Society of the Month – October
Norcross Golf Society
Year Founded
2016
Geographic Area you play most
We are Fylde Coast based gold society and play in the North West of England, Lancashire, Cumbria, Manchester, Merseyside
Annual Tour
No annual tour but this season we have started an annual Ryder Cup event against another local society, Fleetwood & Northern Golf Society. This season’s match was closely contested but Norcross Golf Society won 7 points to 6, a great achievement given we were taking them on in their own backyard at Fleetwood Golf Club. Next season it will be our choice of venue as reigning champions!
Formats
The 2023 season got underway in January with our annual Vice-Captain’s Day team scramble event at Knott End Golf Club, sponsored by FCHS. There were nine teams battling it out on the day, won by team ‘Out of Boundits’ (team names inspired by LIV Golf). The day finished with the usual presentation and a handing over of the baton from our 2022 Captain Brian Ferguson to our 2023 Captain Jason Athay (who was 2022 Vice-Captain, hence the day being called Vice-Captain’s Day).
During the season we have eight meetings, one a month from April to October, called the Order of Merit, including the Captain’s Charity Day which this season was held at Formby Hall Golf Club and was attended by 40 members.
The Order of Merit is based on the best five rounds of the season. We also have a singles matchplay knock-out competition and a pairs 4BBB matchplay knock-out competition played throughout the season. We have also introduced a Hole in One Club this season, taking £1 per attendee until our very first society hole in one, with a nice kitty to help towards the hefty bar bill.
How Many golfers
We have 65 paid members for the 2023 season.
Why did it start
Norcross Golf Society was officially established in 2016 but our origins date back to a couple of years before, with a few civil service colleagues meeting up for several casual rounds. The name Norcross comes from the civil service site in Thornton-Cleveleys on the Fylde Coast where the colleagues were based (with three of our members still being based there today). So a few colleagues got together for a few rounds and as the rounds became more frequent each colleague invited a few friends, and so the journey began. As the numbers grew we decided to call ourselves a society, but we never really took it seriously and could have never imagined where we are today!For one reason or another the numbers at events started to fall and in 2019 the main organiser nearly threw in the towel. However, a light bulb moment from two of our members saved the society. A simple yet effective suggestion to invite members to join from the Finsbury House Golf Society (a society for an annual Sunday driver Ryder Cup event). The numbers started to grow again and we’ve never looked back!
How do you select which courses to play
With plenty of members we tend to go off word of mouth and suggestions, but also by following courses on social media and reading reviews.
Final decision is made by the Committee.
Favourite Course played with Society
There are so many to choose from but Preston Golf Club is definitely up there.
Top Tips for running a golf society
1. Form a Committee – this helps with ideas, decision making and running events.
2. Introduce a handicap system – this helps even the field and ensure those with official handicaps are not disadvantaged.
3. Look for sponsors – we have been very fortunate in securing several sponsors, helping our society develop a new website and offer better prizes and value for money at each meeting.
3 reasons to join the Society
1. Lots of fun and banter with like minded people.
2. Play great courses.
3. Loads of prizes on offer throughout the season, including a charity raffle at each event.
Club Membership Split
About 50% of our members are also members of golf clubs based in the Fylde Coast, such as Knott End, Fleetwood, Blackpool North Shore, Herons’ Reach, Fairhaven, and St. Anne’s Old Links.
Mental/Physical Health benefits
There are so many benefits to playing golf in terms of exercise and mental well being. Being a member of a society like ours enables you to form friendships with fellow golfers and play a variety of courses. We have a WhatsApp group where members invite each other to different events. Members also post their pics from new courses and trips abroad.
Charity
This season we have chosen a local charity called The Boathouse Youth which works with children and young people aged 5 to 17, from socio-economically deprived communities across Blackpool, to help tackle the challenges they’re experiencing.
Last season we raised £1k for Prostate Cancer UK and the season before £1k for Kidneys for Life.
Next season we are hoping to put on a golf charity day to raise even more money.
Final Thoughts
Main sponsor for 2023 season is Appletree Financial Solutions.
The society has grown in popularity in recent years to 65 members, so we must be doing something right!
We provide prizes at each meeting for first, second and third place, four nearest pins, Captain’s hole (nearest pin in two), last place (a free golf lesson), a charity raffle with loads of prizes, and a bet club where members place a £1 bet on who they think will win the meeting.
Joining a golf society is a little less formal and perhaps more affordable than joining a golf club, provides the opportunity to play a variety of different courses, and the likelihood of winning more prizes with a smaller field.
Although we have a Committee and certain rules to follow, we pride ourselves on being a relaxed and informal society, with a main aim of having a laugh whilst enjoying a round of golf.
We’ve been on an interesting journey since forming in 2016 and could never have imagined where we are today! Check out our website: www.norcrossgolfsociety.co.uk and our Instagram account.
Gallery
