Men’s Golf Captain’s Blog
Despite a bracing wind, this weekend felt as if our 2023 golf season had really started with 70 golfers forming pairs to compete in a pairs scramble event. While the format no doubt favoured the lower handicap pairs, it was leading senior Members and ex-Captains Stuart Loggie and Greg Waunford-Brown who took the trophy with a fantastic 6 under gross which became a 10 under net 61 with their 4 shots. In second place with a 62 (with 3 shots) were Jo Cochrane and Andrew Walker, followed by big hitting Finn Begley and his shorter hitting partner Oli Hunt with a 63, albeit only receiving 1 shot. Mention must be made of the 4th placed ‘experienced’ team of Martin Abbott and John Randel who returned a fabulous 64 – finishing ahead of David Birn and your Captain, and Niels Verbeek and Bryn Rocke on countback.
The quality of the golf was once again exceptional with 5 eagles being recorded – four teams on the 10th and the team of Roy Martin and Keith Atkins making eagle on the par 4 11th hole (I understand that Keith was very supportive while Roy was making the eagle …)
If we take an ‘eclectic’ score for the day, the only holes not birdied (or eagled) were the 2nd and the 16th – no surprises there? Feedback on the scramble has been universally positive and we hope to make this an annual event with a suitable piece of silverware.
Weather has not been kind to Captain and Pro matches in 2023 but this Sunday we managed to get our first Captain and Pro match of 2023 played against the fraternal pair of Daniel and David Birn. As most golf Members know, the Birns are regular winners of the men’s four ball knockout so Ricky and I knew we were in for a tough match.
Little did we know that, having played the first 9 holes in gross 33 (3 under par), we would find ourselves 1 down and then immediately 2 down when Dan (the older and arguably better looking) brother made eagle down the 10th! Thankfully the expression ‘cometh the hour, cometh the man’ has never been more suitably used as Ricky proceeded to nearly hole his second shots at both the 11th and 12th holes for conceded birdies and two winning holes.
It was inevitable that, at some point, your Captain would get involved in the game and, inspired by the shots of Ricky, I managed to play the final 7 holes in 1 under par gross – which was only just good enough to hold off the boys and deliver a win by 2 and 1. Huge credit to Dan and Dave who are delightful company, great golfers and were round in 7 under, only to be edged out by a 9 under from the Captain and Pro.
The draws for the summer knockouts are out! I look forward to the challenge from Callum Hensby, Murray Feeley and the four ball knock out throws up the dream tie, partnering Scott Stanley against Vice Captain Peter McGovern and former Captain Gerry Dennigan.
We have record breaking entries – 40 entries in the scratch match play Club Championship and 104 in the handicap Lockwood Foster. A highlight of the year for many, it’s the perfect chance to pit your match play talent against the rest of the Club. The trophies to the winners are magnificent and presented at the Men’s Dinner on 17th November 2023, a date to put into your diary as, win or lose it is a superb night of great company, entertainment and of course trophies galore. Good luck to you all in this seasons knockouts!
At the other end of the timeline, the winter foursomes is reaching the final stages. In the bottom half of the draw the semi final is between David and Ollie Rimmer who play Richard Spalding and Roy Martin. In the top half, Iain Welsh and Matthew Woolston await the winners of the Benbow / Wright v. Thesiger / Williams quarter final match.
Let’s hope the weather isn’t quite as bad as forecast – I know we are all enjoying the growth in the course and the rapidly quickening, billiard table like greens. Happy golfing!
Simon Butler
Men’s Golf Captain