Seniors Section Captain's Day - 29th August 2017



Seniors Captain - Fred Williams

Organiser Jim Kerr left all the wet weather behind him in Scotland to organise a fantastic day. The sun shone all day and the JOG course was in excellent condition but it’s usual challenge for the 82 players.

Club Captain Dave Wilsher, having won the Shotgun Greensomes with Bob Anderson at the weekend, found time to play with Seniors Captain Fred and Hon Sec David Crosby as a guest of the section.

Peter Hollingsworth

Colin Stokes
 

We were able to warmly welcome back the Ayotollah, aka Peter Hollingsworth, past Hon Sec and John Gardner immediate past senior captain of Letchworth golf club as guests along with Colin Stokes from our charity “The Prostate Project” who was able to talk about treatment progress but also to emphasise the importance of having a medical test as early as possible to increase the prospect of successful treatment.

 

 

 

 

There were many people to thank for the day in particular Lorna Harvey and Gill Haughy for their ”meet and greet“ reception and dealing with the raffle which raised £280 for the charity. Also 2 doyens of the club Bill Burrows and Ian McAinsh for yet again acting as starters.

Neil Pinnington was praised for his help with the programme together with David Crosby for his help with the logistics of the competition and even the creation of new putting cards with clear rules on the reverse. Jim Kerr was at the club at the crack of dawn (well almost if he hadn’t hit the snooze button!) but he set out a challenging putting competition which was won on count back by Alan Anderson from last years putting winner Mike Marshall with 20 putts.

The skills prizes were dominated by Bob Bage who had his name on almost every marker and finished well up the field so he clearly played well.

Peter Hollingsworth took the microphone to announce some random prizes to a few who didn’t score too well on the day and we thank Peter for his generosity and the novelty of those prizes.

Nearest the pin on the 4^th Bob Bage and also nearest the pin in 2 on the 11^th. Nearest Pin 10^th Mike Lacey. Nearest pin 16^th Richard Westergreen-Thorne. Longest drive 17^th Peter Salmon.

In 3^rd place in the Stableford competition was new-boy to the section Tony McLean (recently retired and said to look too young to be a senior) with 35 points. In second place (and despite being an OBE with various age related difficulties) was the evergreen Robin Carter with 36 points. The winner of the Kethro Tray, and still on a winning streak, was Bob Anderson with 37 points. Congratulations Bob the reference to him being bandit Bob is a back a handed compliment to his all round skill on the course.

Winner Bob Anderson
with Club Captain Dave Wilsher and Seniors Captain Fred Williams

 

Following the golf everyone enjoyed a sandwich platter with chips and followed by a slice of cake.

 

 

Fred Williams - Captain, Senior Section

Senior Foursomes KO Final 2017

“This report was sent in from Alban Macdonald to the Seniors Captain and Hon Sec updating us on the final of the Senior Foursomes KO: ”

Peter Wade & Richard Westergreen-Thorne played Graham Lewis and myself in the final of the Seniors Foursomes KO on Friday morning on the Carthagena course. 

Peter and Richard played extremely well and I was convinced Graham and I had blown it when we lost the only hole we had a shot on - the 7th. Even though we rallied a bit were two down on the turn. We proceeded to loose the 10th and 11th being four down on the 12th tee so I felt we had little or no hope of winning... But then Graham and I hit a purple patch;  paring or better every hole from then on, and so winning six of the seven remaining holes; we pared the 13th for a half.  

The highlight for me was seeing Graham sink an amazing 30 foot putt to birdie the 16th and so bring the match all square.  We went one up on the 17th and  Peter and Richard eventually conceded on the 18th green as we had two putts from 2 foot to win the match.  

Of course Graham and I are delighted to win but we have to pay credit to Peter and Richard for playing so well together, being such worthy opposition and helping to make the final such a great match.

 

Alban Macdonald - 28th August 2017

Away Match v Harpenden Common - 18th August 2017

We were met with alarms going off and no catering staff in the Clubhouse. Arthur Taverner, Harpenden's Senior Captain, arranged for tokens to be issued to ensure all could have coffee from pro shop machine.

We had three tee start and subsequently a rolling carvery lunch with choice of sweet or cheese board. Although we had paid for the day on a reciprocal basis some forgot and Bill Walker wanted to pay again.

David Gauge in his first match this season and playing in the first match off the 2^nd tee won the nearest pin in two. Ken Doggrell (22) pared three of the par 3’s and birdied one other, a shame the par 4’s are a bit longer.

Algy Grimes birdied the 13^th and 18^th but their club captain Kevin Parsons and his partner John Steel were too strong on the day and held their significant lead from the first 9 to win 4/3. Captain Fred and Algy were heard to say far too often when on the green, "We need one of these!"

Wins for Ken Doggrell & David Gauge 4/3, Gerry Deguate & Jim Peacock 3/1, Tony Goodson & Alban Macdonald 2/1 and a half for Geoffrey Beck and Colin Newbury were the best we could manage. Unfortunately other losses for David Crosby & Derek Young (5/4), Terry McSweeney & Graham McKay (2/1)  and Michael Lacey & Bill Walker (1 down) completed the scoring. Thanks go to Harpenden not only for their hospitality but also in providing a buggy for Jim free of charge.

 

Match result was 3.5/4.5 in favour of home team.

Although the clouds started to look a bit threatening towards the end of the matches, we all missed the worst of the rain which fell during lunch.

 

Algy Grimes - Organiser

Home Match v Dunstable Downs - 15th August 2017

This was played on Tuesday 15th August. We were blessed to play on the John O Gaunt course in glorious sunshine. I'm pleased to report we had a comfortable win of 6-2 which avenged the away result of 3-5.

In our match the best result was Captain Fred on the 7th hole ( index 1 ) when he managed to get on the green with his third shot from 160 yards in deep rough. He then proceeded to hole the putt!, Our whole game was very up & down going at one stage from 4up to 3 down.

Other winners were Bob Anderson/Malcolm Lee, Keith Fuller/Steve Foster, Steve Collins/Peter Jarman, William Skelding/Nick Seeley, Gerry Gentle/Keith Hargreaves.

Gerry Gentle(again) won the nearest the plan with I'm told a very lucky bounce to put his name below the organiser.

Good comments were made by our guest's with reference to the course and the meal.(hot & cold buffet followed by summer fruit tart.)

Best Regards Brian Bullen, Organiser

Home Match v Letchworth Seniors - 8th August 2017

A dull cloudy start, dry morning on the Carthegena with some showers in the afternoon.

Match 1 was Captain Fred and Peter Jarman who played well together for a 2 & 1 win. Good wins also for Brian Bullen & Algy Grimes (2 & 1), Keith Hargreaves & Peter Wade (5 & 3), Nick Seeley & Graham Court (6 & 4), Bob Anderson & Chris Roy (3 & 1) and Rod Thomas & Colin Fox (3 & 2).

Unfortunately there were loses for Steve Foster & Sam Standen (5 & 4) and Jim Kerr & Gerry Gentle (4 & 3). This was the first time that Gerry Gentle has played for JOG in this match, but not prepared to say how much he was paid to play for us by Letchworth. Afterwards the lunch was enjoyed by all and the good banter was evident as usual.

Look forward to the return match, thanks to the JOG team.

Peter Jarman – Organiser

 

Away Match v Wellingborough Seniors on 11th August 2017

After the rains at the beginning of the week the skies brighten for JOG’s Seniors away match against Wellingborough Seniors. As I suggested in my home match report, the Wellingborough captain had got the bit between his teeth to avenge his defeat when he played at JOG and he duly won the first. However a 205 yard 2^nd shot with a hybrid 4 left our organiser with a 2 putt net birdie, duly done, for the hole. This was short lived by the Wellingborough captain taking the 3^rd hole. All square on 4 & 5 but on last four on the front nine with 2 net birdies each, the 9^th index 1 being net birdie by both, from the JOG pair left us 3 up at the turn.

With another net birdie on the 10^th captain Fred put us 4 up only for Wellingborough to pull 2 back by the 13^th. Then came a Matt Kuchar moment when captain Fred knocked the stuffing out of his opposing captain to follow it up with a net birdie on the 15^th for a 4 & 3 win. 

JOG vice-captain following in the 2^nd pairing took a “liking” to the bunkers (so is his real name Alexander aka Sandy?) whilst one of his opponents took to the trees. I understand they did, however, meet up on the tees.  

With no other moments to note, as the results came in it was nip and tuck with the last pairing’s score being the decider. Unfortunately our opponents in general played out of their skins making our excellent players slightly stunned and the final game went the way of the home team. With no games halved the final score was a 5 - 3 win for Wellingborough. 

Irrespective of the overall score the day was a success for golf with the course in super condition and the hosts excellent company.

The menu choice for the after match “lunch” was roast pork followed by a raspberry crème brulee.

 

Malcolm Lee - Organiser

Seniors Member and Guest Day - 1st August 2017

This year’s Member and Guest event was staged on Tuesday 1 August and saw an increased field of 76 players. The 38 Guests represented 28 Clubs many of which were local but some from further afield. The weather forecast was inauspicious but apart from one short lived shower; conditions were as perfect as the condition of the course.

 

Needless to say, this resulted in some excellent scoring with Kevin Donnelly and guest Phil Long from Beadlow Manor Golf and Country Club emerging victorious with 44 Stableford points. In addition, Phil won the guest’s nearest the pin on the 16^th with a shot that finished within an inch of the hole.

Winners - Kevin Donnelley & Phil Long

 

Other results were as follows:

2^nd Prize went to John Whitbread & guest Harvey Price from Bedford & County Golf Club with 40 Stableford points on count back.



2nd place - John Whitbread & Harvey Price

3^rd prize went to Harry Wakefield and guest Tim Boundy from Cambridge Meridian Golf Club.

3rd Place - Harry Wakefield & Tim Boundy

 

In summary, we received many compliments and thanks for a very enjoyable day from our guests which puts both our Club and in particular our Seniors’ Section in the very best of lights.

Bill Walker