2023 Ladies and Seniors - Mixed Pairs Competition
Weds 4th October 2023
A much better turn out for the 2nd Ladies and Seniors Mixed pairs Competition in 2023, with 44 signed up to play. Very well done to Chris (love him) Vander and Barbara (Dave’s better half) Cormack, for getting it altogether so well.
With Seniors’ Captain Kev away getting lost in the Bermuda triangle - rather than on the London roads - he was a taxi driver among other interesting occupations, it was left to Vice Captain Mike Tringham to play the role for the day. Interestingly Kev departed for Bermuda just after the last ladies and seniors - there must be A link.
At the last one in April our Treasurer Ash turned up, having forgotten the M&S vouchers for the prizes, so the winners got cash. True to form I noticed him hurriedly stuffing cash into envelopes just before we went out. I do worry about our Treasurer’s credentials. It makes me wonder about all the cash stuffed envelopes he seems to get, as well as give out! But his excuse later on was not having had time, as he’d only just arrived back from a trip to his Spanish retreat - hmm Cash, Spain Retreat?
Anyway before I get accused of libel, all arrived on a day that promised to be warm and dry - which apart from a slightly chilly start, was just how it turned out to be. The course was in reasonable condition so we expected some good scores from the popular Chapman format. Well … it is a popular format, but it has to be said that sometimes partners aren’t terribly popular though, after messing up too many shots!
Out on the field of play there was evidently some good golf played, but I expect also a few ‘incidents’. My partner, Jan T), and I were playing with Mary S and Greg, and it only took until the 3rd to see Dave S (on the 2nd green) dramatically, if figuratively, cutting his throat to indicate he might not have started well! Didn’t notice any great sympathy from Mary !
It was also true that Jan and I (well perhaps me in particular!) didn’t start the 1st nine very well, and there was the added problem that despite having played the game a number of times we were still having trouble with deciding the order of ball striking! Mind you I gathered later that that was a common theme in the the games. Anyway, towards the end of the front 9 we reviewed our target for the day. Having given up on an overall victory we made a pact on a best back nine win. Sounded a very sensible readjustment.
Meanwhile, Dave S was still having lots of fun! Hold on, this next bit is relevant. During 2023 I’m running an ‘Unusual Ball Endings” Competition amongst the seniors. A photo has to be taken as evidence and of course verified as not ‘staged’! You can see them here: https://www.weebly.com/editor/main.php#/
Well, Dave has always said he could have been a contender (not sure what for actually?) and has tried hard during the year. Today he got his success. Simon tells me its was a ‘ lovely long shot‘ so I’m doubtful about it being Daves! I think Brenda is displaying a sort of gritted teeth smile?
With Seniors’ Captain Kev away getting lost in the Bermuda triangle - rather than on the London roads - he was a taxi driver among other interesting occupations, it was left to Vice Captain Mike Tringham to play the role for the day. Interestingly Kev departed for Bermuda just after the last ladies and seniors - there must be A link.
At the last one in April our Treasurer Ash turned up, having forgotten the M&S vouchers for the prizes, so the winners got cash. True to form I noticed him hurriedly stuffing cash into envelopes just before we went out. I do worry about our Treasurer’s credentials. It makes me wonder about all the cash stuffed envelopes he seems to get, as well as give out! But his excuse later on was not having had time, as he’d only just arrived back from a trip to his Spanish retreat - hmm Cash, Spain Retreat?
Anyway before I get accused of libel, all arrived on a day that promised to be warm and dry - which apart from a slightly chilly start, was just how it turned out to be. The course was in reasonable condition so we expected some good scores from the popular Chapman format. Well … it is a popular format, but it has to be said that sometimes partners aren’t terribly popular though, after messing up too many shots!
Out on the field of play there was evidently some good golf played, but I expect also a few ‘incidents’. My partner, Jan T), and I were playing with Mary S and Greg, and it only took until the 3rd to see Dave S (on the 2nd green) dramatically, if figuratively, cutting his throat to indicate he might not have started well! Didn’t notice any great sympathy from Mary !
It was also true that Jan and I (well perhaps me in particular!) didn’t start the 1st nine very well, and there was the added problem that despite having played the game a number of times we were still having trouble with deciding the order of ball striking! Mind you I gathered later that that was a common theme in the the games. Anyway, towards the end of the front 9 we reviewed our target for the day. Having given up on an overall victory we made a pact on a best back nine win. Sounded a very sensible readjustment.
Meanwhile, Dave S was still having lots of fun! Hold on, this next bit is relevant. During 2023 I’m running an ‘Unusual Ball Endings” Competition amongst the seniors. A photo has to be taken as evidence and of course verified as not ‘staged’! You can see them here: https://www.weebly.com/editor/main.php#/
Well, Dave has always said he could have been a contender (not sure what for actually?) and has tried hard during the year. Today he got his success. Simon tells me its was a ‘ lovely long shot‘ so I’m doubtful about it being Daves! I think Brenda is displaying a sort of gritted teeth smile?
Like some of these balls, I expect that some of the other ladies also found themselves playing the men’s tee shots from ‘slightly odd places’ although perhaps not quite like Daves.
Back to our lovely game and the ball striking. Jan and I’s confidence was high on the 10th, having finished better on the last couple of holes. Well, aspirations and all that! The 11th went a little better. Now the 12th was interesting. I’d hit my drive long, but well to the left, in front of the 11th tee box. Jan hit it out onto the fairway down towards the green. As it was the only ball on the fairway I walked down and hit it onto the green. As I said we’d had a little bit of confusion about the order of ball striking on the front nine, but Greg’s casual (if incorrect) question about why I’d hit the 3rd shot lead to a long discussion that resulted in us finally agreeing that the right order had been followed. So Jan went onto the green to putt my ball. At that point she asked why we now had a Callaway instead of a Titleist ball? I had no idea and we never did find out why!! So we ended the hole one ball up, but no points.
(Just to rub things in I learned later that Mrs Allen had putted a very long ball in on 12 for a birdie for their - Ray/Sue team! )
And so, with the points slipping away, Jan and I had to conduct another review of our target for the game. We decided that she would get the Ladies nearest the pin on the 13th and that I would get the men’s on the 18th.
Now I wouldn’t wish anyone to draw any conclusions about my game from this, but sure enough true to plan, Jan put the ball very close to the hole on the 13th - job done we thought. Now my turn. Got to the 18th, Greg goes 1st and hits a lovely ball, plonk very close to the flag. That wasn’t in my plan.
But enough of the golf, all arrived in with no injuries, or falling outs-overs.
After a quick refresher, up for lunch.
I can say that things had improved from the April 23 event. Well, things had moved up in one sense, but from there it quickly plateaued - this is the para from the April report:
“We were a little surprised to find ourselves sitting downstairs in fours rather than upstairs for our meal in the usual way, but we've all been around long enough to cope.
The meal was, well... lasagne - with bread. “
Vice Captain Mike was keen to point out that the non-provision of the chips was ‘on the positive side, an excellent zero calorie option’.
Everyone looked happy anyway.......apart from the chap missing from the empty seat in the 1st photo.
Back to our lovely game and the ball striking. Jan and I’s confidence was high on the 10th, having finished better on the last couple of holes. Well, aspirations and all that! The 11th went a little better. Now the 12th was interesting. I’d hit my drive long, but well to the left, in front of the 11th tee box. Jan hit it out onto the fairway down towards the green. As it was the only ball on the fairway I walked down and hit it onto the green. As I said we’d had a little bit of confusion about the order of ball striking on the front nine, but Greg’s casual (if incorrect) question about why I’d hit the 3rd shot lead to a long discussion that resulted in us finally agreeing that the right order had been followed. So Jan went onto the green to putt my ball. At that point she asked why we now had a Callaway instead of a Titleist ball? I had no idea and we never did find out why!! So we ended the hole one ball up, but no points.
(Just to rub things in I learned later that Mrs Allen had putted a very long ball in on 12 for a birdie for their - Ray/Sue team! )
And so, with the points slipping away, Jan and I had to conduct another review of our target for the game. We decided that she would get the Ladies nearest the pin on the 13th and that I would get the men’s on the 18th.
Now I wouldn’t wish anyone to draw any conclusions about my game from this, but sure enough true to plan, Jan put the ball very close to the hole on the 13th - job done we thought. Now my turn. Got to the 18th, Greg goes 1st and hits a lovely ball, plonk very close to the flag. That wasn’t in my plan.
But enough of the golf, all arrived in with no injuries, or falling outs-overs.
After a quick refresher, up for lunch.
I can say that things had improved from the April 23 event. Well, things had moved up in one sense, but from there it quickly plateaued - this is the para from the April report:
“We were a little surprised to find ourselves sitting downstairs in fours rather than upstairs for our meal in the usual way, but we've all been around long enough to cope.
The meal was, well... lasagne - with bread. “
Vice Captain Mike was keen to point out that the non-provision of the chips was ‘on the positive side, an excellent zero calorie option’.
Everyone looked happy anyway.......apart from the chap missing from the empty seat in the 1st photo.
At the end of the long awaited and quickly finished meal, Seniors VC Mike finally got to greet everyone, explaining that as Kev was in Bermuda he had been elevated - he mentioned knowing where he would rather be, but it wasn’t clear what the answer was…!
Thanks were offered to all for the support and a special thanks to Barbara and Chris for all the work put in to make the day run smoothly.
Bill meanwhile had heard some early results and was busy celebrating.
Thanks were offered to all for the support and a special thanks to Barbara and Chris for all the work put in to make the day run smoothly.
Bill meanwhile had heard some early results and was busy celebrating.
High score expected and high scores there were. Two 48 pointers for the top spot, decided only on the BB3.
Overall Winners occupying podium position were
Sir Simon (the Bandit) Hughes and Lady Mary-Anne Hansen.
Nb we usually talk about success as you get older being if you ever manage to shoot a gross score equal to your age - Simon’s invented a new one that involves shooting the same points as your Handicap!).
Sir Simon (the Bandit) Hughes and Lady Mary-Anne Hansen.
Nb we usually talk about success as you get older being if you ever manage to shoot a gross score equal to your age - Simon’s invented a new one that involves shooting the same points as your Handicap!).
No animals or people have been harmed in this partial truth telling. All information was provided willingly by those mentioned, or was observed in the public domain. Any claims for damages should be forwarded to the Seniors Treasurer who will happily pay out, as most of this information came from him!
In a 48 point 2nd place was Dave Oakley and Sue Jarvis
(The ladies highest money earner! Another 2nd for Sue - same as April)
(The ladies highest money earner! Another 2nd for Sue - same as April)
The winners of the best front 9 were Bill French and Barbara Cormack (an overall Winner in April)
The winners of the best back 9 Ray Wells and Sue Allen (front 9 winner in April)
Nearest the Pin 3rd : Sue Allen (boring now!)
Nearest the Pin 8th : Brian Wilks
Nearest the Pin 14th : Jan Tallentire
Nearest the Pin 18th : Greg Burnham
And an extra bottle for Barbara for all the hard work getting more ladies involved this time.
Overall Results Table
No animals or people have been harmed in this partial truth telling. All information was provided willingly by those mentioned, or was observed in the public domain. Any claims for damages should be forwarded to the Seniors Treasurer who will happily pay out as he is missing his target for reducing the Seniors Emergency Fund this year.