Another bittersweet occasion came around this Halloween, as we said goodbye (from post) to our outgoing Club Captain Shane Turner and a big welcome to 2027's Club Captain Chris Bowler, who takes on the position after serving as Vice Captain for the last year.
As always, the occasion was marked with a shotgun start event, as 80+ participants tested their golfing wares in a classic singles Stableford format. The top five scores were honoured at the presentation, with the overall winner also becoming the holder of the trophy and having their name etched in honours board history. Here are the official results:
A full list of individual results can be found on the Club Competitions notice board or in the BRS Scoring / Golf Genius apps.
Following play, members of the Club and family of both Captains gathered in the Devonshire Suite welcomed by a complimentary drink courtesy of Chris. An emotional Shane opened proceedings with heartfelt tribute to everyone who has been a part of his year, before officially passing the torch to his number two.
Roy Cullis will step into the role of Mr Bowler's Vice Captain, a welcome addition as Roy's year as Captain was cut short following illness a few years ago.
As always, thank you to everyone who took part and our very best wishes to both men in their new roles. Our heartfelt thanks also go to Shane for a fine year in post.
Josh Clarke, Operations Director for Bondhay Golf Club, said:
"Captain's Handover is always a tale of two halves, marking a sad occasion for the incumbent and an exciting one for the incoming Club Captain. We've been blessed with a series of model Captains in recent times and I've no doubt that Chris will continue this trend alongside Roy.
Our thanks have to go Shane, who has been a calm and diplomatic personality in-post, striving for the best for the Club whilst also being aware of the growing pressures being faced on businesses over the last year. Shane has always been someone that you can have a frank and honest conversation with, which is most welcome when you're dealing with an industry carrying many big opinions. On behalf of the Management Team and the wider Bondhay family, I'd like to thank Shane for his work over the past year. Congratulations on a great Captaincy and I'm certain we'll see each other plenty still as he takes up the mantle of 'Past Captain'. I'm sure we'll still be in receipt of a typical Shane joke as he sticks his head on the office.
An incredibly warm welcome and congratulations to our new Club Captain, Chris Bowler, who I know will step into the role with ease, and to Roy on his appointment as VC. I look forward to sitting down soon to start finalising their plans for the next year."
