The start of the year brought our annual trip to warmer climes with a golfing break in Portugal. A 4 day tournament, played on Parque de Floresta, Palmares, Boavista and Vale de Pinta, was an excellent way to spend a few January days with friends. The food in the Algarve is always excellent, only surpassed by the stunning golf courses. `Happy Hours` at the local bar were well received by most and certainly taken advantage of by a few – no names. Even our slight disagreement with our favourite fish restaurant didn’t detract from a great holiday.
And so to the final positions after 4 games of delightful golf. In 1st position with 118 points for the tournament was Peter Jenkins. Runner-up with 99 points was Mark Hewitson and 3rd with 94 was Pete Davies.
Here we have a selection of photographs from the trip.
In May a number of SGL Members took a golfing break to the St. Pierre courses in Wales. We played both the Mathern and the Old Course. Here are some photographs.
At the close of our 2009 Season, we ran the ‘3 Club’ Competition and new member Nick Dobson took the tournament trophy home with him. The ‘End of Season’ Tournament and Awards Dinner was another great success. Back at the Star & Garter, Chairman Tony Smith presented the following trophies:
Tournament Winner – JJ Hoadley Runner Up – David Cham
3rd Place – John Malia
NP – Paul Owens LD – David Cham
This Season’s League Winners were Peter Jenkins and partner Bill. 2nd Places went to David Cham and Alan Janes with 3rd spot going to Peter Davies and Phil Hammond. A very close competition this year with the top 2 teams having 25 points each. In the case of a draw the number of holes won during the season of matches is taken in to consideration. Only 1 hole separated the teams so this has to be the closest yet.
The following photographs are : Bill – League Winner, David Cham – League Runner Up, Phil Hammond – 3rd Place,JJ Hoadley – End of Season Tournament Winner.
To kick the season off, SGL Members competed for the Chairman`s Plaque over 18 holes at Beadlow. In 1st place with 39 points was Matt Dibden. 2nd with 31 points was Jim Horn and 3rd was Tony Smith with 30 points. LD went to guest Steven Davies and Matt also took NP. A great start to the 2009 season of tournaments.
In July we ran another Texas Scramble Tournament with invited guests. 5 teams competed over 9 holes at Beadlow. Eventual winners were Owen Flack, Simeon Clipstone and guests Simon and Martin. Both Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin were taken by Matt Dibden.
In September 2009, we held our 7th Challenge Match against the Greyhound Pub in Haynes. Both sides fielded 7 teams over 18 holes at Beadlow. Unfortunately SGL lost 5 – 2 but Mark Hewitson did pick up the ‘Nearest the Pin’ prize and Mat Dibden took ‘Longest Drive’. The Competition now stands at 4 matches to the Greyhound and 3 to SGL.
In October, there was a golfing break to Hellidon Lakes Golf and Spa Hotel in Banbury.
The Mashie Trophy was played at Beadlow on Monday 28th December. There was still a little snow on the ground and a few bunkers were iced-up but the sun shone brightly as 19 players braved the day. The competition was a 9 hole Stableford on the Baroness. The overall winner for the Mashie was Owen Flack with Tony Smith taking 2nd and Peter Smith 3rd place. Longest Drive went to Matt Dibden and Nearest the Pin to guest Andy Day.
Then back to the Star for turkey curry and a warm. A lovely morning and a great turn-out.
And so the 2009 Season has finished and we look forward to our 10th Anniversary Season starting with the annual trip to foreign parts, playing for the Lauro Shield. Who would have thought when we first started the society that we would still be going strong ten years later. A big thank you to the SGL Committee Members, past and present, who have devoted their time and enthusiasm.