CLUB NEWS
( edited by WEB SPY)
UPCOMING EVENTS
MENS' CENTENARY OPEN COMPETITION : 7TH AUGUST
On Saturday, Evesham Golf Club's men hosted their annual Open Competition. 90 people took part in the event including 37 guests from other clubs. Course Director George Marston and Head Greenkeeper James Wilkes had ensured that, despite the lack of rain this summer, the Fladbury course was in exceptional condition and playing at its best on the day. The greens, especially, were in a superb state and playing true.
This was reflected in the scoring with 17 of the entrants returning nett score below the course par of 72. It was very pleasing to see one of the visitors taking first place and winning the Centenary Cup, namely David Grosvenor from the impressive Enville Golf Club in Staffordshire. Playing off a handicap of 14, David achieved a nett score of 66. Birdies at the 15th and 17th holes helped him to beat local hero Jim Jones (81-15=66) into second place on countback. Jim, in turn, pipped another home player, Dan Richings (84-18=66), into third place on countback.
There was another impressive performance from the young man in fourth place. Oliver Farrell carded his best home gross score ever with a fine 1-under par 71. Playing off a handicap of 4, this gave Oliver a nett score of 67. His consolation was returning the best gross score of the day, which included 6 birdies. The second best gross score, of 73, was recorded by visitor Paul Nielson who plays off scratch.
Two players, just missed out on glory with nett scores of 68, visitor Mitchel Humphries and dapper Mike Palmer and two more came in with impressive nett scores of 69. They were visitor Steve Young and Club Secretary Jeremy S. P. Cain. Next time guys!
Presenting the prizes, Men's Captain Barrie Saggers thanked everyone for their participation and also congratulated the organiser, PersonNameGeorge Parker, for helping to make the day so successful. He also thanked Clubhouse Director Hywel Jones and Chief Steward Tess Byrne for their excellent hospitality.
BILL ONION TROPHY : 31ST JULY
The Craycombe Links course was in fantastic condition, with virtually no rough and with the fairways hard and fast. This, coupled with extremely true greens, generous pin positions and an absence of wind, meant that the course was playing relatively easily. The scores reflected this and Division 1 was won by Mike Callaghan with a nett score of 68 (78-10). Frank Meadows took second place with 69 (77-8) and Trevor Woodward squeezed into third place with a score of 70 (80-10) beating Andrew Witts (81-11) and Pete Stanley (81-11) on countback. Colin Cleary (yes, him again), Chris Phillips, Phil Wheeler and Ben Woodward also scored nett 70's, reinforcing the view that the conditions were very easy on the day. In Division 2, Will James stormed into first place with a nett 68 (86-18) beating David Lippett (85-17) and Richard Cross (86-18) on countback. Two other players returned identical nett 69 scores (82-13), Anthony Fawcett and Professor Tarry.
The Bill Onion Trophy was played across the two divisions and Will James took the prize, beating Mike Callaghan by half a shot on countback. Both players were rewarded with handicap reductions with James coming down to 17 and Callaghan coming down to 9.
DENNIS HEATH CUP : 28TH JULY
Last Wednesday, Evesham Golf Club's older gentlemen competed for the Dennis Heath Cup. This is a competition only open to men over the age of 50. With 45 entrants, the trophy was keenly contested but no-one could match the nett 68 (89-21) score returned by David Mullett. Second place was decided on countback with 4 players returning nett scores of 71. Graham Terry (95-24) shaded it over David Taylor (90-19), Ian Buchan (85-14) and Ian Tyrrell (82-11).
GOLF CLUB BOWL : 24TH JULY
A field of 73 took part in the Golf Club Bowl tournament and as this is the only Bogey competition that Evesham's men play for and it always makes a challenging change. The scoring system means that, using net scores for each hole, players score 1 point if they beat the par for that hole, 0 points if they equal it and lose 1 point if they score over par. Anyone who finishes with a positive score has done well and 28 of the entrants managed to do that.
The winner, with an outstanding score of +7 was Gavin Howey. Hywel Jones, who's score stood at +8 with 3 holes to go, came in second with +6. Third place was decided on countback with Colin Cleary (yes, him again!) with a score of +4 beating Scott Ridley and the winner of this event for the last 2 years, Stuart Walding.
FIDDLERS AWAY DAY : 22ND JULY
With Evesham's Ladies holding their Open Am/Am competition on Thursday, the men's Thursday Fiddlers decided to go off for their annual awayday. Last year's winner, Mark Harrison, had the task of selecting the venue and making the arrangements. He chose to take the Fiddlers to the North Worcestershire club which, despite its name, is actually situated in the southern reaches of Birmingham near to Longbridge. 20 stalwarts, including Captain Saggers and Vice Chairman Insall made the trip and were rewarded with a lovely course and warm hospitality. As the Fiddlers stood on the clubhouse balcony before going out into the pouring rain, Brummie Insall pointed into the mists and identified the road where he grew up, just a 4-iron away.
The driving rain subsided after about an hour of play and the damp conditions affected the scoring, if not the morale, of the touring party. Using local knowledge to the full, Brummie Insall won the day with a fine stableford score of 37 points. Second place had to be decided on countback with 3 players achieving that score. As a result, Ian Tyrrell just pipped Anthony Fawcett and Sixpack Parker. The Fiddlers now anxiously wait to see where Brummie will be taking them next year.
SENIORS INVITATION OPEN : MON 19TH JULY
The winner was Gerald Ricketts of Evesham, with a score of 43 points who was awarded the "Martin Bird" Trophy. In addition, prizes were awarded in two age categories - group A (under 70) and group B (over 70).
Category A
1st T. Simmons The Worcestershire - 40 points, 2nd M.Abraham (Evesham) - 40, 3rd D. Smith (Gaudet Luce) - 39, 4th B. Griffiths (Bewdley Pines) - 37, 5th J. Cook (Evesham) - 37, 6th G. Marston (Evesham) 36 and 7th M. Smith (The Worcestershire) - 36.
Nearest the pin on the 9th hole was T. Simmons (The Worcestershire).
Category B
1st D. Vincent (Redditch) - 37, 2nd P. Holder (Evesham) - 35, 3rd G. Terry (Evesham) - 35, 4th P. White (Evesham) - 34, 5th J. Spencer (Bewdley Pines) - 33, 6th M. Whiteford (Evesham) - 33 and 7th D. Wilson (Puckrup Hall) - 33.
Nearest the pin was J. Spencer (Bewdley Pines)
A ball sweep realised no less than 29 birdies in the day and the proceeds of a raffle, in aid of St. Richards Hospice and the Midland Air Ambulance produced £280.
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP : 3RD & 4TH JULY
This weekend saw Evesham's men holding their Club Championships. James Wilkes and his team had prepared the Craycombe Links course to an extremely high standard and 60 competitors played in the first round on Saturday. The Club Championship itself is a scratch competition and running alongside it was the Frank Swan Cup which is a handicap event. Both are played over 36 holes with the top 12 gross scorers and then the best 24 net scorers, and ties, in the first round qualifying for the second round on Sunday.
After the first round, 4 players had pulled away from the field with Oliver Farrell, who carded a level par 72, leading the way. Hot on his heals were Ryan Cleary and Jake Payne on 74 and Ben Woodward on 75. In the handicap event, Richard Dyde was out in front with a net 66 closely followed by Oliver Farrell and Trevor Woodward who had net scores of 68.
39 players qualified for the second round with the leaders going out last. Whilst on Saturday the weather had been hot with a light breeze, by Sunday the wind had picked up. This made the playing conditions much tougher for the second round and that was reflected in the scores. The best gross score on the second day was the 78 returned by 11 handicapper Colin Cleary. In the leading group, Ryan Cleary and Jake Payne both scored 79 and Oliver Farrell scored 80.
That meant that the Championship was very closely contested but the new Club Champion, with a combined score of 152, was Oliver Farrell. Ryan Cleary and Jake Payne both scored 153 but Ryan took second place on countback. Ben Woodward came in fourth with 158. This was a fine performance by 4 young players and Oliver's achievement was especially impressive as he is only 13 years old. He currently has a handicap of 4 and clearly has tremendous potential.
In the Frank Swan Cup, Colin Cleary came out on top with a net score over the two rounds of 140. Trevor Woodward also scored 140 but came second on countback. Third place went to Richard Dyde with 141 and Geoff Insall cruised into fourth place with 142.
Prizes were also awarded to Steve Wood for his gross 79 on Saturday and to Stuart Ridley for his gross 79 on Sunday. Alan Hyde won a prize for his net 69 on Saturday and Alex Clasen won one for his net 70 on Sunday.
INTER CLUB KNOCKOUT QUALIFIER : TUES 22ND JUNE
Evesham Golf Club's dynamic young Professional, Dan Clee, played in the Southern Regional final of the Virgin Atlantic PGA National ProAm competition at Frilford Heath near Oxford. His playing partner, who won the opportunity to play with Dan in an earlier qualifier, was course record holder Ben Woodward. The prize on offer was an expenses paid trip to The Bahamas in November to play in the finals. With both Evesham men in fine form, it was no surprise that they managed an impressive 6-under par score of 66. Unfortunately, this was just 1 shot behind the winning team from Windlesham Golf Club in placeSurrey. Still, they had a great day out and represented Evesham well.
TRI CLUB TROPHY v STRATFORD & BURTON : SUN 9TH MAY
Sunday saw one of the highlights of the Club's year with the annual match against the men from Stratford-on-Avon and Burton-on-Trent. This match has been played since 1994 when each of the three clubs celebrated their centenaries. Evesham have won the event on 4 previous occasions, each one when playing at home, but had never won away. This year Stratford hosted the event and 18 men from each club went out on their excellent course to play an individual stableford round. The match is decided by aggregating the 18 stableford point scores for each club. Burton came in with 533 and Stratford managed 534. However, the men from Evesham romped home with an impressive tally of 590 points. Chris Richings led the way with 38 points and Phil Wheeler managed 37. Captain Barrie Saggers led his team by example with a solid 36 points and gratefully received the splendid trophy. As the first Evesham Captain to win the trophy away from home, Barrie congratulated Stratford on the way they hosted the event and thanked his hand-picked team for their performances.
DUCS CUP QUALIFIER & APRIL MEDAL : SAT 17TH APRIL
Evesham's men had a busy day on Saturday with a monthly medal also doubling up as a Duc's Cup qualifier for those finishing in the top 8 places. In addition, the members were playing for the privilege of playing with Club Professional, Dan Clee, in the PGA National Pro-Am Championship. That prize went to Ben Woodward who carded a magnificent net score of 62, playing off a handicap of 6. His gross score of 68 set a new course record for the current course layout and was achieved with a superb display of controlled golf. Ben will now join Dan at Frilford Heath in June to try to win a place at the finals in the Bahamas.
CAPTAIN'S DRIVE DRIVE-IN : SAT 28TH FEBRUARY
As is the tradition, Evesham Golf Club's new Men's Captain, Barrie Saggers, invited the male members to join him on Saturday afternoon as he performed his drive in. As Barrie strode across to the first tee, resplendent in his red plus twos and with his long silver locks blowing in the gentle breeze, the brave throng of members took up positions on the first hole. The idea was for Barrie to strike three balls from the first tee and for the crowd to guess where he might hit them. Whoever stood closest to each ball when it stopped was to receive a prize. With this motivation, and knowing the likelihood that Barrie would be long but wayward, some interesting positions were adopted by the waiting members.
The first ball was struck powerfully over the trees on the left side of the hole and it landed next to John Reid who was hanging around by the 18th tee. The second ball was a bit longer but still crashed into the trees on the left before hitting a cowering Frank Meadows. The third ball was another Saggers special which powered towards a tree on the left of the fairway before glancing off it into the rough and coming to rest adjacent to a delighted Gerry Ricketts. The crowds standing on the 8th fairway, in the trees on the right of the 1st fairway and on the 2nd fairway were amused but disappointed. The optimists standing on the intended target zone, the 1st fairway, should have known their man better.
MAIL ON SUNDAY v GAUDET LUCE (AWAY) : SAT 7TH FEBRUARY
Evesham's Men played the first round of The Mail on Sunday national competition on Saturday against local rivals Gaudet Luce from Droitwich. The format involves 5 singles matches and Evesham managed a 4 - 1 victory. Led by Evesham's Club Champion Stuart Ridley, who won his match, there were also victories for Paul Callaghan, Frank Meadows and Darren Nightingale. Up and coming 4-handicapper Ryan Cleary narrowly lost his match by 1 hole.
STABLEFORD : SAT 30TH JANUARY
The Craycombe Links course stands up well to the weather and 28 pairs were able to compete on the day. The scoring was remarkably good and the winners, Paul Callaghan and Frank Meadows, put together an impressive tally of 47 stableford points. They narrowly beat Paul Sharpe and Kevin Stewart who scored 46 points. Third place was decided on countback with Diddy Carsberg and Ian Hughes pipping Dan Haines and Darren Nightingale. Each pair scored 45 points.
Having just been elected as the new Men's Captain, Barrie Saggers presented the prizes afterwards and introduced a new concept by awarding a consolation prize of a Mars Bar each to a pair he selected on the basis that one partner had carried the other. Although Phil Wheeler and James Attwood scored a respectable 43 points, Phil's contribution was minimal and so they were the proud winners of the Captain's booby prize. Barrie's formal drive-in will take place on Saturday 27th February.
MATCH v THE VALE (HOME) : SAT 5TH SEPTEMBER
Evesham's men started the weekend well with a friendly match against The Vale. Taking full benefit of home advantage, Evesham managed to win by a margin of 4 ½ to 1 ½. Three pairs (Ian Tyrrell & Tony Fawcett, Phil Wheeler & Will Tyrrell, Anthony Rock & Lewis Ridley) all won their matches and the other three pairs all halved theirs. The two clubs' players get on extremely well and enjoyed a very convivial team dinner, provided by Tess Byrne, together afterwards.
TRI-CENTENARY MATCH v BURTON & STRATFORD (HOME) : SUNDAY 10TH MAY
Yep, Evesham stuffed 'em good. For the uninitiated, every three years we host Burton-on Trent and Stratford golf clubs on a 12 man team basis for the Tri-Centenary Cup and historically Burton win!
This year The Skipper hatched a fiendish scheme to redress the balance and sent out a mixed bunch including Slim Line Honey Monster and our own Beatle, "Red Forever" Everett. Honey failed but Red amassed a brilliant 47 points by playing to scratch off an eleven handicap and Evesham romped home by a clear 20 points from Burton and a totally dejected Stratford side.
MAIL ON SUNDAY : V TEWKSBURY (AWAY) : SATURDAY 25TH APRIL
The boys went down valiantly to a strong Tewksbury team of low handicappers, all the matches going to the last hole. Tewkesbury reached the 7th round last year and will probably do the same again.
TESS IS 21!
Tuesday 22nd April dawned bright and sunny and more than 40 members assembled at 11 to surprise Tess on her ** birthday. Typically she breezed in direct from Morrisons where she had been scouring the shelves for tasty titbits and was touched at the presentation of a lovely horsey painting, a large cake and flowers. Well done, Tess and also to the Patsy and Mike for coordinating the arrangements. Web Spy missed out on the cake, though.
MAIL ON SUNDAY : V BROADWAY (HOME) : SATURDAY 21ST MARCH
A good win in the second round against Broadway, who took us out last year. They brought a stromg team over, but with Middle Riddle arriving late but up for it winning 3 &2; Exocet Smith up 2&1; Shaking Skroyd turning back the years in winning 7 &5;Chrissie Ritchings and Big Paul C both halving their matches, Evesham triumphed 4 - 1. Well done lads, now for the wider regional draw! One thing that will be changed if we are drawn at home; the start time,since some members had to sit in the sun whilst the matches played through. Skipper Tyrrell is on to it.
CAPTAIN'S DRIVE-IN : SATURDAY 28TH FEBRUARY
A full field took part in the better ball competition to mark the Captain's drive-in. The course was in great condition and this helped to achieve some very good scoring. Past Captain Jerry Cain and his partner Paul Callaghan won the event with 41 points on countback from second placed pair, veterans Mike Palmer and David Vincent. Third and fourth places were also decided on countback as Dave Carsberg and Ian Hughes just pipped Dan Haines and Darren Nightingale with 40 points each. The longest drive was blasted down the 17th fairway by Frank Meadows and Martin Fletcher won nearest the pin on the 9th. Neil Hardie was nearest the pin in two at the 4th (and nearly made an eagle). New Captain Ian Tyrrell awarded the prizes and invited the members to bring friends and family to the club's open day on Sunday 15th March.
On Sunday three of the four winter league quarter final matches were played and Tony Smith & Barrie Saggers, Hywel Jones & Dave Meredith and Colin Cleary and Ian Tyrrell booked their places in the semi finals.
AGM : THURSDAY 26TH FEBRUARY
Chairman Tone handed over the mantle to Skroyd Askew and with John Dale standing down as Honorary Secretary after 13 years of stalwart service, and with the election of Jerry Cain as his successor, it heralds a new era at the club.
The turnout at the meeting was about average at 70+ members and they duely gave the new Chairman a reasonable level of respect by limiting the heckling to a demand for free drinks, but Skroyd knows that it is only a foretaste of things to come. The major propositions included ; a suspension of the development fund since we have no significant projects at the present time; a clarification of the employee and honorary officer functions; justification in the changes to membership options; presentation of the 2009 budget and the imminent awarding of Golf Mark status for our junior membership.
The remainder of the meeting covered the standard procedures for the election of officers, including new Club Captain Ian " Red Mist" Tyrrell and Lady Captain, the lovely Patsy Brumage. All propostions were accepted and the demanded lubrication was quickly consumed.