Like Mexican Bandidos of old, the “Boardroom Bandits” rode to The Berkshire Golf Club to plunder the prize table of goodies on display for the Christmas Scramble.
They showed their skill at highway robbery by masquerading as novice golfers, out for just a jolly though they wanted to show that last year’s win around the tough RED course was not down to just luck and that they could win the first prize again.
Challenging a field of Northcliffe’s elite golfers including the Society’s first ever team of lady golfers, with the chosen name of the “SlayBelles”; the “Bandits” managed to make it first to the prize table in the hope of carrying off the luxury Christmas Hampers.
But it was too late to make their escape and in a gesture of goodwill, the luxury Christmas Hampers were donated by them to various charities.
Local Sherriff Nick Stevens (Northcliffe Captain) in his report to the local Judiciary said that the Boardroom Bandits had gone close to making off with the Christmas Hampers but had decided it was only fair to hand over their winnings.
The “Omnishambles” team were close in 2nd place; the “Sackfull of Presents” were 3rd” with “Just Tap it in” 4th and the “Weapons of Grass Destruction” 5th. “The 3 Wise Men and the Wiser Woman” claimed the Paxo Stuffing.
Because of the “Bandits” goodwill gesture of the charity donation, officials decided there would be no further action apart from a close revision of handicaps in future and the possible use of handcuffs for the Bandits when playing.
Champagne for The Vincent Mulchrone Trophy, was presented to Deputy Sherriff (Society vice-Captain) Barry Theobald for his help and assistance during the year in maintaining law and order.
Double Champagne was presented to another Deputy Sherriff, Clive Heard for becoming Golfer of the Year in the Order of Merit competition, and then winning the Match Play Final.
For the first time in the history of the Society, there were 7 ladies playing in the Christmas Scramble, and this included one of the “Nearest the Pin” winners, the “Slaybelles” Rosie Gladstone whose tee-shot on the very difficult 10th hole was 8ft from the pin.
Rosie’s team of Clare Vivian, Alexandra Wood and Captain Hayley Barlow rolled the ball into the hole for a marvellous 2.
Later at the prize-giving, Rosie joined other Nearest the Pin winners to receive her prize of a bottle of Champagne.
Keeping close control of the finances were Sherriff deputies Jayne Burden and Lisa Heywood who reported that £380 had been raised for the funds from the “Back the Winner” competition after paying out £240 to 12 winners who had backed the “Boardroom Bandits”. Just over £410 had also been raised in the Raffle.
Bidding in the fund raising auction was almost like the Gold Rush, with auctioneers Vyvyan Harmsworth and Ian McIlgorm, persuading the locals and wealthy landowners to part with nearly £9,000 to be locked away in the Society’s safe for investing towards both future funding of events and a charity donation.
So impressed with the way the Sherriff and his deputies had marshalled the teams, local Mayor decreed there should be another “Scramble” next year during the summer months.
WORDS: Garth Burden
PICTURES: David Crump
Fantasy Golf League.
After 31 weeks of either elation, disappointment or indifference depending on the performance of the chosen golfers, once again Barry Theobald from the Colour Studio tops our Fantasy Golf league.
With £100 in the kitty, Barry wins first prize of £50; Will Flint £30 for not being quite such a good fantasist as Barry with Keith Cottington showing he is definitely not a fantasist in 3rd, winning £20.
Looking forward to next year’s Fantasy Competition already, it really is great fun and keeps you up-to-date with all the weekly golf competitions of the European Tour. You select 6 players who you think will play well with points awarded for where they finish each week. Think it easy? Give it a try when the next competition starts in the New Year.
These are the final positions of those who took part.
