Early snow flurries evaporated to leave a largely sunny but cold day. Mud from the weekend was not so prevalent and there were some very good scores for some. Early clubhouse leader Jonathan Rivers shot 66 and in the event this remained the lead until the last game produced the winner. Charlie Renton produced an outstanding 62 to win from Jonathan with Brett Colley 3rd 67 one ahead of Henery Lindsay-Bethune. Results…

Well done Charlie who had a three shot cut to 19. CSS remained at SSS 69.

Ladies

Report due soon. Results…

Men

Cold temperatures and the aftermath of the annual dinner created a list of last minute cancellations. It has to be said that the ladies field lost a lot more players: only 5 out of 10 (!) players showed up for their competition.

On to the matter of the day: Keith Cassidy played an excellent front 9 (where he left an uncountable number of birdie putts short). His back 9 was a bit more volatile. But a scrambling 4 on the 18th allows him to to take 1st place today (based on the countback rule). Peter Harrison’s round was pretty similar (excellent on the way out – shaky on the way in). But bogeys on the last 3 holes push him into 2nd. Oliver Maskell on the other hand proved again that he’s very comfortable on the back 9 on Duke’s. He posted the best score on the last 9 holes to finish 3rd. Barry Page, Jay Barker and Martin Heinrich complete the Top6. Results…

Just 6 players played to their handicap (aka their buffer zone). CSS: 72

Today proved to be a stern test of the players’ resolve and patience. For once the weather forecasters were right. Conditions were not great to use an understatement: rains showers, hail, casual water and gusting winds to name a few.

Two birdies on the shorter part 3’s on the back 9 put Angela Flynn on her way to an impressive 38pts to win today’s comp. One of the other early starters, Jon Cooper, finishes 3rd with 35pts. Paul House’s practice sessions with Jay Barker continue to pay dividends. 2nd place (36pts) is his reward for a consistent round of golf. Michael Choo, Kim Chaffart and Hassan Mouilah complete the Top6. Results…

CSS: 35pts

Ladies

What a difference from last Sunday although the effects of the rain then and during the week, made conditions underfoot decidedly muddy, but it was at least mild. Some of the ladies made light work of the mud and there was some good scoring on the back 9. With 3 ladies scoring 15 points out, it was all to play for on the return. Two months away from the game seemed to work for both Val Riziotis and Fiona Coombe, but both were piped by Jayne Maxwell, who with 21 points back scored 36 overall, with Val on 35 and Fiona on 34. Results… 

CSS went to 38 points.

It was all change in the Eclectic after 2 rounds, but 5 ladies are within 3 shots of each other leaving all to play for in the remaining two rounds. Val is currently leading by one from Jayne. R2 Leader board…

Men

Despite the wind and mud the RPGC men came out to play. 22 of the 49 players remained within their buffer zone. The contest was over before everybody knew it. Jay Barker managed to score 21pts on both the front and the back 9’s to win today’s comp. Jim Fogarty, Martin Heinrich and Barry Page all recorded 39pts to finish 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively. Another three players finished on 38pts to complete the Top6. The first 10 players posted excellent results on the back 9 (shout out to the handicap secretary for his 21pts on the way in). The back-up handicap secretary was unlucky on the last two holes preventing him from moving up the leaderboard and cutting his handicap (don’t believe the vicious rumours being spread by his playing partners – Mike Shabani, Tony Kopczak and HLB ). Results…  

CSS: 37pts. A whole list of handicap changes. Please take note of your new handicaps.

Jay Barker is also the new leader in the 2018 Winter Competitionon 112pts followed by Oliver Maskell 110pts and Alan King 109pts. It is a best 3 of 8 competition and with 3 rounds to go there is plenty to play for. R5 Leader board…

In round 2 of the Prince’s Eclectic – report due soon. R2 Leader board…

7 mainly soggy cards were returned from competitors braving the atrocious wind/rain. Congrats to all! With at least one green under water the competition was abandoned for handicapping purposes and there were no exact playing handicap changes. Raymond Esin would have won with 37 but like Michael Choo omitted to sign his card. Honours fell to Paul House with a commendable 32 points followed by Tamas Ladacs 31 and Chris Jones 30. Results…

The impact on the associated Winter Competition was minimal with Peter Harrington leading 110 from Paul House 109. R5 Leader board…

Paul ties with Michael in the Duke’s Eclectic. R3 Leader board…

Ladies

With the forecast predicting (& proving to be correct) rain, sleet or snow for most of the day, all bar a few hardy souls cancelled. Of the 5 who made it to the Park, one didn’t venture forth, two more called it a day after 5 holes, leaving the hardy duo of Susan Smith and Habe Crocker to battle the elements and course to make it round all 18 holes.

Less said about their scoring the better, but with the men reporting flooded greens, the competition was abandoned, but Susan did manage to increase her lead by one shot in the Eclectic as well as finishing ahead of Habe. R3 Leader board…

Men

22 brave/foolish players faced some real winter conditions. Getting out as early possible was the way to go. The flags on some of the greens became surrounded by water deeming the course unplayable. Therefore the Competition Committee had no choice but to make today’s competition a Non-Qualifier. Keith Cassidy posted a respectable score of 35pts to become leader in the clubhouse. Oliver Maskell put together an impressive back 9 (20pts) with birdies on 11 and 18 to overtake Keith with a total of 36pts. Tamas, James, Peter Harrison and Alan complete the Top6. Results… 

Oliver also becomes the new leader in the Winter Competition with 109pts. Alan King matches that score but the countback rule pushes him into second. R4 Leader board…

In round 3 of the Duke’s Eclectic – report due soon. R3 Leader board…

A cold nor’wester chilled competitors to the bone. Gust at times almost blew competitors over. Enter stage right Secretary Peter Harrington who led from the rear in the last game. Peter took full honours:

• Winner 40 points. Results…
• Leader Prince’s Eclectic on 69.5. R2 Leader board…
• Leader Winter Competition on 110. R4 Leader board…
• Joint leader on Men’s SI 1-4 (‘new’ report available on system). Results…

Peter is cut 2 shots 21->19. Jonathan Rivers played well for 38 and Cosmo Liefting-Moore for 37.