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How Was Your Round Today?

     How would you play this one?

31/03/2026 Foursomes 13th hole

Ian Coundon's tee shot landed in the first bunker on the left,

Alan Clifford played his shot in the bunker and left him the buried lie in the pics above

The best Ian could do was to dislodge the ball and it ended back in the bunker

Alan hit the 3rd bunker shot this time on the green

Ian narrowly missed the putt and they carded a triple bogey 6!

Don't you just love golf?

Something to make you smile:

Anybody ever feel like this?  Click below:

Do I hit it in the pond?

Terry Jones

19th March 2026

Golf is not just exercise; it's an adventure, a romance…a Shakespeare play in which disaster and comedy are intertwined – Harold Segall

Looking back at 1976, there were many events of both national and global interest including:

The founding of Apple Computers, Microsoft registering as a corporation and the beginning of the first commercial flights of Concorde. In the UK, a severe drought necessitated the appointment of a "Minister for Drought" and James Callaghan replaced Harold Wilson as Prime Minister. Montreal hosted the Summer Olympics, where gymnast Nadia Comăneci scored the first perfect 10 and, on the subject of sport, Terry Jones took out his first years membership at New Forest Golf Club.

50 years later, with many trophies to his name, Terry celebrated the milestone by being awarded his own commemorative shirt by the club following his round in the March Monthly Medal on Tuesday. Terry continues to be a hugely popular and active member of the club and still features regularly in the twice-weekly prize giving. One of his many amazing feats includes a hole-in-one on the 263 yard par 4 15th, not only was it off the back white tee but it was his first shot on a Sunday morning! If that was worthy of mention then it should be said that this was just one of Terry's 4 holes-in-one.

Terry received his shirt from Seniors Captain, Phil Kilburn, to warm applause and cheers. It was suggested that now Terry has an official NFGC Seniors shirt he could go on representing the club in this year's busy fixture list. The comment was met with typical modesty but we hope to be playing with Terry and hearing of his golfing exploits for many years to come. Bravo Terry Jones!

Mike Stevenson (Media and Press Officer)

Terry Jones being presented with his 50 year Anniversary shirt by Seniors Captain Phil Kilburn

Rob plays the 16th…

Dateline Monday 16th March 2025. Rob Young demonstrates how to play a ball that is plugged in the face of the Captain's bunker….

Course unplayable?? Not for Barry Nicholas!

Photo supplied by Barry Nicholas

Graham 'Rocky' Fearis

When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.

Billy Graham

We have received the sad news of the passing of Graham 'Rocky' Fearis after suffering heart failure during time in hospital for breathing difficulties. Rocky was a larger than life "old school" character, a member of the Club and the Seniors for over 20 years, his name appearing on several trophies from 2002 right through to 2022. He was Seniors Captain in 2015 and a longstanding member of the Seniors Committee serving as Website/Press Officer and Sickness Liaison Officer. He will be greatly remembered for famously organising the annual Seniors Tour for many years until he retired from golf in 2024: the Rocky Trophy that we now play for on the Seniors Tour will be a lasting memory. He will be greatly missed by family and friends that knew him.

(Ian Coundon)

Visit by Dementia Care Hub Team

06/01/2026

The Dementia Care Hub offer emotional and practical support to families and people living with dementia: weekly social groups, respite, therapeutic programmes for carers and long-term care planning.
Dementia is tough; getting support shouldn't be.
Dr Kellyn Lee – CPsychol, PhD Founder and CEO The Dementia Care Hub
Seniors Captain, Phil Kilburn has chosen the Dementia Care Hub as his charity for 2026. Phil has seen the work that they do by observing at first hand the care given to family members.
Dr Kellyn Lee, the Hub's founder delivered a presentation outlining the nature of dementia and dispelling some myths around the condition. It was interesting to note that there is no recovery path from dementia and that good care and management of the condition is the best way forward for people living with dementia and their families.
Dr Lee will be stepping down from the charity in the near future and will be handing over to her colleague Nerys Blackburn.
More information can be found by talking to Phil Kilburn or by clicking here.
(From l-r) Nerys Blackburn, Dr. Kellyn Lee and Phil Kilburn

Seniors Section End of Year Report 2025

Isn't it funny that day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different.

C.S.Lewis

As 2025 limps like Long John Silver to a close, it's time to pause, reflect and add another chapter to the ever-expanding New Forest Seniors history book (now helpfully printed in large font). It's been a year packed with laughter, a long and very warm summer, some excellent inter-club results, and a tinge of sadness as we said farewell to Paul Chambers and Mik Jarmolowicz, both of whom were hugely popular members of our close-knit section and were frequent winners on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are greatly missed.

It's been said before that the Seniors Section is about far more than a gaggle of over 55's coaxing protesting joints around a golf course twice a week. Yes, most clubs have seniors' sections, but few enjoy the camaraderie we're lucky enough to have at New Forest GC. Competition days usually begin with the early birds arriving for coffee and a good natter, before being joined by others as conversations broaden to cover football results, new and exciting prescription drugs, and occasionally, even golf. Topics include revolutionary grip changes, the undeniable benefits of a softer ball, and that familiar mystery of how a putter can go from "can't miss" to "should be confiscated" in the space of seven days.

Out on the course, the golf is a finely balanced cocktail of moments of brilliance, minor catastrophes, unsolicited advice, heartfelt encouragement, and top-quality mickey-taking, both given and received with equal enthusiasm. In truth, it's the fresh air, exercise and companionship that keep us coming back, because without those, we'd never willingly embark on this maddening quest. Like Captain Ahab, we set off in pursuit of an elusive white whale, except ours is simply scoring better than the other forty-odd golfers trying to do exactly the same thing.

Unlike many clubs, our fun doesn't end after the 18th hole. As the late, great Jim Worsley used to remind us: "There's always the raffle." Add to that the fines where innocence is a purely theoretical concept and the competition results, greeted with a healthy mix of applause, groans, and the traditional cry of "cut him!"

We are truly fortunate to belong to this golfing band of brothers. Like a crew of ageing pirates, we may cough, wheeze, curse, and creak like the timbers of an ancient galleon in a force-ten gale but we keep sailing back out, chasing that brief taste of glory and firmly believing that next time… next time will be the one.

John Pickering has enjoyed a stellar year as Captain with us winning 12 of the 20 matches played, halving 1 and losing 7. John himself was in the winning pair on 11 occasions which goes to prove that he either inspired his playing partners, or his jokes were so poor that his opponents just wanted to start drinking as soon as possible. A good showing also from Ken Scott with 8 wins for him and his partners. John's charity, Testwood Lakes Sailability is now £4161.73 better off thanks to his fundraising efforts and the generosity of the Seniors section. More good news was to follow when they were awarded the Kings Award for Voluntary Service.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we enjoyed our own internal competitions with 37 trophies up for grabs this year including the inaugural playing of the Jim Worsley 'Always the Raffle' Trophy, the Ivor Griffiths Trophy and the Alan Clark Trophy. The engraver will notice that a few names appear more than once with Robin Swanston confining his 3 wins to team games whilst Terry Gordon, having won once with Robin went on to take 2 singles titles. Other 3-time winners were Ian Coundon and Chris Angell with a whole host of 2-time winners figuring in a season which featured 32 different names in all. Of course, we also had the non-trophy matches consisting of Texas Scrambles, Matchplays, Stablefords, Bowmakers, Medfords and others which produced even more winners and swelled the bank balances of Robin Swanston (12 wins – £126), Dave Titchmarsh (11 wins – £116) and Mike Ahearn (11 wins – £108). Handicap secretary and HMRC take note.

The prizes (in kudos only rather than hard cash) for the most improved handicaps go to:

  • Charlie Tabor who dropped from 24.4 to 19.7 (-4.7)
  • Phil Walker who dropped from 21.0 to 17.4 (-3.6) and
  • Rob Young who dropped from 25.1 to 22.7 (- 2.4)

Whilst mentioning great golfing achievements, congratulations must go to Harry Maitland for his 8 iron hole-in-one on the 11th hole in July. It was all the more remarkable as it was his first shot of the day! Also well done to both Roy Nelson and John Ireland who each won not 1 but 2 monthly medals in the same season. Roy's were both in Division 1 and John's in Division 2.

All of the above gives each of us targets to aim for as we set sail together into 2026, can anyone improve their handicap by 5 strokes? Can anyone win 4 trophies? Can anyone get to a dozen wins? Can anyone win £150? We don't know the answers to any of those questions but one thing that we do know for sure is that we'll have the best of fun trying. Have a great golfing 2026 everyone!

Mike Stevenson

Seniors Christmas Lunch

There are three stages of man: he believes in Santa Claus; he does not believe in Santa Claus; he is Santa Claus.

Bob Phillips

Well, the rain put paid to the golf and it was decided to postpone the Give and Take until the 23rd but that didn't stop the Seniors section Christmas lunch going ahead as planned. The kitchen staff did us proud yet again, the food was delicious and everyone left feeling they'd never be able to eat again!

The incoming captain, Phil Kilburn presented a few thank-yous and gave out presents for this years big money winners, most improved handicap and fittingly to John Pickering for winning 11 of his matches against other clubs this year.

It takes more than a rainy day to dampen the spirits of us old die-hards and times like this give us the chance to recount past battles on the fairways and greens and to look forward to more days in the sunshine sometime in the future.

The 2025 Seniors Section Christmas Lunch

Without rain there are no rainbows. Photo – Andy Homes

The Seniors section AGM took place on Thursday 20 November

Key points are listed below:

  1. The meeting took a few moments of silence to remember past Senior members Mik Jarmolowicz and Paul Chambers and those Club members, family and friends who have passed away since the last AGM.
  2. The Seniors Captain, John Pickering then gave his report where he thanked all members for supporting his charity and for taking part in the matches where 36 players participated.
  3. The final results were: Played 20, Won 12, Lost 7, halved 1 and 1 match cancelled.
  4. Chris Bennett delivered the Competition Secretary's report where he thanked Roy Nelson for his valuable assistance. Chris highlighted that we'll all be using the Club V1 system on an individual basis going forward and that help will be provided to those that need it.
  5. The Chairman asked for Richard Hammond, Hugh Marchant and Rob Young to step forward and receive thanks from the members for all their work on the Committee and each was presented with a token of appreciation by the outgoing Captain on behalf of the Committee and membership.
  6. Phil Kilburn, Dave Jones and Mike Ahearn were elected as Captain, Vice-Captain and Treasurer respectively.
  7. Ken Scott, Roy Nelson and Mike Stevenson were elected as committee members.
  8. Phil Kilburn was presented with his match shirt as incoming Captain and announced that his chosen charity will be The Dementia Care Hub.

11th August 11am – Armistice Day 2025

The fairways and greens fell silent as the klaxon sounded across the New Forest golf course and the Seniors, on their regular Tuesday roll-up competition, joined the rest of the country in a 2 minute silence to commemorate the end of fighting in the First World War: the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" and to pay their respects to the brave and fallen
In the Clubhouse later our own Mike Stevenson spoke emotionally about why we remember not only those who lost their lives in two World Wars but all service members who have died since then in subsequent wars and conflicts all over the world. Mike told of his personal participation in the Falklands War and first Gulf War where he saw action in the Royal Navy, and experienced first hand the injury and loss of comrades and friends
A tot of rum was enjoyed by the members: a Navy tradition known as "splice the mainbrace" issued to all crew to recognise special occasions
'At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them'
Ian Coundon

Mike Stevenson with the rum for 'Splice the Mainbrace' Photo by Ian Coundon

Seniors Captain, Phil Kilburn, has chosen The Dementia Care Hub as his charity for 2026.

The Dementia Care Hub serves Totton, Calmore and Portchester. The Hub was set up to ensure families affected by dementia are not alone and are supported throughout their journey. They offer a programme of sessions to support care partners and people living with dementia with the aim to reducing isolation and loneliness.

Phil Kilburn

https://www.dementiacarehub.org/

Make a Donation

Testwood Lakes Sailability

Cheque Presentation

Seniors Captain, John Pickering chose Testwood Lakes Sailability as his charity for 2025.

The charity is passionate about getting disabled people on the water, no matter what it takes. They encourage young people, adults and groups to come and try sailing at their own pace, with boats adapted to individual abilities.

They are practised at helping people in overcoming barriers, be they physical impairments, long term health conditions, mental health problems, or just getting older.

Over the course of the year £4161.73 was raised by the NFGC seniors through voluntary donations, fines, auctions and raffles, a superb effort championed by the captain.

The top picture shows John Pickering (far right), with vice captain Phil Kilburn (centre rear) and Barry Nicholas (centre front) presenting the cheque to Sailability.

The photo bottom left shows the handover of the bankable paper cheque from John to Phil of Sailability.

Well done all concerned!

SENIORS SECTION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – NOTICE TO MEMBERS

Displayed on Noticeboard from Thursday 10th October 2024

SENIORS SECTION AGM

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE SENIORS SECTION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE CLUBHOUSE ON

THURSDAY 20th NOVEMBER 2025

FOLLOWING THE RON WATERS SHIELD COMPETITION

Nominations for Officers and/or Committee and any Proposals to be presented at the meeting are to be submitted in writing and signed by the proposer and seconder and received by the Seniors Section Secretary by:

THURSDAY 6th NOVEMBER 2025

Ian Coundon
Seniors Section Secretary