Category: Through the years

In January of 2006, the Penina Golf Course in the Algarve, played host to the Lauro Shield. The shield is played for on an annual basis when members travel abroad in search of warmer climes. The challenge was first contested in 2004 on the Lauro Course in Malaga, then won by Ned Lawton. Paul Glenister subsequently took the honours in 2005 and now the players assembled in Portugal to find a 2006 winner. The par 73, 5827 metre Championship course, was designed by Sir Henry Cotton and has hosted the Portuguese Open some nine times.

After the first day’s practice round, Peter Smith had posted the top score in this Stableford Competition. The overnight leader after the first day’s play however, was Guest, John Malia with 32 points. The weather had been sunny and warm, the course had been in good condition and everyone had commented about the excellent greens. The final round was won by Chris Burrows on 35 points and Chris also carried away the ‘Nearest the Pin’ prize for good measure. Mark Hewitson made sure ‘Longest Drive’ had his name on it.

Overall Winner of the Lauro Shield was Mark Hewitson with a cumulative score over the two days of 63 points. Chris Burrows was Runner-up with 60 points (count back) and Third Place, with 60 points was Geoff Olney.

Members thanked Tony Smith for arranging the trip and Peter Smith for his natural skill for languages, especially Portuguese.
The photographs below depict the ‘Algarve 11’ about to commence the first tee-off of the Tournament. Also Chris Burrows, Alan Janes and Ned Lawton, enjoying the Driving Range and challenging Penina Course.

In May the Society once again visited Whiston Hall for a Sunday / Monday golfing break. Unfortunately the weather was against us and the competition was cancelled. Some of the players managed a few holes in the pouring rain which created a number of incidents – some good, some not so good. Most notable was a hole in one (the 1st for the Society in its history) for Chris Burrows on the short 4th hole par 3. An excellent shot by all accounts although most SGL members were in the bar and missed it.

On the down side, Gerry Bernstein tore muscles in both legs and spent most of the Sunday in Derby Hospital. Gerry thought he had been hit by a ball. As he limped back to the Club House he tore another muscle in his good leg. Unfortunately most SGL members missed it as thy were in the bar – sorry Gerry!

We did manage to take a few shots be it mainly of the photographic type so from left to right, teeing off from thr 1st – Alan Janes, David Cham, Chris Burrows and Nigel Bedall.

The 2006 End of Season Awards Dinner was held on Sunday 1st October at the Star and Garter. Unfortunately the End of Season Tournament was cancelled mid-round as players were surrounded by thunder and lightening and a torrential downpour. Duncan Fraser gave the after-dinner speech with the traditional mickey-take levelled at fellow members. Chairman, Ned Lawton, presented the awards and thanked everyone for making the event a successful one, despite the weather.

From from left to right, trophies were awarded as follows:
2006 League Winners – Ned Lawton & Tony Smith.
League Runner-up – Paul Glenister. League Rinner-up – Duncan Fraser.
League 3rd place – Mark Hewitson (Gerry Bernstein was unable to attend).
Most improved Player – Phil Cook. Paul Glenister also presented Ned with the ‘3 club’ Tournament Trophy.

The Mashie Trophy Winner (2005) was PAT FORDER

At the end of the Season, SGL ran another ‘3 club’ Tournament over 9 holes. Winner with 16 points (on count back) was Ned Lawton. In 2nd place on 16 points was Jim Horn, in his first year with SGL, and Tony Smith took 3rd place also on 16.

During September a number of members spent 3 days in Scotland staying at the Crieff Hydro. They enjoyed courses at Cromrie, Crieff Golf Club and Muthill. Overall Winner was Pete Davies. David Cham was Runner-up with Mark Hewitson taking 3rd position.

Our annual match against the Greyhound Golf League did not go Silsoe’s way with a 4 – 2 defeat. Honours for Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin also went to the Greyhound, who have now won 3 matches in a row. SGL hosted the Awards Dinner back at the Star.

Geoff Olney
Founder Member
Retired from the League.

SGL Members and their Guests relaxing at the End of Season Awards Dinner. Additional Prizes awarded on the night were ‘Wooden Spoons’ given to John Malia and Jim Horn. Ned Lawton also received a giant calculator to work out his massive handicap cut.

Joint Winners of the 2006 Mashie Trophy were Len Martin and Peter Jenkins. The draw was decided after a count back over 3 holes and then 6 holes showed no clear winner.

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.