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Full Results1. Like London buses, you wait ages for a newsletter then two come along almost together! The first event of our 2023 season was switched to Cowdray Park from the still unsuitable Farnham and the sigh of relief from Captain Kevin could be heard all the way back to his home in Ashtead as the day dawned a) without rain b) without frost and c) with comparatively mild temperatures. All in all then a perfect winter’s day with only a coolish breeze to remind us that it was a February event.
2. Having said all that Cowdray Park is a difficult course with some long holes and gradients to overcome. A good example of this that for the first time (possibly ever) no one was on the green for one of the Nearest the Pins in 2 so that’s a bottle of wine saved……!
3. 35 was always going to be a good score on that course in winter and it proved enough for the in-form Mark Longhurst, revving himself up for his Captaincy year, to win the event by one point from the also ever-reliable Dougie Paull. This was Mark’s fourth win since he became a member in 2012 and is his second win in a calendar year, having come first at Liphook last March. Since then he’s also won the Tour, the Seniors Knock out, the 100 round trophy and finished third at New Zealand so I am sure Ian will be taking a long hard look at his h/cap to give the rest of us (well, maybe not me) a chance of toppling him.
4. Though our numbers for a BAGS day were not great at 26, the date had been changed to accommodate the New Zealand event and recent weather patterns have hardly been conducive to getting out on the course. Nevertheless this one worked out well and the carvery in the comfortable Clubhouse made a fine end to the day.
5. In contrast bookings are very heavy for our Hankley Common event in under three weeks time with well over 60 people booked to attend. I am sure it can’t only be the prospect of the AGM afterwards which is attracting people so it must be one of the country’s finest heathland courses which we will be visiting for the 12th time, a higher figure than any other course except for our Charity venue at Betchworth Park. If you do want to make a last minute booking, this is the time to strike as we are restricted to 68 so only have three places left. Very soon I shall be issuing the list of players and this will be the time to send in your money. With those sort of numbers, we need quick action as our Treasurer John Davies has plenty of other matters to deal with before the AGM as well as completing his handover to Matt Hall.
6. It’s good news that Steve Lang will be back on the course again at Hankley after his shoulder operation and we are also hoping that Gordon may even be able to attend the dinner or if not there then the 30th anniversary meeting at RAC. He is now out of hospital again and looking forward to renewing his BAGS friendships when he recovers. Get well soon Gordon and we can’t wait to see you again.
7. Harry is also sounding optimistic about his possible return to golf and tells me he has been practising his short game in preparation for getting back to the game he loves. He has been very patient for the last eighteen months but is now ready for a comeback. Go for it, Harry.
8. It will be very much the Changing of the Guard after the AGM. Apart from the Treasurer’s role, Keith Gatford will take over as Chairman from Hedley who will retain his Charity role with Chris Presley and Niall. Stuart Smillie and Andy Skilton will run the day events between them from Tandridge in April onwards. They are already planning a road tour around the possible courses for 2024 with New Zealand already newly selected for March next year.
9. Meanwhile Andy Harper is doing a great job taking forward the plans for the Yorkshire tour in September and will visit Belgium soon with Prospective VC Andy Martin to explore possible venues and hotels for a tour there next year.
10. Hedley and his Committee continue to work hard on the June Charity event and we already have a sizeable number of fourball vouchers which will no doubt raise even more money than last year given the fact that green fees keep on increasing.
11. Planning is also in full swing (appropriate word!) for our big 30 th anniversary event on March 21 and so far acceptances have been received from past (and our second) Captain Chris Bower who is actually coming out of retirement to play on the day and Mike Corliss who will attend the dinner. There will be a number of surprises for participants and (subject to the cost being approved at the next Committee meeting) an 8 page souvenir programme is planned. All this and a Captain’s Challenge from Mr Longhurst….
12. So lots to look forward to as the new season rolls out with memorable golf on some exciting courses and I look forward to seeing you there.
| Position | Name | Score | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark LONGHURST | 35 | BAGS Winner | |
| 2 | Dougie PAULL | 34 | BAGS 2nd | |
| 3 | Mike GRIESHABER | 31 | BAGS 3rd | |
| = | Andy MARTIN | 31 | ||
| 5 | Lawrie ARNOLD | 30 | ||
| = | Keith GATFORD | 30 | ||
| = | Kevin HAWKINS | 30 | ||
| = | Graham WRIGHT | 30 | ||
| 9 | Tim AKERS | 28 | ||
| = | Andy HARPER | 28 | ||
| = | Stuart HORREX | 28 | ||
| = | Barrie Street | 28 | Guest Winner | |
| 13 | Andy SKILTON | 26 | ||
| = | Mike WEAVER | 26 | ||
| 15 | Matt HALL | 25 | ||
| = | Stuart SMILLIE | 25 | ||
| 17 | Richard LISTER | 22 | ||
| = | Gordon STREET | 22 | ||
| 19 | Andy BOND | 21 | ||
| = | Richard HOCKHAM | 21 | ||
| = | Alan LANGFORD | 21 | ||
| = | Niall NELSON | 21 | ||
| 23 | Martin TERRY | 19 | ||
| 24 | John Jefferson | 17 | Guest | |
| 25 | Keith MARSHALL | 13 | retired injured | |
| 26 | Terry HULME | 12 |
| Description | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Best front nine | Tim Akers | 16 pts |
| Best back nine | Graham Wright | 18 pts |
| Nearest the pin 2 (7th) | no winner - no one on the green! | |
| Nearest the pin (9th) | Mike Weaver | 30ft 3in |
| Nearest the pin (11th hole) | Richard Lister | 1m 90cm |
| Nearest the pin in 2 (16th hole) | Kevin Hawkins | 94cm |
| Par 3 Winner | Kevin Hawkins | 10pts |
Par for the course = 70 After adjustment for the conditions the Competition Scratch Score (CSS) was 33 points. The detailed handicap changes from the event are shown below. This only shows the members who played at the event. For a full list of handicaps please see the Handicaps page.
| Member | Previous exact Hcap |
Previous playing Hcap |
Points from event |
Difference from CSS |
Revised exact Hcap |
Revised Playing Hcap. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim AKERS | 15.4 | 15 | 28 | 5 | 15.5 | 16 |
| Lawrie ARNOLD | 10.0 | 10 | 30 | 3 | 10.1 | 10 |
| Andy BOND | 36.0 | 36 | 21 | 12 | 36.0 | 36 |
| Keith GATFORD | 29.0 | 29 | 30 | 3 | 29.0 | 29 |
| Mike GRIESHABER | 21.7 | 22 | 31 | 2 | 21.7 | 22 |
| Matt HALL | 12.1 | 12 | 25 | 8 | 12.2 | 12 |
| Andy HARPER | 18.8 | 19 | 28 | 5 | 18.9 | 19 |
| Kevin HAWKINS | 20.1 | 20 | 30 | 3 | 20.1 | 20 |
| Richard HOCKHAM | 3.7 | 4 | 21 | 12 | 3.9 | 4 |
| Stuart HORREX | 23.9 | 24 | 28 | 5 | 24.0 | 24 |
| Terry HULME | 25.6 | 26 | 12 | 21 | 25.7 | 26 |
| Alan LANGFORD | 13.3 | 13 | 21 | 12 | 13.5 | 14 |
| Richard LISTER | 15.9 | 16 | 22 | 11 | 16.0 | 16 |
| Mark LONGHURST | 22.0 | 22 | 35 | -2 | 21.2 | 21 |
| Keith MARSHALL | 9.3 | 9 | 13 | 20 | 9.5 | 10 |
| Andy MARTIN | 10.8 | 11 | 31 | 2 | 10.8 | 11 |
| Niall NELSON | 27.2 | 27 | 21 | 12 | 27.3 | 27 |
| Dougie PAULL | 20.2 | 20 | 34 | -1 | 19.9 | 20 |
| Andy SKILTON | 22.4 | 22 | 26 | 7 | 22.5 | 23 |
| Stuart SMILLIE | 29.5 | 30 | 25 | 8 | 29.6 | 30 |
| Gordon STREET | 14.3 | 14 | 22 | 11 | 14.5 | 15 |
| Martin TERRY | 14.0 | 14 | 19 | 14 | 14.2 | 14 |
| Mike WEAVER | 16.9 | 17 | 26 | 7 | 17.0 | 17 |
| Graham WRIGHT | 10.3 | 10 | 30 | 3 | 10.4 | 10 |
Cowdray Park (CP) Tues 1 Feb
Hankley Common (HC) Tues 21 Feb
RAC (RAC) Tues 21 Mar
Tandridge (TD) Thu 20 Apr
Cuddington (CD) Thu 18 May
Betchworth Park (BP) Thu 15th Jun
Farleigh (FL) Thu 13 July
North Downs (ND) Mon 21st Aug
Tour Leeds 5th-7th Sept
West Sussex (WSX) Wed 4th Oct
West Surrey (WSY) Thu 2 Nov
Woking (WK) Tue 5 Dec
Knockouts
Chairman's
Treasurer's
Memorial Trophy
Par 3