DG Club President
Andy Storer
I am at that age where, my mind still thinks I am 29, my humour suggests I am 12, while my body mostly keeps asking if I am sure I am not dead yet. In days past when I had a waist, you could find me running around a pitch chasing an odd shaped ball, please talk slowly to me I was a prop forward, we weren’t known for our intelligence back then. I was told “Sport is good for you when you’re young” in the past few years I have discovered it’s not very good for you in later years, two new hips and some scaffolding in my back goes to prove that.
I became a member of our great club 13 years ago, with believe it or not a playing handicap of 3 and a waist. This great golf course has taken its toll and I now knock it round off 12, now and again I play a few holes like I used to but not very often. I join the club committee as members rep a few years later. It was an eye-opening experience realising what goes on behind the scenes. I was asked to be vice-captain in 2013 which I accepted and went on to be Club Captain in 2014. I was asked to take on the role of Handicap and Competitions secretary in 2017, which I did for two years, and now, here I am as your club President.
You can find me in many places at Donnington Grove, trees, bushes, bunkers, pro-shop, but most of all you will always find me post round in the bar, after a bad round give me chance to get the first Guinness down, and then it’s safe to come and have a chat about anything you want. I will probably forget your name, too many whacks on the head in the front row, but I will always listen.
Playing golf is what it’s all about, feel free to, join me for a game, give me a call, drop me a text or e-mail if I can I will be there, if there is a space in the group in competitions put your name in. The golf may not be of the highest standard, but we will have a laugh, and that’s what we are here for after all.
Have a fantastic golfing year, but most of all “Have some Fun”
Andy
I became a member of our great club 13 years ago, with believe it or not a playing handicap of 3 and a waist. This great golf course has taken its toll and I now knock it round off 12, now and again I play a few holes like I used to but not very often. I join the club committee as members rep a few years later. It was an eye-opening experience realising what goes on behind the scenes. I was asked to be vice-captain in 2013 which I accepted and went on to be Club Captain in 2014. I was asked to take on the role of Handicap and Competitions secretary in 2017, which I did for two years, and now, here I am as your club President.
You can find me in many places at Donnington Grove, trees, bushes, bunkers, pro-shop, but most of all you will always find me post round in the bar, after a bad round give me chance to get the first Guinness down, and then it’s safe to come and have a chat about anything you want. I will probably forget your name, too many whacks on the head in the front row, but I will always listen.
Playing golf is what it’s all about, feel free to, join me for a game, give me a call, drop me a text or e-mail if I can I will be there, if there is a space in the group in competitions put your name in. The golf may not be of the highest standard, but we will have a laugh, and that’s what we are here for after all.
Have a fantastic golfing year, but most of all “Have some Fun”
Andy
Club Captain
Andy Meredith
I have always been a sporty type and participated in many team and individual sports.
My first experiences of Golf were as a teenager, however football soon took over as my main passion which I continued to play at county level into my thirties.
Skiing then took over and I qualified as a Canadian level 1 instructor in my forties.
I continued to play mostly corporate golf and happened to attend one at Donnington Grove in 2011, I was immediately impressed with the course and decided to join to play more of our great game.
I got an initial handicap of 24, found regular playing partners, and have managed to get my handicap index down to 9.
I enjoy the challenge of our wonderful course and look forward to trying to improve that handicap further.
I am proud to represent the club as Vice-Captain after my time as Competitions Secretary and appreciate the support and trust from the committee.
Anybody with questions or observations can contact me directly and I will do my best to respond effectively.
I am happy to play golf with all members so please add your name if you see a gap on the booking system.
Happy Golfing.
My first experiences of Golf were as a teenager, however football soon took over as my main passion which I continued to play at county level into my thirties.
Skiing then took over and I qualified as a Canadian level 1 instructor in my forties.
I continued to play mostly corporate golf and happened to attend one at Donnington Grove in 2011, I was immediately impressed with the course and decided to join to play more of our great game.
I got an initial handicap of 24, found regular playing partners, and have managed to get my handicap index down to 9.
I enjoy the challenge of our wonderful course and look forward to trying to improve that handicap further.
I am proud to represent the club as Vice-Captain after my time as Competitions Secretary and appreciate the support and trust from the committee.
Anybody with questions or observations can contact me directly and I will do my best to respond effectively.
I am happy to play golf with all members so please add your name if you see a gap on the booking system.
Happy Golfing.
Ladies Club Captain
Helen Lake
I have generally been pretty active over the years, having played netball to County and South Wales team level in my teens.
I then moved to Bristol to complete my nurse training and was unfortunately unable to find a local netball team, however, social Badminton, squash and exercise classes took over.
My first introduction to golf at the age of seven or eight years of age, was a pitch and putt course in Cornwall but not understanding the rules I insisted my ‘hole in one’ was a three; although I conceded a two to my playing partner!!
Many years later my husband suggested I learn to play golf when our sons (we have four sons, and six grandchildren- three of each gender) were all school age. Not taking him too seriously I agreed.
Unfortunately he kept me to the promise and after two lessons with him we played a round at a local course. The first two holes did not go well but I managed a par on the first par 3 - the rest as they say is history!!
We were initially members at Parasampia and had to switched to Donnington Valley when our sons took up the game. We moved from Donnington Valley GC in 2020 having fulfilled two stints of three years on the competitions committee.
I then moved to Bristol to complete my nurse training and was unfortunately unable to find a local netball team, however, social Badminton, squash and exercise classes took over.
My first introduction to golf at the age of seven or eight years of age, was a pitch and putt course in Cornwall but not understanding the rules I insisted my ‘hole in one’ was a three; although I conceded a two to my playing partner!!
Many years later my husband suggested I learn to play golf when our sons (we have four sons, and six grandchildren- three of each gender) were all school age. Not taking him too seriously I agreed.
Unfortunately he kept me to the promise and after two lessons with him we played a round at a local course. The first two holes did not go well but I managed a par on the first par 3 - the rest as they say is history!!
We were initially members at Parasampia and had to switched to Donnington Valley when our sons took up the game. We moved from Donnington Valley GC in 2020 having fulfilled two stints of three years on the competitions committee.
As Lady Captain I am hoping to continue playing numerous times during the week; joining as many ladies as possible and communicating Club News and events at frequent intervals.
Seniors Captain
Iain Cottingham
Sport has always and continue to play a huge part of my life. Within a week of being born I was being pushed around a cricket ground in the north east of England.
As a boy my father would spend every Saturday at Bramall Lane, watching football and then in the summer cricket. At 6 years of age I was too taken to Bramall Lane, so began my life time of watching the Blades through thick and thin.
At school I captained age group cricket teams and played adult league cricket along with playing rugby. After graduating in 1988, I started work for Vodafone as a trainee accountant. I lived in Wash Common opposite Falkland CC, so a straightforward choice where to play cricket.
I’ve never been slow to volunteer, I set up Vodafone’s first cricket team and became chair of Falkland CC in the late 90’s. My career after Vodafone took me to Orange and a move to Thatcham Town CC, where I’m also Chair. I’ve always been aware of golf, but always thought it would be something to fill my time once I was too old to play cricket.
Well that time arrived when I was 48, I joined Bradfield College golf course, my first handicap was 25. It was an ideal place to learn the game. Once I felt confident enough I joined DGGC in the summer of 2019. This was prior to WHS HI, so my 16 handicap was directly transferred even though Bradfield’s slope index is 103!
Golf is certainly the hardest sport I’ve played to be competent. It’s addictive nature always has you coming back for more.
As your seniors captain its all about having fun, exercise and mental health well being & playing enjoyable golf. Here’s looking forward to a sunny year of golf.
As a boy my father would spend every Saturday at Bramall Lane, watching football and then in the summer cricket. At 6 years of age I was too taken to Bramall Lane, so began my life time of watching the Blades through thick and thin.
At school I captained age group cricket teams and played adult league cricket along with playing rugby. After graduating in 1988, I started work for Vodafone as a trainee accountant. I lived in Wash Common opposite Falkland CC, so a straightforward choice where to play cricket.
I’ve never been slow to volunteer, I set up Vodafone’s first cricket team and became chair of Falkland CC in the late 90’s. My career after Vodafone took me to Orange and a move to Thatcham Town CC, where I’m also Chair. I’ve always been aware of golf, but always thought it would be something to fill my time once I was too old to play cricket.
Well that time arrived when I was 48, I joined Bradfield College golf course, my first handicap was 25. It was an ideal place to learn the game. Once I felt confident enough I joined DGGC in the summer of 2019. This was prior to WHS HI, so my 16 handicap was directly transferred even though Bradfield’s slope index is 103!
Golf is certainly the hardest sport I’ve played to be competent. It’s addictive nature always has you coming back for more.
As your seniors captain its all about having fun, exercise and mental health well being & playing enjoyable golf. Here’s looking forward to a sunny year of golf.
Club Vice Captain
Kieran Watson
Ladies Vice Captain
Sarah Jolly
I was born in Cardiff but I'm an 'Old Newburian' because I've lived in Newbury since I was a child and I'm now getting on a bit!
Locally schooled, my two younger sisters and I played all sports. I loved netball and athletics and competed at both county and regional level.
Mum and Dad played golf and organised junior girls coaching at Newbury & Crookham where the pro, 'Uncle' Jack Hughes coached us. My sister to professional level and me to a mid range handicap which held me in good stead for later years.
I have three sons and for several years I ran a cub pack and worked at Falkland Primary School, outward bounding with them in North Wales. My boys played cricket at Falkland CC and I became an ECB level 1 cricket coach...as you do.
I retired last year and have never been so busy, particularly since the arrival of my beautiful granddaughter.
I am honoured to be the Lady Vice Captain at Donnington Grove and look forward to supporting Helen in what I'm sure will be a great golfing year.
Locally schooled, my two younger sisters and I played all sports. I loved netball and athletics and competed at both county and regional level.
Mum and Dad played golf and organised junior girls coaching at Newbury & Crookham where the pro, 'Uncle' Jack Hughes coached us. My sister to professional level and me to a mid range handicap which held me in good stead for later years.
I have three sons and for several years I ran a cub pack and worked at Falkland Primary School, outward bounding with them in North Wales. My boys played cricket at Falkland CC and I became an ECB level 1 cricket coach...as you do.
I retired last year and have never been so busy, particularly since the arrival of my beautiful granddaughter.
I am honoured to be the Lady Vice Captain at Donnington Grove and look forward to supporting Helen in what I'm sure will be a great golfing year.
Seniors Vice Captain
Steve Warren
Club Committee 2024
Club President Andy Storer
Club Captain Andy Meredith
Ladies Captain Helen Lake
Seniors’ Captain Iain Cottingham
Other committee members:
Club Vice Captain Kieran Watson
Ladies Vice Captain Sarah Jolly
Seniors Vice Captain Steve Warren
Competition Secretary Berni Martin
Handicaps Sandy Byfield
Club Treasurer Gill Lane
Members rep TBC
Members rep TBC
Also attending meetings, representing owners Sandtrend, General Manager , Dave Knight Head Greenkeeper and Head Professional and Golf Manager Tom Fleming as well as a member of the restaurant staff.The committee oversees all aspects of member’s golf at Donnington Grove and is there to represent member’s best interests in the on-going relationship with the course owners.
Monthly meetings are chaired by the Club Captain with each committee member having a vote. The exceptions are the management reps and the non-voting President, who is there to ensure continuity and provide strategic guidance to the committee. The minutes of the monthly meetings are available online to view under Committee Minutes.
The agenda of the Club A.G.M. (held once a year)
is also available, along with the minutes of the previous A.G.M., on the club website below. Members will naturally be interested in what’s happening out on the course and any changes that are being planned by the owners. News items provide useful updates, but the regular email Newsletters updates provided by Tom Fleming, and the management report and course report contained in the Committee minutes, provides a wider and more detailed perspective. Please have a look.
The committee is fully accountable to you, the members, but it is also responsible for maintaining the discipline, plus the standards and etiquette of the club, therefore we ask members to have a look at the information found here on the website, especially on, the Donnington Grove Code of Conduct and club constitution, and to abide by these at all time.
If you have any ideas or issues that you would like to put forward to the committee then please contact any committee member direct as listed above or email via the Club Captain and the Club President on committee@donnington-grove.com
If you would like to become involved in the running of the Committee, please contact Andy by e-mail committee@donnington-grove.com or speak to him around the club.
As members of this club we are very fortunate as we have a superb club committee. As your club captains and club president we are dedicated to serving the best interests of all members and united in our passion and determination to make this year the best ever at Donnington Grove. With a little help from you, our members, we’ll make it happen!
Competitions Secretary
Berni Martin
Handicap Secretary
Sandy Byfield
Club Treasurer
Gill Lane
Donnington Grove Constitution
Playing in the DG Committee Saturday Slot
You may have noticed that their is a Committee tee slot booked on Saturdays about 11:30.
You probably thought them cheeky !!!! booking their own slot.
The idea is for any members to come and join one or two of the committee for a game on a Saturday morning, we have started with some of the new members joining us and it is good fun.
So if you would like to play ask in the popshop or E-mail Andy at committee@donnington-grove.com