Hankley Common 2010 results

For the 48 hours before the Hankley Common event, there was a real possibility that the heavy rain would wash out our hopes of the AGM golf event and lead to only the third postponement in BAGS history. Happily the rain relented on the afternoon and evening before, giving one of the best draining courses in Surrey the chance to recover. Though the rain returned on the day itself and it was cold, we can count ourselves fortunate that it was never as heavy as it could have been and that the condition of the course was excellent.

Andy Harper’s first BAGS round was in April 1993 and since then he has played 160 rounds, including taking part in every tour, but though he’s had some excellent performances including winning in a near hurricane on tour in Crail in 1997 and in the Knock Out Pairs with Brian Longhurst in 2000, he has never won a BAGS day event. So it’s great news that he finally achieved this at Hankley with a splendid score of 38 at Hankley. To beat your handicap in such conditions is not easy so Ian has recognized this performance by setting the bar a little higher for Andy’s appearance at Cuddington with a cut of one shot. Great start to the season Andy and well done.

Mike Christieson and Alan Bell were close behind Andy but with none of the top three playing in the Captain’s Bowl, Keith Gatford celebrated his subsequent appointment as Captain with a great victory. This prestigious competition is the only one we play on a Strokeplay basis and Keith ended up with a net 71 to take the trophy by no less than 7 shots. Obviously Keith didn’t realise that he automatically qualifies for the 2011 Captain’s Bowl as Retiring Captain so he decided to make sure by becoming the holder! Congratulations to our new leader and this achievement should fill him with confidence for a successful drive in at Cuddington.

The AGM passed smoothly with excellent reports from Roger (thanks for a great year of Captaincy, Rog) and Ian who is also now in charge of our web site. By the time I got home from Hankley, the results were already on the web site complete with handicap changes, truly an amazing achievement of technology as well as stamina, given that he’d been at Hankley all day. It was sad that our Treasurer and Chairman were not able to be present and we wish John all the best for a speedy recovery from his impending back operation and good luck to Alan and Cherry in their new home.

Despite his temporary incapacity, John had prepared the Accounts showing that BAGS is in good financial health and confirmed that we will be able to hold our day event fee at £65 for a 5th successive year through 2011. We also unveiled most of our programme for next year and once this is finalised in the next month, the dates will be confirmed to you all.

We’ve had a good response to the KO Competitions in all three sections and the Draws will be run by John and Roger and announced at Cuddington. If you’ve not yet confirmed your entry, please contact me as soon as possible.

Our Charity Campaign got off to a splendid start with a generous bid from Jason sealing a Welsh golf and hotel package for 4 people. This will be particularly exciting as the Vale’s location is but a few miles from the Ryder Cup venue at Celtic Manor. Thanks also to the whole Hankley field for taking part in the Novelty Hole competition for a Littlehampton 4 ball which raised £195 and to its winner Dave Christie who then put it up for auction, raising a further £140. Your willingness to help our Charity efforts is so much appreciated – no wonder we’ve raised close to £180000 over the years and I wonder if we might even make that £200K after this year’s programme is complete.

Congratulations to Ian Sellers on his appointment as Captain of Mitcham GC. He has taken over from Gary so BAGS members are clearly the backbone of the Club! Our best wishes to past Captain (BAGS this time) John Moody on his forthcoming marriage to Lina in April.

We’re aware that BAGS members have many talents and further proof of this is the imminent publication of a book by Steve Little. It’s a novel based on his own family experiences in the First World War as the hero struggles to come to terms with the horrors of trench warfare in the mud at Passchendaele in Belgium. The book is currently with the printers but will soon be available at a reduced price of £9.99 to BAGS members. Not content with this, Steve is now half way through a sequel and I’m sure we’ll all follow this new venture with interest. Reserve me a signed copy please!

Along with 64 others I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a dry day at Cuddington in March!