Ladies

The promise of squally showers throughout the day reduced the number of competitors before play commenced and although there were certainly a fair number of them, it was a considerably better day than forecast.

The same could not be said for 7 of the 9 contestants in the second leg of the Committee Cup. It would seem that Tenesi Karakaneva and Deborah Potter were playing a different course from the rest of the group, both romping home with 40 and 36 points respectively. Results…

Tenesi and Deborah take not only 1st and 2nd spots on the day, they also take the 36 holes of the Committee Cup  competition. Results…

With the remainder of the field trailing some way behind and neither of these two counting for handicapping calculation purposes, the CSS was raised by 3 to 34 resulting in a one shot reduction for Deborah after many months of going in the reverse direction, but after several weeks of outstanding scoring, Tenesi has been awarded an exceptional handicap reduction and is cut by 5.5 today, and is down to a playing handicap of 28.

Men

The last day of Spring brought predominantly damp conditions warranting some waterproofs and umbrellas at times. CSS was one lower than SSS at one up 70 reflecting the relatively high number of players playing within their buffer zone.

The bogey format is psychologically testing but there were some very good scores – notably Jim Fogarty and Roger Rojas finishing 3up with Jim the winner on count-back for the last 6 holes. Stephen Legg played another consistent round to finish 3rd all square piping Julian James on back 9.
Jim and Roger had their playing handicaps reduced but nobody’s playing handicap increased. Results…

Dark horse Paul Grand tipped his sombrero to the field flying past through 9 at level par and three birdies for 28 points. Trainer reported apparent lameness on back 9 but rode out as winner on 44 points. In form filly Val Riziotis shot a sure-footed 42 two lengths back and Colin Pizzey 41. Thoroughbred Shaun Feldon led the also-rans on count back 36 points from Tamas Labacs. Results…

A benign day in terms of Bank Holiday weather encouraged some good results and some amazing scoring from Stephen Mason, today’s winner and relative newcomer to the club with 47 points. He spent much of the round wishing he could do better, but with a handicap reduction of 3.9 is probably relieved that he didn’t! In second place with another good score is Tenesi Karakaneva on 42 points. Sheena Harrington was third with 40 points, followed by 5 people on 38. Results…

It was good to see the club secretary back on the course following his knee injury whilst skiing at Easter.

Smooth administration (thanks Rick) and improving late Spring conditions set the scene for the mid-week competition.

Former club champion Kerry Sargeant made a welcome appearance and used Sergio Garcia’s previous ultra stiff driver shaft. It obviously did the trick for Kerry who ran out winner on 36 points from three on 35: Colin Pizzey, Roger Rojas and leading lady Kate Emanuel. Results…

Ladies

Lulled into a false level of expectation on the weather front, most of the ladies were expecting a balmy early summer’s day. Unfortunately nature decided otherwise, and the chilly blustery wind not only kept many layers of clothing on, but apart from Kate, seemed to play a fair amount of havoc with the scores for many. The CSS went up by one requiring 35 points to play to handicap and only 3 out of the contingent of 14 managed to play within their buffer zones.

Kate Emanuel takes a commanding lead of four points after the first leg of the Committee Cup with 37 points, but her handicap cut of 0.6 keeps her on 17 just. Sheena Harrington was second on 33 and Doreen Dolby third on 31. Results…

Men

Cool and breezy conditions provided challenges for competitors in the men’s stableford Summer Cup. Leading the way with a splendid 40 points was treasurer Nick Rogers, all the more so with 21 points over the more difficult back nine. Stephen Legg piped Charles Ajani on count-back for second place with 36 points. Nick earned a handicap reduction to 10.1. Results…

The pairing of Val Riziotis and Paul Brown won on count back from Lia Donath And Ed Henery. Report…

The deserved winner of the Wednesday mid-week sweep was Roger Rojas on count back from Richard Smith 37 points. CSS for the competition remained at SSS. Results…

Wednesday was St Servatius day. St Servatius is a member of a trio known as the Ice Saints. The others are St Mamertus and St Pancras. Their chilly collective name comes from the traditional belief that their days, 11, 12 and 13 May, bring cold weather and the last frost of the year. Some gardeners in France will not plant until the Ice Saints have gone. They are well known in Germany, Poland, Austria and Switzerland.

Who’d have thought that with the warm sunny conditions! For gardeners – it should now be safe to put plants out and avoid a frost…

The Ladies produced a 137-117 win. Report…

Ladies

With 2 ladies playing to the SSS and a small field of eight ladies, the CSS was reduced by one to 68, denying the handicap secretary the chance of reducing any handicaps! Joan Mulchay edged out Caroline Stilwell on the back nine to win May’s monthly medal. It was also good to see a number of fair weather golfers making a return to the course – hope we see more of you now ladies. Results…

Men

The wind provided challenge but there were some very good scores with Jon Cooper 62, Ed Henery 63 and Paul Green 65. Well done indeed to Jon for such a consistent round culminating with a birdie at 18. He earns a -1 ESR bring him down to 9.5. CSS was SSS 67. Results…

In the associated Grand Medal Trophy, Paul Grand has a very assailable lead on 214 of two from Charlie Whiteman. R3 Leader board…

The returning officer has declared the total number of net shots and the winner by a two shot swing is Gina Jillett on 75 from WL party member Richard Smith with Richard Owen third recording a 14 shot swing from last Wednesday. Results…

Following the sounding of the klaxon due to local lighting, some candidates returned to their constituency early. The number of spoilt cards was one with potential winner Kate Emanuel DQ for not signing card. Constitutionally, with no overall control, CONGU procedures swung into action with the declaration of an abandoned competition for handicapping purposes with CSS=SSS and a reduction only round – coincidentally, no handicap cuts were recorded.

In the related midweek referendum, Richard Owen now leads Liam Bridger by 6. R3 Leader board…