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Men’s Golf Captain’s Blog

As this is my first blog of 2026, I wish you all a very happy and joyous golfing New Year. That said due to the miserable weather that we have had to suffer over the last couple of weeks it has not been the best of golfing starts to the 125th year of the Club. Things can surely only get better! But as I sit here penning my blog on Tuesday afternoon (yes, very last minute!) the rain is torrential and I fear that my already once postponed Colum Sharkey third round match against Ken Pratt tomorrow morning is heading for a coin toss with temperatures heading south again and more rain forecast leaving our Head Greenkeeper, David, and his team having to deal with yet more shocking conditions. That said David has the full backing of all the golf committees in making the tough decisions he has made and will continue to make as to course closures and temporary greens and tees. These decisions will help ensure that we have a wonderful course to play on when the better weather arrives. Thank you David and all the Greenkeeping Team for everything that you do.

Competition Results

As a consequence of the Christmas holidays and subsequent course closures there has been very little competitive golf to report upon so this will be a relatively short blog. In fact, there have been no men’s competitions since my last blog and the only mixed event that has been played in the interim was the Christmas Foursomes which was played on the day after Boxing Day, the podium prize winners being:

1st – Astrid and Tim Drayson – 37 points (on countback)
2nd – Neil Anderson and John Randel – 37 points
3rd – Katy Preston and Ben Wilson – 36 points
Congratulations to the Draysons and the bridesmaids, Neil and John! Well played!

The popular 4 Club competition which was in the diary for Saturday 10th January had to be cancelled due to the course being closed. However, I am delighted that we have manged to rearrange the competition for Saturday 14th February. What a perfect way to start your Valentine’s Day! Please do sign up. We need as many golfers as possible to challenge the current holder, Ben Walmsley, for the coveted trophy. If you win, you are then entitled to bring your own trophy to the Men’s Annual Golf Dinner in November!

Captain and Pro Matches

 

I am pleased to say that I finally got my Captain and Pro campaign underway on the Saturday before Christmas when Ricky and I were challenged by the formidable pairing of Dave Birn and Luke Gorman. As shown by the photo it was a cool wintery morning. However, Ricky’s golf was far from cool. In fact, it was red hot and with the occasional contribution from me we sent the young tyros packing with not quite a ‘dog licence’ victory. Given the conditions Ricky’s golf was a joy to watch (probably less so for Dave and Luke) and included 6 birdies including each of the par 3s on the back 9. Thanks, guys, for the challenge, a fun round and your contribution to my charity, HomeStart Wandsworth.

 

We have another tough pair of challengers this Saturday in Paul Taylor and Derek Mason, but already Ricky is messaging me about a possible postponement given the forecast and likelihood of 18 temporary greens even if the course is open.

 

Ricky and I have just agreed a dozen or so more dates for Captain and Pro matches during the year so hopefully the pros and I will get to play a good number of you over the coming months. Please sign up when the dates go up on the noticeboard in the changing room.

Captains’ Christmas Charity Competition

I am delighted to report that on the day of the competition we managed to raise just over £8,000 for Jo’s and my charities, The Baked Bean Charity and HomeStart, Wandsworth and I know that some people have subsequently made separate generous donations directly to the charities. Many thanks to everyone who took part, to those who donated auction prizes, those of you who made successful bids and those of you who have made separate donations. It was great fun. Thank you.

And on the subject of Christmas, I can confirm that I not only survived, but actually really enjoyed the Ladies Christmas Lunch. Many thanks to Jo and all the ladies for their hospitality and company. It was good fun and it was also great to understand more about Jo’s charity and raise some more money for a great cause.

Scott Stanley

Finally, I just wanted to let you all know that sadly Scott and his wife, Tash, have resigned from the Club. Not only was Scott a phenomenally talented golfer and the current Club Champion, he has given up a great deal of time and contributed an enormous amount of passion to the golf section over the years including as Golf Committee Chair and subsequently as co-captain of the Scratch Team, the latter of which culminated in the Club being crowned Surrey County Scratch Champions last year, with Scott fittingly holing the putt on his 19th hole to win his match and bring the trophy home to Roehampton Club. He is also one of the nicest guys you will ever play golf with, and I say that having lost on the 18th (with David Stuff) to Scott and Justin in the final of last year’s Fourball Better Ball Knockout competition! We will miss him but wish him and Tash all the best for the future and I am sure we will see him back at Roehampton Club during the year. The good news is that his two sons, Max and Ollie, both of whom are very good golfers, are remaining as Members.

Let’s hope that by the time you are reading my next blog we have been able to get out on the course and enjoy some social and competitive golf.

Bob Mitchell, Men’s Golf Captain