Result: 2½ – 3½ Loss

The first (home) leg of this year’s match against Rickmansworth Golf Club took place on an afternoon of sunshine and heavy showers. Kerry Sargeant and Graeme Syme had an easy win (6&5) but the other five matches were very closely fought affairs that, with different play on the 18th hole, could have seen us take a 4-2 lead, rather than a 1 point deficit, to the away leg. The Dysart Arms was the venue for the after match dinner.

Anyone who would like to play in the return match at ‘Tricky Ricky’ on August 18th , and help us retain the trophy we won last year, should get their name down when the sheet appears in a few weeks time.

The second leg went down to the wire with the Captain and Vice Captain having the final word. More…

Result: Win 7-5 Overall

The return leg of the Rickmansworth match was played on a bright and breezy afternoon and turned out to be a very close affair – undecided until the final match came in. With a 4-2 lead from the home leg, Richmond Park needed to gain at least another 2½ points to win back the Challenge Cup, which has been played for between the two clubs every year for the past 40 years.

As anyone who has played there will know, the Rickmansworth golf course is not nicknamed “Tricky Ricky” for nothing. With the first 4 games in, our 4-2 lead had turned into all square at 5-5, and another 1½ points still needed. But comfortable wins in the final two games by Richard Owen & Gurpal Sekhon, and Jon Cooper & Jurek Strelcyn, saw the this year’s final match result: a win for Richmond Park 7-5.

Report due soon…

Result: Win 4-2

Report to appear here.

Report due soon. More…

Result: tba

Report to appear here.

The Men granted a 2-4 advantage to the visiting team. More…

Result: 2-4 Loss

Winning pairs: Tony Archdale & Tony Pickard, Paul Grand & Toby Hunt

Losing pairs: David Marsh & John Ahad; Also: Stan Potts, Vic Wadley, Geoff Foreman, Bob Marshall, Peter Cunningham and one other.

I can advise that the Rickmansworth home friendly was lost 4-2 in perfect golfing weather. Unusually, play took place on Prince’s. The return match will require effort, skill and luck to reverse the form.

The pairing of Paul and Toby led the way by securing a 6&5 win over the opposing Captain Gary and his partner Gordon. With 46 points the home sweep was also theirs.

After the match with splendid wholesome food at The Dysart, their captain revealed Rickmansworth’s proud tradition competing in Bournemouth week with some personal anecdotes from his 12 attendances.

Smokers will recall a loud clatter in the outside seating area which turned out to be a boomerang that went astray from Richmond Park. Fortunately nobody was injured and the owners rather sheepishly collected the object.