Organisers Report 

The MIchaelmas Trophy - Eat Horton Golf Club 18th September 2025

Captains Report 

The Presidents Trophy - Calcot Park Golf Club 18th June 2025

Hi chaps

A quick update following our visit to Calcot on Wednesday

Only fifteen played, many others having to decline for various reasons and I offered apologies for absence on behalf of our President and Sean, with an update following his wife’s operation.

It was my first visit to this venue as it was to most others and in my speech following the golf I think I echoed everyone’s opinion on a very nice course but the most demanding greens we probably come across

Think that  was what eventually proved the stumbling block with scores generally well below par, nobody playing to their handicap and only two above thirty points. Scoring would have also been effected by the heat, if it had been anticipated maybe we wouldn’t have chosen Steak and Kidney Pie

However at the end of the day all those attending enjoyed the outing and The Presidents Trophy was won by Andy, our seasoned semi professional

Thanks must be recorded to Tony for not only the original organisation but also acting as Match organiser on the day and we hope that we can welcome back Sean to our next venue, Cumberwell Park where there is the option of either 18 or 27 holes

Looking forward to seeing as many as possible then

Regards to all

Ray

Captains Report 

The Captain's Cup - Ashley Wood Golf Club 20th May 2025

Hi all

First off thank you to all those who supported the day at my own Golf Club, and those who couldn’t come because of prior engagements.

We were blessed with good weather and I hope those attending enjoyed the course, in spite of the crows digging up the fairways looking for leatherjackets, and I thought our caterers did us proud with an excellent meal

No one made hay on the course with regard to scoring, testimony to our greenkeepers who continually provide a decent test of ability, but of course there were our usual winners on the par threes, Adam with the longest drive I think I have ever seen on the 14^th, and our overall winner Brian Mellor who will be cut regardless of the fact he didn’t play better than his handicap. Don’t blame me for that I don’t make the rules, I only obey them, so only maybe our  continued thanks to Tony and Sean for the effort they put in on our behalf. What would we do without them.

Our next outing is to Calcot Golf Club on the outskirts of Reading on 18^th June when we hope to continue with a great turnout which has been the norm so far this season, I look forward to playing there for the first time and with whoever Tony decides, the intention is that I will get the opportunity to play with every member at some time during the year.

Happy golfing all

Regards

Ray

Captains Report 

The David Randall Trophy - Test Valley April 24th 2025

What a good turnout again at Test Valley last week and I trust all enjoyed the course, the weather and those in their group.

I certainly did even if my golf could not match theirs

Thanks have to go to Tony for the day, not only in the original organising but acting as match secretary in Sean’s absence.

Sean sent his best wishes from “maybe” sunny Lake district

The day of course is not complete without the Randall family and we hope that Bob and the others continue to grace us with their presence for a long time to come

Prizes were awarded on all par threes, nearest in two over the lake and thanks to the way the fairway was set up we could have longest drive and straightest on the eighteenth

Well don all those who took away a prize.

The main event had scores of the course for both guests and members

For the guests Bob Randall came second with 35 points and the winner on 40 Paul Whitlock

For the members in third Ian Carruthers with 37, second Carl Ross with 38 and one point ahead on 39 our winner Nic Artiss who was presented with the new David Randall Trophy by Bob who had kind words to say before we all went off home

This email goes to a few we haven’t had the pleasure of their company for some time and maybe we might see them sometime later this year, if however they have moved away or given up golf please let Tony know

Our next outing is to my home club Ashley Wood on 20^th May and I hope for another good turnout when we will entertain you royally

Swing well

Regards

Ray

Competition Secretary Report 

AGM Texas Scramble 3rd December 2024 - Tidworth Golf Club

Hello everyone,

Great to see so many of you at the AGM, thank you for your support and throughout the year.

The Tidworth AGM in December is the start of the new year 2025 season and it saw 16 players set out on the annual Texas Scramble, teams pulled from the hat by our President Peter Quilliam. For a change we had a clear, slightly chilly but not too bad for early December, day and the course was in excellent condition. 

Please see below for the results of the day.

We had five nearest the pins :-

On the 2nd :- Tony Ford

On the 5th :- Ray Wakeman

On the 11th :- Martin Hollis

On the 13th :- Sean Canham

Nearest the pin in twp on the 7th :- Robbie Robison

Well done to  the winning team and the individual winners above.

Congratulations also to Andy Evans who took the player of the year Award and to Andy Evans, Robbie Robison and Nic Artiss who were all joint tied on the Hot Chipper Competition with 2 apeice.

Looking forward to seeing you all next year when our first event is likely to be held at Salisbury & South Wilts in early March. 

See you all then,

Sean

Competition Secretary Report 

AGS Hamptworth Golf Club 12th August - the Mid Summer Salver

Ashley Wood Golf Club - May 22nd 2024

Hi folks

I have to say another successful outing to Cumberwell Park, some up at the crack of dawn for our usual bacon roll and nine holes on a very interesting and sometimes challenging course

Continuing the form that brought him 25 points on his back nine last time out our morning winner was none other than Martin Hollis on 18 points

Others joined us for a light lunch and the main event over the Blue and Yellow course, somewhat delayed at the start due to traffic problems experienced by those in the match in front of us and which resulted in a delayed dinner, but not spoilt by chef having to hold it back.

For the second time this season I enjoyed the delightful company of Nick Cobb over all 27 holes and I search for the adjective to describe our afternoon companion Andy someone, (suggestions on a postcard please), Our company didn’t deter him as he finished overall winner on 35 points, those following and the others nearest the pin etc are all shown on the results that Shaun puts on our website. One result I am loath to publish is my wooden spoon, couldn’t even manage double figures but did have somewhat of an excuse!!

** Hello all, Sean here. I only put the scores on the Player of the year so here are the results of the various awards from the day on Ray's behalf **

The morning 9-hole Par Three Championship

Wooden Spoon - Mark Collis

1st Place - Martin Hollis - 18 points

2nd Place - Mark Hyson - 17 points

Nearest the pin on the 8th - Nick Cobb

The afternoon - The Presidents Cup

Wooden Spoon - Ray Wakeman - not many!

Guest first prize - David Gray

Par 3 prize - Mark Collis - countback 7 on the back 9

Nearest The Pin - Blue 24th - Sean Canham 

Nearest The Pin - Yellow 16th - Mark Collis

1st Place and Winner of The Presidenst CUp - Andy Evans - 34 points

2nd Place - Carl Ross - 33 points

3rd Place - Tony Ford - 31 points

Our next outing is South Winchester and I am asking or “supposedly” Vice Captain Jerry to stand in for me as I am starting Chemotherapy next Thursday and will be missing for who knows how long, but rest assured it is not currently life threatening and I will be back.

Finally thanks once again to those who make it all happen and I hope you continue to enjoy the friendships generated within this super society

Keep swinging and enjoy your summer

Ray

Ashley Wood Golf Club - May 22nd 2024

Hi Gents

I believe it was just as well we travelled out of the area yesterday as the weather local to Andover was not at all conducive to golf. We were fortunate in that even the little pitter patter didn’t appear until most were finished but would have been noticeable on your drive home

It was a pleasure for me to host you at my own club and I know from the many comments received that the course was enjoyed and I think our caterers also excelled in the meal provided. With that in mind I will be arranging a similar day next year when I hope others can also join us.

As for the day I certainly entertained a first, never before have I played in an event with or even known a handicapper on the maximum limit, and the fact it was Bruce, returning after an absence of over two years, made it all the more enjoyable. Suffice so say he played below his handicap and with 40 points took the Captain’s Cup for 2024. Having said he would be docked ten shots for his next game I shall of course discuss this with Sean and Tony before we reach a decision. Losing out by just one point and in second place was Andy Evans and close third Shaun Rogers, congratulations to both.

We had the pleasure of only one visitor, David Grey,  and whilst there was no visitors prize he did take away a bottle of wine with the highest score on the par threes of 10 points alongside Mark Collis.  No one made the green on the eighteenth so only one nearest the pin on seven being Adam Budd back after missing most of his previous round with a damaged hand. He also collected a rainbow pack of golf balls courtesy of Martin along with the wooden spoon for lowest score of the day

Our next outing is of course the day long event at Cumberwell Park with nine holes in the morning and eighteen in the afternoon. The option for everyone is either both or just the main event but Tony will be advising the details shortly, the date for the diary being Thursday 20^th June. Some have already said they cannot make the day so please respond as soon as you can when the invite goes out.

Finally a thank you for all attending and for a very generous donation to the staff and my ongoing charity for the Andover Young Carers.

Look forward to seeing you at Cumberwell

Regards to all

Ray

Salisbury & South Wilts March and Test Valley April 2024

Hi Gents

First off my sincere apologies that this is the first report of the year and very very late, but there are mitigating circumstances I can hide behind

Our first outing to Salisbury and South Wilts had roughly our expected numbers and on a day when the greens were hard to read and subsequently not the highest scoring.

However Sean managed to play to his handicap and beyond with a very good 37 points and Paul Griffiths runner up on 34. These two the only ones to score more than thirty

Our latest trip to Test Valley had a field of thirty, the highest number known for a very long time and would have been even more had not a family have to drop out at the last minute following a domestic situation. We of course had the great pleasure of having the Randall family with us to celebrate playing for the David Randall trophy, it is always a pleasure when they can attend.It was also good to see several more guests and we hope all our visitors enjoyed the day, and hopefully we will see them again at some time during the summer

Scoring was much higher on average and although no one broke par there were eleven on thirty or more and several more close enough but still fighting for the wooden spoon.

Because of the size of field we had more prizes than usual, with Ian Carruthers a frequent visitor to the prize table. He was however pipped at the post for the top prize by Tony Budd, congratulations, obviously playing in the sun during the winter pays off.

As usual I have to thank Tony and Shaun for their organising skills, made more difficult no doubt by the fluctuating numbers leading up to the day, and all I would say id please get your replies in early, whether playing or apologising to make preparation a little less hassle.

Our next meeting is at Ashley Wood Golf Club, my home club, when I can assure you of a warm welcome, good food, a well presented course and hopefully blessed by decent weather

See you there

Regards

Ray Wakeman