Farnham 2011

1. As we drove to Farnham along the Hogs Back, there was mist and a little rain but this soon disappeared and we were left with good conditions for most of the time, the only unlucky ones being the last few afternoon groups who got a brief, heavy shower. The course was in excellent condition as it had been brought to this level to coincide with a major Pro Am held at the Club the previous weekend.

2. Our VC Ian Barrett is only in his fifth BAGS season so to achieve his fifth Day Event victory in that short time is a major achievement. His Farnham win with 39 points, by one point from Graham (38) and Andy Harper who scored 37, also means that he is the only person to win the Winteridge trophy twice, his other success also being at Farnham two years ago. Well done Ian and I am sure there will be other successes to follow in the near future.

3. Though no official placings have yet been issued by Ian M. due to the fact that we still have a large number of NQs, I am informed that Kevin leads the Chairman’s with 112 points, Ian B. lies second with 110 and Graham is on 109. Those are good three round scores this early in the season. Steve Little leads the unofficial par 3 rankings from Ian B. and Alan Langford though that competition like the Treaurer’s will no doubt see a lot of changes as the season develops.

4. Thanks again to those who so generously participated in the Charity NP at Farnham. £160 was raised to help swell our Marsden contribution and it is amounts like this which are so important to us in our efforts.

5. The knock outs are now in full swing and thanks to all those who have either played or already fixed up their matches. The biggest upset so far is the first round defeat of twice winner and current holder of the Singles title Mike Christieson by Alan Twort, the golfing equivalent of Charlton beating Chelsea!

6. You will by now have seen your invitation to the Mike and Glenn show, also known as the BAGS Summer BBQ on Sunday July 31. We already have over 20 people attending but hope we can at least double that number for this highly enjoyable event.

7. You will soon receive details of our plans for a tour to Spain in September 2012. Ian and Chris have just returned from a week’s golf at Sierra Park in Andalucia (didn’t do Ian any harm judging by his Farnham result) and obtained useful information on courses etc which will be put to good use in the package we’ll be offering you. We’ll be hoping for indications of interest and whether you wish to stay for four days (the core tour) or seven. Look out for the e mail in the next few days.

8. The Charity event will dominate our golfing lives over the next few weeks. Thanks to those who have so quickly paid their balances and supplied the handicap information. There still remains a huge amount of preparation, particularly from those closely involved but the whole day is a team effort involving helpers from Betchworth Park, sponsors, players, half way hut organisers, scorecard checkers and the creative talents of Messrs Moody and Walters not to mention the Charity Committee’s efforts. We are grateful to you all. If you are playing, you should receive the Event Programme within the next week but if you are not, you are still encouraged to take part, particularly in the Progressive Auction which is offering the opportunity to bid for (mostly) 4 ball golf on up to 22 courses. Again look out for the e mail listing these so you can get your bids in to pick up a bargain, in the same way as did those who paid £100 for the Golfathon 4 balls.

9. Everything is going according to plan for the East Anglia Tour for which the final amount of money will be due in July. Those who have booked to play at Hunstanton will be teeing off around 12 noon on Monday 12th September and will be asked to pay for that round along with the final tour payment.

See you (very) early on Charity Day.

1st      Ian Barrett with 39 pts and also wins the Alan Winteridge Trophy
2nd     Graham Wright with 38 pts
3rd      Andy Harper with 37 pts

Steve Rout scored well on the par 3's including a birdie on the 13th so gets the best score, but only just ahead of The Chairman who got a par on the tricky 6th where he got two shots so picked up four stableford points, and another par on the 13th. David Jackson came third.