All the action - on and off the course ...

What a weekend - great company, fabulous weather, good food, plenty of beer and (for some) even some great golf.

See the photos here

Who could ask for more? Well, Rob Newlove did - Sunday morning - "... can I have a new head please?", and Stuart Parker got more than he could of dreamed for when he got two glamorous assistants on his last round - which no doubt inspired him to his win on the final day!

Rumour also has it that Ray French, having spent so much time on the practice ground off the first tee, has packed in his day job and is now employed by Hill Valley GC as the official range ball collector ... (was that Tommy Hill I saw driving the range ball collector machine too???)

Match Report - as it happened:

Saturday ...
Fantastic weather, and following 18 holes on the shorter (but with deadlier rough) Sapphire course, Saturday night saw some of our more adventurous members recce the local nightlife in Whitchurch. I'm pleased to report that Whitchurch has several bars of note; I can vaguely recall something about a Red Cow and a Black Bear, bit of a blur after that (too much beer, surely not) although I do remember that some of the pubs may even let us back in again. For the steadier fraternity the snooker table in the Golf Club beckoned, and, thanks to Ernie seeing off a challenge from the resident 'Enjoyment Protection Officer', the lads enjoyed several hours of supreme play on the snooker table that at one time even managed a break getting into double figures (albeit 10).

Rumour has it that the landlady even managed to break into a smile after counting her takings at 4.30 am, probably the best night she's seen in along time. Long service drinking medals were awarded to Lenny Porter, Jim Leishman, Tommy Hill, and Rob Newlove (Martin Shaw 5th again (to bed) but he asked me not to mention it :-)

Saturday's Results:
1. Ian Willerton
2. Mick Blanchard
3. Pete Clay
4. Alan Dale

Sunday ...
18 holes on the longer Emerald course, and then Karl Shaw kindly organised a 9 hole flag on the Sapphire course and ended up taking the money ...

A steadier night for some (including me), saw most of us stay and enjoy the hospitality of the hotel bar - hey, we even got a smile and a £2 drinking voucher each from the landlady (had someone been 'entertaining' her the night before ...?). The hardened drinkers (including Jeff in his capacity as Society Captain and Taxi driver) made it back into Whitchurch for more of Saturday's entertainment, full marks for determination and staying power lads.

Sunday's Results:
1. Aaron Hodkin
2. Nick Hodkin
3. Barrie Graham
4. Martin McLeary
(Martin Shaw asked me to mention he came 5th, but I'm not going to bother :-)

Monday ...
The final round on the Emerald course. The weather was a complete change from the previous two days in the morning, but the rain didn't dampen anyones spirits. Ray found the driving range again off the first tee, Tommy found the tractor, Rob Newlove's head felt like dogsh*t, and my round started with a bogey - no change there then.

Monday's Results:
1. Stuart Parker
2. Kev Hughes
3. Aaron Hodkin
4. Nicky Hodkin
(Martin Shaw asked me to mention he came 5th but I'm not going to bother :-)

And so to the overall results ...
Two challenging courses, 4 rounds later, the contents of the hotel bar almosy dry (which nearly brought a smile to the landlady's face, but not quite ...) and some aching bodies and we had a winner - boy wonder Aaron Hodkin came in with a fantastic 99 points, followed in a close second by his brother Nicky with 95 points. Well done lads, great great golf and you set a real example for your dad to follow. By the way, he says can you bring your winnings with you next year beacause you'll be buying your own drinks after thrashing him (!). In third place was Stuart Parker, followed by yours truly in fourth.

Overall Results:
1st: Aaron Hodkin 99 points
2nd: Nicky Hodkin 95 points
3rd: Stuart Parker 92 points
4th: Barrie Graham 91 points
(Did I mention Martin Shaw asked me to mention that he came fifth, with 89 points, but I'm not going to bother :-)

Nearest the Pin Winners:
Jim Leishman
Nicky Hodkin
Geoff Taylor - visitor (2)
Martin Shaw
Paul Blanchard
Richard Blake
George Wall

On a serious note, I'm sure everyone would agree that we had a great time - the strength of our society is down to the good nature, comaradery and strong support of its members, and long may it flourish. Final thanks go again to our secretary Martin Shaw for organising yet another superb weekend, many thanks Martin.

Yours etc,

Barrie

See the photos here