Consequent to the disruption caused by Covid over the past two years coupled with a declining and aging membership we have perforce needed to slim down our fixtures. We did try to maintain the full list but were forced to abandon meetings at Betchworth Park and Aspley Guise as we unable to muster the minimum of 12 to make them viable.
And so we started on June 9th with a return to Goring and Streatley where 18 attended this lovely course. The weather was overcast but warm. The food and hospitality was, as before, excellent.
Chris Phillips with 38 pts retained the John Bond Cup he won at the same venue in 2021 – but only on a countback from David Littlechild who had the same score.
In the evening we held our AGM which, in contrast to the norm, lasted fully 20 minutes – about five times longer than usual! The Treasurer and Secretary were re-elected and then followed a lively debate about the captaincy and future plans.
Chris Lee who had willingly served an extended term suggested that a form of ‘shared’ captaincy might be the way forward. After a general debate several said a repeat of a 3-day September outing would be welcome but others suggested that an overnight visit playing two rounds might be more popular and it was agreed this should be investigated.
In addition Geoffrey Betts said he had reserved Gerrards Cross, traditionally one of our favourite courses, in July and asked if members present would wish to attend, to which those present assented.
The Captain’s Outing took place on September 21-23 in South Wales and, unusually, was blessed with lovely warm weather. We assembled at the Rolls of Monmouth course where David Littlechild, Alan Hebditch, David Stride and John Astrop won the 3-2-1 (Waltz) Stableford with 78 points. A team of three (Peter Jones, Alan Wood, and Richard Johns had the distinction of amassing 11 pts at one hole). We then adjourned to the excellent Glen-Yr-Afon House. A family run hotel with exemplary accommodation and near gourmet food. The next day was the ‘big one’, the Captain’s Salver at the Monmouthshire. A high scoring fiesta it proved with Jeanne Cohen taking the salver with 39 points. Saying goodbye to our friends at the hotel next morning we journeyed by diverse roads to Westlake Park, a hilly and scenic course overlooked by mountains and edged by a beautiful lake. A scramble was played and won by Alan Wood, Hugh Sear, Liz Tollit and David Littlechild with a net 66.2.
So concluded another wonderful outing, much enjoyed by the 22 participants but, crucially, without the one important person who had so skilfully arranged it – our Captain Chris Lee !! Poor Chris was ravaged with Covid ten days previously and couldn’t make it, he was greatly missed and had a slight consolation knowing what a success it had been.
Congratulations to the two aggregate winners: David Littlechild winning the Watkins Trophy and Jeanne Cohen sweeping the board with the Conlon, Tolley and Spicer Trophies. My thanks, as always to members who have helped me out particularly, Dave Stride our Treasurer, Geoff Fowler the website guru, Peter Jones and Dave Littlechild who has sportingly organised our first ever overnight visit, to Stoke by Nayland, in May where we shall be playing for the Jack Ryman Cup and the President’s Trophy on the two courses. To date we have 20 signed up. Preliminary details here: 1.Home Page (londonstationersgolf.org.uk)
At Gerrards Cross we will play for the Captains’ Salver and the society is happily in a position to subsidise the cost substantially in the hope of attracting a good turnout.
As ever, you will find full society information in addition to statistics, records and a rich archive of photographs going back to the 80’s – a real nostalgia trip at www.londonstationersgolf.org.uk
Wishing you all good health and happy golfing as we move to our 89th year.
Richard Johns (Hon. Secretary)
March 22nd, 2023
