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The County had the narrowest of wins against Hertfordshire on Sunday 24th June at Woburn Golf & Country Club. Playing the Duke's Course the team got off to a poor start losing the first three foursomes games, fortunately the last pair were able to post the Team's first point and we went into lunch down 3 to 1. A big challenge lay ahead for the players, who are unused to being behind after the foursomes games. Every point in the afternoon was vital if we were to rescue the match. With much determination and fine golf the first three games resulted in 2½ points - highlighted by Kevin Freeman being 7 under par in winning his game and Ben Smith being 4 under. Geoff Harris played the back nine in 4 under finishing with a birdie to clinch a vital ½ point. Two more solid wins and two more comfortable halved games saw the Team through to victory with nothing left to spare. In the end a good win 6½ to 5½
Team: Steve Barwick (East Berks), Clive Bowler (Oxford City), Craig Buttivant (Gerrards Cross), Kevin Freeman (Stoke Park), Lee Gauthier (East Berkshire), Geoff Harris (Reading), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), Ben Smith (East Berks).
The third match of the season took the County side to Ealing to play Middlesex in our second away fixture on Sunday 15th July. With 5 of our top players at The Open Championship final qualifying events and one other unavailable, it is a testament to the strength of the current squad that we were still able to field a team almost all of scratch or better. Although Middlesex had one player at The Open they had a team full of players with years of experience of playing Ealing. Some of our side had not played the course before and had been denied the chance of a practice round due to a double booking by the host club. Partly due to some players unfamiliarity with the course, for the second match in a row we got off to a very poor start and lost the morning foursomes 3 to 1, with just the East Berkshire pairing of Ben Smith and Lee Gauthier winning. The first few singles games in the afternoon would be critical and we hoped to get back on level terms after the first 4 games. Unfortunately these games were shared and the match score stood in Middlesex's favour at 5 to 3. However, the news from the final games was good, with us up in three and down in only one.
A draw seemed the most probable result until James Lawson won the last hole for a valuable half. With the final three games going to BB & O the Captain Matthew Briggs was understandably delighted with the team's performance and we now, as with the Colts side, head the League and will battle it out with Essex, as will the Colts, for the North of the Thames title. We play Essex on Sunday 5th August at Stoke Park and hope that we will have some support for this very successful side.
Team: Clive Bowler (Oxford City), Matthew Briggs (Frilford Heath), Lee Gauthier (East Berkshire), James Lawson (Magnolia Park), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), Simon Maynard (Sonning), Ben Smith (East Berkshire), Roger Stillwell (Beaconsfield).
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BB & O Colts Matches
The Colts had a narrow win against Bedfordshire on Saturday 19th May at Wokefield Park Golf Club. With a fairly strong side the team were looking to repeat the convincing win against Bedfordshire last September. With the foursomes going to the home side 3 to 1, it look like a win by a healthy margin was a distinct possibility. By taking 2 of the first three games in the afternoon and just losing the third on the last green, the result now seemed certain. However the next three games all went to Bedfordshire by large margins and with the last two games being very tight, the possibility of draw now loomed on the horizon. To the relief of all, the last two games converted their advantages and both went in favour of BB & O to enable the team to record a victory by 7 to 5.
Team: Gregg Blainey (East Berks), Russell Brooks (Frilford Heath), Robert Christian (Beaconsfield), Carl Corbin (Wokefield Park), Geoff Harris (Reading), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), Chris Piercy (Reading), Andrew Sheffield (Brailes).
The Colts had an emphatic win against Middlesex on Saturday 9th June at Mentmore Golf & Country Club over the Rosebery Course, which was in beautiful condition. Five of the team had played in last year's match at Ealing, which had disappointedly ended in a draw after we had lead 6 to 0 at one stage. The players were determined to win this time and not let a lead slip away again. Excellent foursomes play, with only one game going to the 18th, enabled us to take a healthy 4 to 0 lead into lunch. Highly motivated and mindful of last year's result, all the team were on top form in the afternoon singles and produced excellent golf with birdies and eagles in every game. The closest games came in the middle of the order and even then, none went past the 17th green. Every game was won and overall, a resounding victory, 12 to 0 and one that the players can be proud of.
Team: Robert Christian (Beaconsfield), Lee Gauthier (East Berkshire), Geoff Harris (Reading), James Lawson (Magnolia Park), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), Chris Piercy (Reading), Andrew Robson (East Berkshire), Andrew Sheffield (Brailes).
The third match of the season took the Colts to South Herts to play Hertfordshire for our first away fixture on Saturday 30th June The Club is steeped in history, having been the home to Harry Vardon (winner of 6 Open Championships) and Dai Rees, both of whom were Head Professional and who completed over 72 years service between them. The Club also acted for many years as a qualifying course for the Open Championship. The BB & O side were without three of their main players; whilst Hertfordshire were similarly weakened, they had the advantage of fielding David Griffiths a Full England International. The foursomes games, apart from one, all looked to be going to Hertfordshire until the top game of James and Tom Lawson pulled off a great half in the top match. At lunch the home side held a 1 point advantage and a repeat of last week's extremely tight match at Woburn, between the Full County sides, was very much on the cards. The first singles game went to BB & O by 5/4 but the next three all went in Hertfordshire's favour by comfortable margins. However BB & O were well up in all the remaining games after 9 holes and a victory looked promising. Taking the next three games squared the match and it was left to the last game to decide the outcome. Although it was a disappointment to only manage a halved match in the end, we knew that this was enough to ensure that the League Title will be decided by our last match against Essex at Orsett on September 15th. Once again this League will be decided by this match and we hope to reverse the recent trend of Essex wins. Without all of our top players, who will be back at Universities in The United States, we will be hoping that the depth of our squad will be sufficient to beat Essex on their home soil.
Team: Robert Christian (Beaconsfield), Matthew Haddy (Frilford Heath), James Lawson (Magnolia Park), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), Peter Neal (Beaconsfield), Chris Piercy (Reading), Andrew Robson (East Berkshire), Andrew Sheffield (Brailes).
BB & O Junior Matches
The Boys have played a number of matches recently - playing Hampshire and Wiltshire at the same time at Hartley Witney on Saturday 5th May. The Boys won both the matches, against Hampshire by 5½ to 4½ and Wiltshire by 7½ to 2½
Team: Richard Brock (Sand Martins), Russell Brooks (Frilford Heath), Robert Christian (Beaconsfield), Carl Corbin (Wokefield Park), John Cronly (Hadden Hill), Andrew Elias (Frilford Heath), Matthew Haddy (Frilford Heath), Chris Hollingdale (Lyneham), Stewart Hamilton (Oxford City), Barry Mann (Frilford Heath),
The under 16's played Hertfordshire on Saturday 26th May. Against a very strong Hertfordshire side the team did a little better than last year but still went down 5½ to 9½
Team: Adam Birdseye (Stoke Park), Ben Braddock (Castle Royle) Haydn Brooks (Woburn), David Cobley (Weston Turville), Carl Corbin (Wokefield Park), John Cronly (Hadden Hill), Adam Hinkins (Chiltern Forest), James Lafferty (Wokefield Park), Andrew Mason (Tadmarton Heath), Kiel Saggers (Weston Turville).
The Boys played the Newbury & Crookham First Team on Saturday 9th June and after halving the morning foursomes went on take the afternoon singles 6 to 4 for an overall 8½ to 6½ victory.
Team: Richard Brock (Sand Martins), David Cobley (Weston Turville), Carl Corbin (Wokefield Park), John Cronly (Hadden Hill), Kyle Cullum (Mentmore), Matthew Haddy (Frilford Heath), Luke Hawkins (Mentmore), Ben O'Dell, Barry Mann (Frilford Heath), Kiel Saggers (Weston Turville).
They then went on to play the Bedfordshire Boys at Hadden Hill on Saturday 23rd June and again suffered another defeat by 11½ to 3½. It was most disappointing that we only managed to win one of the 15 games throughout the day.
Team: Philip Bickerton (Frilford Heath), David Cobley (Weston Turville), Carl Corbin (Wokefield Park), John Cronly (Hadden Hill), Kerr Drummond (Frilford Heath) Stewart Hamilton (Oxford City), Chris Hollingdale (Lyneham), Barry Mann (Frilford Heath), Andrew Mason (Tadmarton Heath), Kiel Saggers (Weston Turville).
BB & O 'A' Team Matches
The team have played three more matches against East Berkshire, Windmill Hill and Sonning. They lost to a very strong East Berks side 9 to 6 and also lost to Windmill Hill 8 to 4. The match against Sonning also went in favour of the home side by 9½ to 2½
BB & O Championship & Trophy Meetings
Seniors' Championship David Lane from Goring and Streatley became BB & O Seniors' Champion for the fourth year in a row with scores of 75 and 74. Scoring was difficult on day one because of the cold and heavy rain. Many competitors failed to come to terms with fast greens early on and then slow greens as the weather worsened. Day two saw much improved conditions and scoring improved for many of the 95 players. Mark Dixon (Huntercombe), Peter Phillips (Henley) and Rod Crisp (Ellesborough) were all in with a chance; but David Lane's many years experience of top level competition enabled him to comfortably take the title by 3 shots. The course was in magnificent condition and all the competitors enjoyed the hospitality of Ellesborough Golf Club and excellent catering
Penfold Trophy
The Penfold Trophy which is also the qualifying event for the Amateur Championship, was played on Saturday 12th May. Players with handicaps from 2.0 to 5.4 must qualify from this tournament. There were 9 places available and all players on 151 or better will go through to the main event. For the first time this year the weather was kind to a BB & O event and 62 players enjoyed a wonderful sunny day at Burnham Beeches. The Club had been anxious about the condition of the greens just a week before, but good weather and hard work produced a course in excellent condition, enjoyed by all the competitors. This reflected in the scoring with a high number playing to their handicaps or better, with David Summers (Oxford City) leading the way with 69 in the morning by one shot from John Field (Windmill Hill) 15 other players were within 6 shots of the leader and it promised to be a close run contest after lunch. Some of the chasing group fell away early on in the afternoon but a number of players produced good scores despite the breeze picking up mid way through the second round. The two leaders faltered and Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath) came through to take 3rd place overall with two very consistent rounds. David Summers' first round gave him a big enough buffer to just hold on to second place from Ashley, but in was Colin Lumley (The Lambourne) who produced the best round of the afternoon by 3 shots and combined with a very solid first 18 holes enabled him to take the Trophy by 2 shots. There was consolation for some of the players, with their performances enabling them to qualify for the Amateur Championship and for John Field who comfortably won the Handicap prize by 4 clear shots.
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David Lane accepting the Senior Trophy from Bob Stewart
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Colin Lumley accepting The Penfold Trophy from Bob Stewart
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Scratch & Handicap Foursomes
The BB & O Club Scratch and Handicap Foursomes Championships held at Windmill Hill Golf Club on Wednesday 16th May. Once again heavy rain made conditions very difficult and scoring was generally high both morning and afternoon. The Scratch Championship looked a foregone conclusion after the morning round as the Home Club Team posted an excellent 1 under par score. Buckingham were the nearest contenders 4 shots back. A steady score in the afternoon enabled the pair of Robin Long and Paul Lines of Windmill Hill to take the Trophy by the large margin of 7 shots from the Frilford Heath pair of Ashley Walton and Andrew Elias.
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Robin Long and Paul Lines Winners of the Scratch Foursomes Championship
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Andy Vaughan and John Field with the Handicap Armada Salver
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English Golf Union - South Eastern Events
Boys County Qualifying Played at Burhill Golf Club on Friday 1st June 2001. The format has changed slightly from last year and now 5 scores from 6 count from each round. Competition Scratch Score was 72 both morning and afternoon. Our players were lying equal 5th, 13 shots off the pace, after the morning round with the best score coming from Matthew Haddy with a 72. A much better effort in the afternoon saw us climb up slightly. Only 2 other Counties bettered our combined afternoon scores. Our total of 752 left us in 4th position. Our Team of 6 players were Richard Brock (Woburn), Russell Brooks (Frilford Heath), Robert Christian (Beaconsfield), Andrew Elias [Captain] (Frilford Heath), Matthew Haddy (Frilford Heath) and Stephen Lewton (Woburn).
Player Club H'cap AM PM TOTAL
Richard Brock (Woburn) 2 81 74 = 155
Russell Brooks (Frilford Heath) 2 78 78 = 156
Robert Christian (Beaconsfield), 1 78 74 = 152
Andrew Elias (Frilford Heath) 2 78 76 =
154 Matthew Haddy (Frilford Heath) 2 72 75 =
147 Stephen Lewton (Woburn) +2 75 72 = 147
Best 5 from 6 381 371 = 752
Final Placings County AM PM TOTAL
Hampshire, IOW & Channel Isles 373 370 = 743
Sussex 368 377 = 745
Surrey 376 372 = 748
Berks, Bucks & Oxon 381 371 = 752
Essex 373 380 = 752
Middlesex 387 367 = 754
Suffolk 381 376 = 757
Bedfordshire 384 391 = 775
Kent 383 398 = 781
Hertfordshire 403 388 = 791
Norfolk 404 389 = 793
County Qualifying
Played at John O'Gaunt Golf Club on Saturday 7th July 2001. From the 11 competing South Eastern Counties, BB & O's six man team gained revenge over Surrey after just losing out to them last year. After an excellent morning performance the team took a 6 shot lead into lunch having scored just 5 over par on a course set up to Championship standard with very quick greens. With all six scores counting consistency normally leads to success and all the players were playing percentage golf throughout the day. Our 6 shot lead at lunch increased by one after 27 holes and every player was at par or thereabouts. We expected a close finish but our nearest rivals Surrey and Middlesex started to drop shots. Surrey, dropping 8 and Middlesex 10 in the last 9 whilst BB & O continued their steady progress and collectively played the last 9 holes in 2 under par to run out winners by 16 shots. We now go on to represent the EGU South East Group in the English County Final at Burnham & Berrow. This is a round robin match play event between the 4 group winning Counties. We last won this event in 1983 when it was held at Ganton .
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Top row: Mark Housego (Gerrards Cross), Ben Smith (East Berkshire) Middle row: Geoff Harris (Reading), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), Steve Barwick (East Berkshire) Bottom row: Kevin Freeman (Stoke Park), Matthew Briggs [Captain] (Frilford Heath), Clive Bowler (Oxford City)
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THE BB&O AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
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Clive Bowler from Oxford City Golf Club
2001 BB&O Amateur Champion
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The BB&O Amateur Championship played at Gerrards Cross Golf Club on Friday 15th & Saturday 16th June. 65 players competed on the Friday for 16 places (and ties) for the final 36 holes on Saturday. Torrential rain and lightening resulted in play being disrupted and it was a credit to the players that they performed so well in the conditions. Clive Bowler and Simon Maynard were the leading players after day one, both having scored 4 under par 65's during the day. Clive held a one shot advantage going into the final day and 23 players qualified on 147 or better. Saturday's weather was even worse! It did not seem possible that we would complete the 36 holes due that day and plans were put in place to come back and finish the Championship at a later date. However, with hard work the greens were kept playable and with excellent co-operation from the competitors the delays were kept to a minimum. Despite the interruptions and conditions the scoring on Saturday was quite outstanding. Five players broke 70 in the morning and Ben Smith moved to within 3 shots of the leaders who had both scored very solid 70's. The afternoon was very exciting and with Mark Housego reaching the turn in 3 under par, Kevin Freeman and Geoff Harris in 2 under, put them all within sight of the leaders who were both over par for the round. Clive's lead had reduced to just one shot from Kevin Freeman as he slipped to level par for the Championship after 33 holes with the potentially dangerous finish still to come. However, he was playing well and a birdie at the difficult 15th, 2 solid pars and a fine four at the card wrecking 18th saw Clive comfortably home by 3 shots. He will now go on to represent BB & O in the County Champions Tournament at Woodhall Spa at the end of September.
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