Ladies/Seniors Mixed Greensomes May 25 2021

 

On the new-look Carthagena 1st tee: Seniors Vice Captain Algy Grimes, 

Ladies Captain Anita Isaacson, Margaret Budgen and David McNair

If the 80 Ladies and Seniors taking part in the Mixed Greensomes competition were hoping for a break in this month’s wet weather, they were disappointed to find that brollies and waterproofs were once again the order of the day for most of the field.

Heavy cloud and showers failed to dampen the spirits of those taking part in this ever popular event and by early afternoon they were rewarded with glorious sunshine.

Congratulations to winners Marion Farrow and Alan Kirkham who scored 43 points, four points ahead of second place Emma Brown and Jim Kerr on 39. 

In third place on 38 points were John Church and Sue Colledge. Commiserations to three teams also on 38 points but beaten on countback: Pauline Gauge and Andy Shilton, John Ellary and Adrienne Massey, Lucy Whittaker and Tony Whittaker. 

Trolley good show Anita

And finally, Ladies Captain Anita Isaacson took warm-up exercises to a new level with an impressive sprint. She was seen chasing her trolley along the path from the car park at high speed after she accidentally caught the on switch. 

Seniors Vice Captain Algy Grimes and blog editor Tony Lloyd, ever the gentlemen, watched in amusement as Anita ran after the errant trolley, which fortunately came to a halt embedded in the hedge.

Anita and Algy with the errant trolley

Senior Section v Saffron Walden away, May 17 2021

Organiser Nick Schumann gives his account of the Senior Section away match against Saffron Walden

We arrived at Saffron Walden in a staggered manner (not staggering!!), as requested by our hosts, in the pouring rain but in the hope of some drier conditions later. Not having the customary prematch coffee, biscuits and chat felt strange but just the fact that we were there to play after so long lifted everyone’s spirits.

Captain Bill and I were first off followed by five other pairs and just as we hoped the rain stopped and we all enjoyed what turned out to be a dry and warmish day playing golf on a lovely golf course. To say that captain Bill and I did not cover ourselves in glory would be something of an understatement but even if we had been on top form the fact that one of our opponents, playing off a 22 handicap, played the front nine 5 or 6 shots under his handicap pretty well ensured first point to our opponents. 

The course was great, with very fast greens, discreet undulations and virtually no flat lies on the fairways. Keeping approach shots on the green was a challenge with severe run offs and well paced bunkers. The changes in level on a couple of the par threes also proved interesting - it is the first time I have put a ball on the green of a 175 yard par 3 using an 8 iron! Unfortunately it was the last hole and it was all over well before then and yes I missed the birdie putt!!

The next two pairs consisting of Rob Anderson/ Chris Roy and Martin Bayes/ David Price fared better, taking us into a 2-1 lead. Congratulations to Martin for whom this was his first seniors match - there is only one way to go now mate!!!

Unfortunately the last three pairs comprising John Ellery/ Terry Sweeney, Jim Kerr/ Jack Shepherd and David McNair/ Nick Seeley all walked off the 18th a few holes down so overall we lost 2-4. Clearly my team selection and threats, (sorry enthusiastic cajolling), did not work so sack the organiser!!!!!

The rolling lunch was changed at the last minute to a sit down lunch all together which was very nice and gave the feeling of something like normality. 

Saffron Walden is an excellent club with friendly and welcoming people so we look forward to getting our revenge next year.

Senior Section v St Neots away May 12 2021

Seniors Captain Bill Walker 

and Vice Captain Algy Grimes

Half of the Senior Section Squad: from left, Andy Shilton, Derek Young, Pat Gilgallon, 

Bill Walker, Ray Smart, Algy Grimes, Fred Williams and Richard Westergreen-Thorne

Richard Westergreen-Thorne gives his account of the Senior Section’s first post-COVID match.

After a gap of 19 months since our last match with another club there was a heady excitement in the St Neots Golf Club car park as our team assembled for the first match versus another club this year. A mix of ‘old timers’ and ‘newbies’ we successfully navigated the staggered arrival times and social distancing to arrive on the tee for our allotted matches.

First on the tee were Captain Bill Walker and myself with Bill the proud holder of a 19 months unbeaten run as Captain (since we last played! It was not to last with a combination of good golf and local knowledge meaning that we chased shadows all day to lose 3 and 1. Despite the sustenance of a half-way house bacon roll one by one the teams behind us also succumbed to the excellent golf and tricky greens of our opponents. 

There was a sense of inevitability by the end that every match would be lost and the final score was indeed 8 – 0 to St Neots. Out of kindness I will not report the other scores suffice to say that most of them were not close. What happened – a theory going the rounds was that none of us have played much, if any, golf on other courses for many a month and we found it difficult to adjust our finely honed games to different conditions.

Whatever the reasons, thanks to everyone for taking part and we will have a chance of revenge in the reverse fixture next month - we can hope. Above all it was just great to be out playing again on a nice day. 

Thanks are also due to Gerry Gentle for organising the match despite having to drop out injured – at least we looked smart and it was great to be back after 19 months. 

Richard Westergreen - Thorne

Seniors Annual Medal & Jubilee Trophy May 11 2021

 

Eighty-two players battled around JoG off the white tees in the Seniors Annual Medal on Tuesday May 11. Well done to all those who finished with the same ball they started with!

Congratulations to runaway winner Michael Newstead, pictured above, who recorded a creditable net 69 playing off 95% handicap. His round included seven pars and six bogeys.

In second place, with net 73, was Richard Westergreen-Thorne and in third place, also with a net 73, beaten on countback, was Paul Jones. 

Commiserations to Andy Shilton, Keith Fuller and Christopher Walker who also returned a net 73 but just missed out on a podium place due to countback. Christopher, playing off eight, can have the compensation of recording the lowest gross score of 81 which included two birdies, seven pars and six bogeys. Well done to him.

Also well done to the 85% of players who managed to enter their scores on IG. The seniors continue to lead the way in this department.

The Jubilee Trophy, a Stableford competition for golfers with handicaps of 21 and over, was a close-run affair and the winner was Paul Jones with 35 points. Just missing out were Keith Fuller on 34 points and Tony Munn on 33.

In stark contrast to the Ken Robinson Scramble a week earlier, most players enjoyed pleasant sunny conditions, with a few unlucky souls facing a brief afternoon downpour. 

Raffle prizes were won by Jim Kerr, David Wood, Christopher Walker and Geoff Beck.

Twos club winners were Geoff Elcome and John Sandland, who both scored birdies on the 4th. They each receive £66 in pro shop credit.

Ken Robinson Scramble May 4 2021

The Ken Robinson Scramble was played in challenging conditions from Carthagena white tees with the early starters facing 40mph gusts and the tail enders  playing in a hailstorm.

Congratulations to winners Phillip Armstrong, Peter Imray, Peter Salmon and Paul Stallard with a net score of 55.

Clockwise from top left: Philip Armstrong,

 Peter Imray, Peter Salmon, Paul Stallard

In second place were Martin Bayes, Paul Jones, Tony Lloyd and David E J Price, pictured below,  with a net score of 56.

In third place were Andy Brown, Gerry Degaute, Graham Lewis and Brian Williams. 
Shot of the day went to new seniors member Andy Brown who recorded an eagle for his team by holing out on the 9th with a three wood from 220 yards.

Andy Brown: shot of the day 

on the Carthagena coastal path

Just edged off the podium were George Burnham, Alan Fowler, Andy Shilton and Greg Whitecross on net 58. 
Eight teams had net 59.
Raffle prizes were won by Sam Standen, Robert Anderson, George Burnham and Simon Bettany.