Good afternoon all
I hope you are out enjoying the course, it is getting into fantastic condition just as we enter the season, Chris and his team are doing a great job, keep it up boys!
Lots to tell you about this week, a convincing win in the Scratch League, a surprised winner of the Captain's Platter, another good golfing week for my star pupil, a win at Carnoustie for the juniors and even an encouraging performance by yours truly!
The Captain's Platter
Alan Brooks 36 points
Peter Killick 35 points
Homi Mehta 33 points
Here's what Alan had to say -
"Anyone that has seen me play and particularly chip over the last few months would have either collapsed with laughter or looked away worried it could be catching. Thins, double hits and the dreaded S word were all possible and on one occasion I'm pretty sure there was a treble hit.
My handicap had gone from 11 to 14 and my last Stableford score was 19 points which included a flukey birdie. In short I was miserable and having one of those spells where I wanted to give up. The handicap committee reviewed my results over the past year and offered me a playing increase which, being a buffoon, I stubbornly refused.
Looking for inspiration I booked a lesson with our new Pro Paul Sherman and it has honestly been a mini revelation. He has given me some drills for my swing and a simple tip for my chipping.
I practised the new chipping technique and the drills I was given and despite the fact I still revert to type occasionally I felt very slightly more confident for the Past Captain's Platter. To the surprise of everyone (not least myself) I managed to finish with 36 points and a narrow victory edging out a shocked Peter Killick.
It's still a work in progress and I will have more lessons but if my experience is anything to go by, book early........"
The Scratch League
A convincing performance against a strong Knole Park side saw the scratch team command a convincing 5-2 win, with strong performances from Kent Osborne/Ross Mackie 4&2, John Cakebread/Ben Church 5&3, Steve Butler/Matt Hervey 3&1, Tom Jordan 3&1, and Max Jordan 6&4. Well played boys.
20 of the top teams from UK Independent Schools descended on Carnoustie this weekend to battle for the title of best Independent School. Two glorious days of golf where the weather was kind to the players. This is the second time the National finals have been half at the Open Championship course where we were given a welcome reception from the hotel and course staff.
Day one saw the players take on the Burnside course. After the first days play Wellington, Millfield and Whitgift were all on the same score of 139 (best 2 gross scores from each team of 3 players). A young Birkdale team were 5 shots behind on 144, followed by Haberdashers, Abingdon & Merchiston a few shots off. Individual leaders after the first days play were Edoardo Lipparelli on 68, followed by William Aldred, Jamie Li and George Mullins all with a score of 69. All to play for on the second day's play on the Championship course.
All players and teachers enjoyed a buffet dinner in the Carnoustie Hotel, followed by prize giving for the teachers competition. All teams received their trophies for reaching the national finals.
After a few days of mist rolling in from the sea the final days play on the Championship course saw a glorious day with the sun shining. Players went out in reverse leaderboard order to decide the team and individual winners. Jamie Li from Millfield came in with the best score of the day with a 69, a total 2 day score of 138 taking the individual trophy along with a Galvin Green top and a personalised sterling silver centre belt buckle from Heraldic Gems. Trophies and prizes were also awarded to 2nd place George Mullins (Whitgift) 141, William Aldred (Haberdashers) 141, Harvey Byers (Whitgift) 142 & Edouardo Lipparrelli (Wellington) 142.
All players received Gold, Silver or Bronze medals according to their final standing
The top 3 teams were all within a chance to take the title. Whitgift edged ahead with 2 good scores of 72 to secure the trophy for the first time. Winners last time at Carnoustie, Wellington took the runners up trophy.
Whitgift players (pictured right) George Mullins, Joe Carmody-Firth, Harvey Byers (L-R) all received their trophies, Galvin Green tops and a sterling silver ring each from Heraldic Gems
Vets Spring Meeting
S Dickens (19) 41 points
H Mehta (12) 35 points
B Blackford (11) 34 points
Ladies Lockitt Cup
Dr Manulita Landi kept up her impressive form after last week's hole in one. She shot a nett 75 with the CSS at 77 to win the Lockett Cup by one stroke from Sarah Miller nett 76 and Alieen Kershaw in 3rd with nett 77.
The Kent Open
I played in my first Order of Merit event of the season at Princes this week; the 54 hole Kent Open was played over the Shore/Dunes course. My opening round, (which even surprised me as form of late has been a little unimpressive) contained 6 birdies and 1 bogey to lead with 67 (-5) but a pair of 73's on day two saw me finish 19th out of 128 players. Francis McGuirk was this years champion with scores of 67 70 66.
That's all for is week, I'm off out to practice not shooting 73!
