Senior Men’s Golf Chair’s Report

I am amazed how lucky we are to be on the course after the rain and frosts over the past few weeks. Thank you to David and all the greenkeepers. What a relief for some to see buggies again permitted. Mats are now on sale in the Sports Shop. They can be used in general play and non-qualifying competitions to protect the fairways. The Club are keen to see them used by all Members during the winter. I am a convert after sharing one during the February Grail.

January and February Grails

In January the scoring was very good in wet conditions under foot. It was carry only. It was good to see a low handicapper win the Grail for once. Stephen Jones with 42 points (a gross 72) just pipped Raj Vara who had been leading in the Clubhouse for ages. Raj was pessimistic as he rushed from the changing room four minutes before his tee off time but his raised heartbeat and blood pressure at the outset clearly did him no harm.

David Bouch had a fine round and I should mention his partners Terry Dillon and Gilbert Ellacombe who I saw taking turns in carrying David’s clubs as well as their own. The story of St Christopher came to mind. Mo El Guindi came third with 39 points with Nigel Brown, Roy Martin and David Bouch taking the prizes for fourth, fifth and sixth respectively with 38 points.

33 hardy souls played the Grail in February on a cold and blustery morning. At least it remained dry. Congratulations to Trevor Hearle for winning with 36 points. I played with Trevor who is one of the most improved golfers amongst the seniors. Mike Kappler came second with 35 points on countback and Pete Ryan-Bell despite, or perhaps because of, no golf this year was third with 35 points. As we passed on the third fairway he did mention that he had already had two gross birdies.

January and February results

The weather was so unpleasant on 21st January that only 12 hardy souls set out. As the rain persisted I abandoned the four clubs and a putter competition to a nine hole game. The first team out at 9am romped home. Well done to Tim Russell, Rai Vara and Egbert Veldman winning with 40 points.

Despite a sunny day our Waltz competition on 4th February was not unreasonably cancelled. The course was waterlogged – again. We did manage to play a Texas Scramble on 11th February. The course was in very good condition considering the terrible weather. There was a three-way tie on a Nett 63. The winners on countback were Raj Vara, Gilbert Ellacombe and Trevor Hearle. One of the highlights of the day was Giles Clark’s drive at the 18th. All in the Clubhouse saw chips to four feet from 50 yards short of the green. We assumed that the putts were for par. It transpired that Giles had cleared the trees with ease and all but reached the green. I look forward to seeing a repeat in the summer when there is some run on the ball.

Raj Vara has had a superb month winning many prizes and playing fabulously well both in and out of competitions – he hit four nett birdies in a short 14 hole game the other day. He modestly claimed that one was on a temporary green. Well done Raj. I hope that your form continues in our summer matches.