BB & O County Matches

The County put out a strong side against Stoke Park Club on 24^th April to take advantage of an opportunity to practice on the course that will host the EGU SE County Qualifying in July. The Club put up a valiant fight but eventually lost out to the County's strength in depth 9-3

Team at Stoke Park: Steven Barwick (East Berkshire), Adam Birdseye (Gerrards Cross), Matthew Briggs (Donnington Grove), Craig Buttivant (Gerrards Cross), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), Adam Smith (Buckinghamshire), Ben Smith (East Berkshire), Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath).

The County played Dorset round the Blue Course at Frilford Heath on Sunday 1^st May. A very close match, played in glorious conditions, eventually went in favour of the visitors 9-6

Team at Frilford Heath: Steven Barwick (East Berkshire), Adam Birdseye (Gerrards Cross), Jon Carter (Reading), Laurence Eltham (Goring & Streatley), Andrew Mason (Tadmarton Heath), Ben Miles (Frilford Heath), Chris Piercy (Reading), Matthew Rendell (Reading), Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath), Adam Wootton (Oxford City).

In a Friendly match against East Berkshire on 8^th May, the Club gained revenge after last year's heavy defeat with a good win against the County Team. Leading 3-1 after the foursomes, they continued in fine form and came out winning 8-4

Team at East Berkshire: Haydn Brooks (Woburn), Craig Buttivant (Gerrards Cross), Jon Carter (Reading), Alex Carey (Sand Martins), Laurence Eltham (Goring & Streatley), Darren Gatward (Calcot Park), Jeremy Peel (Reading), Chris Piercy (Reading).

The first League match of the year, against Hertfordshire, took place at The Lambourne Club on 22^nd May. As usual the standard of golf was high from all the players and we managed a good lead from the morning foursomes after winning the first three games. The top four singles games in the afternoon went in our favour 3-1 and with a halved match guaranteed, it was left to Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath) to formally win the match after his 4/3 victory. We eventually won 7½-4½

Team at The Lambourne: David Addison (Donnington Grove), Matthew Briggs (Donnington Grove), Craig Buttivant (Gerrards Cross), Kevin Freeman (Stoke Park), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), Luke Rusher (Stoke Park), Ben Smith (East Berkshire), Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath). 

The Team at The Lambourne

The County played Warwickshire on 29^th May at The Wychwood in North Oxfordshire. An excellent all round performance saw the team reverse last year's result with a 10-5 win.

Team at The Wychwood: David Addison (Donnington Grove), Adam Birdseye (Gerrards Cross), Michael Joy (Hazlemere), Andrew Mason (Tadmarton Heath), Spencer Hallam (Tadmarton Heath), Andrew Helby (Chipping Norton), Danny Hicks (Chipping Norton), Stephen Jensen (Woburn), David Stanton (The Lambourne), Mark Stokes (Magnolia Park).

The County had an excellent win at Highgate against Middlesex in the second League Match of the year on 19^th June. Leading 3-1 after the morning foursomes, the majority of some close games in the singles eventually went in our favour and we went on to win 7½-4½

The Team at Highgate: David Addison (Donnington Grove), Matthew Briggs (Donnington Grove), Craig Buttivant (Gerrards Cross), Jon Carter (Reading), Kevin Freeman (Stoke Park), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), Chris Piercy (Reading), Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath).

The Team at Highgate

Our third League Match of the year, against Essex, took place at Donnington Grove on 26^th June. We led by 1 point after the morning foursomes and in a very exciting series of singles just managed to get home, winning the match 6½-5½

Team at Donnington Grove: David Addison (Donnington Grove), Matthew Briggs (Donnington Grove), Craig Buttivant (Gerrards Cross), Kevin Freeman (Stoke Park), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), Luke Rusher (Stoke Park), Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath), Darren Walton (Woburn).

The County enjoyed a wonderful day at Woburn on 3^rd July despite losing the match. Trailing 1-3 after the morning foursomes they were unable to peg back such a large lead and despite a better performance in the afternoon lost the match 4½-7½

The Team at Woburn: Adam Birdseye (Gerrards Cross), Craig Buttivant (Gerrards Cross), Darren Gatward (Calcot Park),  Andrew Mason (Tadmarton Heath), Spencer Hallam (Tadmarton Heath), Ben Harwood (Hazlemere), David Stanton (The Lambourne), Mark Stokes (Magnolia Park). 

BB & O Colts Matches

The Colts Team opened the season with a fine win against Middlesex at Temple on Saturday 14^th May. We halved the foursomes and a much better performance followed in the afternoon and with just two defeats we went on to win quite comfortably 7½-4½

Team at Temple: Adam Birdseye (Gerrards Cross), Mark Hall (Oxford City), Ben Harwood (Hazlemere), Matthew Hawkes (Royal Ascot), Andrew Mason (Tadmarton Heath), Matthew Rendell (Reading), Mark Rubber (Maidenhead), Adam Wootton (Oxford City).

The Team at Temple

The Colts had a fine win over Hertfordshire at Brocket Hall on 4^th June. A clean sweep in the morning foursomes should have ensured a comfortable win. However, despite the final result being 8-4 there were times when it seemed we would not cross the finish line. We now lead the North of the Thames League.

Team at Brocket Hall: Adam Birdseye (Gerrards Cross), Carl Corbin (Wokefield Park), Mark Hall (Oxford City), Ben Harwood (Hazlemere), Andrew Mason (Tadmarton Heath), Paul Raines (Buckinghamshire), Matthew Rendell (Reading), Adam Wootton (Oxford City).

BB & O Juniors Matches

The Boys Under 16 side had two excellent wins over Sussex and Middlesex at Haywards Heath on 30^th May. This tripartite match is a new fixture and the format and scoring confused some of the Officials. Nonetheless despite some poor numeric skills it appeared that we beat Middlesex 17-13 and Sussex 16-14 to finish first with 31 points. I am not sure who came second!

Team at Haywards Heath: Sandy Bolton (Frilford Heath), Robert Hart (Stoke Park), Mathew Johnson (Chipping Norton), John McNally (Stoke Park), Carl Norman (Sand Martins), Simon Pollington (East Berkshire), Andrew Tucker (Frilford Heath), James Weight (Woburn), Tom Woolley (Chipping Norton), Dean Wright (Reading).

The Under 16 side continued their winning ways with another good result against Hertfordshire at Abbey Hill GC on 5^th June. A close series of foursomes saw the sides go into lunch all square. The singles were a different matter, with the home side losing just two of the 11 games to record an 11½-5½ win.

Team at Abbey Hill: Sandy Bolton (Frilford Heath), Robert Hart (Stoke Park), Carl Norman (Sand Martins), Eddie Pepperell (Frilford Heath), Simon Pollington (East Berkshire), Craig Tackley (Hazlemere), Andrew Tucker (Frilford Heath), James Weight (Woburn), Joe Winfield (Woburn), Tom Woolley (Chipping Norton), Dean Wright (Reading).

The Juniors held off a strong challenge from Bedfordshire to just squeeze home 8-7 in this match played at The Springs on Sunday 19^th June. We led 3½-1½ after the morning foursomes and were struggling for a while until our final three players gained vital points to secure the match.

Team at The Springs: Kristian Branum-Burns (The Springs), Robert Hart (Stoke Park), John McNally (Stoke Park), Lloyd Notley (Castle Royle), Eddie Pepperell (Frilford Heath), Matthew Rendell (Reading), Joe Winfield (Woburn), Tom Woolley (Chipping Norton), James Weight (Woburn), Dean Wright (Reading).

In a very close match at Mid Herts on 25^th July, the Under 14 Team just lost out to the Boys from Hertfordshire by 1 point. We trailed by two points after the morning foursomes but a much better effort in the singles gave us a chance but none of the last four players were able to produce the win which would have turned the result in our favour.

Team at Mid Herts: Adam Batty (Hazlemere), Jake Canning (Thorney Park), Liam Corrigan (Hadden Hill), Bati Mupasi (Kirtlington), Tom Harwood (Hazlemere), George Munsey (Frilford Heath), Eddie Pepperell (Frilford Heath), Oliver Rolls (Maidenhead), Harry Whittle (Woburn), James Woolley (Chipping Norton). 

The Team at Mid Herts

BB & O Seniors Matches

The Seniors Team opened the defence of their English Golf Union South Eastern Group League title with a win against Middlesex at Sonning on Monday 16^th May. A solid performance from the top 7 players ensured the win quite early on and with just two defeats we went on to win 7½-2½.

Team at Sonning: Jim Cameron (Harleyford), Bob Clarke (Mentmore), Rod Crisp (Ellesborough), Ian Disney (Frilford Heath), David Doodson (Temple), Tony Finch (Flackwell Heath), Duncan Forbes (Sonning), Robert Gill (Gerrards Cross), Roger Mawle (Tadmarton Heath), Tommy Wells (Burnham Beeches).

The Seniors had a very disappointing result at Aldenham on 13^th June. With 5 games going to the last hole we were unable to turn any of these into wins and lost the match by just one point.

Team at Aldenham: Peter Batchelor (Woburn), Jim Cameron (Harleyford), Bob Clarke (Mentmore), Rod Crisp (Ellesborough), Ian Disney (Frilford Heath), David Doodson (Temple), Duncan Forbes (Sonning), Robert Gill (Gerrards Cross), David Kelly (East Berkshire), David Lane (Goring & Streatley).

The Team at Aldenham

BB & O Championship & Trophy Meetings

Penfold Trophy

The Penfold Trophy was played at Donnington Grove Country Club on Saturday 28^th May. This event also serves as the qualifying round for the BB & O Amateur Championship and is restricted to players between 2.5 and 5.4 handicaps. There were 91 entries and players of 4.5 and over were balloted out. There were 12 places available for the Amateur Championship which will be played in June at Stoke Park Club.

59 players contested the Trophy on a wonderfully prepared course. Although playing from the Medal and not Championship tees, the weather ensured that the players did not take advantage of the shortened course. In fact scores throughout the day were such that for handicapping purposes the morning round was reduction only and the afternoon round CSS was plus 2. Nonetheless the golf was still of a high quality and at lunchtime the competition for the Amateur Championship qualifying places was quite intense. Leading the way was Martin Woodbridge (Frilford Heath) after a fine 73 with local player Nick Hills and Michael Fox (Bearwood Lakes) handily placed just two shots back. Conditions in the afternoon improved slightly and Nick Hills was going extremely well until he dropped a number of shots at his 15^th & 16^th. His philosophical approach in accepting this was excellent to see. Martin Woodbridge then followed suit by dropping shots at his 17^th before chipping in for a birdie at the last which would eventually see him take the Trophy by one shot. Michael Fox meanwhile, further down the field, only managed one of the three birdies he would need in the last 6 holes to catch the leader. With the handicaps of the field being so close together, the handicap prizes were bound to go to those in the minor placings of the main event. Keith Robinson (Sonning) won on countback, with a net 150 from Richard Kemp (Woburn) and Ben Richardson (Milton Keynes).All the players on 159 and below qualified fro the Amateur.

Martin Woodbridge (Frilford Heath)

Seniors Championship

The Seniors Championship was played at Denham Golf Club on Wednesday 11^th & Thursday 12^th May 2005. Play is split over two days and after the Wednesday round there were 9 players within 6 shots of the leader David Lane (Goring & Streatley). Most of the field appeared to be out of range of the 6 time Champion but Tony Finch (Flackwell Heath) with a 73 and Nigel Franklin (Buckingham), Bill Perkins (Maidenhead) after 74’s, were handily placed. The course was in magnificent condition, with lush rough and fast greens, with one or two tricky pin positions. The weather took a turn for the worse on Thursday and a stiff breeze made scoring very difficult. Local player David Young set the early pace on 153 which was soon matched by Bob Clarke (Mentmore). There were now just three players out on the course who could give David Lane a ‘run for his money’ but he continued to accumulate par after par and enjoyed a healthy lead over David Doodson (Temple), Jim Wilson (Frilford Heath) and Nigel Franklin (Buckingham) after 27 holes. Lane continued his steady progress and despite dropping a shot at the last, claimed his 7^th BB&O Seniors Title with a 6 stroke margin from runner-up David Doodson. Lane also took the 60-64 Age Group Trophy, whilst Nigel Franklin took the ‘youngsters’ Trophy. Bill Perkins took the 65-69 Trophy and Ray Bowdery (East Berkshire) successfully defended the over 70’s Trophy.

David Lane (Goring & Streatley)

Nigel Franklin (Buckingham)

55-59 Age Group

Bill Perkins (Maidenhead) 

 60-64 Age Group

Ray Bowdery (East Berkshire)

Over 70 Age Group

Amateur Championship

The BB & O Amateur Championship was played at Stoke Park Club on Friday 10^th & Saturday 11^th June. With a Par of 71 and an a SSS of 73, this Championship would be a real challenge for most of the players to beat par. Once again, a large field of 84 players competed for just 16 places (and ties) for the final 36 holes on Saturday. In fairly good conditions on Friday morning 4 players broke par with Nick Woodage (Newbury & Crookham) leading the way on 68, with Matthew Biggs (Donnington Grove) just one shot back. Sean Elliott (Frilford Heath) and Darren Walton (Woburn), two relative ‘unknowns’, were next after excellent rounds of 70. Defending Champion Tom Lawson (Ellesborough) also posted a 70 and local favourite Kevin Freeman could not be discounted - despite an opening 75. Overall, the afternoon scoring improved and for most of that time it looked as if the cut would fall at 150. However the last couple of groups posted scores to let just 16 players into the final day at 149 or better. Darren Walton had held his nerve and lead the way on 141 with Nick Woodage joining him in the final paining just one shot back. Tom Lawson had had another good round of 1 over par and Matthew Briggs was in third place one more shot adrift.

Kevin Freeman opened up with an excellent 2 under 69 on the Saturday morning and looked certain to make up ground on the leaders, but Darren Walton was again playing very well and his score of 72 still left him 2 ahead of Freeman. Out on the course Tom Lawson was playing inspired golf and after 9 holes he had moved to 2 under par overall to hold a 2 shot lead. 4 more birdies in the next 7 holes saw him increase his lead, before he dropped shots at both 17 & 18. At lunch he held a 4 shot lead from Walton and 5 from Freeman. Lawson’s afternoon round started well as he reached the turn 1 under par and his lead had stretched to 7. With no one else making any kind of challenge, there was not much pressure over the last 9 holes and Lawson showed his ability by playing these in 3 under par to record and emphatic victory by 12 shots from Freeman and Walton. His 12 shot margin is the largest since the Championship changed to 72 holes in 1975. He will now go on to represent BB & O in the County Champions Tournament at Woodhall Spa at the end of September and we wish him well in this Tournament.

Tom Lawson (Ellesborough) receives the Trophy from David Lane

Scratch and Handicap Foursomes Championship

The Scratch and Handicap Foursomes Championship was played at Rye Hill Golf Club on Wednesday 15^th June The Scratch Championship was contested by 32 teams and after the morning round there were just 2 teams within range of the leaders - Donnington Grove - represented by Matthew Briggs and David Addison, both regulars in the County 1^st Team who had scored a fine 72. On a very wet and breezy day scoring was not that good and there were only 7 scores in the 70s. The afternoon round saw scores come down as conditions improved and defending Champions East Berkshire set the early pace on 152 which was soon equalled by Gerrards Cross. However the Donnington Grove pair were not about to lose their grip and played fantastic golf as they came home in three under par to take the Title by 10 clear shots from East Berkshire.

In the Handicap Championship there were 33 teams taking part and the morning scoring was as difficult for these teams as those in the Scratch event. Just 12 teams were net 79 or better in the morning and a close finish was in prospect as the leaders from Chipping Norton - Neil Clayton & Mathew Johnson - were only two shots clear. An excellent afternoon net 71½ from Burford - Jonathan Wilks & Adam Salter - posted the early target of 152 which was soon beaten by Ellesborough and Frilford Heath with 151. Stephen Bruton & David Gregory – Chesham & Ley Hill - were having an excellent afternoon and their best of the day 71 saw them come through the field to take the Title by 3 shots from Ellesborough.

Chesham & Ley Hill

Donnington Grove

Champion Club Scratch Team Final

The Champion Club Scratch Team Final was played at Burnham Beeches Golf Club on Saturday 16^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 Brancepth Castle Golf Club on 26th & 27th August. This event ran concurrently with the Courage Trophy for 2004 Club Champions and some players were in both competitions.

The morning finished with just three clubs in the running, Harewood Downs and East Berkshire were tied at 6 over par but both trailed Goring & Streatley by 2 shots. The best round of the morning had been the level par round of 70 from Craig Blow (Buckinghamshire), but neither of his playing partners were able to put in a good enough score to leave them in contention. David Lane (Goring & Streatley) and Paul Williams (Sonning) had excellent rounds of 71 with Paul Heselden (Harewood Downs), Peter Lane (East Berkshire) and Craig Buttivant (Gerrards Cross) just one further shot back.

One or two of the players improved their scores in the afternoon and Harewood Downs set the early pace on 295 before Gerrards Cross looked to be in the driving seat after two very good rounds to finish on 292. With two of the Goring & Streatley players struggling slightly, it looked as if the result would be very close. However, David Lane had other ideas and with the round of the day cruised round the course in a magnificent 64 shots, to equal the course record and to equal his age! Undoubtedly, still one of the best players in the County, the BB&O President now boasts a plus 2 handicap. The Goring & Streatley score of 140 added 6 to their lunchtime advantage and they took the title by 8 shots. We wish them luck in their attempt to become English Champion Club later in the year at Brancepth Castle GC.

Goring & Streatley – Champion Club

Courage Trophy

The Courage Trophy was played at Burnham Beeches Golf Club on Saturday 16^th July. This Event is for Club Champions from 2004 and for the first time it was combined with the Champion Club Finals to ensure a good field. Some players were in both competitions. In ideal conditions scoring was excellent and Eddie Pepperell (Frilford Heath), who is an outstanding Junior prospect and David Anderson (Flackwell Heath), led the way with one under par rounds of 69. With CSS at 72 these were excellent efforts. Close behind on 70 was Andy Sutton (Studley Wood), who was playing his first 36 hole competition for some considerable time. Eight others were all hoping they could improve on their morning rounds and challenge the leaders.

However the afternoon would prove a different matter altogether. In ideal conditions suited to his game, the County President, David Lane (Goring & Streatley) soon found his touch. He started with a bogey, as so often happens in great rounds, then produced a barrage of birdies and an eagle to reach the turn in 4 under par. Most of us start with a bogey, have lots more, then finish with a few, but the 7 times BB&O Seniors Champion and twice winner of the Courage Trophy is a better player than that and he reached his 18^th at 5 under. The oldest competitor in the field hit a great approach to 5ft that left him with a putt to equal the Course Record and to score his age. Never in doubt, he holed for a 64 to take the Tile by 9 shots from the youngest competitor in the field – Eddie Pepperell (Frilford Heath) who added a 75 to his morning 69. Andy Sutton (Studley Wood) continued his fine form and was delighted to take third place behind two great prospects! Lane last won the Courage Trophy in 1994 and way back in 1973 a span of 32 years!

David Lane (Goring & Streatley)

Douglas Johns Trophy

The BB & O Douglas Johns Trophy was played at Harewood Downs Golf Club on Thursday 28^th July. This Open event is contested by players aged 15 years and under from all over the Country. This is the thirteenth time the event has been held and it has been agreed with EGU to change the age restriction to enable more boys to play in a National Event. There was an excellent field from 41 different clubs. England Boys selectors were on hand to witness golf of high calibre, in testing conditions, with a number of par and sub par rounds over the tight par 69 course. Jake Shepherd (Brockenhurst Manor), set the early pace with a fine 68, with Mathew Johnson (Chipping Norton) on 69. Harry Whittle (Woburn) who had turned 12 just last week also had a 69 net 61 which took a commanding lead in the handicap section. Another 4 players were on 70 and it looked as if it would be a very exciting afternoon. Stiggy Johnson (Sunningdale) had another solid 70 to add to his morning effort but he just failed to catch his playing partner Jonathan Bell (Royal Blackheath) who scored a best of the day 66 to take the early lead in the Clubhouse at level par. Out on the course Mathew Johnson had got to 1 under par for the day with just three holes to play, but two missed putts would cost him a chance of a play off. Just Darren Renwick (Worthing) was left in contention as he continued his good form after a morning round of 70. As a recent England Boys Team selection he showed his quality and determination as he fought back from a disastrous 7 on a par 3 to get to his 16^th at level par. A dropped shot followed, but again he showed great spirit as he birdied the last two holes to tie Bell in the Clubhouse. A 3 hole play off ensued and Renwick produced flawless golf to edge out Bell, who at least has the consolation of being able to compete in the event for another two years in his quest to lift the Trophy.

Darren Renwick (Worthing)

English Golf Union – South Eastern Group Events

Junior County Qualifying

Played at the Bedfordshire Golf Club on Friday 3^rd June, our Team of 6 players were: Adam Birdseye (Gerrards Cross), Matthew Hawkes (Royal Ascot), Adam Hinkins (Chiltern Forest), John McNally (Stoke Park), Matthew Rendell (Reading), Adam Wootton (Oxford City).

The format is 5 scores from 6 count from each round. Competition Scratch Score was 71 both morning and afternoon. Our players were lying joint last, a very disappointing 16 shots off the pace after the morning round, with the best score coming from John McNally (Stoke Park) with a 71. We thought we would improve in the afternoon but again we played poorly with the exception of Adam Wootton (Oxford City), who scored an excellent 68. A very exciting finish saw Essex take the Title by just one shot from Hampshire and two shots from Kent. Our total of 740 left us in 10^th position.

The Team at Bedfordshire

Seniors County Qualifying

Played at Colne Valley Golf Club on Tuesday 21^st June, our Team of 6 players were: Robert Clarke (Mentmore), Rod Crisp (Ellesborough), David Doodson (Temple), Duncan Forbes (Sonning), Robert Gill (Gerrards Cross), David Lane (Goring & Streatley).

The format is 5 scores from 6 to count with just 18 holes being played. With our early scores from Rod Crisp and Duncan Forbes we looked as if we could give Kent a run for the title but despite a best of the day round from David Lane, Kent’s consistency would tell as they took the title by 10 shots from Essex who just pipped us by one to take second place.

The Team at Colne Valley

County Qualifying

Played at Stoke Park Club on Saturday 2^nd July, our Team of 6 players were David Addison (Donnington Grove), Matthew Briggs (Donnington Grove), Kevin Freeman (Stoke Park), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough) and Stephen Lewton (Woburn).

The format is for all 6 scores to count from each round. The standard was extremely high this year with 54 players with a scratch handicap or better. The Surrey Team were once again the strongest team on paper with a combined handicap of Plus 14. Competition Scratch Score was 72 in the morning and 73 in the afternoon. Our play in the morning was extremely good and we lay 1^st after the morning round, 7 shots ahead of Surrey and 8 ahead of Sussex and Hampshire. We knew we would be under pressure in the afternoon but more excellent golf from Lewton, Lawson and Freeman still left us in contention after 27 holes despite our other three players finding scoring difficult. Unfortunately we were unable to keep up the pace and with two scores in the 80’s, we slipped back to 2^nd place behind Surrey who had played exceptionally well in the afternoon to successfully defend their title. A small consolation was that three of our players finished in 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd in the individual scoring.