Seniors v Millbrook Tuesday May 31 2022

 There was no shortage of drama in this match, at least as far as the weather was concerned. Take a look at these amazing photos taken by Seniors Captain Algy Grimes while his four ball was sheltering from a hailstorm near the 12th green on John O'Gaunt. And this on the eve of June!

Organiser Malcolm Lee reports on the match

I arrived just after 07:30 to be met by the full contingent of The Millbrook team in their Royal blue polo shirts, and of course our captain Algy got there before me.

Although the weather forecast was possible rain, the day started fine. Hardly any breeze and with the sun appearing not long after the match started.  However, by the time the Captain, I and our Millbrook opponents stood on the 12^th tee the black clouds loomed and rumbles of thunder were heard. As we reached the green the heavens opened with torrential vertical rain followed by a short but sharp fall of hail turning both the fairway and green white (see Algy’s photos). The hail soon melted but left the puddles on the green with the pin surrounded by a 6+ feet “diameter” puddle. From that point onwards it was a matter of occasional shortish sharp rain showers but the thunder storms, by good luck, stayed away from the course. Most groups soldiered on to the end but one, nameless group gave in to the weather after the 14^th.

Our group were all square after the 15^th then Algy had a long putt on the 16^th leaving it about 5 feet from the hole. After the other three of us failed to hole out with a 3 Algy kept his calm to win the hole. So we teed off on the 17^th 1 up. Then unfortunately our fortunes turned. I gave very  little help on the last two but Chris, Millbrook’s captain showed us his true capabilities, which we had seen little of until then, winning the 17^th and finished with an excellent par on the 18^th for a Millbrook overall win of  +1.

With a very good 4 & 3 win by Chris Roy and Richard Young, a commendable +2 win for Andrew Lawrence and Barry Donovan and again a 2 & 1 win by Andy Shilton and Ian Simpson it still was not enough, with JOG going down with only 3 wins against The Millbrook 5.

Nearest the pin: for The Millbrook, Kevin Hughes; for JOG, Andy Shilton.

Over drinks we found out that the Millbrook captain Chris Freeman became the first registered member of Millbrook in 1977. At that time the club was known as Lyshott Heath Golf Club reverting to Millbrook, it’s name before 1977, in 2002 when it became a member-owned club.

Left to right: Chris Freeman, Millbrook Captain, Algy Grimes, 

Martin Copperwheat, Millbrook Vice Captain

Seniors at home to South Beds, May 24 2022

 Match organiser Tony Goodson reports

Shorts or long trousers? That was the crucial question ahead of our clash with South Beds. We are in May after all.

The forecast was for rain, and we did get some, although only two or three showers depending on your start time. Having noted others were wearing shorts I also wore them. I was pleased I did as the sun did come out at times.

Fortunately I only had to use one reserve, and that was done several days in advance.

The match, played on Carthagena, was very close with JOG winning 4.5 – 3.5.  My game with Captain Algy was close all the way round. We lost the first, then won the 7^th, lost the 9^th, won the 13^th to be all square, then won the 15^th to take the lead. Unfortunately we lost the 17^th to be all square again.  I got a par on the 18^th thinking that we were in to draw or win as Paul Burgess from South Beds was on the lower tier of the green at least 30ft away. He made the putt for a birdie and we lost. 

Brian Bullen in team 3 was only about 2 inches from a hole in one on the 8^th. My name was first on the NP list, but about 40ft away!

The meal was appreciated by all, and we all applauded the kitchen for the meal and service. We had Beef Bourguignon followed by Chocolate orange torte with ice cream.

A good day was had by all.

Seniors away to Saffron Walden, May 18, 2022

 Match organiser Michael Newstead reports on the day's action

Enlisting the aid of a Saffron Walden member after failing to unlock the barrier using the code I had been given and had sent to all the JOG team, I realised I had transposed the changing room code for the barrier code!  A simple mistake, I hear you cry. My own thoughts were more along the lines of, “Well things normally go in 3’s, so what else will go wrong?” 

 Fortunately, to my great relief, nothing did.  Mind you, I did receive a little playful ribaldry from Gerry Degaute, who asked me if I had solved the Enigma Code at the barrier?

Fabulous weather and a course in superb condition, breathtaking views of Audley End House and the surrounding countryside, all topped off with a delicious meal.  Everything good. Well not quite, there is the matter of the match to consider!

First out, I had the privilege of playing with our Captain, but after losing the first two holes, we knew we had a game on our hands.  We drew level and then inched ahead. We were now two in front and thinking we could win this!  Big mistake, tempting the Gods of Golf like that!!!   Birdies by them on 9 and 12, followed by a magnificent bunker chip-in on 16 - although it would have dashed through the green had it not struck the pin an almighty blow - dashed our hopes and sadly we came in second, losing 4 & 2.  

 Sadder still, we weren’t the only ones. Out of 8 matches we had 2 wins and one half, making the score 5 1/2 to 2 1/2 in favour of Saffron Walden.  All that remains therefore is to congratulate Peter Wade and Robert Anderson (match 6) and Jonathan Lean and Ian Riches (match 8) for giving John O’Gaunt some degree of respectability, not forgetting of course, the aforementioned Gerry Degaute and Andy Shilton (match 3) for their magnificent half against stiff opposition.

 All in all though, a great day out and our game played in the spirit in which it should be.

Seniors at home to Harpenden Common May 17 2022

 

Seniors Captain Algy Grimes and match organiser Gerry Degaute on the first tee with Harpenden Common's David Henson and Paul Bagnall

Match organiser Gerry Degaute reports on a good day for JoG Seniors

Harpenden Common arrived on a glorious sunny morning at John O’ Gaunt with a track record that was second to none. Given our results this season so far we may have feared the worst.

 The Harpenden Common team assembled in the clubhouse looking confident whilst we were left waiting for our full complement to arrive; not easy when one of the team has gone to Harpenden Common for our home match; classic senior moment.

 Anyway the opening match started well for us as Captain Algy and Organiser Gerry went one up immediately and slowly but surely reached four up with five to play. Then came the fight back albeit we held on to win 2&1. Things generally behind us must have been going well for John O’Gaunt judging by the overall result which I will reveal shortly! 

  In one of the more closely contested matches things got so nervy that one of our team members failed to make the red tees with his tee shot and was obliged to buy his playing partner a ‘hors-d’oeuvre’ of chips ahead of the post match meal.

 The overall result was a resounding 7-1 win for John O’ Gaunt which included a number of reasonably comfortable matches highlighted by a 5&4 by Nigel Underwood and Philip Armstrong. Despite the result the Harpenden Common Captain and his team were extremely complimentary about the quality of our course, the catering and the genial behaviour of our team. In closing my report I would like to thank our team for their all round performance. 

The teams enjoy lunch after Algy relaxed the dress code
 to smart casual on the hottest day of the year so far

Diary of a newbie, by blog editor Tony Lloyd

When Andy Shilton put out an appeal for seniors to take part in the under-subscribed match against Harpenden Common I thought this might be the time to finally have a go. What could possibly go wrong!

So it was that I turned up to play my debut match.

I was teamed with 7 handicapper Paul Hammond, so I doubted very much whether I, as a 28 handicapper, would contribute much to the score, although I did have my moments.

The round started well, and we were one ahead for most of the front nine, ending up all square at the turn. Finding ourselves two down by the 13^th we fought back valiantly, reducing their lead to one but never quite gaining the upper hand.

Our opponents Colin Young and Steve Hewitt were extremely good company and both were highly impressed with the condition of the course. So they should. They won!

After much banter and a very agreeable lunch I came away pleased that I had taken part, although disappointed with our result.

All I would say to anyone thinking about playing in the matches is “give it a go”. You might even win!

I am now looking forward to the return match at Harpenden Common … unless organiser Gerry Degaute sees sense and drops me from the squad!

On the 7th green in three. Seniors Captain Algy captures one of Tony's better moments

Seniors away to St Neots, May 9 2022

 Match organiser Ian Riches reports

The day started bright and sunny and with no congestion on the A1. Sixteen doughty gentlemen from John O’Gaunt arrived on time at St. Neots Golf Club ready to do battle and establish some pride from recent drubbings elsewhere. But as the great Jack Nicklaus once said: “This is a game. That's all it is. It's not a war."

For those yet to play St. Neots, I can report it is indeed a good test of golf. Playing the course in May meant it was in fine condition and whilst it is not a long course by modern standards, its fairways are tight and the greens very true. The river Ouse provides a backdrop to some very pretty holes around the course.

At the pre-match coffee, we were told by the St. Neots captain, Andy Skeoch, that the greens weren’t as fast as we were used to at JOG, but this was definitely not the case. Maybe some gamesmanship was at play.

St Neots is definitely a course that requires some local knowledge if it is to be played well. Many of the holes are dog-legs and apart from the par 3s I can’t recall a hole where it was possible to see the flag from the tee box. 

Despite some valiant efforts, JOG Seniors once again came off second best. Messrs Walker and Standen were the only victors, achieving a resounding 5 & 4 win despite giving away 11 shots to their opposition. In all the other matches there were no draws and St Neots sadly achieved a very comfortable 7/1 victory.

As has been the case with other matches this year, JOG was giving away far too many shots to the opposition, in this case 48. We therefore look forward to welcoming SNGC to JOG next month where our lower handicaps and longer course will help us prevail .

Annual Medal and Jubilee Cup May 10 2022

Paul Jones receives the John Freedman Trophy from Seniors Captain Algy Grimes

 A close fought annual medal for the John Freedman Trophy ended with Paul Jones victorious on net 63 with one birdie, eight pars and six bogeys.

In second place, beaten only on countback, was Jim McIlwaine, who won the Jubilee Cup for scoring the most stableford points for those with playing handicaps of 21 or higher.

In third place, on 64 points, was Bill Walker.

Commiserations to Dick Cobb who carded a 10 on the first but clawed his way back to net 65,  just missing out on a podium place.

The best gross score, 74, was recorded by Chris Saunders.

Congratulations to Geoff Elcome who scored the only eagle of the day on the third.

Ninety-six players competed for the trophy on the Carthagena course. Early starters had to contend with prolonged showers but the day turned fine and warm for many.

Jim McIlwaine, second in the annual medal, receives the Jubilee Cup for the most stableford points

Bill Walker is congratulated by Algy for third place in the annual medal

Ken Robinson Scramble May 3 2022

 

Seniors Captain Algy Grimes presents the trophy to winning team: Richard Knell, Alban Macdonald, Stephen Collins and David Crosby

Scoring in the Ken Robinson Scramble was very close, with only 10 points separating the 21 teams.

Eighty-four seniors played for the trophy on the John O'Gaunt course in mild conditions with a couple of showers thrown in.

The winning team of Stephen Collins, David Crosby, Richard Knell and Alban Macdonald scored a very impressive net 55, consisting of 5 birdies and only two bogeys, the rest being pars.

In second place, on net 57, were George Burnham, Tony Goodson, Paul L Jeeves and Andrew Wellings.

And in third place, on net 58, were Rob Bage, Alan Kirkham, Paul Marshall and Jim McIlwaine.

With the same net score but missing out on a podium place on countback were Geoff Elcome, Gordon Goodchild, Paul Hammond and Sam Standen, as well as Warren Churms, Alan Curtis, Neil Gregory and Graham Lewis.