2015 5th Report RWGC

Royal Winchester Golf Club

27th November 2015

Unusually, given the great weather that normally prevails for society days, a mix of weather greeted the Stragglers at Royal Winchester Golf Club for the final event of 2015. Sunshine, rain and wind all contributed to a frustrating day of golf with no one taking full advantage over eighteen holes, although a number seriously threatened to put together a decent score. Four players all tied for the lead with 37 points!

It was a bumper bunch of Stragglers that gathered on the first tee as we welcomed guests from Folkestone Cricket Club and the Sussex Stragglers Golf Society for the 50th celebrations. 59 members and guests took to the fairways.   

The fairways proved a bit slippery in more ways than one, with a couple of the big guys taking tumbles, Stick on the 2nd and Big Al on the 12th and 18th! As the scores came in, most were expecting at least 40 points to win the day but the scores weren't appearing so it left Andy Buck, Simon Straker, Tony Fawcett and Jon Steele all bunched at the top with 37 points, Tony coming out victorious with a great back nine! Andy Heyes, who arrived late and could only complete 13 holes, scored 31 points (including 24 points on the back nine after shooting one-under gross) - if he had made the whole round he may have won the day and the Order of Merit!

Creditable mentions should also go to MPL with a one-under gross back nine, Armani with 23 points on the back nine, and Andy and Stuart Marks, who both eagled the 10th! Also bunched at the bottom of the pile were JP, Codge and Jem all with good scores of 21 points in the conditions, but it was Jeremy Edmunds who took the Wooden Spoon with a poultry 5 points on the last nine holes!

The race for the Order of Merit was as open as it has been going into this last event. The leader after four events, Stuart Marks, came in early with 35 points which put him in a strong position with the rest of the field to finish. Jeff Vale was probably favourite to take the title but fell just short with only 32 points. Others in contention included the consistent Colin Maby, with 33 points, and Ed Moloney, with 34 points, but they too missed out. It was Paul Marks, with 36 points, who came through the year strongly to improve on his poor first event to pip his brother Stuart by only 4 points!

Most people enjoyed the 19th hole awaiting the arrival of the girls and dinner in the evening. Geoff Laney and Chris Wheeler managed an extra nine holes to stay out of the bar! The evening entertainment commenced with music and champagne, presentation of the prizes, 'heads and tales' for a wheelbarrow of wine, and the introduction of the new Captain Geoff Laney by the outgoing captain (Andy Heyes) with his new vice-captain John Powell. This promises to be a good few years to come!

Results Summary

1st Place - Tony Fawcett (37 points)

2nd Place - Simon Straker (37 points)

3rd Place -  Andy Buck (37 points)

Wooden Spoon -  Jem Edmunds (21 points)

20+ Handicap Award - Tony Fawcett (37 points)

Twos - MPL, Richard Butcher

Nearest Pin in 2 (18th hole) - Chris Wheeler

Nearest Pin (17th hole) - Jason Laney

Longest Drive (15th hole) - Trevor Foreman