Senior Men’s Golf Chair’s Report

Grail

The course was fully open for the Grail held on 26th August. We were honoured to be the first players on the reconditioned greens. The course was still very dry then but more anon. The new course was challenging with the result that there was only one player who beat his handicap.

Alun Hughes was pleased and surprised to win with 37 points. There were four competitors one shot behind in order on countback John Randel, Giles Clark, Terry Dillon and Hassan Dajani.

Autumn Medal

One of the highlights (or lowlights for your Chair) of this time of year is the Autumn Medal. After some rain – at last I hear David and the greenkeepers say – the course was looking superb.

The plethora of Canada Geese also seemed to approve. I believe measures may be taken to reduce their interference on the course. The fairways felt like proper fairways and the greens looked marvellous.

In particular the greens on 8, 9 and 10 were in magnificent shape. Four consecutives 7s from the 8th did not help your Chair’s card. I was not alone in having high numbers on my card. Using 3 balls on the first hole for a 9 and  another 9 on the second did not help one of the competitors. Roy Martin as expected won the gross medal with a fine 78.

Don McKenzie, one of the last to finish, overtook the long time leader Simon Prince who had a gross 80 and net 71, to win by one shot with a net 70. Keith Atkins was third with a net 72 on countback with Colum Murray fourth.

On 2nd September there were some good scores despite a heavy shower during play. Chris Cowan, Martin Flint and Nigel Reynolds were triumphant with 106 points followed by Don McKenzie, Quentin Robey and Peter Rogan with 104 points and in third place David Bouch, Clive Nicholson, Ian Taylor-Restell with 100 points. Thanks to Don and Gilbert Ellacombe for supervising the event.

Forthcoming events

The Grail on 30th September and AGM and October Grail with a shotgun is scheduled for Budget Day 28th October. Don’t forget the annual golf dinner on 27th November. It is usually an excellent event.

Nick Brown, Senior Men’s Golf Chair