For many entrants it was the first time playing the Princes course after 3 months of 2nd wave Covid 19 lockdown. Unfortunately the warm ‘shorts’ weather earlier in the week had given way to cold winds from the north under a cloudy sky and it was decidedly nippy till the sun came out briefly in the early afternoon.

Going by the scores, most found the course decidedly challenging, or was it that we hadn’t played hardly any golf for 3 months? Only 2 of the 18 players matched the course’s pre-WHS SSS of 37 points, with Peter N. the overall winner on 38 points pipping Julian J. on 37 points; sweep prize allocation was Peter £12 and Julian £6.

The first competition back after lockdown saw the highest turn-out for a midweek comp with 70 entrants & of course with the machine at the Park still on furlough those with what they hoped were good scores, could be biting their fingernails to the quick waiting upon this missive.
Hopefully those at the top were the ones constantly practising their chipping and putting in lockdown, to make the rest of us feel a bit better about our performances and the greenkeepers look to have been feeling sympathetic to you chaps after the 3 month layoff with all those forward tees, although Gina gave most of you a good run for your money, making it into last place in the sweep. Timing her re-entry into the sweep with precision.
If we had been hoping for pristine conditions, we were sadly let down. The best thing was that it was dry underfoot and that there was definition on the edge of most fairways, but they themselves looked like it had been very wet and just dried out. Hopefully now they have all the staff working again things will improve — but it was a nice day, if not gloriously hot like Tuesday, and good to see lots of ‘old’ faces again.

So who won – probably just as well for Darren & Charlie that the leaderboard wasn’t operational as the final group of the day produced the winner on 41 points. Congratulations to Ben with a very even 20 out and 21 back. Darren’s better back 9 of 21 gave him 2nd spot ahead of Charlie who did it the wrong way round with 22 on the front, both finishing on 40. The next 3 all came in on 38, Diego obviously recovering from what we were told by the starter, to be a rather inauspicious start, spraying his first into the bushes on the left followed by one to the right.

As the results are only out now, WHS has done all it’s calculations, with no change to the PCC and quite a few changes to Handicap Indexes. Congrats Charlie, looks like you’ve dropped to single figures for the first time (in this system anyway).

With 61 players in the sweep, payment has been made to 8th place today

fyi – once the clubhouse is open we will ask you all to sign in before playing and record your scores before leaving the Park

Cold with a light breeze greeted the 59 competitors for the New Year stableford Sweep in pairs. A warm welcome to new members Dilip and Onursal who were first in RPGC to actually play in the comp on Saturday.

Scores never cease to amaze and this on Duke’s in winter with mud where good play is at a premium. Aung returned a blistering 44 points to win. Well done again to Aung – this time last year you had UHS handicap 41 but now after the round (one of your best 8 from last 20) your handicap index drops to 26.4.

In form new member Nafeez struck again 42 points , Keith a good’un 40, Ben D 39 with Pete H and Lee M commendable 38s. Best of women was Katharina 33 points – this was after the additional ‘Mixed Tee Adjustment’ for the red and yellow tee/slope combo of +1′. Results

With payouts for best 8 and separate women’s pool congrats to prize winners.

Storm ‘Bella’ cleared and players fought through the mud burning the Xmas kilojoules.

PeterN returned a superb 40 points to win – keeping a 6 off his card fresh from driving range practice. Three followed on 39: Bennie, Damber and consistent WHS improver Brian. Results…

John A had pocketed 2 birdies through 4th whilst there were commendable birdies on long 13th from Richard B and Bennie.

Reflecting perhaps a more aggressive and positive swing, Julie R was convincing women’s prize winner 32 pts from Katharina 29 and Ronnie & Gina 28s.

A little more time to adjust the sheet for today, although the start sheet ended up being published at least 4 times to accommodate changes which are a lot more problematic when playing in 2-balls. In the end 34 played.

Whilst the weather wasn’t exactly ideal, it could have been a lot worse with the showers being just that and the sun making a welcome visit if only for a short time. It did put rather a damper on Christmas jumpers and hats – but they were evident on a few. Unfortunately the rain since the weekend is starting to bring back memories of last winter underfoot. It was a bit like skating on mud at times.

As ever, there are always a few for whom these conditions appear to offer no great challenge and today’s winner, Peter G with 43 points is definitely one. He has had one blip during December when he managed only 30th spot but apart from that has definitely been in the money and is evidently at home in the mud! Playing in his first competition after gaining his handicap, Nafeez was just one point behind in 2nd spot. Last man in the 40s was Bennie with a 41. First woman, in 9th spot was Gina. Results…

The wheel literally fell off the men’s handicap secretary today so his 16 points were just for 10 holes – apparently the front wheel came off his electric trolley which would be a challenge if the ground underneath was dry!

Following the introduction of ‘Tier 4’ on Saturday evening, an informal stableford sweep played in 2 balls was speedily arranged.

All thanks to Paul B/Peter H /Richard O for organising at short notice, replacing American Greensomes.

With some heavy rain overnight, conditions were muddy but no further rain experienced and one temp – the 11th. Clubhouse was closed to golfers so scores were returned on MasterScoreboard.

Jay stamped his authority on the field of 28 with a one over par 71 to win with 37 points. Snapping at his heels were Aung and Pete Hs with 36 points. Seymour was 4th just ahead of Gina best woman 35 points. Results…

11 competitors elected to have their scores count for WHS handicap. For Pete this was one of his best 8 from last 20 shaving his index .1 to 4.5.

How the day changed with the sun sadly disappearing all too soon to be replaced by gloomy cloud, a chilly wind and then the rain although a good number got round in the dry.
Top 3 today all had a playing handicap of 15 but Colm takes the honours with 40 points. Pralab, who records general play scores several times a week, pipped Stephen on the back 9 for 2nd spot both on 38 as was Jeremy in 4th.

With the men and women playing pretty much the same course, it would have been good to report that a woman had won. Not much chance of that with most holding up the table from the bottom with the new women’s captain, Val, making a valiant effort in 25th position. Results…

This was the first round in the Midweek Prince’s Eclectic where the 1/2 handicap allowance has changed things a fair bit from today’s comp with Jeremy at the top – but there are (should be) 3 more rounds to go. R1 Leader board…

Women

Well that didn’t take the captain long! Despite rumour, in many years a captain’s handicap improves not the other way. Whilst this won’t award any handicap cuts, her sparkling form won the day.

With no Christmas hamper due to the Covid lockdown, prizes for the Champagne Chase were doubled with 3 prizes for both the senior and junior divisions. When the start sheet went out, it was all straightforward, but a combination of outside factors and a none too cheerful weather forecast saw the original field reduced to 10 and the split had to go to handicap indexes to give 5 in each section. Results…

Captain Val ended up the Eclectic winner and winner of the junior division, with Jane taking 1st place in the senior division. Conveniently those in 3rd- 6th place alternated between senior & junior divisions for the remaining prizes.

As it was the first round of the eclectic, unsurprisingly Val is also leading in that. R1 Leader board…

Men

Morning rain petered out for the 50 competitors of the ‘Champagne Chase’ / Winter Competition Round 2.

Kerry shot a sparkling 2 over par for 41 points and first place. Peter G uncorked anther vintage performance of 40 points and there were glittering returns from Duncan 38, Julian and Peter N 37s. Joe R was the shining light on front 9 – 22 points. Results…

There being no Christmas Hamper comp this year, extended festive prizes down to 11th positions are depicted in the divisional results. A bright spark for ‘no sweep’ Seymour is a bottle of Champagne in junior division. Divisional results…

This was first round in the Prince’s Eclectic – report shows Kerry leading 66.8 from Peter G 70.8. R1 Leader board…

This also 2nd round of the Winter Competition which is now led by Peter G 79 from Peter N 72 and Nigel W 72. R2 Leader board…

Definitely back to typical winter conditions underfoot with some sliding around on the mud. No real surprise that we were on a temporary today on the 11th after seeing it being prepped on Sunday and whilst it was large and had obviously been mown to make a green it didn’t behave like one – a challenge for all.

Peter G made it look easy with 42 points but the closest anyone could get to him was 39 for both Bennie and George. Jeremy P must have been spurred on by the thought of champagne to come 4th on 38. Top woman was Cheryl, way down the list in 22nd place, but there was little difference in the length of the red & yellow tee courses. PCC remained unchanged when WHS did its calculations overnight. Results…

Today’s comp usually provides a bottle of champagne for the winner and prizes for 2nd & 3rd. However, this year there is no Christmas Cracker competition so prizes today are numerous!

There are 10 prizes for each of the men’s senior (course handicap 16 & below) and junior (course handicap 17+) and 3 for the women.

It was also the first round of the Winter Comp and Eclectics with Peter and George in joint top place as the 50% handicap has its effect in the eclectic – but a long way to go.

Midweek Winter Competition:
cf. today comp result. R1 Leader board…

Midweek Duke’s Eclectic
Peter (72.5), George (72.5). R1 Leader board…

Women

Back to normal again!!

Winter conditions definitely prevailing out there today after the deluge during the week. Mentally the transitions between the seasons have been rather challenging this year, along with most other things in 2020. Back in March we finally got to play all 18 holes again on Duke’s after months of flooding only for our next visit to be in May when the good weather had already turned the fairways rock hard. And now after a 4 week layoff we’re definitely back in winter having left things with the ball still running, the air a lot warmer and only slight evidence of mud.

There was one amongst us who didn’t seem too fazed by it. Gina was the only one to score over 30 and is, needless to say, today’s winner. Sheena was 5 back in 2nd place with Cheryl and Jenny on 27. So Cheryl who complained about her golf almost the whole way round was still 3rd today. Results…

The ‘old’ and ‘new’ captains looked to have played a very friendly round after the new captain’s drive-in, both scoring 25.

Will be interesting to see what WHS shows tomorrow for the PCC calculation and how it affects our handicap indexes.

Well played!

Being the first round of the Eclectic the leader board mirrors the results of the day. R1 Leader board…

Men

The first competition round since Lockdown 2 was played in chilly conditions but the sun did eventually come out and there was no wind.

All played off fresh handicap indexes. Winner on the day was Paul Patching on countback from Mike S with both 41 points. Paul had the superior back nine, 21 pts, with Mike an excellent front 22 pts. Consistent performer Peter G returned 39 points from Nigel W and Aidan 38s. Results…

PCC calculation was +1. This equates in old money to CSS elevated 1 from SSS which for a medal round is moderately more difficult playing conditions from standard (range -1 to +3). Some players were very rusty.

This was the first Winter Competition round of 8 scheduled – 4 on each course. Winner is best 3 rounds with at least 1 round on each course. R1 Leader board…

Simultaneously there is a Prince’s and Duke’s Eclectic after 50% handicap allowance. Aidan leads 70.4 from Paul 71.0 for Duke’s. R1 Leader board…