QUARTERLY REPORT – WINTER 2024

Welcome to our fourth and final 2024 quarterly report, incorporating the Captain’s review of the year.

 

I am very pleased to report that 2024 was another great year for the OICGS.  We enjoyed some fantastic, albeit challenging courses, wonderful food and wine and most importantly great comradeship throughout the season with very good turnouts.

 

A very warm welcome to the 8 new members who joined the OICGS in 2024.

 

My sincere thanks to all who participated and helped to make my year as captain so special and enjoyable. A particular thanks to Ian Palethorp, who in his first full year as Secretary ensured that all the meetings ran very smoothly and efficiently.  Congratulations also to all those who were successful in winning one of our much-coveted trophies with particular mention to our overall “winner” – Peter Newman.

 

There follows a brief summary of our competitions and matches in 2024.

 

New Year Meeting, Beaconsfield GC, February 13^th

 

18 brave souls ventured out on a rather damp day in mid-February to play a team stableford event (best 2 of 3).  At least this year there was no fog, and we managed to tee off on time.  The course was in good condition, but the greens had been heavily sanded which made for some challenging putting.  The winning team with a score of 77 points who were awarded the Beaconsfield Tankard were Phil Carter, Reg Egan and David Meldram.

 

Spring Meeting, Hankley Common GC, May 1^st

32 players, including 6 guests turned out on a very sunny day to compete for the Dalley Cup at Hankley Common GC, one of Britain’s great inland courses.  Hankley opened in 1897 as a 9-hole course but was extended to 18 holes by James Braid in 1922.  It has hosted several Open Qualifying events and has been recently improved and extended.  It’s a true test of golf even from the yellow tees.

Scoring reflected the difficulty of the course with only 10 of the 32 players breaking the 30-point barrier.  The winner of the Dalley cup was Bob Reid who edged Peter Newman into 2^nd place on countback with 35 points.

 

After lunch and prizegiving we presented Donald Reid with a special gift in recognition of his service to the OICGS as secretary for 11 years.  We all owe him a huge vote of thanks for his tireless efforts on our behalf.

 

Tour to Dorset – Tuesday 25^th to Thursday 27^th June 2024

Our 2024 tour headed to Dorset to take on the challenge of 3 exceptional courses: Broadstone, Parkstone and Remedy Oak.  We stayed in Sandbanks, close to Poole Harbour and even had the pleasure of dining at Rick Stein’s with Harry Redknapp although he was probably oblivious to the honour.

 

Congratulations to Iain Everingham who won over the three days with a score of 41 points (out of a possible 66).

 

 

 

“Seniors” Meeting, Blackmoor GC, July 2^nd

Our Seniors Meeting returned to Blackmoor GC – another Harry Colt gem of a course; not long but challenging.  Martin Grazier, who professed his distaste for Harry Colt Courses after the Dorset tour, was, nevertheless, crowned “Senior Champion” with a score of 38 points.  The over 70’s (12 of the 17 playing) was won by Ian Palethorp with 35 points.

 

Summer Meeting, Worplesdon GC, July 10^th

A rather low turnout of 18 golfers (16 members and 2 guests) competed for the prestigious Coronation Cup with Peter Nicol eventually winning on countback from David Stedman and Iain Everingham.

 

 

Autumn Meeting, Woking GC, August 27^th

Our visit to Woking was better attended with 20 members and 5 guests.  The course was in splendid condition and the scoring was generally better.  Martin Lawrence won on countback from Peter Newman on 39 points.

 

Lunch was, as usual, very well received and several members rounded off the day with a final drink on the terrace from where the spectacular heather display was much admired (and photographed), although those who visited it may not have been that impressed!

 

 

Winter Meeting, New Zealand GC, November 5^th

 

Our now traditional visit to New Zealand saw 25 members tee-off, playing both an individual competition, for the LIPTAK trophy, and a team (best 2 from 3) competition.

 

The weather was overcast with very little wind and did not change significantly during the day.  The course was in very good condition for the time of year although some of the fairways were suffering from worm-casts.  Mercifully, perhaps, the heather had largely died back and was not too brutal.

 

This all contributed to the relatively good scoring.  David Meldram won the individual competition with a score of 39 points, with David Macfarlane second (on countback on the last 6) with 37 points ahead of Patrick Chapman.

 

The team prize was claimed by Phil Carter, Reg Egan and David Meldram with 81 points with the runners-up on 79 points being David Macfarlane, Ian Palethorp and Bob Reid.

 

Bob also claimed the longest drive (on the 18^th) whilst the captain – Brian Stopp – was nearest the pin (on the 5^th).

 

The excellent carvery lunch was very relaxed and leisurely and was enjoyed by all.  Following lunch, the captain summarised our season before presenting the prizes.

We also played 5 matches.

 

John Grant’s President’s Team, Robin Hood GC, May 30^th

 

For the past two years we have played an internal “North” vs “South” match at the Robin Hood GC.  John Grant, a former captain of the OIGS who has recently been elected President at Robin Hood suggested this match against his team of “MUGS”.  The long drive to Solihull proved no barrier to us winning this better-ball match 3 to 1.  All in all, a very enjoyable day.  A return match down south is planned for 2025.

 

The Motor Trades Golf Society, Hayling GC, June 18^th

This second match against MTGS unusually took place in very benign pleasant conditions for Hayling Island so we were not able to blame the weather as we were soundly thrashed by MTSG 6^1/2 to 1^1/2.  David Barclay (playing a singles match) scored our only point whilst Dennis Culligan and Ev Schenk managed a half.

 

Captain vs Vice Captain, Effingham GC, August 23^rd

A great turnout for a very competitive match in which the Captain’s team prevailed.

 

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Denham GC, September 10^th

This highly competitive but extremely enjoyable long-standing match – this was the 30^th edition – was played in changeable conditions, with early rain giving way to sunshine.  After several defeats in previous years the OICGS prevailed this year with a resounding 4-0 victory to reduce the overall deficit to just 2.  OICGS now have 11 wins to CILT’s 13 with 6 matches tied.

 

TSG, Goodwood GC, October 3^rd

This match has been played at Goodwood since 2021.  It replaced the long-standing Adler and Allan fixture – our member Henry Simpson being the connection.

 

The Downs Course at Goodwood is known to be tricky but has wonderful views across to Chichester and the Isle of Wight.  Nevertheless, we managed a 2-2 tie, with both sides winning one and losing one with the other two halved.  As holders we “retained” the trophy and celebrated with a very pleasant lunch in the courtyard after golf.

 

And finally

It has been a real privilege and honour to be your Captain this year.  I really appreciate all the kindness and support you have given me during the year.  I shall be passing the mantle of captaincy to Philip Carter at Beaconsfield in February, with Bob Reid as his Vice-Captain.  Congratulations to both.  I know they will do a great job and I wish them much success for the coming year.

Finally, may I wish you each good health and happy golfing in 2025.

 

Brian

 

And a “few” comments from the Secretary

 

48 members participated in one or more of our seven meetings (including the past-captains’, which is the only one with restricted entry), with 41 playing in the four “majors” in which 13 guests also took part.  In total our members played 133 rounds and guests 13.

 

32 members participated in our 5 matches, 4 of whom did not play in any of the meetings, taking total participation for the year to 52.  In addition, John Hampton joined us for lunch on 3 occasions.

 

Our impressive collection of trophies was on display at Woking ……………….