It was the end of an era and the start of a new one at this year’s Berkshire Christmas Scramble. After 22 years as Secretary, Garth Burden handed over his quill and Golf Society ledgers as members cheered him farewell.
MAC presented Garth with a personalised cartoon showing him carrying a 10-Ton weight, named the Northcliffe Golfing Society, with a “Wanted” notice and caption asking someone to take on “Burden’s Burden”
The Scramble had been rescheduled from its scheduled November date when torrential rain forced the course to be closed just as members were turning up to play.
From the original 68 players that had booked to play, 56 were able to attend the new December booking, with golf on the Blue Course instead of the usual Red Course due to course maintenance.
Unfortunately the revised date meant that Society President Lord Rothermere was away on business but his two sons, Vice-President Vere Harmsworth and younger brother Alfred were there to bid Garth farewell.
It was the first time that the Scramble had been played on the Blue Course with 14 teams spread around the various tees enabling a shot-gun start.
Despite all the recent heavy rain that caused the earlier postponement, the course was in great condition and there were some amazing scores from the 14 teams who were competing for the coveted Centenary Cup, presented to the Society in 2010 by North Foreland Golf Club.
The North Foreland team from Broadstairs, home in Kent of the founder of the Northcliffe Golfing Society, Lord Northcliffe in 1910, with its cliff top course and lighthouse, were accompanied by former assistant secretary Pauline Warrington, who had been instrumental with Garth in setting up the annual Challenge match between Club and Society.
Champagne was presented to Pauline for her help over the years and to Rosie Gladstone for all her help in organising the prizes that Lord Rothermere provided for the Scramble competition.
Aptly named the “Lighthouse Flashers” North Foreland were again amongst the prizes and didn’t go home empty-handed by laying claim to the famous “Paxo Stuffing” prize, much to the amazement of the usual winning team, the “Paxo Stuffers” of Guy Zitter, Jeff Powell, Geoff Levy and MAC the Daily Mail’s and Mail on Sunday cartoonist.
To cheering and loud applause, they held their prize of the Paxo stuffing with smiles all round after being presented with the boxes by Vere Harmsworth.
Overall winners of the trophy were “Roland around the Christmas Tree” of Roland Agambar, Vere Harmsworth, Captain Nick Stevens and Stephen O’Meara with 54.3 points.
Runners-up were “Omnishambles” lead by Neil Darbyshire with Felix Duckworth, Dan Evans and Brian Viner with 56.4
The very close third from the printing works, the “INK-credibles” with Keith Cottington, Stephen Sharp; Mike Germain and Brian Lamb came close to winning with 56.6
Fourth were “Horses for Courses” team of Ian McIlgorm, David Crump, John Morgan and horse racing expert Laurie Brannan, scoring 58.6
In fifth place came the “Boardroom Bandits” of Alfred Harmsworth, Will Flint, Rupert Harmsworth and Professional golfer Adam Harris with 58.9
Sixth place “The Fore Calling Birdies” of John Tucker, Vice-Captain Barry Theobald, Harry Grindrod and Lee Terry had a very respectful 59.6, just ahead of the “Lighthouse Flashers” Paul Jefcoate, Alan Jessiman, Kevan Skelton and Jerry Buckley with 59.8.
The Vincent Mulchrone Trophy was awarded to outgoing Captain, Nick Stevens, for all his help over the year, with Vice-Captain Barry Theobald taking over as Captain in 2024 with Vice-Captain Joe Marvell.
The “Golfer of the Year” award was won by Ian McGowan for having best overall placings during the year but was unable to attend this year’s Scramble.
Champagne for “Nearest the Pin” on the 1st hole was won by Harry Grindrod; on the 4th hole John Morgan; on the 10th Mike Germain and on the 13 Alex Rosen.
To mark his “retirement” as secretary, Society President Lord Rothermere, arranged for Garth to have a new set of golf Clubs, presented to him by Vere, and a case of wine to Jayne in his appreciation of all their efforts over the past 22 years.
Garth thanked Society Chairman, Vyvyan Harmsworth, for all the years of working together, in particular with making the annual Inter-Company competition such a success over the years. Vyvyan recounted many of the early days of the weekend competition that lead to it becoming the highlight of the Society’s yearly fixtures.
There were 12 winners in the Back the Winner competition, each winning £20.
Lisa Heywood. John Morgan. Vere Harmsworth. Mellissa Underwood. Hayley Barlow. Simon Jones. Craig Fawcett. Ian McIlgorm. Alfred Harmsworth. Lauren Dick. Nick Stevens. Roland Agambar.
Winners should contact Society Treasurer, Will Flint, for either payment of £20 by giving their bank details; a £20 reduction at their next fixture; or donating the £20 to Society Funds.
Over £7,500 was raised towards Society funds and Charity Donation by the Auction, Raffle and Back the Winner.
BACK THE WINNER
The Society’s New Captain, Barry Theobald, has done it again!
For the 3rd year running he has won the Society’s private league in the nationwide “Fantasy Race to Dubai on-line Competition.”
His hat-trick of wins is a remarkable achievement, beating a Society entry list of Northcliffe golfing form experts to win the £50 first prize.
Runner-up Barry Lamb wins £30 and third place Keith Cottington £20.
Words: Garth Burden.
Pixs. David Crump
