BTRGS Match Report 2006
BT v National Grid Gas
Date: Thursday 20th July 2006 13.00 Venue: Fynn Valley, Ipswich Format: 4BBB Hambro scoring
A brand new challenge for the BTRGS calendar brought the National Grid Gas boys (ok they rename as often as we re-org !!) from all across East Anglia to congregate at Fynn Valley Golf course to battle in the mid summer sunshine for the honour of being top Utility.
To accommodate the travel arrangements an early 13.00 start was organised so the scorching hot weather soon became a factor, the return to the clubhouse after 9 holes was welcome by all to replenish fluid stocks, well done course designer. The early start caused a little initial havoc and with Gas being a man down on the day a speedy rearrangement was made to the running order of the teams. Thanks to Brian Waring for being understanding and enabling the final group to be a balanced pair rather than a threesome.
As the club member Roger Mayhew led us all out from the white tees (although not all of the competition tees) to enhance the length of the course. The course remained as set out for the club championship the previous weekend so the pins were in typically more difficult locations although the speed of the greens was not quite as fast as the weekend but still very testing. Coupling this with many people, especially Gas team, playing the course for the first time it was remarked how many blind holes there were but all agreed it was a fair and enjoyable test of golfing ability.
I would like to thank Jan of Fynn Valley for making the organisation of the event very easy, we were all presented with society packs and a well organised event went essential like clockwork from start to finish. The meal was selected for us by the chef; it was an excellent traditional roast beef dinner with more than ample trimmings. I would like to pass on everybody’s complements to the chef for the meal.
Dave Giles donated an excellent Trophy which I am pleased to say will be christened with BTRGS for the first year, let hope this remains for many more years to come as I get bragging rights at the Clacton club Dave and I are members of. The overall score did not really reflect how close the games where, Dave did note that morally Gas won 3 of the matches, BTRGS 2 and 1 was drawn but did concede we had agreed hambro scoring for the cup.
Dave also arranged for a sleeve of balls (Pro-V1) for each of the winning team.
Chris Amor donated bottles of wine to provide some Nearest the Pin and Longest Drive interest. As shown below BTRGS also took both of those prizes!
Overall all agreed the match was most enjoyable and the friendly rivalry and competitive banter was coupled with good if not lucky displays of golf. It was agreed the “Top Utility” trophy should be played on an annual basis and whilst absolutely no issues with the venue, we would recommend it to anybody, it was suggested we select different courses to provide additional variety and challenge as the years mature. They also have a number of members at Stoke by Nayland and are keen to win back the trophy !!
Finally I would like to add my personal thanks to Dave and his team as well as well as all my team members for our success but perhaps more importantly for an excellent social event.
Detailed results for the day were as follows:
Match Results
|
Group |
Tee Time |
Player |
Handicap |
Opponents |
Handicap |
Result |
|
1 |
13.00 |
Chris Amor |
15 |
Ian Phillips |
26 |
-1 |
|
|
|
Roger Mayhew |
20 |
Mike Osborne |
26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
13.08 |
Gabriel Martin |
|
Kevin Day |
|
+4 |
|
|
|
Mark Warren |
|
Geoff Brock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
13.16 |
David Clark |
11 |
Brian Munson |
18 |
+9 |
|
|
|
Clifford Merlo |
28 |
Paul Dexter |
28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
13.24 |
Paul Burke |
18 |
Garry Channing |
14 |
+1 |
|
|
|
Richard Gilman |
20 |
John Froud |
20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
13.32 |
Mark McCormack |
16 |
Mark Howells |
10 |
-3 |
|
|
|
Alan Porter |
28 |
Ian Toner |
28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
13.40 |
Erik Hansen |
18 |
Dave Giles |
14 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
209 |
|
193 |
+10 |
Longest Drive
David Clark (BTRGS)
Nearest the Pin
Mark McCormack (BTRGS)
Chris Amor
Captain of the Day