf club which has its home in a Grade I listed building that dates back to the late 15th century.

Located in Rochford, Essex, just north of Southend-onSea, our members’ club was founded in 1893, moving to its current site three years later. But it was not until 1924 that the course assumed the look that we know today, when it was lengthened considerably and remodelled by James Braid and J.H.Taylor, together with the renowned golf course architect Frederick Hawtree.

Now standing at 6,221 yards, the parkland course is a fair test for golfers of all abilities. It is particularly renowned for the condition of its greens, which are some of the finest you will find anywhere in Essex.

We are a club where new members are made to feel most welcome, both on the course and off it, with a rich and varied social calendar on offer throughout the year.

Our competitive golf schedule is almost unparalleled, with a host of trophies open to our members and we take equal pride in the many representative honours bestowed upon our golfers by the Essex Golf Union.

We are actively involved in the Parish of Rochford St. Andrews as well as in the local community and host hugely prestigious charity golfing days each year in support of our club and lady captains’ chosen charities, RNLI, Help for Heroes and Rotary.

Membership of Rochford Hundred Golf Club remains, as it always has been, a sought after goal for discerning golfers.

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

5

Based in Wickford, Serena Bridal was voted the Best Bridal Retailer in the East of England 2013 Beautiful baroque decor in a clean and spacious showroom with privacy for each bride if required. We have an amazing range of top designers and offer an unparalleled service.

Serena Bridal, 1 Kingsview Court, Hodgson Way, Wickford, SS11 8YF Call or email us via the website to book your consultation

01268 762775 www.serenabridal.co.uk

A Brief History of Rochford Hundred Golf Club

Rochford Hundred Golf Club was officially formed in 1893, born out of a crisis that threatened the existence of a neighbouring club. Members of Southend Golf Club on the Southchurch Hall Estate had been informed by the local council that it intended running a sewer through their nine-hole course and building a pumping station on the site. To even the most optimistic member it was clear that this construction would cause havoc and leave the course in ruins.

That could have been the end of the club, but a major local landowner and pillar of the local establishment, Mr James Tabor, came to the rescue with the magnanimous offer to the club of several acres of land in Rochford, together with rooms in the Hall.

The committee wasted no time in concluding that “the change should be effected with the utmost expediency.” So it was that on 5th November the committee received a letter from Mr Tabor which offered the club use of a 70acre tract of land for three years for the annual rent of £10 0s 0d.

Falling over themselves to accept the terms at their special general meeting on 12th November 1896 members passed two resolutions: That the links at Southchurch be at once abandoned and Mr Tabor’s offer permitting an 18-hole course to be laid out at Rochford Meadows be accepted; and that the name of the club be changed to Rochford Hundred Golf Club. continued

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

7

A Brief History of Rochford Hundred Golf Club

continued

Above: Rochford Hundred Golf Club, dating back to around 1480, was the family home of Anne Boleyn, and is probably the oldest Clubhouses in the world.

Very appropriately Mr Tabor was elected in 1896 as President and Rochford Hundred Golf Club was born – albeit named three years late! Since all the members moved en bloc to Rochford it appears to have been universally accepted that the establishment of the Rochford Hundred Golf Club be backdated to the formation of the Southend club in 1893, and that is in fact the year appearing in the records of the golf historian at St Andrews.

As an aside, the term ‘hundred’ dates from Saxon times and its meaning is the subject of debate. One suggestion is that it refers to raising 100 men in case of strife, but this is not the complete definition. In King Edgar’s reign in 973, areas of land were divided into ‘hundreds’ consisting of possibly several villages controlled by 100 men.

8

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

In Norman Conquest times, the description was regularised.

Essex had several ‘hundreds’, with Rochford listed in the Domesday Book as being the largest.

Peter Paxton, a Scotsman and runner-up to Bob Ferguson in The Open Championship of 1880, was chosen to lay out the new course, while W.Toogood, of Eltham Golf Club, was Rochford Hundred’s first professional. Total membership stood at “100 players and 40 ladies” in 1896.

It was agreed that although the first nine holes had been completed only the first seven holes should be played on Sundays, presumably to placate church-going members and to avoid the possibility of injury to local residents heading for services in their Sunday best.

No other Golf Club can boast that their Clubhouse was the family of Anne Boleyn, of Henry VII fame, before she lost her head!

Mrs Tabor drove the first ball on Saturday 16th January 1897 using a silver cleek presented to her by the members. Later that year Mr Tabor offered £100 towards the construction of the second nine holes with the overall area of the course growing to some 70 acres.

Both Toogood and his assistant tendered their resignations and headed north to similar posts in Ilkley in March 1903.

His replacement, Jack Champion, stayed for just three years before being replaced by Frederick G. Steel. It heralded what was to become a long, enduring and happy relationship between the Steel family and Rochford golfers. Steel Snr reigned as the club professional for 44 years from 19061950, before being succeeded by his son Bob who held the post for a further 32 years from 1950-1982.

War from 1914 brought upheaval to Rochford Hundred, as it did to many others. The club was ordered to plough and cultivate the whole of the 18½ acres on which the new nine holes had been constructed and in addition to this inconvenience the clubhouse dining room had by now been occupied by the military.

Normality was finally restored after the First World War and in 1924 James Braid and J.H.Taylor, together with Frederick Hawtree, were asked to redesign the course. The club had acquired another 28 acres, taking its total acreage to 98 and resulting in a lay-out very similar to that played today.

The club again closed in 1940 for the duration of the Second World War, after being requisitioned first by the Army (who departed with most of the Club’s furniture!) and then the Air Ministry. continued Rochford Hundred Golf Club

9

We are an established, independent florist delivering fresh flowers for any occasion.

We have forged a good reputation locally, specialising in funeral tributes. We carry out deliveries for weddings, funerals, gifts, corporate and all aspects of floristry.

The Flower Basket, 519 Ashingdon Road, Rochford, Essex, SS4 3HE Tel: 01702 545647 | 07948 150022 | 07855 593347 email: wendy@the flowerbasket519.co.uk

www.theflowerbasket519.co.uk

A Brief History of Rochford Hundred Golf Club continued

The post war period at the Club was stable and prosperous – mirroring the UK in general. The thriving middle classes and London’s boom and success led to a healthy demand for golf as a sporting and social pastime.

Undoubtedly one of the most important moments in our history came in June 1980 when Charles Tabor offered to sell to members outright, with very few conditions or covenants, the course and the Hall. By November, contracts had been signed for the £125,000 transaction, funded by debentures issued to members at that time. This brought to an end a very happy landlord-tenant arrangement which had existed since 1896.The members at Rochford Hundred Golf Club were now their own masters.

Disasters such as the theft of the club’s trophies in 1987 and the devastating effects of the hurricane of the same year were borne with stoic fortitude and Rochford Hundred celebrated its centenary in 1993.

Into the new millennium, the Club has continued to evolve and modernise, including in 2003 the reform of the Club’s constitution to give full and equal status to our lady members alongside the gentlemen, establishing one General Committee to oversee all the golfing sections, and extending subscription concessions to junior members until they reach the age of 26 and also to our octogenarian members.

With the Club now well into its second hundred years, if they prove anything like our first century it should be an equally fulfilling and richly entertaining journey.

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

11

Computer Services Do you have a business in Essex?

Why not let Brunel be your IT department ?

• Network Design & Install • • Managed Backup Solution • • Disaster Planning & Data Recovery • • Phone Support for our Customers •

• On-site Diagnosis & Repair • • Local Repair Workshop • • Computer Maintenance & Repair • • Service Agreement or Pay As You Go •

Brunel Computer Services Ltd 14 Rosshill Industrial Park, Sutton Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 5PZ

E: info@brunelcomputers.co.uk

T: 01702 612159

w w w. br u nel compute rs .co.u k

The Course

Rochford Hundred is the only course in England with an active church within its grounds. St Andrew’s Church is in full view of the clubhouse and from the 1st tee and 18th fairway, some might mischievously suggest perfectly situated for those looking for divine intervention at the start of a round, or for forgiveness of their sins at the end of one they would care to forget.

The church flies the flag provided by the Club in order that golfers who wish to can gauge the wind’s direction and speed.

Ours is a parkland course, stretching to 6,221 yards from the white tee boxes and has been that way more or less since it was redesigned in 1924.With three par-fives, it plays as a testing par of 71, though this becomes a slightly more generous 72 on non-competitive days when the 187-yard par-3 18th can be played as a more forgiving 306-yard par-4.

The unique presence of St Andrew’s Church is far from the only feature that sets us apart. We are renowned for having a significant annual course investment program resulting in a manicured and cared-for course, and some of the finest greens in the whole of Essex. The true roll of the putting surfaces and the quality of our fairways draw most favourable comment from our visitors.

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

13

The Course

The hard work of our six full-time green-keeping staff and substantial investment in acquiring for them the very best equipment to help them perform their task has reaped its rewards. Rochford Hundred tends to come out of winter early. Into spring our compact yet fair greens are often immaculate. While those enjoying a good day with the flat stick are likely to prosper, there are a number of testing holes that examine all parts of one’s game.

The par-4 5th, for example, is the toughest hole on the card for good reason. At 437 yards even off the yellow tees it requires a long, accurate drive over a pond and a ditch.

Water comes in to play on several holes, with a number of fiendishly-placed ditches and brooks, while the more than adequate bunkering makes the course a challenge for golfers of all abilities.

continued

The investment in our future continues. With our weather conditions becoming seemingly more extreme, in both drought and in storm, in 2012 the Club commissioned a new ultra-efficient course irrigation system, and simultaneously embarked on a comprehensive 3-year course drainage project. 2013 has already seen the opening of a new midcourse refreshment facility at the 10th tee. Modern toilets have been provided at the rear of the building. Ambitious Clubhouse enhancements began in June 2013 including the comprehensive refurbishment of locker, shower and changing areas, and the provision of a new conference and small function facility which overlooks the course.

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

15

Take the Course Tour

Prepare for your visit to Rochford Hundred by familiarising yourself with each hole over the coming pages and make the most of your round with our hole-by-hole guide.

Hole 1 – 390 yards, par 4 A testing opening hole with out-of-bounds on the right in what was once the farmer’s stack yard, and bunkers and humps on the left. A large green is protected by bunkers on both the right and left.

Hole 2 – 356 yards, par 4 A ditch all down the left plus a bunker, humps and trees on the right make this a premium driving hole. Bunkers again await any shot coming up short with out-of-bounds behind the green.

16

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

Hole 3 – 309 yards, par 4 A potential birdie hole providing you find the fairway avoiding the out-of-bounds which lurks all the way down the left and a bunker plus more humps and trees to the right.

Hole 4 – 371 yards, par 4 Accuracy off the tee is demanded with two bunkers waiting to catch anything hit down the left. A green sloping from front to back makes putting very tricky.

Hole 5 – 442 yards, par 4 The toughest hole on the course with a drive over a pond and ditch to an uphill fairway.This leaves a long second shot over a series of bunkers to a deceptively contoured green.

Hole 6 – 501 yards, par 5 The first long hole needs a drive to a narrow fairway with a ravine and bunkering on the right and a copse of trees left waiting to punish any off-line shot. The green is down in a dip and even the big hitters will need two good shots, risking the water hazard at the greenside with their second in order to get close and set up a birdie.

Hole 7 – 154 yards, par 3 A tricky par 3 which often belies its high stroke index. A ditch short of the green and bunkers on either side and behind demands a well-struck tee shot, typically into the prevailing wind, to find the putting surface.

Hole 8 – 442 yards, par 4 Regarded by many members as the hardest hole on the course with the drive having to miss two large trees on the left and come up short of a ravine which cuts across the middle of the fairway. A long second shot is needed to find the fairly flat green.

Hole 9 – 334 yards, par 4 Again a hole which needs full attention although the relatively wide and undulating fairway usually rewards a straight tee shot. A stream just short of the green can catch either the greedy tee shot, or the less than perfect second shot.

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

17

Take the Course Tour

Hole 10 – 502 yards, par 5 The longest hole on the course with plenty of bunkers strategically placed all the way down either side of the fairway. Avoid them, plus a ditch down the right, and you arrive safely at a green which has many slopes and hidden borrows.

Hole 11 – 140 yards, par 3 Rated by many as Rochford’s signature hole. Despite its length this is often a potential card wrecker, with a pond and out-of-bounds both to the right of and beyond the green, plus deep greenside bunkers needing to be avoided to find the small green. When playing into the face of the wind, the challenge is heightened further. Golfers of all standards usually breathe a sigh of relief when they move to the 12th tee.

18

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

continued

Hole 12 – 403 yards, par 4 A very strong par 4, with a stream plus out-of-bounds defining the entire right side of the fairway. Even a straight drive hugging the right side, and avoiding the heavy rough and silver birches left, will leave a good second shot to a well-protected green.

Hole 13 – 335 yards, par 4 A sharp dog-leg right to the left which will need a straight tee shot to avoid substantial poplar trees on the corner and the out of bounds on the right. A green sloping from back to front, plus out of bounds beyond the green and some very penal greenside bunkering, will also require your full attention.

Hole 14 – 263 yards, par 4 A real risk and reward hole for the bigger hitters with two streams plus trees and bunkers forcing a big decision to be made on the tee and, whatever the club choice, a wellstruck and accurate tee shot.A step in the green also makes putting far from straightforward.

Hole 15 – 205 yards, par 3 This is a frequent back nine ‘nightmare’ for many golfers. A long uphill short hole bunkered heavily both to the right and left, and which also usually plays cross-wind. There are also trees to the right of, and out of bounds immediately beyond, the sloping green - which even if you reach in one shot, is still no guarantee of a par.

Hole 16 – 485 yards, par 5 A birdie beckons if you can hit the fairway off the tee and

steer clear of the out-of-bounds all the way down the right side adjoining London Southend Airport, plus a large copse of trees left. The long green is bunkered both right and left.

Hole 17 – 402 yards, par 4 A very good test coming towards the end of your round. A large pond plus out-of-bounds on the railway line to the right requires a good shot down the left side of the fairway. This opens up a hard green to read, across a large stream waiting to catch any ‘heavy’ or overambitious approach shot.

Hole 18 – 187/306 yards, par 3/4 This fine finishing hole is a par 4 in friendly matches and par 3 for competitions. But whichever you play will demand straightness off the tee to a green surrounded by bunkers and good judgement of the wind, in this most sheltered part of the course.

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

19

Practice Facilities

The greens at Rochford Hundred are among the finest you will find in the County and further afield, and it is no surprise that for many of our members the putter is the weapon of choice out on the course.

Bobby Locke, the great South African who coined the phrase “you drive for show and putt for dough”, would have thrived here with such a philosophy. We may have no four-time Open champions among our members at present, but there is no excuse not to hone one’s skills with the flat stick to the maximum with a large and inviting putting green outside the clubhouse which mirrors the condition of those on the course itself.

The club also boasts two nice chipping greens.The first, just 50 yards from the clubhouse, is perfect for practising those shot-saving chip and runs. The second has two bunkers where you can work on those escapes from the dreaded sand, and with over 100 bunkers on the course ‘practice makes perfect’.

There is also a substantial area near the church where you can sharpen up your wedge game and short irons. Golfers can also make sure their ball striking is up to par before taking to the course by making use of the two practice nets adjacent to the first tee.

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

21

Money Guidance

by Martin Lamb Dip. PFS Certs C11 (MP & ER) ISAs , Pensions, Unit Trusts, ‘OEICS’, Bonds............ The world of investments can be very confusing, and even intimidating. Each ‘vehicle’ has it’s own taxation rules, which may be more or less beneficial to you dependent on your own circumstances.

It is vital that you seek advice to make sure that your savings and investments are in the most tax efficient vehicles for you, and equally important to ensure that the investments within each vehicle are suitable.

An ISA for example can be a ‘cash’ ISA which simply puts your money on deposit, or a ‘stocks and shares’ ISA. The term ‘stocks and shares’ ISA is misleading, as there are many investments that you can place in one these that are not stocks and shares such as Property funds, Government and Corporate Bond funds, Overseas bonds funds and Commodity funds. You can, with advice, build a balanced portfolio of investments inside a Stocks and Shares ISA, or indeed a personal pension.

Whist it feels sensible to take little or no risk with the underlying investments, it is very important to understand how the world is changing and that taking little ‘risk’ with your savings could end up costing you dearly. At Joseph Lambs we believe that inflation will continue to increase, and don’t forget that the governments new ‘CPI’ inflation measure misleads. Have you filled your car up or a shopping trolley lately? We are all experiencing inflation running much higher than the official figure. In the meantime interest rates are now almost certain to remain at or around these all- time lows for years to come as the Government has to keep borrowing costs down, or we are all doomed!

So whilst it may appear that leaving money in ‘safe havens’ such as cash or Government Bonds is the right thing to do, inflation will almost certainly erode it’s value very significantly. We have lost track of how many clients we have who retired ten or more years ago and are now feeling the pinch.

If you want your money to deliver an income, then inflation is an even bigger problem as if you spend your interest the remaining capital balance becomes worth less and less very quickly.

Only by investing some of your money in ‘real assets’ do you stand any chance of beating inflation going forwards. It may appear that ‘Investments’ are not delivering, but that is simply not the case, the returns since 2004 in our Medium risk portfolios are up to 8.13% pa, including the impact of the 2008 crisis, and have been performing more strongly than that recently. The world is changing, and still growing, but the relative importance of ‘The West’ is declining and any investment portfolio should reflect this. You can only invest in this growth by using a diverse portfolio not by leaving your money on deposit or in Cash ISAs, which can be transferred to Stocks and Shares ISAs. Inflation doesn’t stop when you retire! It must be allowed for in your retirement planning and you must look further down the road than age 65. Many of us will live longer in retirement than we earned a good living for..........this means we will all need more savings behind us than we imagine. Start now, tomorrow will be too late!

If you are approaching retirement or already retired and in drawdown then our investment and pension expertise can help.

Seek proper advice from acknowledged advisers with a long term track record!

Martin Lamb, Managing Director of Joseph R Lamb Independent Financial Advisers Ltd.

The ‘DNA’ of our Private Members’ Club

Our ‘parkland’ course has a distinct ‘links feel’ and is often influenced by changing tidal weather conditions.

Children are being attracted to the sport of golf as a viable healthy and outdoor alternative to the populist sports of football, rugby and cricket. Golf is a changing game.

So - just what sets us apart from our peers? As the name suggests – a private members’ club is owned by its members. At Rochford Hundred we take seriously the proper running of ‘our’ Club and it is a Club that is at its heart very democratic, inclusive and fair. Members can get as involved in the running of their Club as much or as little as they wish, with club officers elected to fulfil their unpaid roles with a brief to do what is best for all members as a whole.

24

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

At Rochford, we have no restrictions on the gender of members elected to these official positions, other than where this is rightly justified to oversee the various golfing sections.

More broadly, Rochford Hundred is proud to have been amongst the first clubs of its kind to have voluntarily amended its constitution in order to give full and equal status to all lady members, many years ahead of mandatory imposition of these principles following European Court rulings.

Members really have a strong say in the direction of the Club, what gets prioritised to get done, and what happens on a day-to-day basis at their Club. If they have cause just or otherwise - to want to complain, criticise or offer suggestions about how the Club might be improved, then there are established and open communications channels through which this can be done.

At Rochford Hundred we are a ‘broad church’, with members with a vast range of ages and backgrounds from their social, work and golfing lives. We are constituted and seek to be fair, ‘right’ and to act always in a responsible manner, respecting each other as members, being respectful of and thankful to our loyal staff and also to those we work with in our local community.

As a modern, democratic Club, Rochford Hundred is passionate about retaining all the ‘good’ things about our proud and long history and tradition, whilst leaving behind those things that are outdated, or which no longer serve any purpose and might stand in the way of the Club continuing to prosper into the future. Our members own our Club and even though through the decades members have come and gone, (with some having left and then come back!) and personalities change, the essential spirit of the Club lives on.

Long may it continue.

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

25

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

26

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

27

Established in 2004, JLS has many years’ experience in the property and tradesman business. JLS can also project manage jobs, allowing you to carry on with your day to day life, while JLS take the stress out of planning and sourcing the required materials/fixtures and fittings.

Operating from Southend-on-Sea, Justin and his team at JLS Building Services provide a professional service to clients throughout London, Essex and Kent.

Not only are JLS members of Trustatrader, we are also members of Trust Mark, a government backed initiative, The Guild of Mastercraftsmen and Dulux Select Decorators in which all decorating is covered with a two year guarantee.

JLS take great pride in their standard of work and commitment to professionalism.

We have never had an unhappy customer because you don’t pay the final payment until you are completely happy. Indeed, the success of the business over the last 5 years can be attributed to customer satisfaction leading to repeat business and recommendation.

Tel: 01702 619085 Free Phone: 0800 924 7567 Mob: 07709 430078 Email: jlsbuildingservices@gmail.com 96 Lifstan Way, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 2XE

Members’ Golf

There is a very powerful bond between Rochford Hundred and its members, with each never taking the other for granted.

The Golf Club prides itself on a strong and thriving Membership who are loyal and generous with their time in helping keep us where we wish to be – as a leading proactive part of our local community.

In return, members belong to a club which while forwardthinking is also rich in tradition: we invest great time, effort and resources to ensure we continue to offer one of the premier courses in the county as well as the opportunity to compete alongside fellow members and/or in prestigious County competitions representing the Club - all steeped in history and with long and illustrious winners’ lists engraved on their trophies.

The Club does not operate a tee-time booking system other than for recognised competitions. Even to play Club knockout competitions, members organise themselves to play when they want, with all the flexibility that modern life demands.

Whilst a wide range of competitive golfing events forms the backbone of the golfing calendar the Club take pride in the quality of their organised social golfing events. Mixed and invitational events are played throughout the year and particularly on Bank Holidays.

Gentlemen This is a busy and vibrant section which organises qualifying competitions throughout the year. There are nearly 400 7-day members, with many more who are either 5-day or 6-day members.

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

29

Members’ Golf

Once a month, on a roll-up basis, on Saturdays and Sundays upwards of 100 members play in the ‘monthly medal’. It is always keenly fought! The ‘midweek medal’ ensures that our 5-day members have all the competitive golf they demand. For variety, there are medal, stableford and bogey competition formats, with a winner’s final taking place towards the middle of March.

In keeping with the Club’s history, there are no less than 44 major honours board competitions, some dating back to 1905. One of the ‘jewels in our crown’ is the Scott Spencer Trophy, a midweek stableford event that runs every week from spring to early autumn and which typically attracts up to 120 entrants on a weekly basis.

The blue riband event, however, as far as all our more serious golfing members are concerned is ‘RHGC Day’ which is generally staged in early September and is eagerly contested.

30

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

continued

The Club Champion is decided on a scratch basis and the RHGC Challenge Cup is played for on a handicap basis.

Success is celebrated at the annual Prizewinners’ Supper, at which bragging rights are gained, golfing anecdotes and conquests are relived, and trophies are polished.

While there is a keen focus is on competitive golf – and a likely contributory factor as to why we have produced so many County Champions and competed so well in the County’s team competitions – balance is always a good thing. We also provide regular social golf where the only thing on offer is renewing friendships and perhaps a drink in the bar afterwards for the winner.

The club is renowned for the friendly competition offered by its various ‘roll-up’ groups. Up to 50 members (mostly seniors) play midweek, with up to 40 turning up for a

Saturday 8.30am start and another 30 or so for the Saturday ‘Choppers’ later in the day.

The over 55 Veterans section also enjoy playing against friends from within the Club and also across the county and there are numerous home and away matches against surrounding clubs.

Ladies Our ladies have a very well-organised section with medal or honours board competitions most Tuesdays mornings, when they enjoy a standing tee closure to play their golf.

The round is followed by lunch, which attracts in excess of 60 members and is the perfect opportunity to catch up on the events of the week.

Our female contingent have always been well-looked after at Rochford Hundred and there are 29 honours boards, along with the very popular Ladies Open, which is decided

on one afternoon in late August and is generally followed by an all-day club championship the next day. The ladies social side is strong and we also have a thriving bridge society.

Cadets Our cadets’ section is thriving and youngsters from Rochford Hundred have won numerous County honours as well as providing the age-group captain of many a County team. The Cadet Youth Shield Team won top County honours in 2012 and is strongly favoured to defend their championship again in 2013. Those cadets with a low handicap enjoy unrestricted playing rights, while all cadets of whatever ability have the opportunity to play competitive golf against their peers, and are treated with due respect by adult members. The club’s ‘High Fliers’ programme has helped introduce even more juniors to the game and we are particularly proud of the strength of our girls’ squad.

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

31

Membership

Rochford Hundred is a members’ golf club with the emphasis on the word ‘members’ – there is a sense of belonging here to something rather special.

It is our history, our sense of tradition and the numerous trophies battled for our in intra-club competitions that sets us apart from our peers. Off the course, there is a lively social side to the club with frequent get-togethers throughout the year. New male and female members are always welcome and the club also has a very active junior section.

There are many benefits to being a member of RHGC, not least inclusion in the James Braid Association which offers greatly discounted playing fees at James Braid courses throughout the UK. A full programme of Club competitions and Inter-club fixtures is organised throughout the year and Members of all standards are actively encouraged to take part.

Play as often as you want – socially or competitively – with our 7-day Membership. Alternatively, 6-day or 5-day Membership options are also available and there is a very

attractive subscription rate for under-18s who wish to join our thriving Cadets’ Section.

Junior golfing Members (between the age of 18 and 25) and octogenarian golfing Members (aged 80 and over) pay a reduced rate of subscription. There are also special arrangements for those living more than 40 miles from the Club, and social Members.

Members may join part way through the ‘subscription year’ on a pro-rata basis. Full subscriptions then fall due for payment on 1st May. Consistent with the quality and prestige of our Club, and the fine facilities which Members have funded over many years, new Members admitted to the Club are required to pay an entrance fee. Details are available from the Club Secretary.

Both annual subscriptions and any entrance fees may be settled by Members over an extended timeframe, with a modest financing charge, at the Member’s discretion.

For more details, contact the Secretary Manager on 01702 544302 (option 5).

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

33

Social Activities

At Rochford Hundred Golf Club we like to feel that all our members are part of our extended yet close-knit family.

Apart from the joy of testing your golfing skills in such a historic, picturesque and idyllic setting, there are numerous other ways to enjoy what we have to offer.

There is a very active social side to Rochford Hundred and special events take place just about every week of the year.

One of the highlights of the calendar is the Captain’s Summer Ball, which sees around 150 of the members, family and friends in their finery for a celebration in a grand marquee in the grounds.

The marvellous talents of our catering team ensure that our Sunday lunches and Friday night carveries are always well attended, and we host special dinners for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day,Valentine’s and Bank Holiday golfing/social events.

Some other highlights are the Members’ Christmas Carol Service at the neighbouring St Andrews Church, and it would be positively rude of our Members not to welcome in each New Year with a memorable party.

The banqueting and bar facilities are available for Member’s private occasions, throughout each year providing wedding receptions, christening parties, birthday celebrations and association dinners and lunches.

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

35

R.E. WOOD & SONS TREE SPECIALISTS FOR OVER 58 YEARS CONTRACTORS TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES CALL ON OUR EXPERIENCE FOR: R FELLING R LOPPING R PRUNING R SURGERY R STUMP REMOVAL R STUMP GRINDING R FREE ESTIMATES Member £5 MILLION PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE

TREE SPECIALISTS

R.E. WOOD & SONS RAYLEIGH 777822

David Dedman frics Chartered Surveyor & regiStered valuer Probate, Divorce, Company, Lending, CPR, IHT, CGT, Income Tax etc and Associated Work.

Registered by the RICS to carry out valuations for all purposes.

Tel: 01702 342214 or 01702 342260

N.P.T.C. QUALIFIED OPERATORS LOGS & WOODCHIPS FOR SALE

Email: david@daviddedman.co.uk

01268 777822 & 774740 01702 230430

1st Floor, Victory House, 13 Nelson Street Southend-On-Sea SS1 1EF

e-mail: rewood@woodr91.freeserve.co.uk

SANDY LODGE, HAMBRO HILL, RAYLEIGH, SS6 8DF

www.daviddedman.co.uk

Our Professional and the Pro Shop

We have always enjoyed a loyal and rewarding relationship with our club professionals at Rochford Hundred, with our current PGA teaching professional Graham Hill becoming only the sixth in the club’s history when he joined us in 1994.

Graham Hill stocks all the leading brands in his busy pro shop, with particular emphasis on Ping and Callaway for clubs, Titleist balls, Clicgear trolleys, Footjoy shoes and Glenmuir clothing.

His aim is to be a viable alternative to the internet and in that respect he offers competitive prices all-year round.

After-sales service cannot be underestimated and while one has to send back items received through the post that do not meet expectations, Graham is able to guarantee the customer is satisfied before they hand over their money.

He is a Ping-qualified custom fit expert and offers an excellent custom-fitting service to ensure you have a set of clubs that suits your swing and allows you to get the most out of the game and help reduce or eliminate undesirable shot patterns like hooks and slices.

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

37

43a Hedingham Place, Rectory Road, Rochford, Essex, SS4 1UP

Suits, Trouser, Skirts, Coats, Evening Dresses, Bridal Wear, Repairs & Alterations, Shoe Repairs.

10% off

dry cleaning if you mention Rochford Hundred Golf Club Valid Dec 2014

Collection & delivery service is available

Tel: 01702 544251 info@alansprofessionaldrycleaners.co.uk

Tuition

Our PGA professional Graham Hill teaches all aspects of the game, but is keen to focus on the four core fundamentals of stance, alignment, grip and posture.

Otherwise, he says, it is like building a house without foundations.Your swing may be good some weeks but then let you down unexpectedly. Good tuition can put that right and give everyone that consistency in their game that they crave.

Graham generally offers half-hour lessons in the winter and more frequently extends those to an hour during the summer months. He is able to help: • Beginners, who are supplied with the foundations on which to build a fundamentally-sound golf game.

• Improvers looking to lower their scores and turn problem areas into parts of their game they can rely upon, eliminating

weaknesses and turning them into strengths.

• Already proficient players who are wanting to take their game to the next level.

Graham was the first teaching professional in the county to take ownership of the Explanar, a unique training aid used by some of the world’s top teaching professionals that helps groove a repeating swing.

Graham also teaches the mental side of the game, often overlooked but so important to get right if you want to lower your scores. He has been tutored in this area by Dr Karl Morris, a world renowned ‘mind coach’ who is sought after by Tour professionals. On-course lessons are also offered to improve course management, with our professional saying it often takes him just one hole to know how he can lower his student’s scores!

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

39

Electrical Contractors & Engineers ICM Electrical is a family run company providing high quality electrical installations in the home, in shops and offices, and in factories and warehouses.

We have been trading since 1984 and we seek to keep good relations with our customers, some of which have been with us since we began.

Our specialists will provide a bespoke service that delivers on all aspects of your event Event Management Corporate Meetings and Conferences Venue Sourcing Teambuilding Incentive Travel Themed Parties Corporate Entertaining Travel Management Consultancy

’The journey now begins...’

Leslie Edward Events and Consultancy Services T: +44 (0) 1702 568394 Enquiries: info@leevents.co.uk www.leslieedwardevents.com

We are MCS accredited installers of Photo Voltaic systems (solar Panels)

WE UNDERTAKE THE INSTALLATION OF • PV Installations to both domestic and commercial properties

• I E E Periodic Inspection and testing

• Electrical supplies to plant and machinery

• Electrical repairs to plant and machinery

• Factory and office lighting and power

• External lighting

• Fire alarm and emergency lighting systems • Testing of appliances for Electricity at Work Regulations [PAT Test]

• Full and partial rewires • Home alterations and extensions • Home automation and energy saving devices

Please call us for more information or a free quotation.

ICM Electrical, 493 Ashingdon Road, Rochford, Essex SS4 3EU

01702 548425

www.icmelectrical.co.uk

Committed to Growing the Game

Using our magnificent array of greens machinery to promote the growth and manicuring of the course is only one aspect. At Rochford Hundred great effort is put into encouraging the ‘growth’ of young talent through our Golf Academy and Junior Coaching System.

One of the reasons for this success has been the introduction around five years ago of what we call the Junior Academy aimed at golfers between the ages of seven and 14.

Every Tuesday afternoon throughout the spring and summer months our Professional, and his Assistant, give our youngsters a sound grounding in the fundamentals of the game including putting, chipping and bunker play.

They are also taken out on to the specially created Blue Tee short course to undertake a series of challenges which ensures that interest never wanes.

The scheme is open to everyone, not just Members’ children and the low annual subscription represents outstanding value.

Our golf coaching also extends to ‘golf taster sessions’ throughout the year for gentlemen and ladies aimed at introducing new people to the game. No golf clubs are required, simply wear suitable attire and bring a willingness to learn.

Places are limited and booking is essential. For more details, call the Professional shop on 01702 544302.

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

41

Crowstone Manor

38 Crowstone Road, Westcliff-on-Sea

Residential Home for the Elderly

Tel or Fax: 01702 333594

• Informal Home for 12 elderly • 24 Hour quality care • Experienced trained staff • Home-cooked meals • Secluded garden • Near to park, shops and sea • Lift & nurse call • V isiting chiropodist, optician, dentists, hairdressers & library

www.crowstonemanor.co.uk

Visitors and Societies

While our course and our Club continue to thrive, we like to concentrate on meeting the needs of our membership. Because our members have a voracious appetite for golf themselves, most of our visitors tend to be their guests to whom they are understandably eager to show off the course.

Visitors and golfing societies are welcome to sample the history and the hospitality of Rochford Hundred Golf Club.

Those visiting our course for the first time are certainly very well received. Many of our visiting societies typically have a link to Rochford in some way or other, or to one of our members here. Many of our societies have become ‘old friends’, returning year after year.

There are provisions included in the Club Rules which restrict the times at weekends when guests are permitted.

Players are expected to have written evidence of club membership and a current handicap certificate, or at the very least to be able to play golf to a reasonable standard.

In any case, all visitors are expected to know and to uphold the Rules of Golf, have good manners and golfing etiquette, and not hold up the play for others. Rochford Hundred is not the place to plan to play, or expect to suffer, a five-hour round.

If you wish to know more, contract our Secretary Manager on 01702 544302 (Option 5).

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

43

01702 352 450 info@royalmewsdentalpractice.co.uk www. royalmewsdentalpractice.co.uk Based in a listed Victorian building in the famous Clifftown Conservation area of Southend on Sea, we are a friendly team of dentists, hygienists, receptionists and nurses providing modern treatments to suit the needs of each individual client.

Ranging from a simple dental examination to a complete smile makeover, we discuss a suitable treatment programme specifically for you.

If you would like to make a consultation appointment please ring 01702 352 450 or visit the practice at The Cottage, 17 Royal Mews Southend on Sea.

PROFESSIONAL

|

F R I E N D LY

|

MODERN

|

CO M F O R TA B L E

The Clubhouse

The Clubhouse is a place of great atmosphere.

There’s a real ‘lively buzz’ in the ‘Spikes Bar’ as stories of victory and disaster are recounted.

This small, snug bar, is the meeting place for those ‘rolling up’ and the resting place for many after the mental and physical exertions of their round.

The Lounge Bar, boasting panoramic views over the 18th hole, has a little quieter, more tranquil, comfortable and relaxing ‘formal’ air to it.

The Clubhouse has seen some substantial improvements in recent years, and in June 2013 work commenced on new locker, shower and changing facilities, as well as an additional conference and small function facility on the 1st floor.

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

45

PJs

Painters & Decorators PJ’s Painters & Decorators is based on the belief that our customers’ needs are of the utmost importance. Our entire team is committed to meeting those needs. As a result, a high percentage of our business is from repeat customers and referrals.

We welcome the opportunity to earn your trust, and deliver you the ultimate service of painting and decorating in Leigh-On-Sea. For free and impartial advice and to turn your dreams into reality, don’t delay and contact us now and take advantage of our FREE QUOTES.

0786 523 4820 pjspainting.decorating@yahoo.com www.pjspaintersanddecorators.com

Functions, Conferences & Restaurant

The 19th At Rochford Hundred we boast one of the world’s oldest golf clubhouses, but there will be nothing old about the warm welcome that awaits you. Rochford take pride in their very fine selection of ales, lagers, and cider, but one of our most popular refreshments is a good old fashioned pot of tea!

Unwind after your round and reminisce over those dropped shots in the popular Spikes Bar with drink and a light meal while surveying the incredible array of Honours Boards dating back to 1903. The Lounge Bar, displaying Members’ and Course pictures dating back to the early 1900’s, is slightly more formal, and a most comfortable environment to enjoy a freshly made sandwich, or afternoon tea.

Restaurant Members take great pride in inviting their family and friends

to join them to dine in the historic raftered Hall at Rochford Hundred. Lunchtime ‘specials’ are always available. Our carvery is the Club’s ‘signature dish’ and each month there is a published diary of sumptuous Sunday Lunch and Friday Evening special carveries. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and of course Valentine’s Day always attract a full house.

The Hall is a ‘special place’, revered by many throughout the Festive and New Year period.

Family Celebrations and Wedding Receptions Being so closely associated with St Andrew’s Church, many generations of Rochford folk have celebrated Christenings and Weddings in the Hall. Surrounded by beautiful grounds the setting is idyllic. Catering for every detail, our highly experienced team of chefs will create a bespoke ‘special day’.

The Hall has great flexibility and can seat smaller family

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

47

| DIGITAL | WEB experts in digitalCREATIVE communication

The markeTing specialisT ThaT geTs resulTs • social media • Web design • email & emarkeTing • branding • graphic design • prinT • direcT mail • sTraTegy • business groWTh consulTancy W: afinis.co.uk T: @afinisuk f: facebook.com/afinis p: 0870 005 2211 m: 07970 425 134

Functions, Conferences & Restaurant

occasions of just 20 to 30 people, and up to 120 when fully utilised. Rochford Hundred maintains the highest standards of cuisine, service and reputation, and a full range of sumptuous catering is available, from a hot finger buffet, or afternoon tea, barbecue in the grounds, three-course meals, to grand formal banquets.

Funeral Receptions The private and secluded nature of the Hall in many ways lends itself to the more formal and slightly sobering hosting of funeral receptions. The Hall is suitable for small closeknit family occasions, to very large memorial ‘celebrations’.

The Grand Marquee On a few carefully selected weekends each year Rochford Hundred erects its ‘Grand Marquee’. Up to 160 Members, guests and friends enjoy the lavish Summer Ball, our Captain’s

continued

Day, and the opportunity arises for the most exclusive wedding receptions.The most opulent carpeted and draped marquee overlooks the Church and the grounds, and truly offers a ‘wedding of dreams’.

Conferences and Family Occasions Due to be completed in autumn 2013 is a new private suite suitable for member and association meetings, conferences, and small family occasions. This self-contained suite overlooks the 18th hole, has wonderful views across the course, and features its own ‘turret room’.

If you are wishing to host a function, and have specific requirements, or are looking for a particular theme or menu, contact our catering team on 01702 544302 (option 4) to discuss your needs.

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

49

How to Find Us and Contact Us

The golf course is just to the south west of the small town of Rochford in Essex, which is itself just over three miles north of Southend-on-Sea. For satellite navigation purposes, our postcode is SS4 1NW. Directions - By Car M25 Junction 29 – take A127 Eastbound. Stay on this road for approximately 18 miles, then take the 1st exit at the ‘Tesco’/‘RBS’ roundabout on to the B1013 Nestuda Way - signposted Rochford. Follow signs for Rochford and the B1013, taking the 3rd turning at a roundabout after 400 yards on to Eastwoodbury Lane and then taking the first exit at the next roundabout into Cherry Orchard Way. Go straight over one roundabout, then at the next roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Hall Road. The club is about three quarters of a mile down this road on the right-hand side, before going under the railway bridge at the end of Hall Road.

By air We are only 5 minutes in a taxi from London Southend Airport. Indeed, we share a boundary with the airport neighbours and our ‘planespotting’ members marvel at aircraft taxiing towards take-off as they play our 16th green!

By public transport The nearest railway station is Rochford, which is less than a five-minute walk away from the Club.

We are always delighted to hear from you should you wish further information or provide us with feedback. Please feel free to get in touch.

Rochford Hundred Golf Club, Hall Road, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS4 1NW Club telephone: 01702 544302 Facsimilie: 01702 541343 E-mail: admin@rochfordhundredgolfclub.co.uk Website: www.rochfordhundredgolfclub.co.uk

50

Rochford Hundred Golf Club

T: 01702 619085 M: 07709 430078 Free phone: 0800 9 247 567

As one of the premier kitchen installation companies in Southend-on-Sea we provide all aspects of kitchen installation services in and around the Essex area with no job too big or small.

We treat every customer with total respect and work towards a very high professional standard. Your total satisfaction is very important to the success of our business.

We undertake a full range of kitchen installation services for domestic, business and corporate clients. Whatever the size of the job large or small we aim to establish the exact needs of each client. That way a fixed price can be quoted with no hidden extras.

We Specialise in Kitchen Installation • Commercial Kitchen Installations Domestic Kitchen InstallationsKitchen Plumbing Kitchen Electrical Work Why should you choose Apollo Kitchens?

Friendly & Reliable • Fully Qualified • High Attention To Detail • Competitive Rates • No Obligation Quotes Made To Measure Services • Supply & Installation Honest Quoting • Willing To Go That Extra Mile

For more information on our services, call us today on 07709 430 078 or simply email us your requirements and we will get right back to you.

www.apollokitchens.co.uk |

e: apollokitchensessex@gmail.com