Christmas Fayre 2012

John Morris took charge at his first event since being elected Seniors’ Captain. There was a tremendous turn out with over 70 competitors vying for the top prizes. The Veterans also had a Competition with seven players all winning prizes. The Captain congratulated Frank Tilley on his 90th birthday.

In the main Competition, the scores were not as high as had been forecast, given the prevailing conditions. However, Fergus Moynihan showed that you can be cack-handed and score well by putting 40 points on the board, to win on count back from the immediate Past Captain Robin Smith, who obviously was now well relaxed after passing on the mantle to John.

George Turner and Robert Anderson were in the frame, as usual , with Jim Kerr and Steve Cooper in close attendance.

It should be noted that this was a qualifying Competition and members should look at the score list HERE to check their new Handicap.

The Captain reminded players that they should remember to sign their cards and also ensure that they turn up on time for their tee times!!!!! He would not be so magnanimous next time!!

A Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year to you all

Peter Hollingsworth

My Retirement Gift

May I thank all Seniors for their generous retirement gift vouchers. My period as Secretary will hold many happy memories and I hope to be able to continue enjoying your company for some years to come.

Thanks to all once again. Ken

Ken Robinson Scramble

As many will already be aware, I have decided to retire from my Hon Sec duties at the end of this season. I would very much like to leave behind some token of my appreciation for being allowed to serve the section.

I am delighted to tell you that the Club General Committee has given permission for an additional competition to be played annually on one of our Seniors days.

This is to be a Texas Scramble with each team of four drawn at random from the handicap spectrum. i.e.. Each team will consist of 'lower', 'medium','medium' and 'higher' handicaps of the entrants.

I hope that this competition will be well supported, enjoyed and add to the camaraderie which I think the section thrives on.

The first competition has been set for 21st May, 2013.

Annual Dinner

I think that everyone who attended would agree that it was a most enjoyable evening. The club Captain, Martin was kind enough to present trophies to winners of the season’s competitions. Captain Robin was presented with a satnav pin finder thingy and Gill was presented with a bouquet and vase from the Seniors membership. Gill also raffled her beautifully decorated bottles of wine to a lady from each table. Highlight of the evening, for me, was when John Morris’s camera/phone flew apart with bits disappearing under the table just before the group picture below, taken by a passing professional.

Arthur Lucas Cup–Results

The early threat of rain did not materialise and a mild though windy day prevailed. The Competition Standard Scratch (CSS) was 68. There were no handicap reductions although 41 players out of the 55 entrants had increases of point one.

The winner, with 37 points, was John Whitbread on count back  from Robert Anderson (second) and George Menezes (third). Congratulations gentlemen. Full results can be seen HERE and the round summary can be seen HERE.

Thankyou John Cocksedge for organising.

TSB Trophy

After an enjoyable competition in which each side fielded 22 players, the trophy was presented by Juniors’ Captain, Shaun Allin to our captain, Robin. The Seniors win followed a succession of three previous wins by the Juniors. It was a close thing, however, with a result of 6-5.

Seniors and Ladies Texas Scramble–Results

A damp, dreary day on the John O’Gaunt course did not spoil the enjoyment of this second outing with the Ladies this year. There was a good turnout of 21 groups and some very laudable scores were returned.

The winning team comprised Diane Hall, Harry Wakefield, June Evans and William Skelding with a net score of 64.9. Second, Barbara Haughey, Tony Goodson, Joy King and David Henderson with 66.3 and third were Penny Fletcher, John Morris, Rita Moakes and John Lewis with 67.5.

Thanks to Hugh Harkett and Pauline Aubigne for organising the event so well. Thanks also to the players who contributed £86 to both the captain’s charities through the raffle.

Golfer of the Year 2012–John Wade

Congratulations to John Wade, winner of the Golfer of the Year Trophy for 2012 with 80 points. He just pipped last year’s winner Robert Anderson who has 79 points. For the full table, please click HERE.

2 Clubs and a Putter–Results

A fine, cool, windy day on the Carthagena course was the setting for this competition. The winner was Rodney Thomas with 34 points, second Robin Carter with 33 points and third Fred Cox with 32 points. Well done gentlemen! Thanks are due to Fergus for organising. Full results can be seen HERE.

Autumn Singles Stableford–Results

The early starters were treated to some seasonal mist, which soon burnt off and all enjoyed a bright sunny day. Well, that was weather wise!!  The course was in great condition and the putting was not easy with some of the flag positions.

It was a case of the early bird catching the worm this time! John Whitbread posted an early score and waited for the rest of the field to come in. However hard everyone tried, no-one could quite catch him and his 36 points won the day.

Close behind was, of course, Robert Anderson on 35 points beating Trevor Hazell into third place on count back. In all there were 51 returns and the lowest score was an unfortunate 13 points. Full results are HERE.

(Report kindly submitted by Peter Hollingsworth)

Gordon Percival Team Trophy–Results

With 42 members turning out, this competition was not well supported. However, for those who made the effort, it was a fine windy day, on the Carthagena course, with only a slight shower.

The winning hidden team, with 106  combined points, was Jim Kerr, Alec McGeady and John Sandland. Second with 99 points was George Menezes, Mike Marshall and Peter Hollingsworth.

Tony Goodson and Ray Miller would have taken second place if it not been for the third member of the team who stupidly signed for an incorrect score card. My apologies to them. Sackcloth and ashes!

For the full individual results and handicap adjustments download, please click HERE. Apologies for vertical view, but I can’t find a way of presenting it horizontally. Must try harder! You can of course rotate it within your PDF reader.

Bailiff Shield–Results

The Shield was played for by 59 competitors on a dry but windy John O’Gaunt course. With a resultant Competition Standard Scratch of 73, handicaps adjustments were reduction only (RO).

The winner was Richard Coventry with a creditable score of 36 stableford points on count back  from Jim Kerr. Third was Gordon Goodchild with 35 points on count back  from Fergus Moynihan. Gordon’s playing handicap is now down to 24 and Fergus is now down to 12. Well done to all.

A special thanks to Basil Backhouse (Baz) for his organisation, single handedly!

For the full results table please click HERE.

Captain’s Day

72 Seniors played in a most successful Captains Day on the John O’Gaunt course in which there were many prize winners. The overall winner, to everyone’s amazement, was Robert Anderson with 41 stableford points. Second Jim Kerr, 39 points, third John Ellary, 38 points and fourth Bernard Gurney with 36 points. Congratulations to all.

Prizes also included: Nearest the pin on 16, Fred Cox, nearest the pin in two on 11, Pat Gilgallon and nearest the line on 17 was John Cocksedge.

Ken Doggrell got a 2 on the par 4, 3rd hole, for 5 points. Very well done Ken! I recall Ian Beatty doing something similar on 2011 captains day. A special prize was awarded to Martin Ansell, representing the veteran Seniors.

Thanks are due to John Morris, vice captain, for organising the day so well and to the Hon Treas for finding the money for refreshments.     For full results please click H E R E.

Member and Guest Day–Results

John O’Gaunt Seniors held their own ‘Olympic’ event today for the Member and Guest Whitbread Trophy. The event was very well supported with guests from 24 clubs attending. Thanks are indeed due to Terry Stark, along with his helpers, for a well organised and successful competition. The winners, with 42 points were Peter Hollingsworth and guest Phil Bunbury (Mid-Herts). Second was Robert Anderson and David Chatteris (St Neots) 38 points. Third, Graham McKay and David Williams (East Herts) 38 points (ocb) and fourth was Gerry Gentle and David Kelsall (Letchworth) 37 points. Well done gentlemen.

Also, nearest the pin on the 16th were Hugh Harkett (member) and Ted Hook, Letchworth (guest). Nearest the pin in two on the 11th were Trevor Hazell (member) and David Williams, East Herts (guest). Longest drives on the 9th were Peter Hollingsworth (member) and Hugh Sheppard, South Beds (guest). Congratulations.

Golfer of the Year - 2012

The up-to-date table is shown to the right of this posting, under LINKS. This will be updated as the year progresses.

Green/Tilley Singles and Holmwood Plate Knockouts

Please note that the tables for part 2 of these competitions are available to download from the LINKS to the right of this posting. Please make sure that your match is completed by the date specified. Good luck to those who have made it so far.

Annual Stableford Trophy–Results

After a gloomy forecast of rain, we were lucky to stay dry for this event! The course continues to be difficult for those who are unable to stay on the fairway. Best scorer of the day was Paul Marshall with 36 points on count back from Gerry Gentle. Third was John Hazelwood with 35 points and fourth Neil Pinnington with 34 points. Well done gentlemen. As the Competition Scratch Score (CSS) was 73, handicap adjustments were ‘reductions only’. Paul’s handicap is reduced to 21. For full results please click HERE.

Downsmen Inter-Club Trophy–Winners from John O’Gaunt Seniors

This inaugural competition held by the Seniors of Dunstable Downs Golf Club was attended by teams of three, representing the 15 clubs with whom the Downsmen regularly play. Initially it seemed that John O’Gaunt Seniors would not be represented through lack of interest. However, Gerry Gentle, Trevor Hazell and Richard Farrow decided to fly the flag for the Section at this important event. I am pleased to report that they won with a combined points score of 112 which was boosted considerably by Gerry’s 43 points! 

Very well done gentlemen.

Reg Batson Aggregate Trophy–Results

A bit of a slog after the incessant rain of the last six or seven weeks. Nevertheless, some creditable scores were returned. The winner was Harry Wakefield with a net 70 on count back from John Whitbread. Third was Peter Lowe, net 71, ocb from David Wrench. Thanks must go to Alan Anderson who organised the competition for the fifth year running. Getting the hang of it now Alan!

For the full results, please click HERE and for the handicap adjustments, please click HERE

Championship Trophy–Results

With the exception of a few, players found it hard going on John O’Gaunt course after all the rain of the last month. Hence the competition scratch score of 75! However, it must be said that the course is in excellent condition with the greens running true.

The winner was Ray Smart with a gross score of 84, net 71, which enabled him to win the Championship Trophy Cup for the best gross score and the Rex Cleaver Trophy Cup for the best net score. Very well done Ray! Second with a net 73 was Peter Lowe and third, net 74, was David Wrench. Good performances!

Net scores can be viewed HERE, handicap adjustments can be downloaded HERE and for the mathematically inclined the calculations for the Competition Standard Scratch can be viewed HERE. Please don’t ask me to explain it. You will need to study the CONGU rule book.