Seniors and Ladies Mixed Texas Scramble - 29th October 2019

The traditional Scramble with the Ladies took place on Tuesday 29th October and was well supported with 84 players. Thanks to Hon Secretary David Crosby for formulating the cards and start sheets and to Les Bolland and Paul Marshall for registering everyone on arrival. Thanks to Anne Gurney for arranging the flower bouquet in the ladies changing room which was later presented to Ladies Captain Anita Issacson on her first official engagement.

Anita Issacson receives the flowers from Bill Walker

We enjoyed good weather but the John O’Gaunt course proved quite challenging and this influenced the time taken to complete the competition.

Congratulations to the winning team Jean Cobb, Lorna Jerome, Malcolm Falconer and David Wood with a score of 65.1.

In second place Marion Cooper, Val Day, Bill Conway and Colin Newbury with 66.5,

and in third place Joanne Churchman, Celia Whitecross (Dooley), Graham Berry and Stephen Collins with 66.6.

The nearest the pin winners were Susan Lee and Brian Bullen. The charity raffle raised £200.00 which was shared between the Ladies Captain’s charity Keech Cottage and Senior Captain’s charity MS-UK.

Jim Peacock

Organiser

Winners - David Wood and Jean Cobb (Lorna Jerome and Malcolm Falconer missing)

Second - Colin Newbury, Val Day, Marion Cooper and Bill Conway

Third - Graham Berry, Celia Whitecross (Dooley), Stephen Collins and Joanne Churchman

Seniors NtP - Brian Bullen

Ladies NtP -Sue Lee

TSB Trophy - Seniors v Juniors 22nd October 2019

A cold start warmed up beautifully through the morning (for most groups anyway) as the Juniors took on the Seniors to try to wrest back the TSB Trophy on Carthagena yesterday (22nd October). 10 of the Juniors' best took on what the Seniors could muster in 5 matchplay games. (Perhaps the counties could align their half-term weeks next year to allow more to play!!!!!)

First out was Seniors' Captain-for-the-day Bill Walker (Captain David Gauge being on holiday - again) with his diminutive sidekick David Crosby, up against the formidable pairing of Juniors' Captain Caitlin Thomas (5) and Vice-Captain Bradley "I got 3 birdies you know" Williams (SIXTEEN HANDICAP!!!!!!!! WHAT?). Bill and David took turns to mess up holes, but also to scramble holes back until, all square after 16, Bradley went for the 17th green from the tee. Anyway, now 1 up, the Seniors walked proudly onto the 18th tee and a half saw them prevail.

Seniors 1 Juniors 0.

In the second match Jess Sporle (8) and Nathan Church (20) took on Michael Newstead and Peter Imray. Both Seniors managed to keep up with their Junior opponents until the 18th - ah well. 1 game each so far.

In the third game, Gerry Gentle stopped me in the car park and told me he had played to his handicap (he always does - tell me, I mean) but he and Steve Clark must have had tickets to the cinema* as they abandoned their match on the 14th. James Stocks (12) and Archie Black (22) took their 5 and 4 win in for an early lunch. Seniors 1 Juniors 2.

Does anyone have any spare accommodation please? Keith Fuller is looking for a new home as, contrary to Junior Organiser Sue Lee's instructions before they left the house, he and his partner Neil Pinnington took a 4 and 3 win over Rachel George (16) and Owen Williams (24). Ruthless! I have no doubt Rachel and Owen will be out for revenge next year. 2 all.

In the final match decency emerged as Algy Grimes and Ray Smart kindly let Tom Sennett (19) and Holly Gordon (26) have a half - or was it the other way around?

In any case, the overall result was a draw 2 and a half games each and so the Seniors RETAIN the TSB Trophy for 2019. (Fist pump. YES! Oops sorry - that slipped out!) Seriously though, there were actually two winners here:

·  Youth: our Junior team showed what hope there is for all of our futures, despite the impressions given of young people by a press motivated more by sales than fair representation, and

·  Golf: what other game sets etiquette and respect alongside its rules, thus providing the platform for a thrilling game and continued friendships, win or lose.

This was my first experience of the TSB Trophy and I certainly don't want it to be my last. Thank you Sue and all of your team. We're very proud of you all.

David Crosby

Honorary Secretary - John O'Gaunt Golf Club Seniors' Section

*PS: You may be wondering which film Gerry and Steve were going to see. It was "No Country for Old Men"



Junior Captain - Caitlin Thomas and Bill Walker (Seniors Vice Captain)

Seniors Autumn Stableford Trophy - Tuesday 15th October 2019

Report to follow ….

Winner - Vernon Toms with 39 points
2nd - Sam Standen with 38 points
3rd - Peter Imray with 35 points

Nearest the pin - Vernon Toms

Winner - Vernon Toms

Second - Sam Standen 

Third - Peter Imray



Nearest the pin - Vernon Toms

Two Clubs and a Putter - Tuesday 8th October 2019

 Report to follow....

Winner - David Wood with 37 points
2nd  - Paul R Jeeves with 36 points
3rd - Geoffrey Elcome with 34 points

Gordon Percival Trophy - Tuesday 2nd October 2019

Report to follow...

Nearest the pin - Jonathan Lean

Winners of team prize - only Anthony Bell was around for the photograph

Winner of the trophy - Vernon Toms

Second in the team comp
Fergus Moynihan - Nick Schumann - Vernon Toms

Away Match v Letchworth - 23rd September 2019

An early start to Letchworth for coffee prior to introductions, did somebody forget the biscuits, before readying ourselves for the forthcoming battle. Playing alongside our organiser Peter Jarman we halved the first with a par, but fell behind to a birdie on the short par three, where our opposing captain thought he might have to pay for a hole in one, and was then moaning he had picked the wrong hole for nearest the pin.

A close match ensued until our hosts put on a spurt to wrap up the match 4&3. However the company was good which is what matters on these occasions, or that’s what I say when losing.

The pattern of our match seemed to be repeated by the majority of the team as we went down by 5 to 3.

However as usual we rounded off the day with a  nice meal, good company, and a couple of questionable jokes. A very enjoyable way to conclude our fixtures for 2019.

 

Dave Gauge

Seniors Captain

 

Senior's Bailiff Sheild - Tuesday 25th September 2019

After such a long dry spell, the dawn broke on the day after the deluge to be greeted with a light drizzle which would be interspersed with sunny spells and the odd heavy downpour. But spirits were not dampened by the weather (Ouch!) with a field of 76 competing on the John O’Gaunt course for the Bailiff Shield.

 

Nevertheless, after much course work with tyned and sanded greens, wet fairways and changeable breezes, it was a day for avoiding dropping shots rather than tearing up the course.

 

In the event there were 3 competitors tied for 2^nd to 4^th place all on 35 points. Peter Jarman took the unlucky 4^th place and was out of the prizes; Steve Cooper came 3^rd and Ian Simpson came 2^nd.

 

However, the honours went to “Mr Reliable” Vernon Toms with a very creditable 36 pts. 

 

The Raffle made £173 and 10 pence. Nobody owned up to the 10 pence.

 

Bill Walker

Vice Captain

 

Winner - Vernon Toms

Second - Ian Simpson

Third - Steve Cooper

 

Away Match v South Beds - Wednesday 18th September 2019

Report to  follow......

Away Match v Leighton Buzzard - 16th September 2019

As always Leighton Buzzard made us very welcome for our anti penultimate match of this challenging season.

 

This match proved to be equally challenging as was witnessed in the first game where even gross birdies were not a guarantee of winning a hole. The Leighton Buzzard captain put in a splendid display including three gross birdies culminating in a net six under par and Leighton Buzzard going one up in the overall match.

 

This proved to be a prelude of what was to come with Leighton Buzzard winning 6.5 to 1.5. Our only win came on the last hole with a winning putt by Brian Bullen, this after our pair of Brian and Algy Grimes being 4up at one time and 3up at the turn.

 

However the day was very pleasant with a good selection of cakes at the halfway house and a wholesome post match meal including equally good jokes by both captains.

 

Gerry Degaute

Organiser 

Away Match v Gog Magog Elders - Friday 13th September 2019

The day was clear, bright and sunny, a truly wonderful late summer's day as the eight Gog Elders were joined by eight JOG Seniors for coffee and introductions on that 13^th September morning.   Having been alerted to roadwork closures in advance, JOG Seniors set off in plenty of time to meet the 08:00 rendezvous, ready for battle to commence promptly at 08:30 on the Wandlebury Course. 

 

First off were the two team captains and organisers, driving up the hill and out of sight, well not quite but still good enough for JOG Seniors to be the first to surmount the summit and draw first blood on hole number 1.   A good omen?

The course winds and twists around the countryside with stunning vistas and views but also making it impossible to keep in touch with other team members so on this occasion there were no opportunities for covert hand-signals and whispered, “How are you doing?” so it was not until the close that we knew the result of our day's endeavours.

As the afternoon drew to a close and following a meal all agreed was excellent and very well presented, the two Captains stood to make their speeches and announce the results, which sadly this time, with a 6/2 win for GOG Elders, levelled the series for this year, so it is congratulations to GOG Elders and see in you 2020.

 

Michael Newstead

Organiser

Senior's Away Day - Market Harborough - 12th September 2019

Captain David Gauge welcomed in the last group

The 5^th annual JOG Seniors Away Day was held on Thursday 12^th September 2019 at a hilly Market Harborough Golf Club. Yet again the weather was very good, although a bit windy!

 

40 seniors eat a hearty full English breakfast before trying to overcome a tricky, yet rewarding course.

 

There were 5 par threes and nearest the pin was won by Gerry Degaute, Clive Morley, Tony Goodson, Rob Bolans and Ray Smart. (Pictured below)

 

The main competition was a full handicap stableford, playing for the Jim Peacock Seniors Away Day Shield. This was won by Jonathan Lean with 35 points, second was Gerry Gentle with 34 points (on count back), third was Ian Simpson with 34 points (on count back) and 4^th was Malcolm Lee with 34 points (on count back). (Pictured below)

 

Winner - Jonathan Lean

 

Second - Gerry Gentle

Third - Ian Simpson

 

Fourth - Malcolm Lee

A very enjoyable day was had by all and hopefully everybody will be able to attend next year’s event.

 

Organiser Richard Coventry and Captain David access the scorecards

Below - Neil Pinnington drives off

 

Above - a welcome drink after the day's exercise.

 

Richard Coventry

Organiser

Home Match v Bedford and County - Tuesday 10th September 2019

It was a perfect Autumn morning when we assembled at the Gaunt for our last home match of the season. As usual there were many familiar faces drifting into the clubhouse, and I recognised some of the opponents as well.

After the normal formalities we left to do battle on the Carthagena. John and I miraculously won the first, halved the second which must have upset our opponents as we then found ourselves four down at the turn. We did manage to reduce the deficit on the back nine but could not make enough of an inroad to prevent us going down on the sixteenth.

However, we had a good round, in brilliant golfing weather, with good company, so in a way we were all winners.

Having done the normal warning about the state of the course during the introductions, it was pleasing to hear the visiting captain express how relieved he was about the fairways and he thought the greens were in exceptional condition. Perhaps we worry a little to much.

Anyway the match was nip and tuck throughout with the result ending up with a victory for the visitors by 4 ½ to 3 ½ points.

Peter Hullance won NTP for the visitors whilst David Crosby was successful on the home hole.

An enjoyable day ended with a good lunch followed up by Jonathon Lean completing his Weatherspoons joke that was interrupted by Jim Peacock earlier in the season.

Dave Gauge

Seniors Captain

Away Match v Harpenden Common - 5th September 2019

After a rather traumatic journey for a few of the team, the organiser managed to miss the introductions and was greeted with a cheer on entering the clubhouse, but he was on time at the tee.

A chilly start weather wise with long sleeves for a lot but some hardy soles were in short sleeves and some even in shorts. With a THREE tee start all games got away quite quickly.

The first match off the 1st tee started very well for the away pair of Captain David Gauge and the organiser (Algy Grimes), they were soon two up but pulled back to one up and it see-sawed for the rest of the front nine but we were one up at the turn. We were pegged back to all square before regaining a two hole lead which became dormy starting 17. We won that too so won 3&1, Three out of the four of us were on the eighteenth green with our tee shots, but only one par was achieved
(not us).

As the teams came in the overall score again see-sawed to and fro with JOG winning 4 - 3 with one result to come in. Unfortunately it was a loss for JOG meaning the result was a draw 4 all. An excuse that could be used was that the greens were a bit quicker than those at JOG so took a while to get used to them

Steve Collins won the skills prize of the day, being nearest the pin in two on the seventh hole, it was very close too. I forgot to ask if he got the birdie.

The pairs scores were as follows;
David Gauge and Algy Grimes - Won 3&1
Peter Imray and Nick Schumann - Lost 2&1
Gerry Gentle and Keith Fuller - Lost 1down
Nick Seeley and Steve Collins - Won 1up
Neil Pinnington and Gerry Degaute - Won 2&1
David Lincoln and Graham Court - Won 3&2
Sam Standen and David Crosby - Lost 2down
Jim Kerr and John Ellary - Lost 1down

A super meal of cold meats and salad followed by rhubarb crumble and custard (cheese for some),
last year's captain Jim tried to suggest a fine for all of us that had started their meals before he arrived to sit down, you can guess the response!!

Algy Grimes
Organiser

Club Captain's Charity Day - 3rd September 2019

Our Seniors Captain David Gauge led a team of four seniors to success in the Club Captain's Charity Day on 3rd September 2019. They won by one shot with 129 against two teams on 130.

David Crosby, Jim Kerr, Club Captain Phil Haddow, Algy Grimes, David Gauge

Completion of a fantastic Captains Charity Day saw the winning team of David Crosby, Jim Kerr, Algy Grimes and David Gauge take home the title with a score of 129(-13).
The Auction that followed helped raise over £8000 for the Captains Charities.

Senior Section Member & Guest Day - Tuesday 27th August 2019

The thunder crashed, the lightning lit up the sky and the rain came down in torrents. Luckily this only happened minutes after I got home from the Member and Guest Day.

The day itself went off without too much incident. The heat did take its toll on a number of the competitors but thankfully all did recover.

A total of 38 teams entered for the day, with guests being invited from 29 different golf clubs. I have received many kind words of thanks from guests, expressing how much they enjoyed the day. This is especially pleasing given the way the fairways on John O’Gaunt are struggling at the moment.

All the teams that competed

Given the heat, and the fact we were playing on John O’Gaunt, a good standard of golf was maintained with half the field scoring 35 points or more. Three teams were tied on 40 points. Despite my best attempts to find ways to disqualify the other two teams my brother and I lost out badly on count back and finished fifth. Also losing out on 40 points were Alan Kirkham and Nick Forshew, who finished fourth. At least Nick could console himself having won a raffle prize and a skill prize.

 

Third place went to Richard Farrow and Derek Quail, with Richard winning nearest Pin on 4. Kevin Barbour and Kevin Flynn came second on 41 with Kevin winning a Longest Drive prize by smashing a drive well past the bunker on the 9th. 

 

The winners of the Whitbread Trophy were David Crosby and Alan Capps with a magnificent 42 points. This just proves how important the choice of Guest is.  Not only did Alan contribute 33 of those points, but he did it in style by holing his second shot on the 12th (the third hole they played) for a magnificent Eagle and 5 points,

The total list of skills prize winners is:
 

Nearest the Pin on 4th (Members):                   Richard Farrow

Longest Drive on 9th (Guests):                        Kevin Flynn (Letchworth G.C.)

Nearest the Pin in 2 on 11th:                            Barry Sullivan (Bedfordshire G.C.)

Nearest the Pin in 2 on 12th (Members):          Derek Page

Nearest the Pin on 16th (Guests):                     Nick Forshew (Stevenage G.C.)



Longest Drive on 17th (Members):                  John Thoday

Derek Page

 



Richard Farrow



                

John Thoday

Kevin Flynn

Barry Sullivan



 



Nick Forshew



Whitbread Trophy Winners - David Crosby and Alan Capps 



Second - Kevin Flynn and Kevin Barbour



Third - Richard Farrow and Derek Quail

Whitbread Trophy

 

Winners:                      David Crosby and Alan Capps (West Berkshire G.C.)

Second:                        Kevin Barbour and Kevin Flynn (Letchworth G.C.)

Third:                           Richard Farrow and Derek Quail (Petersfield G.C.)

 

Well done to all.

Neil Pinnington

Organiser

Away Match v Wellingborough - Monday 19th August 2019

A team of 16 intrepid golfers  set off to Wellingborough vowing to avenge the 6-2 defeat we suffered at home. I did not have a lot of hope for the top match as their Captain Peter Gannon and partner had inflicted a 4&3 defeat on Bill Walker and I at home, I have played against him on every single time I have been in the team to play Wellingborough and do not remember any victories.

 

True to form we lost 3&2. Peter did mention that he thought our Captain must be trying to avoid playing him by being on holiday for both home and away matches.

As the results started coming in, I feared this may be the second whitewash of the year. However thanks to a stalwart win by Jonathon Lean and Algy Grimes and a gritty half from David Lincoln and Keith Blankley we managed to retain some modicum of respect with a 6.5 - 1.5 loss.

At least our spirits were revived somewhat by a truly delicious meal in their impressive clubhouse.

 

Neil Pinnington

Organiser

Home Match v Dunstable Downs - Tuesday 13th August 2019

On a sunny day we played Dunstable Downs on John O'Gaunt course.

Vice captain Bill Walker gave us a good start by having a birdie on the first hole.

This was followed by winning the next three holes and finished with a result of 8 and  6.

Roger Wheeler has had a driving lesson and mainly hitting 250 yards straight, luckily for us his partner did not have a good day. A funny moment happened on the last hole when both opponents managed to hit my golf bag with their drives!

Peter Jarman was expecting to have his usual loss against Tony Rogers (playing off 7) but with a good partner (David Lincoln) they managed a half.

Gerry Gentle & Malcolm Lee had a good 6 and 4 win. This was followed with wins by Keith Fuller/Nick Schumann and John Cocksedge/ Michael Newstead.

The overall result was four & a halve to three & a halve which made the 2019 aggregate result a honourable draw.

The lunch was a hot and cold buffet followed by fruit crumble and custard.

Brian Bullen

Match Organiser.

Home Match v Letchworth - Tuesday 6th August 2019

All players assembled for the usual team partners to be announced and introduced to their playing partners ready to do battle on the Carthagena . There was a big applause for Gerry Gentle from both teams, reason unknown....

The weather stayed dry for all to complete their rounds and great banter was enjoyed by both teams.

Dinner was appreciated by all players and praise goes to Dawn and all kitchen staff for a splendid meal.

Both Captains were called Dave and they presented their usual jokes, which went down with both teams really well.

An enjoyable day was had by all.

The result was a win for John O'Gaunt by 4.5 to 3.5
David Gauge & Peter Jarman came in all square
Bob Anderson & Steve Collins - Won 4&2
Brian Bullan & Gerry Gentle - Won 4&2
Gerry Degaute & Colin Newbury - Lost 4&3
David Crosby & David Lincoln - Won 2&1
Keith Blankley & John Cocksedge - Lost 8&7
John Ellary & Malcolm Lee - Lost 2&1
Michael Newstead & Nick Schumann - Won 2&1

Peter Jarman
Organiser

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