Two seasons in one and plenty of good golf
Sunday 27 September certainly gave us the full joys of autumn golf. The morning brought heavy rain, strong winds and waterproofs zipped firmly up; by afternoon it was sweltering, jackets were off and players were down to short sleeves. Anyone who packed for all eventualities had the right idea.
Our finalists dealt with it all with determination, good humour and some superb golf. Congratulations to every winner and runner-up: reaching a club final takes a season’s worth of effort, not just one good round.
MEET OUR NEW CLUB CHAMPIONS
Rhys TG Davies is our new Men’s Scratch Champion, following a fine comeback against Joseph Nand-Lal. One down at lunch, Rhys turned the match around and birdied two of the last three holes to win 4 & 3. Both finalists produced some fantastic golf.
Alison Daniels is our new Ladies’ Scratch Champion after a thrilling 36-hole match against Georgina Ormond.
As Helen Hughes reports, Georgina was four up after 13 holes and took a two-hole lead into the break. Whether Alison had a Heineken during the interval remains a matter for debate, but whatever she did, it worked!
Alison won the first two holes of the afternoon to level the match. The advantage shifted back and forth, with neither player prepared to give way, and they headed down the 36th all square. Alison’s brilliant second shot found the green, before a long putt sealed a one-up victory. A terrific battle, right to the last.
CUPS, COMEBACKS AND A SOLO EFFORT
Martin Spurin reached three knockout finals and won all three: the President’s Cup, played on Saturday to accommodate his Sunday commitments, the Allen Cup and the Colwyn Williams Cup with Michael Disney. Michael also collected the Sellar Cup. Quite a weekend and quite a haul of silverware.
The Colwyn Williams final deserves a special mention. With partner Ian Draisey injured and unable to play, Steve Allen took on Martin and Michael single-handed. He put up an admirable fight before losing 3 & 2, then won the Charles Mathias Cup against Adrian Palmer.
Sarah Mansbridge, still relatively new to golf, reached two finals, winning the Audrey Birt Cup before finishing runner-up to Julie Tordoff in the Travers Cup.
Neil Kedward recorded the biggest winning margin of the day, taking the Davies Cup 8 & 7. Kazuki Tran enjoyed a memorable Junior Cup victory, while Jon and Angela Large held off a comeback from Gill John and David Blackmore to win the mixed foursomes.
At the other end of the margins, Lynne Campbell and Nicola Anthony edged a close Vicky Burks final against Diana Dredge and Veronica Davies by just one hole.
THE RESULTS
Winner(s) listed first, followed by runner(s)-up.
Men’s Scratch Cup: Rhys TG Davies; Joseph Nand-Lal — 4 & 3
Ladies’ Scratch Cup: Alison Daniels; Georgina Ormond — 1 up
President’s Cup*: Martin Spurin; Nick Garrod — 3 & 2
Allen Cup: Martin Spurin; Roy Edwards — 4 & 3
Sellar Cup: Michael Disney; Rob Hall — 2 up
Charles Mathias Cup: Steve Allen; Adrian Palmer — 3 & 2
Audrey Birt Cup: Sarah Mansbridge; Veronica Davies
Davies Cup: Neil Kedward; Daniel Brace — 8 & 7
Bronze Scratch Cup: Carol Beecher; Ruth Goldwait — 6 & 5
Veterans Cup: David Rees; Phil Carpenter — 3 & 1
Junior Cup: Kazuki Tran; Ethan Brace — 6 & 5
Reason Jones Cup: Ian Thomas and Stephen Williams; Allan Morton and Richard Morton — 4 & 3
Llewellyn Thomas Salver: Jon Large and Angela Large; Gill John and David Blackmore — 2 & 1
Travers Cup: Julie Tordoff; Sarah Mansbridge — 5 & 4
Vicky Burks Pairs: Lynne Campbell and Nicola Anthony; Diana Dredge and Veronica Davies — 1 up
Colwyn Williams Cup: Martin Spurin and Michael Disney; Steve Allen, playing without injured partner Ian Draisey — 3 & 2
Deeley Cup*: Angela Large; Georgina Ormond
*These finals were played before Sunday’s Finals Day.
A packed clubhouse rounded off the day with the presentation evening, expertly led by Mick Seal. Other season trophies were also presented, including the strokeplay championship honours: the Cobb Cup for the best gross score went to Roy Edwards, and the Regimental Bowl for the best nett score to Adam Thorne.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE DAY
Our thanks go to Jaime and the Greens team for preparing the course and setting some suitably challenging pin positions. The players certainly had plenty to think about.
Thank you to all the members who came out to watch and support their fellow players, and to the team in the 19th for keeping everyone fed and watered throughout the day.
We are grateful to the volunteers who ball-spotted and refereed, giving their time so others could enjoy their finals.
A very special thank you to Mick Seal and the Competitions & Handicaps Committee for their tireless efforts in making the day work, from the first tee to the evening presentations. And to Wyndham and Ann Collins for polishing the silverware until it was fit for the occasion, no small task with this many cups!
Thank you also to Helen Hughes and Richard Ormond for their match reports.
Congratulations to all our finalists, our new Club Champions and everyone who collected a trophy. A day of proper competitive golf, with plenty to celebrate together afterwards.
