Christmas Fayre, 16th December

Almost 90 players played on the Carthagena course. Although the early starters were faced with frosty conditions particularly on the greens, the sun eventually broke through to provide a pleasant but chilly day leading to good playing conditions for the later starters, which was reflected in their scores.

In first place with an incredible score of 43 points was Paul Marshall playing off 20 (but not for much longer !). In second place was the ever reliable 'steady Eddie' Peter Lowe (h/cap 12) on countback with 37 points from Gordon Goodchild (h/cap 23). Peter was one of the last players back, disappointing the six players who were on 36 points – never mind better luck next year !

A magnificent prize table organised by the new Seniors Captain, Richard Coventry, with a superb selection of meat, spirits and wine etc., provided the backdrop for the presentation of prizes to all competitors, leaving the flustered organiser to collect a box of Jaffa cakes !!

Graham McKay (Organiser)

2014 Seniors Annual Dinner

We had a very good turnout for the Dinner last night. There were a few dropouts due to illness, I hope they get better soon.

Our Leader Alan, ably assisted by Robin, sorry Richard !! took us through the evening very smoothly. The speeches were pithy and witty and verging on the patronising to the Ladies !!!!

Nearly all the winners were there to pick up their prizes from the Captain and the Club Captain, Malcolm Waters. We were pleased to welcome Nigel our head Greenkeeper, as well as William and Sue from the Admin department.

The food and service were 100% as usual  and I think all enjoyed themselves.

With respect to the winners there were some notable double winners in Messrs Morris, Goodson, Smart and Gauge, but the man of the moment was Phil White who went home with four trophies, including Golfer of the Year. Added to that, his good lady won the table flowers !!!!!

For pictures please click  Here. You may download as required.

Peter

Arthur Lucas Trophy (Bring and Win)

Thanks to all who played today and brought some lovely prizes.
The weather was a little chilly but dry with a slight wind to make things interesting.
The course was a bit wet, especially in all the bunkers I went in but the greens were slicker than in summer !!!!
Due to an admin miscommunication, we played off the yellows and so I am sorry if you got cut, we did it to CONGU and took account of the fact it was the yellow tees.
Fred Williams played out of his skin with 42 points and has been cut two shots for his temerity !!!!!
There were four on a more reasonable score of 38 points and they were in order :
David Lincoln, Trevor Hazell, David Wrench, Tony Goodson.
They all received a small cut for their efforts.

Peter

Seniors and Ladies Texas Scramble

We had a wonderful day today, with 103 playing, one lady had her dates mixed up!!
Pat Gilgallon did a super job on the organisation and had tables for all, a good raffle and good prizes, all of his helpers did their bit as well. There was a little hiatus with the computer but all was sorted out and I will have to liaise better with Will next time.
As far as the playing went, there were good and bad, but I think everyone enjoyed the day, which was what it was all about.
The prizes were as follows :-
Best Front Nine:-Val Day, Marion Farrow, Neil Pinnington and Peter Hollingsworth
Best Back Nine :- Sara Fowler, Anne Gurney, Peter Dean and Martin Ives.
Third :- Marie Bayes, Vera Willoughby, Paul Marshall and Pat Gilgallon.
Second:- Doreen King, Patricia Lloyd, Ken Robinson and Fred Williams.
First :- Anne Bolland, Sylvia Tansley, John Thoday and Derek Weller.

Peter

TSB Trophy

The annual match for the TSB Trophy was contested by 22 members of the Senior Section and their junior opponents with handicaps ranging from 2 to 54. The captains’ battle went the way of the Seniors, with Alan Fowler and Dave Gauge defeating Josh Pearson and Jake Freeman 3&1, while Josh’s twin brother and joint captain Callum partnered Jovan Sutovic to a 1 hole defeat to Vice-Captain Richard Coventry and Bernard Gurney. Thereafter, the middle part of the playing order started to go back in favour of the Juniors, with a lot of success being gained by the groups containing girls. By the time that 9 matches were complete the scores were level at 4.5 wins apiece. Game 10 resulted in a remarkable half for the two least experienced juniors, Josh Bareham and Fred Sherburn against Rod Evans and Pat Gilgallon. The final game also went to the 18th, with young Euan Bruce holing a put to win the match by 2 holes, although most of the damage had been done by his partner Molly Chowings earlier in the round. Fergus is rather keen for her handicap to be reviewed!

Overall result: Seniors 5, Juniors 6

In the last 12 events, no fewer than 10 have been halved or decided by 1 match.

Thanks to Captain Alan for his kind words at the presentation, Dave Gauge for his organisation of the Senior Section team, but above all to the Senior players for giving the benefit of their experience to the Juniors – and providing the refreshments!

Steve Akrill

Autumn Singles Stableford Trophy

Well, it was a bit wild and woolly today, but we didn't get too wet in the squalls around us.
The wind was a factor but it didn't seem to deter our better golfers!!!
The course was in good condition but all the Sycamore seeds on the greens, especially the seventh, did make for some interesting putts.
Just about half of the field scored 28 or better, which was good.
There were some of the higher handicappers who objected to not playing off their full handicaps BUT, if they read the rules, and the poster, it says that the maximum handicap for this competition is 20.
So to the scores, the top five were three points ahead of the rest.
Messrs Robert Anderson and Jim Kerr, playing together....... got 34 each and nothing else. Richard Coventry came third with 35 points and has a cut of 0.2 for his troubles. Geoff Emery had to wait a long time in the lead, only to be pipped right at the end. His 35 points earned him a cut of 0.3,
Our winner with 36 points was Tony Goodson, playing off a forced handicap of 20, well done, he was the only player on the top 10 with a handicap of over 20. However, he has earned a drop of 1.6 shots down to 20.

Peter

2 Clubs and a Putter. Tuesday 14th October

We all managed to escape the rain today and after all the rain, the course was in good condition.
The competition showed that we are all mugs !! Why do we buy all these fancy clubs when 3 seem to do us fine.
Don't use the driver, never go in the woods. No three wood for the second shot keeps you out of the bunker etc !
Good scores, with three players on 37 point, four on 36 and 60 played in total.
First, on count back, was Fergus Moynihan
Second was Bernard Gurney
Third was Richard Coventry

Peter

Gordon Percival Team Trophy, 7th October, 2014

Again we were very lucky with the weather, although it was a little windy. Bill Burrows forgot about the competition but redeemed himself (if not his partners) by doing a sterling job on the scoring. Everyone will be sent a copy of the scores and the computer result will be on the board on Thursday. That man Phil White did the business again, in partnership with a good score from George Turner and a little help from Paul Marshall. They scored 95 points. However, in close proximity, with 94 were Steve Collins Mike Marshall and Malcolm Lee. In third place, on countback, were Martin Ives, Neil Pinnington and Fred Williams with 88.
Due to the scores being generally low, the  competition was ‘reductions only’. The only 'losers' being Mike Marshall -1.1 to 20.1 (37 points), Dave Evans -0.6 to 13.9 (36 points) and Phil White -0.1 to 4.7 (35 points)

Peter Hollingsworth (Hon Sec)

Away at Letchworth, Friday, 3rd October

The occasion of our last match of the season was spent in glorious sunshine at Letchworth, whose captain is the well known Gerry Gentle. He, together with his team welcomed us, dare I say, with open arms. As ever the competition was fierce on a wonderfully prepared course, where the greens were slick and true.

Frivolous moments are often missing when the competition is fierce and so it was a light moment when a player appeared at the door of the bar clad only in his boxers seeking a plaster to repair damage to his person which was inflicted by his own trolley which run over him whilst he was cleaning it. Needless to say he received little sympathy.
The wonderful food and hospitality rounded off a perfect day, when JOG recorded a 5:2 win with one half. I don't want to come across as boastful but Peter and I took an important scalp!
And so ends a season of early starts necessitating rising with the lark and doing battle with those crazy commuters. Thank goodness for retirement!

Alan Fowler (Capt)

Bailiff Shield–Tuesday, 30th Sept

On a wonderful autumn day, we had 67 contest the Bailiff shield on the Carthagena course.
The course was in great condition. The greens were maybe a tad slow but they ran true.
As they say, strength will out and in this case playing ability as Phil White won with 41 points. However, he was nearly undone by one of the high handicappers as John Thoday came in with 40 points and Tony Goodson with 38. Numbers of others played well and the CSS of 69 ensured the Captain lost another 0.3, what a shame !!!!

Peter Hollingsworth
Hon. Sec. JOG Seniors

Away match at Leighton Buzzard, Wed, 24th Sept

The weather was kind to us and we had a wonderful day, golf excepted. The team selected was almost that who played in the home match, which we had won 5 to 3. Our captain Alan hadn’t been available for the home match and Brian Bullen had stepped into Alan’s shoes. Brian now replaced Bill Burrows who did not enter. Perhaps the greatest achievement of the day was that all the team turned up on time with no batteries left in car parks or thinking it was a home match and then realising we were at Leighton Buzzard. (When I was at school 60 years ago the rule was ‘i before e except after c’, don’t recall any mention on Leighton Buzzard.)

Alan and I had a torrid time being out driven on every hole. The greens had been tyned a few weeks ago and contributed to a number of our putts just missing the hole. Other pairs fared much better but JOG lost 5 to 3, which exactly reversed the result of the home match, so honours even. The day was rounded off by some of Harry Ramsden’s best, battered fish and chips with mushy peas. Apart from the fact we lost is was a most enjoyable day.

Ian McAinsh (Organiser)

Home Match v Bedford & County on Carthagena, Tuesday 16th September 2014

A late start due to fog. At 8:30am one could only see just over 100 yards on the Carthagena course. However that quickly changed and for the second nine we had some warm sunshine.

The course was suffering from lack of rain and the greens had been treated with a fine grit, however this did not affect the good scoring and I understand very competitive games.

After the away match draw on 1^st April, it is good to report that John O’ Gaunt Seniors won 5½ to 2½.

After the delay a very late lunch and many thanks to William Anthony for arranging table service, post 3pm.

I note that the report of the away match stated “A number of players from both teams requested that they play the same fourball in the home match”. This was not possible as a significant number of JOG away team were unavailable for the home match.

Ken Doggrell

Captains Day

It was sunshine all the way for Alan's Captain's Day. A more or less maximum field took part in a three ball competition, which flexed the minds of a few of the entrants. However, all was well and the cards were duly completed in one form or another. There was the added complexity with the Kethro Tray being played for, which was off full handicap rather than 3/4 for the main competition !!
Sandwiches and chips finished off the play and then we were wonderfully entertained by Hugh Harkett's London Welsh Choir, showing a great range of choral work. So, to the prize giving :-
There was a good range of team scores, surprising that they were not that high, considering a number of the scores posted for the Kethro. However, that is all about team scores !
72 Wrench, Burrows, Stevens
71 Wakefield, Gurney, Gauge
68 Farrow, McSweeney, Stallard
67 Lacey, Anderson R, Wood
66 Court, Belsham, Doggrell
66 Moynihan, McKay, Peacock
66 Lowe, Turner, Gill
65 Newbury, Bullen, Goodson
63 Wade, Gilgallon, Thomas
63 Ives, Donnelly, Marshall M
62 Hazelwood, Skelding, Bunyan
61 Coventry, Smart, Hollingsworth
61 Carter, Key, Dean
60 Robinson, Norman, Thoday
60 Cooper, Anderson A, Lee
59 Hazell, Menezes, Backhouse
59 White, Evans R, Marshall P
58 Harkett, Barnes(g), Bunford (g)
57 Evans D, Kerr, Newland
57 Morris, McAinsh, Berry
56 Jarman, McGeady, Blomily
55 Henderson, Fox, Westergreen-Thorne
52 Imray, Sandland, Rostron
The Captain's Team score was 63 so, apart from the winners, five teams bettered the score and were awarded two balls each.

And so to the Kethro tray :-
There were some good scores on the day and handicap adjustments were given.
Graham Court 40 points, -1.2 to 12.9
David Gauge 39 points, -1.1 to 19.8
Bernard Gurney 38 points, -0.6 to 15.4
Dave Wrench 38 points, -0.5 to 12.2
Jim Peacock 38 points, -0.8 to 21.7
Robert Anderson 37 points, -0.3 to 15.7
The full list will be on the board on Thursday but you can look in the Finalised competitions on the website.
Harry Wakefield forgot to put his card in !!!!!
Peter Hollingsworth
Hon. Sec. JOG Seniors

Member and Guest Day–Tues. 5th August. Organisers Report

On yet another perfect day for Golf, 33 members and 31 guests set out on their rounds from two starting tees on the John O'Gaunt Course (with thanks to Les Tharby for standing in as a "pseudo Guest" until Bill Howard eventually arrived to relieve Les and even up the numbers). Scoring for the day reflected the perfect conditions as 9 pairs scored more than 40 points.

The decision to have singular skill prizes rather that separate prizes for Members and Guests resulted in all skill prizes being won by Guests.:

Longest Drive on 9th was Dave Sankey

Nearest the pin in Two on 11th was Ron Hollings

Nearest the Pin on 16th was George Hamshaw

The runaway winners of the Whitbread Trophy were Ray Smart and Jim Phelps with a very impressive 47 points, second were Gerry Gentle and Martyn Seaholme on 44 points. Three teams scored 43 points but on countback third place went to Peter Dean and George Hamshaw.

Sales of raffle tickets and other donations on the day amounted to over £250. Thanks to all who contributed.

Finally special thanks to Trish Sills and Sara Fowler on the reception desk and to Starters Ian McAinsh and Bill Burrows for all helping the day to go off so smoothly.

Neil Pinnington

Annual Stableford Trophy

On a glorious sun drenched, almost windless morning and on the perfectly prepared John O’Gaunt course 74 ‘maturing’ golfers set about making the most of this opportunity to play to, or better than their handicaps. Whilst a few got near to the magic number, only 2 surpassed it. One, David Woods, who barely qualifies, being just above the minimum qualifying age amassed 37points. By far and away the best was a much loved 73 years young Gordon Goodchild who romped home with 40 points. He is delighted to accept a 2 shot handicap reduction, and a round of applause that was heard in Biggleswade.

Whilst collectively we may have failed, our generosity resulted in contributing £195 to my Captain’s Charities. Thank you..

Alan (Capt)

Home match, JOG v Gog Magog Elders, 22nd July

On a perfect day for golf, last Tuesday, John O’Gaunt Seniors hosted Gog Magog Elders in a keenly anticipated match on The Carthagena.

The JOG organiser for the match had earlier been heard to describe the JOG sixteen as ‘The finest team assembled since that put together by Mrs Thatcher to retake the Falklands.’

Unfortunately, on the day, the Gog Magog team performed significantly better than the Argentinians and took five of the 4BBB matches to JOG’s three. However, it is perhaps worthy of note that, in four of the matches that the Gogs won, the JOG duo were three, and in one case even four, holes up at one point in each of the matches. So, many of The Elders team are to be sincerely congratulated for taking full advantage of our wonderfully conditioned Carthagena course to perform significantly better than their handicaps suggested, and so fight back to victory against some of JOG’s best golfers.

The  organiser for the match had, also earlier, been reported to be excitedly anticipating ‘The Caribbean Gammon a’ la JOG’, which he’d ordered for the teams lunch.

JOG Team Captain Alan Fowler, followed his own magnificent performance on the course (one of only two winning matches) with a rather funny story and was the highlight of the lunch.

The return Match in September, on Gog Magog’s Wandlebury Course and in their dining room, is now even more highly anticipated.

Pat Gilgallon

Reg Batson Trophy

Some had a good day, others not so good ! However, there were some reasonable scores with a 68 from Dave (El Bandido) Gauge winning from Alan Fowler, Gerry Gentle and George Menezes on 69.
Phil White won the best Scratch with a gross 75.
There was a noted error of omission when the first group out ( Collins, Jarman and Wakefield), were  all under the impression that it was a Stableford Competition !!. Considering you had to play in two medals to get into the competition, the format should have been obvious.
On a point of etiquette, we should all remember that, if we are wearing shorts, short WHITE socks are to be worn on the course and in the clubhouse. (George, you have been told!)                                                                 

Peter (Hon Sec)