29 players sallied forth on Thursday 11th August 2022 in the midst of the heatwave to take on the magnificent Saffron Walden Golf Course. By popular agreement the greens were fantastic, quick and difficult to read.
After Golf all present enjoyed a 2 course meal and were extremely grateful the air-conditioning was working perfectly!!
It was almost a year to the day that the committee first met to start Planning the EPICS 45th Anniversary Charity event. It was around that time the two charities for the event were selected. Our President, Ken Adams continuing with Rosie’s Rainbow Fund, which our society has supported so well over the last five years, and our Captain Jason Wood, nominating Haven House Children’s Hospice. Two much deserving organisations.
On the 29th of June 2022, all the planning came to fruition as our society enjoyed a wonderful day at Moor Park Golf Club.
It was an early morning start for some, as the room was set, ‘goody’ bags laid out and the golf shirts, kindly sponsored by Life build Solutions Ltd and ig9 Ltd, were placed into team groupings by the wonderful ladies Ruth Mendis and Jane Adams.
Guests and Members started to arrive from just before 11am, many who had not played Moor Park previously, marvelled at the quality of the club house and welcome from both the EPICS and Moor Park teams. A joyful buzz was quickly created in the room as the member and guest attendance grew and everyone enjoyed the brunch on offer.
Slightly later than anticipated but no one cared, our society President, Ken Adams introduced the day and gave a run down of the agenda. It was at this point that the true meaning of the day was outlined, the need to raise as much money as possible for the two chosen charities. The talk included details of the various prizes on offer, including a car for anyone achieving a hole in one on the 4th. In a slightly surprising diversion from the day, Ken mentioned Steve Barker as the extractor. Bemusement in the room but all was to become clear later in the day!!
Looking resplendent in the sponsored golf shirts, everyone gathered on the front lawn for a group photo. Again, slightly worryingly, Ken asked everyone to turn round for a rear shot before departing to their nominated starting hole.
A shotgun start had been arranged and all golfers were in their tee positions. At 1.30 pm the klaxon sounded and, all but the couple of early starting groups, commenced play in glorious golfing weather. The West course provided a wonderful setting and golfing challenge reflective of the quality of the day. Setting off in a buggy, Ruth and Life Vice-President John Bush provided ongoing refreshments to the golfers throughout their round.
Stories of near misses and hitting golf balls onto tennis courts could be heard as the bar took its fair share of earnings upon golfers returning from their round. It was slightly later than 7.30pm when the dining room was packed as Ken introduced the charity representatives. The room fell silent as Carolyn Mayling (Rosie’s) and Kate Rosenthal (Haven House) gave a brief talk about the work each charity does and the positive impact they have. Each sat down after their talk to rapturous applause in appreciation.
Between each course of the meal, Steven Barker held court as auctioneer on gifts donated by various attendees and members of the committee. It quickly became clear that the attendees were keen to raise as much money as possible with some fantastic bids on auction items. Golf vouchers and tickets for Tottenham games raising particularly high values. As Steve prepared for his climax of the auction, he was suddenly approached by our President Ken, who quickly dropped to his knees. It was at that point the room gasped fearing that Ken’s earlier reference to extractor was about to be revealed. Showing his experience of reading rooms, Steve quickly backed away and the room once again settled. The final auction prize for a 3 ball at Wentworth was highly valued and bids increased rapidly. As the bidding concluded, one of our main sponsors, Franchi, kindly stated two vouchers would be available so the top two bidders had both been successful in their efforts.
The final part of the evening was the presentation of the trophy, vouchers and wine to those who had been nearest the pin on the various par three’s, nearest the pin in two and the runners up and winners in both individual and team competitions.
Nearest the Pins were, on 2nd Ann Tomkins, 4th Jason Wood, 6th Suzanne Biscoe, 9th Iain Stevenson and nearest the Pin in 2 on 17th was Martin Gibson.
Winner of the guest prize and nearest the pin on 13 was Ian Harwood with a magnificent 43 points
Winner of the coveted Finlinson Cup for the best EPIC score was Terry Dobbins on 38 points (Cut 2) from Captain Jason Wood on 37 points (Cut 1).
Team Winners were The Diales Drivers entered by Chris Sunderland on 94 points (Best 2 scores from 4) from Knight Harwood entered by Ian Harwood on 90 points
Scoring had kindly been collated by Mark Beer and demonstrated the hotly contested competition for the prizes.
Our thanks go to everyone who was part of this day. In particular, however, we must mention the committee who devoted extensive time and commitment to delivering this event, to Moor Park for being wonderful hosts and to all our sponsors who helped raise a fantastic amount of money for the charities, EH Smith and Franchi for being the main sponsors for the event. Special thanks also to those who dug deep and bought the auction prizes. The list could go on and on but to everyone who played a part in this day, you can be immensely proud and know that somewhere, in their time of most need, our fund raising will help make things that little bit better for a child and their family.
Congratulations all on a magnificent £22,000+ raised for our two charities Rosie’s Rainbow Fund and Haven House.
Let’s do it again in 5 years’ time!!
Report by Captain Jason Wood
Ashridge was in magnificent condition for our visit this year!
We brought the timing forward from the end of June to mid-May this year to accommodate the Moor Park Charity Event and the Rhododendrons were in full flower as a result making the course even more picturesque than usual. Many thanks to all at Ashridge who once again looked after us brilliantly!!
25 members and 11 guests attended and thoroughly enjoyed the buffet lunch, 18 fantastic golf holes and the delicious 3 course meal afterwards.
After dinner the prizes were allocated, but first Digby Hebbard who couldn’t stay on at Bishops Stortford was presented with the Captains Cup he won there!
Next Up the Winners of the Nearest the Pin and Nearest the Pin in 2
The Team Prize was hotly contested and won on count-back by Jarlath Rooney and David Wannerton with a magnificent better-ball stableford score of 45 points from one other team and by a single point from 2 other teams!!
The guest Prize was also well contested with Richard Hodgetts prevailing on count-back from Russel Storey both with 39 points.
The coveted Spring Cup was scooped by runaway winner and new member Geoff Green on 43 points (Cut 2) with second place to an excellent if distant Andrew Hardy on 39 points (Cut 1)
Well done to all!!
Captain Jason Wood welcomed 20 members and their 10 guests to a chilly but dry Bishops Stortford on Thursday 28th April for the first of our events for 2022.
We enjoyed ham, egg and chips before golf, 18 holes and a great 2-course dinner afterwards. The course was in great condition and although there were some alterations due to extensive improvements underway on the course everyone had a thoroughly good time!!
All the prizes, presented by Jason Wood, were well contested with the Team Prize going to Ken Adams and Matthew Jones with 44 points just pipping Neil Blundy and Aaron Hughes on count-back.
Nearest the Pin was 2 yards from the hole and won by David Wannerton
Nearest the Pin in 2 was awarded to Roger Smith
The Guest Prize was scooped up by Drew Norman on 38 points from Alistair Cull on 36.
Two members went head to head for the coveted “Captains Cup” with Digby Hebbard (Cut 2) winning out on count-back from James Barrett (Cut 1) both on 37 points. Unfortunately Digby couldn’t stay for the presentation so in time honoured fashion the Cup will be presented to Digby at the next event.
Congratulations to new member Jarlath Rooney who walked off with the Presidents Cup!!
12 members and 7 guests played Abridge Golf Club on a chilly but dry autumnal day. The course played well despite being a bit wet and suffering from some extensive earthworks which I’m sure will improve the playing conditions even further if the future.
All enjoyed a Bacon Roll on arrival, 18 holes and a very filling 3-course dinner.
Guest Paul Lewis (also the photographer for most shots)
won the Nearest the Pin with Rob Seeley taking the Nearest the Pin in 2 on 18.
The team prize was very closely contested with 2 teams on 39. 2 on 40 and 2 on 41 points with Michael Salmon and David Wannerton narrowly taking the money!!
Seen here receiving the prize from Captain Iain Stevenson!!
The Guest Prize was secured by Robin Harkins on a magnificent 36 points
The Presidents Cup was presented through gritted teeth by Iain Stevenson on 37 points (Cut 1) who lost on last 6 count-back to Jarlath (Cut 2) 
You missed a treat if you weren’t there!! Here is a picture of the clubhouse coming up the 18th!!
A great course and company. Dyrham Park looked after us magnificently and a good time was had by all. (as can be seen from the photos to follow!!
Thanks to all who attended and contributed to the ball sweep which generated £250 for our charity Rosie’s Rainbow Fund.
As a precursor to the main prize-giving, Neil Blundy (2019 Captain) presented the outgoing Autumn Cup winner Michael Trott with his replica trophy from 2 years ago.
Nearest the Pin and Nearest the Pin in 2 were both won by guests namely Mario Phylacto 
and Ian Cunningham
respectively!!!
The scoring was close in all other categories was very close in the team with 4 teams on 43 points narrowly missing out to Matthew Jones 
and Bryan Casemore on 44 points. Both Bryan and James Barrett won other prizes so the other winning team prize went to James’s playing partner Chris Sunderland (not pictured as he had to leave early!!). They were second in the team on countback!!
So the winner of the guest prize on 36 points was Bryan Casemore.
Congratulations to him
Three players achieved a creditable 35 points – 2nd and Cut 1 was Delwyn Jacobs (21 Back 9), 3rd – Michael Trott (17 Back 9) and 4th John Biscoe (14 Back 9).
The Autumn Cup winner this year was new(ish) member James Barratt with 36 points (cut 2)
Congratulations to James.
The next event is at Abridge on Thursday 14th October 2021
This years Tour to Southport taking in Royal Birkdale, Formby Hall and Hesketh was a great success with 20 players taking part. As you can see the weather at Hesketh was magnificent, but I get ahead of myself!!
Nearly all foregathered at the Vincent Hotel on Thursday evening and partook in the customary fitness and mental machinations prior to the first day at the magnificent Royal Birkdale.
Birkdale was in magnificent condition and their hospitality was second to none.
The winner of the Day was Michael Salmon with 33 points on countback from John McMenamin with Gareth Sheppard 3rd with 17 on the Back 9 on countback from Neil Blundy, Martyn Howie and Robert Seeley. Front 9 Winner was John McMenamin, with 18 winning on countback with 13 points on the last 6 from Martyn Howie, Robert Seeley and David Wannerton all with 12 on the last 6. Back 9 Winner was Neil Meixner with 18 points as Michael Salmon has already won a prize. NPx2 was Gareth Shepherd and the NP was handed down to Neil Blundy as he was 4th over all and Michael Salmon has already won a prize. The team score was 1.5 points to the Captain’s team and 3.5 to the Vice’s!
Day 2 saw us play the rather disappointing Formby Hall where the service and organisation were absolutely awful! However we stayed dry and some had an excellent round
Winner on the day Oliver Tobin 33pts on count back – 16 on the back 9, Front 9 Ben Hurworth 21 pts and Back 9 Steve Haley 17 points. NP Stewart Kirkwood AKA Alvin and NPx2 Gareth Shepherd for the second time in two days!! The Vice’s team extended their team score lead after day 2. The scores were 3.5 points to the Captain’s team and 6.5 to the Vice’s!
Day 3 dawned sunny and warm and we played Hesketh, a great parkland/links course just north of Southport.
Final Days Winners were – NP Oliver Tobin and NP in 2 Neil Meixner, Front 9 Ben Hurworth 22pts, Back 9 Neil Blundy 21 pts both and Day 3 Winner Steven Barker with 42 points and 22 on the back 9.
So to the overall results in the individual. Third over three rounds was Iain Stevenson with 96 points, Second Neil Blundy 99 points and The Green Jacket Winner and therefore the new holder of the Claret Jug Ben Hurworth with 103 points. Well done Ben!!
The team score was very closely fought on the final day with the Vice’s Team prevailing over the Captain’s by 10.5 points to 9.5 Points. Jason Wood (Vice Captain) presented an engraved whiskey glass to all his team winners as a memento of the weekend.
A great time had by all!!
What a great day we all had at Ashridge – Perfect weather – The course in the best condition we’ve ever seen (albeit the rough was extreme), great company and the food and service provided by the club was first class.
A belated presentation was made to Digby Hebbard of the Replica Trophy of his “Player of the Year 2019” success delayed because of you know what!!!
Next Up was Oliver Tobin who won the nearest the pin in 2 on the 9th
Not present but winner of the nearest the pin on 16 was guest James Barrett
The Yellow Ball team was due to various shenanigans performed by the scorer to ensure no-one got more than one prize was won by Chris Sunderland, Rob Cowup (not in the picture), Jason Wood and Ashley Pratt the latter two selected on merit from elsewhere!!
So Matt Jones and David Kavenagh (not picured here), who were part of winning yellow ball team and only one of two teams to bring back their yellow ball – but couldn’t win two prizes, won the best team score from two other teams on 44 points having 23 points on the back 9 from 22 and 20 respectively!!
The Major prizes now with Phil Bowyer winning the Guest Prize with a great score of 36 (19 on the back) points from Ashley Pratt also 36 (16 on the back) and Nigel Anderson on 35
So to the Winner of the Finlinson Cup – Seen here presented by Captain Iain Stevenson was Steve Hurworth on 36points playing off WHI 7 (Cut 2) from Matt Jones on 35 (cut a further 1)
Some great Golf played and some not so great but a very enjoyable day.
Remember to have 23rd September and 14th August in your diary as these are the next two EPIC Events
We were very well looked after at Burhill on Wednesday 26th May 2021
The weather was fine considering how bad May has been this year and the course was in great nick although playing long due to the lush fairways. Altogether a great test of golf!!
Before golf we were treated to a substantial ploughman’s lunch and after golf and foregathering in the Honours Bar we repaired to the dining area for a splendid meal and prizegiving.
Without going into the intricacies of the scoring system (designed to limit any individual to a single prize) the results were as follows.
A reminder that we are at Ashridge on 23rd June 2021 so get it in the diary and sort out your guests.
