results from golf days

Our results for the 2011/2012 season are as follows (most recent event first):

The Christmas Cup
Maxstoke Park Golf Club - 15th December 2011
36 hole stableford (full handicap)

One of the highest ever turn-out of 43 members battled through the horrific traffic to Maxstoke Park Golf Club for the 2012 Christmas Cup. Most people did arrive in time, John Shaw just about made it, running onto the first tee with his shoelaces flapping in the breeze.

The weather was cold but it was a bright, dry day and we could not really have asked for better conditions in mid-December. The course was a bit wet in places but the greens were lightning fast for the time of year and all-in-all it was, as always, an excellent venue for The Christmas Cup.

Scoring was pretty good and there were many birdies and even one eagle about. At the par five 7th, Graham Bilsland hit driver, driver to reach in two and rolled in a 30 footer for eagle. It's a good job we weren't playing matchplay as his playing partner, Peter Meaney, also holed a good putt for a 4 nett 3 for a 'half'.

Graham's eagle helped him to 34 points which was a very popular score with six players on that total. Countback separated them as Graham in 10th, Alan Tolley in 9th, Neil White in 8th, Mike Fox in 7th, Neil Smith in 6th and Ian Talboys in 5th. One point ahead in 4th was Brian Keates scoring 18 on the front nine and 17 on the back nine off his handicap of 23. Peter Meaney was playing off 20 and scored 19 on the front nine and 18 on the back nine for a 37 point total and third place.

Also on 37 was new Committee member Graham Thorpe off 21 with 18 on the front nine and 19 on the back nine to pip Peter into second with his better back nine. The winner, in what is becoming a regular occurrence, was Simon Hayward off a handicap of 11. Simon scored just the 18 on the front nine but followed this with 21 on the back nine for a 39 point total and his third victory of the 2011 calendar year. An excellent performance Simon, let's see if you can continue the form off your ever decreasing handicap in 2012.

A great three course Christmas dinner was served afterwards, and that was followed by mince pies, coffee and mints and the annual prize giving and AGM to round off another great BUNGS year.

Have a great Christmas and New Year and see you all on 2012.

Full results from Maxstoke Park can be seen by clicking results_2011_12_maxstokepark_2011.htm

The Cliff Thompson Salver
Conwy Golf Club - 18th November 2011
North Wales Golf Club - 19th November 2011

36 hole stableford (full handicap)

31 players made the drive to North Wales for the 2011 Cliff Thomson Salver. This year it was voted that we play the competition over all 36 holes (18 at Conwy Golf Club and 18 at North Wales Golf Club) instead of what we have done in the past, which was a fun fourball-betterball on the first day and the 18 hole competition for the trophy on the second day. The drive-up to Llandudno was very good and the weather, for the time of year, was superb and I can't really imagine how we could get better weather on a November trip.

After a hearty breakfast (more hearty for some after Graham Adams polished-off six slices of black pudding) it was out onto the Conwy putting green and onto the first tee.

Scoring at Conwy was mixed with some players struggling and others doing really well. Those at the top of the tree and in main contention for the overall price were Steve Barkshire in 1st (39 points), Karl Hughes in 2nd (37 points), Brian Keates in 3rd (36 points), Adam Thompson in 4th (36 points), Bobby Ho in 5th (36 points), Gary Tyler in 6th (35 points), Mark Johnson in 7th (33 points) and Malcolm Collins in 8th (33 points).

After the golf it was over to The Esplanade Hotel on the Llandudno sea front. It is safe to say that the hotel has seen better days and is a bit scruffy and dated in places, but for what we paid it is cracking value for money. I know there were a few grumblings about the quality of both the food and accommodation but please bear in mind that if you're expecting to stay in places the quality you visit when away on business, the cost of the trip would increase substantially. I will look into alternative accommodation for our 2013 visit and will report back to the society to see how the majority want to play it (pay an extra £30-£60 for a better hotel or stick with The Esplanade).

The weather on Saturday morning was again excellent and the very short drive to North Wales was undertaken in in good spirits. Scoring at North Wales was very good indeed with some superb scores being bandied about.

The prize winners for the two round totals started with Brian Keates in 5th place with rounds of 36 and 38 points for a 74 point total off a handicap of 24. Also on 74 points with rounds of 33 and and excellent 41 points was Malcolm Collins off his handicap of 22.

One point better on 75 points in third place was Steve Barkshire off 19 with rounds of 39 and 36. Despite being out past 2am, Gary Tyler managed to have a superb round of golf at North Wales with 42 points, which added to his 35 from Conwy for a 77 point total of his handicap of 20.

Under normal circumstances, Gary's score would have easily won the event but Bobby Ho was having an inspired day at North Wales. He went round in a gross 76 for a whopping 43 points of a handicap of 12 to go with his 36 at Conwy for an astonishing 79 point total. Well played Bobby.

Full results from Llandudno trip can be seen by clicking results_2011_11_llandudno_2011.htm