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.

Autumn golf is back at the park: thicker air, less carry, less roll. At least the greens are improving and the bunkers are no longer GUR.

Gina forgot that she is playing an important team comp this weekend and recorded a) the best score over the par 4’s (+4) and par 3’s (-1). She also matched Andrew Watson for the best back 9. Number wise this translates into a score of 65 Nett and the status of leader in the clubhouse. Another early starter Adrian Wells recorded an excellent score of 66 Nett to capture 3rd place (his score could even have been better had he not recorded a snowman on the first hole). The only player to best Gina’s score was Colm Ivors with a fantastic 63 Nett. This score is even more admirable since he started his round with a triple bogey 7. Dave Chilvers and Roslyn Williams complete the Top6. Special mention to Uli for recording an eagle 2 on the 3rd hole.

Midweek Grand Medal Trophy Cheryl Woodhouse holds on to top spot (347) before Angus (352), Chris Jones (354), Jeremy and Colm.

The day dawned very still with no sun. Autumnal gnats/ midges were easily inhaled. Slowly the sun made an appearance and the temp nudged 19C as shown bottom of results report. Water was still visible in bunkers from earlier in the week [all bunkers GUR].

Ed’s 44 points was posted as early leader and he remained there to win decisively; significantly he ‘blobbed’2 holes so could have been better…His score triggered a WHS ESR and handicap index reduces from 21.9 to 19.6 – well done Ed. Nick Rogers shot an impressive 42 points for 2nd – again with a blob. Andrew Wa 41, Adrian W 40 completed the 40s line-up. Best woman Ronnie 37.

All to play for in the next round; first 8 won sweep as per attached report.

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.

Hard to believe that the rain at the start of the week was so heavy that 4 holes had to be closed (playing the 9th as a Par 3 must have been weird – see long-distance photo below). The field seemed to enjoy pretty decent golfing conditions.

Looks like RIchard O used the extra receptive green on the 2nd hole. He came within a couple of inches of acing that hole. Tough luck Richard – but see photo below.

Stephen H collected 19pts on the first 9 holes. 12pts over the last 5 holes allow him to barely edge out Julie. 3rd place goes to Juho (18pts + 11 over the last 5 holes). Richard Smith went -2 gross over the last 5 holes. This translated in 14pts. Unfortunately for him he “only” recorded 14pts over the 9 holes. Else he would’ve finished a bit higher on the leader board. Richard Y closes out the Top6.

The weather forecast for the coming days looks a bit “drier”.

Saturday conditions became atrocious but Sunday was much better although late players caught a shower; this all reflected in (busy?) graph at bottom of results.

A promising start (birdie at 2nd from 18 inches) from Duncan was consolidated throughout the round with the possible exception of lost ball left on 13 long par 3. Duncan finished with 64 followed by a glorious 65 from Mark B with 1 shot separating Richard I, Russell and Peter G 66,67,68. Best of the 69s was Saturday entrant Cuneyt.

Divisional medal results confirm Mark winning senior and Duncan the junior.

This was last of 7 rounds in the Grand Medal Trophy with Colm on 263 a creditable 5 ahead of Mark and Ross.

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.

Truly feels like (the boys of) Summer has/have gone (one of the best songs ever and a very eye catching video clip back in its days). The temperatures were already down from last week. But the strong winds added an unwelcome chill factor.

Jeremy Prescot played an excellent round to snatch victory from a group of 4. Best of the rest was the MC who took on the Tyrell Hatton look and borrowed a hoodie for an extra layer of warmth. An ugly 8 on the 8th prevented him from putting on a stronger challenge. But a decent back 9 places him in 2nd (Thank you countback rule). Leader in the clubhouse Ross put in another decent score to finish 3rd. Angus had a brain freeze on the 16th. Otherwise he would’ve finished a lot closer to Jeremy. Julian and Chris close out the Top 6. If you want to know how bad the wind was: the 15th (usually SI 11 for the men) was the 3rd hardest hole today.

Looks like there is tie between Gina and Angus in final MW Anniversary Accumulator standings (TBC).

The last warm settled day for September; some were delayed by traffic queuing for petrol with the latest crisis. The women enjoyed a get together after their traditional 4BBB while the men played their greensomes.

Women’s 4BBB & Autumn Meeting

Twenty of us gathered to welcome in the autumn golfing season with our 4BBB pairs competition. We were blessed with beautiful late summer sunshine which helped to offset the fact that the greens were recently spiked. The warm sun certainly helped to warm up Captain Val’s long rested muscles and with her European partner Katharina Katte won the day with a fabulous 50 points. (23/27), a clear 8 points ahead of the runners up Julie Ryan and Monique Hubaille (another European) who scored a very healthy 42 points, a clear 3 point lead from the rest of the field. They were all rewarded with the very generous Fushi Beauty & Well-being Vouchers, a donation made to the Women’s section by Rannesh Jansari.

We took the opportunity to award our Monthly Medal & Autumn Medal prizes also.
Our Autumn Medal round was won significantly by our new member Sylvia Bartoli with a gross 73 & net 62 but good old Jane Fraser retained her bridesmaid position with a very normal decent gross of 88, net 74.
Our May & June Monthly medals were awarded to Sheena , April to Donna Wilson, July to Avi and August to Ali.

Captain Val

and finally…. one playing highlight was Silvia’s eagle on the 13th with her second shot from way back just staying off the green where the game in front were putting. She then rammed the putt home literally – had it not hit the flagstick and dropped it would have been off the green. Sadly with no shot it was just a 4 pointer.

Men – Burgess Cup

Some very good golf indeed was played – notably by the winners Nick R and Peter J (past and current Treasurer) with 52 yes 52 points; they took most honours – front 25, back 27 and 13 points on the 3 par 3s; 8 points adrift Roger R and Nigel W returned excellent 44 points; third and alone on 42 were Marnix and Richard Y.

First 6 pairs share sweep.

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.