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Abridge

We thought we’d get away with a dry day! How wrong we were!!!! Although it started well there was some torrential rain for all on the front 9. The course was very wet anyway after record rain in early October.

Abridge Golf Club were absolutely fabulous at catering for us during these Covid times!! We were treated to a great meal in pleasant surroundings organised so well that at times one forgot we were in the middle of a pandemic!! Many thanks to the staff.

The Ball sweep added £325 to the Rosie’s Rainbow Fund coffers. Thank you all.

Scoring was excellent, by some, considering the conditions.

The President’s Cup, for EPIC Members, was won by Matthew Jones on 37 points (Cut 2) who received the trophy form Captain and runner-up Ian Stevenson 35 points (Cut 1)

The Guest Prize was won by Stuart Norris again with a great 37 points

The Team competition was the closest fought with the “Dream Team” of Luke Croll and Jamie Dredge on 45 points narrowly beating two teams on 44 points to snatch the prize.

Charles Gjertsen won Nearest the Pin in 2

Guest Oliver Tobin won Nearest the Pin.

Well done to all our winners

The next event is Letchworth for “Family and Friends” on Tuesday December 29.

Burhill in Glorious Sunshine

A great day out was had by 18 members and 15 guests playing the old course at Burhill, a new venue for EPIC and one I’m sure we’ll return to next year!

A ploughman’s lunch greeted guests and members alike followed by a sort game clinic prior to the main event starting at 1.10 from the first tee.

The short game clinic didn’t seem to assist many players as the scores lay testament to the difficulty of the read and speed of the greens – fast and with some amazing borrows!!

Burhill Golf Club and their staff were magnificent throughout the day and we were treated to a great 3 course dinner in the clubhouse.

We received a complimentary driver from the cancelled  golf tour to La Baule this year and Captain Iain supported by committee elected to raffle that for Ken Adams’s chosen charity Rosie’s Rainbow Trust. The driver was won by guest (soon to be member, we hope) Stewart Kirkwood. The raffle raised an amazing £590, congratulations to all who participated.

Left over from the AGM 2020, the following

Neil Blundy – Last years Captain presented Robert Seeley with his replica trophy for his win at the La Cala Tour 2019

After dinner Captain, Iain Stevenson, presented prizes for Burhill as follows.

Guest Glen Payne – Nearest the Pin
Steven Barker – Nearest the Pin in 2
Suzanne and John Biscoe – Team Prize

The Guest Prize was won by Tony Humberstone playing off 9 with a magnificent 37 points. Tony was unable to stay for dinner.

Iain Stevenson (2nd on 34 points and losing to) Gavin Tuck presented the Captains’ Cup to him having lost on count-back!!!  Well done Gavin Cut 2 and bad luck Iain Cut 1!!

Thanks to all who attended and a reminder that we hope to keep the event at Abridge 15th October 2020 live following HMG’s latest Covid changes. More later!!!

 

 

Addington 2020

Well that didn’t quite work out as planned.

Thanks to all who attempted to play the Addington last week and hats off  to those who completed the course despite the deluge.

We are sure that we will be able to rearrange at a later date and watch this space for an update on what we propose to do re money received.

Members why not book for Burhill. See members section, WhatApp or the email sent on 19-08-20.

2020 AGM – Percy and Founders – 13th February 2020

25 members attended the AGM and enjoyed a great dinner on 13th February.

You can read the minutes at Minutes of AGM 2020

After the AGM the presentations were as follows.

Captain Neil Blundy presents trophies to Digby Hebbard – “Player of the Year” and Rob Seeley – “Jubilee Cup Winner for the 2019 Tour to La Cala”.  Also unavailable on the night  Michael Trott winner of the “Autumn Cup” on 40 points. All proved difficult to see in the picture!!!

 

 

Jason Wood received the Spring Cup for his 36 points at Moor Park

 

 

 

 

 

John Biscoe scored a creditable 33 at the Buckinghamshite to secure the Captain’s Cup

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Anderson came in with a magnificent 38 points round the challenging Ashridge GC to secure the Finlinson Cup

 

 

 

 

Joel Evans scored an outstanding 39 points to take home the Presidents Cup from the well presented Abridge GC.

 

 

 

 

Neil Meixner won the Recessionary Bowl for the second year in a row with 35 points mainly because he was the only member who bothered to turn up!! Not true quite there were 6 others!!

 

 

 

John Bush and Ken Adams presented the Bush Trophy for services to the EPIC Golfing Society to Darrell Lewis

Letchworth – 30th December 2019

What a lovely day and a great course. Despite the huge amount of rain we’ve all had over recent weeks Letchworth Golf Course was in magnificent condition. The sun shone and it actually got quite warm after chilly conditions first thing!!

28 players – but only 7 members experienced this lovely course and had a memorable 2-course late lunch afterwards.

Winners were

Nearest The Pin – Peter Webster                   

Nearest the Pin in 2 – Gary Chisnall             

Guest Winner  – Michael Cronin on 39 points from Peter Webster on 37 and Team Winners – Julian Bunting, Ray Gaughan, Michael Cronin and Brian O’Riordon on 84. Won on countback!!         

Recessionary Bowl Winner and retaining the trophy was Neil Meixner on 35 points playing with a 2 shot penalty off 9  

Well done to everyone who took part and don’t forget to let Neil Meixner know if you want to attend the AGM on 13th February 2020 if you haven’t already confirmed!!

 

SPORTING SPEAKER OF THE YEAR 2019

A message for Ken Adams – Event organiser.

The EPIC Golfing Society had a fantastic networking event at The Brewery on Friday 22nd November.

The guest speakers were Geoff Hurst, Graeme Swann and Will Greenwood, all of which were outstanding. The food, wine and company was first class! Definitely an event to remember and repeat in the future. I am pleased to announce we had 21 attendees which provided a great opportunity to network, which is exactly what EPIC’s is all about. I hope that next year all EPIC members will support this event with greater numbers as I truly believe that all members would benefit from the experience.

Ken Adams 19-12-2019

Many thanks to Ken and Neil Blundy for organising this successful event.

 

EPIC Tour 2020 – La Baule France

A message from your 2020 Captain – Iain Stevenson

Ladies and Gentlemen

Now is the time to commit to the 2020 tour to La Baule – France.

All you need to do is say “Yes” and pay a deposit of £200 by

1st November 2019 to

Account Name Iain Stevenson

Account Nr 84136260

Sort Code 87-37-13

Please put your name as the reference

 

The tour details are below but in a change to previous

  • You don’t need to book flights – It’s done for you
  • We will play the first round on arrival on Thursday so that Sunday will be a morning of recuperation prior to an afternoon flight.

Details

Thursday to Sunday 7th – 10th May 2020  –France – La Baule

 Flights

Thursday 07/05/2020: London, United Kingdom – Stansted (STN) to Nantes, France – Nantes Atlantique (NTE)
Departs 07:30 / Arrives 10:00
Flight number: TBC
Reference: TBCSunday 10/05/2020: Nantes, France – Nantes Atlantique (NTE) to London, United Kingdom – Stansted (STN)
Departs 16:00 / Arrives 16:20
Flight number: TBC
Reference: TBC

Number of passengers: 20

Golf bags carriage included

Yes – Ryanair I’m afraid

Accommodation

Accommodation: Hotel Barrière L’Hermitage La Baule
3 nights / 20 guests / Bed & Breakfast

Check-in: Thursday, 07 May 2020 (after 15:00)
Check-out: Sunday, 10 May 2020 (before 11:00)

10 × Twin (2 occupants) Please advise if single occupancy required but note it will incur an additional cost

Golf

3 rounds on Thursday Friday and Saturday with a chill on Sunday Morning prior to the return flight

Golf: Golf International Barriere La Baule
Thursday, 07 May 2020 at 13:00 (5 tee times)
Golf: Nantes Vigneux
Friday, 08 May 2020 at 11:30 (5 tee times)
Golf: Golf De La Bretesche
Saturday, 09 May 2020 at 10:24 (5 tee times)

Price

£599 Includes Stansted Flights and Golf Club Carriage

Deposit

£200 by Friday 1st November as we have to pay the full cost of all flights when confirming booking

Thanks on behalf of Iain Stevenson

EPIC V BAGS – Close but no Cigar!!

EPIC V BAGS Match – 15th October 2019

9 valiant EPIC players took on the might of the BAGS again this year at the magnificent Thorndon Park near Brentwood.

Captain Neil Blundy lead from the front playing magnificently to secure a half. Rob Seeley narrowly lost to two BAGS members on the 17th. David Wannerton and Charles Gjertson were triumphant, Michael Trott and Jason Wood fought to a gallant half whilst  David Jenkins and Iain Stevenson fought the good fight but finally succumbed.

The final tally BAGS 3 – EPIC 2 – Bad Luck EPIC!!!!

After play we sat down to a magnificent meal and great service from the team at Thorndon Golf Club . Many thanks to them!!

Adrian Peacock (BAGS Captain accepts the Cup from Neil Blundy . Also pictured Ray Gardner – President BAGS and past long time Secretary and Neil Meixner who endured some serious abuse from Neil Blundy regarding his contribution to their half or should we say the “Captain’s Half”

A great time was had by all but we still haven’t won!! Two drawn matches in the 10 years we’ve been trying. Next year Iain Stevenson will lead us to Victory!! When victory comes it will be all the sweeter!!!!!

President’s Cup – Abridge – 26th September 2019

The Presidents Cup was organised earlier this year to help ensure better playing conditions and it worked just, as it rained torrentially the day before and in the morning but by the time we teed off at about 1.30 there was a break in the series of fronts crossing the UK and we all enjoyed a rain-free round. The course was damp in parts but all agreed it played exceptionally well under the circumstances.

20 members and their 13 guests attended!

A lovely meal was enjoyed by all and the ball sweep raised £250 for Rosie’s Rainbow Fund. Thanks to all who attended.

Michael Cronin won Nearest the Pin on 9

Shami Mendis Won Nearest the Pin in 2 on 18

The Team Prize was won by Messrs Steven Davies and Robert Seeley with a magnificent 47 from 3 other scores over 40 points!! Well done.

Guest Winner was Chris Anderson’s Nephew, Daniel Courtney, who in true family tradition should be wearing a sombrero at all times as he stormed to a 44 point win!!! Great golf young man!

The competition for the main trophy, The Presidents Cup was the closest of all the computations as with 38 points and 3rd was Digby Hebbard playing off a 1 shot penalty (if it’s any consolation Digby you’d still have lost on countback!!). However with magnificent scores of 39 points and identical back 9’s, Rob Seeley (cut 1) lost out to President Cup Winner Joel Evans (Cut 2) on last 6 countback.

Congratulation Joel – Great Golf!!

Finally a few reminders

  • The AGM Date is set for 6th February – Details to Follow
  • Ken Adams is organising on 22nd November – Sporting Speaker of the year. For details of the Platinum offer see link –  Sporting Speaker of the Year 2019 Ken Adams is organising a number of tables of 10 for this event at £220+vat per person. Ken is proposing one member and one guest but more guests can be accommodated if early booking is received. Please contact Ken ken.adams@lifebuild.co.uk if you’re interested or email epicgolfsociety@gmail.com and I’ll pass it on to Ken.
  • Finally get Letchworth in your diaries for 30th December for our annual “Family and Friend” Xmas Golfing event. Details Shortly.