Category: Golf

Four of us had signed up to play our usual round on Monday 8th December, but like many Mondays this Autumn, the course was closed due to water logging.  However, we and nine others did meet at noon that day to enjoy our end of season lunch at the Manchette golf club.  It was such a pleasure to see a few members who although they are on the list of players, have been unable to swing their clubs this year.  However, one of our number was very much missed and at the start of the meal, we raised our glasses in memory of Bryan Clark who sadly passed away in late November.

We enjoyed a few glasses of Chardonnay as an apero which were very kindly offered by Eric, the Father of the House!  The sound level was quite amazing with lots of lively chatter but luckily, due to the weather, there were no other golfers in the room, and things quickly quietened down when the starter of fish terrine was served. This was followed by lasagne and salad, apple tart and a few bottles of Côtes du Rhône.  The idea of a last bottle before coffee was abandoned as many of us would soon be behind the wheel. 

Marie gave us a short briefing about the changes that would happen at the club, which is probably being purchased by a wealthy family.  The cost of maintenance equipment has become prohibitive, so the future of the club seems to be assured.

By this time, the sun had come out and a few other players were teeing off as Marie took photos of our merry bunch.

We held our end of 2024 season lunch at the Manchette golf club on Monday.  11 of our 18 members attended, some of whom played a round beforehand in bright sunshine.  The atmosphere, which was already convivial, was further enhanced by the aperos offered by Eric and the red wine during the meal offered by Steve, both in celebration of their forthcoming birthdays.   Talking of birthdays, well over half of our group are in their ninth decades but their performance on the course belies their ages.  However, we always welcome new, maybe younger, members who will carry on passing the baton (or rather the golf club).  Marie provided us with an excellent three course meal (the main was coq au vin) for a ridiculously low price and all left contented.  Two more Mondays for playing this year, then we restart mid-February, weather permitting.

Thanks to everyone for their participation this year.

The golfing season is drawing to a close and a lunch was planned at the Manchettes clubhouse in Bretigny to follow our regular Monday morning 9 holes on 29th November. Unfortunately, snow overnight meant that the course was closed, but we all met up at midday for apéros, kindly offered by Eric, and an excellent lunch prepared by the staff. A terrine followed by a superb boeuf bourguignon and apple tart washed down with a bottle or three of Côtes du Rhône went down very well. GIN golfers are probably unique in the club as 100% of the 13 members attended the end-of-year event as evidenced by the photo below.

We have played around 35 times this year, meaning that we have only had to cancel about half a dozen times due to bad weather. Several members have claimed birdies and many more have scored pars, but that elusive hole-in-one is still awaiting! We don’t keep a record of our scores and do not always strictly follow the established R&A rules but just enjoy being out in nature and starting off the week with some gentle exercise. Inevitably, the odd beer is enjoyed on the terrace after our efforts!