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