November 2002

Message from the County Secretary – Peter York

Welcome to the Autumn edition of County Jottings. Our golfing season is complete. Our Full County, Colts and Seniors sides were unbeaten and won their respective divisions of the English Golf Union South Eastern Group North of the Thames Leagues. Additionally the Seniors won the Southern Counties Foursomes at Cotswold Hills. The Colts gained a very creditable half against Kent, who had home advantage, in the League play off at Littlestone in mid October. In dreadful weather at South Beds at the end of October, the County just lost out to Hampshire for the Daily Telegraph Salver.

Congratulations to all the winners of our Championship and Trophy Events especially Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath) who won the Amateur Championship at Beaconsfield in their Centenary Year. Congratulations also, to those who represented the County at Junior, Colts, Senior levels and County levels and to Steve Lewton (Woburn), David Addison (Parasampia) and Mark Housego (Wycombe Heights) who received their County Colours this year. Finally a special thanks to all the Clubs and Members who willingly gave up their courses for our events this year. We are appreciative of your support of County Golf.

Our 2003 fixture list appears on the following pages and will be updated as soon as provisional dates and venues have been confirmed. Please visit our website to obtain details of our events and to download entry forms. These will be available from early January. Starting Sheets and Results are regularly updated throughout the season and we hope you find this service useful. Our website also contains details of all the Clubs within BB&O and contains links to other useful websites. Please let us know if you would like us to include any other information.

Half Year Council Meeting

The Half-Year Council Meeting took place at Weston Turville GC on 17^th October. Over 40 Secretaries and Club Representatives attended the meeting. These following appointments were approved at the meeting.

Appointment of Officers for 2003

a) Captain	C Buttivant	(Gerrards Cross)
b) Colts Manager	B Davies	(Parasampia)
c) Junior Manager	B Roake	(Gerrards Cross)
d) County Team Manager	M Greenwood	(Hadden Hill)

Appointment of English Golf Union and South Eastern Group Representatives

a) EGU Council	T B Clutterbuck J M Kaye PMJ York	(Beaconsfield) (East Berkshire) (Harewood Downs)
b) EGU Executive Delegate	JM Kaye	(East Berkshire)
c) EGU/SE Group Delegate	M V Morley	(Hadden Hill)
d) EGU/SE Group Junior Delegate	B Roake	(Gerrards Cross)

After a buffet lunch the delegates enjoyed excellent weather and played the traditional Greensome Foursomes which was won by Mike Miller and Ian MacCaskill (Denham) whose 42 points just pipped the team of Tim Clutterbuck and Keith Wilcox (Beaconsfield).

The winners of the Half Year Council Meeting Ian MacCaskill & Mike Miller.

County Matches

The third League match of the year, against Middlesex, took place at Magnolia Park on 4^th August. The team got off to an excellent start in the morning and we took a comfortable 3½ - ½ lead into lunch after the foursomes. David Addison (West Berkshire) and Tom Lawson (Ellesborough) again showed what a good pairing they are as they had another big win by 6/5. The afternoon singles developed quickly as our players got off to good starts, the best of which came from Tom Lawson who opened up with 5 straight birdies to go three up. Stephen Lewton (Woburn) and David Addison were also piling on the pressure and these three players would eventually finish 20 under par for the 42 holes they played and resulted in three big wins and the match win. Later in the afternoon, Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath) and Steve Barwick (East Berkshire) also had comfortable wins before Clive Bowler (Oxford City) won on the last to give the side a 9½ -2½ win. Captain Matt Briggs (Frilford Heath) is now looking forward to the final match of the season against Essex at Orsett. A draw will secure the League title although we will be looking to finish the season in style with a win.

Team at Magnolia Park: David Addison (West Berkshire), Steve Barwick (East Berkshire), Clive Bowler (Oxford City), Kevin Freeman (Stoke Park), Mark Housego (Gerrards Cross), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), Stephen Lewton (Woburn), Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath).

The winning team at Magnolia Park

The fourth and final League match of the year, against Essex, took place at Orsett Golf Club on 25^th August. Essex is traditionally our strongest opponents in the League but our calculations showed that a single point from the day’s 12 games would give us the League Title. David Addison (West Berkshire) and Tom Lawson (Ellesborough) provided that point as early as 11am with an outstanding performance, at 6 under par for 11 holes, that saw them win by 8/7. Not to be outdone the remaining pairings all took their games and we went into lunch with a 4-0 lead and as EGU/SE Group North of the Thames League Champions. The County Captain, Matt Briggs (Frilford Heath), wanted to take the League Title undefeated and he urged the players on to ensure the match win. With incredible scoring, Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), David Addison (West Berkshire) and Stephen Lewton (Woburn) won the top three singles by large margins and were collectively 20 under par for the 42 holes they played; on average a birdie every other hole! Behind them Kevin Freeman (Stoke Park) was having a much closer game, but was never behind and finally won 2 up. Craig Buttivant (Gerrards Cross) was also scoring exceptionally well and he was 6 under par when he won 6/5. Clive Bowler (Oxford City) and Steve Barwick (East Berkshire) were always comfortably ahead in their games and they both won easily. Lee Gauthier (East Berkshire) had the hardest game of the afternoon and was two down with three to play before he took the 16^th and with an immensely long drive at the 18^th set up a winning position that enabled him to halve his game and left the team with a win by 11½-½. We now go on to play Hampshire for the Daily Telegraph Salver; this is a repeat of last year’s match at Moor Park that was rained off after a few holes. It will be played at South Beds Golf Club on October 20^th and we hope the weather will be kinder to us this year and will enable us to win the Salver outright this time.

Team at Orsett : David Addison (West Berkshire), Steve Barwick (East Berkshire), Clive Bowler (Oxford City), Craig Buttivant (Gerrards Cross), Kevin Freeman (Stoke Park), Lee Gauthier (East Berkshire), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), Stephen Lewton (Woburn).

The winning team at Orsett

Stephen Lewton (Woburn) receives his County Colours from Matt Briggs – Captain

David Addison (Parasampia) receives his County Colours from Matt Briggs - Captain

Mark Housego (Wycombe Heights) receives his County Colours from Matt Briggs - Captain

The County side played Sonning Golf Club on Saturday 6^th July and despite losing the foursomes 3-1 staged a great comeback and took the singles 5½-2½ to win the match by a single point.

Team at Sonning: Paul Barrow (Studley Wood), Jon Carter (Reading), Mike Forde (Calcot Park), Darren Gatward (Calcot Park), Ian Manning (Tadmarton Heath), David Palmer (East Berkshire), Martyn Palmer (East Berkshire), Austin Siggers (Studley Wood).

After a short summer break, the County went on to play Goring and Streatley Golf Club on Sunday 8^th September. The morning foursomes gave us a 3-1 lead at lunchtime but this time it was the Club that staged the comeback and took the singles convincingly 7-1. Six of the games went to the 17^th or 18^th but all in favour of the home side resulting in a win for the Club 8-4.

Team at Goring & Streatley: Paul Barrow (Studley Wood), James Carpenter (Calcot Park), Brian Davies (Parasampia), John Field (Buckingham), Darren Gatward (Calcot Park), Alex James (Buckingham), Paul Lines (Windmill Hill), Steve Webb (Hadden Hill).

The next match took the Team to Frilford Heath Golf Club on Sunday 22^nd September where in a very tight encounter the County took the foursomes 2½-1½. The afternoon singles were shared 4-4 which left the County side taking the honours, once again, by just a single point.

Team at Frilford Heath: Leon Beer (Goring & Streatley), Jon Carter (Reading), Paul Chana (Reading), Brian Davies (Parasampia), Wayne Dobbins (Bicester), Mark Greenwood (Hadden Hill), Andrew Mason (Tadmarton Heath), Martyn Palmer (East Berkshire).

The last match of the season took place at Calcot Park Golf Club on Saturday 12^th October with the home side taking the foursomes 2½-1½ and with the singles once again finishing 4-4 the Club took the match 6½- 5½.

Team at Calcot Park: Leon Beer (Goring & Streatley), Jon Carter (Reading), Paul Chana (Reading), Mark Greenwood (Hadden Hill), Paul Heselden (Harewood Downs), Richard Lee (Goring & Streatley), Matthew Randell (Reading), Steve Webb (Goring & Streatley).

Colts’ Matches

The Colts went to Bedford & County Golf Club for their third League Match against Bedfordshire on Saturday 27^th July. Although the team was not quite at full strength we were still able to field a side whose combined handicaps amounted to minus 1 and on paper, was considerably stronger than the Bedfordshire side. The morning foursomes got off to a perfect start with all the pairings making fast starts and being well up after nine holes. The best result came from Lee Gauthier (East Berkshire) and Andrew Sheffield (Brailes) who won 7/6 although none of the other games were close. The afternoon singles were bound to be more competitive as the Bedfordshire team looked to salvage some pride after the morning loses. As the games came through 5 holes we were down in three, up in three and all square in two. After 10 holes this had changed slightly in our favour as were now up in four games. As the afternoon temperature rose, so did the quality of golf and the players quickly finished off their opponents and Barry Mann (Frilford Heath) had the honour of collecting the winning point that took the match. Knowing we had won inspired those who had been down in their games and both David Addison (West Berkshire) and Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath) reversed their midway deficits and clinched wins. The emphatic victory by 11½-½ almost ensures the League title as our final match is against Hertfordshire, who are the only team who can catch us and this only if they score 19½ points from 24. This match takes place at East Berkshire on 17^th August.

Team at Bedford & County: David Addison (West Berkshire), Lee Gauthier (East Berkshire), Matthew Haddy (Bicester), Stephen Lewton (Woburn), Barry Mann (Frilford Heath), Steve Richards (Chartridge Park), Andrew Sheffield (Brailes), Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath).

The Colts played their last League Match against Hertfordshire on Saturday 17^th August at East Berkshire. On a blisteringly hot day the quality of the golf in the morning did not quite match the weather and the expected lead after the foursomes did not materialise. Once again Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath) and Barry Mann (Frilford Heath) made a comeback and won their game on the last green. Steve Richards (Chartridge Park) and Matthew Haddy (Bicester) never looked in trouble and eased home by 2/1. This left the match tied at 2-2 at lunch and although we could afford to lose the match and still take the League Title, the players made a determined effort in the afternoon singles and after 6 holes we were ahead in 6 games, level in one and just one down in the other. After 12 holes the situation had changed little and a victory looked very much on the cards. In quick succession the points came in led by Lee Gauthier of the home club securing a convincing 5/4 win, followed by Steve Lewton (Woburn) winning 2/1 with Matthew Haddy (Bicester) and Barry Mann (Frilford Heath) both winning comfortably. This left the match, at worst, drawn and the League had been won. Nonetheless the players continued to try to win and Ashley Walton again came from behind to earn a gallant half at the last. David Addison (West Berkshire) was engaged in an epic duel and after numerous birdies closed out his game 1 up. The traditional anchor men of Steve Richards (Chartridge Park) and Andrew Sheffield (Brailes) were never down in their games and both took their points with 2/1 victories. A fine end to the season with a 9½-2½ match win saw the side take the League Title by a wide margin for the third year in a row. Undefeated in this time it would be nice to close out the season with a win against the South of the Thames winners at Littlestone in October.

Team at East Berkshire: David Addison (West Berkshire), Matthew Haddy (Bicester), Lee Gauthier (East Berkshire), Stephen Lewton (Woburn), Barry Mann (Frilford Heath), Steve Richards (Chartridge Park), Andrew Sheffield (Brailes), Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath).

The winning team at East Berkshire

Juniors’ Matches

The Juniors played their annual fixture against the Oxfordshire Captains at North Oxford on Wednesday 7^th August. The Boys play a medal round before taking on the Captains in the afternoon in a series of fourballs. Adam Birdseye (Hazlemere) won the medal with a fine net 63 before the team just managed to win the match 3½-2½

Team at North Oxford: Adam Birdseye (Hazlemere), Haydn Brooks (Woburn), Sean Cooke (Henley), Carl Corbin (Wokefield Park), John Cronly (Frilford Heath), Laurence Eltham (Goring & Streatley), Mark Hall (Oxford City), Ben Harwood (Hazlemere), Adam Hinkins (Chiltern Forest), Nick Howell (Goring & Streatley), Andrew Mason (Tadmarton Heath), Chris Tellett (Woburn).

Next match for the Juniors was against Bedfordshire at Aylesbury Vale on Friday 16^th August and we decided to give a number of our younger players an opportunity against a strong Bedfordshire side. Although disappointed with the result at losing 2-13 we hope the players will benefit from their experience.

Team at Aylesbury Vale: Adam Birdseye (Hazlemere), Haydn Brooks (Woburn), John Cronly (Frilford Heath), Laurence Eltham (Goring & Streatley), Mark Hall (Oxford City), Ben Harwood (Hazlemere), Adam Hinkins (Chiltern Forest), Nick Howell (Goring & Streatley), Michael Joy (Hazlemere), Andrew Mason (Tadmarton Heath).

The Juniors then went on a short tour to Norfolk as we had failed to qualify for the EGU/SE Group Junior Foursomes competition. The first day, Tuesday 20^th August, saw them practice at Hunstanton in readiness for the match against Norfolk the following day. In a testing ‘breeze’ some of the players found it difficult to control their shots but they learned a great deal and put it to good use the following day as they took on the Norfolk Team. The morning foursomes went very well and the side never lost a game and went into lunch 4-1 up. The afternoon singles were much tighter and most games went to the last two holes. Although losing the singles 4½-5½ we took the match overall 8½-6½. The team then went on to Sheringham along the coast to compete in their Junior Open for the Duffield Cup. With a number of the Norfolk side from the day before competing, it was pleasing to see two BB&O players taking the top two positions. Mark Hall (Oxford City) and Haydn Brooks (Woburn), tied on 73 but Mark was awarded first place on countback.

Team at Hunstanton & Sheringham: Adam Birdseye (Hazlemere), Haydn Brooks (Woburn), Carl Corbin (Wokefield Park), John Cronly (Frilford Heath), Mark Hall (Oxford City), Nick Howell (Goring & Streatley), Michael Joy (Hazlemere), Peter Lane (East Berkshire), Andrew Mason (Tadmarton Heath), Craig Taylor (Woburn).

The winning team at Hunstanton

Championships

Colts’ Championship

The BB & O Colts Championship was played at Stoke Park Club on Saturday 10^th August. 60 players aged 21 and under contested the Championship on a wonderfully prepared course playing nearly every inch of its 6,800 yards after very heavy overnight rain. With a Standard Scratch of 72 the quality of golf in the morning was excellent with 15 players scoring 74 or better and 7 of these regulars in the undefeated Colts team. Stephen Lewton (Woburn) held a two shot lead going into lunch at 2 under par with Barry Mann (Frilford Heath) and David Addison (West Berkshire) the nearest challengers. Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath) the Amateur Champion was 4 shots back as he tried to add this title to his already excellent year and repeat the ‘double’ last achieved by Van Phillips in 1991. At this point there were also 23 players within 4 shots of the leader of the handicap event withy Barry Keen (Stoke Park) just in front after a fine net 68. With the leading players going out at the end of the field the leading clubhouse scores steadily decreased until Ashley Walton’s 146 was beaten by Barry Mann and Matthew Haddy (Bicester) who tied on 145. Playing on opposite sides of the course Stephen Lewton had increased his lead over David Addison to three shots as he was level par after nine holes. David then produced an excellent back nine as he made three birdies including a fine three at the last but his dropped a shot at his 14^th would prove costly. Stephen meanwhile was playing steadily but within minutes, two successive bogies saw the pair tied at one under. Stephen immediately hit back with two threes to re-establish a one shot lead and in a tense finish made 4, after two putts from the very front of the green, on the last to win by just one shot. Playing for the ‘Busby Bowl’ the handicap event was also closely contested before Haydn Brooks (Woburn) produced another excellent round that saw him finish joint 6^th in the main event but take the Bowl on countback from Glyn Meredith (Caversham Heath). Everyone was most grateful to Stoke Park Club for their hospitality and we look forward to our next visit for the Amateur Championship in 2005

Scratch			AM	PM	Total
Colts Champion	Stephen Lewton	(Woburn)	69	71	= 140
2^nd	David Addison	(West Berkshire)	71	70	= 141
3^rd	Matthew Haddy	(Bicester)	72	73	= 145	on countback
Handicap			AM NET	PM NET
1^st & Cup Winner	Haydn Brooks	(Woburn)	70	69	= 139	on countback
2^nd	Glyn Meredith	(Caversham Heath)	70	69	= 139
3^rd	Chris Tellett	(Woburn)	69	71	= 140
Best Scratch			AM	PM
	Barry Mann	(Frilford Heath)	71
	Adam Birdseye	(Hazlemere)		72		on countback
Best Handicap			AM NET	PM NET
	Barry Keen	(Stoke Park)	68
	Nicky Howell	(Goring & Streatley)		70		on countback

Stephen Lewton (Woburn) receiving the Colts Trophy from Bob Stewart

Haydn Brooks (Woburn) receiving the Busby Bowl from Bob Stewart.

Boddington Trophy

The BB & O Boddington Trophy was played at Oxford City Golf Club on Wednesday 14^th August. Disappointingly, just 30 players entered this event for players over 25 and with a handicap on 7 and below. With an estimated 3,000 players eligible to compete within the three counties it is surprising that more did not enter and enjoy a great value day’s golf, in glorious weather on a well presented golf course. The field mainly consisted of players of 5 handicap and below and the morning scoring was excellent as a third of the scores were to handicap or under. Leading the way at lunchtime was local player Larry Holder whose 1 under par 69 was one better than Craig Buttivant (Gerrards Cross) and Clive Bowler, another local, just one shot further back. Also within striking distance were Darrell Robertson (Windmill Hill) and Chris Norman (Flackwell Heath) both of whom had very creditable scores of 72. The afternoon was very warm and Brian Davies (Parasampia) and John Summers (Oxford City) both scored 71 to set the early mark at 147 before Paul Lines (Windmill Hill) took the lead on 145 after a 72. Clive Bowler and Craig Buttivant were playing together in the last group and it seemed likely that the title would go to one of them. After nine holes Craig Buttivant, the defending champion, had increased his lunchtime lead to 3 shots despite his playing partner’s one under par front nine. He had three birdies to be out in an impressive 32 shots and it was not until the 11^th that the gap was closed when he dropped a shot. However successive birdies from Craig once again opened the margin to three shots before Clive lost any chance by taking 6 at his 14^th hole. Finally finishing the back nine in level par enabled Craig to successfully defend his title and take the Trophy by a comfortable 4 shot margin from Clive Bowler, with Paul Lines a further 4 shots back in third place.

Scratch			AM	PM	Total
1^st & Trophy Winners	Craig Buttivant	(Gerrards Cross)	70	67	= 137
2^nd	Clive Bowler	(Oxford City)	71	70	= 141
3^rd	Paul Lines	(Windmill Hill)	73	72	= 145
Handicap			AM NET	PM NET
1^st	John Fletcher	(West Berkshire)	70	68	= 138	on countback
2^nd	Larry Holder	(Oxford City)	65	73	= 138
3^rd	Darrell Robertson	(Windmill Hill)	68	71	= 139

Craig Buttivant (Gerrards Cross) receives the Boddington Trophy from Bob Stewart

Autumn Trophy

The BB & O Autumn Trophy was played at Chipping Norton Golf Club on Wednesday 18^th September. The field of 45, once again, consisted mainly of players of 5 handicap and below and it was disappointing that we did not have a full field for this event. The morning scoring was excellent with 8 players at par or better. Heading the field at lunchtime was Stephen Richards (Chartridge Park) who had five birdies in his 67 making 4’s at all three par five holes and his score equalled the course record. In contrast David Addison (Parasampia) made his 4 birdies at par four holes and settled for a 68 and a tie for second place with Richard Lee (Goring & Streatley) who had also played extremely well for his 3 under par score. With Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath) scoring a 70, the sub plot for the Order of Merit Trophy was intriguing as Ashley had to finish in the top 5 to secure the title and his only main challenger after the morning round was David Addison. The afternoon scoring improved as the players had acquired some ‘local knowledge’ and a fantastic 65 from Darren Gatward (Calcot Park) saw him claim the course record by 2 shots. Unfortunately his morning round score would only enable him to finish in a tie for 3^rd place with Richard Lee who added another creditable 72 to his morning round. Local player Danny Hicks produced another fine round as he had 6 birdies in his score of 68. Meanwhile Stephen Richards and David Addison were battling it out on opposite sides of the course and after nine holes the players were tied at 4 under par as David had picked up two shots by finally getting under par on a par 5 with a wonderful eagle three at the 6^th. Stephen regained the lead as he made successive birdies whilst David maintained par figures, however two dropped shots from Stephen on the 6^th & 7^th meant that David was now one ahead and he capitalised on this with a birdie on the 16^th .The three shot swing on the 6^th would prove crucial as Stephen was unable to find the birdies he need in the last two holes and David Addison took the title with an excellent 6 under par total and by a two shot margin. His 10 Order of Merit points also enabled him to clinch this title as Ashley Walton was not able to finish in the points. Meanwhile in the handicap event 4 players tied on 136 with Tony Keyes (Magnolia Park) taking the prize on countback from Richard Lee (Goring & Streatley) and John Balague (Forest Downs).

Scratch			AM	PM	Total
1^st & Trophy Winner	David Addison	(Parasampia)	68	68	= 136
2^nd	Stephen Richards	(Chartridge Park)	67	71	= 138
3^rd	Darren Gatward	(Calcot Park)	75	65	= 140	on countback