Category: Golf days

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.

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

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

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

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!!!

 

 

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!!

 

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!!!!!

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.

What a scorcher!! 38 DegC.

The Buckinghamshire stood in for our traditional visit to Sandy Lodge as the latter was undertaking maintenance and couldn’t guarantee the whole course would be open. Their loss as we had the most magnificent days golf and barbecued into the evening on the terrace of this great golf course.

Despite the extreme heat there were some great scores! But first for a great round rewarded with far too few points Michael Salmon picks up the wooden spoon.

Next Up winner of the Nearest the Pin our Vice-CaptainIain Stevenson.

Winner of the Guest Prize and Nearest the Pin in 2

Steven Hurworth.

Team Winners

Bandits Joel Evans and Steve Davies (and Joel gets 2 shots back after this as he was defending Autumn Cup Winner)!!!

Winner of the prestigious Autumn Cup making his debut as a member was Michael Trott with 40 points (Cut 2) from Mark Beer 36 points (Cut 1)

Thanks to our Captain Neil Blundy for presenting the prizes so magnificently and congratulations to all our winners and hope to see all our members at the new course (to us) of Abridge GC on 26th September.

Look it up, it’s a great course and deserves a full turnout.

Ashridge was playing at its absolute best for our visit this year even if the weather wasn’t quite as warm as predicted.

The scores reflected the benign conditions and the receptive greens. Please visit the members area of the website to see the Scores after 3 events

23 Members and 14 Guests had a great buffet lunch, enjoyed the beautifully presented golf course and devoured an excellent 3-course dinner.

Prizes were presented by Captain Neil Blundy  and the recipients were well distributed amongst the assembled masses!!!

How the mighty have fallen. From winner of the Autumn Cup last year to – Well not quite such a great score – Joel Evans picked up the wooden spoon – He doesn’t seem too disappointed!!

Steven Barker won the Nearest the Pin on 16 – I hear that the golf ball didn’t get more than 3 ft off the ground – Great shot Steven!!!!!  Winners of the Yellow Ball Competition on 39 Points, thanks partly to a magical birdie on the 9th for 4 points by guest Gerald Katseff and some general dovetailing, were the aforementioned with David Jenkins and Neil Meixner They looks as though they’re enjoying themselves!!!!

The Team Prize was the most hotly contested prize with three teams tying on 45 points. Winning out on countback, from Andrew Wiseman/Simon Marettwere and Ian Stevenson/John Biscoe, were Richard Hutchinson and his guest Stefan Spicer

Steven Barker’s Guest Tony Burchett picked up the guest prize with a magnificent 39 points

The coveted Finlinson Cup was won on countback, from new member George Skinner (cut 1), by Chris Anderson (cut 2). Congratulations to George who must be commended for his honesty as he had been cut over the weekend by his club to 11 and most importantly to Chris who labouring under a 2 shot penalty for coming second twice within the last year has finally picked up a trophy!!!! Well done to Chris. 

Thanks to all our members and guests who as usual made the Ashridge event special.

The next event is at Sandy Lodge on 25th July 2019. Let’s have a great turnout for this one. Members will receive the attendance application form via email and in the members section of the website.

 

 

What a day on a magnificent course. Great weather, company and food.

16 Members and 12 Guests attended and enjoyed this great course in the best of weather.

Darrell Lewis won nearest the Pin, whilst guests Steve Mole and Paul Dickson (41 points) narrowly lost to Member Chris Anderson and his guest Chris Tweedie (43 points Better-Ball Score). Congrats to the Chris’s, a great score on this challenging course.Guest Winner by some way was Paul Dickson (36 points) from Steve Mole (31 points)Winner of the coveted   Captains Cup was John Biscoe (33 points – cut 2) who despite some banter from our Captain about legitimacy of handicaps etc accepted the Cup with good grace. Runner up (AGAIN) Chris Anderson (32 points). Cut one for the second time in a year. Better luck next time!!!!

Next up ASHRIDGE on 26th June 2019.

Something exceptional happened at Moor Park this year a hole-in-one by Jason Wood. Only the third in Epic History. Congrats to Jason who joins Steven Barker and Martyn Rowlands in  that “Hall of Fame”.

It happened on the 12th which as we all know is the notoriously difficult (Uphill, 197 yds off the yellows and SI 4) par 3. 

Jason hit a 3-Wood and of course Jason knew it was a good shot but he couldn’t see the hole from the tee!!!! What a surprise to find it in the hole. 5 Stableford points was a bonus!!

Jason also managed to keep his game going after such excitement and added the Spring Cup to his trophy cabinet with 36 points (Cut 2) from Digby Hebbard 35 points (Cut 1). He looks pleased with himself doesn’t he!!

Members Digby Hebbard and Iain Stevenson won the Nearest the Pin in Two and Nearest the Pin respectively and Guest Lee Compton and Neil Meixner picked up the Team Prize .

Congratulations to all the winners.

The year ended at West Herts where we held our traditional “Family and Friends” event. The greens were magnificent and the layout challenging. The fairways were suffering from the after-effects of the long hot summer which made play all the more difficult. 31 players (11 members and 20 Family & Friends) attended and enjoyed the day which concluded with a late lunch/early dinner of Steak and Kidney Pie followed by Bread and Butter Pudding. A few more calories to add to the Christmas fare!!!

“Family and Friends”  Jeff Cowup and Yvonne Davies won the Nearest the Pin and Nearest the Pin in 2 respectively, whilst the “Waltz” team prize was  secured by Chris Anderson with guests Dave and William Stranders and John Stanley with a magnificent 92 points some 8 points ahead of their nearest rivals.

William Stranders (42) won the guest prize from Phil Rex on 38.

The Recessional Bowl was won by Neil Meixner (38) – Cut 2, from Joel Evans (36) – Cut 1.

Well done to all.

Wishing you all a prosperous New Year!!

Neil Meixner – Secretary