Senior Men’s Golf Chair’s Report

Spring Medal

Nearly 60 intrepid Seniors tried to take on the course on 13th May. Most wished that they hadn’t as heavy hail crashed down in mid morning as all but one group were out on the course. The greens were whitened for 15 minutes and impossible to putt on. One colleague had five putts on the 5th. He also had seven on the 11th but that is another story.

There were two outstanding nett scores Peter Rogan with 67, long time leader in the Clubhouse after an early start, and Malcom Turner with 66. His round was curtailed by the horn closing the course. He had to play the last two holes knowing he needed take eight shots or less – some pressure. Congratulations Malcom. Richard Lurcott was third with a Nett 72.

The gross trophy was hotly contested. Roy Martin posted a score of 80. Former captain Peter McGovern was also called in with his ball in the rough on the 18th. He was permitted back on the course with your Chair marking his card. He proceeded to hit an iron to 12 feet but just missed his birdie putt leaving him also with a gross 80. Roy found his card (in his pocket) to show that he won on countback.

Your Chair’s defence of the trophy was effectively curtailed by his drive into the work’s compound on the first! Like many of the those who finished, gross 100 would have been a good score. So unpleasant was the hail that there were discussions with Matt and David whether the competition should be abandoned. I am glad it wasn’t as there were a handful of outstanding rounds.

The Grail

There are two results to report this month as the May Grail was a week earlier than usual as a result of the 125 celebrations. In April for the second successive month the winner was Raj Vara with 39 points. Denis Gould was second with 38 points (countback).

Another very consistent player, Tim Russell, was third with 38 points with Mike Kappler fourth with 37 points and Nigel Karmel fifth with 36 points.

The May Grail is traditionally a shotgun start and there were about 50 competitors. Ken Pratt had an outstanding round winning by 3 points with 39 points in front of Tim Isaac 36 points (countback) Colum Murray 36 points and Nigel Karmel, again among the prize winners, with 35 points.

The greens were, after the rain and hail, back to their speedy best which may account for the lack of points for most of us. There was a blustery wind which also took its toll.

Other results

Gilbert Ellacombe kindly ran the team event on 6th May. The 4 club and a putter competition was won convincingly by Duncan Christie-Miller, Nigel Karmel and Andrew Redington with 80 points. The runners up were Tim Russell, Douglas Millar, Martin Waller and Chris Cowan, on countback, with an adjusted 74 points,

After a slow start we have won our last two matches 5½ – ½. Home advantage clearly telling in our favour. Well done captains Stephen Jones and Gilbert Ellacombe.