Mens Golf                         

Mens Captain – Gary Dewis                           

Like many of us, I took up golf in earnest when I finally realised that I was probably too old to play the more energetic sports of my youth. Joining Market Harborough Golf Club in 2004 I set out with great expectations of improving my game, playing off a single figure handicap, making friends and generally enjoying the course, company and golf itself.

The membership here at MHGC is second to none so the latter two ambitions are achieved every time I step on to the course or in the club house.  The first two ambitions I’m still working on but I haven’t given up yet!

Having moved a little distance away from Market Harborough 3 years ago many people may have wondered why I remained a member and indeed agreed to be your Mens Captain, but of course the answer is simple. Our course is truly magnificent, with rolling hills, incredible views and a signature last 3 holes to rival any course in the country. The layout and lies provide a challenge to every golfer yet also provide an opportunity for handicap levels such that every golfer standing on the first tee believes ‘today will be that day’.

Golf at Market Harborough, be it competitive or just social, is always fun. Friendships and rivalries come to the fore on our manicured fairways and tricky greens. It remains a wonder to me that after 19 years of playing them I still completely misread the same putt I’ve played a 100 times. When the golf is done, our clubhouse and newly refurbished patio, provide a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy a drink and discuss what might have been.

But the real asset of the club is the membership itself, providing a warm welcome, inclusivity and diversity to all members and visitors alike. It easy to see why our club enjoys the reputation of being the ‘Friendly Club’.

We have a growing and vibrant membership and our new members are  welcomed into both golfing and social activities. Weekend ‘roll ups’ and the many competitions we run during the active season provide a great opportunity to meet other members and I encourage everyone to participate in these. You may even offer your talents to one of our successful teams, either our Scratch Team, Handicap League Team or our Social Team. All of these providing an opportunity to play numerous courses in the local area, whilst enjoying a bit of a competitive edge to your game.

Under the guidance of our professional, Kegan Jamieson (KJ Golf), we have a very strong team of coaches. Enhanced training facilities means they are able offer individual or group tuition at all levels from the basic beginner to advanced serious improver. Kegan also runs an excellent junior academy which is rapidly gaining a coveted reputation and achieving some fantastic results from our very talented junior section.

As well as a strong Junior Section, we also have vibrant Ladies and Seniors Sections running alongside the Mens Section. Each section is able to offer its members events and competitions tailored to their respective requirements. Along with my fellow captains, Carolyn Jones (Ladies), Earl Harrison (Seniors) and George Herbert (Juniors) we are also promoting increased joint events which we all feel is supportive of developing the friendly family reputation we enjoy.

If you are not a member of our club and are thinking of joining please do contact us and come and take a look around. We would be pleased to meet you and show what the club can offer. Equally if you are an existing member, maybe a new or a less frequent player, and you are not aware of everything we can offer, then again please seek us out. We want every member to get the maximum benefit from their membership and try to ensure everyone, member and visitor alike, enjoys a rewarding golf and social experience.

It is a privilege to be the Mens Section Captain and I was honoured to be accepted as MHGC Captain for 2024. Along with my fellow captains I will strive to maintain and enhance the values and traditions on which our club was founded.

Gary Dewis

Mens Section Captain 2024