The Old & Bold

The Veteran’s Section of North Foreland Golf Club known to all as the  “Old and Bold”.

We are very privileged to be one of the Long Course sections within the Club. This status gives us the exclusive use of the Long Course on a Monday morning (except Bank Holidays) during the summer, although we share it with other members on alternate Mondays during the winter months.

The Old and Bold was established in 1958 and there is currently a membership of 170 men over the age of sixty, with some members still playing well into their nineties.

The section hosts many competitions, often playing for a trophy with historical connections to the Old and Bold. Eight of these competitions are classified as “qualifiers”. The player with the six best scores out of the eight determines the Old and Bold Champion of the year.

All the matches are Stableford competitions played off the yellow tees using current playing handicaps. Upon completion of each round, it is expected that the score is entered into the Club’s Intelligent Golf (IG) computer system. Your handicap is then adjusted automatically.

The Old and Bold have twelve inter-club matches against other local clubs, both home and away and there are two matches a year against our Ladies section and an annual match against the Northcliffe section on the excellent par 3 short course.

Th e Old and Bold Captain selects the teams for the interclub matches from a list of members who have signed up for that match. The principle is to try and ensure that all those who want to play these matches get a chance to play at least once during the season with each team consisting of either 12 or 16 a side. Through agreement with the other clubs no green fees are payable, but each player pays their individual food costs and the Home team are responsible for the drinks. If possible, players who play in the home match have the opportunity to play in the Away match.

The Vice Captain or Competition Administrator generate the playing partners for the internal match groupings from the computerised IG system following individual sign up to play the match on the IG system. There is also an alternative sign-up system on the Old and Bold notice board in the vestibule to the Locker rooms. On days when there is “social golf” or no formal competition there is a sheet on the Old and Bold board inviting members to sign up in broad time periods which is designed to ensure that members know that there will be a playing partner available during their preferred start period.

The ethos of the Old and Bold is to mix up the members in playing groups as much as possible. This enables newer members to meet and play with a diverse range of members who they may not have met therefore encouraging those new to the Club and the section to build friendships and camaraderie within the Old and Bold.

Of ten there will be a “fun” competition in weeks when there is no qualifying competition, maybe a Texas scramble or five club competition just to add interest.

On the social side there are several events including a prize giving lunch in the summer to which wives and partners are invited.

All in all, there is a full calendar of golfing events with between 80-90 players out on the course on a Monday morning

The current Old and Bold subscription is £5 per year plus a £1 fee towards the “hole in one” pot with any lucky winner receiving £100. Each regular competition fee is £2 with an optional £2 towards the “two” pot distributed to all those who score a “two”. These fees are payable in the pro shop before the start of the round.

Old and Bold sweaters, shirts and hats can be ordered through the Pro Shop and personalised with your name. Old and Bold ties are ordered through the Treasurer. If you wish to join the Old and Bold application forms can be found in a pouch on the Old and Bold notice board. Completed applications are processed by the Treasurer with payment being taken from the NFGC gold card.

The culture of our section is to promote camaraderie and friendship whilst enjoying golf and fund raising for the Captain’s chosen charities.

We hope you will consider joining us.  

Tony Calland Old and Bold Captain 2022