NEWTON Green Golf Club marked its official start of centenary year with a reception at the club house on Friday. There will be a father and son captaincy double.

By Tony Garnett

NEWTON Green Golf Club marked its official start of centenary year with a reception at the club house on Friday. There will be a father and son captaincy double. Ian Woodhead, who succeeds Harry Wordley, produced a drive-in of 210 yards witnessed by his parents who had travelled from Yorkshire for the occasion.

Fourteen year old Adam Woodhead, who would have won the men's club championship last year had he signed the competition entry book correctly, will take over a junior captain in the coming weeks. Both players have single figure handicaps.

Retiring captain Harry Wordley presented a cheque for £1186 to Nicki Stapleton of Cancer Research UK, his chosen charity, before the start of the annual meeting. Harry was presented with an aerial picture of the course which had been photographed in association the centenary history project.

Alan Vince was congratulated on completion of the history of the club. All members will receive a copy of the publication. Non-members can purchase a copy for £5.

A plan to increase the size of the club house with a conservatory has been amended to a more permanent, solid-roofed sun room. When planning permission has been secured the revised scheme is estimated to cost £40,000. This will be put to the membership for further consideration.

The centenary book is an interesting and well designed publication that will bring back many memories. There will not be another Suffolk club celebrating a centenary for another 15 years when Thorpeness reaches that landmark.

I recall playing against Len Eaves at Newton Green some 40 years ago. There were chickens on the nine-hole course. Len, who owned the garage at Stoke by Nayland, was an avoid follower of Ipswich Town FC. After losing his first wife he decided to take up golf and asked me to give him his first ever game at Newton Green.

After that he played almost every day and before long had won his place in the club's Hambro Cup side together with his son Philip. They are both pictured in the publication.

I feel sure Newton Green will have a successful centenary year. Colchester Golf Club also have their centenary this year.