Seniors Captain's Day - 30th July 2019





Captain Dave Gauge held his Captain’s day on the John O’Gaunt course on 30 July. It attracted 88 participants competing for the Kethro Tray. Also at stake was the captains vs the vice captains shield.

The Kethro Tray was won by Bryan Hankins with a very creditable score of 36 points, particularly given the blustery winds and occasional heavy showers.  Michael Newstead came second on count-back with Sam Standen coming 3^rd on 35 points

The captains vs the vice captains shield was won by Seniors Captain Dave and Club Captain Phil Haddow who beat Vice Captain Peter Horlock and Senior’s Vice Captain Bill Walker with a combined stableford score of 60 points to 59 points.

Other honours went to Harry Wakefield for a hole-in-one on the 16^th hole.  David Wrench was nearest the Pin on the 4^th hole.  MS-UK representative Chris Lee was nearest the Pin on the 10^th hole, and Jim McIlwaine was nearest the pin in 2 on the 11^th hole.

Finally, a crazy putting course was laid out on the practice green with Club Captain Phil Haddow winning the putting completion by completing the 9-hole course in 23 putts.

The day also resulted in a Raffle contribution to MS-UK of £331.

All in all a very enjoyable day made more so by the shot-gun start which resulted in a full house for the presentation of prizes.

 

 

Senior Captain David Gauge with Club Captain Phil Haddow
and their guests



Ladies booking everyone in

The various winners are as follows-

Skills winners 

Nearest the Pin on 16th with a Hole in One
Harry Wakefield 

NtP on 4th - Dave Wrench

NtP on 10th -

NtP in two on 11th -

Winner putting comp - Club Captain Phil Haddow

Overall winner - Colin Stokes MBE (Guest from Prostate Project)

Captains won competition with Vice Captains

Third Place - Sam Standen

Second - Michael Newstead

Winner - Kethro Tray - Brian Hankins

 Bill Walker - Vice Captain
 Organiser

 

Away Match v Bourn - 24th July 2019

It was a confident John O’Gaunt team that arrived at our new Golf Club on a sunny morning, ready to fight for the two and a half points needed to bring the elusive silver scroll back to John O’Gaunt for the first time in living memory, if not ever. We took coffee on the patio as the clubhouse is undergoing major refurbishment, and the conservatory was baking at 8.00 in the morning. The good news was that we were having lunch in the marquee as this was much cooler.

I was partnering Gerry Gentle and it soon dawned on us that we would have our work cut out if we were going to get anything out of our match. Having been 2 down very early we managed to clamber back to all square but were then ‘Hewletted’ as Keith Hewlett turned on a majestic spell of golf which resulted in him finishing the round 5 over gross. We were the first to fail to get a point.

As each pair returned to the clubhouse the story was the same and the final result was a crushing 8-0 defeat that meant the elusive scroll remained at Bourn for at least another year.

The main reason for the defeat however is attributed to the ghastly shorts worn by Dave Wood which he claims were bought by his good lady but I have my doubts.

 

Peter Wade did win the award for shot of the day, however. 

 

 

Results;

Dave Gauge and Gerry Gentle lost 3&2

Keith Blankley and Keith Fuller lost 2&1

Algy Grimes and Peter Wade lost 4&3

John Cocksedge and Barry Donavan lost 5&4

Dave Wood and Derek Young lost 3&2

Ray Smart and Bill Walker lost 2&1

Neil Pinnington and Nick Schumann lost 3&2

Gerry Degaute and Peter Imray lost 5&4

Senior Section Annual Stableford Trophy - Tuesday 23rd July 2019

For the first time in a number of seasons the entry for this event was full and a waiting list had to be introduced. This is a very encouraging sign as some competitions in recent seasons have had a diminishing start list. Let’s hope it is a sign of an upward trend in the future.

It was a very bright sunny day, which was marginally more pleasant for the early starters than those following later, as the temperature rose as the morning progressed and was extremely hot by the time the final groups returned to the clubhouse.

One by product of the dry and warm spell is that one gets a lot of roll from the course although this is often counteracted by a few dubious bounces when the ball returns to earth.

However some very good golf was played and all the winners were to be congratulated.

A vote of commiseration should go to the trio of Jim Kerr, Kevin Donnelly, and Richard Cobb all of whom amassed a creditable 36 points, got cut 0.3 but still finished just outside the prizes.

Results;

1^st Steve Collins. 38 points

2^nd Jonathan Lean 37 points
3^rd  Alan Kirkham 36 points

Nearest the pin was Clive Thompson

Dave Gauge

Seniors Captain

Winner - Steve Collins

Second - Jonathan Lean

Third - Alan Kirkham not there for photos so David wonders if he should keep the voucher!!

Nearest the pin - Clive Thompson (and he got the Birdie)

Home Match v Gog Magog Elders - 16th July 2019

On a sunny day in July, the 16^th to be precise, Gog Magog Elders came to challenge John O’Gaunt Seniors on Carthagena.   Following coffee and meet and great reception there was a great hush as the pairings were announced.  The air was filled with cries of, “Who am I paired with?”  “What are their handicaps?”  and the quiet thoughts of, “What chance do we have against them?”   First on the tee was each teams’ Senior’s Captain and Match Organiser.   The watching crowd voiced their approval as one, two, three, four drives all split the fairway.   The competition was underway.

Throughout the day many a tree, grassy rough and sand-traps were found by erratically hit balls and anyone listening would have heard cries of despair, “Not Again?” and “Why do I keep doing that?”, and even more colourful language it is not polite to report here.

Carthagena in summer is not an easy course and she showed she could “bite,’ the unwary on regular occasions.

After four hours in the sun the playing was complete and the warriors trickled in ones and two’s to deliver their results to the official scorer.   Gog Magog Elders to took the lead, the second result levelled the match.   The results were coming in thick and fast now and the overall result swayed first one way then the other, until the outcome rested on the result of game 8.   We waited in anticipation for the game 8 players to arrive.   We waited and waited, where were they?    Finally they appeared and made their way to the scorer’s table, which team had won the final vital point?   Then it was all over, the final score John O’Gaunt Seniors 5 points, Gog Magog Elders 3 points.   John O’Gaunt had won the day, but no doubt Gog Magog Elders will be lying in wait when the return match is played later in the year.

 

Michael Newstead,

Organiser

Reg Batson Medal Trophy - 9th July 2019

Warm but slightly cloudy skys greeted the top thirty qualifiers for the Reg Batson Trophy to be joined by myself who felt extremely out of place.

However the competition was good and the scores we excellent considering it was a medal competition played on the John O’Gaunt.

As usual the top of the leader board was congested with countback coming into force to separate the eventual prize winners from the near misses.

The other usual thing that happened was that Robert Anderson won the nearest the pin competition.

Commiserations go to Ian Simpson and Paul Stallard who narrowly missed out on the prizes, but congratulations go to Robert Bage who won the competition with a net 70. Runner up with 71 was Paul Jeeves, with Gerry Gentle 3^rd and Dave Wood 4^th both with 73.

 

Dave Gauge

Seniors Captain

Here are the photos of the various winners -

Robert Anderson

Fourth - David Wood

Third - Gerry Gentle

Second - Paul R Jeeves

Winner - Robert Bage

Away Match v Dunstable Downs - 4th July 2019

On a beautiful sunny day we played our re-arranged match on a wonderful course that was in  excellent condition with fast greens. After last year's white wash I’m very pleased to report a 3.5/4.5 loss.

Captain Dave & I had a great start with three birdies on the first five holes. This lead was reduced (mainly due to their organiser Roger - nickname five counties - due to his sometimes wayward drives, was out driving us by 50 yards) to dormy 1 on our 18th hole but with a very useful pitch & putt from Dave we won two up.

Graham Court & Steve Collins had a great win with a net score of 63.

Terry McSweeney & David Crosby managed to win 4 & 3 even though David picked his ball up prematurely on the green resulting in a lost hole?

Gerry Gentle & Malcolm Lee managed a good half after being 2 down with 3 to play.

Gerry Degaute & Keith Fuller lost 2 & 1 even after Keith had made a 60 foot putt on the second green.

Sam Standen & Peter Wade had a good reason for losing as their opponent Terry went round in 63!

Finally my banking (Is this the right word?) pair of Robert Anderson & Peter Jarman lost . The reason they gave was having to give up to 10 shots away.

Lunch was a very tasty pie & veg followed by a choice of 3 desserts!!

Brian Bullen

Match Organiser.

Home Match v St Neots - Tuesday 25th June 2019

For the return match against Peter Gleason and his team from St Neots Golf Club we were unfortunately without the playing expertise of our match organiser Graham McKay. We were however fortunate to still have his efficient organisation and he was at the club bright and early to ensure everything was in place and things ran smoothly.

As I was denied the services of Mr McKay's playing expertise I was fortunate to be able to call on the admirable skill of our Hon Sec David Crosby.

However much we tried we never quite got to grips with our opponents, as it is always hard giving shots to somebody who hits it 20 yards further than you, and we had to concede defeat. However it was a close and friendly game and we withdrew to the clubhouse to await the following results.

One of the joys of being captain is that you get two chances to win, and in this case after losing my individual match, my team came to my rescue to make me and my colleagues winners by a score of

Five matches to three.

Pairings for the day were:-

David Gauge & David Crosby

Ian Simpson & Jim Peacock

Jonathan Leane & Peter Jarman

Steve Clark & Michael Newstead

Sam Standen & Colin Newbury

Barry Donavan & Keith Blankley

Peter Grimes & Jim Kerr

Fred Williams & John Ellary

Jim Kerr was a double winner as he also picked up the nearest the pin on 4.

 

Dave Gauge

Seniors Captain

Home Match v East Herts Stags - 18th June 2019

A highways detour taking some of East Herts Stags on the tourist route through the lanes of South West Cambridgeshire caused a little panic for the East Herts captain in the thought that JOG Seniors may, in some cases, be playing 2 against 1 but all of The Stags did make it to the first tee even if a little late.

Thanks to a week of almost continuous rain the Carthagena course was looking and playing better than looked possible at the beginning of June.

From the teams’ handicaps this  always looked an uphill task and so it proved to be. Unfortunately I reverted to type in playing the supporting role having to depend upon my partner to keep us in the match. I did, however, get us off to a good start thanks to our opponents missing the first two greens and also their puts but then I went downhill until the last 2 holes. We were 3 down with 3 to play but the Captain came good by winning the notorious 16^th. This caused my survival instinct to kick in parring the 17^th & 18^th to half the match.

As expected, the other matches proved to be tough asks for the JOG team with, as an example, Jack Shepherd having g to give his opponents 7 and 14 shots the results were mixed but went in favour of East Herts –

David Gauge / Malcolm Lee                                            half

Colin Newbury / Jim Peacock                                          lost  4 & 3
Neil Pinnington / Bill Walker                                           won 3 & 1
Terry McSweeney / Richard Westergreen-Thorne     won 1up
Fred Williams / Jim Kerr                                                   lost  1 down
Gerry Degaute / David Lincoln                                        lost  3 & 1
Ray Smart / Barry Donovan                                             lost  4 & 3

David Crosby / Jack Shepherd                                         lost  3 & 2

    

Hence team result:-                   Jog Snrs 2.5,  East Herts Stags 5.5

Lunch was Pork Escalope ( Schnitzel! ) followed by Seasonal Crumble ( apple!) with custard

Malcolm Lee

Organiser

Senior Section Championship Trophy - 11th June 2019

Although called the Senior Section Championship Trophy, we were playing for two trophies, the Rex Cleaver for the best nett score and the Bessant East Scratch Trophy for the best gross score.

Well, what can be said about the weather? Damp, wet, soaking....yes all three. Upon arrival at about 7.30am the rain was falling very steadily but I was not too worried from a selfish point of view, I didn't tee off for about three hours!!

The players arrived and a lot were thinking the competition might have been called off. An old message on the club phone system said the course was open but with temporary greens, this was later revealed to be a message from last February. Most questioned their sanity when paying their match fee and buying the raffle tickets but the latter did make about £185.00 towards David's charity.

Most groups seemed to make quite good progress, the first group off the 10th were round to the 1st before my group (being the last) had started play, but they were a bit early. The rain continued to fall.

The Senior's Captain said in his remarks after the game that he had to start from the 10th (again) and managed a fine eight, a score that he would repeat on the 7th. The highest score by one player on any hole was 13 and the lowest was 3, only 2 birdies and 121 Pars were achieved throughout the entire competition, so well done to those that got these scores in such difficult conditions.

The winner of the Rex Cleaver with the lowest nett score of 75 was Steve Clark (off 16) closely followed by Bill Burrows in second place with 76 (off 21) on countback from Graham Berry in third place also on 76 (off 20).

Nett Winner Steve Clark

Second Bill Burrows

The winner of the Bessant East with the best Gross score of 85 (off 8) was Malcolm Falconer, that was not the only thing he won, Malcolm also won the Nearest the Pin on the 16th.

Everyone was pleased to arrive back in the clubhouse so that they could dry off and enjoy suitable rehydration of some sort.

Algy Grimes
Organiser

Home Match v Leighton Buzzard - 4th June 2019

Game 1 set the tone of the overall match in that it was halved, albeit only two of the eighteen holes were actually halved and neither team got more than two up at any time.  There were three birdies and one eagle (modesty prevents me from saying who grabbed the eagle).

After the first 4 Games JOG were 2 up with 2 wins and 2 halves. LB then won 2 of the next 3 meaning JOG was 1 up with one game to be completed. The final game was halved to produce a final outcome of JOG 4.5 and LB 3.5.

With all the players relaxing post match in the clubhouse the LB vice captain produced his rather damaged ball which it was alleged had been 'run over' by one of our green keepers on the 10th. Our lads had sportingly allowed him to replay his shot and he reciprocated by then missing his putt on the hole. Our captain has graciously offered to repair the ball and return it at the away leg.

Whilst mentioning Captain Dave it is worth noting he put us 1 up on the first with a net birdie and secured the half with a solid par on the last.  

Gerry Degaute
Organiser                                                                                                  

Away Match v Saffron Walden - 29th May 2019

A view of Audley House on the 5th hole
(photo from Derek Young)

We arrived early at Saffron Walden to beat the traffic but on the putting green was Steve Clark, chipping and putting, like a man with a mission...

That soon followed by a stream of arrivals, we were all present and correct for 08:00. Captain Dave and myself, were quickly made honourable guests by our wonderful hosts. Our round started well, we held on to all square through 3. Then what seemed to be a short time, we were 3 down at the turn. Dave managed to win 11 & 13 to go just 1 behind.

 

As with greens in certain topology, they where unreadable, I could have made it all square on the 16th, but looking at an uphill putt, it started to gather speed, and was, still  accelerating, uphill, it was a downhill putt...

 

There was some good wins from Fred Williams and Derek Young by 1 hole; Keith Fuller and David Wood 3&1, and a creditable half from David Crosby and Malcolm Lee. The result was a corresponding one at JOG, 5 1/2 to 2 1/2, so the aggregate score was all square.

 

On the day, we where all winners, with an excellent carvery of beef and pork, fresh veg, followed by a choice of deserts, or cheese board, and great hosts.

 

Steve Collins

Organiser

Home match v South Beds Veterans - 28th May 2019

Being the organiser for the first time I arrived early to find three quarters of the opposing team eagerly awaiting their coffee and biscuits.

David and I got off to a bad start and never really recovered losing 3/2 on the 16^th to their two very good pars. Their captain Gary Hooper an ex colleague of mine from Mentmore GC days had his revenge on me from last year.

The end result was a loss for JOG 3 to 5, the winners being Bob Anderson & Ray Smart 4/2, Jim Peacock & Peter Wade 2up, Algy Grimes & John Whitbread 2/1 having been three down after eleven.

My choice of Pork Loin followed by Eton Berry Mess seemed to be enjoyed by everyone with one comment of  "I couldn’t eat three of the Desserts but definitely manage two".

The weather did hold out for us today and a number of us are off to Saffron Walden tomorrow hoping it remains dry.

Keith Fuller

Organiser

Away Match v East Herts (STAGS) - 21st May 2019

I last played at East Herts at the end of August last year and the course was suffering severely from the dry summer. However, it’s recovery this year shows no signs of last year’s issues with fairways lush with no bare patches and reasonably slick greens. The second cut was also lush but at about 2 inches high it was just high enough to hide the stray ball.

Normally in my game I play the supporting role getting the odd ½ to hopefully help to win our 4 ball. This time, however, the Captain was gracious in letting me be the main act whilst he took the supporting role making the difference from losing by 1 hole to our actual win of 1up.

The other results were mixed but went in favour of East Herts –
David Crosby / Mike Marshall              won 2&1
Terry McSweeney / Jim Kerr                 lost  2&1
Michael Newstead / John Cocksedge  lost 4 &3
Bill Walker / Gerry Degaute                  lost 4 &3
Colin Newbury / Jim Peacock                lost 2 down
Neil Pinnington / Keith Blankley           won 4&3
Jonathan Lean / Algy Grimes                 lost 3&2

Hence team result:-                   Jog Snrs 3,  East Herts Stags 5

Lunch was a very good Steak & Kidney Pie followed by Bread & Butter pudding with custard

Malcolm Lee
Organiser

Ken Robinson Scramble - 14th May 2019

This competition lived up to it’s name as I scrambled about with two likely lads (anon for now) not signed in and even worse no raffle ticket sales to them !

As it happens both had not been ”no shows”  and their respective teams were not down to three which would have meant  minimum of 5 drives each instead of the planned 4.

They had joined their teams and paid the entry fees late with no change from a note from one of them. Well extorted Captain Dave!

The weather was set fair and there was some good scoring on the Carthagena by all the teams.

The winning team won by a whisker with 58.2 against 58.3 so a close shave for that whisker.

Runners up were Keith Blankley, Seniors Captain Dave Gauge, Gordon Goodchild (again in the Team prizes) and Richard Munns but ”Arthur“ to you and me.

The worthy winners were Colin Fox, John Sandland, Jack Shepherd and nice to see Geoff Stevens as one of the winning team.

The raffle raised around £230. Thanks to all that did buy the tickets.

 

Runners-up: Keith Blankley, Gordon Goodchild, Richard (Arthur) Munns, Captain Dave Gauge

 

Winners - Jack Shepherd, John Sandland, Colin Fox, and Geoff Stevens

 My team with Kevin Donnelly, Colin Newbury and the redoubtable Bill Burrows came third with no prize, but by way of consolation Colin Newbury won two bottles of wine in the draw and observed that that was the first time he had had a winning ticket.

 

Fred Williams

Organiser

Home Match v Harpenden Common - 7th May 2019

Captain David and myself, playing their captain of the day, Peter Rushbrook playing off 5, and their organiser Brian Baker playing off 20, thought we were going to be up against it when the first hole was halved. We then won the second and halved the third and thought we had a game on. However we go on to win four holes on the trot and with another half and win for us we are 5 up at the turn, then a win, half and win meant we won by a dog licence (7 & 6 to those that are too young to know otherwise). Their captain Peter was unable to get to grips with the speed of our greens and vowed that they would get their own back at Harpenden with their very quick greens.

With other results going as follows –

Sam Standen / John Ellary won 3&1

Keith Fuller / Gerry Degaute lost 1 down
David Lincoln / Richard W-Thorne halved
Jim Peacock / Graham McKay won 6&4 in their dream machine buggy
Steve Collins / Brian Bullen won 3&2
David Crosby / Keith Blankley won 4&3
Terry McSweeney / Michael Newstead lost 3&2

Team result JOG 5 1/2. Harpenden 2 1/2

Nearest the pin winners were  JOG Brian Bullen and Harpenden Mike Gillis.

The golf was followed by a carvery and a desert of bread & butter pudding, everyone left feeling well satisfied.

Algy Grimes

Organiser

Away Match v St Neots - 3rd May 2019

Captain Gauge and his Grandads SAS Army (Saints and Sinners), mustered early on a cool blustery Friday morning to march north to do battle with the St Neots Old Contemptables. They initially expected some resistance at the Black Cat roundabout, but no resistance was met, and the SAS arrived at the battleground early to find there was no opposition !!

The organiser was immediately under suspicion that he had arranged an away battle when it should have been at home. Fears were quelled when the opposition started to arrive. We let Dave Evans (in his pale blue jumper) mingle with the opposition who also had pale blue jumpers, in order to assess any strategies – but to no avail.

The battle started on two fronts (the first and sixteenth), a strategy that SAS are not accustomed to at home, and it quickly became apparent that while the fairways were in good condition, the real challenge would be on the greens which were both very slow and fluffy.  Most of our matches found themselves 3 down after 3, and the SAS struggled throughout with a whitewash rout on the cards as the first 5 matches were all lost. Mr reliable (Pete Jarman) and his partner Dave Wood, stopped the rot with a half, and the final game with support from the Scottish SAS (Jim Kerr) and Nick Schuman was a fine win (last putt on the last hole) to bring the overall battle score to 6.5 to 1.5 in favour of the Old Contemptables. Jim Kerr also took the nearest the PIN, but in true Scottish tradition complained that the marker board had deflected his ball away from a hole-in-one (would have cost you more than a bottle of wine Jim) !!!

The weather held for the majority, but poor old Jim Peacock came in soaking wet having suggested that he and Algy Grimes play their last hole, the 15th, so they ended up a long way from the clubhouse!

 

A hearty meal (1/2 a chicken each !), good company, and an enjoyable battle.

 

Graham McKay

Organiser

 

Rex Bullock Trophy - 30th April 2019

After the trials of the John O’Gaunt last week it was a welcome return to Carthegena and the Stableford format, well for me anyway. Judging by the scores I was not alone in this as there was generally a good scoring performance. In fact no fewer than nine players were cut a shot from this competition.

81 players took part which is an excellent turn out, and David Crosby remarked on the good pace of play, which only goes to show it can be done.

The major placing were shared by 3 people all of which scored 40 points. I managed a creditable third, with my vice captain Bill coming second. The victor and this year's champion was Stewart Denny which makes up for him narrowly missing out in last week's medal competition.

The nearest the pin was won by Steve Clark.

Dave Gauge
Seniors Captain

Winner - Stewart Denny

Second - Vice Captain Bill Walker

Third - Captain David Gauge

Nearest the pin - Steve Clark

Seniors Annual Medal - 23rd April 2019

Tuesday 23^rd April saw a large field gather for the Seniors Annual Medal ably organised by Chris Roy. The weather was reasonable if not a little cooler of late so perhaps an abundance of good scores would be returned, but this is JOG and white tees so who knows.

I had the pleasure of playing with Jack Shepherd and Harry Wakefield who were excellent company even if my golf was less than inspiring.

The field took a while to come in and unfortunately not everyone stayed for the presentations.

As Hon Sec was away training rabbits in Germany, ask him, Algy kindly stepped in to do the Admin as well as his normal photographic role, much thanks for that.

Now for the results. The nearest the pin was won, not for the first time, by Derek Page. Last year's captain Jim Kerr picked up the Jubilee Trophy for 21 to 28 handicaps.

 

In 3^rd place was Fergus Moynihan, a welcome return to the winners enclosure. Runner up and cut a shot was Jack Shepherd, with the winner, and also cut a shot was Jonathan Lean.

Congratulations to all those who had a level of success and a big thanks to all who contributed £210.00 towards my charity.

Dave Gauge

Senior Captain.

Winner - Jonathan Lean

 Third - Fergus Moynihan

 

Winner Jubilee Trophy - Jim Kerr

Nearest the pin on 16th - Derek Page

Away match v Aspley Guise & Woburn Sands - 18th April 2019

This return fixture, just 10 days after our home fixture, saw a first as far as I know. 19 members of John O’Gaunt turned up at Aspley Guise in the early morning fixture. Confused, well let me explain.

Two members, Steve Collins and Pete Jarman were there as guests of Aspley players on a pre-arranged visit. The third additional player, Fred Williams, was there because he thought he was a member of the team even though he had not been informed he was a team member.

A quick discussion and he had a round arranged, and was also invited to lunch with us. Lucky really as he had a lift there and couldn’t go home anyway.

As to the match, it was the normal close encounter with most matches being close with not more than a couple of shots in most.

There was one incident however when a crow swooped down on Colin Newbury’s bag and stole his banana, flew off up the fairway and continued to eat it.

As to the result, we lost narrowly by 4 ½ to 3 ½ but Jim claimed a draw as Steve and Pete beat their host.

Whatever we claimed a narrow victory over the two legs.

Dave Gauge

Senior Captain.

Home Match v Bourn - 16th April 2019

Has anybody seen the scroll? 

This was the question being asked by members of Bourn Golf Club as they left the John O’Gaunt on Tuesday 16^th April 2019. The reason, well that will be come apparent. 

Bourn turned up on Tuesday morning, full of familiar faces, and in high spirits expecting the normal victory, and later the retention of “the scroll” as has happened in past seasons. 

The match started as usual, I was partnering Gerry Gentle, with a couple of halves, we went one up, they pulled it back. Thus it continued to the turn when we were one down. 

We then managed three wins on the trot to go to two up, and after a little struggle managed to get to dorms three. A little blip on 16, well actually it would be hard to see how we could have played it worse, we managed to close out on 17. First point in the bag. 

Sitting in the clubhouse we waited for match 2, a loss. 1 each. Match 3 another win for two one up. Could it be? 

Match 4 was a loss, back to all square, but then came the surge, win after win all the way home, with the exception of a half to give us a rare victory by 5½ to 2½. This means that if we can muster 3 points at Bourn in July the ever allusive scroll could be coming to John O’Gaunt for the first time in living memory, well for a while anyway. 

Dave Gauge

Seniors Captain.

Home Match v Aspley Guise & Woburn Sands - 9th April 2019

John O’Gaunt Golf Club v Willmots Aspley Guise & Woburn Sands

A fairly strong JOG team welcomed Willmots from Aspley Guise at a later time than usual, a fact not recognised by all members of each team, and players were drifting in and out of the clubhouse over a two hour period. Steve even had time to organise the roll up before joining the team for the match.

Parish notices and Introductions completed players changed and proceeded to the first tee for a 10.00 start.

Jim and I started steadily, Jim sinking a storming putt to half the first, a feat he repeated again on the second. The match continued being close, we went one up, they pulled it back et ad infinitum. This continued until 15 when our guests went one up, halved the 16^th and 17^th. Our attempts to pull it back up 18 failed and Jim and I went down 2 shots. So first pairing 0-1. Fortunately for us this was our last defeat until our final pairing so the team was successful by 5-3.

Following a meal of chicken and ham pie followed by the syrup sponge and custard, the assembled company survived yet another joke from me and left looking forward to the return in 10 days time.

Footnote Bill Walker has nagged for a couple of weeks that I didn’t mention his eagle at Beds and County, a feat that failed to win his match. But nonetheless I have rectified this.

Dave Gauge

Seniors Captain

Home Match v Wellingborough - 2nd April 2019

Last year's home match against Wellingborough had to be postponed because of the weather, and I feared history might repeat itself when on Monday  I saw the Met Office forecast for the day as being heavy rain for the duration of the match. However, not to be deterred, the match went ahead as planned. Vice Captain Bill Walker and I set out in the first match in the dry. We even began to believe we might get away with it when after 6 holes our opponents checked the weather radar on their phone and were amazed to see JOG at the epicentre of an area of dry weather completely surrounded by rain storms.   We had been lulled into a false sense of optimism as the rains soon arrived with a vengeance. The golf did nothing to raise our spirits as Bill and I went down to a tame defeat of 4&3.

At least Algy Grimes and Fred Williams were able to avenge that defeat by taking down the team containing their Vice Captain by the same margin. Their Vice Captain, Chris Dickens, did take some comfort from winning the nearest the pin on the 6th. Dave Evans taking the JOG prize on the 8th.

I did hear the Wellingborough Match Organiser complaining bitterly about how well Graham Court had played in inflicting that same 4&3 defeat on him. Unfortunately there was no more good news to relate and the final score was a 6:2 loss.

Neil Pinnington

Organiser