After the chaos of the covid outbreak last year when all meetings were abandoned, we resumed after a gap of 20 months on 10 June at a new venue, Goring and Streatley. Our first visit and a memorable one too. A good attendance of 18 enjoyed a dry and warm day and Chris Phillips mastered the lightning-fast greens with 39 pts to take the John Bond Cup. He confessed that the greens were perhaps the fastest he had experienced, a statement endorsed by everybody and it was unanimously agreed that we must return in 2022.
Next up we ventured into the south downs for the Presidents Trophy on 22 July. Although nestled in the downs near to Biggin Hill airfield it was difficult to find the West Kent club but an effort well rewarded. It was a hot summer’s day. The clubhouse has a commanding view of several of the sometimes testing holes and drinks on the terrace were much enjoyed. Hugh Sear scored an excellent 38 pts to win the trophy. Another good turn-out of 18 had an enjoyable day enlivened by the overflying Spitfires from the airfield.
Our Captain, Chris Lee, at last was able to realise his plans for the annual Captain’s Tour and all those who attended were unanimous he had chosen wisely and well.
Based at the Spread Eagle Hotel in Midhurst we started the tour at the scenic and undulating Goodwood Downs course where we played what the captain called a cha-cha-cha format (and which others know it as a Waltz) This was one by the family pairs of Nicola and Chris Phillips and Jeanne & Paul Cohen with 81 pts. The following day we played the equally undulating Cowdray Park course, again in fair weather and
the Captain’s Salver was won by Peter Jones with 39 pts. After excellent meals at the hotel we said farewell to the friendly and helpful staff to make our way to Slinfold Park , the captain’s home club, for our concluding event, a Texas Scramble in teams of three where 6 drives were required from all three.
This course had several teasing dog-legs and water hazards and the winning score was a creditable 65.2
achieved by the ‘old contemptibles’ of Alan Wood, Chris Lee and Gordon Lamb in very warm conditions.
The attendance for the three days was 20 and all agreed it was one of the best outings we’ve enjoyed.
We had arranged a final meeting in October but there were not enough interested or available so it was cancelled – but this was academic anyway as the Sweetwoods Park course was flooded and unplayable, a foretaste of what as to prove a very wet early winter.
In normal times we elect a captain and vice-captain each year but due to our reduced membership we have in recent times been obliged to ask previous incumbents to serve another term and we must thank
David Littlechild, Judith and Eric Smith in recent times for volunteering, and now Chris has also agreed to continue into 2022. He has already arranged what looks like being a cracking Captain’s Tour in September
in Wales, full details are on our website.
Time to offer my personal thanks to Chris, our Treasurer Dave Stride and our website guru Geoff Fowler for their support. The website is undergoing improvements and should be your first stop for news of our society.
Congratulations to the winners of our aggregate trophies for 2021: David Littlechild (Watkins Trophy) Hugh Sear (Conlon & Guildford) Chris Phillips (Liberty) and Peter Jones (Spicer & Tolley) These will be presented at our first meeting in May at Betchworth Park.
We look forward to the new season when we trust all four meetings will proceed as planned. We had a total of 23 members playing in last year’s events, so, if we can invite guests or, indeed, recruit new members I would ask you to see what you can do to our mutual benefit.
Richard Johns
6 February 2022
www.londonstationersgolf.org.uk
