2021
2021
Anniversary Accumulator (Rd 1 of 4)
The field enjoyed very nice weather. Some crazy ginger even claimed that he likes the current layout of the course. Strange people these Northeners. 21 players (i.e. 36% % of the field) disagreed with him and NR’ed today. Staying clear of the rough was the best course of action. Ross returned an excellent result of 73 gross (60 Nett). His margin of victory would even have been more impressive had it not been for an ugly 6 on the 18th. Woman in form Cheryl “unfollowed” Rickie Fowler and swapped her Sunday tangerine outfit for more “classic” colours. The change didn’t affect golf karma (or “Momentum” as Keith Cassidy would call it). A very impressive 2nd place (67 Nett – despite a few wobbles around Amen Corner) can only be called a very good day at the office.
High on his excellent performance in the NAPGC Bourne-Vanheck Trophy Angus sailed to 3rd place. 4th place must have looked like a very distant possibility for Alvaro after an untidy front 9. But coming back 1 over par (a bogey on the last hole) made the impossible all of a sudden possible. Oliver Khan, MW Captain Henry (who will kick himself for his score on holes 12 and 18), Thierry Andretta and Gina complete the Top 7.
Ross is the comfortable leader in the Anniversary Accumulator standings after just 1 round.
Platinum Jubilee (70yrs 1924 – 1994)
Weather conditions seemed perfect for golf with just a passing shower, not too sunny etc.
It suited Shaun who won with a fantastic 62 from Richard I 64 with fine glorious 65s from Denis P and Cheryl [the in form lady with a 64 from Wednesday]. Keith Cassidy commanded best gross
Perhaps it was the impact of earlier rain in week thickening up the rough but there was a high incidence of 19 NRs although PCC remained at zero.
Friday Stableford Sweep
Although the BBC weather forecast early in the morning was mainly dry with a few occasional showers, this had changed by 9am to 80% rain and even that was an understatement – in fact the 18 hardy competitors and 2 players playing for handicap were subjected to incessant heavy rain. Seven players (and a dog) quite understandably ‘gave up’ part way round, however the rain didn’t seem to affect John Ahad’s golf with an impressive 37 points and was like ‘water off a duck’s back’ to Damber who posted 33 points but could quite easily have had 37 points too if regulation 2 putts hadn’t become 3s on several greens.
Midweek June Medal (MW GM Rd 3/8)
According to PGA.com the probability of hitting a hole in 1 is 12,500 to 1. It is becomes even crazier when you get 2 players acing on the same day. So well done to John Perkins and Julie Ryan (in chronological order) for achieving this remarkable feat on the 2nd hole. See report immediately below*
What a difference a couple of summer days make. The soft fairways and receptive greens were a distant memory today. Remember the rain from a short while back? The thick rough is the only indication of the downpours from a couple of weeks ago. So you needed to be precise (or lucky) off the tee.
Today’s winner is Cheryl with an excellent score of 64 (Net). She was a model of consistency (45 on front and back 9). Richard Back is on a roll. Strong of his win last Sunday he jumped on an early tee slot and calmly carded a round of +3 gross. He recorded 2 5s on the back 9 (13 & 18). But still finished with a stronger back 9 to beat Charlie Edwards on countback. The women seemed to enjoy today’s conditions. Besides today’s winner Cheryl, Ann Gardner recorded an excellent score of 66 (Net). VC John Ahad, Angus “Braveheart” Robertson and John “Ace” Perkins were just 1 shot back from the leading women. Richard Hanna used a better back 9 to hold of Joe Goncalves.
Angus takes the lead in the Midweek Medal Trophy on 206 (closest competitor is on 211- cf. attached).
Spring Bank Holiday Plate
It was a chilly start but the sun eventually broke through for a glorious warm day.
Winner of the Bank Holiday Plate was back in form Richard B 41 points with Mike Shabani runner-up 40. Katharina took 3rd on contback g=from Lica for 3rd and 38 points. Ned was best 37 on countbacks from Geoge T and Daniel.
There wer 9 ‘Twos’ recorded. Best front 9 24pts – Luca whilst John A and Katharina best back 22.
Richard B re-featured in birdies report attached – both he and George M had 4.
NAPGC Clapham Common match vs Huntswood
RPGC team narrowly lost this first round match 209 to 206 points
Friday Team Competition (1,2,3 waltz)
Our first Friday team competition was played in fine, mainly sunny early summer weather conditions and competitors seemed to enjoy playing as a ‘team’ for a change. With all the recent rain the fairways were softer than they will become and the semi-rough & rough have become ‘lush’. The only down side was the 4-ball of golf novices on a ‘day out’ in front of us, who caused a horrendous ‘back up’ of games over the front 9.
The winning team, with a total of 76 points, was the socially distanced Adrian Wells (who was card marking in an early game) together with Ann Gardner and Jeremy Prescott, playing towards the back of our main group. Together they went out in 37 points, mainly due to Ann’s personal 21 points, and then came back in an even stronger 39 points, this time mainly due to Adrian’s 22 points, but Jeremy pitched in with 2 and 3 points on the front and back 9s when needed to.
It was close between 2nd, 3rd and 4th places (73, 72 and 71 points respectively) with the team of Julian, Naveed and Tim clinching the runner’s up place with 39 out and 34 back, and Alvaro, Alan and Kevin posting 39 out and 33 back. So it seems both of these teams ran out of steam on the back 9, particularly by comparison with our winners.
The sweep monies will be shared by the winning team members.
We will have another team event in 3 weeks time.
Founders Cup – J Hume (4 of 4)
The rain of the last couple of days created some trouble: there was little roll on the fairways. The rough has grown quite rapidly since the rain made its return. The softer greens created some very welcome grip. But they could’ve done with a better roll. Some men will have been in a bit of a shock to see the white tees moved all the way to the back on 17 and 18.
Today’s Top 4 all seemed to follow the same course of action: get at least 20pts on the back 9. Leader in the clubhouse Joe Goncalves set the bar very high with his 39pts. 3 people came close. Charlie Edwards had an excellent back 9 (23pts) but has to settle for 2nd. First woman today, Gina, is keeping up her good form (save some good shots for the Hawtree …) on her way to 3rd. You guessed right: she scored 20pts on the way in. Richard Young scored 20pts too but the countback moves him into 4th. The 2 players who finished on 36pts both had 17pts on the back 9. Pete’s final six holes were just a bit better. So he takes 5th place.
Only 3 2s were recorded today. All took place on the 10th hole. Looks like Pete Goodall won the Founders Cup with 118pts.
Summer Cup/Committee Cup Rd 2 – UKPCC Qualifier
Women
Perhaps it was all those years being toughened up in the army, but unlike the rest of us the wind and rain of today seemed only to enhance Donna’s play. Finishing a mere 6 points ahead of Julie with 39 and 33 points respectively. In our game, mud balls and the rough certainly played its part. With a 10 point difference between her score today and the first week’s leader, Donna is the well-deserved winner of the Committee Cup overturning a 5 point deficit with ease. Her total score was 72
Donna was left to rue her decision not to confirm entry into the UKPCC letting Julie, in 2nd spot, win through to be our qualifier. Others may qualify if scores from other clubs are as low as ours today!!
Men
Cool conditions with odd shower were inappropriate for The Summer Cup.
Compared with recent weeks scoring was subdued but Uli came out on top with 38 points from Rhys, Alan and Kevin.
Unusually no ‘Twos’ were recorded.
Resu;ts below depict UKPCC entrants with a tick.
Siemens Bowl vs Wexham Park GC
On a wintry day in May, marked by intermittent showers and a strong icy wind, the scoring on both sides was remarkably good, given the conditions.
The result of the four, fourball betterball stableford matches, was that Wexham Park triumphed by the very slim margin of 153 points to our 151.
Our four pairs, who individually played to 85% of their Course Handicaps scored as follows:
Away pairs, John Ahad and Adrian Wells (38 points) plus Paul Green and Shaun Dupreez (39 points) managed a combined 77 points against the Wexham opponents score of 76 points.
At Prince’s, Mike and Chris Jones (38 points) plus Cuneyt Sazer and Tony Kopczak (36 points) had their combined 74 points bettered by Wexham Park’s 77 points.
So, a very close call indeed; the 60 foot breaking birdie putt sunk by our 27 handicap opponent on a par three for 4 points was pivotal to the result.
Onwards and upwards!
John Ahad (Captain)