Home Match v Harpenden Common, Tues, 12th May

JoG Seniors played the Ancient Britons on the Carthagena course on Tuesday. After an early sprinkling of rain the weather turned warm and windy. The course was, as ever, in superb condition with the greens in good and testing condition. The Captain's match was, unfortunately the only one lost in the 7-1 victory but he was up against the Harpenden Club Captain, playing off 5, who played one under his handicap.
So, another victory for the Seniors in what has been a very good start to the season.

Peter

Annual Medal Trophy, 5th May, 2015

This competition was played on the John O'Gaunt course, off the white tees. The weather turned out to be overcast with quite a strong breeze and the occasional light shower. In addition to the main competition, the Jubilee Cup (category 4 handicappers) was played for. 

In the main competition, the winner with a net 74, was Michael Tomblin. Second was Terry McSweeney with 76 and third was Brian Bullen with 77, on count back from Phil White. The only handicap change in the field was Michael Tomblin, down 0.6, still on 19.

In the Jubilee Cup, the trophy winner was Malcolm Lee with net 79. In second place was Peter Grimes with 81.

Congratulations to all prize winners.

 

Rex Bullock Trophy, Carthagena

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

Away Match versus Aspley Guise & WS, 23rd April

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

Away Match versus Dunstable Downs, 16th April

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

Home Match v Aspley Guise & WS, 14th April 2015

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

Home Match, 7th April, Wellingborough 4.5, JOG 3.5

JOG Seniors entertained the Wellingborough Seniors playing on the main JOG course. With a fine sunny day expectations were high, and it did not take long before the Captain and Organiser realised that missing 3ft-4ft putts was not the way to start the game, and were 1 down after four instead of being 3 up !! Eventually losing 2 and 1 to rue those early missed putts. The course was in excellent condition, and coupled with a sunny day all players enjoyed themselves, followed by a most appetising meal conjured up by the Head Chef despite problems in the kitchen. The Seniors captain presented nearest the pin prizes to both Wellingborough (Andrew Charter) and JOG (Robert Anderson - a late substitute for an unwell Stephen Collins). Alan Fowler created a worrying moment by being unwell during the meal, and we wish him a speedy recovery.

Graham McKay (Organiser)

 

Home Match v Bourn on Carthagena, Fri 10th April

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

 

Fourball Better Ball, 17th March

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

Ladies and Seniors Greensome, 12th March 2015

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; 

1^st 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 4^th, the 8th, the 10^th and the 15th

2^nd 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. 

3^rd 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 4^th and 14^th 

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 ;-)