Away Match v Bedford & County - 27th March 2018

After a bit of panic we had a full compliment of players, so thanks to those who stepped into the breach.

 

Rain, rain go away was the tune running through my mind as I drove to Clapham, perhaps it will be rained off but, no game on. Wrapped up to face the elements we teed off against Captain David and his partner John who, through some fluke, won the 1st hole, after that it who fought back.

Gerry Gentle & Tony Goodson won 2up

Keith was nip and tuck all the way round, and we found ourselves dormy two at the 17th, a chipped in birdie (by the John Ellary) left it down to the 18th. Unfortunately with Captain Jim’s 3rd shot going towards the pro shop and never to be seen again we lost by 2.

There were other winners;

Keith Fuller & Neil Pinnington won 2&1

Richard Westergreen-Thorne & Bernard Gurney won 3&1

Peter Imray & Peter Grimes Lost by 1down - On telling of the JOG loss, Ron Etheridge (B&C) told us that this was the hardest game he had had in a long time, them coming back from 3 down.

We all enjoyed a lovely meal and were entertained by the Captains with their Jokes & Poems. Oh yes, the rain stopped half way round and the Result: 5&3 win to JOG.

A comment from Captain Jim – “Well done everybody 100% so far 2 matches 2 wins. If you see John Ellary and he is looking for me I am down on the practice area chipping and putting”.

 

Report by JOHN ELLARY note spelling

Home Match v Saffron Walden Seniors - 20th March 2018

Well this was our first match of the season, and it was beast from the east 2, that was dictating our plans, Captain Jim; Match sec Richard; Hon sec David; and myself making several phone calls. We were finally assured that the course was playable.

So a big well done to Nigel and his team, not only playable, but on the tees and greens.

It is always nice to host Saffron Walden, Jim and I had great company with Derek and Graham, who took the first hole to go 1 up. We managed to win the next two holes.

We were 3 up and found ourselves 1 up on the tenth.

But good dovetailing with Jim and myself saw the match out 5-3.

We had several come from behind to win matches, Brian Bullen and Gerry Degaute trailing 3 down, with Brian parring the 13th and Gerry parring the 17th to win 2-1.

Peter Jarman and Terry McSweeney 3 down, come back to win 2-1.

Nick Seeley and Gerry Gentle 2 down, to win 2-1.

The overall win was 7-1, with  steak and ale suet pudding followed by fruit crumble for lunch, plus great company was the perfect day.

 

Stephen Collins

Match Organiser

Seniors 4BBB Trophy - 13th March 2018

So that's how it's going to be this year is it? The previous day's wind and rain subsided and conditions were quite pleasant with the Carthagena greens surprisingly true after all that's been thrown at them of late. Thus it was that only 5 pairs, of the 40 entered, failed to match or beat par. 17 pairs had 40 points or more and third place had to be decided on a countback on the last 3 holes. Both Colin Smith/Anthony Bell and Michael Newstead/Jim McIlwaine had 45 points with 23 on the last 9 and 15 on the last 6 but Michael and Jim nipped in with 8 points on the last 3 holes, compared with Colin and Anthony's 6 points. Oh dear Colin and Anthony, you peaked too early!



Winners Jonathan Lean and Graham Berry

 

In second place on 46 points were David Lincoln and Kevin Donnelly but, taking the trophy for 2018 with 48 points - yes I said 48 points - were Graham Berry and Jonathan Lean. Oh how they must be rueing the points they lost on the 1st and 7th. Speaking between gritted teeth, the Hon Sec confirmed that this format (4BBB) is non-qualifying and so there were no handicap changes no matter how much they were deserved.

 

Second David Lincoln and Kevin Donnelly
 

Third Michael Newstead (Jim McIlwaine Missing)
 

 

In an additional feature for 2018 a Nearest the Pin prize has been introduced and William Skelding was able to add to his vat cellar by being nearer the flag on the 8th than the remaining 79 players.



Nearest the pin - William Skelding
 

It was really good to see a number of new members taking part in their first competition. Thanks to all who participated, to Fergus Moynihan who came in as a very late replacement and to John Ellary  and David Crosby who stepped in to organise in place of the injured Chris Roy. The raffle raised around £200.00 for my charity M.I.N.D. so thank you all for that. My only disappointment on the day was the number that stayed to see the prize giving. Some of you apologised as you had doctor’s appointments or other business. These competitions take up a lot of time and effort to organise and when you see how few stop for the prize giving it makes me think is it worth it so please show your support for the Section and stay on if possible.
Captain Jim Jock

Seniors and Ladies Mixed Greensomes - 8th March 2018

There were 44 ladies and 44 seniors who braved the cold wind and competed with each other in a Mixed Greensomes on the Carthagena. I am glad to say it brightened up as we got into the back nine. My partner for the day was ladies captain Susan Colledge we had a good time. Unfortunately Sue allowed me to drag her golf game down to my level, so all we had left was to swap jokes.

 The ladies brought in a wonderful array of cakes and savouries which were much enjoyed after the rigours of the golf, with the gentlemen providing the liquid refreshments (mostly).  
The Raffle collected £200 of which £100 went to Sue's charity "KEECH" and £100 to my charity "MIND"  

 

While we are on charities Sue is looking for anything that can be auctioned or raffled for her charity, there are two dates the 5th April and the 8th April, all donations would be gratefully accepted.

The Winners of the day were;

1st place Susan Hankins and Vernon Toms with 40 points

2nd place Jane Hector and Richard Westergreen-Thorne with 39 points.

3rd place Janice Turner and Brian Bullen with 38 points.

Winners Vernon Toms and Susan Hankins

 

 

3rd - Brian Bullen and Janice Turner

2nd - Jane Hector and Richard Westergreen-Thorne

Nearest the pin for the Ladies was Marion Cooper and the Seniors was Phil White

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 Captain Jim presented Ladies Captain Sue with an arrangement of flowers.

 

I would like to thank the organiser Les and the meet and greet team Paul and Anne. for their help on the day.

Jim Kerr - Senior Section Captain 
 
 

Seniors Section AGM - 13th February 2018

The 2017 AGM took place on 13th February 2018 and was attended by 63 of our 169 members. 35 apologies were received. The Captain's, Secretary's and Treasurer's reports were given and the 2017 accounts approved. The Officers for 2018 were elected with Jim Kerr as Captain, who was then presented with his Captain's Jumper. David Gauge was elected as Vice-captain. Fred Williams became Immediate Past Captain and was presented with a Pro Shop voucher with which he says he will buy new irons. Les Bolland and David Crosby managed to hang on to their respective posts as Treasurer and Secretary unopposed! Jim Peacock stepped down from the Committee having served three years successively as Vice, Captain and IMC With Fred and Jim now completely stress free, both are expected to challenge for Golfer of the Year in 2018. William Skelding was re-elected as Auditor and thanked for his work. 

Captain Jim receives his Jumper

John Ellary and Algy Grimes were thanked for their work respectively as Clothing and Blog Administrators and they will continue in those roles. As previously recommended by Peter Hollingsworth the HonSec will be assisted in 2018 by Richard Westergreen-Thorne (Match Administrator) and Ken Doggrell ("Opens" Administrator). Contact details for all officers and administrators are on the Senior Section Noticeboard.

Under AOB:

1. Brian Bullen submitted a question as to why there were only two Seniors 'Honours Boards'. The Hon Sec stated that the Club had already been approached to take into account the location of Senior Section Boards in the proposed Clubhouse Refurbishment project. But this needs to be seen in the context of the standing of the Senior Section explained below. Captain Jim Kerr is already in the process of extending the Senior Section Captain's board.
2. The Hon Sec explained the 2018 Update to the CONGU Unified Handicapping System and, after discussion, it was agreed that eligibility for Matches and Medal Competitions would be restricted to those with active competition handicaps of 28.4 or less. It was further agreed that only those with active handicaps would be eligible to win trophies and voucher prizes though all could win a 'Bring and Win' and 'Christmas Fayre' prize.
3. He also explained the discussions with the Club regarding a 2-tee start and informed members that the Officers of the Club had stated that the only reason the General Committee had refused the request was that the majority of members of the current GC did not wish to allow it. They also accepted that the "failure" of the trial to allow matches to start on the 9th and 10th tees (as well as the 1st) was because the GC had not ensured that all members were informed of the arrangement. They pointed out that the Senior Section was not a 'Section' but a 'Society'. (Ladies are members of the Ladies Section by virtue of their gender. Juniors are members of the Junior Section by virtue of their age. But SOME male members of the Club aged over 59 are members of the Senior Section by choice and by payment of an additional subscription. They pointed out that the "Senior Section" is allowed privileges (the booking of tee times and waiving of green fees for matches and the Member & Guest Day) which are not allowed to other Societies. Given this response by the Officers of the Club, it was recommended that no further action be taken until the new General Committee is elected at the Club AGM on 29th March 2018. The Senior Section may then make a request to the new General Committee.

Captain Jim Kerr thanked those attending and closed the meeting at 4:00pm