Message from the County Secretary/Treasurer – Peter York 

We are about two thirds through our season, with chances of winning both League titles. We have a couple of home games left in the Seniors League and we need a draw or win at Stoke Park on 23^rd August against Hertfordshire to win the 1^st Team League. Unfortunately we did not qualify for any of the English Finals although we put up creditable performances in all three South East Group Qualifiers.

Our Golf Partnership continues its outstanding work and is used as the role model for all the new Partnerships in the Country. We are seeing some excellent results from the initiatives in place and we hope that this will translate into new golf club members in the near future. Our Club and Coach programme has also been very successful with any number of talented youngsters being identified. All this work cannot be done without the commitment of our team of volunteers, all of whom put in an unbelievable amount of time and effort to develop the Game in the three Counties. Our thanks to all of them. At the moment we are looking to recruit two new Junior Managers as the current Managers both step aside at the end of the season. Please give me a call if you would be interested in finding out more about the jobs.

Well done to all the players mentioned in these Jottings and especially to Sandy Bolton (Goring & Streatley) County Champion and Scottish Boys International. We wish him well in the pursuit of the County Champions’ title at Woodhall Spa later in the year.

BB & O County Matches

We had a friendly match against Warwickshire at Woburn on 10^th May. Although only an 18 hole match the Warwickshire lads were delighted to get a game at this wonderful venue. Naturally as perfect hosts we allowed them a halved match.

Team at Woburn: Adam Birdseye (Hazlemere), Craig Buttivant (Gerrards Cross), Brandon Caddow-Young (Mill Ride), Jake Canning (Stoke Park), Carl Corbin (Wokefield Park), Adam Glass (Caversham Heath), Malcolm Reid (Royal Ascot), David Ryles (Mill Ride).

We played Middlesex at Sudbury on 24^th May in our first League match of the year. We had selected Luke Williams for his first County match after his excellent performance in the Junior Championship. A good start in the foursomes saw us open up a 3-1 lead which proved vital as we could only manage to share the singles. However, we had won the match after taking 4 of the first 5 singles and it was Luke Williams who sealed the win with his 3/2 victory.

Team at Sudbury: Steve Barwick (Stoke Park), Carl Corbin (Wokefield Park), Kevin Freeman (Stoke Park), Adam Glass (Caversham Heath), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), Malcolm Reid (Royal Ascot), Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath).

The Team at Sudbury

We now took on the strong Essex team at Gerrards Cross on 7^th June. Again we had some new players in the side with Captain Malcolm Reid choosing Tom Wilde, David Ryles and Jake Canning for the first time. The match looked like it would have to be abandoned after torrential rain, but somehow after an hour and a half delay we got underway. Once again we got off to a good start in the foursomes and held a 3-1 lead at lunchtime. Essex were never going to be easy to beat in the singles but a solid performance from our middle three seasoned campaigners got us into a winning position. It was left to new cap David Ryles to get the half point needed for victory.

Team at Gerrards Cross: Steve Barwick (Stoke Park), Craig Buttivant (Gerrards Cross), Jake Canning (Stoke Park), Kevin Freeman (Stoke Park), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), David Ryles (Mill Ride), Tom Wilde (Castle Royle), Nick Woodage (Donnington Grove).

The Team at Gerrards Cross

We travelled to South Beds for our 3^rd match of the season on 2^nd August and needed a strong performance to ensure, in case of a tie in the League, a healthy ‘goal difference’. Bedfordshire were fielding a young and inexperienced side as they look to build for the future. They put up a very creditable performance in the early stages of all the foursomes and singles but our experience showed in the end and we had a comprehensive win 11½-½. The ½ point was what we call a ‘winning half’ as our man was 3 down with three play and finished with 3 birdies.

Team at South Beds: Steve Barwick (Stoke Park), Sandy Bolton (Goring & Streatley), Kevin Freeman (Stoke Park), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough), Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath), Tom Wilde (Castle Royle), Nick Woodage (Donnington Grove). Adam Wootton (Oxford City).

The Team at South Beds

BB & O Juniors Matches

Under 16s

Our first League match of the season saw us take on Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire at Whipsnade Park on 26^th May. Against Bedfordshire we took the foursomes 4-0 and continued the good form in the afternoon losing just 2 games for an overall 9½-2½ win. Against a much stronger Hertfordshire side we trailed by 1 point after the morning foursomes but rallied in the afternoon to take the singles 4½-3½ and halve the match 6-6

Team at Whipsnade Park: George Abbott (The Oxfordshire), James Butterworth (Harewood Downs), Jake Canning (Stoke Park), Will Cooper (Woburn), Ali Court (Reading), Jordan Mann (Sand Martins), Josh Stanners (Hazlemere), Michael Younie (Frilford Heath).

The second match at Abbey Hill against Hertfordshire and Middlesex took place at Abbey Hill on 24^th July. Torrential rain forced the abandonment of the singles and we drew 2-2 with Hertfordshire and lost 1½-2½ to Middlesex in the foursomes. We had to concede 2 games as 1 of our players failed to show up.

Team at Abbey Hill: Ben Beach (Burnham Beeches), Jake Canning (Stoke Park), Will Cooper (Woburn), Jordan Garnish (The Oxfordshire), Jordan Mann (Sand Martins), Joe Richardson (Frilford Heath), Josh Stanners (Hazlemere).

Under 14s

We went to Farnham Park on 28^th July for our match against Hertfordshire and Middlesex. We were never ahead against Hertfordshire and lost both the foursomes and singles finishing 6-9 down. Against Middlesex it was different matter and we won the foursomes and singles comfortably and the match 11-4.

Team at Farnham Park: Sam Brass (Castle Royle), Alex Bruce (Sand Martins), Tom Butterworth (Harewood Downs), Alistair Cameron (Beaconsfield), Matteo di Carlofelice (Mentmore), Adam Conway (Reading), Harvey Coyle (Castle Royle), David Hucker (Beaconsfield), Alex Wills (Harewood Downs), Henry Wilson (Woburn).

Next we took on Bedfordshire and Middlesex at The Bedford on 3^rd August. Against the home side we had a great win after taking the foursomes 4-1 and the singles 6-4 for a 10-5 margin. Against Middlesex we did even better winning the singles 7-3 for an 11-4 victory.

Team at The Bedford: Sam Brass (Castle Royle), Alex Bruce (Sand Martins), Tom Butterworth (Harewood Downs), Alistair Cameron (Beaconsfield), Matteo di Carlofelice (Mentmore), Adam Conway (Reading), Harvey Coyle (Castle Royle), David Hucker (Beaconsfield), Alex Wills (Harewood Downs), David Walton (Gerrards Cross).

BB & O Seniors Matches

Our first match of the season took us to Knebworth on 11^th May to take on the strong Hertfordshire side. We expected a tight match and were not disappointed but shrewd captaincy on our part enabled us to pick up points from games we might have lost. Jim Wilson and Robert Gill took the final 1½ points for victory.

Team at Knebworth: Derek Bell (Newbury & Crookham), Rod Crisp (Ellesborough), David Doodson (Temple), Adrian Donkersley (Gerrards Cross), Neil Franklin (Beaconsfield), Robert Gill (Gerrards Cross), Graham Hart (Frilford Heath), Gilbert Runnicles (Gerrards Cross), John Summers (Frilford Heath), Jim Wilson (Frilford Heath).

The Team at Knebworth

Our 2^nd match saw us travelling to Blakes for our match against Essex. The course didn’t give the Essex side any real advantage as many of their players hadn’t chosen to play it. A good all round performance enabled us to get off to a great start and after the 6^th game we had secured victory finally ending up winning 8½-1½.

Team at Blakes: Bob Clarke (Mentmore),, Rod Crisp (Ellesborough), Adrian Donkersley (Gerrards Cross), Duncan Forbes (Sonning), Neil Franklin (Beaconsfield), Robert Gill (Gerrards Cross), Graham Hart (Frilford Heath), Gilbert Runnicles (Gerrards Cross), John Summers (Frilford Heath), Jim Wilson (Frilford Heath).

The Team at Blakes

BB & O Championship & Trophy Meetings

Seniors Championship

The BB&O Seniors Championship was played at Burnham Beeches Golf Club on Wednesday 13^th & Thursday 14^th May 2009. Play is split over two days and after the Wednesday round just 22 of the 71 players had broken 80 on a very damp morning. Defending Champion David Lane (Goring & Streatley) headed the field after a 71 three clear of local player Rick Thomas and Rod Crisp (Ellesborough). It would be a tough job for anyone to catch the 9 times Seniors’ Champion unless they produced a remarkable round on the second day. The weather improved on Thursday and the scoring reflected the better conditions. John Summers set the early pace with a score of 152. The final group now approached the last few holes and barring a disaster David Lane looked set to add to his collection of titles. Both Adrian Donkersley (Gerrards Cross) and Hugh Maurice (The Berkshire) were playing very well but making no impact on the Goring & Streatley man as he reeled of par after par on his back nine. The 7 shot cushion Lane had from the first round on his playing partners was never really threatened and he came home a comfortable winner by 6 shots for his 10^th BB&O Seniors title. We await his decision to quit so the rest of us will get a look in!

Hugh Maurice took the 55-59 Age Group Trophy, while Anthony Brewis (Beaconsfield) took the 60-65 Trophy. David Lane took the 65-69 Trophy and Ron Nightingale (Frilford Heath) took the over 70’s Trophy. In the Handicap section the 136 of Brewis comfortably took first place with Michael Walton (Maidenhead) in second and Derek Walton (Frilford Heath) in third. Frilford Heath took the Team Prize by just 2 shots from Gerrards Cross.

David Lane (Goring & Streatley)

Seniors Champion & Age Group 65-69

Hugh Maurice (The Berkshire)

Age Group 55-59

Anthony Brewis (Beaconsfield)

Age Group 60-64

Ron Nightingale (Frilford Heath)

Age Group Over 70

Club Scratch and Handicap Foursomes

The BB&O Club Scratch and Handicap Foursomes Championships were held at Sonning Golf Club on Friday 22^nd May. Clubs may enter 2 teams and each team can win either or both Championships.

After the morning round Mike Rapley and Keith Robinson (Sonning) and Gareth Clarke and Nick Lilley (Donnington Valley) headed the field after fine rounds of 70. They led the Scratch Championship by 2 shots from the Chipping Norton team of Danny Phillips and Shaun Kench. The Oxfordshire were a further shot back as was the Goring & Streatley pair. Donnington Valley also held a 1 shot lead from Sonning in the Handicap Championship with a number of other Clubs in with a chance in the afternoon and this looked likely to be the closest of the two contests.

The afternoon scores did not improve much, although Dean Wright and Tim Newton from Reading had a level par 70 to leave them on 150 for the Scratch Championship. Both Sonning and Donnington Valley fell away a little but it was The Oxfordshire pair of Craig Hinton and Matt Foster who produced the round of the day with 69. Their outward half of 4 under par saw them establish a significant lead that, despite a couple of errors, they never relinquished. Their morning round of 75 could have been a lot better too – as the birdie 2 they had at the 6^th in the morning became a 5 after they discovered Matt’s great tee shot should have been taken by Craig! I thought it was only the Seniors who had these kinds of moments!

In the Handicap section the Sonning pair won the Championship on countback from Donnington Valley after both tied on 142. Newbury & Crookham finished 3^rd just one shot back.

Craig Hinton & Matt Foster (The Oxfordshire)

Mike Rapley & Keith Robinson (Sonning) 

Junior Champion Club

The BB & O Junior Champion Club was played at Winter Hill Golf Club on Tuesday 26^th May. The format is the best two medal net 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 this year at Burghley Park Golf Club on 8^th & 9^th August.

A very close contest was the order for most of the day as the lead changed hands many times as the 2^nd and 3^rd scores were posted. With just one group left out on the course it was anyone’s title as the 142s and 141s fell off the top slot. Woburn and Reading were tied on 140 before an amazing round of net 62 from Matthew Boffin of Hadden Hill blew away the competition. His brother Sam also had an excellent net 70 and their total of 132 saw them ease home by just the 8 shots.

All the players were a credit to their respective Clubs and the event was played in great spirit and everyone wished Hadden Hill the best of luck in their attempt to become English Junior Champion Club in August.

Hadden Hill

Colts and Mid Age Championships

The BB & O Colts and Mid Age Championships were played at East Berkshire Golf Club on Friday 19^th June 2009. The age range is up to 25 for Colts and over 25 for the Mid Age. The course was in lovely condition and in the Colts Championship the morning scoring was very good with 10 scores under 73. Leading the way was Adam Birdseye (Stoke Park) after an excellent 2 under par 67 and he enjoyed a 4 shot lead over four players on 71 including Tom Wilde (Castle Royle), Mathew Johnson (Chipping Norton), Nick Scrutton (Castle Royle) and Donovan Henderson-Sowerby (Burford). These looked like the only serious contenders for the Trophy in the afternoon. With just 6 holes to play in the afternoon things had really switched round as Will Cooper (Woburn) and James Brockington (Henley) produced a string of birdies to overtake Adam Birdseye. Donovan Henderson-Sowerby was also playing very steadily and despite a couple of dropped shots in the last few holes he managed to squeeze in a couple of birdies to finish with a 70. Will Cooper birdied his last 2 holes to finish with a fine 67 and tie Henderson-Sowerby for the Clubhouse lead. Brockington just missed out on a the chance to join the play-off. A marathon 4 hole sudden death playoff took place with the title eventually going to the Burford player. Will Cooper had the consolation of winning the ‘Busby Bowl’ in the handicap section in the Colts Championship.

In the Mid Age Championship the scoring was nowhere as good as in the Colts. Something to do with old age probably. After the morning round Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath) was ahead by 4 shots after a steady 71. His nearest challengers being Robbie Christian (Beaconsfield), Ian Barnes (Calcot Park) and Craig Buttivant (Gerrards Cross). The afternoon saw scores improve significantly but Walton was holding on to his now slender lead with a succession of pars. Just Christian was in with a chance and his one under par effort over the last 3 holes took him into a tie and another playoff. Not realising there was a playoff for this Championship, Robbie inadvertently left his clubs in his friend’s car who then drove home! His effort with borrowed clubs in the playoff was a valiant effort but he could not deny Walton a well deserved victory.

Donovan Henderson-Sowerby (Burford)

Will Cooper (Woburn)

Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath)

Penfold Championship

The BB&O Penfold Championship was played at Temple Golf Club on Sunday 28^th June 2009. This event also serves as the qualifying round for the BB & O Amateur Championship and the top 48 players and ties gain automatic entry to the Amateur and the next 60 play in the Penfold Trophy for the remaining 24 spaces. There were 120 entries and players of 1.0 and below were entered for the Amateur Championship and players of 5.3 and over were balloted out. Once again a number of players ‘forgot’ to enter in time and seemed surprised when their entries were declined.

On a tough morning, with the CSS going up by two, Ian Barnes (Calcot Park) headed the field with a solid round of 72. Another 11 players were in with a chance but most were concentrating on making the top 24 qualifiers for the Amateur Championship. With so many qualifying spaces available there was much debate as to where the cut would fall. Needless to say, once again, the Secretary was to get it right!

The average afternoon scores were much improved and Ben Harvey (Goring & Streatley) set the early pace with another 74 for a total of 148. A succession of players then came in with scores in the mid 70s and the cut looked as if it would fall at 156. However a couple of ‘certs’ who were backed to finish in the 70s failed to find form and the cut eventually gave one of the 157s a space in the Championship. In the main event Sam Whitehead (Woburn) took the lead on 147 before Charlie Cooper (Gerrards Cross) matched his 71 to lead by one. Within minutes Mark Tomlins (Ellesborough), playing in his first BB&O event, held his nerve to edge home by just one shot.

Mark Tomlins (Ellesborough)

Douglas Johns Trophy 

The BB & O Douglas Johns Trophy was played at Harewood Downs Golf Club on Thursday 30^th July. This Open event is contested by players aged 15 years and under from all over the Country. It attracted nearly 90 entries and the final field was of an extremely high quality from more than 50 different clubs, ranging from the far North to the South West and even from mainland Europe. 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. Max Orrin (North Foreland) led after the 1^st round with a level par 69 followed by Toby Tree (Worthing) and Robert Burlison (Oxley Park) both of whom had played last year and had some local knowledge. Altogether 18 boys had scores of 75 or better and the winner was likely to come from this group.

A tricky wind in the afternoon did not help the cause and a number of players failed to master the vagaries of this course. However there was still some very good golf being played and Josh Hayes (East Sussex National) set the early pace after a 72 gave him a 145 total. Out on the course the three main contenders were tightly bunched and it was Robert Burlison who came home in 3 under par on the back nine to take the lead on 141 after a round of 69. A few minutes later Max Orrin also matched this score after a round of 72. It looked as if we would have yet another playoff as the only man left with a chance was struggling a little bit over his last few holes after getting to 3 under par for his round. A dropped shot on his 17^th meant he had a slight advantage going into the last but couldn’t afford a major mistake. His tee shot was not his best and he was left with a tough shot to the green. The England Boys International was stymied in the trees to the right of the fairway and then, as any International would do, he hit a low cut from 150 yards, 50 yards left to right with the breeze, onto the green to set up par and enabled him to win the Douglas Johns Trophy by 2 shots.

Toby Tree (Worthing)

Amateur Championship

The BB&O Amateur Championship was played at Burnham Beeches Golf Club on Friday 7^th & Saturday 8^th August. The format for this Championship is the top 48 (based on exact handicap) are entered automatically and there are 24 qualifiers from the Penfold Trophy.

The field was competing for just 16 places (and ties) for the final 36 holes on Saturday. On the first day Carl Corbin (Wokefield Park) added a 5 under par 65 to his morning 71 to take the lead in the Championship. A number of players broke 70 in the first round but the scoring was much better in the afternoon. James Brockington (Henley) matched Corbin’s 65 and was lying 2^nd on 137 just 1 shot adrift. Nick Hills (Donnington Grove), Sandy Bolton (Goring & Streatley) and defending Champion Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath) were all tied on 138 and Liam Robinson (Tadmarton Heath) was another shot back in 6^th. The County Secretary correctly predicted the cut (as usual - he had several guesses) at 144 and 16 players, including 2 from the Penfold Trophy, advanced to the second day.

The 3^rd round is considered to be ‘moving day’ and as such, once again, some moved forward and some backward. Sadly after 9 holes, Carl Corbin was unable to continue as the back strain he had picked up earlier in the week was causing him a lot of pain. As the round progressed Ashley Walton held the lead after a 72 on 210 with Nick Hills (Donnington Grove) and Ashley Watkins (Burnham Beeches) tied on 212. Sandy Bolton added another 69 whilst James Brockington produced a fine 67 to lead Bolton by 3 shots going into the afternoon on 204. The afternoon produced the best golf of the two days with Malcolm Reid (Royal Ascot), the County Captain, finishing on 282 after an excellent 68. Out on the course Sandy Bolton, despite having played 36 holes a day for the past week, produced a stunning front nine holes of 5 under par to wrest the Championship lead from James Brockington who was 1 under himself. Ashley Walton was a couple under and the defending Champion was not going to give up his title without a fight. As the back nine developed the Championship developed into match play as Bolton matched scores with Brockington. Walton finished well to post the Clubhouse lead of 277 after a 67 as the final pair approached the 72^nd green. Brockington was in trouble and in the end had to settle for a double bogey which was to push him back to 3^rd place, but nevertheless a fine Championship for the youngster from Henley. Bolton, who earlier in the week had gained his Scottish Boys cap in the Home Internationals, calmly two putted the last for a round of 68 and a winning total of 275. It has been a long time since the Champion has had 4 rounds in the 60s and maybe Sandy will go on to emulate Luke Donald – the last person to do so. He will now go on to represent BB&O in the EGU County Champions Tournament at Woodhall Spa in September.

Sandy Bolton (Goring & Streatley) receives the Amateur Championship Trophy from Iain MacCaskill

English Golf Union – South Eastern Group Events

Boys County Qualifying 

Played at Five Lakes Golf Club on Friday 29^th May 2009 Our Team of 6 players were: Max Smith (Newbury Racecourse), James Brockington (Henley), Jake Canning (Stoke Park), Tyrrell Hatton (Harleyford), Luke Johnson (Woburn), Luke Williams (Hadden Hill).

The format is 5 scores from 6 count from each round. Competition Scratch Score was 73 both morning and afternoon. Our players were lying 3^rd after an indifferent morning 11 shots off the pace after the morning round, with the best score coming from Jake Canning with a 1 under par 71. Realistically the winners would come from the front 4 Counties of BB&O, Essex, Kent and Surrey who were aiming for 4 titles in a row. There were some solid performances in the afternoon, but not the fireworks we needed to make up the gap. Max Smith was best with a 70 but everyone else was in the low 70s. Surrey could not improve on their excellent morning score but still produced, yet again, a very solid set of scores to win in a canter. We just missed out on second place by 1 shot from Kent

The Team at Five Lakes

Seniors County Qualifying

Played on East Sussex National Golf Club (East Course) on Monday 15^th & Tuesday 16^th June 2009. Our Team of 6 players were: Rod Crisp (Ellesborough), Adrian Donkersley (Gerrards Cross), Neil Franklin (Beaconsfield), Robert Gill (Gerrards Cross), David Lane (Goring & Streatley), John Summers (Oxford City).

The format is 5 scores from 6 to count with, for the first time, 36 holes being played. After years of coming second to Kent we were hopeful for a better result at East Sussex National. However the new 36 hole format probably suited them more than us, as they have a greater strength in depth. The course was quite a lot longer than most were used to and it was a good job we didn’t play off the Gold Tees otherwise we would still be out there. The predictions were that scores would be high and nobody was left disappointed in that regard. Over the 132 rounds the two best scores were 1 over par 73s from Kent. Although we finished second, yet again to Kent, we started the second day 14 shots adrift and went further backwards as the day progressed.

The Team at East Sussex National

County Qualifying

Played at Aldeburgh Golf Club on Saturday 11^th July 2009 Played at Aldeburgh Golf Club on Saturday 11^th July. Our Team of 6 players were Adam Wootton (Oxford City), Ashley Walton (Frilford Heath), Craig Hinton (The Oxfordshire), Steve Barwick (Stoke Park), Tom Lawson (Ellesborough) & Kevin Freeman (Stoke Park). The format is for all 6 scores to count from each round. The standard was extremely high again this year with just 3 players not scratch or better. There were England Internationals galore and the 3 guys off ‘positive’ handicaps must have felt quite ordinary. We know how they must have felt!

Surrey were the strongest team on paper with a combined handicap of plus 17, with Kent close behind at plus 16, Hampshire next on plus 15 and a number all better than our plus 9. Nevertheless we felt we were definitely in with a chance but would have to perform well all day and beat our arch rivals Surrey.

Our play in the morning was indifferent and we had not stuck to our game plan of level 72s. Given the course is par 68 and SSS of 73 we felt this had been a realistic target. However by lunchtime we were out of the competition and lying in 8^th place after some fantastic golf from the other teams. Essex were inspired and were 9 shots clear of Sussex and Hampshire after shooting an average score of just over 68½. We were a distant 25 off the pace. Our afternoon play was much better but a case of, too little, too late. Just Middlesex were better than us in the second round and our total of 866 was good enough for 4^th place just ahead of Surrey – at least one objective achieved. To be fair we were only 2 shots off our level 72s objective all day and collectively just shy of playing to handicap, which is pretty much all you can ask of a team. We weren’t to know that Essex would have an outstanding day and win by 9 from Sussex and 14 from Middlesex. Next year we are at Stoneham – scene of a previous win in this event. A good omen we hope.

The Team at Aldeburgh

(courtesy of Photoshop – you would never know!)