May 2024
May 2024
Founders Cup – E Bailey (2/6)
It was the second day of bright sunshine in a row, when we played the second round of ‘The Founder’s Cup – E. Bailey’ competition.
Even first sightings of golf shorts were made … 😉
The Duke’s course had been closed for almost 5 months and was still in a less than ideal state: narrow fairways, with punishing high grass left and right … lead to extended ball searching and a rather slow round.
And, unfortunately, because of the 5 temp greens, the competition had to be changed to ‘non-handicap-qualifying’!
But it was good to play on Duke’s again, after such long ‘abstinence’!
Gina and Justin both played later in the afternoon and managed to navigate the difficult course very well to come in with respectable over-30-points results. Gina clocked a stellar 20-point back 9 to take the win!
County Card Foursomes Match against London Scottish
On Tuesday May 7th, BrianR and UliK played their Surrey Golf Foursomes match against London Scottish.
After the usual initiation rites (both had to borrow the mandatory post-office-red shirts), the game proceeded, in beautiful spring weather.
It went up and down, in the end LS were 1up on the 18th tee.
Our team managed to claw back that last hole and went on to win on the first extra hole.
Next opponents will be either Drift GC or Couldon Court GC.
May Bank Holiday Plate
A bright sunny start for the May Bank holiday plate – and despite clouding over it remained dry after recent course closures. .
Scoring conditions were tough with little roll and odd fairway not reachable off back tees with good drives.
Silvia Bortoli rose to the top winning with a very creditable 35 points off 7; Silvia had a steady 18 pts out and 17 back with 11 scored on the 4 women’s’ 3 par 5s. Joe Gonclaves chased a point behind and had best of hard back 9 – 18 points.
Julian James came 3rd 33 points just 1 ahead of Mel Dunn whilst Gunnar Sundberg had best back 9 to win countback fro Duncan Taylor both 31. Alan King had very promsing front 9 – 20 points.
Kelso Hamilton Rounds 1 -3, Pairs Knockout
Richmond Park entered 2 teams in this year’s Surrey Golf better ball pairs knockout competition. The RP1 team (Brendan O’Sullivan and Russell Stewart) beat Surrey National in Round 1 and London Scottish in Round 2; their Round 3 opponents are Dulwich & Sydenham.
The RP2 team (Adrian Wells and Julian James) beat Lingfield Park (away) in Round 1 and Coulsdon Court in Round 2. Their 3rd round match was a 5&4 win against Banstead Downs, played on May 3rd on the Prince’s course. Heavy overnight rain resulted in Glendale closing both the Prince’s and Duke’s courses, but as the match had already started it was allowed to continue to a conclusion. Adrian reports that the Banstead players just couldn’t come to grips with the soggy conditions and long grass off the ‘fairways’ and weren’t as prepared as Julian, who came with 5 pairs of dry gloves. RP2’s next opponents will be either Malden or Wimbledon Common.
MW May Medal (MGMT R3/8)
For a change the weather was warm and sunny with virtually no wind at all. There were a few drops at the end of play as it threatened to rain but fortunately it held off.
Staying out of the rough was the order of the day and only three players managed to have net scores below par.
In division 1 Russell Stewart won on countback on the last 6 holes by virtue of a birdie on 18 to push Toby Hunt into second place. Sheena Harrington took 3rd place ahead of Alan King and Kevin Prendergast in 5th all on net 70.
In division 2 It was much clearer with yours truly with a net 64 ahead of Paul Giles on net 66…and also The MW Grand Medal series on 202 from Chris Jones 207.