2025
Gents, April’s fixture was rearranged due to a lack of people interested in going. May’s fixture has now also been cancelled for the same reason. Ada put in a lot of work to arrange these days out for us and it’s unfair of us to make him work twice as hard in having to rearrange these fixtures. At the AGM everyone seemed to want a full fixture list so that has been sorted. I understand people have other commitments and holidays but if we could all out of curtesy when saying no to a fixture just say why. It would give the committee and Ada a better understanding and maybe improve the dates, distance or cost.
Thank you
Your acting chairman Steve.
2025
Chesterton Valley Glynn Hughes Memorial
Our visit to Chesterton Valley Golf Club was marked by an exceptionally warm welcome that left a lasting impression. Both Tracy and Ian must have given us the friendliness welcome of any of the golf clubs we have visited. Along with one of the best breakfasts this society has ever had the day got off to a great start. They even sorted a special breakfast for our special needs vegetarian member.
One or two got a little lost on the way, the lack of signposts anywhere near the course didn’t help and standing on the first tee our watches and distance finding aids where all over the place so it’s no wonder the satnavs couldn’t find the place.
Chesterton is set in the aptly named valley and most of the holes are either up it, down it or across it making it a tough walk. With more trees than the National Forest according to one of my playing partners, who should know as he hit most of them on one hole. Unfortunately, we played the course after the greens had been hollow tined and I guess not cut for a while. The two’s money was going to be safe on those greens unless you put it to within two feet.
Chesterton has some very picturesque holes and some tough par 3’s Smithy did apologies for picking that last one for the nearest the pin. What a green to leave it short on!
So to the result the two nearest the pins were won by Smithy and Yorkie. The main competition, in third place Bob Clarke 39 points in second place Steve Smith losing out on count back to Steve Mott both with 40 points.
Oakridge G.C. Presidents Trophy
The first individual fixture of the year with everyone playing to the new WHS. More of which later.
Oakridge is only half an hour away so its surprising that someone was almost half hour late! No I don’t want the USB! With no buggies being allowed on the course three members decided to give the event a miss, and after walking the course I think this was a good idea. Not exactly flat is one way to put it feckin hilly is another way.
As we stood on the first tee a mat, that couldn’t have been placed in a better position we witnessed one member align his ball with his usual routine, grip right, look up the fairway legs slightly apart, little wiggle of the club look up the fairway, stand over the bight yellow ball think the shot through. Slowly back on the take away and smash! the ball into the trees on the right and watch as the ball rolls across the fairway into the pond twenty feet in front of us. Well worth the wait!
The greens weren’t in the best condition, very bumpy but the rolled fast and putting was the key to a good score. A lot of holes weren’t exactly blind shots but a lot had marker posts to aim for. One or two very nice looking holes I particularly liked the 17th Water in front of the green and a big tree to the right.
The result was a mixed bag really with the third spot going to Ash Govani with 35 points Second was myself with 41 points but taking top spot was Steve Smith with 42 points. Which brings us back to the WHS handicap system. Normally Fordy scissorhands would have cut both Steve and myself, and maybe even Ash for scoring so well but if we are to use the WHS those cuts won’t happen. So the committee are going to meet and see if we can find away to level the playing field so to speak.
With the nearest the pins going to Jacko and Smithy there was just the two’s to talk about three in all one of which on a par four went in from about 150 yards. Great shot Ben it was a pleasure to watch.
Texas Scramble
The first event of the year took place at a wet and soggy Drayton but in wonderful sunshine. 15 members enjoyed a quality breakfast before doing battle in five groups of three. One of those was new member Sam Jackson, welcome Sam I can imagine that first tee shot in front of everyone was nerve racking and it must have been a relief to see it fly down the first.
The result of the Texas scramble
1st Nick Williams, Ada Phillips & Ash Govani 72
2nd Simon Douglas, Lee Dishington & Andy Grice 73
3rd Pete Arnold, Steve Jackson & Trevor Howard 75
4th Steve Smith, Ben Stephens & Dave Shilton 80
5th Bob Clarke, Martin Sandford & Sam Jackson 80 Losing out on a 2 shot worse back nine.
Garth Quirk
As many of you will be aware we sadly lost one of our long term members at the beginning of December.
Garth had been a member of the society for many years and those that played a round of golf with him will know what a gentleman he was and what a fine striker of the golf ball he was, in fact Garth was an all round perfect playing partner.
Listening to his stories of his guitar playing days for bands back in the sixties and always playing with a smile on his face. Playing well into his eighties but with his eyesight failing he could still hit the ball, even if it did take him an age to set up.
Rest in peace Garth it was a pleasure to have known you and you will be sadly missed.
The usual course websites can be viewed simply click on the links within the calendar and there should be all the information you need. The times you see for each event will be the first tee time. Don’t forget to get there at least an hour before this time if you want your breakfast.