Paul Grand
Paul Grand
September Monthly Medal
To say that the greens have seen better days is an understatement. Putting proved tricky on the sandy greens (did you know that the football pitch at the Camp Nou uses a lot of sand underneath the grass? The opponents of FC Barcelona therefore call it “the green beach”). On top of that the floodgates opened around 1.30pm. So what started out as a pleasant day took a bit of a nasty turn.
Women
A double-handed report with Deb kindly checking the cards and providing the weather analysis. Gather there was rather a deluge from about the 14th onwards for all whereas in north Norfolk the sun has stayed out all day.
Doesn’t look like the change in weather conditions did anything to dampen Silvia’s round of a stunning gross 73 and a net of 62 just 10 shots clear of Jane. So needless to say Silvia has win this month’s medal from Jane in 2nd spot.
This being only Silvia’s 5th round with us, means that WHS uses her lowest score for her handicap index, so next week will be playing off 2.5. Further information indicates that having previously played off 5 this won’t be as daunting for her as it would be the rest of us
Men
Clear winner is Steve Cross with an excellent score of 63 Net. 3 players finished on 65 Net. Countback rule decides that Colm takes second ahead of James and Roger (no Roger the price for the driver shaft doesn’t change). Paul K takes 6th. Ross had 4 birdies on his way to 7th place. The prize of the unluckiest player has to go to Mike Shabani. He could’ve won yesterday’s comp by a wide margin had he not dropped 8 shots in the last 4 holes.
Colm wins the GMT with a score of 263 ahead of Ross (268) and Brian McM (270).
Midweek September Medal (Midweek GM Rd 6 of 8)
The remnants of yesterday’s rain could only be noticed on the 11th green. The green keeping staff were quite eager to add extra sand in order to not upset the airing process. That also meant that putting was tricky on certain occasions. That being said today’s scoring was excellent.
Cheryl and Richard were in the same game and seemed to inspire each other. A remarkable 64 by Cheryl makes her today’s winner (keep that form going until the regional final of the Hawtree please). Richard Smith’s only blemish came on the 15th hole. Apparently he decided to approach the green from the 17th fairway. But his second shot didn’t make it back on the correct fairway. An untidy 7 and 2nd place today were the result. Uli showed that his good form from last Saturday at Tricky Ricky was no fluke. The countback rule places him at the head of a group of players with scores of nett 66. Leader in the clubhouse Bruno had the best front 9 (+2 gross). Ross managed to record 5 birdies on his way to the lowest gross score today. Finally Julie holed her approach on the 15th for a birdie. Only one 2 was recorded (on the 16th by Thierry).
Midweek Grand Medal Standings (Best 5 out of 8):
Cheryl W (350), Angus R (352). Chris J (354), Jeremy R (355)
Silver Jubilee (25yrs 1924-1949)
A very pleasant September day for the Club’s Silver Jubilee competition – not too hot and sunny and v little wind as graph at bottom of results shows.
Possibly inspired by Emma Radukanu’s amazing achievement in tennis the previous day. Robert C shot an extraordinary 58 to win by 4 from an impressive 62 from Thierry. Robert’s handicap index drops from 35.9 to 17.3- by 8.6 shots! I believe this is first ESR adjustment of -2.0 . With greens hollow tined, putting was at times tricky and variable in pace.
John M played his best golf for a long time and headed on countback 2 other 65s from Peter G and Gina.
This was final 4th Jubilee in the Anniversary Cup (best 3 counting) and we see there is a tie with Gina and Richard I both 202; well done to both esp. not NRing and keeping in the Cup.
Andrew W added an eagle at 17 per attached men’s eagles report. OK, off forward tee but still an amazing achievement.
The Fred Hawtree Cup
Another hot sunny day for the Fred Hawtree Cup. Indeed as graph bottom results shows this was the hottest of last 3 days @ > 30C; but the fall in barometric pressure guaranteed the fine spell would end. And so it did with rain by evening.
Back in the 1920s Fred Hawtree worked with J H Taylor on the design of both courses. In recognition of the Hawtree involvement the Wednesday format was bogey, a stern test of golf.
But some still excelled – notably winner Toby 5 up on countback from Rob D with Richard O 4 up and Chris J 3 up.; best woman Alison 2 up [but Gina way down the scoreboard for a change].
Indeed, the 10:19 3-ball of Toby, Chris J and Richard N monopolised the 6 awarded sweep prizes.
Cheryl and Elisabeth mentioned in despatches in Best Scores Analysis report.
The Autumn Plate
Warm and sunny summer conditions returned for the Autumn Plate – as bottom of results confirms with temp > 26C and barometer reading rising.
Gina won the plate with 39 points on countback from Richard B (last 3 holes) and Naveed (back 9). Gina’s back 9 21 points was only eclipsed by Pierpaolo’s 22.
Secretary Peter H had the misfortune of his electric trolley wandering into the drink at 18th. An MP4 video of the aftermath is attached (other videos are available). Apparently trolley still worked after ( with Glendale assistance) fished out but 6 iron left in water and mobile phone thoroughly soaked. Glendale sponsored a cup of tea.
Subsequently White Knight Kerry S came to the rescue retrieving Peter’s 6 iron (and pitching wedge ) back. He fished them out of pond .
Midweek CC/Midweek Handicap Trophy Round 2
The 2nd round of Midweek Club Championship were played in fairly benign conditions with a fairly constant breeze/wind ( I think – was in hospital for day) .
New member Justin W shot best net of the day 64 from Gina 67 and Ronnie 69; Jay was best 71 on countback (and lowest gross) from Jeremy R and Naveed.
The overall men’s scratch Senior Division was won by Jay pulling ahead of 1st round leader Stephen S with 151. The Junior Division was claimed by Justin R 174 from Stephen H 189 .
Overall women’s scratch winners was Gina 175 , 5 ahead of Ronnie 180 and Sheena 183.
The Midweek Handicap Trophy is ‘joint’ meaning that the men and the women challenge for the same cup. The result was close and with his six under second round score Justin finished as the winner with a combined net 133, just ahead of Veronica Mitchell with her 134.
In addition to the normal NRs for no card returned/ NRs at individual holes [medal comp] , Richard B was DQ for returning card with an incorrect score honestly reported as having played wrong ball.
Summer Bank Holiday Plate
Benign conditions prevailed for the B/H Plate- a (distinctly chilly) wind with northerly component fluctuated as temperature rose – see bottom of results report.
Late entrant Chris S proved the winner 41 points from Saturday entrant Marco V winning 2nd spot 40 on countback from new member Justin B. Yours truly held on to 4th with 39. Best lady Lia 37. Back-marker marking cards for hcap – peter H 17pts.
Chris S had a purple patch 5 through 7 – 3,3,3; mine lasted 1 hole -the 7th with a drive through to back of green and 1 putt for a birdie – swiftly forgotten at next hole – 9!
Next Sunday is the London Duathlon with Richmond Park roads closed to traffic- see details at https://londonduathlon.com/race-day/route-and-maps/full-duathlon .
Peter H will no doubt cover in his weekly missive but please allow extra time since roads open may be congested etc.
Midweek CC/MW Handicap Trophy Round1
Pleasant late summer conditions prevailed with much sunshine and little wind for round 1 of Midweek Club Championship; this is borne out by local weather report at end of net results -top 24C and light breezes.
The net (doubles as Handicap Trophy rnd 1 and also sweep rnd1) winner was Julian James from the last game om 64 just edging Richard N on countback. A glorious 65 (but no sweep) came from Ronnie best woman with Richard O completing the top 4 on 66.
Chris J recorded an eagle at 14 and is 3rd man to do so this year – only Louis D and Ross H from Sunday contingent have done this. Well done Chris and I’d love to share a pint hearing how it was achieved!
The men’s scratch shows new member Stephen S 75, 1 ahead of Jay followed by Richard S 78 and Richard O 80. Just 1 NR from the Senior Division.
The women’s scratch shows Ronnie 86 just 1 ahead of both Gina and Sheena with Cheryl 10 further behind.
[Of technical interest Stephen transferred a UHS handicap of 1.0 from another club (as a single number with no actual underlying scores). This round was his 3rd with us and WHS handicap index is now 4.7 due to the math. Per attached pdf]
The Junior Division is tied with Julian J and Justin W each 88 followed closely by 89s from Stephen H and Richard No. 11 DQs/NRs from this Division.
The best scores analysis report attached should speak for itself.
President’s Putter (Top Dog Event 6 of 7)
Richard B rode out the impressive winner with 43pts [23 in the final furlong] Paul Gre returned an impressive 40 whilst Duncan T, Katherine K, Louis D and Tony K had solid 39s. Armi had 6 birdies whilst Katherina K and Secretary Peter H shared the 5 par 3 honours – 23pts.
The comparative advantage and Mixed Tee Adjustment of 5.1 in Wednesday’s Duke’s comp for women did not apply as usual in this round on Prince’s.
President Tim M welcomed all to the clubhouse and was so pre-occupied he omitted to sign his own comp’s card!
NTP prizes as below. Congrats to Silvia who simultaneously completed 3rd hcap card – hcap index 10.9.
1: Nearest the pin in 2 – Nick R & Silvia B
2: Nearest the pin – Joseph M
4: Nearest the pin – Cuneyt S
11:Nearest the pin no NTP marker
13 or 16 : Nearest the pin – James P
16 or 13 : Nearest the pin – Armi I
18: Nearest the pin in 2 – Henry L Chloe L
The number of DQs for not returning or not signing card is creeping up. Please bear in mind for future. With NTP prizes, DQ from competition would have meant loss of NTP prize; happily this did not occur this time.
The round doubled as round 6 of 7 for men’s Top Dog [ matchplay results to come] – this shows Rhys still in lead 25 from Cuneyt 20 and Louis 16. The detail report attached (not available on Masterscoreboard) shows points awarded in each comp by individual.
Anniversary Accumulator (Round 2 of 3)
The main report of results shows showers at 1 and 3 am; enough to make the rough extremely wet in places and some areas still roped off due downpours (of was it previous week?).
Stephen H emerged on countback from Gina – both with very tidy 67s; Sarah came 4th from a Richard N regaining good form ;Cheryl, John P and Sheena again on countback 70s.
A high proportion of women in the field again took 5 of first 8 places. Last of 6 sweep prizes went to 10th position – shown in detail on prizes report.
The round constituted 2nd played of the Midweek Anniversary Accumulator with women taking 3 of 4 top places: Cheryl leading 137 from Gina 138,Angus 140 and Sheena 141.