Once again it is my pleasure to present a review of last year’s happenings and events.
A dry, breezy day greeted us for the Spring Meeting at Aspley Guise & Woburn Sands. 27 people had a challenging day at my home course which, unfortunately, was not at its best with the normally excellent, fast greens suffering from a delay in pre-winter treatment. This did not deter our indomitable traveller from Halifax, John Broadbent , taking the Jack Ryman Cup with 35 points.
We returned in June to Burnham Beeches for the next meeting. The weather was indifferent but the course was in it’s usual immaculate condition confirming its position as one of the Society’s favourites. David Littlechild took the John Bond Cup with 36 points. The attendance of just 21 was very disappointing even if caused by a combination of adverse factors.
The President’s Trophy meeting was held in July at Hugh Sear’s home course, Tyrrells Wood which boasts fast running, undulating greens - these proved much to the liking of the Hon. Secretary who took the trophy with 40 points. The attendance was 31 and the weather (praise be) was sunny and very warm ….
In September the Captain took us to Barnham Broom In Norfolk – a pleasant, comfortable hotel with two courses on which was played the team competitions on days one and three. On day two we journeyed east to play the main event, the Captains Salver. The chosen venue is one of the most scenic of England’s seaside courses and Sheringham was bathed in warm Autumnal sunshine. The substantial sea breeze ensured the scoring was kept
to reasonable proportions and a tight competition was won by Hugh Sear with 34 points – just pipping one of our newer recruits, Nicola Phillips, on count-back.
The whole trip was much enjoyed by the 28 participants, partly because of the fine weather (which always helps) but mainly due to the pre-planning and daily organisation by the Captain (and Mrs. Astrop !) Well done to them.
Our concluding meeting for the now well established pairs Invitation Stableford was held at Wrotham Heath in Kent. It was mid-November but the weather was good and the late autumnal colours of this lovely course were well in evidence. 25 attended a very high scoring competition. David & Ollie James were triumphant with 49 points to take the Peter Tilley Trophy
The committee decided in June to have a survey of members asking for comments and suggestions as to how we can make the Society more attractive and help boost the membership. Over 50 per cent of the paid-up membership (including most of the active members) replied and some interesting comments were received.
The majority agreed with our set aim of playing decent courses at reasonable cost. 27 holes was confirmed as the preferred format and generally it was a ’ steady as we go’ response – but with two important improvements.
The members asked for a wider geographic spread of venues instead of the emphasis (mainly) on Bucks and Surrey.
As venues are usually booked over a year in advance we aren’t able to put it into effect this year but in 2015
you can expect at least one event in East Herts/Essex and one in Kent. As usual, and as befitting a London based society, the locations will be within striking distance of the M25.
The other improvement is to make the ball-sweep more interesting. The first prize is now a voucher for free entry for a guest at the following meeting (excluding the Captain’s Outing). This has already been put into effect. To make it easier, if the winner is unable to attend the voucher is transferable to someone who can. It is entirely possible that a guest will win the voucher – all he or she then has to do is make sure their ‘inviter’ asks them again!
The remainder of the prizes will be the usual 3-ball sleeves of logoed Titleist balls.. Members are probably aware that the ‘Ball Sweep’ is our main source of income after the annual subscription.
The winners of the 2013 Aggregate cups were as follows: Liberty Trophy: Ollie James. Watkins Memorial Trophy: Eric Smith. The Conlon/Spicer/Guildford and Tolley Memorial trophies: Richard Johns.
My grateful thanks are due to the Treasurer, David Morgan, and to our website manager and database keeper Geoff Fowler for their excellent support in keeping the Society running. Without them I’d be lost !
I’d also like to offer many congratulations to our retiring captain, John Astrop, on a superb and conscientious job.
I am sure you will join with me in wishing our incoming captain, Peter Jones, good luck and good weather in the coming season. Please see the website www.londonstationersgolf.org.uk for the venues and dates he has chosen.
Richard Johns
Hon. Secretary
12th March 2014
