Competitions
Competitions
Midsummer Trophy
Another hot, dry day with little wind and feeling humid – max 26 degrees but it felt warmer.
Today’s clear winner was Kim Jabbour who took advantage of the cooler early morning temperatures – in fact 3 of the six ‘early starters’ scored in the top 5. Kim’s winning score (44 points, gross 86) was the best of his 20 rounds with us, since getting his handicap in March, and earned him and ESR of -1. He had 21 points out (with one blob) and 23 points in.
Tied in second place on 41 points were Mike Jones and Seymour, Mike winning out on countback. Jonno McLean (40 points) and Joan Mulcahy (39 points and best lady) take 4th and 5th places. Well done to all the top 5. On the down side, many players found the round very slow, waiting for the group in front on every hole. There was no reason for this as there was ‘no-one’ holding up our mid-morning competition group and it was a stableford competition in 3-balls. Sweep pay-out was to the top 5 sweep entrants.
Round 3, Ballantyne 2025
The Richmond Park team entertained a very strong Tilgate Forest B team on the Prince’s course, on what was at times a breezy but very warm day. The result was a 2.5 to 0.5 win for Richmond Park, who will now play Wycombe Heights B in Round 4 (the Area Final).
Our first pair (Mark Bean and Brendan Sullivan) went 2 down after 9 and were still 2 down after 13. They then won holes 14, 15, 16, and 17 to finish 2&1 winners. Club captain Brendan had a very strong all round performance and was the player of the day.
Our second pair (Ray Esin and Mel Dunn) were also up against stiff opposition. After trailing for long periods of time, they had to dig deep to finally draw their match demonstrating a never give up approach to their game against a strong pairing.
Our third pair was made up of Justin Wildman and Russell Stewart. They found themselves 2 down after 2 holes and despite one of the opposing players losing the head of his club on the second, his tee shot still ran to the back of the green from where he managed to win the hole. Hanging on until the 7th Justin, got one back, then Russell got another back at the 8th. From that point it was tight and the low handicap player from Tilgate had 4 birdies. However taking advantage of the shots given the Richmond park pair closed it out on the 18th, winning by 2 holes.
The games were played in a very competitive but convivial atmosphere and the teams enjoyed drinks and pizza together on the veranda after play.
Shaw Cup [Top Dog Event 3 of 7]
A fresher day than the heat and humidity of recent days and a breeze.
The Shaw Cup was won with an excellent 42 point from Charles Haines – 21 on each 9; chasing him with 41 were Gerard Ouattara and Lee Frost both with 41 points and countback proclaimed Gerard 2nd. Fine 39s followed from Tony Kopczak and Tom O’Hare.
Best woman Doreen Dolby 37on countback from Jenny Lawrence. Best front 9 from Bernie McDermott 22 and back 23 from Olav Bridie.
This was 3rd comp in the men’s Top Dog with Joe Goncalves leading First Division [Senior]14 points from Michael Hayden, Tom O’Hare and Alan Treacy 12 each. Second Division[Junior] leader is Charles Haines 13 from Michael Pham and Charlie Whiteman 12 each.
Friday Sweep
The rounds started in hazy sunshine and slightly more humid conditions than the previous heatwave days but the high clouds cleared by midday and it was another very hot day. With rock hard fairways, good tee shots ‘ran a mile’ but the greens and approaches were is great condition, due to their daily watering.
Charles Haines and Tom Laybourn were both in great form and tied at the top with 40 points. However Charles was the winner on countback (18 out, 22 back); Charles had a ‘purple patch’ in the middle of his round with birdies on the 9th, 10th and 12th – his birdie 3 on the 10th being a 60 yards ‘chip in’.
Tom had 22 out and 18 points in, with birdies on the 6th (a 25 yards chip in) and the 12th. Tom drove the back of the 9th green in 2 but only par’d the hole. Also, a better last 3 holes and he could have won with 44 points – that’s what pressure does to you!
Third place finds Seymour with 37 points (20 out and 17 in), continuing his steady, resurgent form. Without sluggish scores on the 14th, 15th and 16th holes he could have been challenging for top spot.
Easiest holes yesterday were the 9th and 12th and most difficult were the 7th and 8th (as usual). Lee Frost still leads the Friday Birdie Tree on 10, with Simon McKnight and Richard Owen sharing 2nd place on 8. Richard also narrowly missed out on an eagle 2 on the 17th by leaving his putt 9 inches away !
Founders Cup – Mrs Millidge (5 of 6)
Lovely day for golf most of the field scored 30+ points. However, a couple of players were out to win with 40+ points.
Ged Quinn made hay while the sun shone with 21 out and 22 back for 43 points whilst in 2nd place was Elizabeth Piner with 21 out and 20 back for 41. Colin Price just pipped Stephen Haworth into 3rd on countback both with 39 points. Gina Jillett coasted into 5th with her 38 points.
Interestingly there were NO 2’s today . I don’t know when that last happened.
The Captains’ Day [Top Dog Event 2 of 7]
A fresher day than of late with a good turnout for Captains’ Day (66)
The headline leader of the day was new member Alex Fraser-Cannon stil l going trough handicapping cards. Overall winner in the competition was Michael Hayden on countback [last 6 holes – scores were identical front and back 9) winning men’s captain’s prizefrom Michael Pham both 41 points.
Two women came next with 38 = again separated on countback with Lia Donath winning due to superior back 9 of 23 points to Niamh’s 20; well done ladies! Naturally Lia wins he women’s captain’s prize
NTP prizes for the men:
NTP par 3s:
7th Joe Goncalves
10th Peter Jagger
16th Maher Sharma
NTP in 2s
2nd Paul Green
9th Sunny Lall
15th Jonno McLean
18th Kerry Sargeant
NTP prizes for the women:
NTP par 3
10th Lia Donath
NTP in 2s
7th Cheryl Woodhouse
16th Sheena Harrington
18th Sheena Harrington
A bar tab was provided for members afterwards and most seemed to take advantage. Time was taken to provide manual calculation of the men’s Top Dog and as per attached after 2 events Michael Hayden shares lead of senior division with Alan Treacy both 12 points; likewise Michael Pharm share junior division with 12 each.
Midweek June Medal (Midweek GM Rd 4 of 8)
Although the sun eventually broke through for a glorious end to our rounds, much of the day was spent under grey skies. However, it was a good golfing day with very little wind.
We were playing for the Midweek June Medal which was also the fourth round of the Midweek Grand Medal competition. As many of you already know, it has been decided to adjust the dividing point between the two midweek divisions to HI 18.6 and below for Division 1 (senior) with Division 2 (junior) being HI 18.7 and above. This has been done in order to try to even out the number of midweek players in each division and therefore the sweep prizes. Today’s medal result reflects that change and the overall Grand Medal standings have also been adjusted accordingly. Sunday competitions remain unaltered.
Winner of Division 1 (senior) today was Toby Hunt playing off 14 with a net score of 66. Toby went out in a respectable 42 and came back in 38. He scored a 4 on 7 holes of his back 9. Peppe Monterosso (16) made second spot with 67 while Lee Frost (15) just pipped Mike Assender (9) to 3rd spot on countback. Both scored 68. Mike had the lowest gross score of the day.
In Division 2 (junior) our men’s secretary Peter Harrington (27) carded a net 62 (lowest net of the day). Peter shot 46 out and came back in 43. In second place with 68 came Kim Jabbour (27) closely followed by Steve Tyrrell and Peter Fisher both with 69.
A special mention for SimonMcKnight who eagled the par 5 9th today.
Of those who have completed 4 rounds in the Midweek Grand Medal, the standings are:
Division 1
Julian James 288
Peppe Monterosso 289
Division 2
Peter Fisher 284
Richard Marriott 308
Richard Norden 313
June Monthly Medal [GMT Rd 4 of 8] & Women’s June Medal
Women
Men
Bright day with a breeze but it remained dry for the June Medal on Prince’s. Recent rains (much needed) brought some thicker rough but greens were reported fast.
Some very good scoring resulted with division 1 (senior) headed by a fantastic (best ever?) 63 from Bill Norman [gross 41 out, 35 (inc. straight pars for final 6) in]; Paul Kamerling in last game chased with a glorious 65 – standing on the 7th tee Paul was 2 under par gross! An outstanding 66 was next from Joe Goncalves – Joe’s was best gross for the day (73) and had best back 9 just 1 over par. Further remarkable scoring in the 60s came from Raymond Esin 67 and Tom Simpkins 69.
Division 2 (junior) also had good scoring headed by Callum Chapple off 18 -67; Callum’s excellent round showed some future promise with 8s at 5 & 8 being offset by a rare birdie at SI 1 7th (!). Tom Laybourne’s 68 had a very commendable gross 40 on back 9. Tony Kopczak edged on countback Gerard Outtara both returning good 69s.
In the Grand Medal through round 4 (of possible 8) those with 4 rounds to date are headed by:
First division: Julian James 293 from Oz Doyle 294 and Iker Lanzagorta295.
Second division: Gerard Ouattara 285 from Alex Catlow 297, Nigel Ward 300 and Rannesh Jansari 302.
Rickmansworth match, Home Leg
The first leg of our annual match against Rickmansworth was played on a warm but overcast day and the Ricky team came with a strong team to avenge the 5-0 drubbing they suffered last year at the park. The rain held off long enough for the first 4 matches to finish in the dry but the heavens opened as the final 2 matches were finishing.
The match result swung one way and then the other as the scores came in but finished as a 3:3 draw. The winning pairs for RPGC were Alan Treacy & Craig Johnstone, Joe Gonclaves & Gerard Ouattara and Richard Back & Peter Harrison. So, much work to do to retain the cup, when we go over to Rickmansworth for the away leg of match, in its 60th anniversary year.
Founders Cup – H. Prendergast (4 of 6)
Light winds, warm with barely a spot of rain and good speed greens. It was a a good day for scoring as 31 players made 30+ points.
The clear winner was Henry with a gross score of 74 only 3 over par playing off 9. Second is Mike Assender playing off 12 with 39 points. 22 out and 17 back. 3 players had 38 and on countback Brian Ransom edged out Alex Braun and Mehmet Akdeniz who both had 39 out and back.
It was interesting that of the Five 2’s only 1 was on hole 10 and 4 were on hole 16.