Seniors at home to Brocket Hall Monday July 1 2024

 

Organiser Jonathan Lean reports

On a decidedly un-July like grey and cool day, 12 of JOG Seniors’ best met with their opponents from Brocket Hall at 12.45pm for a 1.30 start for the match.  Because of the unusual starting time we were treated to gargantuan bacon baps from the kitchen to give us stamina for the ensuing battle. 

JOG were looking to avoid another whitewash which was dealt out to us in the away match!  We knew that we would have our work cut out as it was noted that two of our best players, Jack Shepherd and Peter Imray were unusually (for them) receiving shots from their opponents!

After the introductions, captain Richard and myself as organiser started the match off against Brocket Hall vice-captain and his partner (both called Peter), with a solid half on the first hole.  We then got our noses in front as captain Richard parred the second but this advantage was quickly lost on the third as the burden of giving 13 shots to our opponents started to take its toll.  A par from me was not good enough to win – back to all square.

So it remained until the 6th where both Peters struggled with the length of the hole and a double bogey 6 from Richard was good enough to win the hole.  1 up again.  However, our opponents struck back immediately on the 7th .

The match continued with the home side getting a slight advantage but not able to hold on and never managing to go more than 1 up.  It was at this point that Brocket Hall vice captain got his putter working and proceeded to sink some very long putts.  The first was on the 16th to win the hole and go one up themselves and then another monster on the 17th to halve the hole.  So, we were dormie one down on the 18th tee.  Sadly, yet again, Brocket Hall managed a knee-trembler 4 footer on the last green to halve the hole and eventually win the match one up.

As other results came in it soon became apparent that JOG would be struggling yet again.  Four of the next matches were wins for Brocket Hall with the only consolation being a fighting halved match in the last pairing of Algy Grimes and Neil Pinnington.

The evening was rounded off with a delicious Chilli con Carne followed by chocolate and orange tart. 

The course was in excellent condition and there were many unsolicited complimentary comments from the Brocket Hall team. 

Final results were as follows.

Richard Westergreen-Thorne and Jonathan Lean – Lost 1 down

David McNair and Alban Macdonald – Lost 3 & 2

Paul Dobson and Peter Imray – Lost 3 & 2

Paul Jones and Jack Shepherd – Lost 5 & 4

Ian Maddison and Tony Goodson – Lost 4 & 3

Neil Pinnington and Algy Grimes – match halved.

Final result – a win for Brocket Hall 5½ - ½.

It was small consolation that the Brocket Hall vice-captain advised us that they very rarely lost matches.  It was surmised that their handicaps travel well as they are earned on their tough courses.

A thoroughly enjoyable day.

Qualifying roll up Tuesday July 2 2024 ... and a hole in one!

 

David Tamsitt picks his ball out of the JOG 16th hole after his hole in one

Congratulations to David Tamsitt who not only won the first of our qualifying roll ups but made history by doing it with a hole in one.

And although David won the roll up fiver he faced a substantial bar bill!

Twenty people entered the roll up with 12 of those entering it as a qualifying round.

David racked up an amazing 41 points which included five points for his hole in one on the John O'Gaunt 16th using a hybrid 3 club.

In second place on 35 points was Terry Domagala and in third with 33 points was Michael Bonwick.

It was the first qualifying roll up as two earlier events were cancelled due to course closures . 

Thanks to everyone who took part and made it a great success. The next one is scheduled for Thursday July 25.