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 7^th 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 26^th 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 18^th 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 12^th 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 19^th 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 13^th 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 28^th 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 23^rd 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 15^th 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 3^rd & 4^th 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 2^nd 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 10^th 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 18^th again. With Carson 4 feet away in 2 and Whittle 80 yards out - yet to play his 3^rd - it was odds on Carson. Another incredible ‘up and down’ from Whittle and a missed putt from his opponent saw them head for the 10^th 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.

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 10^th 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.

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 29^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. 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 20^th & 21^st 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.

The East Berkshire Team

Boddington Trophy

Played at Sand Martins Golf Club on 10^th 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.

Matthew Briggs (Stoke Park)

Autumn Trophy

Played at Reading Golf Club on Wednesday 19^th 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 8^th 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 4^th 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.

Tom Wilde (Beaconsfield)

14 Years & Under Championship

The BB & O Boys 14 years and Under Championship was played at Hadden Hill Golf Club on Tuesday 23^rd October. There was a good entry of 39 boys with handicaps of 20 or less for this Championship over 27 holes.

Once again we had a dry day, a bit cold but quite sunny. To start, some of the Boys found scoring quite difficult with the course playing quite long. However 13 boys managed to break 80 with Charlie Butler (Newbury Racecourse) leading the way after a fine 75. Oliver Hopgood (Woburn) and Joe Richardson (Frilford Heath) were just one back and 4 others were tied on 77. Defending Champion Harry Whittle (Woburn), also a recent call up to the England Under 16 squad, seemed out of contention after the poor start to his round. It didn’t seem that anyone else could challenge the leaders as they only had 9 holes in which to make an impression.

With three holes to play things were very close with Whittle making up a lot of ground, but the birdie that he would eventually need to win, tantalisingly eluded him as he finished on 114. Butler was playing just ahead of Richardson and kept his lead right to the last when Richardson’s 3 enabled him to tie as they both finished on 113. Under the rules the Championship is decided on countback and the Title went to Joe Richardson (Frilford Heath) after his fine finish. We will see more of these young men in the years to come as their undoubted talent comes to the fore.

In the handicap prize section Harald Gimre (Gerrards Cross) produced two excellent scores to successfully defend the prize he won so convincingly last year. This time it was a much closer run thing with Ali Court (Reading) just half a shot back with Oliver Hopgood (Woburn), another shot back, in third place.

Joe Richardson (Frilford Heath)

Hillman Trophy Plate

The Springs Golf Club and Buckingham Golf Club met in the 13^th Hillman Trophy Plate Final at Studley Wood Golf Club on Saturday 13^th 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.

It was both Clubs first appearance in a final and it was a very close match. In the end The Springs just edged home by 4-3 but in a real twist after the match, it was discovered that one of The Springs players officially had an ‘Away’ handicap and was therefore ineligible. The Springs immediately conceded the match to Buckingham and apologised for their mistake.

As usual, 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 Studley Wood Golf Club for hosting the final.

Buckingham: Dave Dallaway, Wilf Hearne, Rob Hind, Alan Lidgley (Captain), Bruce Parker, Colin Priest, John Scarrott.

The Springs: Dave Allen, Steve Bennett, Benji Curran, Neale Fitzgerald, Eric King, Alan Wilson, Andy Wraith, Maurice Digby (Non Playing Captain).

The Buckingham Team

Hillman Trophy

Stoke Park Club and Royal Ascot Golf Club met in the 16^th Hillman Trophy Final at Beaconsfield Golf Club on Saturday 20^th 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.

With the first 6 games being shared it was left to the last pair to battle it out. Stoke Park were 1 up coming up the last and in a tension filled atmosphere, it was fitting that the 2007 Stoke Park Club Captain, Peter Palmer, comfortably closed out his game to win the Trophy for the second time in 3 years.

As usual, 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.

Stoke Park: Henny Abbas, Brian Anderson, Mark Appleyard, Paul Hucker (Captain), Graham Lees, Peter MacDonnell, Peter Palmer.

Royal Ascot: Mark Dowling, Geoff Estcourt (Captain), Mike Goodwin, Ray Grubb, Steve Houghton, John Munday, Mark Timms,

The Stoke Park Team

The Royal Ascot Team

English Golf Union – South Eastern Group Events

Junior Foursomes

Played at John O’Gaunt Golf Club on Wednesday 22^nd & Thursday 23^rd August, our Team of 7 players were: Max Smith [Captain (Newbury Racecourse)], Sandy Bolton (Kirtlington), Ben Cotton (The Oxfordshire), Tyrrell Hatton (Harleyford), Jonathan Hewitt (Gerrards Cross), Mathew Johnson (Chipping Norton), Tim Newton (Reading).

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 Worthing in 2005. With 11 Counties in the English Golf Union South Eastern Group 2 must drop out each year to allow the event to be completed in two days. We have been relegated each of the last 3 times we have got back into this event and we were determined not to let this happen again. We got off to a reasonable start on the first morning losing 2-1 to Middlesex but beating Sussex 2-1. The afternoon pairings were switched slightly but again we only managed to win one match beating Kent 2-1 but losing to Surrey by the same score. The draw on day 1 had been tough and we were reasonably pleased to have a 50% record that left us lying 5^th and away from the relegation zone. Our new Head Coach – John Cook – gave the boys some good positive thoughts for the next day’s play with the objective of moving up the table and to give Middlesex and Surrey, the overnight leaders, a run for their money. We took on Hampshire and Essex in the morning and had good wins against both these strong sides. We now had an outside chance of the title but it did depend on both Surrey and Middlesex fading badly and us winning our last matches. We did give it our best shot but although we beat Bedfordshire 2-1 we slipped up against Suffolk losing 2½-½. We had to settle for third place behind Middlesex in second and Surrey, who successfully defended their title, not having lost a match and with just one half with Sussex. With only one of the current team too old to play next year, we hope to mount a serious challenge for the title when it is held at The Warren in Essex in 2008.

Having won the English Golf Union South Eastern Group North of the Thames League by the narrowest of margins we played Kent for the Daily Telegraph Trophy on Tuesday 16^th October at Ferndown. For some reason or other the organising Committee had decided that in the event of a tie the Trophy would be decided on a somewhat obtuse countback method. This was after the team order had been submitted and without proper consultation. During the match we objected to this decision and contested that neither of the other two League Finals were decided on this method and were always shared. Naturally an extremely close match ensued and after the first 5 games we held a slender lead. We then lost the next two games before Rod Crisp made it all square. Neither of the two remaining games were close and it was Robert Gill who got the decisive win in the last game to tie the match 5-5. The Trophy was shared which was a fitting end to a very fine match.

Team at Ferndown: Mike Allen (Gerrards Cross), Jim Cameron (The Oxfordshire), Rod Crisp (Ellesborough), Duncan Forbes (Sonning), Neil Franklin (Beaconsfield), Robert Gill (Gerrards Cross), Ian Hunter (Maidenhead), Gilbert Runnicles (Gerrards Cross), John Summers (Oxford City), Tom Wells (Burnham Beeches).

The Team at Ferndown