Men’s Golf Blog
On Monday we all enjoyed the 2023 edition of the Roehampton Club Legends Tour Pro Am. The Pro field was packed with our golfing heros – Ryder Cup stars, European Tour winners and lots of anecdotes about Seve, Tiger, Jack, Arnie, Gary and Greg (Norman not Waunford Brown!).
The course was fantastic, greens as smooth as the snooker table and as fast as I’ve ever known them. Effusive compliments were paid by the field to Head Greenkeeper David Howe and Peter Bradburn – a fantastic job chaps after some rough weather in the previous week.
Prizes were awarded to both Men and Ladies for ‘nearest the pin’ and ‘Longest drive’ and the male winners included Alex Tonge, Edward Cormack, Martin Abbott, Stephen Follett, Peter Smith. In the main competition the winning team were Caroline Leslie, Heather Webber and Andreina Townsend who scored 90 points with Pro Phil Golding. In second place with 88 points were a sponsor team of Luke Richards, Duncan Jee and Warren Lloyd with Pro Peter O’Malley and in third place with 88 points were Stuart Loggie, Benjamin Walmsley and Peter Smith. The first-place prize in the Pro’s event was shared by David Shacklady and Phil Golding with 68 gross.
My compliments and those of all the participants to all the organising team as I believe the presentation of the course and the quality of the meals has set a new benchmark. Thank you so much!
In Captain and Pro, I enjoyed the company of (relatively) new Pro Sam Rebane when we took on the challenge of Jeremy Boyle and Ian McDonald. We had a lovely round of golf, punctuated by some really good play including our opponent both making ‘net birdie’ on the 1st, 89th, 10th and 14th. Some very strong play from Sam saw us nose ahead and we closed out the match 3/2. With an eye to the following morning, I gracefully retired early from the Members Bar, but I understand the Roehampton Club spirit was celebrated that evening. On the Saturday came the challenge from Connor Hamilton (runner up in the Club Championship) and Rob Findley (all-round sportsman and formerly good at squash). A birdie / eagle-fest was unleashed with 15 birdies and one eagle among the group. In true ‘Will-style’, Will put together a 6 birdie run which helped nullify the two net eagles from Rob at 8th and 11th! I am also delighted to report that your Captain managed to make birdie 2’s at both 13th and 14th which – coupled with Will’s birdie at the 15th was good enough to give us victory by 4/3. With only eight matches left, I am beginning to look forward to the Captain and Pro Challengers’ event on 30th September. To all those who have challenged this year, please put the event into your diaries – previous experience says it is not to be missed!
On Saturday 5th August we all competed for the ‘George Gadd Challenge Cup’, split into a ‘Senior’ (handicap up to 14) and ‘Junior’ division (handicap above 14 ) 18 holes medal over a course which was starting to be set up and manicured for the Pro Am. With the course looking fantastic, the scoring matched, and the Senior division was won by Christopher Small with nett 64 (gross 78) from Mark Gradwell (nett 67, gross 78) and sharing third place Jo Cochrane (nett 68, gross 76) Stuart Broad (nett 68, gross 76) and Dan Birn (nett 68, gross 78). In the junior division, Paul Farrell, and William Glassey both scored nett 62 – Paul taking it on a count-back. I know that both Will and Paul have been playing well so I am sure this represents the start of a diminishing handicap journey! In third place, Shaun Erasmus with a tidy nett 66. A special ‘welcome back’ to our friend Alun Hughes who, after many months away following surgery, returned a nett 74 – great to see you Alun!
Well played to everyone who endured lots of rain, plenty of wind and apparently scoring was unaffected. For those who thirst for competition, we have Club Roll-ups in both the morning and afternoon of 20th August – usual drill – meet in the Club Café by 0745 or in the Members Bar by 1230. Please put it into your diary!
And finally, the John Ling team under the Captaincy of Nigel Brown have progressed further and will next play a home fixture in early September against ‘The Drift’. Good luck chaps!