BB & O County Matches

The third League match of the year, against Hertfordshire, took place at Gerrards Cross Golf Club on 3^rd August. Both sides needed to win this match to have any chance of topping the League, so the standard of golf was expected to be high from the top players in the teams. Once again our foursomes play was disappointing and we could only mange to share the morning games with good wins coming from Kevin Freeman (Stoke Park) with Lee Gauthier (East Berkshire) and Clive Bowler (Oxford City) with Luke Rusher (Burnham Beeches).

Excellent golf from three of the top four singles saw the match score swing in our favour after Tom Lawson (Ellesborough) and David Addison (Parasampia) won comfortably and Lee Gauthier managed a great half despite his opponent making 6 birdies in the last 8 holes. Kevin Freeman had got his match back to all square, playing the last, after being 4 down with five to play but unfortunately he lost the last. The news from the remaining games was not good and we eventually lost the next three games which gave Hertfordshire the match and despite Stephen Lewton’s half we went down 5-7 and now have lost our League Title. The team are anxious now to concentrate on winning at Formby in late September in the English Golf Union County Championship.

Team at Gerrards Cross: David Addison (Parasampia), Clive Bowler (Oxford City), Craig Buttivant (Gerrards Cross), Kevin Freeman (Stoke Park), Lee Gauthier (East Berkshire), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), Stephen Lewton (Woburn), Luke Rusher (Burnham Beeches).

We had a good away result against in our last League match against a strong Middlesex side at Muswell Hill on 7^th September. Some impressive scoring from both teams – David Addison (Parasampia) and Matthew Briggs (Parasampia) were 6 under when winning their foursomes 2/1. Graham Homewood and Greg Evans of Middlesex finished with 3 straight birdies to edge out Tom Lawson (Ellesborough) and Geoff Harris (Reading) in the top foursomes. Greg Evans was 6 under when he beat Lee Gauthier (East Berkshire). On the positive side there was a great return to county golf for Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath) with an excellent win against Middlesex stalwart Graham Homewood. Last but not least, David Addison’s impressive 5/4 win against England Elite Squad player Matthew Richardson. David's round included 3 eagles in his 9 under score over 14 holes. Good contributions from the rest of the team enabled us to come out winning 9-3 and we are hoping we can carry this kind of form on to Formby.

Team at Muswell Hill: David Addison (Parasampia), Steven Barwick (East Berkshire), Matt Briggs (Parasampia), Clive Bowler (Oxford City), Lee Gauthier (East Berkshire), Geoff Harris (Reading), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath).

Team at Muswell Hill

The County Team took on Frilford Heath on 21st September. The home Club were looking for revenge after their surprise defeat last year and took a convincing lead at lunchtime 3½-½. They continued in fine form as the County side could only manage two wins in the afternoon singles to leave the Club worthy winners 9½-2½

Team at Frilford Heath: Charles Brown (West Berkshire), James Carpenter (Calcot Park), Paul Chana (Hadden Hill), Steven Doyle (Woburn), Mark Greenwood (Hadden Hill), Martyn Palmer (East Berkshire), Darrell Robertson (Buckingham), Karl Walker (Hadden Hill).  

The last match of the season for the County Team was played at Calcot Park on Saturday 11^th October. After a disappointing morning, losing the foursomes 1-3, the afternoon singles were in marked contrast as the County side won them convincingly to leave Mark Greenwood, the Team Manager, delighted in his last match in charge. We would like to thank Mark for all his hard work in running the Team during the past few years.

Team at Calcot Park: Leon Beer (Goring & Streatley), Jon Carter (Reading), Paul Chana (Hadden Hill), Mark Greenwood (Hadden Hill), Paul Heselden (Harewood Downs), Paul Lines (Windmill Hill), Matthew Rendell (Reading), Darrell Robertson (Buckingham), Paul Skinner (Buckingham). 

BB & O Colts Matches

The Colts’ Team suffered their second defeat of the season against Middlesex at Temple GC on Saturday 23rd August. We lost the foursomes 1-3 and although a better performance followed in the afternoon, there were four halved games that might have gone in our favour and made the result slightly closer. In the end we went down 4-8 and hope that we can end on a winning note against Hertfordshire.

Team at Temple: Jack Bircham (Woburn), Carl Corbin (Wokefield Park), Robert Christian (Beaconsfield), Matthew Haddy (Bicester), Barry Mann (Frilford Heath), Duncan Montgomery (Newbury & Crookham), Andrew Mason (Tadmarton Heath), Andrew Sheffield (Brailes).

The Colts lost their final match of the season 5½-6½ in a very close encounter at East Herts on 13th September. We were level at lunchtime, after wins from the Woburn pair of Daniel Taylor and Haydn Brooks and Colts champion Mark Browning (Donnington Valley) partnering another newcomer Scott Hunt (The Oxfordshire). We were just unable to get the better of the opposition in the singles and none of the games that reached the 18^th green went in our favour and we lost by the narrowest of margins.

Team at East Herts: Adam Birdseye (Hazlemere), Jack Bircham (Woburn), Haydn Brooks (Woburn), Mark Browning (Donnington Valley), Robert Christian (Beaconsfield), Scott Hunt (The Oxfordshire), Michael Joy (Hazlemere), Daniel Taylor (Woburn). 

BB & O Juniors Matches

At the delightful Mannings Heath Golf Club in difficult wet conditions, BB & O Under 14’s ran out worthy winners with some magnificent golf over the testing Waterfall course on 26^th July. Lead well by Captain Lee Frame a 3/1 winner, Dean Wright and Simon Pollington weighed in with emphatic wins of 7/6 and 7/5 respectively, both only dropping two shots to par. Anthony Sage, Carl Norman and Craig Tackley all had fine wins. Special mention must be made of 12 year old Eddie Pepperell from Drayton Park, who had a superb 6/5 win and again was only two over par

Team at Mannings Heath: Lee Frame (Donnington Valley), Luke Horsted (Richings Park), Matthew Johnson (Chipping Norton), Nick Joy (Hazlemere), Carl Norman (Sand Martins), Tim Newton (Badgemore Park), Eddie Pepperell (Drayton Park), Simon Pollington (East Berkshire), Ben Ratcliffe (Gerrards Cross), Anthony Sage (Gerrards Cross), Craig Tackley (Hazlemere), Dean Wright (Reading).

The Under 15 Team played the Bucks Junior Girls at Gerrards Cross on Monday 21^st July. The Boys just managed a narrow win 4½-3½ and as this was such a good test for both teams we intend to make this an annual fixture.

BB&O team at Gerrards Cross: Robert Hart (Stoke Park), Lee Frame (Donnington Valley), Luke Horsted (Richings Park), Tim Newton (Badgemore Park), Simon Pollington (East Berkshire), Anthony Sage (Gerrards Cross), Tom Woolley (Chipping Norton), Dean Wright (Reading).

Bucks Junior Girls team at Gerrards Cross: Liza Bowles (Beaconsfield), Haley Christian (Beaconsfield), Natasha Gough (Ellesborough), Stephanie Gough (Ellesborough), Vicky Hamilton (Beaconsfield), Victoria Harris (Beaconsfield), Clara Leathers (Ellesborough), Nicole Whitmore (Woburn).

The Teams at Gerrards Cross

The Juniors had an excellent match against their hosts the Oxfordshire Captains at North Oxford on 6th August. On the hottest day of the year youth overcame experience and the boys came out winning 4-2 in the series of fourball games

Team at North Oxford: Adam Birdseye (Hazlemere), Chris Boyd (Gerrards Cross), Matthew Bransby (Bicester), Mark Drummond (Beaconsfield), Lee Frame (Donnington Valley), Mark Hall (Oxford City), Ben Harwood (Hazlemere), Michael Joy (Hazlemere), Nick Scrutton (Maidenhead), Chris Tellett (Woburn), Lee Wanklyn (Sand Martins) Adam Wootton (Oxford City). 

The Junior Team at North Oxford

The Under 14 Team played a tripartite match against Hampshire and Wiltshire at the delightful Wellington College Golf Club on 10^th August. Playing Hampshire in a ‘scratch match’ the boys won 6½-3½ and in a ‘handicap match’ overcame Wiltshire 6-4

Team at Wellington College: Daniel Caton (Burnham Beeches), Robert Hart (Stoke Park), Lee Frame (Donnington Valley), John McNally (Stoke Park), Tim Newton (Badgemore Park), Simon Pollington (East Berkshire), Michael Roebuck (Mentmore), Tom Woolley (Chipping Norton), James Weight (Woburn), Dean Wright (Reading).

In a very close fought match, the Under 16's edged out Surrey under 16's 8½-6½ at the impressive West Hill Club. After winning the morning foursomes by two points, BB & O wagged its tail in the singles to halve the singles 5-5. Our thanks go to the Mortimer Ubiquitous Golfing Society who sponsored this match and presented the boys with MUGS trophies and golf balls.

Team at West Hill: Craig Drew (Studley Wood), Mark Drummond (Beaconsfield), Mark Hall (Oxford City), Robert Hart (Stoke Park), Adam Hinkins (Chiltern Forest), Luke Horsted (Richings Park), John McNally (Stoke Park), Lloyd Notley (Aspect Park), Lee Wanklyn (Sand Martins), Adam Wootton (Oxford City).

The Under 16’s Juniors finished their season with a narrow defeat at the hands of Warwickshire Under 16's. Played at the Brailes Club, Warwickshire edged the foursomes in the morning 3-2. The afternoon singles saw many of the matches swinging each way. However, Warwickshire hit hard in the top half of the order to secure a deserved win.

Team at Brailes: Craig Drew (Studley Wood), Mark Drummond (Beaconsfield), Mark Hall (Oxford City), Robert Hart (Stoke Park), Luke Horsted (Richings Park), John McNally (Stoke Park), Matthew Rendell (Reading), Anthony Sage (Gerrards Cross), James Weight (Woburn), Adam Wootton (Oxford City).

The Team at Brailes

BB & O Seniors Matches

The Seniors continued their winning ways with victories over Surrey and Sussex in this preliminary round of the English Golf Union Southern Counties Foursomes. They now go on to meet the other group winners in the Final at Royal Ashdown Forest on 6th October.

Team at Bramley: Peter Batchelor (Woburn), Brian Berney (Gerrards Cross), Rod Crisp (Ellesborough), Peter Franklin (Stoke Park), Robert Gill (Gerrards Cross), David Kelly (East Berkshire, David Lane (Goring & Streatley), Anthony Parsons (Denham), David Shaw (Goring & Streatley), David Stevenson (Burnham Beeches).

A very close match played at Hadden Hill on 21st August just went in favour of the home side and we won our third League match of the season. We play the League decider against Hertfordshire next week at Batchworth Park.

Team at Hadden Hill: Peter Batchelor (Woburn), Tim Clutterbuck (Beaconsfield), Peter Franklin (Stoke Park), John Gill (Sonning), David Kelly (East Berkshire), Ron Nightingale (Frilford Heath), Anthony Parsons (Denham), Ken Procter (Burnham Beeches), David Stevenson (Burnham Beeches) Tom Wells (Burnham Beeches).

Played at Batchworth Park on 26th August this match was to decide the winners of the EGU SE Group North of the Thames League. A keenly fought series of singles games resulted in a narrow win for Hertfordshire. This is the first loss for our Seniors for three years, but the better side on the day won and congratulations to Hertfordshire.

Team at Batchworth Park: Peter Batchelor (Woburn), Duncan Forbes (Sonning), Peter Franklin (Stoke Park), Bob Gill (Gerrards Cross), David Kelly (East Berkshire), David Lane (Goring & Streatley), Anthony Parsons (Denham), Ken Procter (Burnham Beeches), David Shaw (Goring & Streatley) Jim Walkinshaw (Denham).

The Seniors having won their Preliminary round matches at Bramley Golf Club went to Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club on Monday 6^th October for the Finals with Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Gloucestershire making up the other finalists.

Expecting to play against Hertfordshire, as drawn in the morning, it came as a disappointment to all the players that Bedfordshire had scratched from the event as they were unable to muster a team despite having qualified for the final back in August. This meant that the final was reduced to a straight 18 holes match play with each county playing the other two in the same game. Hertfordshire played some inspired golf throughout the morning and finished worthy winners of this curtailed final.

Team at Royal Ashdown: Rod Crisp (Ellesborough), Duncan Forbes (Sonning), Peter Franklin (Stoke Park), Bob Gill (Gerrards Cross), David Kelly (East Berkshire), David Lane (Goring & Streatley), David Shaw (Goring & Streatley), David Stevenson (Burnham Beeches).

The Team at Royal Ashdown

BB & O Championship & Trophy Meetings

Seniors Championship

Played at Castle Royle Golf & Country Club on Wednesday 21^st & Thursday 22^nd May 2003. 103 players contested this event held this year on the very challenging Castle Royle layout, the longest course ever used for this Championship at 6,800 yards. Play is split over two days and after the Wednesday round there were 7 players within 4 shots of the leader David Kelly (East Berkshire). Duncan Forbes (Sonning) and Mark Dixon (Huntercombe) were the best placed two shots back at 75 and Anthony Parsons (Denham) was also in the running after his 76. The Standard Scratch of 73 proved a real test as just 11 more players broke 80 in this first round. David Lane (Goring & Streatley) and Brian Berney (Gerrards Cross), both of whom as past champions were expected to challenge the leaders on the second day were also handily placed after 77’s. As the second day progressed and the wind picked up, the battle for first place intensified and on the last nine holes the gap between Duncan, David and Anthony narrowed and it was the tough 16^th that finally proved Anthony Parsons undoing as he dropped a shot and despite his good finish the mark at 151 always looked as if it would be bettered. Two groups behind David Lane (Goring & Streatley), was making up ground and was playing excellent golf and reached the 14^th level par and was in fact one shot in front of Duncan Forbes (Sonning), himself another two groups back. Unfortunately the defending Champion and holder of the Title for the past five years was not able to finish as he hoped and he dropped a shot at both the 17^th and 18^th. Meanwhile the Scotland Senior International made a great birdie at the 14^th and finished with four excellent pars to take the Title by two shots. Thanks must go to the host Club for producing a course in such magnificent condition and whilst some competitors found the going a little tough all would agree that the Championship was a great success.

Duncan Forbes (Sonning) Seniors’ Champion

Anthony Parsons (Denham) winner 55-59 Age Group 

Geoff Barlow (Frilford Heath) winner over 70 Age Group

Champion Club Scratch Team Finals

Played at Burford Golf Club on Saturday 26^th July. The event is contested by the top 12 Clubs qualifying through the June Medal round played at their home course. This final format is the best two medal scores from three counting both morning and afternoon. The leading Club goes on to represent BB & O in the English Champion Club Tournament being held at Kings Lynn Golf Club on 12^th & 13^th September.

The morning finished with four clubs very much in the running, Gerrards Cross and Woburn were leading on 1 under par with Goring & Streatley and Frilford Heath tied at 1 over par. The highlight of the morning had been the superb 4 under par rounds from Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath) and John Stapleton (Gerrards Cross) which equalled the course record at Burford. Two other sub par rounds came from David Lane (Goring & Streatley) and Daniel Taylor (Woburn). Gerrards Cross and Frilford Heath were out first in the afternoon and with heavy showers forecast they seemed to have an advantage on the later starters. However, neither took as much advantage of the better weather as they would have liked but Adrian Donkersley’s fine 71 enabled the Gerrards Cross team to set the pace at  3 over par for the day. Goring and Streatley were playing steadily and would eventually tie for third place with The Oxfordshire on 290 but lose out on countback of the third score. Daniel Taylor was the first Woburn player home and his excellent level par 71 in the worst of the weather meant the result rested on one of the last two Woburn players beating 75. Unfortunately neither could quite manage it and Gerrards Cross took the title by two shots. We wish them luck in their attempt to become English Champion Club later in the year at Kings Lynn GC.

The Gerrards Cross Team

L to R: John Stapleton, Adrian Donkersley, Craig Buttivant

Douglas Johns Trophy

Played at Harewood Downs Golf Club on Thursday 31^st July this Open event is contested by players aged 16 years and under from all over the Country, with competitors coming from as far away as Cornwall and Scotland. This is the eleventh time the event has been held and there was an excellent field of 60 from 55 different clubs. The status of the event has risen to such an extent that the ‘cut’ for entry was 5.2 handicap and below. England Boys selectors were on hand to witness golf of such a high calibre that par and sub par rounds were commonplace over the tight par 69 course. Ian Winstanley (Formby) set the early pace with a 66 with Oliver Fisher (West Essex) and Toby Clayton (Churston) just one shot further back. At lunch 5 players were within four shots of the leader and the afternoon promised an exciting finish. As the afternoon progressed scoring was exceptional and 15 players would eventually score 71 or better. James Watts (East Herts) and Chris Wood (Long Ashton) both had level par rounds but seemed too far back to be in contention. Adam Birdseye (Hazlemere) was next in and his 4 under par 65 was the best score of the day but his morning round seemed destined to leave him in the minor prizes. Out on the course Ian Winstanley had got to 5 under par for the day after 10 holes. Playing the back nine first, Oliver Fisher had slipped back to 1 over par and the contest seemed over until Winstanley started to drop shots with Fisher picking up two as he played the last nine really well. Despite his best efforts Winstanley could not birdie either of his last two holes to force a play off and England Boys International Oliver Fisher joined the long list of prominent young golfers to take this Title.

The results were as follows:

Oliver Fisher (West Essex)

Colts Championship

Played at The Lambourne Club on Saturday 9^th August 2003. 65 players aged 21 and under contested the Championship. 62 of the players were 5 handicap and below and this was the strongest field ever assembled for this event. The course is nearly 6,800 yards Par 72 with a Standard Scratch of 73 and the quality of golf in the morning was excellent with 20 players carding 74’s or better. Leading at lunchtime was Andrew Sheffield (Brailes) whose 68 equalled the course record and he held a two shot lead over Mark Browning (Donnington Valley) and a three shot lead over Adam Birdseye (Hazlemere) and Will Roebuck (Mentmore). Four more players lay another shot back on level par and the afternoon looked set for a keenly fought contest. As the temperatures rose some of the players found the conditions far too uncomfortable and their scores suffered. Concentration was very difficult and many found it hard to get back shots they had let slip. Nonetheless some sub par rounds came in and Will Roebuck reached the turn in 3 under par and was 4 under overall. Andrew Sheffield meanwhile, had dropped shots and lay at just 1 under for the day after nine. Roebuck could not quite keep up this pace and he would eventually set the mark at 2 under par 142 after another excellent 71. Playing in the last group Mark Browning had dropped two shots after nine and was now level par and the title seemed a long way off. However, after a birdie at the very long 12^th and another at the 15^th he was tied for the lead and a playoff seemed a certainty - one that nobody would have relished in the stifling heat. This was comfortably avoided as Browning made the coolest of birdies at the 18^th to take the Championship. A surprise, but deserved, winner 3 under par with a total of 141. Playing for the ‘Busby Bowl’ the handicap event is also normally closely contested but Browning’s two excellent rounds saw him finish 5 shots clear of Roebuck and 6 from Sam Vautier (The Lambourne) who had a had a great net 66 in the afternoon.

Mark Browning (Donnington Valley) receives the Colts’ Championship Trophies from Tim Clutterbuck

Junior Champion Club Team Finals

Played at Woburn Golf & Country Club on Wednesday 27^th 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. 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 goes on to represent BB & O in the English Junior Champion Club Tournament being held at Woodhall Spa Golf Club on 18^th & 19^th October.

Playing round the Duchess Course, some of the players found the conditions very tough as any wayward shots are normally heavily punished. It was therefore not surprising that few of the players, many of whom were competing in their first major event, found playing to their handicaps difficult. Just two would actually play to their handicap and three more - James Stewart (Burford), Nicole Whitmore (Woburn) and Paul Long (East Berkshire) were in the buffer zone. Woburn were obviously favourites going into this Competition at their own Club and excellent scores form Captain Jamie Hennessy and Adam Carpenter, collectively 1 under par, allowed them the luxury of discarding Nicole Whitmore’s 73 (adjusted for the difference in SSS). The Sand Martins team of Lee Wanklyn, Robert Fagan and Alex Carey took second place with a creditable 150 total, whilst East Berkshire edged out Burford for third on countback on 152. We wish Woburn G&CC luck in their attempt to become English Junior Champion Club later in the year at Woodhall Spa GC.

The Woburn Team

L to R: Adam Carpenter, Jamie Hennessy & Nicole Whitmore with Bob Stewart

Boddington Trophy

Played at The Oxfordshire Golf Club on Friday 5^th September 2003. After last year’s disappointing entry it was good to see a record entry for any BB&O event. 107 players entered and the cut off was made at 4.6 for the 60 places available. With a Standard Scratch at 74 against a par of 72 The Oxfordshire is a tough course, but in ideal conditions the morning scoring was excellent and 25 players equalled the SSS or better. Leading the way after a great 4 under par 68 was Ian Bound (Oxford City), closely followed by club mate Clive Bowler - County Champion in 2001. Darren Gatward (Calcot Park) had a solid 72 that left him in third place at lunchtime. Stephen May (Harewood Downs), Stephen Clarke (Buckingham), John Pocock (Parasampia) and Steve Barwick (East Berkshire) were the next nearest challengers back on 73. The afternoon scoring improved, not least from Matt Briggs (Parasampia) who opened up birdie, eagle, birdie and birdie. A bit too far back at lunchtime, his excellent 68 would be joint best on the day and take the afternoon prize. Others were not scoring quite so well and despite Steve Barwick (East Berkshire) reaching the turn 1 under, his playing partner, Clive Bowler, was 2 under and now had a comfortable 4 shot lead playing the last nine. Despite a 1 under effort from Ian Bound and level par from Steve Barwick on the back nine they could not catch Clive Bowler, whose closing 4 under par score of 68  saw him home 7 shots clear of his rivals. The handicap prizes were keenly contested, with Stephen May (Harewood Downs) taking first prize from The Oxfordshire’s Operations Manager, Richard Moan, by one shot.

Clive Bowler (Oxford City) receives the Boddington Trophy from Tim Clutterbuck

Autumn Trophy

Played at The Springs Golf Club on Tuesday 23^rd September 2003. The field of 58, once again, consisted mainly of players of 5 handicap and below and it was good to see that we had a full field for this final Order of Merit Event. Due to commitments at the English County Finals at Formby, the main contenders for the OOM had withdrawn from the event and it only left David Lang (Mill Ride) in with a chance of taking the title if he could finish in the top 4. The morning scoring was very good and highlighted by John Pocock’s (Parasampia) new course record score of 4 under par 68. He led the way from three players on 71 and six others on 74 or better. The afternoon conditions were much more difficult and of the early starters, John Pocock added a creditable 76 to his morning score, despite disappointingly dropping two shots in the last two holes, to lead the way at 144. Shortly afterward, county stalwart, David Niven (Newbury & Crookham) added a fine 72, helped by being two under for the last five, to his morning 71 to lead by one at 143. Richard Lee (Goring & Streatley) had played very steadily but his total of 145 would see him just finish outside the prizes as Gordon Forster (Donnington Valley), a newcomer to the BB&O scene having moved, last year from Bedfordshire, continued his fine form of the morning and was three under par for the day as he started the last few holes. His six straight pars enabled him to finish with a best of the afternoon score of 70 and a total of 141 and a winning margin of 2 from David Niven. Unfortunately, David Lang was not able to finish in the points and the Order of Merit was won by Tom Lawson (Ellesborough) by one point from David Addison (Parasampia) and Lee Gauthier (East Berkshire) tied on 29 points. Meanwhile in the handicap event Stephen May (Harewood Downs) won his second handicap event in a row having been successful in The Boddington Trophy at The Oxfordshire three weeks earlier. His net 140 left him 2 clear of Ian Churcher (Parasampia), with Gerry Shields (Burford) in third after an excellent, best of the day, net 67 in the afternoon.

Gordon Forster (Donnington Valley) receives the Autumn Trophy from Tim Clutterbuck

Hillman Trophy Final

Woburn Golf & Country Club and Sonning Golf Club met in the 12th Hillman Trophy Final at Ellesborough Golf Club on Saturday 18th October. Play is over 18 holes singles matchplay for a seven man team, with each team having three players in handicap range 6 to 9 and four with a handicap of 10 and over up to a maximum of 20.

Named after a Past President of BB & O and member of Ellesborough Golf Club, the late Jim Hillman, the competition has proved a popular and competitive event for handicap golfers with a record 87 Clubs entering this year. Both teams had brought supporters and it was good to see such and interest in the Final. Woburn were seeking their third title, whilst Sonning were looking to repeat their success in 1998. The first nine holes were extremely close in all the games and with hardly any handicap differences between the players, it was very much a tight match. Woburn went on to play just the better golf on the back nine and after 5 games had sufficient points to claim victory, before eventually winning 4½-2½. The final was played in a competitive but very friendly spirit and all the players enjoyed the experience and wished to pass on their thanks to Ellesborough Golf Club for hosting the final

Woburn: Raj Bandwaitt, Colin Bishop, Mike Lewton, Tony Lloyd, Alex Robertson, Dick Turner (Captain), John Webb, Steve White.

The Woburn Team

Sonning: Mike Barraclough, Geoff Budd, Richard Houghton, Mark Overin, Mark Thompson (Captain), Tony Staples, John Sweetman.

The Sonning Team

Hillman Trophy Plate

The Lambourne Club and Henley Golf Club met in the 9^th Hillman Trophy Plate Final at Beaconsfield Golf Club on Saturday 25th October. Play is over 18 holes singles matchplay for a seven man team, with each team having three players in handicap range 6 to 9 and four with a handicap of 10 and over up to a maximum of 20.

Lambourne were seeking their third title, whilst Henley were in their first final. The handicap differences were minor and a close match seemed in prospect. However, after just a few holes, on a cold and windy day, The Lambourne were ahead in all but one game. They continued to keep the pressure on the Henley side and despite their best efforts they could not prevent The Lambourne taking their third Plate title by 6½-½. The final was played in a competitive but very friendly spirit and all the players enjoyed the experience and wished to pass on their thanks to Beaconsfield Golf Club for hosting the final

The Henley Team

Henley: Richard Fenn, Peter Ferretti, Barry Liggins, Geoff Luckett (Captain), John Pearce,  Reece Pidgen, Ray Ponsford.

The Lambourne Team

The Lambourne: Marcello Cuconato,(missing from photo), Mark Dries, Martin Hamilton, Mike Jones, Gareth Probert (Captain), Roy Sanderson, Charlie Stewart.

Boys 14 Years and Under Championship

Played at Bicester Golf & Country Club on Tuesday 28^th October. There was an entry of 66 boys for this Championship. Due to the difficulty of playing more than 27 holes at this time of year, the field is split, so that the higher handicaps have a morning coaching session with PGA Professionals and then play 18 holes Stableford for separate prizes from the main event. This again proved most popular and all the boys felt they benefited from their coaching.

The morning start was delayed due to a heavy frost and it was touch and go to see if the full 27 holes could be played. At lunchtime Lee Frame (Donnington Valley) was in the lead after a very good 77 in cold, blustery conditions. Scoring was not easy and it showed as just Lee and Ben Willoughby (East Berkshire) broke 80. Nonetheless, 6 other players were in with a chance although they only had 9 holes in which to make an impression. First in and setting the pace was Ben Willoughby whose total of 121 did not look as if it would quite stand up and this proved the case as Dean Wright (Reading) and Lee Frame, who were playing together, battled it out for the Title. Dean had picked up a shot a hole on his partner in the first 3 of the afternoon round before two telling birdies at 6^th & 7^th against two bogies from Lee saw the gap close even further. They both made pars at the tricky short 9^th and then in one of the biggest turnarounds in a long time, Dean’s birdie at the last earned him a tie with Lee on 118. However, due to his excellent 3 under par 33 in the afternoon he took the Title on countback. In the handicap prize section Richard West had an astonishing net 64 in the morning that left him 5 clear of his nearest rival and his very steady 2 under par, net 34 saw him home by three shots from the consistent Dean Evans (Studley Wood) who was well clear of third placed Tom Wilde (Flackwell Heath). Finally, the Boys who had had a coaching session finished their Stableford round with Liam Corrigan (Hadden Hill) taking first place with a fine score of 41 points.

Dean Wright (Reading) receives the 14 Years & Under Trophy from Tim Clutterbuck

Order of Merit

After the Autumn Trophy, Tom Lawson (Ellesborough) won the OOM by 1 point from Lee Gauthier (East Berkshire) and David Addison (Parasampia) tied second.

Tom Lawson

Other Events

The Half-Year Council Meeting took place at Aspect Park GC on 15^th October. Over 40 Secretaries and Club Representatives attended the meeting. These following appointments were approved at the meeting.

Appointment of Officers for 2004

Appointment of English Golf Union and South Eastern Group Representatives

After a buffet lunch the delegates enjoyed excellent weather and played the traditional Greensome Foursomes which was won by Andrew Tanner and Vince Bowen (Sonning) whose excellent 46 points was too good for the team of Tim Clutterbuck and Keith Wilcox (Beaconsfield), who finished as runners-up for the second year.

Vince Bowen & Andrew Tanner (Sonning)

English Golf Union – South Eastern Events

Junior Foursomes

Played at West Hill Golf Club on Wednesday 20^th & Thursday 21^st August our Team of 7 players were: Adam Birdseye (Hazlemere), Haydn Brooks (Woburn), Ben Harwood (Hazlemere), Adam Hinkins (Chiltern Forest), Michael Joy (Hazlemere), Andrew Mason [Captain] (Tadmarton Heath), Daniel Taylor (Woburn).

The format is to play 2 foursomes games both morning and afternoon. Counties are allowed to play any 6 of the 7 players throughout the Championship. We had got back into this event having been one of the two Counties relegated at Basingstoke in 2001. With 11 Counties in English Golf Union South Eastern Group 2 must drop out each year to allow the event to be completed in two days. We got off to the worst possible start in the morning losing heavily to Hampshire and Hertfordshire 3-0 in each case. The afternoon pairings were switched slightly and at one stage we looked as though we would win both matches but eventually lost 2-1 to Bedfordshire and halved with Norfolk. Day two saw us take on Kent and Surrey in the morning and we had a good win against Kent 2-1 and looked sure to beat Surrey being 1 up with two to play, before a series of errors left us losing 1-2. A good performance in the afternoon games was essential if we were to avoid relegation and although we were well beaten by Sussex our win against Middlesex 2-1 pushed them into the relegation spot. Finishing 7^th was a bitter disappointment as we had travelled to the Championship in high expectation of challenging for the Title and not to be struggling to keep our place for next year.

The Team at West Hill

English Golf Union Events

English Golf Union County Championship

Venue: Formby Golf Club, Formby. Lancashire

Date: Friday 26th, Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th September 2003

We qualified for these Finals from the South East Group Event at Ealing in July. Two days of practice took place before the Championship which is played on a round robin basis. 3 Foursomes are played in the morning and six singles in the afternoon. 7 players are allowed in the squad and any six of these can play either morning and or afternoon.

We were drawn to play Leicestershire & Rutland on Friday and on a day that started in torrential rain but got somewhat better as the morning progressed, we got off to a good start by winning two of the three games. The afternoon was a nail biting session as we lost the first three games comfortably but seemed in control of the last three. Finally, after two wins from Kevin Freeman and Tom Lawson and with Luke Rusher securing a half in game 5 the match was drawn 4½-4½. We were not out of the competition as with two more wins we could either win or tie depending on other results. Yorkshire surprisingly had been beaten by Devon and under the rules of the Championship the two match winners on Friday, play each other on Saturday. However as we had drawn our match, this was decided by lot and the result was that we would play Devon the next day.

On a lovely morning the standard of golf was excellent. The foursomes went in favour of Devon by 2 games to 1 with Geoff Harris and Tom Lawson being the only BB & O success. The draw for the afternoon singles looked quite interesting and we felt we had a good chance of overcoming the morning deficit. The first four games were all going in our favour but we were well down in the last two. As usual, a good short game is crucial in top amateur golf and Devon were quite brilliant in this area. They hardly missed an opportunity to get up and down even from the most difficult positions and this resulted in us only getting ½ point from two games we looked like winning. This meant we were unable to win the match and we eventually went down 3½-5½.

Day three saw us take on Yorkshire who had been beaten by Leicestershire & Rutland and we knew it would be tough going as both teams could finish 4th - not a position that Yorkshire are used to occupying and we knew they would be up for the challenge. Quite outstanding golf from all the BB & O players enabled us to take all three foursomes. Kevin Freeman and Luke Rusher won 7/5, Geoff Harris and Tom Lawson took out two England Internationals 2/1 and ‘veterans’ Steve Barwick and Matt Briggs claimed a great win 5/4 against Michael Skelton a Walker Cup player this year and Danny Denison an England Boys International. The singles proved a much tighter contest with each team winning one match quite convincingly. We were however, up in enough games to feel confident of winning the match. David Addison kept cool as he secured a half despite his opponent finishing birdie, eagle, par. Kevin Freeman finally clinched the crucial ½ point after holing from 35 feet on the 17th for a birdie and getting a rock solid 4 at the last. The final game saw Tom Lawson beat Skelton on the last to cap a great week for the Ellesborough player as he finished with the best record, only losing one match and that to a player who was 4 under par. Under the rules of the competition we lost second place on countback to finish third. Congratulations to Devon who beat Leicestershire & Rutland in an exciting match to win the Championship. All the matches were played in great spirit by the players, who were a credit to their Counties and to the game of golf.

The Team at Formby