On Sunday 6th April 2025 the weather Gods were exceptionally kind to us. The sun shone, the skies were almost cloudless and the wind was minimal. The perfect day for golf, unless that is, if you are about to take your inaugural drive-in for your upcoming year in office as Club Captain. It didn’t ease the pressure when the incoming Junior Captain, Miss Emily Wakenshaw, nailed her drive straight down the middle! Emily is the first ever female Junior Captain in the history of BGC. That is a tremendous mantle for this aspiring golf star.

In recent weeks I had been getting asked if I was nervous about the big DRIVE-IN coming up. To be honest I wasn’t. If I duff it, I duff it, I was telling everyone. That was how I felt, until I was stood over the ball. Emily had just nailed her drive and now it was my turn. Still no nerves. The silence was deafening, not even the birds were singing. A few deep breaths. Slow exhale. Right here goes. Slow take back then release, accelerate through the ball. PING. The ball was in flight. Was it good, was it a duff? The applause started and the cheers followed. That is when my nerves hit me. My legs turned to jelly and my relief immeasurable.

The President v Captain challenge was played in glorious sunshine and the Captain’s team came out victorious. After the match we went back to the clubhouse for some fundraising in aid of PROSTATE CANCER UK. The total raised on the day was £1375. During the presentations Ian Fawcett gave a very emotional and powerful dialogue of his experience with prostate cancer. I think it caught a few people off guard but it drove home just how important it is to get checked for this evil disease. Big thanks go to Ian for his brave talk.

I want to thank everyone who took part in the celebrations, for your generosity and your best wishes for my upcoming year in office. Once again, the members, members families and members friends have proved what fantastic people we have in our midst at this glorious golf club. We took some food and some well-earned liquid refreshments throughout the afternoon and I was so happy to see so many people enjoying themselves. The lounge, balconies and the bar were full. It was such a great sight to see. We were later entertained by local singer Liv Grylls. A really talented young lady. She put on a great performance singing classics from the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s. I have no doubt she will appear at BGC again in the future.

Finally, I want to thank my family and friends who assisted in making yesterday a resounding success. They collected the raffle money, made the table decorations and helped with the punch - the list goes on. Thanks to all the staff in the clubhouse and thanks to the greens staff for getting the course ready and in great condition. Thanks to new President Stu Openshaw for organising the competition. Last but not least thanks to my Vice Captain, Albert Spence BEM. You played a blinder mate. Once again I thank everyone who took part yesterday. Let's hope we have a few more of these occasions in the near future.

Glen Brocklesby
BGC Captain 2025

BILLINGHAM SENIORS 2024 SEASON
Billingham managed to secure the 2024 TGU Seniors Division A championship after having a poor start to the season. We only managed some 50 points after the first 7 matches. We had an amazing turnaround in the second half of the season, going unbeaten home and away and managed 75 points to win the Division by 9 points.
We defended the title we won in 2023.
Captain, Peter Jamieson said, "I had a great squad to choose from and had faith that we could bring it home. I was going to retire the Captaincy this year, but have been persuaded to stay on to go for the treble in 2025. Well done to all at Billingham and to all the other Teams in the TGU Seniors. Special thanks to Stewart Hollins for his organisation and patience"

BGC thanks Peter Davison, one of our members and MD of Portrack Handling Limited, for sponsoring the 2024 Junior Team polo shirts and gilets. Photo shows Sam (Junior Captain), Luke, Peter, Emily (Vice Junior Captain) and Charlie looking very smart in their new kit.

The clubhouse was packed full of members to celebrate their achievements over the past year. Following the formalities, a top NE singer brought the dance floor to life to end a fantastic evening. Thanks to Jimmy Collins, Gent's Captain, and everyone else who helped out and congratulations to all the trophy winners.

BGC Men's Senior Team have finished the 2023 season with a double celebration. The Team, captained by Peter Jamieson, finished top of the Teesside Golf Union Seniors League 'A' Division, then followed that up with a win against Seaton Carew at neutral course Eaglescliffe in the final of the team knock-out cup.
BGC became the first team to win the double in the over 55's category, an achievement that the captain and the club are very proud of.
The league team consisted of six pairs per team, playing off the while tees, seeing off last year's winners Hunley Hall by 9pts. In only the second year of the team knock-out cup, BGC battled through four rounds to earn their place in the final against a strong Seaton Carew team and were thrilled to come out on top with a 4-1 victory to complete the league and cup double.
Captain Peter was over the moon with the team's performance and would like to thank all the players who turned out to represent BGC over the season.

As Billingham Golf Club eagerly prepares for the re-opening following the latest lockdown, the members will be welcomed back to several new developments and refurbishments around the club and course. It has been both difficult and testing carrying out these works but with social distancing and safe practises the club has been successful in completing a number of alterations, some more essential than others.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been truly devastating and has been like nothing we have had to endure before, so much so that all of us have been affected and saddened in one way or another by the results of this virus.
Throughout the last year we have all began to realise how fortunate we are to have our health service to turn to when we feel sick. To show our support for the NHS workers who have had to experience frightening and dangerous working conditions throughout this pandemic, Billingham Golf Club have installed a 3m x 12m sign on the 10th Fairway as a show of appreciation.
Pictured with the Sign are BGC 2021 Lady Captain Cath McNeill and long time serving BGC employee Katy McNeill, both work at Stockton’s North Tees Hospital and are two of a large number of BGC members who work for the NHS.
Thanks also to the Caswell Group for manufacturing and sponsoring the sign.

23rd March 2021

As you will be aware that the new Word Handicapping System comes in effect on 2nd November 2020 and today we have been informed that BGC members new handicaps are now available to view on the England Golf Website.

If you go to
https://members.whsplatform.englandgolf.org/signup
and put in your Central Database Number (CDH) it will then take you through a process into the new platform. When you have activated your account you can view your new Handicap Index and it will identify the rounds used to calculated your Handicap Index.

If you do not know your CDH number go onto the ClubV1 App, tap the handicap icon and then tap certificate and your CDH number is on that certificate.

The slope ratings for all courses will be displayed within the next 2 weeks so you can work out your course handicap round Billingham.

Please check out the picture below which instruct you on how to work out your handicap on the 3 different Imperial tees.

Should you have any queries regarding the system please do not hesitate to contact Jack Hurst at bgccomps@btconnect.com

22/10/2020