Message from the County Secretary/Treasurer – Peter
York
Welcome to the Autumn edition of County Jottings. Our golfing
season is complete and we have had an average year, with just one win in the
Seniors North of the Thames League. We then followed up by drawing with Kent in
the English Golf Union South Eastern Group final played for the Daily Telegraph
Salver. On a really positive note, we have just started an exciting Junior
Coaching programme to help identify our ‘stars of the future.’ After the
initial assessment sessions our Professional Coaches are delighted with the
talent they have uncovered and are enthusiastic about the prospects for 2008
and beyond.
Congratulations to all the winners of our Championship
and Trophy Events, also to those who represented the County at Junior, Colts,
Senior and County levels. David Lane (Goring & Streatley) won the English
Men’s Seniors Amateur Championship and also the Canadian Men’s Seniors Amateur
Championship. He also represented England in the Seniors Home Internationals. Eddie
Pepperell (Drayton Park) represented England U18, reached the semi-finals of
the Boys Championship and represented GB&I in the Jacques Leglise Trophy
against the Continent of Europe. Finally, Max Smith (Newbury Racecourse) represented
England U16 against the English U18 Girls, after a very successful year and
Harry Whittle (Woburn) has also been called up for the England U16 Squad, after
his continued good form and fine win in the Douglas Johns Trophy. John Summers
(Frilford Heath) added the EGU South East Seniors Championship to his BB&O
title. Andrew Crux (Denham) won the main Order of Merit convincingly with
Tyrrell Hatton taking the Junior Order of Merit.
Our 2008 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.
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.
BB & O County
Matches
Middlesex completed
a clean sweep of League matches against us this year at Hendon on 7th
August. On a very hot day there was nothing hot about our golf in the morning
as we went down ½-3½ in the foursomes. Despite a spirited fight back in the
afternoon we lost out eventually 5½-6½. This was Middlesex's first win against
us since 1995 - coincidently at Hendon.
Team at Hendon: Steve
Barwick (Stoke Park), Matt Briggs (Stoke Park), Craig Buttivant (Gerrards
Cross), Andrew Crux (Denham), Kevin Freeman (Stoke Park), Adam Glass (Caversham
Heath), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), Adam Wootton (Oxford City).
The Team at Hendon
Even though both sides were out
of contention for the League title the match was still played in a competitive
spirit at Stoke Park on 26th August. The foursomes were shared in
the morning and we looked like losing out as the first few singles went to the
opposition. A fine effort from the last three ensured an honourable draw.
Congratulations to Jon Carter (Reading) as he earned his County Colours after
five League appearances.
Team at Stoke Park: Matt
Briggs (Stoke Park), Craig Buttivant (Gerrards Cross), Jon Carter (Reading),
Andrew Crux (Denham), Kevin Freeman (Stoke Park), Adam Glass (Caversham Heath),
Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), Adam Wootton (Oxford City).
BB
& O Colts Matches
An incredible fight
back in the afternoon gave the Colts team a narrow win against Hertfordshire
6½-5½ at Aldwickbury Park on 18th August. We looked well beaten
after the morning foursomes only having gained ½ point, but the team rallied in
the afternoon to give Jon Carter a thrilling win in his last match as Colts'
Manager.
Team at
Aldwickbury Park: Adam Birdseye (Hazlemere), Josh Kensit (Richings Park),
Mathew Johnson (Chipping Norton), Tim Newton (Reading), Georg Schultes
(Beaconsfield), Tom Wilde (Beaconsfield), Adam Wootton (Oxford City), Dean
Wright (Reading).
The Team at
Aldwickbury Park
BB
& O Juniors Matches
Under 14s
A good showing from
the Boys gave them a win against Wiltshire 8-2 and a satisfactory draw 5-5
against Hampshire in this League match at The Wiltshire GC on 12th
August.
Team at The Wiltshire: George Abbott (Chiltern
Forest), Alfie Bull (Richings Park), Charlie Butler (Newbury Racecourse), Jake
Canning (Thorney Park), James Cooper (Wokefield Park), Robert Grant (Mentmore), Alister Haines (Gerrards Cross),
Nigel Hunt (Frilford Heath), George Munsey (Frilford Heath), Joe Richardson
(Frilford Heath).
The Team at The Wiltshire
An excellent day at
Wellington College on 19th August as the Under 14s won convincingly
against Middlesex 9½-5½ and 10-5 against Bedfordshire.
Team at Wellington College:
George Abbott (Chiltern Forest), Charlie Butler (Newbury Racecourse), Will Cooper (Woburn), James Foster (Newbury &
Crookham), Robert Grant (Mentmore), Jordan
Mann (Sand Martins), George Munsey (Frilford Heath), Joe Richardson (Frilford
Heath), Harry Whittle (Woburn),
Sam Williams (Castle Royle).
Under 16s
Hertfordshire came
out top in the newly formed League after two close wins at North Middlesex on
13th August. We lost 7-5 to Hertfordshire but had a good draw 6-6
against Middlesex.
Team at North Middlesex: Adam Batty
(Hazlemere), Sandy Bolton (Kirtlington), Jamie Davies (East Berkshire), Robert
Harrhy (Frilford Heath), Steven O’Connor (Tadmarton Heath), Vince Porter
(Henley), Bradley Tailford (Hadden Hill), Chris Whelehan (West Berkshire).
After a great start
in the morning foursomes at West Hill on 28th August, we really
struggled in the afternoon and just 3 players were able to secure any points.
We finally went down 6½-8½ in the match kindly sponsored each year by ''The
Mugs''. Next year we hope to get our own back.
Team at
West Hill: George Abbott (Chiltern Forest), Adam Batty (Hazlemere), James
Brockington (Henley), Jordan Mann (Sand Martins), Steven O’Connor (Tadmarton
Heath), Rob Knight (The Wychwood), Vince Porter (Henley), Max Smith (Newbury
Racecourse), Bradley Tailford (Hadden Hill), Chris Whelehan (West Berkshire).
The Team at West Hill
BB
& O Seniors Matches
A great win at Moor Park on 23rd
August against Hertfordshire should ensure a place in the final at Ferndown in October.
Having lost to Herts at The Berkshire last year, it was most satisfying to turn
the tables on them at one of their premier clubs too.
Team at Moor Park: Mike Allen (Gerrards Cross), Jim Cameron (The
Oxfordshire), Rod Crisp (Ellesborough), Duncan Forbes (Sonning), Neil Franklin
(Beaconsfield), Robert Gill (Gerrards Cross), Gilbert Runnicles (Gerrards
Cross), John Summers (Frilford Heath), Tommy Wells (Burnham Beeches), Jim
Wilson (Frilford Heath).
The Team at Moor Park
Southern Counties Seniors Foursomes
Played at Royal Wimbledon on 15th August we
were drawn against the strong Sussex side in the morning match. We played
poorly all morning and only managed to gain a half point. This left us to play
Surrey for 3rd & 4th spot and we managed to redeem
ourselves with a good all round performance resulting in a 4-1 win.
Team at Royal Wimbledon:
Mike Allen (Gerrards Cross), Jim Cameron (The Oxfordshire), Rod Crisp
(Ellesborough), Ian Disney (Frilford Heath), Duncan Forbes (Sonning), Neil
Franklin (Beaconsfield), Robert Gill (Gerrards Cross), John Summers (Frilford
Heath), Tommy Wells (Burnham Beeches), Jim Wilson (Frilford Heath).
The Team at Royal Wimbledon
BB & O
Championship & Trophy Meetings
Douglas Johns Trophy
The BB & O Douglas Johns Trophy
was played at Harewood Downs Golf Club on Thursday 2nd August. This
Open event is contested by players aged 15 years and under from all over the
Country. It attracted nearly 100 entries and the final field was of an
extremely high quality from 55 different clubs, ranging from Moray in
Lossiemouth in the far North of Scotland to Yelverton in the South West.
England Boys selectors were on hand to witness golf of high calibre in testing
conditions, over the tight par 69 course, which made par or better an
exceptional score. TJ Waldron (Camberley Heath) and James Brockington (Henley)
led after the first round with fine level par 69s. Adam Carson (Long Aston),
recent winner of the English Under 16 Championship, was just one back with
another 7 players within 4 shots of the leaders. An exciting afternoon was in
prospect as the scores were expected to come down once the players had learned
the nuances of the course.
The early pace was set by
Matthew Chapman (Walton Heath) with another 71 for a 142 total but that was
quickly beaten by Adam Carson with another 70 to lead by 2, despite missing a
number of birdie opportunities on the way home. There were only 2 others in
contention and were playing together. After 9 holes Harry Whittle, recent
winner of the Scottish Under 14 Championship, had picked up 3 birdies and had
taken the lead at 1 over par. TJ Waldron was just a shot back but another
birdie at his 10th saw Whittle extend his lead. Within 4 holes the
picture had changed and Carson was now leading after a double bogey from
Whittle. However he recovered well and a great birdie at the last enabled him
to just edge out Waldron and tie with Carson at 2 over par for the
Championship. There followed a marathon playoff, cumulative over the first 3
holes, then sudden death. Scores were tied after 3 with both players missing
from inside 6 feet at the last to win. A straightforward par from each at the
next meant another hole. Whittle was still off the green in 3 with Carson 20
feet away in 2 at the next. Unbelievably Whittle chipped in and Carson did well
to hold his nerve to take it down the 18th again. With Carson 4 feet
away in 2 and Whittle 80 yards out - yet to play his 3rd - it was
odds on Carson. Another incredible ‘up and down’ from Whittle and a missed putt
from his opponent saw them head for the 10th again. This time from
almost identical positions from the previous 2 occasions Whittle finally got
the birdie that sealed his victory. A fantastic playoff and - just as
importantly - wonderfully supported by Players and Parents, some of whom had
incredibly long journeys home.
|
Scratch |
|
|
AM |
PM |
Total |
|
|
1st & Trophy Winner |
Harry Whittle |
(Woburn) |
73 |
67 |
=
140 |
after playoff |
|
2nd |
Adam Carson |
(Long Ashton) |
70 |
70 |
=
140 |
|
|
3rd |
TJ Waldron |
(Camberley Heath) |
69 |
72 |
=
141 |
|
|
4th |
Matthew Chapman |
(Walton Heath) |
71 |
71 |
=
142 |
|
|
Handicap |
|
|
AM |
PM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET |
NET |
|
|
|
1st |
Adam Peaker |
(Forrester Park) |
70 |
65 |
=
135 |
|
|
2nd |
Colin Walsh |
(Hayling) |
69 |
66 |
=
135 |
on countback |
|
Best Scratch |
|
|
AM |
PM |
|
|
|
|
James Brockington |
(Henley) |
69 |
|
|
|
|
|
Mickhail Ishaq |
(Bondhay) |
|
69 |
|
|
Harry Whittle (Woburn) receives
the Douglas Johns Trophy from Jim Walkinshaw
Colts
Championship
The BB & O Colts
Championship was played at Magnolia Park Golf & Country Club on Friday 10th
August 2007. Just 51 players aged 21 and under contested the Championship which
was a very disappointing entry, considering the number of young men within the
County with a handicap of 9 or better. The course was in lovely condition and
on a warm day scoring should have been quite good, but with one or two notable
exceptions - was quite mediocre. This could well have accounted for the
unbelievably slow pace of play. Adam Wootton (Oxford City) led after he scored
an excellent 4 under par 69 including 6 birdies. Matthew Rendell (Reading), the
defending Champion, got off to a great start and was 5 under par after 10
before dropping back to finish with a 71. Sandy Bolton (Kirtlington) had a
steady level par 73 and Alex Carey (Sand Martins) and Dean Wright (Reading)
finished at 1 over par. These looked like the only serious contenders for the
Trophy in the afternoon.
The main protagonists were all
out around the same time in the afternoon and after just 7 holes Wootton’s lead
had extended to 4 shots despite a shaky start. However his main rival now was
his playing partner, Josh Kensit (Richings Park), who was 5 under par after 10
holes. Despite the pressure this was as close as he would get, as Wootton
picked up a couple of birdies on the last 9, to finally take the Title by 5
shots, after a 1 over par round and a 3 under par total. Kensit took the
runner-up spot after his 5 under par 68 saw him edge out Alex Carey (Sand
Martins) on countback after they had tied on 148.
Playing for the ‘Busby Bowl’
the handicap event was closely contested in the morning but Sam Whitehead
(Woburn) ran away with the Trophy after a magnificent 3 under par 70 in the
afternoon giving him a net 65 to win by 4 shots.
|
Scratch |
|
|
AM |
PM |
Total |
|
|
Colts Champion |
Adam Wootton |
(Oxford City) |
69 |
74 |
=
143 |
|
|
2nd |
Josh Kensit |
(Richings Park) |
80 |
68 |
=
148 |
on countback |
|
3rd |
Alex Carey |
(Sand Martins) |
74 |
74 |
=
148 |
|
|
Best Scratch |
|
|
AM |
PM |
|
|
|
|
Matthew Rendell |
(Reading) |
71 |
|
|
|
|
|
Ben Ratcliffe |
(Gerrards Cross) |
|
74 |
|
|
|
Handicap |
|
|
AM |
PM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET |
NET |
|
|
|
1st & Cup Winner |
Sam Whitehead |
(Woburn) |
75 |
65 |
=
140 |
|
|
2nd |
Kieran Best |
(East Berkshire) |
72 |
72 |
=
144 |
|
|
3rd |
Tim Newton |
(Reading) |
72 |
73 |
=
145 |
|
|
Best Handicap |
|
|
AM |
PM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET |
NET |
|
|
|
|
Chris Dodd |
(Burnham Beeches) |
71 |
|
|
|
|
|
Rob Knight |
(The Wychwood) |
|
72 |
|
|
Adam Wootton (Oxford City) receives the Colts Championship Trophy from Jim Walkinshaw
Sam Whitehead (Woburn)
Junior
Champion Club
The BB & O Junior Champion
Club Team Finals were played at The Downshire Golf Club on Wednesday 29th
August. The event is contested by the top 6 Clubs qualifying through a Junior Medal
round played at their home course between May and August. Unfortunately one of
the qualifying Clubs was unable to raise a side to represent them this year so
the competition just had 5 teams. This final format is the best two net medal
scores from three counting. Players are restricted to 24 for Boys and 36
handicap for Girls. The leading Club go on to represent BB & O in the
English Junior Champion Club Tournament at Spalding Golf Club on 20th
& 21st October.
Many of the competitors were
playing in their first major event but, virtually without exception, the
scoring was excellent. Calcot Park were amongst the favourites after leading
the Qualifiers and they posted a very creditable 142 to set the early pace.
Soon after, the Burford team took the lead as all three of their players had
sub 72 rounds; but within minutes East Berkshire were in front on 136 after
Josh Edmundson produced a best of the day 62. Only Reading and Beaconsfield
were left to challenge the leaders and in a very exciting finish, it was
Beaconsfield who just came up short on the last hole. They could not quite
manage the birdie at the last that would have seen them through on countback,
so victory went to East Berkshire. Just 7 shots separated the 5 teams and the
Boys and Girls were all a credit to their respective Clubs. The Final was
played in great spirit and everyone wished East Berkshire the best of luck in
their attempt to become English Junior Champion Club later in the year at
Spalding Golf Club.
|
|
Hcp |
Gross |
Net |
|
East Berkshire |
|
|
|
|
Josh Edmundson |
14 |
76 |
62 |
|
Jack Tuckwell |
15 |
90 |
75 |
|
Dan Veary |
15 |
89 |
74 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total of best 2 scores |
|
|
136 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beaconsfield |
|
|
|
|
Robert Schultes |
13 |
77 |
64 |
|
Ryan Davis |
15 |
91 |
76 |
|
Doug McAteer |
18 |
91 |
73 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total of best 2 scores |
|
|
137 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Burford |
|
|
|
|
Tom Dexter |
7 |
76 |
69 |
|
Ben Stewart |
9 |
80 |
71 |
|
Jack Cummings |
12 |
83 |
71 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total of best 2 scores |
|
|
140 |
The East Berkshire Team
Boddington Trophy
Played at Sand Martins Golf Club on 10th
September 2007. Just 30 players entered and it was again disappointing that we
did not have a full field to play on a top course at a bargain price. There
must be 60 people over 25 under 7.5 handicap who can get the day off! We will
have to seriously consider the future of this event if we continue to have such
a poor entry.
Scoring was quite difficult all day, with many of the
players struggling to cope with one or two of the big greens and it was
difficult to get close to some of the pins. Leading the way was Matthew Briggs
(Stoke Park) with an excellent 1 under par 69, followed by Jon Carter (Reading)
on 71 but the next closest challengers were Cliff Pearce (Ellesborough) and
Lyle Brown (Maidenhead) who both posted solid rounds of 73. Realistically in
was only Jon Carter who looked as if he would give Matthew Briggs, one of the
most capped BB&O players, any sort of run for the Trophy. Playing together
there was still 2 shots between them after the more difficult front nine. After
that, Briggs’ vast experience told, as he finished with 3 birdies in the last 4
holes as Carter’s challenge faded. It was Cliff Pearce who would eventually
finish runner up, 8 shots behind, after another very tidy round and Spencer
Hallam (Tadmarton Heath) moved into third place on countback after improving on
his morning 76 by 3 shots
The handicap prizes were also keenly contested, with
Javeed Faruq (Oxford City) taking first prize from his brother Imran Faruq
(Waterstock), with Lyle Brown (Maidenhead) in third place.
|
Scratch |
|
|
AM |
PM |
Total |
|
|
1st & Trophy Winner |
Matt Briggs |
(Stoke Park) |
69 |
70 |
= 139 |
|
|
2nd |
Cliff Pearce |
(Ellesborough) |
73 |
74 |
= 147 |
|
|
3rd |
Spencer Hallam |
(Tadmarton Heath) |
76 |
73 |
= 149 |
on countback |
|
Handicap |
|
|
AM |
PM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET |
NET |
|
|
|
1st |
Javeed Faruq |
(Oxford City) |
71 |
71 |
= 142 |
|
|
2nd |
Imran Faruq |
(Waterstock) |
73 |
70 |
= 143 |
|
|
3rd |
Lyle Brown |
(Maidenhead) |
73 |
74 |
= 147 |
on countback |
|
Best Scratch |
|
|
AM |
PM |
|
|
|
|
Jon Carter |
(Reading) |
71 |
|
|
|
|
|
Paul Heselden |
(Harewood Downs) |
|
69 |
|
|
Matthew Briggs (Stoke Park)
Autumn
Trophy
Played at Reading Golf
Club on Wednesday 19th September 2007. We had an excellent entry of
66 for the final Order of Merit event, once again, consisting mainly of players
of 5 handicap and below. Andrew Crux (Denham) had secured the OOM title as his
nearest competitors had not made up any ground at the Boddington Trophy earlier
this month. His steady form throughout the season also resulted in him playing
in all 4 County League matches and finishing with a 56% record.
The morning scoring was
high with just Christy Whelehan (West Berkshire) and John McNally (Stoke Park)
getting to grips with the fast greens and ‘interesting’ pin positions. Whelehan
led by one, on level par, from McNally with Tom Wilde (Beaconsfield) third
after a steady 73. There were only 7 other players on 75 and below who seemed
in with a chance in the afternoon. Andrew Crux (Denham) celebrated his OOM
title with a hole in one at the 8th but otherwise had a torrid time
on the greens and was well out of contention after a 78.
The afternoon scoring
improved as the players learned from their mistakes on the greens in the
morning and nearly twice as many shot 75 or better. Defending Champion Adam
Wootton (Oxford City) and William Morley (Reading) set the early pace on 148
and were shortly followed by Andrew Crux who finally found some form with a
level par round. Christy Whelehan was leading for much of the afternoon but 3
costly bogies on the back 9 put him behind Tom Wilde who had recovered quickly
from a double bogey on the 4th with back to back birdies. He then
played exceptionally steady golf to finish on level par for the round and took
the title by 2 shots from Whelehan. Local knowledge proved vital in the
handicap section as David Hopkin and William Morley both from the home Club
occupied the top two spots with Simon Powell (Calcot Park) in third.
|
Scratch |
|
|
AM |
PM |
Total |
|
|
1st & Trophy Winner |
Tom Wilde |
(Beaconsfield) |
73 |
70 |
= 143 |
|
|
1st & Trophy Winner |
Christy Whelehan |
(West Berkshire) |
70 |
75 |
= 145 |
|
|
3rd |
Andrew Crux |
(Denham) |
78 |
70 |
= 148 |
(on countback) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Handicap |
|
|
AM |
PM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET |
NET |
|
|
|
1st |
David Hopkin |
(Reading) |
72 |
67 |
= 139 |
|
|
2nd |
William Morley |
(Reading) |
74 |
68 |
= 142 |
|
|
3rd |
Simon Powell |
(Calcot Park) |
73 |
70 |
= 143 |
(on countback) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Best Scratch |
|
|
AM |
PM |
|
|
|
|
John McNally |
(Stoke Park) |
71 |
|