Men’s Golf Report
I think I may still be recovering from the Men’s Golf Dinner last Friday; a thoroughly enjoyable event, great friendly atmosphere and the excellent Robbie Glen as our speaker. We certainly have a wide array of impressive silverware to compete for and in 2019 our winners were as follows:
Lockwood Foster Plate – Johnny Perkins
Winter Foursomes – Ben Angood and Niels Verbeek
Four Ball Better Ball – Dave and Dan Birn
Lockwood Foster – Rob Johns
Scratch Matchplay – Andy Inglis
Seniors –
Scratch Knockout: Berryman Cup – John Randel Ockleshaw Cup – John Randel
Seniors Eclectic: Hamid Lari Trophy – Ian Taylor-Restell
Holness Cigarette Box – Neil Anderson (Best Score from Captain past or present in Founders Cup)
George Gadd (Junior Division) – Peter Bateman
George Gadd (Senior Division) – Will Major
Arthur Clarke Foursomes – Bob Mitchell and Johnny Perkins
Centenary Putter – Craig Wallace
Founders Cup – Bob Anderson
Order of Merit – David Birn (a very impressive season it must be said)
Roehampton Challenge Cup (Spring Meeting 36 Hole Handicap) – Craig Wallace
Polo Cup (Aggregate Handicap over Spring and Autumn Meeting) – Craig Wallace
Whitney Challenge Cup (Autumn Meeting 36 Hole Handicap) – Vince Thorne
Autumn Challenge Cup (Autumn Meeting 36 Hole Scratch) – Vince Thorne
Eastman Cup (Aggregate Scratch over Spring and Autumn Meeting) – Vince Thorne
Miller Challenge Cup (Spring Meeting 36 Hole Scratch) – Scott Stanley
Club Championship – Scott Stanley
Also on display was Billy Hemstock’s impressive trophy for winning the PDC Championship, a Europro Tour event. I believe one or two gentlemen attempted to drink a never-to-be-replicated cocktail from said trophy later on, with at least one ‘wearing’ some of the contents for his efforts …
It’s not easy to win at Roehampton Club with the high standard of scoring so congratulations to all the winners for their great success. I’d also like to thank Tristan and Ryan for all their good work in ensuring the events run so smoothly.
Congratulations also to Charles Bowen-Rayner, our Junior Captain, on winning the Last Thursday Stableford the day before with 38 points, just ahead of Max Stanley and Arthur Ballu both on 37 points.
The re-scheduled Order of Merit Finale was played on Sunday 3rd November and again there was some hugely impressive scoring. Shaun Erasmus eased by Arthur Ballu on countback, with both players scoring 44 points. Other impressive scores were recorded by George Palmer, a gross 68 for 42 points, and Vince Thorne, our course record holder with a gross 67 for 40 points which included 9, yes 9, birdies. I don’t think I recorded that many birdies over the entire 2019 season … I continue to be in awe of what these chaps can achieve. The results by division were as follows:
Division 1
1st Arthur Ballu (9) 44
2nd George Palmer (3) 42
Division 2
1st Craig Wallace (16) 41
2nd Colum Murray (18) 38
Division 3
1st Shaun Erasmus (19) 44
2nd Chris H Jones (22) 39
Just a reminder that if you think your present handicap is too high, or too low, and does not reflect your current playing ability please put in a request to the Handicap Committee. Myself, Vice-Captain Paul Taylor and Tristan look forward to your submissions. Please email all requests for handicap adjustment considerations by Monday 9th December to Ryan at ryan.evans@roehamptonclub.co.uk
Roger Perry kindly organised a non-qualifying roll-up on Saturday, just after the Men’s Golf Dinner, much appreciated. The next Club Roll-up is on Sunday next, 17th November, which I believe is being organised by Peter McGovern. Please meet Peter in the Club Café from 7.30am. The draw will take place at 7.45am, with the first group teeing off at 8am (off the 10th tee). Entry is £5. Remember to enter your scores at the touch-screen terminals after completing your round.
Also, another reminder, to those who’ve entered the Winter Foursomes knockout, please note that first round matches must be completed by Monday 18th November and the result entered into Intelligent Golf. It currently looks like there are seven matches to be played. No extensions will be given so please ensure you’ve played your match by this weekend!
I’m grateful to Team Captain, David Birn, for his report on last Sunday’s match versus the Oxford Divots:
‘The Annual Match vs Oxford Divots did not disappoint. Anticipated to be a much closer game, with the away side bringing some stronger players, it started in true Roehampton Club vs Divots style … 6:30am and a text from the Divots’ Captain to say one of their cars has been towed. Five of them on their way down; it will be touch and go to make the 9am tee time for all eight. They all arrived just in the nick of time! Roehampton Club fielded some new faces in Tom Bailey, Nick Wells and a debut for Wallace Wilson, Robert Findlay, Brian Crotty, William Major, Max Stanley and David Birn completed the team. Roehampton Club were again the victors by 3 1/2 – 1/2. It’s always a pleasure to play this match and as per usual we sent them home with a dog bowl loss of 7/6.’
A few weeks ago I took my Mum, visiting from Ireland, to play golf at Roehampton Club, which she loves. In her ‘London Golf Bag’ she had my old 7 wood, a Taylormade R7, which I bought approximately ten years ago. I borrowed it for a few shots, all which went well, and I recalled that it was one of my favourite ever clubs, for that reason! It has now displaced a relatively new 22 degree hybrid from my bag, and given the erratic nature of my ball striking, could potentially see off the 5 wood as well! Mum and I may have rather a dilemma next time we play golf together …
It’s winter, sadly, but keep enjoying your golf!