Axe Cliff Seniors held their annual AGM and were delighted to welcome and elect their new captain for 2023, Steve Thompson.  

Before Steve took over the meeting, outgoing Captain David Lacey, in his last address, very eloquently took us through his year. He had a challenging start with the outgoing excellent Managers, Simon & Jill Wellington handing over the running of the Club to new directors Jo Hopgood, Tom Spencer and Kyle Philpotts, who have since done a tremendous job in helping to secure a good future for the 128 year-old club.  

Despite the weather, the club had managed to complete most of the weekly competitions and enjoyed some 19 friendly matches with other clubs, winning all home games bar one, which was a draw.  

David thanked all for the generosity in helping to raise £846 for his main charity, the Seaton & District Hospital at Home Nurses. He also highlighted the real transformation to the course, especially the greens and surrounds, giving due acclaim to the greenkeeper and staff and volunteers with special thanks to Tom Spencer and Tony Snell.  

David gave grateful thanks to the staff of Alex, Harry, Andy and Don and his committee of Steve, Bill, Leighton and Chris for helping him organise the many events of 2022. His captaincy proved and endorsed what a wonderfully friendly club we have in Axe Cliff. 

Steve Thompson, in his incoming acceptance address, stated that that it was a great honour to become the new Captain and thanked his committee for continuing with their support. He had already printed the fixture list for 2023 and good to see the popular Seniors Open will return in April.  

Steve is a retired physics teacher and only moved to Seaton, with his partner Marie, about two years ago. He has been a great help to David during 2022 with the friendly matches, and he and Marie have organised a number of very successful Quizes held in the clubhouse.  

He obviously loves Axe Cliff, which he considers a good test for his amazing 5.8 handicap. He has played in the National Thornton Cup, which is for handicaps of 0-6 for the counties of Essex and Lincolnshire. An exciting year awaits Axe Cliff Golf Club.