CAPTAIN’S CORNER
What a year 2023 is turning out to be in 1996 I joined the Association of Buckinghamshire Past Captains. From a humble beginning I joined from a small 9 hole golf course called Ivinghoe and now I have reached the dizzy heights of being Captain for 2023.
Being a member of the Association for so long I have had the privilege of playing with so many past captains and making so many friends from our Association and other counties that we have played against.
Our first event of 2023 in a busy season, was our Spring meeting which was held at Aldwickbury Park Golf Club. In first place was Peter Short with 38pts, second place was Gerry Cotter 35pts and third place was David Forest 34pts. We also held a fun competition which was won by Peter Short, Peter Hill and a new member Richard Shardlow.
Our first competitive match was held at Aylesbury Vale Golf Club against Bedfordshire which I am proud to say at this being my first event we won by 21points. Then in early May we entertained the Ladies Past Captains of Buckinghamshire at Harleyford Golf Club. The winners of this wonderful event were J Brooke and J Taylor with 37pts. Second place were J Pettitt and C Cottrell with 32pts. Also in May we played Northants at Chiltern Forest Golf Club which we won 5/3 Then we entertained Hertfordshire at Ellesborough Golf Club which we unfortunately we lost 3 ½ to 4 ½. We were honoured with the Captain of Ellesborough who is the first Lady captain to play and join our Association. The feedback was that it was a privilege to play for the Association so we welcome Catherine Armstrong to play in future events. In June we travelled to Waterlooville Golf Club to play Hampshire we lost 6//2. Then London visited us at Hazlemere Golf Club and we won 3⅒ to 2½.
This years captains tour, 11 members went to Stoke By Nayland the weather was very kind to us and the two courses we played were excellent. A minor hiccup was when Gerry Cotter dropped his car keys down a manhole. Some excellent golf was played with Brian Rodgers running out the winner and with others closely behind him. Well done Brian.
We then held another successful event at Harleyford when Surrey joined us we won 5/3 , a very impressive result. On the 6 July I held my Captains day at my home club Dunstable Downs when 45 past captains and guests from other counties joined me. The weather was fine, the course was in fantastic condition and the staff looked after us magnificently. Besides us all being the winners on the day the eventual winner was Henri Botha 34pts, 2nd was Bob Barnes 33pts, 3rd Quentin Easton 32pts.
We welcomed the captain of Dunstable to say a few words then Peter Short toasted the Association and then the event was left to one of our outstanding members to conclude the evening with a few short stories of my outstanding abilities. Thank you Mr John Ketley.
As June is a busy month we then travelled to Cotswold Hills Golf Club to play in the annual event the 4 Counties South we were unlucky we came 4th with 193 points the other 3 counties tied with 203 points Oxfordshire winning on count back. The mixed invitation was held at Pyrford Lakes Golf Club with 17 holes having water of some sort which many of us made sure we added more balls to. I have to say the wining pair D Forrest and Nancy with 45pts was outstanding second with a good score as well were J Pettitt and Carol 38pts.
We then went to the races at The Links Golf Club at Newmarket to play Cambridgeshire. We lost at a canter 4½ to 2½. Oxfordshire then entertained us at Mapledurham Golf Club, a very enjoyable day which unfortunately we lost 6½ to 1½. On the 17 August we hosted Norfolk, Hertfordshire and Worcestershire at Buckingham Golf Club in the annual 4 Counties North. We were lucky to come 4th again.
Warwickshire came down the M40 to play at Harewood Downs and we had a tremendous 5/3 win.
The Past Captains event organised by Rob Southerden was at Chigwell and 10 of us played the very good course to a good standard of golf won by Brian Rodgers. This was followed by a trip round the M25 to play Kent at Dartford resulting in a very close loss 3½ to 4½.
The longest trip of the year was to the south coast at the well established links course at Littlehampton. It was another close match again losing 3½ to 4½. The final match was at Richins Park against Essex losing 5/3.
So after a very good start our overall result was winning 5 and losing 7.
The final event for 2023 was held at Badgemore Park with 29 players playing at this excellent venue. The course was quite tough due to the heavy overnight rain and was won Martin Bart with a magnificent 39pts. Second was Bob Barnes with 33pts and third Steve Ball with 31pts. Intriguingly the 3 players with the best handicaps.
Finally I would like to thank everyone for the support I have received and a special thanks to the Committee and Match Managers. Well done to you all.
Thank you.
Captain Tony