West Hill in the autumn sunshine with not a drop of rain or covid to spoil the day!
After a difficult season with another covid delayed start and rain soaked golf days, it was an autumn bonus to play with unusually warm temperatures in almost spring like conditions.
The fairways were lush and the greens lightning quickly that gives the course it’s strong “slope” rating, though winner of the “Rothermere Challenge Cup”, John Tucker certainly found it to his liking.
His 34pts was enough to beat Phil Barber’s 33pts into second and then there had to be countbacks to separate three players who all scored 32pts. Joe Marvell playing off 5 handicap took 3rd place from 21-handicapper Dan Hall with Phillip Woods, again off 21 in fifth.
Society vice-Captain Barry Theobald presented the prizes and winner John was cut 2 shots and will now play off a new 22 handicap with Phil Barber cut 1 shot to 17.
While taking part in the competition, Phil also played the 2019 Society “Match Play Knockout Final” against David Crump, delayed because of covid restrictions with Phil winning the match on the 17th hole.
Both Phil and David played as a 2xBall in front of the 3xBall field and kept separate cards for both competitions.
The annual “Order of Merit” competition that runs throughout the year normally ends at West Hill with the top 4 players in a play-off for the “Golfer of the Year” award.
The Society Committee agreed that because of covid and the difficulties in organising the play-offs, this year and both 2019 and 2020, each player at the top of the Order of Merits should be confirmed the winner.
David Crump having set a new Society record during this year by winning 3 consecutive trophies could not be beaten for the title so becomes the 2021 Golfer of the Year. Both David and Phil will receive their prizes at the Christmas Scramble along with Captain Nick Stevens who topped both the 2019 and 2020 Orders of Merit.
There had been a touch of golfer’s luck for Ian McGowan with his shot on the Par-3 hole in the “Nearest the Pin” competition.
His tee-shot to the 13th landed on a small hill alongside the greenside bunker and, with the golfing gods looking down, the ball bounced towards the hole and not the sand to win the champagne prize.
Only one person picked out winner John Tucker in the fund raising “Back the Winner” competition and it was not John but Mike Germain who won £50 with £35 for the funds. There were 3 winners in the “2’s” competition, with £10 won by Stephen Stout and guests Ray Grant and Shelly Bansal with £6 into the funds.
Garth Burden
