Somewhat windy but otherwise a dry course and true greens.

Winner with a superb 45 points was Oz Doyle (13) playing ‘the best round of his life’. A front nine of 26 set the pace and contained 3 birdies. The back nine collected another 19 points. Second was Toby Chidavaenzi (19) with 41 points. A further ’40s’ score was made by Alastair Montgomery (04) in third place, who collected 40 points, playing an amazing 1 under par on the front nine and one over par on the back. Fourth was Adrian Wells (11) with 39 points and 5th was Greg Wright (08) with 38 points.

Overall, the weather was probably slightly better than forecast. However, there was a torrential downpour at 10:10 and a few considerably lighter showers as well. Added to that, there was a strong gusty wind to contend with. When it really blew, it was affecting the ball considerably in the air and was even having an influence on long putts. Despite the rain, the fairways still had plenty of run and the greens were in excellent condition. Hitting a good teeshot downwind was a joy, hitting one into it. not quite so much!

There are several competition results to report on:
Starting with the Men’s Scratch results:
In Division 1 (Senior), Richard Back takes top spot with his aggregate 158 strokes, Justin Wildman is second with 163 and Richard Owen is third with 164.
In Division 2 (Junior), top spot goes to Andy Johnson with his aggregate of 189, Steve De Long is second with 191 and Seymour Lairdjust pipped Richard Norden for third (both with 195).
In the Women’s Scratch, Gina Jillett takes first place with her aggregate of 165. Sheena Harrington is second with 175 and Jayne Maxwell took third place with 180.
Congratulations to Richard, Andy and Gina for their championship-winning performances.

There was also a handicap competition played over the two rounds for the lowest aggregate net score.
Winner by 2 strokes was Jayne Maxwell with her combined net total of 138.
There were a heap of players just 2 strokes behind on 140. MS shows that Alison Chadwick took second place ahead of Justin Wildman in third. Commiserations to Richard Owen and Gina Jillett who had the same score but, in terms of placings “computer says no”.
Congratulations to Jayne on her fine win.

And a special mention for Will (playing off 5) who had the lowest gross score of the day with his hugely imressive 74.

A sunny start for the August Bank Holiday Plate but it clouded over.

There was some truly excellent scoring. Michael Pham returned 45 points and will be subject to a WHS Exceptional Scoring Record well done Michael. He was followed by a super 42 from Ellie Rhodes that included a front 9 of 23 points with a ‘blob’ at 5th

Alison Chadwick had another good round with 40 points, one better than Adrian Wells on 39.
Congratulations to Rannesh Jansari for another eagle – this time at the first hole.

It was an overcast day for the first round of the Midweek Club Championship and the word “chilly” came up more than once in post-round conversations. A fairly strong breeze accompanied the grey skies in the morning although it died down somewhat as the day went on. Nonetheless, it was decent weather for golf.

In Division 1 of the scratch competition, Richard Back took the honours with 78 (39 for both 9’s). Highlights of his impressive round were birdies on the 5th, 9th and 11th holes. Just behind him, Angus Robertson scored one shot more for his 79 (42 out, 37 in) which included 8 pars and a birdie on the 14th. In third place with a score of 80 came Duncan Matthews. Unfortunately his score will not count for the Championship because he hasn’t played the required 6 midweek rounds this year to qualify. Nonetheless it was a fine effort and at least he’s rewarded in the sweep. So Richard Owen and Gina Jillett’s scores of 81 mean they’re tied for third at the halfway stage.

In Division 2, Jayne Maxwell was the winner with 87 (45 out, 42 in). Jayne played an incredibly solid round with nothing higher than a 6 carded all day. Two shots behind her in second, we find Richard Norden (45 out, 44 in). Richard scored well throughout apart from an ugly 8 on the 10th hole. But he then showed his fighting spirit by getting a birdie on the 12th. Third on 90 was Ged Quinn who scored a commendably steady 45 out and 45 in.

There is also a trophy for the best combined net score over the two weeks and at the halfway stage, Jayne Maxwell(off 20) leads the way with her net 67. Again, Duncan didn’t qualify so Gina Jillet(12) is second on 69 while Richard Owen(11) and Sheena Harrington(15) are both on 70.

Sunny and warm for the President’s Putter – not so hot and humid as recently.

There was some very fine golf played, particularly by Aidan Hurley and Kerry Sargeant playing off 4 and 8 respectively with 40 points, Aidan clinched the win on countback; Aidan was out in level par whilst Kerry just 1 over. Next with 38 points were Abdullah Almasud Alison Chadwick – both could have been so much better; Alison Abdullah likewise didn’t score on 2 holes had pickups on front 9 and just 4 points on last 4 holes whilst A. Abdullah got the countback with back 9 21 points whilst Alison secured best score for the women, 5 followed with fighting 37s.

Nearest the pin prizes:
Women only
1st in 2 : Alison Chadwick; 18th in 2 : Lia Donath

Men only
1st in 2 : Aidan Hurley; 18th in 2 : Kerry Sargeant

Men and Women
2nd Ducan Taylor
4th Nigel Ward
9th in 3 Bill Norman
11th Peter Needham
13th Adrian Wells
16th Joe Goncalves

I think most of us were expecting bright blue skies and scorching heat but the reality was somewhat different. Although pleasantly warm, the temperature didn’t feel that high. The humidity however, was a different matter! As the day wore on, a cloud covering slowly appeared and distant thunder could be heard. Luckily, the last groups just about made it home before the lightening got too close and the klaxon sounded. All in all it was still a good day for golf with very little breeze and plenty of run on the fairways. The greens were in very good shape as well.

Clear winner today with a hugely impressive 43 points was Jonathan Evans who played of 12 from the white tees. Jonathan scored 22 points going out and 21 coming in with no less than 10 pars and a birdie 2 on the 7th. He didn’t card more than 5 shots on any hole throughout his round. An attractive little salver will be winging it’s way to him in due course once the engraver’s done his stuff.

The next four players all scored 39 points so it was down to countback to pick the bones out of the heap. Once it had, we find Richard Owen (14 also off white) came second. Richard scored a solid 18 points going out but bettered that total with 21 coming in. His round included a birdie on the par 4 11th and 7 pars. In third place was Seymour Laird (21 off yellow tees) who scored 20 points on the way out and 19 coming in. Perhaps Seymour got over-excited with his birdie 3 on the SI 5 15th hole because he followed it up with an ugly 7 on the par 3 16th. But for that, outright second place was his for the taking. Steve De Long (20 off yellow) claimed 4th spot scoring 21 points out and 18 back. Steve didn’t card anything higher than a 6 throughout his round and managed 6 pars. Last of the clutch on 39 points was Richard Prosser (also playing off 20 and the yellow tees) who scored an impressive 22 points out but a more moderate 17 on the way in. Richard also managed 6 pars including the par 5 12th.

Hot and sunny for the Diamond Jubilee and a good turnout of 67.

Iker Lanzagorta returned to form with a glorious 65 to win the trophy from Tm Laybourn 67 and then Michael Phan and Justin Wildman 68s. Justin unfortunately had 9 at 17th ,
Best woman was Deborah Potter 70; best 9s were both 2 over par – front Brian McMahon 37 and back Aidan Hurley 38.
In the Anniversary Cup after 3 rounds Michael Pham leads 210from Tom O’Hare 213 and Tom Simpkins 214.

We were treated to a beautiful day for golf – virtually constant sunshine and hardly a breath of wind.

In Division 1, Toby Hunt (playing off 13) triumphed with a gross 77, net 64. Toby played a very solid round going out in 41 (including a birdie on the 4th) and coming back in 36. His score was also the lowest gross of the day. In second place we find Sheena Harrington (16) with a gross 81, net 65. Sheena’s round included no less than 10 pars. 3rd place went to Lee Frost (13) who grossed 80 for his round which meant a net of 67. Lee’s round included a birdie on the 14th.

In Division 2, the plaudits go to Sookkyung Park (33) with a gross 99, net 66. Sookkyung made her way round the course very steadily scoring 52 on the way out and 47 coming back. Second on the day was Colin Price (21) who went out in 47 and came back in an excellent 41 for a gross of 88, net 67. In third and completing a good day for the Harringtons, came Peter H (25) who shot a 93, net 68. Peter went out in 50 (despite an ugly 9 on the 7th) and came back in 43.

The Midweek Grand Medal Trophy is played over 8 rounds with the best 5 counting. Today was the sixth round. The updated standings are attached. Division 1 is still led by Julian James with 362. However, Julian is the only player in the division to have reached 5 rounds and he’ll be looking over his shoulder at the chasing pack who’ve completed four rounds. Toby Hunt, Dave Cato, Richard Owen and others are all poised to challenge.

In Division 2, Peter Fisher has consolidated his substantial lead with his combined score of 346. As things stand, he’s comfortably clear of David Grace on 358 and Graham Cull on 359. However, Peter Harrington has completed 4 rounds for a total of 280 and a couple of good scores over the remaining rounds could yet see him throwing down a big challenge.

Women

A much nicer day weatherwise than we were led to expect; a touch breezy at times but very warm when the sun made it’s occasional break through the clouds that at times looked rather ominous.

Congratulations to Bella on her second outing with the Sunday group and making the most of it with her net 65 beating Jenny by 1 shot. Playing to 28.6 another good handicap cut beckons for Bella returning her to her lowest recorded handicap.
A few of us had cards marred by one or two rather large numbers – which WHS will probably cut back for many overnight.

Men

Manly cloudy and dry except for a little drizzle at end of play for the July medal.

Outstanding score of the day came from Rannesh Jansari with a net 54 playing off 17 at 3 over par – probably his best round ever. His round included an eagle 3 at the par 5 9th. WHS will apply an Exceptional Scoring Reduction overnight. Well done Rannesh! Behind him in Second Division was Richard Prosser with excellent 67 and then Secretary Peter Harrington with a glorious 65.
The First Division belonged to Jonathan Evans 64 with consistent 37s in and out. Tom Simpkins’ glorious 65 gained second place – just 35 back 9.; Greg Wright gained 3rd with his 66 which included a 1 over par back 9.
After 6 (of possible 8) rounds in the Grand Medal, Richard Owen leads First division 347 from Oz Doyle 348 and then Mel Dunn 349. The Second Division is now headed by Rannesh by 11 350 from Gerard Ouattara361 then Nigel Ward 362.