As we start our eighty-second year I have pleasure in summarising the highlights of the season.

In April we returned after a gap of 63 years to Burhill for the Spring Meeting played in dry weather with the incoming captain, David James taking the Jack Ryman Cup with 30 points. At the AGM we elected, regrettably in his absence so we were unable to hear his acceptance speech, Eric Smith as our vice-captain. June saw us making a debut appearance at Romford. This turned out to be a lovely course with excellent food together with good old fashioned 'Essex Girl' hospitality by the staff. The weather was fine and the John Bond Cup was won on 40 points by Warren Evans.
In July we paid a return visit to West Byfleet, an old favourite. It was dry and humid, conditions to the liking of Chris Phillips winning the President's Trophy  with 41 points - a score matched by his son, Andrew to win the guest's prize.

For his Captain's Outing David James chose a return to an old favourite continental venue, Le Touquet, a  third visit since our inaugural event in 1988. Day one was played at the Forest Course in fine weather as a Stableford Pairs. On the second day for the Captain's Salver we drove north to L'Hardelot playing the original course. Uniquely, it rained from the start and half way round when the greens flooded we had to abandon proceedings and return, bedraggled, to our hotel where an excellent Captain's Dinner was enjoyed in the evening. Next day we returned to L'Hardelot, this time on the newer and scenically stunning Les Dunes course, and in good weather, to re-run the main event which was won with an exceptional score of 42 points by Chris Phillips, the fourth time he has triumphed in the Captain's Salver. As usual, despite the disappointing weather on day two, this annual excursion was hugely enjoyed and David organised the occasion admirably.

Our final meeting was at Tandridge in October where we played Stableford Better-ball Pairs for the Tilley Trophy and the David & Ollie James father and son 'deadly duo' triumphed with 44 points.
As is customary it falls upon me to thank those who have contributed to the smooth running of our society. Firstly a huge vote of thanks is due to our Treasurer, David Morgan, for arranging the sometimes complex work of collecting the fees and ball sweep receipts settling up with each club on the day when everyone else has gone home. Fees now come in a mixture of BACS payments, cash and a dwindling amount of cheques. Increasingly BACS is becoming a  popular method which does save time for us and for you. He also arranges mementos for the winners and for many years sourced the prizes.
David has served as Treasurer since 1982 and has indicated that he would like to retire after this coming season and so we will be seeking a successor. He will be a very hard act to follow but I am hoping we can find a member willing to take over in 2017.

The other member who I have worked closely with is our website 'guru', Geoff Fowler, and he has spent a lot of time over the past year improving our website. It is now brighter and contains a wealth of information covering all aspects of the London Stationers - results, fixtures, history, articles, photos and statistics.

If you wanted to know how many times we have played a particular course since 1934, who was captain in 1965, when a cut in your handicap expires, who has had a hole-in-one and where, where the Captain's Outing has been held over the years and what we looked like 25 years ago, it is all there. Mentioning photographs, we are always pleased to publish any you have taken at  our events over the years. Also articles or amusing incidents, jokes, etc are similarly welcomed. We also have space for advertisements which can publicise your company at a modest cost that helps subsidise our hosting fee. The new GolfBreaks advertisement is a paid-for example of what can be done.

Like most societies and golf clubs, our membership has steadily declined over the years and we very much need 'new blood'.  We are always thinking of ways to boost membership and encourage more guests. We have asked for your suggestions and have tried to implement those that might prove beneficial. Many factors affect attendances including cost, timing and venues. For the coming season we have tried to arrange a good spread of locations and visit courses which offer variety  and good value. We are also 'tweaking' the format of the morning round. We hope you will enjoy the courses we have chosen which are listed on the home page of our website -  http://www.londonstationersgolf.org.uk

Finally, congratulations to our aggregate winners for 2015: Ollie James (Liberty), Chris Phillips (Spicer,  & Conlon) David Littlechild (Watkins & Tolley) David James (Guildford)

 

 

Richard Johns
Hon. Secretary