Away Match v East Herts - 22nd May 2018

We had a perfect day at East Herts the only down side was that they could only muster 12 players.

We took 16 and 4 of our players were given freedom of the course. I was told afterwards that they had their own competition and finished all square.

I am hoping East Herts can bring 16 to the home match.

My partner for the day was Robert Anderson. It was a pleasure to play with Robert  as we play in different circles at the club and only meet when competitions and matches pick us to play together so that was a bonus.

Our match started with a stutter when your opposition win with a 7 on the first hole you think what's next.

We won the second with a chip-in 2 and went on to win the next 4 holes.

I then left Robert to get on with the game as I went to inspect the deep rough and talk to my friends the trees who I met last year. The bottom line was that we started playing the 18th all square and Robert did what he had done all day, won the hole on the last putt to finish 1 up.

We had a lovely meal and in good company I hope they can guarantee 16 players in the future as the course is a pleasure to play.

The final result was 3.1/2-2.1/2 to J.O.G.

Ken Robinson Scramble - 15th May 2018

The day was a great success with 18 teams of 4 taking part.

I personally had a great day with Paul Stallard, Robert Bage (I call him David) and Clive Thompson, narrowly missing out on the prizes by coming 4th.

The weather was perfect and the course was a credit to the ground staff.

Looking down the 18th from the clubhouse

The winning score was an excellent 59. Winners were Jim McIlwaine, Michael A Tomblin Paul R Jeeves and Steve Cooper well done chaps. Steve Cooper retaining the trophy from last year.

Team in Second place was -

Anthony McLean, Bernard Gurney, Ian Simpson and Jonathan Lean

Team in Third place was -

Graham Berry, Gerry Gentle, Gerry Degaute and Tony Goodson

 

 One consolation was my team-mate Paul Stallard winning nearest the pin. 

My charity was given a nice boost of £175 so thank you for that.

All in all a great day was had by all and thank you for those who stayed to the end for prize giving.

Jim Kerr, Senior's Captain

 

Home match v Harpenden Common Seniors - 8th May 2018

It was a bright sunny morning when we welcomed Harpenden Common seniors to John O’Gaunt on what was my first bash at leading the side. After the normal coffee and introductions Algy and I led the team into battle. Playing on the Carthagena course, surprisingly we soon found ourselves in the lead, two, then three and even four up by the tenth. It was at this point that our high standards dropped slightly and Nick the visiting captain, off seven, suddenly came alive. They eat into our lead but still we held on and were one up at sixteen, and in a good position to get at least a half, when one of our opponents chipped the ball from 20 yards short of the green. The ball set off like a guided missile, struck the flag dead square and dropped into the hole. Algy managed to win 17 but they won 18 and so we finished all square.

We enjoyed roast pork followed by apple pie and custard and our visitors left having had a good day. The only downside? We lost by 4 1/2 to 3 1/2.

Dave Gauge - Senior's Vice Captain

Away Match v St Neots - 4th May 2018

I am pleased to report that we had a great day at St Neots

The St Neots' seniors did us proud, we had our normal warm welcome from their seniors.

The weather was great and the food was excellent and thanks to the two tee start we had our meal at 2 pm and were on the road by 3-30 pm missing the worst of the bank holiday traffic.

Gerry and I had a game of two halves. We won the 9th to go 1 up and then proceeded to win the next 3 holes making us 4 up. We managed to hold on to the lead to make the match dormie with 4 up and 4 to play and closed it out on the 16th. Writing this I make it look like I played some part in this game but truth be told it was Gerry who did the damage but a good game was the order of the day .

Unfortunately we lost the match 4.1/2 to 3.1/2 and I have it on good authority that our last game of the day came down to a missed 2 foot putt on the last green I promised I would not mention any names. Isn't that right Algy?

It has to be a good day when the match comes down to the last putt of the day deciding the result.

Our next match is against Harpenden Common. I will be handing over to David Gauge for this one so good luck to David and the team. Hope the weather holds out for you .

Regards Captain Jim.

Seniors' Annual Medal Trophy - 1st May 2018

The Annual Medal passed unremarkably yesterday - no it didn't. The sun shone! The JOG course was stunning, a real credit to Nigel and his team having battled the Spring thrown at us this year. To produce such a course under such circumstances was indeed remarkable.

 However the golf was a little less remarkable. The Standard Scratch Score for the JOG course off the white tees is 72. The competition SS yesterday was 75 and there were so few in the buffer zone that handicap changes were 'reductions only'. In other words, no-one got 0.1 back. Even our lowest handicap golfer on the day, Malcolm Falconer, playing off 7, could only manage a gross 84. As a result of incorrect set-up by that useless Hon Sec the competition shows Malcolm with the winning Gross score, for which he received NOTHING but my respect! The Gross Score trophy is presented with the Seniors Championship Trophy in June. Oh dear! But well done Malcolm anyway. If it was tough for you, imagine how the rest of us felt!

 

A few players, including Malcolm Falconer, came in with a net 77 but, in the main event, third was Derek Weller with a net 76, second was Clive Morley with a net 75 and this year's winner of the John Freedman Annual Medal Trophy was Kevin Donnelly with a gross 90 and net 73. Kevin was the only player with a handicap change, a reduction of 0.6 from 16.5 (17) to 15.9 (16). Congratulations Kevin.

 

We have instigated a Nearest the Pin in competitions this year and the winner yesterday was Bill Conway.

Third Place - Derek Weller

 

Captain Jim with the other prizes on the bar as most recipients had gone home!!!

 

The parallel competition yesterday was the Jubilee Cup, presented to the Division 4 (handicaps 21-28) golfer with the highest Stableford score. The Hon Sec redeemed his earlier error by spotting that the net score of one Division 4 player might indicate a good Stableford score but no points had been shown on the scorecard, despite the clear instructions on the scorecard and on the notice on the registration desk. Being good hearted, the Hon Sec asked the player's scorer to add the points and, lo and behold, the Jubilee Cup went to Malcolm Lee with 30 points. It's a good job no such omissions like that happen in the Aesopian's GS is it Malcolm (who, by the way, is the Aesopian's Hon Sec .....)? :-)

 

Jubilee Cup Winner - Malcolm Lee

 David Crosby - Hon Sec.

Seniors' Rex Bullock Trophy - 24th April 2018

We are considering a class action case against the BBC Weather Centre following their appalling failure to provide dry and warm conditions for our first Singles competition of the year on Tuesday 24th April. We should not be subjected to such conditions when we are focussing on winning. Such conditions should be limited to "The North" - they are used to it. Which is probably why a Geordie won! Pat Gilgallon scored 40 points (even after dropping 3) to lift the Rex Bullock Trophy but was punished severely for his audacity with a 1.2 shot reduction in handicap to 16.6. Serves him right! He must have been driving very well indeed - hahahaha! (Ask Pat if you don't get that.)

Winner - Pat Gilgallon

Ominously Malcolm Falconer (38) and Peter Imray (36)  were second and third playing off 8 and 10 respectively, Peter beating three others with the same score on countback. The handicapping system obviously doesn't work! What hope is there for up and coming golfers like me ... did I hear someone laugh?

Second - Malcolm Falconer

Terry McSweeney was nearest the pin on the 8th and received a bottle of wine for his efforts.

Anyway, in all other respects the day was dull - no incidents - not even with incorrect scorecards. Did I hear someone laugh again? That's bullying. Congratulations Pat, Malcolm and Peter. Just you wait until the Annual Medal on the 1st May."

Hon Secretary - David

 

 

Away Match v Aspley Guise Willmotts - 20th April 2018

Panic over, the winter wheel saga was ended by our old friend common sense and the Aspley Guise club ban on wheels was lifted for the JOG team to play the match. Lots of emails were exchanged prior to the match about the wheels situation together with meals and changing of opposition players.

What a day, the welcome and the weather were great, the temperature was in the high twenties and to the credit of the Aspley Guise team they gave us a great days golf and food.The course played well with the greens having just been ironed, it was a test of golf.

We looked like we were going to have our second defeat of the season but we rallied and saved the day with a hard fought half, 4/4 a good result for an away match.

  

Ray and I had a up and down day we were 3 down, we then had a late surge and stood on the 17th tee 1 down with 2 to play only to be beat by a miracle shot from the opposition's Jim who played a magnificent shot from the other fairway over the trees to land on the green 2 putts and game over.

 

It was a two tee start with the last three pairs going off the 17th, we were all in and sitting down for lunch at 2.15pm, the food was very good and only cost £16.00!

Looking forward to the rest of the season.

 

Captain Jim and Organiser Ray

 

Comment from Ray Smart - Organiser

"Captain Jim managed a good speech with a very funny joke to finish off an excellent day".

Home Match v Bourn - 17th April 2018

At last, the dawn broke on a sunny home match day against our old adversaries from Bourn Golf Club. Optimism was high; we had a strong team so maybe this was the occasion when we could win back the Christening Scroll. A trophy contested between our 2 clubs each year over a home and away leg since 2011.

A week of dry, relatively warm weather had transformed the JOG course which, from the clubhouse conservatory looked green and manicured. But looks can be deceptive. The fairways remained soft and the rough had become ball-hidingly and club snaggingly long and thick, and anything straying off the fairway or just 2 metres off the green risked being lost. So when a stiff breeze picked up half way through the round, staying on the fairway became very challenging.

In the end, only one JOG pairing, Steve Cooper and Neil Pinnington, tasted clear victory while 2 other matches were halved. So a final ignominious result of a loss 2-6 was the outcome. So, lots to do in the away match at Bourn on 26 July where a victory of 6½-1½ or better will see the scroll returned to its rightful place. GAME ON!

Bill Walker - Organiser

Home Match v Aspley Guise Willmotts - 10th April 2018

I am very pleased to be able to report that our home match against Aspley Guise was played on the Carthagena Course today in DRY weather. It was so nice to finish and put the gear away without everything being soaking wet.

The match went very well led by Captain Jim who managed to talk to just about everybody before he teed off!! We all played very good golf and finished the match with the best score of the season and a resounding win to JOG 7.1/2 to 1/2 and guess who got the half.... Captain Jim and myself.

Dinner was served at 4pm it was an excellent meal and enjoyed by all.

The team are looking forward to playing the away match next week hopefully in the sunshine.

Ray Smart - Organiser

Away Match v Bedford & County - 27th March 2018

After a bit of panic we had a full compliment of players, so thanks to those who stepped into the breach.

 

Rain, rain go away was the tune running through my mind as I drove to Clapham, perhaps it will be rained off but, no game on. Wrapped up to face the elements we teed off against Captain David and his partner John who, through some fluke, won the 1st hole, after that it who fought back.

Gerry Gentle & Tony Goodson won 2up

Keith was nip and tuck all the way round, and we found ourselves dormy two at the 17th, a chipped in birdie (by the John Ellary) left it down to the 18th. Unfortunately with Captain Jim’s 3rd shot going towards the pro shop and never to be seen again we lost by 2.

There were other winners;

Keith Fuller & Neil Pinnington won 2&1

Richard Westergreen-Thorne & Bernard Gurney won 3&1

Peter Imray & Peter Grimes Lost by 1down - On telling of the JOG loss, Ron Etheridge (B&C) told us that this was the hardest game he had had in a long time, them coming back from 3 down.

We all enjoyed a lovely meal and were entertained by the Captains with their Jokes & Poems. Oh yes, the rain stopped half way round and the Result: 5&3 win to JOG.

A comment from Captain Jim – “Well done everybody 100% so far 2 matches 2 wins. If you see John Ellary and he is looking for me I am down on the practice area chipping and putting”.

 

Report by JOHN ELLARY note spelling

Home Match v Saffron Walden Seniors - 20th March 2018

Well this was our first match of the season, and it was beast from the east 2, that was dictating our plans, Captain Jim; Match sec Richard; Hon sec David; and myself making several phone calls. We were finally assured that the course was playable.

So a big well done to Nigel and his team, not only playable, but on the tees and greens.

It is always nice to host Saffron Walden, Jim and I had great company with Derek and Graham, who took the first hole to go 1 up. We managed to win the next two holes.

We were 3 up and found ourselves 1 up on the tenth.

But good dovetailing with Jim and myself saw the match out 5-3.

We had several come from behind to win matches, Brian Bullen and Gerry Degaute trailing 3 down, with Brian parring the 13th and Gerry parring the 17th to win 2-1.

Peter Jarman and Terry McSweeney 3 down, come back to win 2-1.

Nick Seeley and Gerry Gentle 2 down, to win 2-1.

The overall win was 7-1, with  steak and ale suet pudding followed by fruit crumble for lunch, plus great company was the perfect day.

 

Stephen Collins

Match Organiser

Seniors 4BBB Trophy - 13th March 2018

So that's how it's going to be this year is it? The previous day's wind and rain subsided and conditions were quite pleasant with the Carthagena greens surprisingly true after all that's been thrown at them of late. Thus it was that only 5 pairs, of the 40 entered, failed to match or beat par. 17 pairs had 40 points or more and third place had to be decided on a countback on the last 3 holes. Both Colin Smith/Anthony Bell and Michael Newstead/Jim McIlwaine had 45 points with 23 on the last 9 and 15 on the last 6 but Michael and Jim nipped in with 8 points on the last 3 holes, compared with Colin and Anthony's 6 points. Oh dear Colin and Anthony, you peaked too early!



Winners Jonathan Lean and Graham Berry

 

In second place on 46 points were David Lincoln and Kevin Donnelly but, taking the trophy for 2018 with 48 points - yes I said 48 points - were Graham Berry and Jonathan Lean. Oh how they must be rueing the points they lost on the 1st and 7th. Speaking between gritted teeth, the Hon Sec confirmed that this format (4BBB) is non-qualifying and so there were no handicap changes no matter how much they were deserved.

 

Second David Lincoln and Kevin Donnelly
 

Third Michael Newstead (Jim McIlwaine Missing)
 

 

In an additional feature for 2018 a Nearest the Pin prize has been introduced and William Skelding was able to add to his vat cellar by being nearer the flag on the 8th than the remaining 79 players.



Nearest the pin - William Skelding
 

It was really good to see a number of new members taking part in their first competition. Thanks to all who participated, to Fergus Moynihan who came in as a very late replacement and to John Ellary  and David Crosby who stepped in to organise in place of the injured Chris Roy. The raffle raised around £200.00 for my charity M.I.N.D. so thank you all for that. My only disappointment on the day was the number that stayed to see the prize giving. Some of you apologised as you had doctor’s appointments or other business. These competitions take up a lot of time and effort to organise and when you see how few stop for the prize giving it makes me think is it worth it so please show your support for the Section and stay on if possible.
Captain Jim Jock

Seniors and Ladies Mixed Greensomes - 8th March 2018

There were 44 ladies and 44 seniors who braved the cold wind and competed with each other in a Mixed Greensomes on the Carthagena. I am glad to say it brightened up as we got into the back nine. My partner for the day was ladies captain Susan Colledge we had a good time. Unfortunately Sue allowed me to drag her golf game down to my level, so all we had left was to swap jokes.

 The ladies brought in a wonderful array of cakes and savouries which were much enjoyed after the rigours of the golf, with the gentlemen providing the liquid refreshments (mostly).  
The Raffle collected £200 of which £100 went to Sue's charity "KEECH" and £100 to my charity "MIND"  

 

While we are on charities Sue is looking for anything that can be auctioned or raffled for her charity, there are two dates the 5th April and the 8th April, all donations would be gratefully accepted.

The Winners of the day were;

1st place Susan Hankins and Vernon Toms with 40 points

2nd place Jane Hector and Richard Westergreen-Thorne with 39 points.

3rd place Janice Turner and Brian Bullen with 38 points.

Winners Vernon Toms and Susan Hankins

 

 

3rd - Brian Bullen and Janice Turner

2nd - Jane Hector and Richard Westergreen-Thorne

Nearest the pin for the Ladies was Marion Cooper and the Seniors was Phil White

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 Captain Jim presented Ladies Captain Sue with an arrangement of flowers.

 

I would like to thank the organiser Les and the meet and greet team Paul and Anne. for their help on the day.

Jim Kerr - Senior Section Captain 
 
 

Seniors Section AGM - 13th February 2018

The 2017 AGM took place on 13th February 2018 and was attended by 63 of our 169 members. 35 apologies were received. The Captain's, Secretary's and Treasurer's reports were given and the 2017 accounts approved. The Officers for 2018 were elected with Jim Kerr as Captain, who was then presented with his Captain's Jumper. David Gauge was elected as Vice-captain. Fred Williams became Immediate Past Captain and was presented with a Pro Shop voucher with which he says he will buy new irons. Les Bolland and David Crosby managed to hang on to their respective posts as Treasurer and Secretary unopposed! Jim Peacock stepped down from the Committee having served three years successively as Vice, Captain and IMC With Fred and Jim now completely stress free, both are expected to challenge for Golfer of the Year in 2018. William Skelding was re-elected as Auditor and thanked for his work. 

Captain Jim receives his Jumper

John Ellary and Algy Grimes were thanked for their work respectively as Clothing and Blog Administrators and they will continue in those roles. As previously recommended by Peter Hollingsworth the HonSec will be assisted in 2018 by Richard Westergreen-Thorne (Match Administrator) and Ken Doggrell ("Opens" Administrator). Contact details for all officers and administrators are on the Senior Section Noticeboard.

Under AOB:

1. Brian Bullen submitted a question as to why there were only two Seniors 'Honours Boards'. The Hon Sec stated that the Club had already been approached to take into account the location of Senior Section Boards in the proposed Clubhouse Refurbishment project. But this needs to be seen in the context of the standing of the Senior Section explained below. Captain Jim Kerr is already in the process of extending the Senior Section Captain's board.
2. The Hon Sec explained the 2018 Update to the CONGU Unified Handicapping System and, after discussion, it was agreed that eligibility for Matches and Medal Competitions would be restricted to those with active competition handicaps of 28.4 or less. It was further agreed that only those with active handicaps would be eligible to win trophies and voucher prizes though all could win a 'Bring and Win' and 'Christmas Fayre' prize.
3. He also explained the discussions with the Club regarding a 2-tee start and informed members that the Officers of the Club had stated that the only reason the General Committee had refused the request was that the majority of members of the current GC did not wish to allow it. They also accepted that the "failure" of the trial to allow matches to start on the 9th and 10th tees (as well as the 1st) was because the GC had not ensured that all members were informed of the arrangement. They pointed out that the Senior Section was not a 'Section' but a 'Society'. (Ladies are members of the Ladies Section by virtue of their gender. Juniors are members of the Junior Section by virtue of their age. But SOME male members of the Club aged over 59 are members of the Senior Section by choice and by payment of an additional subscription. They pointed out that the "Senior Section" is allowed privileges (the booking of tee times and waiving of green fees for matches and the Member & Guest Day) which are not allowed to other Societies. Given this response by the Officers of the Club, it was recommended that no further action be taken until the new General Committee is elected at the Club AGM on 29th March 2018. The Senior Section may then make a request to the new General Committee.

Captain Jim Kerr thanked those attending and closed the meeting at 4:00pm

History of the Seniors Section 1948 - 1998

 

Thanks to Les Bolland for letting us have a copy of this for the blog, apologies for the quality.

Seniors Christmas Farye & Baz Backhouse Black Enamelled B’Stard Trophy 19th Dec 2017

Despite dire weather warnings about blankets of fog and frost we managed to find a fine weather window for our Farye and the only concession to the elements was an early decision to make all bunkers GUR to avoid accidents in frozen craters and to allow poor sand players a respite from the dreaded concrete surfaces.

Hon Sec David managed to squeeze everyone in to the competition and so 86 woolly hatted mitten wearing seniors braved the Carthegena to play for their turkey dinners.

Nigel had taken us off temporary greens and we were able to play to the frost holes without fear of bunker trouble.

 

The Prizes

Peter Wade won the Baz Backhouse Black Enamelled B’Stard Trophy and first pick of the goodies from the prize table with 40 points playing off 13.

Winner - Peter Wade

In second place,and recently out of hospital from food poison (dodgy fish!) was Brian Williams with 39 points playing off 16. (We suspect he chose meat!!!)

Second - Brian Williams

In third place, on countback, was Neil Pinnington off 15.

 

Third place - Neil Pinnington

Graham McKay was thanked for being organiser and special thanks was given to Hon Treasurer Les Bolland for buying all the fayre presents, taking the trouble to seek discounts and bargain offers ,and sorting nearly all the background work to make the competition a success.

Les also reprised his recent Santa role (without the red togs) by visiting all our friends and staff at/or about the clubhouse/greens to deliver Christmas wine as a thank you from the Section as well as to give a Christmas gratuity to the bar/kitchen staff.

 

Some of our bar staff - Izzy and Hayley

The raffle raised a tidy sum of £172 which will go into the pot for the charity of the 2018 Seniors Captain Jim Kerr who will announce his charity at the AGM.

We didn’t get any reports of anyone playing from a bunker but a few silly old elves put their score in the computer as his stableford points and not gross score!

Mention was made that Paul Marshall eagled the 10^th hole by sinking his 8 iron approach to the green which clearly helped him to come joint 4^th with Steve Cooper, Colin Newbury, John Sandland and Chris Roy.

As it was Seniors Captain Fred's last competition he took the opportunity to thank everyone for supporting him and the section during the year and to wish all a happy healthy Christmas and Happy New Year.

Graham McKay Organiser

Senior Section Christmas Dinner - Diners - 6th December 2017

Photos of the various tables at the Annual Dinner