Winter Greensomes KO

Well done to John and Christine Cooper, who defeated Sian Soanes and Jeremy Twaits 3&2 in the final of this year's Winter Greensomes Knockout competition. The Coopers played superbly, birdieing the 3rd hole to start a run that saw them reach the turn 4 up, having amassed the equivalent of 30 Stableford points over the nine holes. A brief resurgence from Sian and Jeremy saw them reduce the deficit to 2, but eventually the Coopers sank another birdie, at the 16th hole, to secure the trophy. 
Full details - click here.

John Ives Memorial Trophy

Twenty-eight players (23 men and 5 ladies) competed in the John Ives Memorial Trophy today. This is a four-ball strokeplay event played off 3/4 handicap from the white tees for men. Quite chilly conditions today compared with the past week but still some very good scores returned.
The winners were John Baron & Roger Carter who just pipped Rowland Barnfield & Steve Simm on count-back after both pairs returned nett 65. Third place went to John Butcher & Sian Soanes on 66 followed by three teams on nett 67 - Jason Allum & Mark France, Dave & Jill Warwick and Paul Hickey & John Cooper
Full result - click here.

This is another board competition that counts towards the individual Order of Merit. After today's result, Dean Butler still holds a narrow lead over Ofer Ben-David and Jack Unsworth. Christine Cooper is the highest placed lady in 4th place. Latest standings - click here.

Today's competition unfortunately highlighted yet again a common problem with checking scorecards.
At the end of the round before handing in your card, it is imperative that you check the GROSS scores against each hole and particularly in four-ball that the correct gross scores are recorded against the player who actually had that score. It only takes a couple of minutes after the round.
Don't just agree a total nett score or total Stableford points with your marker and assume everything else must be correct. The administrator processing the cards is really only interested in GROSS scores. You cannot be disqualified for adding up your scores or points incorrectly, but you will be penalised if the gross scores are not correct.

Seniors 123 Waltz Stableford

Today's competition for the seniors was a Waltz 123 Stableford with nine teams of 3 taking part. The winners were the team of Al Drennan, Steve Thompson & Bob Stevenson with a score of 88pts. Runners-up were Tommy Lees, Sam Whiting & Harry Jackson on 86pts followed by Derrick Perrin, Jan Hinks & Monty Norman on 82pts. Full result - click here.
Jan Hinks kindly donated 4 bottles of wine to celebrate her birthday (21 again - I think!?). The lucky recipients were Ted Fitzsimons, Allan Trotman, Richards Cross and Malcolm Passey.

April 9-Hole Stableford

This year's first 9-hole Stableford qualifier was played on Tuesday 23rd April with five players taking part. The winner was Scott Holland with 22pts followed by Aubrey Phillips on 20pts and Christine Cooper in 3rd place on 19pts. Full result - click here.

April Junior Medal

A poor entry for the April Junior Medal with only two participants. Josh Wallin was the victor with an excellent gross 74 (nett 68). Michael Sopp was the runner-up. Full details - click here.

Seniors Fourball Strokeplay

The competition for the seniors today was a fourball strokeplay event played off 3/4 handicap. With a strong wind blowing, scoring conditions were not easy but luckily we didn't have to endure any rain!!
The winners today were Bob Stevenson & Brian Grace with a score of 68. Runners-up were Paul Tebbutt & Ted Fitzsimons who just pipped Jan Hinks & Brian Faithfull on count-back after both returned 69. Fourth place went to John Day & Colin Cox on 70. Full result - click here.

Seniors vs Bishopswood

Today's guests in a friendly match at the racecourse were the seniors of Bishopswood Golf Club. Twelve players from each club played in six better-ball matches to decide the winners. In pleasant but windy conditions the matches were very tight with the Racecourse just coming out on top by a single point (3 1/2  - 2 1/2). The longest drive was won by John Day and the nearest-the-pin prize went to Brian Faithfull. Afterwards, all enjoyed an excellent two-course meal in the clubhouse. The team from the racecourse were Brian Faithfull, Roy Whiting, Tommy Lees, Chris Piper, Derrick Perrin, Richard Hook, Jim Green, Al Drennan, John Day, Tom Wallin, John Butcher and Paul Tebbutt.

Thanks from Bob

A big thanks from Bob Stevenson to all those who attended the funeral and wake of his mum Pat Stevenson yesterday. A collection on the day raised £295 for Help For Heroes.
Thank-you one and all.

Carole Scott Cup

The Carole Scott Cup was played today after having been postponed during March due to bad weather. Better conditions today except for the unlucky later starters who had to endure some rain for the latter part of their rounds. A tough day off the whites for the men but some very good performances nevertheless.
Today's winner was Ofer Ben-David with an excellent 39pts which included two "blobs" on the front nine! Runner-up with a solid 37pts was Dean Butler who just beat young Andrew Mead on count-back. The best place lady was Fay Unsworth in a creditable 6th spot with 36pts.
Full result - click here.

This is another board competition that counts towards the Order of Merit trophy. Following today's result, Ofer Ben-David joins Jack Unsworth at the top of the leader board on 13pts closely followed by Dean Butler (12pts) and Josh Wallin (10pts). Full listings - click here.

April Weekday Stableford

Eight players (7 men and 1 lady) registered for the April Weekday Stableford on Thu 11th/Fri 12th April. The winner on countback was Christine Cooper who just pipped Steve Simm after both carded 37pts. Third place went to Scott Holland on 35pts. Full result - click here.

Summer Medal Aggregate Competition

Following the interest and success of the Winter Medal Aggregate competition, the committee have decided to introduce a similar competition for the summer medals. As before, there is no entry fee to pay. The winner will be the player with the best four aggregate nett scores in the medals from March to October inclusive. For the winning player, the prize will be free entry to the following competitions: Nov, Dec, Jan & Feb medals, October Fourball, November Greensomes, Turkey Trot and Wendy Seymour Texas Scramble.
For the latest standings following the March and April medals - click here.

Summer KO's

I know there's still not too many signs of summer just yet but, the draws for the Summer KO competitions have now been made. They will be on the notice board at the club at the weekend. Meanwhile, you can view them here ...
Summer Singles KO
Summer Fourball KO
Summer Foursomes KO

Seniors RNLI Stableford

The first seniors "major" competition of the year was played today with thirty-five players (31 men and 4 ladies) competing in this Stableford event off 7/8 handicap. Conditions once again were favourable particularly later in the round when the sun said a welcome "hello"!!
It is normal for the scoring to be very close in this competition and today was no exception with only five points separating the top twenty places. As you can guess from that, the result was decided on count-back with the back 9 crucial for the top four players who all scored 37pts. The winner was Raymond Bilton followed by Rod Spring then Roy Whiting and Allan Trotman.
Full result - click here.

Jim Green presenting trophy to Raymond Bilton

April Medal

I'm so happy to report that, despite the early frost this morning, the weather conditions for today's PGA Pro-Am Qualifier medal were excellent. I even saw some short shirt sleeves out there today!!
Twenty-six players competed for today's medals so the field was divided into two divisions including the ladies who didn't have quite enough players for a separate medal.

Division 1
The runaway winner in the top division today winning his third medal in the last four outings was the in-form Mark Richardson with an excellent score of nett 63. Mark also tied for the lowest gross of today with Josh Wallin on 75. This win earns Mark the chance to play in the PGA Pro-Am. Runner-up with another great score, and the best lady today was Sam Whiting on nett 67. Third place went to Jon Miller just one shot behind Sam. Full result - click here.
 
Division 2
More good scores in division 2 with Roger Carter leading the way winning his second medal on nett 66. Paul Tebbutt was the runner-up on nett 69 and the lowest gross in div 2. Third spot went to Sian Soanes with a level nett 71. Full result - click here.

Two's
There were three 2's registered today. Jon Miller (14th), Rowland Barnfield (11th) and Paul Tebbutt (11th). This was a double roll-over for the 2's competition, so today's April Fool was Paul Tebbutt who, for the first time ever, stupidly forgot to enter the 2's competition (Muppet!).

Owen Millennium Trophy
This is the second counting medal towards the Owen Millennium competition (best 4 gross scores from the 8 medals between March and October). Josh Wallin still leads the way on 155 closely followed by Mark Richardson on 158 and John Day on 164. Full details - click here.

Seniors April Medal

Thirty players braved the cold again today for the Seniors Medal. I won't mention the weather again but suffice to say nobody has been brave enough to get the shorts out yet!!!
The men's section was dominated by an excellent round from last months medal winner John Day who carded a nett 68 and recorded the lowest gross of the day - 76. Runner-up was Ofer Ben-David (73) followed by Derrick Perrin in third place one stroke further back.
Full result - click here.
For the ladies, Jan Hinks followed on from her successes in December and January to pick up another ladies medal win with a score of nett 72. Linda Vale was the runner-up with a nett 77. Full result - click here.

The new seniors eclectic started with today's round and runs from April until June. Click here for the latest details.

Patricia Stevenson

More sad news to report I'm afraid. Bob Stevenson's mum, Patricia, sadly passed away on Monday 1st April at 12:45. She died peacefully aged 85 years old at Royal Berkshire having been ill for some time.
Many of our older members may remember Patricia who was a member at Newbury Racecourse for a short time and previously ladies captain at Donnington Valley in the early days of the club. Her husband Jim still has a competition named after him at Donnington Valley.
The funeral for Patricia will be held on Monday 15th April 11:15 at West Berks crematorium and afterwards at Snelsmore House, Donnington Valley from 12:30 onwards. Bob would like to invite any friends who wish to attend.

April Fool Texas Scramble

A disappointing field for this year's April Fool Texas scramble with only seven teams braving the bitter easterly wind. A number of people are away at the moment in warmer climes and who can blame them. Did I mention how cold it was today??!!
Even with a small field, that doesn't diminish the performance of the winners today, Fay Unsworth, Dave Warwick & Allison Holmes, who knocked it round in an excellent gross 66 to post a score of 57.6. Not far behind were runners-up Paul Hickey, John Cooper & Christine Cooper on 58.6 followed by John Baron, Jason Allum & John Day with a score of 60.6. Full result - click here.
Many thanks to everyone who entered today's competition and completed their rounds.

March Junior Medal

Only four juniors competing in this month's Junior Medal played yesterday - and only two finished!! Not surprising really in this weather!! Jack Unsworth was the winner with an excellent nett 70 and the lowest gross of 74. Andrew Mead was the other finisher and runner-up on nett 76. Full result - click here.
The Junior Masters continues with Jack Unsworth so far holding a narrow advantage at the top from Andrew Mead. Full details - click here.