Seniors Captains Day

Well, I think we had a fantastic Captain's Day for Jim and didn't he deserve it !!! The weather was all we could have asked for, clear, and hot with only a small breeze, to make good scoring easy on the day. (for some of you !!)

There was a lot of effort put in by a lot of people to ensure the day went well.

Fred Williams did a huge co-ordination to get the ladies to do the reception and the Raffle and Neil Pinnington to produce the Programme. 

Jean Peacock for keeping Jim in line and also managing the Putting for us. Jim's two guests from the Prostate Project must have been very pleased with the results of the day. I don't have final figures but the Raffle raised £400 and there should be some putting money added to that.

The Catering for producing what I thought was a good presentation of food, I hope you enjoyed your Victoria sponge, I certainly did.

Ian McAinsh and Pat Gilgallon did a great job as Starters.

I wasn't too happy about the late drop outs, because the Section was covering the food costs, but we got over it as Fred was on the ball!

So, to the results. We originally had 96, 94, 94 and finally 90 with late drop outs.

Nearest the Pin winners were :-

Kevin Barbour - 4th

Steve Cooper - 10th

Brian Bullen - 16th

Nearest the pin on 11 in two - Peter Wade

Putting Runner up on count back with 20 - Ray Smart

Putting Winner with 17 !!!!! - Mike Marshall

Kethrow Tray Third 37 points on count back - Jim Kerr

Runner up with 39 points - Brian Bullen

Winner with 43 points - Dave Wrench

Also important were the 'two club' winners, there were nine winners who each received £5.

Kevin Barbour (4th)

Jim Kerr (10th)

John McPherson (4th)

Fergus Moynihan (4th)

Derek Page (16th)

Peter Thomas (16th)

George Turner (16th) 

John Washington (16th)

Dave Wrench (4th)

Thanks

Peter

Brian Bullen, Nearest Pin 16

Brian Bullen, Second

Dave Wrench, Winner

Jim Kerr, Third

Kevin Barber, Nearest Pin 4

Mick Marshall, Winning Putt

Peter Wade, Nearest Pin 2

Ray Smart, 2nd Putting

Steve Cooper, Nearest Pin 10

Away Match v Harpenden Common, Fri. 19th Aug.

It was great to see Captain Jim out for his first match after a recent setback. The reported heavy rain did not occur until late afternoon so we were fortunate to play a course in good condition, most of the deep rough recently cut down, and just a few light rain showers. Jim and I lost on the 18th in the home match so we were keen to get a better result in the away game. We won the first hole, but lost the next two, but brought the game level on the “nearest the pin in two” when I managed to fluke it by being 12” from the hole !!!

We then spent most of the rest of the game halving holes until Capt Jim played fantastic long iron shots on the 15th, 16th and 17th to ensure that we won on the 18th. We were looking good for a match win with a win on the first two games, but this was followed by 3 halved and 3 lost games giving a match score of 4.5 to 3.5 in favour of the “Ancient Britons”.

A good carvery, good company, good course and a good Denzil joke from Jim – welcome back.

Peter

Home Match v Dunstable Downs, Carthagena, Tues, 16th Aug

The weather was set fair yet again and the golf was in the same mold with every match fought keenly to the end. The result was 5 - 3 to JOG and all enjoyed the lunch and the company.

Match v Gog Magog, JOG course, 19th July

As Captain Jim was recovering, William Skelding stood in as Captain. He played well and his after lunch joke was well received. A wonderful day was enjoyed by all. Hot at 32 degrees. I think we all appreciated our air conditioned changing rooms. The John O' Gaunt course looking and playing it's very, very best. Sensible height rough - we must get the women pro golfers to play more frequently. Greens not cut, so medium pace (presumably due to the heat) but still a lot of green staff preparing for British Women Open qualifier on Monday 25th. Even the articulated arm grass cutter had come out of hibernation to cut the river banks. 

The Gog Magog team went away very impressed with our club, I don't think many had ever played the old course. The two tee start ran smoothly and enabled a buffet lunch at 2.30pm - come on, it was very hot and we are seniors! 

Just for the record book JOG won 6-2, well done team.

All looking forward to return at Gog Magog on Friday 16th September.

Ken Doggrell - Organiser

Home Match v Letchworth, JOG, Tues. 9th Aug

The weather was sunny and warm with a slight breeze. Fred Williams stood in for Captain Jim who is still in recovery mode. The roll call of the sides announced Gerry Gentle on the Letchworth team and this was greeted with 'rapturous applause' from both sides !!!!!

31 players arrived on time but, it was thought that Pat Gilallon had lost his way again. However, it was realised that Pat had not been selected and it was in fact Graham Mckay who had gone to Letchworth !!

Fred and Peter Jarman got the match off to a good start for the Home team with a 5 and 4 victory. However, by the time it came to the last match it was tied at 3.5 all. Graham McKay made up for his late arrival when he and his partner Geoff Beck won 2 and 1 to secure victory by 4.5 to 3.5. 

Everyone had a very enjoyable day and the lunch was excellent with Dawn and her staff looking after everybody very well.

Away Match v Wellingborough, Mon 8th Aug.

On a fine day and a later start than normal at 10am, the JOG Seniors team arrived on time and in fine fettle. Wellingborough Seniors provide both the early morning coffee & biscuits and the welcome “halfway hut” drinks and savouries (all handmade).

The match started with the first drive from Algy Grimes straight at the centre window of the gazebo halfway up the first fairway – apparently this qualifies Algy to apply as a Wellingborough Senior !!!

With dry fairways and tricky greens, the local knowledge proved to be a significant advantage and slowly the scores started to drift in favour of the home side – even the suggestion of some Viagra failed to stiffen the JOG resolve, and the first two matches went to Wellingborough. Steve Cooper and Bill Walker stopped the rot (and the thought of a whitewash) and came in with a halved match. We then lost the next three matches to fairly close results but came home strong by winning our last two matches.

A final result of 5.5 to 2.5 followed by a good meal (the chef plays with the Seniors, which is an advantage) All in all a great day, good weather, good company, some good golf, and an excellent course.

Member and Guest Day, 2 August

A total of 34 pairs teed it up for this year's M&G Day, the guests coming from 24 different clubs from as far afield as Sheringham, Christchurch and Guildford.

Although the weather was not kind to those who battled out for the first hour, the later starters had it a little easier. The rain eased considerably which eventually provided some reasonable golfing conditions - as some of the scores demonstrated.

Results of the various skills competitions were:

For Guests:

Longest Drive on 9th was Martin Lawrence of Beds & County

Nearest the pin in Two on 11th was Fred Gardner of St Neots

Nearest thePin on 16th was John Harvey of Brickendon Grange

For Members:

Nearest thePin on 4th was Brian Williams

Longest Drive on 9th was Derek Weller

Nearest the pin in Two on 12th was Bernard Gurney

The winners on the day and new holders of the Whitbread Trophy were Derek Page and his guest Barry Sullivan (The Bedfordshire) with an impressive 46 points. Second place went to John Wade and John Marsom (Beds & County) on 42 points. Third (on countback) were Brian Williams and Martin Seaholme (Letchworth) with 40 points.

Proceeds from the raffle amounted to £280 - a record for Member & Guest Day. So special thanks to Chris and Nicky for such a good selling job and thanks to all who contributed.

Finally, thanks to starters Ian McAinsh and Bill Burrows for helping the day to go off smoothly.

Neil Pinnington (Organiser)

Winners: Derek Page and Barry Sullivan 

Runners-Up: John Wade and John Marsom

Third: Brian Williams and Martin Seaholme

Last year's winners

Away Match v Bourn, 28th July

Well what can one say about the day. We teed off in bright sunshine, 4 groups from the first tee and 4 groups from the tenth tee. The course was in excellent condition and the greens were FAST! The only drawback being ditches and long rough. On return to the club everybody said how much they had enjoyed their game with some differing results. We all sat down to an excellent meal and then the heavens dropped. Everybody commented on the good timing and how splitting the field got us all in together. All in all, it was agreed that it had been a super day. The only downfall was that we lost 5.5 to 2.5. Still an improvement on previous matches.

Thanks,
Peter

Annual Stableford Trophy, Carthagena - 26th July

On a lovely day, not too hot and not too cold, 80 Seniors did battle for the Annual Stableford Trophy on the Carthagena course. With the rough still to be feared, many were snared in its grassy grip. The fairways were hard and the ball ran a long way, sometimes too far, into the awaiting bunkers!

The leaders were not troubled by all the potential dangers and made light of them.

The winner, by a margin of three points was Steve Cooper, whose big hitting game suited the course on the day. Equal second on 40 points were Johnathan Lean, Dave Hargreaves and Steve Donnelly. All the rest just enjoyed themselves.

Peter

Home match v South Beds, Carthagena - 12th July

Two important 'things' were missing from the rescheduled inaugural home match against South Beds: the rain and Captain Jim. Captain Jim was admitted to hospital on Saturday and is being treated for pneumonia and low blood oxygen levels. Jean reports that, despite this, his sense of humour count is well within the normal range. Perhaps some of the later matches would have preferred Jim to turn up as they completed their last few holes - and the rain to have remained absent. Actually, we all would. A card was signed by both match teams and the roll-up members and is on it's way to wish Jim - and Jean - our love and best wishes and Jim a speedy recovery.

As for the match itself: a big thank you to all who played, especially to Brian Bullen who stood in as Captain of the Day in the absence of Jim, Fred the Vice and Richard the Past. Two matches were halved (the final one and one other where the participants were, erm, sort of pathfinders .....), 5 matches were won by JOG and one was lost - giving JOG a 6:2 win overall. There was obviously too much distraction in the latter match by one of the JOG team winning the Nearest the Pin prize on the 8th.

Captain Dave Earye and members of his South Beds team commented very favourably on the Carthagena course, with only one or two ... or three or four ... or five or six ... comments on the rough. Many said they would be happy to be a member of club which had that for its only course. They were delighted too with the meal, hospitality and facilities. Well done to the green staff, kitchen and front of house staff. And thank you again to Simon and Michael for fitting this rescheduled match into a very busy programme.

It is a pre-condition to Seniors' membership for us to have a moan occasionally, but actually, we are very lucky with everything we've got here. And days like today give us and our guests great opportunities for fun, friendship and the occasional good golf shot. There are worse things we could be doing, providing we could get our name on the ballot paper ;-)

Here's looking forward to the away match on 21st September. Perhaps a time for an Indian Summer?

David Crosby, Organiser

Reg Batson Trophy, JOG - 5 July

On a beautiful day (has summer arrived ???), with the John o'Gaunt course in prime condition, the selected few played for the Reg Batson Trophy. The few were the top 30 lowest combined scores from the two medal competitions played earlier in the year, plus last year's winner, the Seniors' Captain and the Organiser.

Unfortunately, Alan Anderson, the organiser had to pull out on the day with a bad back. All the rest played the course with a playful wind making club selection difficult. The greens were in good fast condition, which made putting that bit more of an exercise.

As usual, there were stories of 'ifs' and 'buts' and 'could have beens' however, all enjoyed the day. 

The Titian haired Pat Gilgallon came out on top, winning by three strokes from Phil, White, John Wade and Jonathan Lean. Phil White won the lowest gross score for the third year in succession.

Peter

Home Match v St Neots, JOG course, 21 June

Having won the away leg it was good to host the visitors on a sunny day with the course in excellent condition. JOG managed a convincing win, five and a half to two and half. Match 8 involved Algy Grimes and John Gregory against Ken Jeffries and Eric Bell. Although the home team had established a good lead when Eric was taken ill and had to leave the course, JOG team generously declared the match a draw. A noble gesture and an example of the spirit in which these matches are played. Nearest the pin winner on the tricky 4th hole for the visitors was Martyn Patrick. Nearest the pin winner on the 16th hole was Algy Grimes who narrowly pipped past Captain Richard Coventry to win a bottle of plonk. Lunch was served at 2.30 pm and the hot and cold buffet was enjoyed by all.

Peter

Seniors Rex Cleaver Championship Trophy - 14th June

On a day when some played out in fine weather, the later starters got quite wet and, consequently the play was rather extended. The Carthagena course played at its best with good fairways and greens but the rough was the real leveller, as if you got in the rough, and you found your ball, there was only a hack out to be played. However, some found it easier than others, David Lincoln, taking advantage of being first out, slayed the course with a net 66. Gerry Gentle who was much later out came in with a very creditable 67. Johnathan Lean and Ken Doggrell tied for third place with Johnathan winning on countback.

Phil White won the Bessant/East Scratch Trophy for the third year in a row.

Peter

Away Match v Saffron Walden, Wed 1st June

After the washed out match from the day before, the Seniors managed to dry themselves off for the trip to Saffron Walden. Unfortunately, it was much of the same and they all got wet again. However, some good golf was played by both sides. The Captain's pair lost on the 18th but there were resounding victories for Peter Jarman and Malcolm Falconer. This was not enough to gain victory but a 4 - 4 Draw was a fair result.

Home match v South Beds - JOG

Sadly this match was abandoned with the first group reaching the 9th green via the beginnings of a new water hazard on the 9th fairway. Fred Le-Tallec won nearest the pin for South Beds on the 4th but, by way of compensation for JOG not reaching their NTP on the 16th, it must be mentioned that Captain Jim Peacock's tee-shot on the 4th would have denied Fred by some distance!

Other highlights were restricted to the JOG changing rooms where the following comments were heard: (Jim Kerr: "It was such a pity. We had them just where we wanted them, we were only 3 down with 10 to go") and (Fred Williams: "I've never seen Malcolm Faulkner lose two balls on consectutive holes before. I tried to emulate him but, in those conditions, I couldn't hit the ball far enough to lose it!

Marcus kindly pulled forward our lunch and so, after a leisurely shower and drink at the bar we all sat down to ponder what might have been over a delicious chargrilled gammon steak and - SUMMER FRUIT PUDDING!. Thank you Marcus and the catering team.

The good news is that the Club have kindly agreed that we can reschedule the match on 12th July 2016. Thank you Simon and Michael. 

Many South Beds members had not played here before but were very complimentary about the bits of the course they could play. They'll have to wait to play the JOG back 9 as the rescheduled match will be on the Carthagena. 

Priority will be given to those members selected for this abandoned game and then to those who entered but were not selected and then entry will be open to others to fill the team. I am already aware of a number of today's team who cannot make the 12th.

We look forward to the rescheduled home match and the away match on 21st September and, hopefully, the beginning of a new chapter of interclub matches with South Beds GC in future years.

Thank you to the JOG players for making organising this match (my first as Organiser) so easy and enjoyable for me.

David (Crosby)

Away match v East Herts - 24th May

One of our harder fixtures but the welcome was as good as ever, with the course playing tough but fair. The result, a 5-3 loss was much better than last year and two matches went to the final hole. We await our revenge when they visit JOG at the end of June. One serious moment took place before the start of the match when a certain Mr Fox found that he had left his golf shoes at home!!!! The cost of his new shoes will be a matter of discussion for some time I am sure.

Ken Robinson Scramble Trophy, 17th May

On a glorious May Day, 68 of the Seniors' finest did battle on the JOG course for the Ken Robinson Scramble Trophy.

With such nice weather and the course playing superbly, birdies of the golfing sort abounded !

The winning four had seven and the second place had 6. The most birdied hole was the first, with nine of the teams scoring. The second favourite was the sixteenth with seven birdies.

All were very  pleased to see Ken Robinson in attendance to present the trophy and we wish him well for a speedy recovery.

The winners were :-

1st  -  Kevin Donnelly, Gerry Gentle, Derek Weller, Fred Williams  with a net 59

2nd - Steve Collins, Geoff Stevens, Mike Tomblin, Nigel Witten with 60.5

3rd - David Crosby, Malcolm Falconer, Mike Marshall, William Skelding with 61.2

Probably the unhappiest person on the day was Pat Gilgallon, who thought his tee time was 9.46 when, in fact it was 8.46 !!

And his team came second !!!!

Added to that he lost his car keys on Monday, it has not been a happy start to the week for poor Pat !

Peter

Home match v Harpenden Common, 10th May

On Tuesday 10^th May JOG Seniors hosted the Harpenden Common Seniors playing on the Carthagena course off the white tees. Harpenden Common Seniors are known as “The Ancient Britons”, but with the amount of rain we experienced they could well have been renamed as “The Ancient Mariners”!!

I think the polite phrase is persistent rain, but with the Carthagena course draining well, the matches were enjoyed, and the course was in very good condition which enabled good golf to be played (providing you stayed out of the wet semi-rough!).

Capt Jim & I lost our game on the 18^th, so it was close, but the overall result was in JOG Seniors' favour who were winners with 4.5, Ancient Britons 3.5.

The day finished with an excellent hot/cold buffet with Summer Fruit tarte.

We look forward to the away match in order to renew friendships.

Graham McKay (organiser) 

Away Match v St Neots, 6th May

Seniors' Captain Jim arranged some lovely sunshine for the match and the only red faces afterwards were from sunburn because the match was won 4.5 to 3.5 by JOG.

It was poised 3.5 each, waiting for the result of the final match of Geoff Beck and Tony Goodson who were able to secure a win with 2 up.

New “boy” John Gregory managed the shot of the day on the 7^th hole, index 1. His opponent Gully Mann had made a par 4 but had to watch John chip in for a 3! All of the games were very tight some going down to the last put on the last green so a very good, evenly matched competition.

The course was in good condition albeit the greens had been dressed and heavily watered but that seemed to favour the putting of JOG.

Everyone enjoyed the day in good company and had a good lunch.

Fred Williams

(Vice Capt. and Organiser)

Annual Medal Trophy - John O'Gaunt Course, 3rd May

On a lovely Spring day, still a bit of a chill in the rather frisky wind, 72 of the Seniors' finest took on the John O'Gaunt course from the back tees. This is always a struggle for some as what used to be par fours are now definitely par fives!

However, this didn't stop the cream rising to the top and two players finished one under par, a mighty achievement. Lots of others were 'in the zone', which meant that they did quite well against the course.

The Winner was Patrick Smith with a net 70, on count back from Sam Standen and third was Gerry Gentle with a net 73.

The Winner of the Jubilee Cup, presented by ex Captain Robin Smith in 2012 was won by Jonathan Lean with 33 points. This Cup is for the best Stableford score for those players with Handicaps of 21 and over.

Peter

Rex Bullock Trophy - Carthagena Course, 26th April.

On a very cold day with a flurry of wintry showers, over 80 Seniors did battle for the Rex Bullock Trophy. The Carthagena course was in fine condition and even the hail showers didn't spoil the play. A tricky wind did upset a few scores but all enjoyed the day. Scoring was a bit of a curate's egg with the top four well ahead of the rest.

The Winner was Peter Grimes with 39 points on count back over Mike Tomblin in second place. George Turner beat Peter Imray on count back for third place with 38 points.

Winner: Peter Grimes

Runner-up: Mike Tomblin

Third Place: George Turner

Away match v Aspley Guise, 21st April

I am pleased to report that we had great day. Weather was good and the golf was better. I am glad to report that Captain Jim was fit to play. The score was 6 - 2 . The Willmots were perfect hosts and the meal was excellent. All in all a perfect Seniors match day.

Away Match v Dunstable Downs. 14th April.

Captain Jim had to pull out at the last minute. Vice Captain Fred was a good stand-in. We won the match 5-3. Good company, good food, good weather (mostly!) 

Everyone happy.

Home match v Aspley Guise, Carthagena - Tues,12 April

It was an eventful day. Steve Clark won nearest the pin for the Home team but was taken ill at lunch (nothing to do with the food !!). He was tended to by staff before a para medic attended. He has since recovered. Captain Jim played very well to lead the team home to a 7 to 1 win. Due to a communications failure the match was late starting but it did mean that the players missed the rain. There was some complaint of slow play. The evidence lay in the fact the first group were in well ahead of the rest and lunch had to be put back a couple of times but was enjoyed by all except poor Steve.

Peter

Peter Hollingsworth
Hon. Sec. JOG Seniors

Away match v Beds and County, 29th March

A enjoyable day was had for all, sunshine but cold, though no rain, the course was in good condition which was all credit to the greenstaff, because the day before, all but 3 holes were closed. The halfway house was appreciated and a two tee start speeded things up.

Everybody was in agreement that we were very lucky with the day and a superb chilli con carne with good service and hospitality and the day ended with some gentle banter between the two captains afterwards.

The result 4.5 to 3.5 to the J O G !

Peter
Peter Hollingsworth
Hon. Sec. JOG Seniors

Match v Saffron Walden - Carthagena, 22nd March

The Saffron Walden match and day went very well, we won 5/3.

The food and hospitality were, as ever very good and Saffron Walden can't wait to get their revenge !

Four Ball Better Ball - Tuesday 15th

On a rather wintry day that was just miserable rather than wet 72 of the Seniors' finest did battle over the JOG course in a four ball better ball competition. Everyone enjoyed themselves, even if it did take much longer than anticipated. I suppose it was a case of them enjoying themselves so much, they couldn't bear to come off very quickly. I hope they will improve next time !!

So, the scores varied between 26 and 43 and is only due to the random draw applied by the Hon Sec making some partnerships more equal than others !

Colin Fox and Steve Clark were in third place with 39 points. Derek Young and Patrick Smith were in second place with 42 points and the winners were Derek Page and Jim Kerr with 43 points, well done!

Just a note to mention that you MUST check your cards with the other pair and again when you enter it into the computer, as any mistakes cannot be rectified.

Peter

Ladies and Seniors Greensome - Thurs. 10th March.

Just about 100 Ladies and Seniors took part in the Greensomes Competition on the Carthagena. The weather was not all that good but no rain and not too windy. Everybody enjoyed the day and woe betide any of the Seniors who didn't taste their playing partner's offering to the Pastries and Cakes table. As ever, the Ladies did us proud with some fantastic offerings, which were well appreciated by all.

Scoring did not seem as good as in previous years due, in part, to the rather bobbly state of the greens, which seemed to have a mind of their own once you hit the putt !

So, to the winners. In third place with 41 points were Pamela Dean and Phil White. In second place with 42 points were Nikki Jackson and Richard Cobb and the winners were Adrienne Massey and Steve Cooper with 43 points.

Many thanks are due to Les Bolland who did all sorts of mixing and matching including on the day and some great raffle prizes.

Over £370 was raised for the two Captains' Charities, well done everyone.