Author: cookp

The year started well with a golfing break to Malaga. 8 members played the Lauro Golf Course set in the foothills of the Sierra and enjoyed 18 holes in warm sunshine in early January. On the second day the venue moved to the Guadalhorce Golf Club which was somewhat a test of endurance bearing in mind the excesses of the evening before. Overall Winner for the two days was Paul Glenister.

The following is a selection of photographs taken on the Lauro Course.

In May of 2005, a number of members and guests visited Dunston Hall nr. Norwich. Players enjoyed 2 days of excellent golf on the recently improved course.

Below the players stand on the 1st tee and also Owen Flack takes position on the par 3, 18th hole with an impressive view of the hall in the background.

Silsoe Golf League members not only enjoy the game of golf but also the very ‘social’ gathering which follows. After each fixture the players retire to the Star and Garter to eat, drink and to take part in a weekly dose of light entertainment dreamt up by our new Social Secretary, Peter Prior.

Below we see the members relaxing after the match. Perhaps someone should have warned Tony Smith that his trousers were on fire.

Silsoe Golf League held an end of season tournament on Sunday, 18th September, at Beadlow Manor over 18 holes on the Baroness course. The Society then returned to the Star and Garter for the 2005 Season Awards Dinner. The ‘After-Dinner Speech’ was given by the Social Secretary, Peter Prior, followed by the presentation of trophies for the 2005 League and for the SGL Tournament played that day.

The top row covers the presentation of League Awards by SGL Chairman, Mark Hewitson and the bottom row the Tournament prizes awarded and sponsored by Tony Evans.

Top row from the left, League Winners Alan Janes and David Cham with 24 points. Runners-up Geoff Banks and Steve Reddick with 23 points and in 3rd place with 22 points, Phil Hammond and Pete Davies.

Bottom row from the left, Tournament Winner Paul Glenister, Runner-up Phil Cook and 3rd place Peter Smith.

Other awards presented at the Dinner went to Chris Burrows for Longest Drive and to Paul Glenister for Nearest the Pin. Guest prize went to John Malia and a new trophy, the ‘Jigger Trophy’ donated by Elwyn Owen, was handed to the ‘most improved player’ Pat Forder.

At the end of the 2005 Season, members played a ‘3 club’ competition at Beadlow over 9 holes. Players are restricted to 3 clubs only. Overall winner was Phil Cook pictured right.
The trophy was presented by Mark Hewitson during the Awards Dinner in September.

The match for the 2005 challenge against the Greyhound League took on a different format this year. 4 of the matches played were standard Matchplay whilst the remaining 4 were Foursomes. Again the tournament was keenly fought but The Greyhound Team won through in the end with a 5 – 3 win. The only honour presented to SGL was Longest Drive which was impressively won by Phil Cook.

The series now stands at 2 – 2 with an exciting 2006 Challenge in prospect.

During the year, Silsoe Golf League arrange a number of golfing breaks. The members have enjoyed the course at the De Vere Dunston Hall in Norfolk and more recently at Whiston Hall near Leek in Staffordshire.

In May of 2004, members and their guests paid Whiston another visit and once again enjoyed a round amongst the rolling hills, dry stone walls and elevated tees.
Winner of the 9 hole stableford competition was Duncan Fraser with Ned Lawton as Runner-up on count back. Winner of the 18 hole stableford competition was guest, David Oldroyd with 35 points.

Below (right) we see the members and guests on the opening tee with Geoff Olney taking the first shot of the main tournament (left).
     
In June 2004, Silsoe Golf League played the Greyhound Golf League in yet another Challenge Shield match. On this occasion the Greyhound players were clearly on form and convincingly won the tournament.

The 2004 Silsoe Golf League was probably one of the most keenly fought since the Society was formed with the top 3 League positions unresolved until the final round of fixtures played in September. Eventually 3rd Place was taken by Tony Smith and Ned Lawton with 24 points. Paul Glenister and Duncan Fraser were the 2004 Runners-up with 25 points with Mark Hewitson and Gerry Bernstein taking the honours, also on 25 points but with 66 winning holes from their 15 games against Paul and Duncan’s 60.

A new competition was introduced in 2004, namely the ‘3 Club’ Tournament, whereby players are restricted to the use of 3 clubs only. Mark Hewitson was the overall winner and collected the trophy at the 2004 Awards Dinner.

Also honoured at the Dinner were the various winners of the End of Season Tournament which was, as in previous years, played at Beadlow Manor Golf Club. Peter Jenkins put in the best card of the day with 33 Stableford points. Carol Baillie came second and Pete Davies 3rd. Nearest the Pin was won by Ned Lawton with Nick Ecart taking the Longest Drive Trophy with an impressive drive on the 14th hole. John Malia from Silsoe took the Guest prize.

From left to right, 2004 League Winners, Mark Hewitson and Gerry Bernstein. League Runners-up Duncan Fraser and Paul Glenister and End of Season Tournament Winner Peter Jenkins (right), receiving his trophy from sponsor Tony Evans.
    
From left to right, Tony Evans presenting the End of Season Tournament Runner-up Trophy to Carol Baillie, Nearest the Pin to Ned Lawton and Longest Drive to Nick Ecart.
    
On the 3rd and 4th October, 2004. SGL visited the Bank House Hotel Golf & Country Club in Bransford, Worcestershire. The 5,912 yard 18 hole course overlooks the Malvern Hills and is noted for its numerous water hazards stretching across the 123 acres of picturesque countryside. Stableford Winner on the Sunday was guest Nigel Beddall who beat the 40 point barrier and justly deserved the win. Highest scoring SGL member was Gerry Bernstein closely followed by Tony Smith and Alan Janes.

Here we see Tony Smith ready to tee-off on the 1st, a 316 yard par 4 ‘Wildcat Run’.

Tony, Mark Hewitson and Geoff Olney putting-out on the par 5 8th Green ‘Twisted Oaks’.

Mike Frain on one of the par 3’s at Millbrook Golf Club, near Ampthill.

The 2004 Mashie Trophy was played at Millbrook Golf Club, near Ampthill. Winner of the Mashie with 13 points over 9 holes was Duncan Fraser. Winning guest was Jamie Lawton with 19 points. Even though the match started in sub zero temperatures, everyone enjoyed the tournament and retired to the Star & Garter for lunch.

Again for a second year Silsoe collected the Silsoe/Greyhound Challenge Shield.

League Winners in 2003 were Neil Wilson and Simon Knight. Society Chairman, Mark Hewitson, presented Neil with the trophy at the Awards Dinner held in the Star & Garter Public House.

Winner of the End of Season Tournament was Bill Stimson who also sponsored the event prizes.

At the close of 2003, the Mashie Trophy was again the competition to win. Outright winner for the 2nd time was Peter Davies.
 
Mark Hewitson, presenting Neil Wilson with the League Award.
 
Mark Hewitson, presenting Bill Stimson with the End of Season Tournament Award.

In 2002, we played the first of, what was to become an annual match against the Greyhound Golf League. The first encounter was a victory for Silsoe.

The 2002 League Winners were Peter Smith and Frank Henry. 

The Mashie Trophy winner was Chris Burrows.

Our opening season in 2001 was successful in many ways, not least because of the excellent support given by members.

The 2001 League was comfortably won by Arthur Marsh and Pat Forder, who collected the Silsoe Golf League Trophy at the Awards Dinner in September.

Winner of the Mashie Trophy, which is played over 9 holes during the Christmas period, went to Peter Davies.