The field, without last year’s winner Lia Donath, enjoyed good conditions to play golf. It must be said that the swirling winds caught most of the competitors off guard. Rumours have it that players from the 8.24 tee time (Peter O. & Mark Rosamond) issued some very bold predictions on certain message boards about their scores today (transcripts available on request). Sometimes it is better to let your clubs do the talking …

Greg Saunders certainly did that. A gross score of 78 (66 Net) enabled him to see off the challenge of two other players. Val Riziotis played very good golf (86 Gross – 66 Net). Her “softer” back 9 forces her into 2nd today. Val’s new handicap now stands at 16. Roger Rojas went out in 33 (Gross) but hobbled through the tough middle stretch of the back 9. His score of 76 (Gross – 66 Net) and “weaker” back 9 puts him into 3rd.

If you wanted to improve your chances to win today you had to tee-off in the 8.40 game. Winner Greg Saunders was part of that game. As was Kerry Sargeant. An excellent score of 77 (Gross – 67 Net) earns Kerry a well deserved 4th place. Habib Amir’s 5th place (83 Gross – 68 Net) earns him an ESR. His new handicap now stands at 12! FYI: Habib won the MIP award last year. Does today’s result mean the race for that award is already over? Peter Osgood (82 Gross – 70 Net) completes the Top6. Decent score for Peter but quite a bit off the lofty expectations he set himself (see start of this report). Results…

CSS: 72 (Men) – 74 (Ladies)

There were an impressive list of handicap changes. Please take note of your new handicaps!

Conditions proved to be very tricky today. Casual water in the bunkers and pretty strong winds were the most glaring complications. Playing your handicap proved to the shortest way into the Top6. Henry L-B went out early and posted a recommendable 78 (Gross – 68 Net) to become leader in the clubhouse. Jon Ramphul was also one of the early starters and he posted a decent score of 92 (Gross – 69 Nett). Chris Jones wins today’s comp. He posted a score of 87 (Gross – 68 Net). But he pushes Henry L-B into second thanks to the countback rule. That bogey on the 18th didn’t help HLB! Keith Cassidy (79 Gross – 69 Net), Peter “Volvik” Osgood (82 Gross – 70 Net) and Mark Rosamond (89 Gross – 71 Net) complete the Top6. 1st Lady is Gina in 7th. Results… 

CSS: 68 (Men) – 70 (Ladies)

Ladies

There may only have been 9 in contention for the medal, but they certainly put up a good show with most inside their handicap buffers. Beating the rest of the field by 4 shots, Habe and Cheryl both shot 66s with Habe piping Cheryl on the back 9 and continuing the downward trajectory of her handicap to 10.8. Cheryl however, loses a shot off hers to play off 21. Results…

CSS: 68

Men

A big field enjoyed excellent golfing conditions. As a result scoring proved to be very good. 25% of the field shot below their handicap. There was no match for Habib today. A steady front 9 (42 gross) was followed up an excellent back 9 (34 gross). A total of 76 (gross) equates to a 59 Net! Sweep money, a cocktail glass, a new handicap of 15 (handicap cut of 2.1 strokes today) sums up a good day at the office. Mark Andrews played his best round ever. 84 gross (64 Net) would’ve won a Medal comp on a normal day. Today he’ll have to settle for 2nd. David Sandifer is keeping up his excellent form. 86 strokes (65 Net) is enough for 3rd. Paul Rockett (76 gross – 65 Net), Kim Chaffart (78 gross – 66 Net) and Keith Cassidy (76 gross – 66 Net) complete the Top6. Results…

CSS: 66

A field of 31 competitors were met with excellent golfing conditions. It resulted in some excellent results. John Ahad was one the early starters and set the course alight. A steady start (21pts) was followed up by 24pts (!) on the back 9. A total score of 45pts for John means 1) 1st place in today’s comp 2) a cut of 2.7 strokes on his handicap (new competition handicap of 16) and 3) setting himself up for an Exceptional Scoring Reduction down the road. Other notable performances from the early starters include 43pts by Parkash Arora, 38pts by Gina Jillett and 38pts by Hassan Mouilah. The only serious challenge to John came from two afternoon starters. Kim Chaffart rediscovered a touch of good form to total 43pts (I presume the new TM Spider putter remains in the bag …). Keith Cassidy came closest: an excellent round of golf gets rewarded with 44pts. Costly bogeys on the 14th (make that a double bogey on this hole) and 18th killed off his challenge. Keith has also set himself up for an ESR in the near term future. Results…

CSS: 36 pts (Men & Ladies)

A reduced field were met with warm weather, drying fairways & greens. Lia Donath is keeping up her impressive form. 21pts on the front and 18pts on the way in are enough to claim victory today. David Sandifer played a steady front 9 and then caught fire by birdieing the 10th and 11th hole. A sub-par result on the 16th meant he had to “settle” for 20pts. His total score of 38pts is good enough for 2nd. His playing partner Dominik Leisi mirrored that result (20pts out & 18pts in). The countback rule relegates Dominik into 3rd place. The 3rd player with a score of 38pts, Lee Marshall, torched the front 9 (score of level par gross equals 24pts !). A wayward back 9 resulted in “only” 14pts and 4th place. Sheena Harrington – still on a high from her blistering performance yesterday with Nigel Gaymond in the Hawtree – netted 21pts on the way in. 37pts and a strong back 9 allowed her to push Paul House and Rick Smith back into 6th and 7th respectively. Results…

CSS: 37pts (Men & Ladies)

Report due soon. Report…

Glorious weather inspired a packed field to some excellent golf during the third and final round of the Midweek Founders Cup. Seven (!) players scored 40pts or better today. Congratulations to the whole field (except for the few players who were a no show w/o informing the starters).

Habe Crocker benefited from the cooler conditions and played excellent golf (again). Three birdies propelled her to a score of 41pts (20pts out & 21pts in). Mike Jones also went out amongst the early starters and equalled Habe’s score. A “softer” back 9 prevented him from overtaking Habe/becoming leader in the clubhouse. Ann Gardner, Paul House and John Ahad all scored 40pts. Ann Gardner managed to rack up 26pts (!) on the back 9. The level of play was kept up by the afternoon starters. Mike Shabani played a very strong back 9 (22pts) which allowed him to push Habe back into 3rd (thanks to the countback rule). But the day belonged to Jay Barker. Here’s a summary of his round: 4 birdies overall, level par going out and level par coming back home. End result: a score of 42pts. Very impressive. Results…

Report due soon to inform the winner of the Midweek Founders Cup.

CSS: 38pts (Men & Ladies)