The society's first event of the year at North Downs was well supported by 20 golfers enjoying a yellow ball competition with only 2 of the 7 teams losing their yellow ball. North Downs Golf Club were particularly welcoming and we savoured an unexpected full english breakfast while Nigel explained the nuances of the course and expectations for the future of the club. He even appeared with a beer for us all after 7 holes.
The wild, wet and windy conditions did nothing to dampen our enthusiasm and even cardiac hill didn't take any prisoners. Despite a few close encounters with stray balls during play experienced by a few members we safely returned to the clubhouse for prize giving sponsored by Bill Ballard - thank you Bill.
In first place with 91 points was Andy Addison, Bill Ballard and Angie Jenkins with Angie having a fantastic round for her first outing with the society. This team narrowly beat Peter Roy, Dave Sheppard and Tony Colas into second place with 90 points. Steve Findon excelled himself by winning both Nearest the PIn and the Longest Drive and although he held Nearest the Pin in 2, he was beaten by Terry Boardman for this accolade!
Our thanks go to Steve Bowen and his team at North Downs for a very successful day. And finally 14 of us were thoroughly treated to one of Tracy's one pot wonders back at the Farmhouse whilst we thrilled each other with stories from the day.
Many thanks to all those that attended Helen
Results
First Place: Andy, Angie & Bill Second Place: Third Place:
Longest Drive: Steve Findon Nearest The Pin: Steve Findon NTP 2: Terry Boardman
In complete contrast to the weather on our last outing, the Spring Cup at Gatton Manor took place in beautiful sunshine throughout the day. Satisfied by the bacon bap and with the promise of a free drink from the Captain if we managed to par the 9th hole which was aptly named ‘Lady Helen’, we set off in handicap order. The course proved to be challenging and claimed the life of many balls from the ranks but all reached the 19th hole having completed the course with varying degrees of success.
Nearest the Pin on 7th was won by Derek Wells with his first EVER birdie! Nearest the Pin in 2 was achieved by Nigel Brooke Harte whilst the Longest Drive was managed by the one and only Chris Miller. A special award was made to Peter Selsby by returning not one but two of his lost balls to him by the Lady Captain, whose hole remained unparred and so no free drinks required!
Finally congratulations to Chris Miller on winning the Spring Cup on 34 points, second place to Malcolm Holmes on 32 points and third place to Jo Selsby, enjoying her first season with the society on 28 points.
Our thanks go to Peter Long for sponsoring the event and presenting all the prizes in good spirit. 14 members returned to The Farmhouse for another delicious supper and an exchange of stories from the course.
See you all at Singing Hills! Helen
Results
First Place: Chris Miller Second Place: Malcolm Holmes Third Place: Jo Selsby
Longest Drive: Chris Miller Nearest The Pin: Derek Wells NTP 2: Nigel Brooke Harte
And so it was that 18 enthusiastic members assembled for a Full English Breakfast in the clubhouse at Singing Hills. During the meal Ben Beaumont and Aiden Dunning were welcomed as new members while Nick Harris and Bill Monaghan were welcomed to their first society meeting of this year. Andy received an admonishment from the Captain for not bothering to wear his uniform and he responded with some pathetic excuse about his son's swimming lessons.
On the first tee of the Lake course we set off at our allotted tee times but the final threesome managed only 2 shots before the threatening thunder became a reality with lightening and a loud clap overhead. The klaxon sounded and we ambled back to the clubhouse with recent memories of Betchworth Park. However the interruption was short lived, the klaxon resounded and we were back on our way. In fact some golfers hadn't even reached the clubhouse when we resumed play.
Lake course completed in sultry humid conditions, we continued onto the River course eventually in sunshine and enjoyed the 19th hole outside on the patio.
Prizes were awarded to Nigel Brooke-Harte for nearest the Pin on the 2nd hole of Lake after a long languid relaxed swing witnessed by the Captain. Jo Selsby was advised to go to Spec Savers after managing the Longest Drive on the 4th and completing her own card to mark the spot. I know she has her own admirable reason for doing so but it didn't 'wash' here! Andy Addison managed a splendid two shots to the green on the 7th hole of the River course to take Nearest the Pin in 2.
So finally 1st prize went to Gill Brack on a stonking 43 points, closely followed by Jo Selsby in 2nd on 41 points and 3rd prize awarded to Ian Skingley on 37 points. Well done ladies (sorry Ian)!!
Our thanks go to Jo and Peter Selsby for sponsoring the event and to Singing Hills for coping with the society on a day when they were running their Club Championships.
Your Captain Helen
Results
First Place: Gill Brack Second Place: Jo Selsby Third Place: Ian Skingle
Longest Drive: Jo Selsby Nearest The Pin: Nigel Brooke-Harte NTP 2: Andy Addison
Pyrford Lakes proved to be the watery environment that it's name suggests, with lakes, rivers and the occasional spot of rain interrupting the sunshine. Before venturing out we paid our respects to Peter Kay who died recently having managed one outing to Gatton Manor with the society in June.
19 members set off from the first tee with plenty of balls, many of which were gobbled up by the various water features to the extent that the scores varied wildly!
1st Tony "cut me" McClean with 41 points
2nd Bill "not so good on the back 9" Monaghan with 40 points
3rd Paul "in a buggy" Holden with 39 points
Many thanks to all those that attended Helen "consistent" Wickens bringing up the rear with 4 points on front 9 and 4 points on back 9
Results
First Place: Tony McClean Second Place: Bill Monaghan Third Place: Paul Holden
Longest Drive: Chris Miller Nearest The Pin: Geoff Harris NTP 2: Chris Miller
Sweetwoods lived up to it's reputation for a grand day out golfing in the Sussex Countryside.
The full english breakfast was as delicious as ever and our Captain circulated cards, handicaps and running order for the 10 members present.
18 holes of golf was a little slow at times and the weather just about held out so that we all finished in time for a free drink courtesy of our sponsor for the day - thanks to Pete Wickens!!
See you all at The Dyke on 2nd September! Helen
Results
First Place: Chris Miller Second Place: Nick Harris Third Place: Pete Wickens
Longest Drive: Steve Findon Nearest The Pin: Helen Wickens NTP 2: Chris Miller
You couldn’t have asked for better conditions at The Dyke for the Tavistock Cup; sunshine, no wind or rain and a course in great condition. We were sorry to lose Bill M after 9 holes and hope he is on the road to a swift recovery.
However 15 completed the course and there were some good scores. Many thanks to Nick for not only sponsoring the event but also buying the prizes himself including a little cup for the winner.
1st Prize with 38 points was Malcolm Holmes 2nd Prize with 37 point was Andy Addison 3rd Prize on his own course with 24 on the back nine including a birdie was Steve Findon. Nearest the Pin in 2 on 3rd was won by Chris Miller beating Jo Selsby the only other member to get to the green in 2 Nearest the Pin on 8th was won by Phil Underhill who held his position throughout, longest Drive on 16th achieved by Ben Beaumont in the lead group that was never beaten!!
Hope to see everyone on 6th October at Chartham Park for breakfast at 10am
Many thanks to all those that attended Helen
Results
First Place: Malcolm Holmes Second Place: Andy Addison Third Place: Steve Findon
Longest Drive: Ben Beaumont Nearest The Pin: Chris Miller NTP 2: Phil Underhill
From Chris Miller's Facebook updates, as the only record the event even went ahead!!
DIARIO DIA NUMERO UNO: So one unfortunate accident and one expired passport later and we are down to 14 and counting. Tension builds as we prepare to board and…. meh, you know the drill
DIARIO DIA NUMERO DOS: Rapidly becoming the “Agatha Christie” Tour. Congratulations to Terry for winning today around Levante. The heat, the sand and Ribera Del Duero took its toll on some tired swings but a fabulous day in the sunshine. Small digestif before dinner. Early night tonight… stay tuned
DIARIO DIA NUMERO TRES: Congratulations to Bill for winning today around Poniente. We hope tomorrow's cut doesn't hurt too much and we look forward to seeing where we’re going next year. Thanks his message is sponsored by Lemoncello, the letter “C” and Ibuprofen, the breakfast of athletes around the world.
DIARIO DIA NUMERO CUATRO: First instalment. Group number direction has gone from 16 to 15 to 14 to 13 today. The Agatha Christie effect, as they say in Barcelona, continues. Congratulations to Paul Harling for winning today. Tour handicap rules left Chang playing off of 35 today and he endorses the set of Pingu’s he used for his success, shown below.
DIARIO-HO-HO DIA NUMERO CUATRO: Final entry. Congratulations to Bandit Bill Ballard for winning the tour with aplomb, and therefore becoming the 2024 Tour Chairman. Well done Bill. Where to go, where to go…
Results
First Place: Terry Boardman Second Place: Phil Underhill Third Place: Nick Harris/Bill Ballard
15 keen golfers including 2 guests turned up at Chartham Park to contest the Autumn Plate. Delicious breakfast, golden sunny autumnal morning and a course in fabulous condition. What could go wrong we asked ourselves. Paul Holden, playing in his home club, began by suggesting we all tee off from the 1st by driving up the 18th fairway - was he for real???
Although not as wet as Pyrford Lakes, 9 of the 18 holes have water somewhere and a few of us found it more than once and lost several balls. However the half way hut provided a welcome break and a naughty ice cream!
A wide variety of scores were submitted which will give our ‘dear’ handicap secretary something to think about and for the first time this year no-one found the green for Nearest the Pin.
Many thanks to all those that attended Helen
Results
First Place: Derek Wells Second Place: Chris Miller Third Place: Ben Beaumont
Longest Drive: Ben Beaumont Nearest The Pin: No-one!! NTP 2: Tom Matthews
What a beautiful day we had in West Hove with a bacon bap to start us off (which some converted to a full English brekkie). 18 enthusiastic golfers set out to enjoy a course in fabulous condition.
Hilly and with long par 3’s and a monstrous 18th hole which, with a 150 yard advantage on the tee, surely had to be won by a woman!!
Fortunately for some, the bunkers were GUR so with mixed fortunes we returned to enjoy the comfort of the bar and discover the winner of the Winter Cup.
6th December Fun event at Bletchingley.
20th January Presentation Party
17th February AGM 10.30 in the Farmhouse with a Bacon bap
Many thanks to all those that attended Helen
Results
First Place: Tom Matthews Second Place: Helen Wickens Third Place: Bill Ballard
Longest Drive: Jo Selsby Nearest The Pin: Peter Long NTP 2: Bill Ballard
