The County Juniors under Manager Brian Roake had an intensive week of coaching at La Cala in Spain during March. A group of players from each of the Junior, Under 16 and Under 14 Squads were put through their paces by coach Alasdair Barr. Junior Managers - Brian Roake and Jan Hubrecht ran a series of skills tests and a Rules Quiz to ensure the boys had a full and varied schedule. All the players worked extremely hard on their games and we hope to see the benefits over the coming months.

Matthew Briggs (Stoke Park) receives the 2005 Order of Merit trophy from David Lane

Eddie Pepperell (Frilford Heath) won the Boddington Trophy in 2005. This award, given by the Honourable Company of Oxfordshire golfers is to the most improved Junior in BB&O. The Honourable Company also make a substantial donation to the County each year to help fund Junior golf within the Union.

Eddie Pepperell receives the Boddington Trophy from Alan Matthews

BB & O County Matches

As usual the teams open up with some Friendly fixtures and our first County match was against Hampshire at Hockley on 26^th March. Due to poor weather conditions the match was limited to just 9 singles as one of the Hampshire team did not appear. A disappointing afternoon saw us go down 3-6

Team at Hockley: Gregg Blainey (East Berkshire), Craig Blow (Buckinghamshire), Matthew Briggs (Stoke Park), Jon Carter (Reading), Matt Jones (Buckinghamshire), Charlie O’Brien (Woburn), John Shaw (East Berkshire), Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath), Adam Wootton (Oxford City).

The County played their second Friendly match against Surrey on 9^th April at Caversham Heath. A close series of foursomes saw Surrey take the lead by 1 point at lunchtime and after 5 games in the afternoon we looked as if we might just edge a win. However, the last few games mostly went to the opposition and we ended up losing the match 6½-8½.

Team at Caversham Heath: Adam Birdseye (Gerrards Cross), Gregg Blainey (East Berkshire), Matthew Briggs (Stoke Park), Jon Carter (Reading), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), John Shaw (East Berkshire), Ben Smith (East Berkshire), Darren Walton (Woburn), Nick Woodage (Newbury & Crookham), Adam Wootton (Oxford City).

BB & O Colts Matches

Having had one match postponed the Colts played their first Friendly match against the Club at Stoke Park on Saturday 1^st April. After trailing by 1-3 points at lunchtime, the Colts staged a great fight back in the afternoon singles, losing only one game to win the match 6½-5½.

Team at Stoke Park Club: Adam Birdseye (Gerrards Cross), Alex Carey (Sand Martins), Jon Carter (Reading), Matthew Hawkes (Royal Ascot), Craig Hinton (The Oxfordshire), Josh Kensit (Richings Park), Andrew Mason (Tadmarton Heath), Carl Norman (Sand Martins).

BB & O Juniors Matches

The Juniors played their annual match against the BB & O Seniors at Calcot Park on 6^th April. This fixture, pitching youth against experience, once again proved the old adage wrong as the Juniors won 7-1. The Seniors must try once more to find a format that will get them a win. I suggest ‘Wrinklies’ a variation of a Flag Competition when your round is considered over when you have played the number of shots equal to your age plus your handicap. A winning formula as they are bound to get beyond the ninth!

Team at Calcot Park: Alex Carey (Sand Martins), Mathew Johnson (Chipping Norton), Josh Kensit (Richings Park), Tony Mitchell (Gerrards Cross), Eddie Pepperell (Frilford Heath), John McNally (Stoke Park), James Weight (Woburn), Joe Winfield (Woburn).

The Boys Under 14 Team played Bedfordshire at Blue Mountain on 11^th April. They got off to a great start to the season with an emphatic win 9-1 and not losing a single game.

Team at Blue Mountain: Chris Atkins (Studley Wood), Adam Batty (Hazlemere), James Foster (Newbury & Crookham), Nigel Hunt (Frilford Heath), George Munsey (Frilford Heath), Nick Obergan (Gerrards Cross), Jack Rivitt (Witney Lakes), Sam Short (Maidenhead), Josh Stammers (Hazlemere), Sam Williams (Castle Royle).

The Under 14 Team at Blue Mountain

BB & O Seniors Matches

The Seniors lost their match against the Juniors as reported earlier by 1-7

Team at Calcot Park: Ed Bartlett (Bearwood Lakes), Bob Clarke (Mentmore), Rod Crisp (Ellesborough), Ian Disney (Frilford Heath), Duncan Forbes (Sonning), John Somerville (Temple), David Stevenson (Ellesborough), Alastair Wright (Goring & Streatley).

BB & O Championship & Trophy Meetings

Junior Championship

The BB & O Junior Championship was played at The Oxfordshire Golf Club on Wednesday 12^th April 2006. 60 Boys aged 18 and under contested the Championship on a course playing over 6,800 yards. In tricky conditions, after heavy rain recently and with a stiff breeze, it was not surprising that the Par of 72 was not threatened in the morning round. Standard Scratch went to 75 and Josh Kensit (Richings Park) and Mathew Johnson’s (Chipping Norton) rounds of 76 were excellent efforts. Craig Hinton (The Oxfordshire) was just one off the pace with James Weight (Woburn) and Joe Winfield (Woburn) another shot back. Everyone who had broken 80 in the morning was in with a chance in the afternoon. First to set the pace was Craig Hinton on 156 which was soon matched by James Prince (Sonning). Robert Hart (Castle Royle) soon took the lead on 155 after an excellent 75. It was left to Mathew Johnson and Josh Kensit, who were playing on opposite sides of the course, to battle it out for first place, but it was Josh Kensit who was having the upper hand. He reached the turn in 2 under par and had established a comfortable lead. Three more pars followed before a couple of dropped shots, but a solid finish over the difficult closing holes saw him complete his round in level par and take the Title by 5 shots. Mathew Johnson finish a very creditable 2^nd and he also took the Under 16 Title with his score of 153. Mathew was also presented with the Junior Order of Merit Trophy after his very successful season last year. Josh Kensit also won the Handicap Trophy with net 146 just edging out Ben Cotton (The Wychwood) who had a wonderful afternoon round of 77 which just pipped James Prince (Sonning) into 3^rd place in the handicap section. Our thanks to The Oxfordshire Golf Club for allowing the Boys to play on such a challenging Championship layout.

Josh Kensit (Richings Park) receives the Junior Trophy from David Lane

Josh also won the Handicap Trophy

Mathew Johnson winner of both the Under 16’s and 2005 Junior Order of Merit

BB & O County Union Annual Dinner

The 44^th Annual Dinner of the County Union was held at the Blue Mountain Golf Centre on Monday 6^th March. Some 348 people had an excellent evening listening to our three Guest Speakers. Donald Steel, President of the EGU and Tom Gault, Captain of the R&A were the Principle Guests and Rob Nothman our final speaker rounded off a very good evening.  

from left to right:

Donald Steel (President EGU), David Lane (President (BB&O), Tom Gault (Captain R&A).

Donald Steel was also delighted to present a Commemorative Plate to Jeremy Hilton, Captain of Ellesborough Golf Club in celebration of the Club’s Centenary in 2006

Jeremy Hilton receives a Centenary Plate from Donald Steel

BB & O County Union Annual Council Meeting

The Annual Council Meeting of the County Union took place on 29^th March at Maidenhead Golf Club. The Council comprises the Secretary or Manager of each of the 120 affiliated clubs, together with provision for each club to nominate a ‘second representative’ who may attend.

A very good attendance gathered to go though the business of the meeting, with the President’s Report followed by written reports from the Captain and Team Managers. The Finance report was presented by the County Secretary/Treasurer and he advised that the English Golf Union fee for 2007 would probably increase to £4.00 per member from £3.50. The BB&O fee would rise to £5.50 for 2007 and this was agreed unanimously.

Nomination of Officers for 2006 had been announced at the October 2005 Half Year Council Meeting and these were confirmed as follows:

(1)   President -Elect                                    J R W Walkinshaw (Denham)

(2)   Captain:                                                D M Forbes (Sonning)

(3)   Colts Manager:                                     J Carter (Reading)

(4)   Junior Manager:                                    B Roake (Gerrards Cross)

(5)   Seniors Manager                                  R Gill (Gerrards Cross)

In accordance with the Notice sent to all affiliated clubs in November 2005. Mr D Heads, Mr J D Low, Mr C Lumley, Mr M Styrka and Mr J Summers were unanimously elected to the Executive Committee.

David Milne & Russel Matthews (Hinksey Heights)

David Milne & Russel Matthews carried off the prestigious Greensomes Title at Maidenhead after the Council Meeting. They won by 2 points with three other pairs tied for second.