Elland Golf Club

Message from John Ainley Rabbit Captain 2019

"The Rabbits Section has had a successful year in 2019. We won the YRGA Thornton Trophy, played very competitively in League Division C, completed all of our arranged Friendly matches, had a successful Rabbit Open and raised a substantial sum for Prostrate Cancer Awareness. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the success of all our endeavours in 2019 and hope you will all continue to do so in the coming years."

What we are about:-

Formed in 1965 providing friendly and competitive golf for higher handicap golfers (Handicaps of 15.5 and upwards)
Provide opportunities to represent your Club in external competitions organised by the Halifax and Huddersfield District Rabbit Golf Association (HHDRGA) and the Yorkshire Rabbit Golf Association (YRGA)
Fostering links with the Rabbit sections of other local clubs through friendly matches
Raising money for projects that benefit the whole club
Integrating new members into the club

Rabbit News

Rabbits Annual Dinner and Prize Presentation evening

The Rabbits Annual Dinner & Prize Presentation evening will be taking place on Friday 21st February 2020 at 7:30 p.m.

The 3 course menu at a cost of £20 per head consists of ;

Leek & Potato Soup
Braised Beef on Mashed Potato and seasonal vegetables
Treacle Sponge & Custard or Cheese & Crackers
Coffee

Dress Code Lounge Suits

Please come along and support the Rabbits Section for a fun and enjoyable evening of great food and good company.

Please enter your name on the table planner in the entrance foyer

Officials 2019

Rabbit Captain : John Ainley
Vice Rabbit Captain : Steve Lamb
Treasurer : Barry Holbrook
Secretary : John Beazley
Committee : John Firth, Peter Fletcher, Dave Goody, Steve Gourley, Paul Hudson, David Lockwood, Matthew Sykes

Rabbit Friendlies

We currently play 8 friendlies against other local clubs - Bradley Hall, Bradley Park, Crosland Heath, Huddersfield, Longley Park, Marsden, Meltham and Outlane. The games are mid-week, with 6 or 8 players, starting around 4.30pm, and played over 15 to 18 holes (depending on the weather). They are played in a friendly spirit and generally involve combining as a four man team (2 from the home club and 2 from the visiting club). The evening finishes with a meal, raffle and presentation of a bottle of wine to the winning team members.

The Rabbit Friendlies allow members to meet and mix the like-minded golfers of similar abilities, at the same time giving opportunity to play other local courses. A charge is made at both home and away matches to cover the cost of entertaining the visitors at our home games.

How Can I Play ?

Teams are not picked on ability. If you have an handicap you are good enough to play. Keep an eye out on the Rabbits Notice Board and add your name to the lists and a team will be selected the weekend before each fixture. Dress Code for the the meal is casual, unless stated.

Rabbits League

For the more serious golfer who relishes playing in keenly contested matches, there is an opportunity to represent the Club in the local district leagues organised by the HHDRGA. These matches are 4BBB, but played off scratch, on a home and away basis. There is promotion and relegation at the end of the season.

We currently play in Section C after gaining promotion from Section D in 2018 and narrowly missed out on promotion in 2019 by one point. In 2020 we will be competing against Bradley Park, Dewsbury, Hebden Bridge, Queensbury and Longley Park.

How can I be selected for the Team ?

The team is made up of two pairs with each pair consisting of a "low man" (handicap 16-19) and a "high man" (handicap 20-28). If you wish to be considered for selection then please make this know to John Ainley, coordinator for 2020 matches. Check the Rabbit Notice Board for fixtures.

Regional Rabbit Competitions

Again for the more serious golfer there are other competitions organised by the HHDRGA and YRGA in which you can represent the club. There is a variety of formats from individual matchplay, to four balls and foursomes. Majority are played on a knock-out basis culminating in a final played at the end of the season.

Mellor Trophy - foursomes matchplay (HHDRGA)
RT Morley - individual matchplay (HHDRGA)
League knockout - team knockout (HHDRGA)
Norgate Trophy - individual and 3 man team Stableford competition (HHDRGA)
Presidents Day - individual and 8 man team Stableford competition (HHDRGA)
Finals Day Four Ball Trophy (HHDRGA)
Thornton Trophy - individual and 2 man team Stableford competition (YRGA)
Fowler Trophy - foursomes matchplay (YRGA)

How can I enter these competitions ?

These competitions run throughout the season. Keep an eye on the Rabbits Notice Board and add your name to the notices that will be posted in advance of the competitions.

Competition Successes

Steve Lamb and Chris Bingham represented the club in the Thornton Trophy in June 2019 and competed against 86 other clubs from across Yorkshire at Huddersfield Golf Club. With a combined Stableford score of 67 points they won the Trophy by one point from West Bradford.

The Trophy and prizes of engraved Whisky glasses were presented to them in September at the annual YRGA dinner, where they were accompanied by John Ainley Rabbit Captain and Barry Littlewood Club President.

Rabbits Open

One of our main fund raising events is the Rabbits Open which takes place on a Sunday in May. It is open to all golfers with handicaps between 12 and 36. It is a two-man team competition on a better ball basis.

It is an ideal opportunity to invite your friends from other courses to play Elland at a reduced rate. There are generous prizes, a raffle and nearest the pin prize. We encourage all Rabbits to support the day and help raise funds for our club.

Rabbits Projects

Money raised ultimately belongs to the club and is therefore used for the benefit of the Club as a whole. Over the years the Rabbit Section has sponsored several projects including :-

the installation of the compressed air shoe and trolley cleaner
refurbishment of the entrance porch and floor
replacement of the outdoor tables and chairs for the patio
the construction of the new Winter Tees
the replacement Elland Golf Club Honours board in the 19th Hole is planned for 2020

Rabbits Away Day

Every year, normally the last Friday in August when our course is closed for Open week preparation, the Rabbit Captain invites fellow members (both Tigers and Rabbits) to join him for a days golf at another course of his choice.

It usually involves starting with coffee and bacon sandwich on arrival, followed by 18 holes of golf. On completion of the round and a drink in the 19th hole, we return to Elland Golf Club for the prize presentation.

There are prizes and Trophies for the best overall score, best Tiger and best Rabbit, as well as a prize for the nearest the pin. Watch out for details on the Rabbits notice board.

Finally

Particularly if you are new to golf, joining in with the Rabbits Section is a great way to start your golfing life at Elland and get to know some of your fellow members.

You may not always remain a Rabbit (we all aspire to be better golfers!!) but everyone is assured of a warm welcome whilst you are with us.

Steve Lamb Vice Rabbit Captain