Letchworth 30th December 2024

31 Epic Members, Friends and Family enjoyed a splendid day’s golf at Letchworth GC. The day was chilly but bright with some sunshine and no rain or snow – not bad for mid-winter. A welcome bacon roll + tea/coffee warmed our souls prior to tackling the amazing course off the yellow tees for the gentlemen and reds for the ladies!!

A Great Day out at Letchworth

As is traditional the team prize was for the best “Waltz” score 1,2,3 – 1,2,3 being the best 1 ,2 or 3 Stableford scores on the holes repeated all the way round, making 72 being the “Par” score for 18 holes. There were prizes for Nearest the Pin, Nearest the Pin in 2, Gentleman and Ladies Guest best score and the EPiC Recessionary Bowl winner.

After Golf everyone enjoyed a warming 2 course meal prepared by the club who as usual looked after us impeccably

After the meal the first trophy was presented to Chris Sunderland who in 2024 at Ashridge became only the 4th member to get a hole in one in the 47 year history of the society. Chris is seen here with the Martyn Rowlands trophy

Incoming Captain presented the prizes for the day as follows

Nearest the Pin on 14 – Steve Davies
Nearest the Pin in 2 on 9 – Guest John O’Dwyer
Waltz Team Winners – Guests – Simon Rose, Martin Hart, Tony Corfield and Franco Noto

The Waltz was won on 88 points from second place at 81, so by some distance!!

Ladies Winner – Yvonne Davies with 33 points from second place 25
Guest Winner – Nick Standon won a very close competition with a magnificent 38 points from Tony Corfield and Simon Rose both with 37
EPiC Recessionary Bowl Winner – Geoff Green wins a 4-Ball voucher and the coveted Rose-bowl with a score of 35 points from next best at 32

That completes the events for 2024!!

The next event is the AGM & Dinner on the 5th February 2025. I look forward to seeing as many members there as possible!!

Trevor Powell

Trevor was a true gentleman and a founder member of the EPiC Golfing Society.

He was a former president of the society and 4 current members, 2 past presidents Ken Adams and Ben Hurworth together with current president Darrell Lewis and secretary Neil Meixner attended his funeral on 19th December 2024.

It was heartening to see that at the age of 95 the crematorium was packed and at the wake many anecdotes were being related.

RIP Trevor

Knock-Out Result

So it came down to the last two holes at Frinton on Sea with Neil Meixner securing a half to cement a 2&1 victory over Oliver Tobin, the defending champion, in the final of the 2024 Knockout.

If you’d like to enter the 2025 Knock-out look out for the invitation from Oliver Tobin who has very kindly offered to administer the event again!! Thank you Oli!!

For details of the progress over the year see below!!

Sandy Lodge – 10th October 2024

We had an early start and a great day out with 26 members and 12 guests making up our number!

The course was in great condition with the ugly weather just about clearing up before the start of play at 9 am.

The early start meant we were all back in time to enjoy a late lunch, have the prize giving and some of us get home before it got dark!!

Prizes for the day were presented by Captain Fiona Watson to the following

In addition Fiona presented trophies to winners from earlier in the year!!

Finally Last Years Captain Rob Seeley presented “Replica Trophies” to the following

The next event is “Family and Friends” at Letchworth Golf Club on Monday 30th December 2024.

Marrakech Tour 2024 – 6th to 9th September

Changing things up for 2024, 14 EPiC members travelled to exotic Marrakech to experience a different kind of tour! We stayed at the all-inclusive Kenzi Club Agdal Medina, nestled amid lush gardens with views of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains – although only hazy glimpses of these were afforded throughout the trip.

3 very different courses were played over the weekend starting at Assoufid, with a unique, naturally undulating desert landscape, then Al Maaden with its unique rectangular pools and custom-made sculptures, finishing at Royal Marrakech with its exceptionally lush, manicured gardens.

We had some very impressive scores with 3 over 40 on the 2nd day, and 14 over 36 overall. Full details can be found HERE  and HERE for the ‘Green Jacket’ competition and daily scores (please remember that as far as possible you cannot win more than one prize on any one day) and of course the match play totals.

Cash prizes were awarded daily and the Captain’s team emerged as clear winners of the match play…..8-0 after 2 days!

Nick Archer was disappointed not to get a prize for his extra efforts in marketing the EPiC society!

Tour Winner – Neil Blundy. The ‘Green Jacket’ was presented by last years’ winner Oliver Tobin who came a close 2nd with only 3 points difference.

Lucky timing – our last 4 ball came in just before the sandstorm!

Arranging a tour is quite a challenge and I’d like to thank all the 2024 tourists for being a great bunch. A special thank you also to last year’s Captain, Rob Seeley for his secretarial assistance.

Report by Fiona Watson 2024 EPiC Captain and Tour Organiser

Harleyford Golf Club

The EPiC Golfing Society had a magnificent day out at the new venue of Harleyford GC near Marlow for Captain Fiona Watson’s Day.

Players and guests met at 12 noon for a bacon roll and tea/coffee prior to a 1 pm first tee on a hot and calm summers day! A rarity this year it seems!!

Shown here the feature hole with lead group Captain Fiona Watson, members James Barrett and Joel Evans with Guest Jamie Wood approaching the green on the 12th hole

The greens were tricky and this was reflected in the scoring which was moderate by the usual standard.

The club treated us regally and provided a great 3 course meal which members and guests alike really enjoyed. The ball sweep overseen by Nick Archer raised over £200 for the British Heart Foundation. Many thanks to all for that!!

After dinner Captain Fiona Watson presented the prizes as follows

Mitesh Patel receives a couple of bottles of wine for nearest the pin on hole 12

Tony Birchett not only receives two bottles for nearest the pin in 2 on 14 but also picks up the Guest prize of £40 + another bottle of wine with 33 points. Well done indeed!!

Guests Alan Mason and Josh Rougham pick up the Team better ball prize!

Proceedings were interrupted as President Darrell Lewis finally receives his Player of the year Cup for the 2023 season from Secretary Neil Meixner.

Finally Matthew Jones receives the Captains Cup with a score of 35 points (Cut 15%). Runner up was Terry Dobbins on 34 points (no prize and Cut 7.5%)

The next event is a 9 a.m. tee off at Sandy Lodge on Thursday 10th October 2024

Berkhamsted – 13th June 2024

Berkhamsted proved to be a real challenge to our golfing technique. It all sounds so easy when you are told that there are no bunkers!! Far from it, you need to be very accurate as venturing even into the semi-rough can result in disaster!!

The weather was to say the least changeable, sunny and warm at times then rainy and cold within minutes!!

23 members and 9 guests braved the testing course and conditions to post a score.

We all enjoyed the Berkhamsted hospitality with a wholesome 2-Course dinner during which the ball sweep netted £320 for the British Heart Foundation. Thanks to all our guests and members alike for their contributions!!

Some managed to return a decent score and prizes were awarded by Captain Fiona Watson as follows:-

Nearest the Pin on 11 – Rob Seeley
Nearest the Pin in 2 on 4 – Daz Bloor
Yellow Ball Winners (L to R Garry Fairbairn, Neil Blundy, Matt Jones and Daniel Myers)

One of only 2 teams to bring back the Yellow Ball!!!

Team Winner – Brendan Conroy and James Flowerdew

James and Brendan won with 38 points in the better-ball competition ahead of no less than 5 teams on 37 points. Very Close!!

Guest Winner – James Flowerdew

James won a tight competition on 31 points ahead of Daz Bloor on 30!!

EPiC Winner – Garry Fairbairn

Congratulations to Garry who recorded a great 35 points in those conditions (Cut by 15% of his WHS) from Tom Swaysland 34 points (18 on the back 9 – Cut 7.5%) and Terry Dobbins (16 on the back 9)

The next event is Captains Day, this year at Harleyford GC on 18th July 2024.

Memorable Moor Park

EPiC enjoyed their traditional season opener at Moor Park on Thursday 18th April.

The course was in tremendous condition considering the rain we have had this winter/early spring!

44 players (26 members and their 18 Guests) took to the course with varying degrees of success.

Moor Park treated us regally as you’d expect and served a great 2 course dinner which all members and guests thoroughly enjoyed!!

Many thanks to Ball Sweep organiser, Malcolm Marshall, and thanks to all we raised over £400 for the British Heart Foundation. President Darrell Lewis gave a short thank you speech after the draw.

After the meal Captain Fiona Watson presented the prizes as follows

Nearest the Pin (and Wine) on 18 – Digby Hebbard
Nearest the Pin in 2 – Paul Tumelty
Team Winners – Chris Anderson and Charlie Adams

Chris and Charlie won with 42 points on countback from both Steve Hurworth and Iain Stevenson and Digby Hebbard and John Somers!!!

Guest Winner – Stuart Black
Spring Cup Winner – Will Evans

Congratulation to Will who not only wins the coveted Spring Cup but a 4-ball voucher for Moor Park and a bottle of wine!! Will returned 36 points (Back 9 19 pts). His handicap is cut by 15% until after the Spring Cup is played for next year and Digby Hebbard also 36 (back 9 17pts) is cut by 7.5% for the same period, Third was Joel Evans who is no doubt grateful that his back 9 was only 16 pts!!

Also presented on the evening, “in loco parentis” for absent 2023 Captain Rob Seeley, by Fiona Watson were

2023 Knockout winner – Digby Hebbard
2023 Captains Cup winner – Darrell Lewis
2023 Cascais Tour winner – Oliver Tobin

The next event is at Ashridge on 15th May 2024.

EPiC Victory v BAGS

The now traditional EPiC v BAGS match took place at the magnificent Ashridge Golf course on Tuesday 16th April 2024. The greens were fast and the competition fierce but friendly. The weather was very kind allowing us to be safely tucking into the great meal provide by the club whilst we watched a massive hailstorm “white-out” the course.

Many thanks to this years Captain Fiona Watson for coming along and encouraging us all off the starting tee.

Pictured here BAGS Captain Miles Wilkinson presenting the BAGS v EPiC Trophy to Jason Wood (playing captain for EPiC), AGAIN!!

Yes, EPiC prevailed for the third year in a row over BAGS 4 games to 2!

Here are the details

Rob Seeley and David Wannerton narrowly lost on the 18th hole, Steve Davies and Neil Meixner won a tight match 3&2, Digby Hebbard and Chris Sunderland were well beaten by some exceptional play 5&4, Darrell Lewis and Matt Jones trounced the opposition by a dog licence (7&6), Martyn Howie and Ro Harper won a tight match 2&1 with Jason Wood and Iain Stevenson bringing home the victory with a 5&3 win in their match.

Congratulations to all.