St Georges Hill 2010 results

As I’m currently still waiting to get a flight to the US – Thursday will be my third attempt – I thought I’d use the time to try to give a flavour of our 150^th as well as bring you up to date with other matters. In the meantime we wish those BAGS members who are still trying to get back from foreign parts a safe and speedy return.
St George’s Hill was the ideal location for such an auspicious event. Its setting is magnificent and in my book the only disappointing hole out of the whole 27 is the par 5 on the Green course. The rest are all challenging, attractive and totally memorable. It was a shame that the hollow tining on the Red and Blue courses, delayed by two weeks due to the recent wet weather, had only been completed on the Monday before our visit, resulting in too much sand on the greens and I have taken this matter up with the Secretary. I’ll let you know if I’m successful.
Other than that the social side went very well and it was good to see past members George, Fred and Malcolm taking the time to attend our dinner, in two cases driving considerable distances to be with us. John Hartnett, BAGS first winner at Wentworth East 17 years ago, also overcame recent ill health to play the full 27. After dinner the Bar was well attended by people no doubt reminiscing about memorable BAGS days since 1993.
Going back to the golf, the scores generally were good with 36 players out of 60 reaching 30 points or more. Pick of the bunch though was first time winner Kevin Hawkins whose score of 39 was a magnificent effort on a tough course. Congratulations to Kevin who is in his second season with BAGS and will now play in the Captain’s Bowl next February - but off a reduced handicap of course!
Nigel ran Kevin close with 38 points and how good it was to see past Captain Bower (see George’s column in the St G commemorative programme for one of his previous exploits!) returning to form with a fine score of 37.
By the time most of us were home from St G the results of the day were on the web site courtesy of Ian – where does he get the energy after 27 holes? – from which it can be seen that Kevin and Andy are level on 109 points in the Chairman’s and Ian is running them close just two points behind. It’s early days yet but they are useful totals to have at this stage of the season. Next month after Clandon we’ll have the first rankings in the Treasurer’s.

Steve Little was active last Thursday signing copies of his book and has generously pledged to donate any profits from his efforts to the Royal Marsden. It was therefore appropriate that his shot at the Charity par 3 won him the round for 4 at Shirley Park. Thanks to all 59 (out of 60) who took part in this competition and raised £187 for our Charity.
The Golfathon sponsors learned the locations for their 4 ball bids at St G. There were some very high profile courses on offer amongst them RAC, Worplesdon, Royal Wimbledon and Burhill though even those who were not lucky enough to get those still received a round at a good course for only £25 per head. Thank you gentlemen for your generosity. As a result of my recent appeal for Charity sponsors, we now have 17 of the holes on the day sponsored by Companies or individuals. Is there anyone out there who will help us through his contacts get to the magic figure of 18?
There has been a positive response to the decision to go to East Anglia in 2011 with 15 people already indicating they would like to sample the delights of Hunstanton on the day before the tour proper begins. We can’t guarantee the flights of birds down the coast but the course and the greens will I am sure be fabulous.
We’ve also had an excellent response to the BAGS Barbie at Glenn’s on Sunday August 8^th. I’m sure another great event is in prospect as long as Glenn and Alexia can make it back from their current holiday in the Seychelles!
Don’t forget those KO matches which need to be organised in the next few weeks. I know the Pairs ones are a problem which is why you need to start early with the arrangements. Please send any scores direct to John or Roger.

Should be a good day at Clandon next month – tough course off the whites but a fitting one for the Winteridge trophy.

Now to restart the packing - more in hope than expectation!

The afternoon team event.
Green Course - winners Hedley and Paul Greatbatch, Dave Christie, Simon Cheung
Red Course - winners Andrew McCaffery, Nigel Johnson, Steve Rout, Simon Paske

Longest drive                = Andrew McCaffery
Nearest the pin in 2      = Les Gordon
Nearest the pin             = Steve Walters
Charity nearest the pin = Steve Little