newFAIRWAY NEWS … IGC’s periodic journal
(Issue 1 … April 1-15, 2019)

With Winter Cup done and dusted ( … congrats to winner Peter Brown and runner-up John Hughes) IGC is now getting into its early-spring/summer season … even the weather is beginning to take notice.

After an absence of n+1 years, IGC is pleased to trial the return of an old favourite … Fairway News. This occasional (circa two-weekly) club newsletter will applaud our recent winners, whilst also reminding you of upcoming events and what’s going-on in the IGC parish.

Please don’t hesitate to let us have your feedback on IGC’s newFairway News 

WORTHY WINNERS: of recent IGC competitions:

• April 6 (Empereur): Jnrs (6.5) vs Snrs (8.5) – Snrs win again … of course!
• April 7 (Pierpont): IGC (20.5) vs Pierpont (12.5) – a three-peat win for IGC over Pierpont.
• April 13 (Falnuée): winner Peter Mountain (38 pts); runner-up Richard Ivens (34 pts) on countback from Elke Wienkamp.
• April 14 (Royal Ostend): winner Marie Astrid-Dubois (36 pts); runner-up Barry McAlpine (35 pts) … fabulous greens on a great course … and Tiger, Tiger burning bright!

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS: key diary dates; plenty more fixtures in addition to these:

• Sat April 20: Royal Limburg – no longer “English Day”, but a great round in prospect on Easter Saturday in warm sunshine. Rumour has it the Easter bunny will bring extra prizes! sign-up here
• Sat May 4: Opening Cup at Pierpont (sponsored by Where2Golf).
• Sat May 11: Match vs Empereur (GF only €30!).
• May 30-Jun 2: Côte d’Opale Stay&Play … with Wimereux on the menu.
• Sat June 15: Rinkven Day … generously sponsored by Richard & Sandy Ginder. A great day and long-standing IGC event.
• Sun June 30: President’s Day at Royal Hainaut (sponsored by Rodolphe).

PARISH NOTICES: what the world’s press is talking about:

• Côte d’Opale Stay&Play: sign-up is now closed for this year’s S&P; for the 22 lucky “tourers” your deposit monies should now be with Peter Mountain.
• IGC 2019 Match Play: Captain Barry McAlpine has advised that you need to register for this year’s match play by May 2. Responses direct to Barry.
• Committee change: following Mark Adams stepping down from the role of IGC Secretary to concentrate on his and his family’s resettlement to the UK, Nigel Butler has taken on this important role in an acting capacity.
• AFG 2019 Snr Spring Challenge: under Tommy Smith’s leadership our IGC/MUGS team have won their first two matches (against Naxhelet GC and Golf du Haras). Next-up is Brussels Drohme GC (Boisfort Hippodrome) … and then the finals?
• English Day: originally scheduled for April 20, St George will slay his dragon on a yet-to-be-determined date in October. Our visit on April 20 to Royal Limburg remains very much alive.
• IGC website: our highly informative and photo laden website is now accessed using domain name: igc.golf … shortcut to the photo gallery: igc.photos. Browse the “Clubhouse” section for full Winter Cup results, Summer Cup progress, Stay&Play details, the new rules of golf, club merchandise; honours boards … and so much more!

IGC COMMITTEE MEETING: (April 8)
Full attendance of all eight Committee members … just to remind you that’s: Rodolphe Matossian (President);  Barry McAlpine (Capt); Alastair Fyfe (vice Capt); Mark Adams (Secretary); Peter Mountain (Treasurer); Suzanne Butler (Webmaster); Andy Sisk (Membership Secretary); Tommy Smith (Seniors Coordinator) plus Nigel Butler (observer). The main topics discussed were:

• progress report from Mark on the 2019 Calendar – now 95% complete.
• update from Andy on new member sign-up and departing members from 2018.
• Stay&Play update from Peter Mountain – a good size group although not quite up there with 2018’s record attendance.
• Albatros / i-golf: IGC is still mulling over the financial and operating benefits of a move from the Albatros booking system to i-golf. More on this later.
• It was noted that first-quarter attendances in 2019 are slightly up on 2018 … let’s continue that trend. 

PHOTO of the WEEK


Peter Brown relaxes with a suitable refreshment (only 25cl !) after winning the first IGC “major” of the year, complete with sparkling new Winter Cup trophy, some attractive glassware and winner’s cheque of €100! Amateur status at risk!