Rain over last few weeks affected the course badly with 8 temporary greens. So not a handicapping qualifier. The conditions of mud and un-mown temporary greens affected people differently (perhaps an assist to those with the ‘yips’ having to ram home putts?) but analysis reveals that on the whole, the back 9 were easier. Analysis…

Cream rose to the top with Stephen Haworth in his first competitive round with RPGC being the early clubhouse leader with 65 having birdied the last nudging late starter Jay Barker into 3rd on countback. The deserved winner was another late starter – Tamas on 64. Jay had the best gross with a two over par 70. Leading lady was Angela Flynn 74. Results…

The round counted as the 2nd Midweek Grand Medal round and early leader is Chris Philips-Jones on 135 – 2 clear from Toby. R2 Leader board…

A smaller field today due to the Ladies’ away weekend and the club playing in the Surrey 5’s. The field faced a course which at first sight could have been more forgiving. Recent works on the greens, still quite a lot of mud and standing water (preventing the greenkeepers from cutting the fairways). Nobody could’ve really expected today’s barrage.

Damian Hackett put up an excellent front 9 (21pts) and then recovered excellently from a no score on the 13th hole. 19pts on the back (total score 40pts) made him leader in the clubhouse. Unfortunately for him the back-up handicap secretary matched his score on the front 9. Birdie on 14 and a chip-in birdie on 16 pushed Kim on to 21pts on the way in. 42pts proved to be enough for victory today. Chris Lordan continues his excellent form. Three birdies on the front 9 (23pts) set him up nicely for a more subdued back 9 (17pts). 40pts move Chris into 3rd and gets his playing handicap down to 7. Brian McMahon finishes 4th just 1pt behind Chris. Jay (39pts) and Tenesi (38pts) complete the Top6. Results…

Factoid of the day: Greg Saunders 2-putted every green today.

Jay wins the Spring Stableford with a total score of 76pts just ahead of Brian McMahon (75pts) and Kerry Sargeant (74pts). Results…

CSS: 38pts (Men & Ladies)

At times conditions proved very blustery but by and large it was dry. Many puddles were manifest – some not seen since the flooding of 2000.

Oliver Maskell produced a characteristically winning 68 four ahead of Cosmo Liefting-Moore and Jeremy Ryan. Oliver wins (of course) the Masters Bowl. Habe Crocker was leading lady 83. Results…

The ‘No Returns’ produced some interest for those of a certain bent: Kim being DQ card not signed whilst Messrs. Grand, Lindesay-Bethune and Rivers had net differentials within buffer zone, thereby avoiding 0.1 increase 9i.e. were within buffer on a stableford basis) despite ‘blobbing’ at least one hole.

The effects of the rain over the last couple of days were hard to ignore. A lot of standing water and mud on the fairways. The right side of the 16th green was not the place to be. A bit of extra carry on tee-shots was useful.

All this seemed to play into Chris Lordan’s strengths. After a steady front 9 he came alive on the back 9 with three birdies on 10, 16 and 17. He managed to total 21pts on the way in. A total score of 39pts is an excellent result in the conditions. His competition handicap doesn’t change but he edges closer to a new handicap.

Leader in the clubhouse Caleb Mills recorded a very solid 37pts to finish second. An excellent back 9 (21pts) allows Steve Cross to take 3rd place. Damian Hackett got a little flustered by nearly being hit by yours truly’s tee-shot on the 17th (and NO it wasn’t a hook or a slice. Just a pure strike down the right side of the fairway). Two sixes prevent him from finishing higher than 4th. Phil Flanagan and Lee Marshall complete the Top6. Shout-out to John Curry for his eagle on the 17th. 1st lady today was Lia Donath. Results…

CSS: 36 (Men & Ladies)

Perseverance with the rain was manifest with a small but quality field of 7. 57 % scored within buffer zone resulting in an elevated CSS of 38 points/reduced 66 shots. Mark Rosamund shot a blinding 38 points (19 out 19 in) to win 3 clear from Henry Lindesay-Bethune. Results…

Grey sunless and still early spring conditions proved ideal for golf. Following his recent midweek win, Toby Hunt was crowned the winner of the Coronation Cup with a glorious 65 narrowly beating Tony Bergqvist and leading lady Habe Crocker 66s and five following with 67s. James Barker claimed best gross 76. Results…

A good turnout of 60 produced CSS = SSS with ladies in receipt of 2 shots (difference in the SSSs).

An authoritative bark from Toby from the top of the men’s Top Dog Trophy (first event 2018) with 12 points echoed a new handicap of 12 having nudged 14 earlier in the year. Well done Toby! R1 leader board… 

Just 3 days ago both courses were unplayable per this view. Today the sun shone and it was a pleasant Spring day. It was a double first for Toby who won the first midweek grand medal round with a 66 and the best gross of the day 80. He was chased by Chris Phillips-Jones 67 and Richard Hodgkinson and Jeremy Prescott 69s. A jet-lagged Kim returned a respectable late 75. Results…

This view illustrates the weather conditions that caused the cancellation of the day’s competition.

A mild but at times blustery day greeted competitors hinting that Spring is surely just round the corner.

Ted Holt emerged the winner with 38 points ahead of Raymond Esin 37 and John Curry & Paul Grand 36s. Results…

Ted hit a perfect shot on 2 for an ace! And after 4 holes had 14 points in the bag. Well done indeed Ted. It was drinks all round (at least for late morning players) at the nineteenth.

This was the last round of the midweek Winter Competition confirming the 1-2-3 as before – Eeelco Snidjers 114, Peter Harrington 113 and Jonathan Rivers 112. Final leader board… 

Brett Colley won the Prince’s Eclectic on 64 with Henry Lindesay-Bethune 2nd on countback 64.5 from Chris Phillips-Jones. Final leader board…