Seniors' Christmas Lunch and
End of Year Presentations
2022
The Main Event
A few hardy players usually get a quick round of golf in before this annual event, but this year the snow and ice conspired to prevent that happening, so the crowd of nearly 50 started to gather at the club from 12 noon on, ready for a lovely calm, celebratory afternoon. Although there was some interest in a potential staging of the 'battle of the boards' contest that the two 2023 'Vices' had signposted on WhatsApp.
But all was well and the seniors' afternoon started with a healthy thirst, as Sir Simon had sent out an invitation to join him for the first drink to thank pals for all the help and support he had received to get back to playing some golf in 2022. Thanks from all, Simon.
Next came the meal, 3 courses and that’s about all we want to say about that. But it was served by Sarah and some of her excellent team, who as usual looked after us very well. A collection had been made which was passed on with thanks for the Front of house team’s hard work to support us during the year.
During the meal we had one of the now infamous Sarge (Roger) quizzes. Always good to know the outcome when he announces the table winners and then gives one bottle of wine to the table, with the ensuing fight over who out of the 8 players gets to keep it! Can’t recall seeing who was the least bloodied! Thanks Roger.
Then came the fun bit.
(Note: I may exercise some degree of interpretation in the reciting of the activities below).
But all was well and the seniors' afternoon started with a healthy thirst, as Sir Simon had sent out an invitation to join him for the first drink to thank pals for all the help and support he had received to get back to playing some golf in 2022. Thanks from all, Simon.
Next came the meal, 3 courses and that’s about all we want to say about that. But it was served by Sarah and some of her excellent team, who as usual looked after us very well. A collection had been made which was passed on with thanks for the Front of house team’s hard work to support us during the year.
During the meal we had one of the now infamous Sarge (Roger) quizzes. Always good to know the outcome when he announces the table winners and then gives one bottle of wine to the table, with the ensuing fight over who out of the 8 players gets to keep it! Can’t recall seeing who was the least bloodied! Thanks Roger.
Then came the fun bit.
(Note: I may exercise some degree of interpretation in the reciting of the activities below).
Juniors to Seniors
Captain Dave had clearly broken all the legal rules about data protection and somehow ‘come across’ a collection of childhood photos of the some of the ‘faces’ (Winesy loves that word - he was one once he says!) amongst the seniors.
The task was to identify who those ‘sweet children’ (well not sure about Shooter who looked a bit - well, you decide !) had turned into as old guys.
There were only 10.
Anyone got 10 right asks Dave ? no one
9? no one
8? no one
7 Yes, but not us lot - Sarah and her team - they obviously know us better than we know ourselves! (I got mine right, so 1 out of 10!)
Thanks Dave.
The task was to identify who those ‘sweet children’ (well not sure about Shooter who looked a bit - well, you decide !) had turned into as old guys.
There were only 10.
Anyone got 10 right asks Dave ? no one
9? no one
8? no one
7 Yes, but not us lot - Sarah and her team - they obviously know us better than we know ourselves! (I got mine right, so 1 out of 10!)
Thanks Dave.
2022 Fantasy Golf Roundup
Sir Simon’s now fully trained Assistant, Steve Belly (much in evidence), did the results and prizes.
3rd Interim prizes 1st Graham (Robbo) and 2nd Dave Cormack
4th Interim prizes 1st Roger (Sarge) 2nd Terry Day
Final League Results Overall
1st Graham (Robbo) 2nd Dave Cormack 3rd John (get) Carter.
Belly also took the opportunity to show us the shirt he has apparently been wearing since Arsenal won the Cup in 1971? Still (just) fits and amazingly clean!
3rd Interim prizes 1st Graham (Robbo) and 2nd Dave Cormack
4th Interim prizes 1st Roger (Sarge) 2nd Terry Day
Final League Results Overall
1st Graham (Robbo) 2nd Dave Cormack 3rd John (get) Carter.
Belly also took the opportunity to show us the shirt he has apparently been wearing since Arsenal won the Cup in 1971? Still (just) fits and amazingly clean!
After a three year absence, Sir Simon then presented his annual review and results for the of the Fantasy Golf year.
The FGL has raised c £300 each year for the Captain’s Charity (as well as the Manager prizes of course).
There was a buzz as Sir Simon came to the actual awards and titles - which as you know can be freely used during the year and especially when completing online dating profiles. We won’t cover them all - some people don’t like to be embarrassed by their success in achieving one.
Roger (Sarge) ‘Scrap Merchant of the Year’ - for his plan to melt down unwanted cups and trophies to fund his trip to Australia. And also as our favourite ‘Del Boy’ for flogging his wine on the Whats App group without paying commission. A new WhatsApp operating model has been drafted.
Kim Han-Sen awarded the ‘Cordon Bleu’ title for his highly original choice of Ice Cream and Custard at golf functions.
Most ‘Delusioned Senior of the Year’ went to Paul Shoots- “ I think we can come up again’.
And a Double award to ‘you know who’ as the outstanding ‘Anorak’ (how does he know I wear one indoors?) and ‘Best Spoon Feeder” of the Year for late night emailing and ensuring that the most forgetful seniors are properly nourished with activities.
Best ‘Newcomer Award’ went to Joe Hardy who got up to 5 words a min on Whats App messages.
Tim Wayman, found fame with ‘Handyman of the Year’ but has declined to enter the ladies Ladder Competition this year.
And that well known volunteer Steve A rightly earned the ‘What Came Over You ‘ Award, for his untiring commitment to ‘The Office” by saying YES to 3 years as the Seniors Vice Captain and Captain, 2 Years as Seniors Chairman, and another 2 years and the Club’s Vice Captain and Captain. Sir S decided to ask a Jeremy Paxman question to get to the root of why?? The surprising one was ‘ Whispers of Gunga returning” forced to me to take on any role that stopped that from happening!! We are thinking of writing that into all future job descriptions!
‘Smart Arse of the Year’ (didn’t know Sir S was interested in that type of thing!?) went to Spanish Steve (Benton) for his ‘Comp Siempre’ on WhatsApp. Something to do with “yes - always - in Spain”, I think?
‘Club Scout of the Year’ was brave heart Spiggy - always up for exploring ahead to locate any dangers that will hold us up.
A hush descended as Sir S came to perhaps the most converted award of all ‘Gigolo of the Year’. There was talk about the winner having used his ‘charms’ and, about ‘Sarah and laps’, and surprisingly ‘Sir S and his fly-zips’: Minds boggled, but yes the old, old timer came though yet again - 20 of the last 21 years (only losing out one year to Peter runningup the Hill) - was our favourite Winsey. He apparently gets to keep his trophy (who is she?) for posterity.
Players have to earn the points for their FLG managers of course, and and top earners this year were Skinner, Sandford and Allen. Special Cracker awards were made - we are all still searching for the hidden meaning??
As you know the Seniors are a serious lot and not many of our antics cause amusement (!). However, Sir S, did note Henry Vs special contribution this year and so, Henry gets the extra - not on the Award menu, ’amuse-bouche’ for his contribution to Ditch Diving - and as such becomes the Seniors' Swimming Captain for 2023.
The FGL has raised c £300 each year for the Captain’s Charity (as well as the Manager prizes of course).
There was a buzz as Sir Simon came to the actual awards and titles - which as you know can be freely used during the year and especially when completing online dating profiles. We won’t cover them all - some people don’t like to be embarrassed by their success in achieving one.
Roger (Sarge) ‘Scrap Merchant of the Year’ - for his plan to melt down unwanted cups and trophies to fund his trip to Australia. And also as our favourite ‘Del Boy’ for flogging his wine on the Whats App group without paying commission. A new WhatsApp operating model has been drafted.
Kim Han-Sen awarded the ‘Cordon Bleu’ title for his highly original choice of Ice Cream and Custard at golf functions.
Most ‘Delusioned Senior of the Year’ went to Paul Shoots- “ I think we can come up again’.
And a Double award to ‘you know who’ as the outstanding ‘Anorak’ (how does he know I wear one indoors?) and ‘Best Spoon Feeder” of the Year for late night emailing and ensuring that the most forgetful seniors are properly nourished with activities.
Best ‘Newcomer Award’ went to Joe Hardy who got up to 5 words a min on Whats App messages.
Tim Wayman, found fame with ‘Handyman of the Year’ but has declined to enter the ladies Ladder Competition this year.
And that well known volunteer Steve A rightly earned the ‘What Came Over You ‘ Award, for his untiring commitment to ‘The Office” by saying YES to 3 years as the Seniors Vice Captain and Captain, 2 Years as Seniors Chairman, and another 2 years and the Club’s Vice Captain and Captain. Sir S decided to ask a Jeremy Paxman question to get to the root of why?? The surprising one was ‘ Whispers of Gunga returning” forced to me to take on any role that stopped that from happening!! We are thinking of writing that into all future job descriptions!
‘Smart Arse of the Year’ (didn’t know Sir S was interested in that type of thing!?) went to Spanish Steve (Benton) for his ‘Comp Siempre’ on WhatsApp. Something to do with “yes - always - in Spain”, I think?
‘Club Scout of the Year’ was brave heart Spiggy - always up for exploring ahead to locate any dangers that will hold us up.
A hush descended as Sir S came to perhaps the most converted award of all ‘Gigolo of the Year’. There was talk about the winner having used his ‘charms’ and, about ‘Sarah and laps’, and surprisingly ‘Sir S and his fly-zips’: Minds boggled, but yes the old, old timer came though yet again - 20 of the last 21 years (only losing out one year to Peter runningup the Hill) - was our favourite Winsey. He apparently gets to keep his trophy (who is she?) for posterity.
Players have to earn the points for their FLG managers of course, and and top earners this year were Skinner, Sandford and Allen. Special Cracker awards were made - we are all still searching for the hidden meaning??
As you know the Seniors are a serious lot and not many of our antics cause amusement (!). However, Sir S, did note Henry Vs special contribution this year and so, Henry gets the extra - not on the Award menu, ’amuse-bouche’ for his contribution to Ditch Diving - and as such becomes the Seniors' Swimming Captain for 2023.
A reminder that the FLG will run again in 2023. Usual fees etc. Debt collector Belly will be visiting you if you are not yet in.
Thanks for the amusement Simon.
Thanks for the amusement Simon.
Vice Captain's Drama Session (or a course in overacting)
Kev, about to become 2023 Captain, is determined to bring a fresh set of eyes to the seniors set up and cause a bit of a stir to accepted norms! And in looking to bring a new dimension to the seniors full experience, did a remake of the 'Winsey Special' -- the exaggerated acting course. As a result of this we are expected to work hard on our ‘ on course mannerisms’ in 2023 and seek to become the most easily identifiable and notable at a distance to help failing eyesight. This will especially help Dennis.
A man of few words on paper our Kev, and in this case a man with very few props! But out of 20 or so portrayals of current, on course, senior golfing mannerisms, it was surprisingly easy to guess at most with success.
Hard to describe most as you needed to see it, but a few ‘slightly reinterpreted favourites; JCs ‘hip wiggle’; Dennis’s ‘Where did that go?’; Ray launching himself with his ball down the fairway; Rogers ‘F… That’ -NB other expletives are available and used (but not here); Ash, where are my shoes, bag, clubs, car , grandson. ….?’ Gordon - apparently- mutter, mutter, mutter! ; ‘I’ll take that’ 2 for 6 - John P; FFSSteve - we all know who etc etc etc .
All very good fun. Not sure there was one on Kev? So you are invited to share it on Whats App!
2023 could be a very interesting year.
Thanks Kev.
A man of few words on paper our Kev, and in this case a man with very few props! But out of 20 or so portrayals of current, on course, senior golfing mannerisms, it was surprisingly easy to guess at most with success.
Hard to describe most as you needed to see it, but a few ‘slightly reinterpreted favourites; JCs ‘hip wiggle’; Dennis’s ‘Where did that go?’; Ray launching himself with his ball down the fairway; Rogers ‘F… That’ -NB other expletives are available and used (but not here); Ash, where are my shoes, bag, clubs, car , grandson. ….?’ Gordon - apparently- mutter, mutter, mutter! ; ‘I’ll take that’ 2 for 6 - John P; FFSSteve - we all know who etc etc etc .
All very good fun. Not sure there was one on Kev? So you are invited to share it on Whats App!
2023 could be a very interesting year.
Thanks Kev.
'Still just Captain' Dave's Extra Awards
The best ‘Christmas Jumper’ award went to Ian Patterson - forgot to take the photo - but just as well as I gather it was at least 25 years old and the flash would have disturbed the moths.
The much sought after (by those that know no better) ‘Bandit of the Year’ award went, after much toing and froing, (No, no, it cant be me etc etc ) to John Powell for his unfailing commitment in the first half of 2022 to using his highly inflated handicap to highly inflate his scores. Well done John!
The much sought after (by those that know no better) ‘Bandit of the Year’ award went, after much toing and froing, (No, no, it cant be me etc etc ) to John Powell for his unfailing commitment in the first half of 2022 to using his highly inflated handicap to highly inflate his scores. Well done John!
A special bottle of the year award went to Ash for just being a great chap in managing our difficult finances and organising our excellent monthly awaydays at a cost that doesnt break our banks.
The very special Clubman of the Year trophy was awarded to Bill French for his huge commitment and hard work on our behalf in acting as our Section Secretary and arranging all our matches and events such as today etc. Unfortunately, due to a family circumstance Bill couldn’t be here and so the formal presentation of the trophy will be made at the Senior Captain’s Drive-in day.
The very special Clubman of the Year trophy was awarded to Bill French for his huge commitment and hard work on our behalf in acting as our Section Secretary and arranging all our matches and events such as today etc. Unfortunately, due to a family circumstance Bill couldn’t be here and so the formal presentation of the trophy will be made at the Senior Captain’s Drive-in day.
End of Year Competition Winners Presentations (Part 2)
Then came the bit when the presentations for all the 2nd half of the year competitions were made. (Slideshow below with captions to identify comps and winners).
It was interesting to note that the bandit short list didn't even consider Chris V who seemed to turn up in every winners photo - that might be because he was doing his last stint as the Comps Secretary, but he did actually win quite a few of them!! And of course you can't keep a good man down as Dennis popped out of his seat quite a few times as well.
At one stage there were quite a few quizzical faces when a certain Dave Stanley was identified as a winner and many seniors wondered if their memory problems were advancing rapidly - until Dave Handley stood up. And there was a great buzz and then anticipatory silence as Greg Norman was announced as our Golfer of the Year - and up came Greg Burnham - our own Golfer of the Year two years running.
NB Roger was busing eyeing up all the cups that hadn't been taken by winners!!
It was interesting to note that the bandit short list didn't even consider Chris V who seemed to turn up in every winners photo - that might be because he was doing his last stint as the Comps Secretary, but he did actually win quite a few of them!! And of course you can't keep a good man down as Dennis popped out of his seat quite a few times as well.
At one stage there were quite a few quizzical faces when a certain Dave Stanley was identified as a winner and many seniors wondered if their memory problems were advancing rapidly - until Dave Handley stood up. And there was a great buzz and then anticipatory silence as Greg Norman was announced as our Golfer of the Year - and up came Greg Burnham - our own Golfer of the Year two years running.
NB Roger was busing eyeing up all the cups that hadn't been taken by winners!!
Unfortunately, Bill French was unable to join us today - Joint Winner of the Sumer pairs KO and 4 Seasons Cup No4 Winner.
And G Killington who was one of the Brazier Trophy Team winners.
And G Killington who was one of the Brazier Trophy Team winners.