The winners: Captain David Barlow and Peter Harvey: 44 points
Swap Day organiser Dave Wood reports
This
year's Swap Day between John O’Gaunt and Stoke Rochford produced a mass 2-way migration of 40 senior golfers travelling to each other's clubs for a bacon roll and coffee before venturing on to the course for a round
of golf, followed by a sit-down meal. No hard cash had to change hands as this
was arranged on a reciprocal basis which allowed each group to make use of
their respective bar charge card discounts.
Stoke Rochford travelled comfortably by coach while John
O’Gaunt players made their way up the A1 under their own steam.
The weather was set to be fair and dry, with some sunshine
and a maximum temperature of 20 degrees. We were not disappointed, as the
prediction proved to be accurate although accompanied by a cool breeze,
especially on the higher rises on the course. Only one or two braved the day in
shorts, making their mistakes known in the typical manner of us old ‘uns.
After the coffee and bacon roll in the comfortable club
house, the gathered mass of elderly bodies sat in awe as the organiser set out
the rules and arrangements for the day. All went well until one Gerry Degaute
interjected with a cutting remark that the tee times on the cards were “all
wrong”. He was thanked by the organiser for his observational skills and
thanked again for stepping up to organise next years’ event ... perhaps!
We all eventually made our way to the practice area, some
with enthusiasm and others with the appearance of children trudging their
way wearily to school.
The course was in fine condition, certainly with more ‘green
stuff’ than our Carthagena can currently produce. We were set up for an
enjoyable day's golf which was only marred by some indifferently placed drives
off the first tee, which I am sure remained in the back of our minds as the day
progressed.
The day was won by the pairing of David Barlow and Peter
Harvey with a ‘magnificent’ Stableford score of 44 points ( Not the author’s
description, but that of our shy, reserved Captain as he graciously awarded the
winning £30 Pro shop token to his playing partner and himself).
Second place was taken by Bill Walker and Paul Jones with 43 points. Bill and Paul were awarded with
pro shop tokens for £20 each. Very well done to both pairs.
Nearest the Pin prizes went to Andy Brown on the 3rd
hole with a shot which finished 6 feet from the hole.
Nearest the Pin prize on the 12th hole went to
Steve Luckman with a superb shot which finished only 60 centimetres from the
hole.
Both received a bottle of wine for their efforts.
The day was rounded off with a wonderful two-meat
carvery and vegetables, followed by a choice of two
desserts, all prepared by the very accomplished Stoke Rochford chef.
Our farewells and good wishes for safe journeys were shared
for the journeys home and we all left the club with our heartfelt thanks to the
staff at Stoke Rochford for a fabulous day.
I have since received a message from the Stoke Rochford
organiser, thanking us for the hospitality, friendliness and great service they
received from our staff at our club. A great success all round.
Thanks to everyone who attended the
swap day for making it such a success.
Special thanks go to my colleagues on the Seniors Committee for their
help and support both before and during the swap day. My thanks also go to Jess
Sporle, who kindly welcomed the Stoke Rochford group on arrival at the club and
ensured that everything ran smoothly on the day.
See you all next year at Essendon Golf Club?
Runners-Up Paul Jones and Bill Walker: 43 points
Nearest the pin on the 3rd: Andy Brown
Nearest the pin on the 12th: Steve Luckman
Captain David thanks organiser Dave Wood
Trevor Darrington, Nigel Underwood and Richard Westergreen-Thorne
in front of Stoke Rochford Hall
Gerry Degaute, Rob Bage, Anthony Bell and David Darby
Thanks to Jonathan Lean and David Darby for additional photos
|
Teams
|
|
David
Barlow
|
44
|
Winner
|
|
Peter
Harvey
|
|
Bill
Walker
|
43
|
|
Second
|
|
Paul
Jones
|
|
|
Gerry
Degaute
|
40
|
|
3
|
|
David
Darby
|
|
|
Kendrick
Wareham
|
40
|
|
3
|
|
Jack
Shepherd
|
|
|
Paul L
Jeeves
|
40
|
|
3
|
|
Malcolm
Roberts
|
|
|
Paul
Conibear
|
40
|
|
3
|
|
Barry
Donovan
|
|
|
David
Wood
|
39
|
|
4
|
|
Peter
Grimes
|
|
|
Andy
Brown
|
39
|
|
4
|
|
Graham
Gadsden
|
|
|
Steve
Luckman
|
38
|
|
5
|
|
Tony
Whittaker
|
|
|
Rafe
Bateson
|
38
|
|
5
|
|
Steve
Collins
|
|
|
Roy Brown
|
37
|
|
6
|
|
Chris
Dennis
|
|
|
Richard
Westergreen-Thorne
|
35
|
|
7
|
|
Trevor
Darrington
|
|
|
Ian
Riches
|
35
|
|
7
|
|
Tony
Lloyd
|
|
|
Robert
Bage
|
35
|
|
7
|
|
Anthony
Bell
|
|
|
Terry
Domagala
|
33
|
|
8
|
|
Michael
Newstead
|
|
|
Chris Roy
|
33
|
|
8
|
|
Warren
Churms
|
|
|
Mehmet
Osman
|
30
|
|
9
|
|
Steve
Mathers
|
|
|
Tim
Palmer
|
30
|
|
9
|
|
Robert
Isaacson
|
|
|
Daniel Emkes
|
28
|
|
10
|
|
Paul
Dobson
|
|
|
Nigel
Underwood
|
26
|
|
11
|
|
Jonathan
Lean
|
|
|
|
|
|
