Seniors at home to Northampton, July 31 2023

 Organiser Algy Grimes reports

Having shared a swap day last year on the hottest of days it was good to welcome Northampton to the first interclub match between the two clubs on a very nice day for golf. Unusually for a JOG team we started with an advantage in the number of shots received  due to a lot of low handicap players from the visiting side.

The first group of myself and Captain Jonathan set off at a later start time of 9.30am as it took most of the Northampton team about an hour to get to us. (A lesson for when we go there).

We won the 1st, so a good start and it stayed that way until the 4th when the visiting captain got so close to the hole that not only did he getting a birdie but no one else could beat it for him to leave the day with a bottle of wine. 

Halving the next two holes until the 7th where they took the lead, followed by another win on the 8th we found ourselves two down and that's how it was at the turn, with Jonathan  stopping the rot on the 9th. As with the front nine we won the first hole on the back only to find ourselves 2 down again after 11. The 12th was halved and then came the stream on the 13th! Both visitors chose to try to drive over it, but found their balls did not float so it resulted in a win for us so now 1 down. Having a shot on the 15th proved crucial because that helped us win to be all square.

On to the 16th, nearest the pin for the home team, Jonathan then hit a shot that won him nearest the pin and with a birdie won the hole, now one up with two to play. On the 17th Jonathan played very carefully where the other three of us took chances that didn't work, all finding the 'moat'. Jonathan therefore won the hole and the match for us 2 & 1.

In the clubhouse we were therefore 1 up, then level, 2 - 1 then 2 - 2 . With a 6 & 5 win by Andrew Lawrence & Barry Donovan we went 3 - 2 up, then we found ourselves 3 - 4 down. Awaiting the final result, which came in following a sandy par and three birdies by Terry Domagala, they had won, so overall a 4 - 4 draw.

The quality of their single figure handicap players showed with comments of some exhibition golf. 

The meal that followed was enjoyed by all, especially the sticky toffee pudding!

Jonathan chose to reprise a previously told joke in the hopes that at least half had not heard it before, only for one of the visitors to say he knew it after the opening line! A great first match against Northampton with the return to look forward to in October.

The scores were;

Jonathan Lean & Algy Grimes - Won 2 & 1

Peter Jarman & Terry Sweeney - Lost 4 & 2

Ian Riches & Paul Jones - Won 4 & 3

Oz Osman & Kenneth Brewer - Lost 1 down

Andrew Lawrence & Barry Donovan - Won 6 & 5

Rafe Bateson & Rob Ebsworth - Lost 2 & 1

Gerry Degaute & Trevor Darrington - Lost 1 down

Terry Domagala & Tony Goodson - Won 3 & 2

Seniors away to Cambridge Country Club July 28 2023

 Organiser Derek Young reports

It is with some regret that I have to report our failure in relieving the Cambridge Country Club of the "Scroll". In a very tight but well humoured contest our hosts managed to win by the slender margin of five games to three making the overall outcome a nine to seven defeat for ourselves.

Jonathan played a Captain’s innings but was only handicapped by myself and the very fluffy greens.

Thanks to the likes of Dave Wilsher, Barry Donovan and others for stepping in and plugging our gaps and playing a masterful game. The results are as follows

Jonathan Lean/ Derek Young  Lost 2 & 1

Ian Riches/ Richard Herbert    Lost 4 & 3

David Wilsher/Terry Domagala Won 4 & 3

Algy Grimes/ Tony Whittaker   Lost 3 & 2

Gerry Degaute/Michael Newstead Lost 2 & 1

Paul Jones/ Richard Westergreen-Thorne  Won 4 & 3

Stephen Collins/ Trevor Darrington Lost 3 & 2

Barry Donovan/ Terry Sweeney   Won 3 & 2

Nearest the Pin on the 11th hole was won by Ian Riches and shot of the day goes to Barry Donovan who managed to put his ball onto the Patio without breaking any windows. His ball was returned to him.

Let’s hope that next year we can finally retrieve the "Scroll".

Seniors at home to Gog Magog July 25 2023

 Organiser Paul Jones reports

The weather forecast looked promising given the recent typical British Summer weather, so rain wasn't going to save either team in this major East of England sporting event. If there was going to be a drawn match it would have to be earned unlike our overseas friends at Old Trafford.

 Almost all of the players arrived in good time and we teed off in the sunshine.  I did freak out later in the day when I saw what looked like a three ball walking up the 18^th as there was one member of our team who I hadn’t seen before I started, but fortunately a fourth person appeared into view from the trees. I then watched said late comer get up and down from short of the green to secure a pivotal point so all was forgiven.

 Our captain was paired with myself, Paul Jones (my reward for acting as organiser) and despite giving away a shed full of shots to one of our opponents we got the John O’Gaunt team off to the best possible start winning our match.

 Unbeknown to Terry Sweeney and Neil Pinnington in the last match, a defeat would mean our visitors obtaining a draw.  However, despite finding themselves in the unusual position of both of them giving one of our opponents 11 shots, for the first time in their match, they took the lead on the 18^th green. 

 We enjoyed a lovely meal and Paula and her team kept up the high standard of food that we at John O’Gaunt have become used to.

 We wished our opponents a safe journey home and look forward to the return fixture in September. 

 

The individual results making up a 5-3 victory for John O’Gaunt were:

Jonathan Lean and Paul Jones Won 6&5

Chris Dennis and Trevor Darrington Lost 2 down

Jack Shepherd and Derek Young Won 6&5

Richard Young and Fred Williams Won 2 up

Steve Luckman and Sam Standen Lost 5&4

Andy Brown and Terry Domagala Won 2&1

Steve Collins and Peter Wade Lost 6&5

Terry Sweeney and Neil Pinnington Won 1 up

 Nearest the pin on the 16^th was won by Andy Brown. 

Annual Stableford Trophy July 18, 2023

 

Seniors Captain Jonathan Lean presents Tony Goodson with the Annual Stableford Trophy

High scoring was the order of the day for the Seniors Annual Stableford Trophy with an astonishing 25 players scoring 36 points or more.

But leader of the pack, with 42 points, was Tony Goodson, whose score included a four-point birdie on the 4th.

In second place, also on 42 points but beaten on countback, was Jed Isbell, whose score included eight pars and two birdies.

In third place, on 41 points, was Algy Grimes, who managed to fit in a dental appointment between playing and collecting his prize.

Commiserations to Warren Churms who also scored 41 points but was denied a podium place by Algy’s back nine run of 22 points.

With a field of over 100 players it was a long day, but all three winners either stayed or returned for the presentation by Seniors Captain Jonathan Lean.

Raffle prizes were won by Alan Curtis, Nick Schumann, Keith Howlett and Richard Westergreen-Thorne who will each have £10 added to their pro shop accounts.

Twos Club winners, who receive £24 each in pro shop vouchers, were Andrew Brookman (8th), Jed Isbell (6th), Alan Kirkham (6th), Anthony McLean (6th) and Derek Weller (6th). Malcolm Roberts receives a double share for a two on the par four 3rd which was achieved with driver and 54 degree wedge from 60  yards out.

The result shakes up the leader board of the Senior Section Golfer of the Year Award which now reads: 1st Jed Isbell (41pts), 2nd Richard Knell (40 pts), 3rd Ian Maddison (38 pts).

You can catch up with the latest standings here:

https://www.johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk/orderofmerit.php?oom=8

Second place: Jed Isbell

Third place: Algy Grimes

Reg Batson Medal Trophy July 11 2023

Senior Section Captain Jonathan Lean presents Dave Wrench with the Reg Batson Medal trophy

A select band of Senior Section high fliers did battle from the John O’Gaunt white tees for the prestigious Reg Batson Medal Trophy.

Forty-two players, including Senior Section Captain Jonathan Lean and last year’s winner Dominic Murphy, enjoyed near perfect conditions after qualifying for the competition by dint of their aggregate scores in the Rex Cleaver Trophy and Annual Medal.

Early clubhouse leaders were disappointed as one of the later starters, Dave Wrench, came in with an impressive nett 70 to take the Reg Batson Trophy and first prize of a £40 pro shop voucher.

Also on 70 points, but beaten on countback, was Chris Dennis, whose card included a two on the 16th. His prize is a £30 pro shop voucher.

Third place went to Keith Howlett with nett 73, winning him  £20 pro shop voucher.

Also on 73, but missing out on countback were Ian Maddison and Jed Isbell.

Interestingly, three of the top five players are relative newcomers to the club, showing just how popular and competitive the Senior Section has become.

Best gross score of 83 was recorded by Andy Brown.

Presenting the trophy, Senior Captain Jonathan Lean, joked that he now knew his way around John O’Gaunt, having completed this and 54 holes in the charity challenge on Sunday.

Raffle prizes were won by Richard Knell, John Hazelwood, Robert Isaacson and, ahem, Jonathan Lean. £10 will be added to their pro shop accounts.

Second place: Chris Dennis

Third place: Keith Howlett

54 hole challenge July 9 2023

 

Jonathan Lean, Lorna Jerome, Justin Thomas and Nathan Church at the start of their challenge 

Mission accomplished: Lorna, Justin, Jonathan and Nathan on the 18th green 

Three intrepid captains and a vice captain joined forces to face a gruelling 54-hole challenge to raise money for their respective charities.

Seniors Captain Jonathan Lean, Ladies Captain Lorna Jerome, Junior Captain Nathan Church and Club Vice Captain Justin Thomas, standing in for injured Club Captain Mike Tipper, teed off at 7am on the John O’Gaunt course on a day of warm sunshine with the occasional cooling shower.

They completed the third round just over 12 hours later at 7.15pm having played individual Stableford, four ball better ball and foursomes, all on the John O’Gaunt course due to a medal being played on Carthagena.

Jonathan’s chosen charity is Keech Hospice and if you have not already sponsored him you can still do so by following this link:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/jonathan-lean-1686912009913?newPage=true

Read Jonathan's account of the day

I am sitting here writing this with almost every muscle aching including some I did not know I had. It was hard work but well worth it. We met at 7am in the car park to tee off for the first of the 3 rounds. There was a last-minute substitution as Club Captain Mike Tipper has injured his shoulder, so Justin Thomas stepped in at short notice. Together with Lorna Jerome and Nathan Church, the four of us set off bright and early with nobody in front of us! The weather was kind. Not too hot and a pleasant breeze,
We started off playing serious golf. Reading greens, judging break on putts, looking for gaps in trees etc. but as the course filled up with Sunday morning golfers (it was busy because CAR was closed for the July medal) we had to pick up the pace a bit and ‘gimmies’ got a bit longer!
I started with good intentions having a supply of protein bars and energy drinks but succumbed to the temptation of a bacon butty at the halfway house. Also, enormous thanks to the regular procession of ladies organised by Lorna who provided chocolate bars and cold drinks to keep up going.
After the first round played as an individual Stableford, and a short half hour break, we set off again playing a 4BBB match-play. Justin and I managing to edge out Lorna and Nathan 2 and 1.
A quick bite and then we were off again, this time playing the rather easier Foursomes. Again, Justin and I managed to hold off a late surge from Nathan and Lorna winning 2 up on the last hole.
A few observations: 
· I don’t normally surface that early in the morning and I discovered that there are hungry
insects around at 7am! Trying not to scratch the itchy bites!
· Nathan hits the ball a long way! He almost drove the green the three times we played the
12th. Also, on the 10th he took an 8 iron whereas I was taking a 3 wood. Still, he is nearly 60
years younger than me.
· Justin was keen not to know what was happening in the cricket as he was planning to watch
the highlights later that evening. I had to surreptitiously check the scores and hide my
excitement during the second round. I think that the game was up as we came up the 18th
with raucous roars from the clubhouse as the test match reached its climax.
I am delighted to report that, at the time of writing, the amount donated on my JustGiving page is up to £1322! An enormous THANK YOU to all of you who have donated. 
 
I will leave the page open for donations for a few more weeks in case anyone else cares to contribute.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/jonathan-lean-1686912009913?newPage=true

I am a bit achy today, but I am more than happy to put my body through this small discomfort to support those who care for people whose bodies have failed them.

 

Jonathan Lean

Captain’s Charity Day July 7 2023

Seniors Captain Jonathan Lean, along with Barry Donovan, Tony Lloyd and Fred Williams, just missed out on the prizes in the Captain’s Charity Day, coming in fifth place with 80 points. The team is pictured above in front of the banner for Keech Hospice, Jonathan’s chosen charity.

On Sunday Jonathan and the other three captains, Mike Tipper, Lorna Jerome and Nathan Church, will be completing the 54 hole challenge in aid of their respective charities.

There is still time to make a donation to this worthwhile charity and if you do it by following this link then Keech will also benefit from the tax rebate.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/jonathan-lean-1686912009913?newPage=true