14 pairs braved the wind and sticky mud to take on Princes at American Greensomes. The overall scoring was very good but Chris Rudkin and Justin Wildman scored a gross 73 and 46 points (23 out and back) to win by a comfortable margin. Runners up Richard Young and Ed Robinson excelled on the front nine with 25 points but found the back nine a little trickier and managed only 17 to accumulate a total of 42 overall. In third place was Seymour Laird and Brian Ransom with a steady 19 out and back for 38. There were gaggle of 37 scores and I’m sure that they are reliving the putts that got away.
Everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy the format and the chance to play a team game despite the conditions.

A grey but mild day for the re-scheduled Christmas Hamper. A good turnout of 51 competed in very muddy conditions.

The winner seemingly unaffected by the conditions was ‘Sunny’ Lall 40 points – 20 out and in; he was chased a point behind by Lee Frost 39. The in-form Julian James claimed 3^rd 38  from Abdulla Almasoud 37. Abdullah had scope for considerably more : 21 out but picked up on 2 hole on the back 9.

Best of women was Jenny Lawrence 27. Separate hamper prizes for men and women.

Women

The 3-person team of Ali, Cheryl & Jayne beat the 4-person team by 4 shots, coming in 2 under par & well done on the birdie on the 16th.
Certain members would scarcely believe that a 3-ball could win against a 4!!

Safe to say that no one really enjoyed their round in the mud underfoot and the rain overhead, all trying to remember it was their hobby that they played for fun!

Men

A mild day for the December Medal but some rain showers and 2 temp. greens.

The senior medal was won by Greg Wright with a consistent 71; just 1 behind were Oz Doyle, Justin Wildman and Richard Owen. Paul Kamerling shot a steaming front 9 being just 2 over par.

The junior division was won with same score 71 by Nigel Ward with an excellent 71 from Alex Catlow 72 despite 10 @ 12th; good 73s followed from Adrian Wells and Charles Haines.

After heavy overnight rain Glendale closed both courses and they will remain closed on Thursday.

Extremely windy for the Champagne Chase – well done to all for completing course. The tree near 12th green off drive from 10th succumbed however – see pics below but fortunately nobody injured.

A sparkling 35 points from Julian James won the day in such conditions – one ahead of a 34 uncorked by Mel Dunn. Mel took 1st 9 honours with 18 whilst Julian and Paul Kamerling shared back 9 with 19. Paul took 3rd position 32 points on countback from Richard Owen.

For the women, Elisabeth was a clear winner with her 31 points from Alison & Sheena both a long way behind.

Paul and Umran Ali returned 3 birdies.

As is tradition, the prizes are donated by the women’s section with prizes to the top men & women.

Women

Safe to say there’s generally something to work at in the next 3 rounds of the eclectic with no one making it into the 30s today. But both Joan and Deb were closest, finishing on 29 apiece with Joan pipping 1st place on the back 9.

… & we only managed 10 pars between us but lots of triple+ bogeys!!

Men

Dry but muddy for 2nd round of Winter Comp. Greens were noticeably faster than of late.

Scoring was not easy but Brian McMahon came out top of the senior division with an excellent steady 37 points, being chased by Paul Kamerling. Mel Dunn and Iker Lanzagorta all with 36 points. Iker took front 9 honours with 20. Umran dropped just 2 shots to par but ‘blobbed’ the 4th.

Tom Simpkins was the runaway leader of the junior division 42 points; Tom secured back 9 honours 23 points and will see handicap reduction from 17.1 to 15.9. 5 points behind was James Anderson then Julian James in last game 36.

4 birdie ‘twos’ recorded all at par 3 10th.

The Winter comp now sees Greg Wright the senior division leader 77 from Umran 74 whilst Tom has a one shot lead 77 from James Anderson.. And in round 1 of the Duke’s Eclectic Tom leads 70.4 from Paul Kamerling 73.0. Many show as NRs due ‘blobbing’ at least 1 hole.

The weather held fair although the ground was rather muddy from recent rain.
The net scores for Division 1 were very close but Toby Hunt won on countback from Bill Norman, Alan Treacy and Russell Stewart who all had a net 71.
Only two players got below net 70 in Division 2 Brian Ransom with a 68 and a sparkling winner Adrian Wells with a net 63. James Deissler just beat Julian James and Alex Braun on countback for third place.

Women

Alison was the winner today with 34 points today, with Jenny in 2nd place on 32. She put her win down to quite a few one-putts which made the score look better than the actual number of shots required to get to the green.

Those who had a drink after the game all agreed that the going seemed to get tougher as the mizzle came down, hands got cold and clothes got wet.

Men

As during the week, it remained grey and cloudy although with a bit of drizzle developing.

Some excellent scores with 43 points winning in both divisions.

Oz Doyle was the winner in the senior 4 over par for front 9 and shared front 9 honours with Umran Ali 22 points. Close on his heels was fine 42 from Greg Wright – 21 in and out; 4 good 40s headed by Alan King followed by Paul Green, Richard Smith (just 3 over par gross) and Justin Wildman.

Abdullah Almasoud headed the junior with his 43 points and took back 9 honours 22 points. Good consistent 40sfollowed from James Anderson and Robin Thomas.

Overall, there were 17 birdie 2s with 10 at the 4th.
Round 1 of the 8 round winter competition reflects these results and first of 4 Eclectic rounds on Prince’s attached sees Oz leading 66.5 from Richard Smith 66.6 and Umran Ali; bottom of report shows many NRs due’ blobbing ‘one or more holes.

Good conditions for today’s comp, with mown fairways, albeit on the small side. The clear winner was Bill Norman with a fabulous 41 points, including 22 points out with a birdie on 9. Second was Chris Rudkin on 38 points, with birdies on 7 and 16, and I was 3rd on countback, also managing 22 points out. 4th was Jose Manual Gomez on 36 points and 5th, Henry Lindesay-Bethune on 35 points. Mitchell Cohen came in in 6th in the final money placing. Sweep is £54

Early running in the Mid-week Winter Comp puts Adrian first, Brett second and Alan third after two rounds.