Despite the ravages of old age, declining membership and, in particular, long term injuries to some of our stalwart members we still managed to support two fixtures in 2023.
Our first was an overnight stay, and Spring gathering at Stoke-by-Nayland on May 23/24th. This is a busy golf hotel and resort which we previously visited a few years back. It is very popular and the hotel facilities and food excellent. The two courses present a challenge in their design with water featuring prominently but at the time of our visit were not in prime condition.
On the first day we played the Gainsborough, the shorter of the two and Alan Wood tied Chris Phillips on 34 points but took the Jack Ryman Cup on a better back nine.
Chris had the consolation of winning the two nearest the pin prizes for the day.
The next day, on the supposedly more difficult Constable course the scoring was very good and the President’s Trophy was convincingly won by John Astrop with 41 points. Alan Wood continued his good form with 36 points for the runners-up spot. Graham Knights and David Littlechild won the nearest the pin prizes. The weather for our visit was dry with sunny periods and we were pleased to welcome back Judith and Eric Smith, still suffering long term injuries so unable to play. Rosemary Heath was another welcome visitor. Gordon Lamb bravely played despite the commencement of cancer treatment the following day. All in all, a happy reunion with 22 members attending.
As we had sufficient funds we decided to subsidise our second meeting on July 27th at an old favourite, Gerrards Cross – and it was a rousing success as we had 26 attend on a warm, dry day. It was a happy occasion where we welcomed back some old friends including Peter Mines, Ollie and David James, Warren Evans, David Wild and John Pirnie.
A little piece of society history was made this day when Gerrards Cross became the most played course in our history with 26 visits, beating the 25 of Camberley Heath.
Battle was joined and the Captain’s Salver was won by Chris Phillips with 36 points, followed by the secretary and a guest David Cohen with 34. Nicola Phillips and the every consistent 84 year old Alan Wood had 33 points. Chris (again) was the winner of the two nearest the pin prizes.
Following the meeting a brief Annual General Meeting was held at which the Secretary and Treasurer were re-elected.
Tribute was paid to Chris Lee who had captained us since 2021 and organised successful outings to Sussex in 2021 and to Monmouthshire in 2022 – the last was poignant because he succumbed to Covid seven days before and was unable to attend. The position of Captain was left vacant but thanks were offered to David Littlechild for arranging the spring trip. He said he would try to arrange a further overnight meeting for 2024.
Richard Johns
Hon. Secretary
17 February 2024
