Scoring was not so different to having a full set of clubs, however there is no doubt that the courses are playing ‘longer’ with the cooler temperatures and softer ground (less run) and the smaller fairways and longer semi rough grass.

These difficulties didn’t seem to hold back Stephen Haworth, our winner on 39 points with a sparkling back 9 of 36 shots, just 3 over par – there must have been some very good chipping and putting. Seymour was 2nd with 35 points, also with a strong back 9, including a birdie on the 14th, beating Adrian on countback, who had a more balanced round. Sweep payout to these top 3.

There were some excellent individual and team scores in today’s overcast but largely dry weather conditions, with no wind. Standing water remnants of Monday’s torrential rain were evident at low points on several fairways and surrounding areas but fortunately all greens were in play (although all bunkers were GUR).

It was a close-run result with only 3 points separating the leading 3 teams, who all scored over 80 stableford points.

After scrutiny/checking of the scorecards the winning team was Brian, Peter Goodall and Colm on 84 points, just pipping Cheryl, Marnix and Chris Rudkin on 83 points, with Jayne, Seymour and Richard Owen on 81points.

Thanks to all who participated and sweep pay-out is to the winning team. Next week is an individual 5 clubs and a putter.

After a couple of hours of torrential dawn rain, several entrants were asking whether the course would be open or were contemplating pulling out; fortunately there were only two actual drop-outs.

Although there were very occasional, localised areas of standing water by the time we played, this did not affect all competitors enjoying a lovely dry, warm and sunny round of golf and some of the scoring was indeed excellent. The clear winners (by 12 points!) were Uli, Adrian and Julian scoring 86 stableford points (14 points more than the ‘par’ two-ball score of 72) and all played well/very well. Three teams posted scores around ‘par’, with Seymour, Rannesh and Richard Y. grabbing 2nd place. Bringing up the rear, Jayne, Richard O. and Jeremy could probably have posted a more competitive score if they had given more thought beforehand to their Player 1, 2, 3 order.

The sweep was played in unseasonably warm post-Eqinox conditions and only the bumpy greens, following hollow-coring, were an excuse for modest scoring, especially as the rough has died down further. Cheryl took the honours with 36 points, two ahead of Ted on 34 points, with Rannesh and yours truly a further point back on 33 points. Sweep pay out to the top 2.

From memory it was a cloudy morning but brightened up in the afternoon. I don’t know whether there were any rain showers at the park but there was certainly 30minutes of rain in Cheam at exactly the time I was walking my 4year old grandson home from school – without coats or an umbrella we got soaked.

Anyway, the scores were good for most of the field and it was particularly pleasing to see Teddy’s return to form with 41 points and solid rounds from Seymour and Andrew. Recent new member Rob Carlile pipped Teddy on countback and is certainly the man in form, as he also won yesterday’s RPGC medal competition on Dukes with an astounding net 58; the good news for us all is that his handicap index has now been reduced by 11.3 strokes (to 17.3).

In pleasant early autumn weather conditions with only light winds, all teams posted good scores. However, the team of Justin, Rannesh, James and Adrian posted an exceptional net score of 55 shots (gross 63) to be the clear winners. They played the front 9 with 8 pars and one birdie and then the back 9 with 4 pars, 4 birdies and one eagle – truly unbeatable.

With dry but overcast late summer conditions the women again showed their liking to the Dukes course. Well done to Sheena with a winning score of 35 points, two ahead of Richard N. again posting a competitive score and with Ann G. coming in 3rd on 31 points, beating Jeremy on countback. It could have been so different for Naveed, who’s 34 points should have been 36 had he not penalised himself 2 shots for hitting his trolley on the 17th and then signing for an incorrect score.

Six teams of 3 played Princes in pleasant weather conditions but, at the end of the day, only the two teams with women members challenged for first place. The winning team of Jayne, Veronica and Richard O. finished on 75 points (3 better than the ‘par’ score of 72 points) and the runners up with 71 points were Cheryl, Justin and Naveed (the pre-comp. tip to be the winning team). Jayne’s birdie on the 16th and the pars by both Jayne and Ronnie on the 17th got us over the line, despite Justin’s birdie on the 17th.