A very good turn out today and good weather as well, if a little windy and cold at times. However, the scoring was not up to the usual high standard, with only Mr Cooper going under par. For his sins he was a worthy winner, won a nice trophy with the Rex Bullock Shield and a few bob to buy us all some tea !!!
Steve also suffered a blow to his handicap with a 0.9 deduction.
There was a lengthy buffer zone, all the way down to 24th place, the results are on the board and the computer.
Peter
Yet another fine day and a course that was in very good condition. Like most courses at present, they do need some water. However, the greens were fast with unexpected twists and turns to keep everyone on their toes.
Despite one ex-Seniors' Captain who, thinking the venue was at Wellingborough, arrived just in time to help JOG to a fine 5.5 to 2 .5 victory.
Peter
Yet another fine day, although a little cold to start with, saw JOG Seniors do battle with the Downsmen on the heights of Dunstable Downs. An excellent match, in good company saw the Downsmen win by 5 matches to 3. JOG's downfall was their inability to read some very tricky greens which still had some work left in them.
Peter
After a fresh start to the day, the weather improved for a beautiful day with only light winds. Numbers of the Willmotts had not played Carthagena before and we played off the back tees. The course was in good shape although there had not been much rain and the greens were starting to get fast again. A good solid competition was had by all with some good recoveries (Vice Captain's team recovering from 4 down after 12 holes to snatch a half at the last !) and some good wins. A lovely Carvery lunch was provided and the result was announced as a win by JOG, 6.5 matches to 1.5.
Peter
On a glorious day the teams were well matched and any rain held off until lunchtime. Despite a delay at the start both teams set about their tasks with a will and fierce competition ensued, albeit is the friendliest of manners. After a good lunch, the result was announced as a win for JOG by 5 matches to 3.
Peter
The weather held off and 79 of us enjoyed the first full day's play on the Old Course, on Tees and Greens. And very good it was too ! There were some funny rolls on the greens with the sand and loam about but for this time of year it was good. The seventh green and eighth and eleventh tees were put to good use, nice to see them without the overhanging trees.
The scoring, off 3/4 handicaps did keep the big scores out of the way and closed up the field. The top three were only separated by count back, on 39 points and were :-
1st Gordon Goodchild and Phil White
2nd George Turner and Kevin Donnelly
3rd David Wood and Richard Munns
A good turn out, let's hope we can keep up the numbers for the Rex Bullock next.
Peter
A Happening Sorta Day
It was Thursday March 12 and it started before 8 am, by which time the club house foyer was already lit up and full up.‘You never saw’ a more vibrant team collecting score cards, buying raffle tickets, delivering and displaying an unbelievably mouth watering display of homemade cakes and savoury delights, nor puzzling over, but then ‘what the helling’, the +3 x 0.6 x 0.4 adjusted handicaps allocated to each mixed duo. It was The 2015 Ladies and Seniors Mixed Greensomes Competition, to be played on The Carthagena, and for which 112 of the clubs’ finest or most prolific golfers had entered, and from which not one had dropped out in the previous ten days . . . Unforgettable!!!
Captains Sue Bassindale and Richard Coventry with Vice captains Chris Darts and Jim Peacock were first out and Anne Marie Evelyn, Peter Salmon, Pat Court and Sara Fowler were last in, to close a great day’s golf on a beautiful warm and sunny day. That was the official starting bell for a scrumptious Traditional English Tea made up from that tantalising array of homemade cakes and savouries supplied by the Lovely Ladies of John O’Gaunt and innumerable pots of truly refreshing hot tea supplied by their Senior Gentlemen Golfing Partners of the day. All taken amidst the comfortable atmosphere and conversational hub hub of a club house where ‘You never saw’ so many members at one time.
It was of little consequence that a glitch in the software of ‘Intelligent Golf’, our systems supplier, prevented the use of our computer terminal to determine competition winners because, as soon as the glitch became evident our own Les Bolland stepped in, collected all cards, analysed them by hand and listed all five prize winners, just as quickly as the terminals would have done it. However, Les did it with the added amusement of a constant stream of really funny asides so, not all computer failures are a disaster eh?
A wonderful Club day culminating with the two captains, Sue and Richard, announcing the winning partnerships of the day as;
1st Susan Hankins-Matthews & Steve Cooper with 22 points on the front and 22 points on the back for a total of 44 points which included an inspired 4 birdies on the 4th, the 8th, the 10th and the 15th
2nd Nikki Jackson & Derek Weller with a magnificent 24 on the front and 20 on the back also for a total of 44 points even without a birdie boost.
3rd Caroline Devaney & Alec McGeady with 20 on the front and 23 on the back for a total of 43 points which included great birdies on the 4th and 14th
Best Score Front 9 Jackie McGeady and Jim Kerr with an absolutely sizzling 25 points
Best Score Back 9 Rhonna Stallard & Phil White with a magnificent 24 points
Whilst all were enjoying their Traditional Tea, Simon and Bill Bowen painstakingly entered every one of the 56 score cards into the, then restored, Intelligent Golf system, so that members could view the leader board, on line, in the usual way. They don’t do service like that any more! It was a great John O’Gaunt Day. We should do it again.
Anon ;-)
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)
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
