Seniors at home to Saffron Walden, March 28, 2023

 Organiser Michael Newstead reports

The day dawned dim and dismal and just got worse as the morning wore on. Rain, rain and more rain, just the sort of weather we golfers love going out to play in, I think not!  The mood in the clubhouse before the game was only lifted by the fact most of the Saffron Walden team had never played on Carthagena so there was an air of excitement.

Even prior to starting there were two notable events: no names, no pack-drill you understand but one of our number had forgotten he was playing and had to make a hurried journey to the club. The other had taken 08:30 as the time we were meeting for introductions, not the time of the first teeing off.  

 Now as to the result;  as is custom, the first out and back was your Captain and Organiser and we had played our opposite numbers.   Our game was swinging each way and we were one up at the turn.   From that point we had a run where we won several holes.  In fact, after the 15^th the result of the match was not in doubt as we were 5/3 up.   We played the 16^th, but clearly our opponents were more interested at that point in returning to the clubhouse and getting out of the rain as the game was lost to them.

 Seated comfortably in the clubhouse, out of the rain and enjoying a post-match drink, we waited in anticipation as each match ended and the results brought to us for recording.   Later, all smartly dressed with one exception who clearly didn’t get the message, yes, you know who you are! we enjoyed a delicious meal served with great efficiency by the catering team, after which your Captain gave the customary brief words and joke. Then the Saffron Walden Organiser had the unenviable task of announcing that the result was 7 games to 1 in favour of John O’Gaunt, making it two out of two for our Captain!

 The day finished with pointed references to the return (revenge!) match at Saffron Walden on 17^th May!

 

Home match v Brocket Hall, March 27, 2023

Chris Roy and Trevor Darrington with their opponents on the first tee

Organiser Richard Westergreen-Thorne reports

It was a day of firsts as we played Brocket Hall for the very first time. It was also the first home match of the year for our Captain, Jonathan Lean, and the first time we had played at JOG with an afternoon start.

Responding to an offer from Brocket Hall earlier in the year we were able to arrange to play an additional fixture to add to our calendar for 2023 which proved a very popular decision. To make it work we agreed to play 12 a side on a Monday afternoon and so the two teams assembled in the clubhouse ready to do battle on the course. With the weather being variable at best over recent days we were blessed with good weather and JOG looked fantastic in the sunshine.

As for the match there were some close games and some not so close. For example, Nigel Underwood and Graham Lewis won comfortably and Nick Seeley and I ..... well, let's just say that our opponents played very well. Jonathan Lean and Peter Wade were able to win a tight match but overall we lost 4 - 2.

In the clubhouse afterwards for sandwiches and chips (another first) all agreed it was a good day's golf with good company. Jonathan supplied his usual joke and all left looking forward to the return fixture and the hope that we can make this into a regular part of our calendar. 

Michael Newstead’s charity challenge, March 26 2023

 

Michael Newstead celebrates after abseiling down the 200ft Lister Hospital tower in aid of the East and North Herts Hospitals’ Charity. Afterwards Michael thanked all the John O’Gaunt seniors whose sponsorship helped him raise £965. It’s not too late to donate by following the link below.

 www.justgiving.com/Michael-Is-Abseiling

Seniors away to Beds and County, March 21, 2023

 Organiser Michael Newstead reports

An overheard conversation at JOG on Sunday 19^th March sent me scurrying to the Beds and County website and to my horror found it was true. They had a trolley ban in place, it was carry only!   With the match just two days away visions of 16 old and weary men (32 if you count B&C players) struggling up the final hole, weighed down by their bag of clubs, knees aching, gasping for breath, back-breaking under the strain, not a pretty sight I think  you will agree!   Something had to be done to avert this disaster.    A flurry of emails with the B&C organiser, his commitment to take up the matter the following day, Monday 20^th.   Conversation with the JOGS match secretary produced three scenarios – 1) everyone carries, 2) send a reduced team if not everyone can carry, 3) cancel.

 Next step, alert the team of impending disaster. Result, my inbox filled with messages from thirteen of our finest with cries of, “I can carry if I have to, but my poor back/knees/legs/ankles/teeth (yes,  I made the last one up).”   Let’s just say the sigh of relief could be heard all over Potton and beyond when I learned that the B&C Organiser had obtained special dispensation for us to use our trolleys!

 On the appointed day we arrived at Beds & County expecting to be trudging through seas of mud, but actually nothing of the sort.    Certainly the course was a little wet in places and the air-brushes were well-used at the end of the game, but the greens were fast, true and just as difficult to read as ever; the grass was verdant and for the most, proper tees were in play, although the ears of my partner, your Captain (stand up and salute!!) and myself were oft assailed by our playing partners with comments of, “We haven’t been playing off this tee, we have been using mats/the ladies tee for the past few months.”

 How bravely JOG’s valiant sixteen took to the field of battle; unperturbed by the knowledge they were fighting a 58 shot advantage!   As the scores started to roll in the pessimism turned to joy and we scented victory, confirmed when our Captain announced after dinner that in fact John O’Gaunt had overcome the odds and were the winners 5 and 3.

 All that remained was to congratulate your Captain and Derek Cormack for winning nearest the pin on the par 3 12^th, each being awarded the traditional bottle of wine and to raise a cheer to the catering staff for a superb meal and service.

 

4BBB Trophy March 14, 2023

Seniors Captain Jonathan Lean presents the trophy to winners Chris Saunders and Dave Wrench 

Oh no, not again! That might have been the reaction of entrants viewing the weather early on Tuesday so soon after the cancellation of the ladies and seniors mixed greensomes the week before.

Then, hoorah, the clouds parted, the sun made a rare appearance and 92 seniors thanked their lucky stars for a great day of golf.

The scoring was good too. First prize went to Chris Saunders and Dave Wrench with an impressive 47 points. In second place, on countback, were Derek Weller and Andy Brown, also on 47 points. And in third place, on 46 points, were Ian Maddison and Tony Lloyd. Rumours that Tony, as the new Competitions Secretary, had fiddled the figures, were hotly denied by his lawyers.

Also on 46 points, but narrowly missing out on a podium place, were Tony Goodson and Keith Howlett.

Raffle prizes were won by Chris Sullivan, Andrew Wellings, Algy Grimes and Tony Goodson.

Only the day before, the start sheet was in a state of flux as two players, for entirely valid reasons, had to withdraw. An emergency appeal for extra players by Hon Sec Richard Westergreen-Thorne resulted in an instant response which fixed the problem. Then, as late as 8am on the day of the competition came another withdrawal. Keith Fuller, just about to get in the shower, came to the rescue and arrived on cue for a 10.10am start. Thanks to all who answered the call to ensure the day went without a hitch.

Second place on countback: Derek Weller and Andy Brown

Third place: Tony Lloyd and Ian Maddison