Results
2008 President's Cup
|
 |
 Winner: Andy Picton
Comment of the Day: Stuart Ware
President's Award: The 40-foot Conifer
Top Guest: David Parish
|
Scorecard |
Pictures
Andy Picton finally won a BBGS event, taking the President's Cup by 6 points. It was a long overdue
and deserved victory for this most dedicated servant of the Society. Leading Jonny T by 4 points and
Skeletor by 6 after 18 holes, AP brimmed with confidence as he took to the tee for the final 9 holes. In
order to generate some additional tension, as is his want in this competition, the President had dictated that
the last leg be tackled with only four clubs in the bag. However, his efforts were entirely unnecessary
as a 3 wood, a tree and Andy 'Conifer' Picton injected all the spice and comic timing that one could ever wish
for. Having placed his ball confidently on the aforementioned tee, Connie (as AP shall surely for evermore
be known) began his pre-shot routine only to be probed by a vicious barb from Skeletor, who's dreams
of a Grand Slam were falling apart at the first hurdle despite his 43 practise rounds in the preceding fortnight:
"Watch out for the water on the right Andy!" This, the very same callous attack that had influenced Connie
to duff the ball 20 yards to the left that very morning. Alas, the result was freakishly similar ... apart
from the fact that it was followed by Connie hurling his 3-wood in the same direction only for it to come to rest
half way up a 40-foot conifer. As the realisation that the leader had just disposed of 25% of his club
allowance, the sniggering began, only to be curtailed by Connie's attempt to rob Jonny T of his Tourettes crown.
As Andy's self-control struggled to deal with his obvious rage and embarrasment he turned his now purple face to
Lard and Little-Ted, probably the worst of those congregated with whom to seek sollace, given their particular
propensity for general laughter and taking of the proverbial. In the face of the resultant guffawing and
unsympathetic comments, Connie launched himself up the thieving tree with great gusto in search of his beloved
3-wood. After he was about 15 feet up shrouded in foliage, Walter Winky Pockets Pike shared the Comment of the
Day with "Wouldn't Daniel be the best person to send up the tree?" However, spurning the natural ability of
our most hirsute friend, Connie recovered his club, demomstrating considerable tree ascention mastery, strangely
emulating the profession of last year's winner. Over the next four holes, Connie proceeded to throw most of his
toys out of his pram allowing Jonny Tourettes to draw level. Indeed, the only competitor to fall apart
more manifestly was Skeletor who scored just 6 points on the final leg ... take note Barbillians, you can get
to Conrad by throwing a protracted hissy-fit! Eventually, Connie recovered his composure and marched on
to victory. Triumph in the face of adversity perhaps, winning despite of oneself is the more likely
interpretation.
2008 Barbill vs BEM
Despite Walter Winky Pockets Pike's best efforts to throw the match, honours were shared at the North Middlesex
Golf Club. Stuart's pathetic 5&4 loss, albeit generous, was not sufficient to give the game to BEM.
V-C Lenny and his mate Shaun Hannibal 'Lector' restored respectability with a powerful 3&2 victory while Conrad maintained his
record of winning at every possible opportunity recording a 3&1 victory in partnership with BBGS old boy,
Andy Woods. Unfortunately, Dorlikar and Wildman subsequently lost 3&2 leaving the teams all square.
A re-match is planned for March next year. Pictures will be available for your
pleasure as soon as the Captain sends them to me!
2008 Annual Dinner
A great time was had by all at our annual dinner. Our host restaurant, Sargasso Sea, served a delicious
menu and in true Barbill style we drank them dry of at least three varieties of wine. On the absurd notion
that we had not yet knocked enough back, we de-camped to Chairman Collins' beautiful abode and sank a few
more. There are a few grainy snaps to peruse should you feel the need.
2007 Masters
Scorecard |
Pictures
With Benjamin Riley, the only member seemingly capable of challenging Alex Skeletor Conrad,
unfortunately struck down by a stomach bug, there was nobody to prevent the latter from cleaning up at the
season's closer on New Year's Eve. Alex capped a fantastic season with a one point victory over Dave and
Stuart. Little Ted took second place on count back following an incredible 19 point back nine.
Skeletor's frailty was highlighted by the fact that on the back nine alone, he would would have placed fifth.
However, his consistency and improvement throughout 2007 cannot be ignored and the Skipper capped a brilliant
season with yet another victory.
2007 Fourballs Championship
League Table
Skeletor and Little Ted take the 2007 Fourballs Championship by just half a point. Having won their first
two matches 4&3, they could have won the competition against Collins and Riley but an incredible performance by
Lard culminating in an amazing final hole recovery resulted in the underdogs magnificently halving the
match. Smith and Wildman knew they were out of it and pathetically forfeited their remaining two matches
meaning that Collins & Riley had to beat Picton & Ware to take the tournament to a play-off. Unfortunately,
Shylock had one of his worst days on the course and left poor Lard fighting single-handedly. Despite a few pars and some credible
golf, Ben came up against an inspired Pike and, despite Lenny's pretentions, it was Stuart who closed the match down
with five still to play. The championship went to Conrad & Williams by half a point.
2007 Barbill Bell
Scorecard
Riley choked in a play-off, Conrad won yet again. As the choker in question, I am too
ashamed and upset to author the match report and can only offer my apologies to the rest of the society for
effectively placing the magnificent Barbill Bell in Skeletor's clammy hands.
2007 Riley Cup
Scorecard |
Pictures
The Riley Cup once again came down to the very last hole with the Young Pups claiming a
thrilling victory over the Pensioners. The Pups' captain, Andy Picton, took the responsibility of playing the
singles paired against Andy Woods in Match 1. Despite the skipper falling short of his best form, he scrapped
all the way to the 18th where Chucker won the hole and the match, 2up. Match 2 saw Darren Kyte and Daniel
Stevens for the Pups take on Pensioners Vij Dorlikar and Nigel Wildman. This was another closely contested
game that saw the old'uns take an early lead, only to be pegged back by the vertically challenged Pups pairing, before
reclaiming control and killing the game off on the 17th, winning 2&1. Meanwhile, the horribly aged pair of
Alex Conrad and Ted Sturdy were getting an absolute pasting from Ben Riley and Dave Williams in Match 4.
Even their combined century of experience was not enough to compete with the inspired, aggressive golf played by
the big lads. Lard and Little Ted dove-tailed beautifully on the front nine, matching Champion Golfer Skeletor and
Pedrico hole for hole to leave them all square at the turn. But Dave and Ben had another two gears, playing
holes 10 to 15 in three under par where they took the match 4&3. Only their buggy, straining under about 40
stones, took more of a pounding than their elderly opponents. Match 3, Mark Collins and Stuart Ware versus
Glenn Porter and Jonathan Smith, saw the latter pairing 3up with only five to play and all was seemingly lost for
the Young Pups. However, drama ensued with Shylock and Winky pegging the deficit back on the 14th and halving
the 15th leaving them 2 down. The need to win all three remaining holes to take the match seemed to motivate
Mark and Stuart while the growth of both tension and gallery seemed to affect the old codgers negatively.
With Winky displaying his usual consistency and Shylock unusual levels of concentration, they won 16 and 17 to take
the match down the 18th all square. It was simple, if the Pensioners won or halved the hole, the Riley Cup was
theirs, but a win for the Pups would see the matches tied 2 a-piece and the trophy going to the youngsters by
virtue of winning margins. The tee shots on the 18th left all four players with a daunting 2nd over the water
to a distant green. Both Glenn and Jonathan stuck theirs' in the drink allowing the Pups to lay up and pitch
to the green where Johnny Tourettes graciously conceded the hole without either Mark or Stuart needing to reach
for a putter. Pups' captain, Andy Picton, lifted the Riley Cup with gusto and much joy before also claiming the
Edwards Tour Award for some act of typical tomfoolery.
2007 Open Championship
Full Scorecard |
Round 1 |
Round 2 |
Round 3 |
Round 4 |
Pictures
Skeletor won again! The Captain's consistency resulted in a well-deserved victory. AP took the
first round lead but five opponents were within only three points and the irrepressible Conrad was just one
point behind. Round two saw Lenny stretch the field and extend his lead over Skeletor by a point.
In the third round, Conrad powered ahead with a quite brilliant 35 points on the Lakes course, bettered only by
Winky Ware who was unfortunately already out of the running. It was a stunning round from both and one
that earned Stuart the Golden Club. Round four saw Alex bettered by both Big Dave and Jonny Tourettes but
his lead was unassailable by this point and the man that failed to top score in a single round of the four
proved that consistent golf is the key, boring and monotonous as it may be. Victory for Alex
Skeletor Conrad. But there's only one way to appreciate the full story and that is to see the
DVD. Contact the Secretary to purchase a copy.
2007 Charity Medal
|
|
|
Winner: Jonathan Smith
Longest Drive: Brian Bull
Nearest The Pin: Tony Dore
Top Guest: Vic Massey
2nd Place: John Ford
3rd Place: Geoff Davy
|
Scorecard |
Pictures
Both the weather and the welcome were warm at
Arkley Golf Club, where no less than 30
members and guests competed in the Society's Charity Day, raising £900 for the
Jack Brown Appeal in the process.
Vic Massey won the overall event with 33 points, just one ahead of three chasers with the top ten separated by only 4
points. John Ford took second place on count back just squeezing Geoffrey Davy in to third. Jonathan
"Top Soil" Smith displayed some uncharacteristic consistency, scoring 16 out and 16 in to take the member's Charity
Medal and Andy Woods followed his victory in the Chairman's Chalice earlier this year by taking second place in the
member's rankings. However, this means their handicaps are now cut to 20 and 17 respectively for the
all-important summer tour in July. Brian Bull hit a monster drive on the 10th which managed to hold on to the
fairway winning him the big hitter prize and Tony Dore put his tee shot on the 18th to within 4 inches of the hole.
The 18th green is not visible from the tee and poor Tony was duped in to believing he had nailed his first ever
hole-in-one when a mischievous Lenny raced over and popped his ball in to the hole. The reason we were all
there of course, was to raise money and I am proud to say we did so very successfully. Our thanks go to
all those that made donations and particularly to everyone that took part on the day. We would like to extend
particular gratitude to Arkley Golf Club,
who not only hosted us very professionally but also supported the financial goal of the day and our fund would be
considerably smaller were it not for their support.
2007 President's Cup
Andy Woods held his nerve to play to a superb final 9 holes and see off a spirited challenge
from Winky and Lenny on the New Course at Hatfield London. Chucker shot 6 pars on his way to winning The
President's Cup, fully deserving the cut of 2 shots to his handicap! Reigning Open Champion Darren Kyte kept himself
in the hunt with some monster drives, scoring a birdie on the 309 yard 5th. Gimley was severely punished by
the course on a number of occasions when straying only slightly off the fairways. The deep gorse came up to his
arm-pits (ankles for most of us) resulting in several lost balls. This cost him any chance of victory despite
6 pars on his way round. His new square-headed driver may prove pivotal in his Open defence in the summer.
Ware surprised us all by arriving uncharacteristically late (fined) but started strongly nonetheless, scoring
16 points on the front 9 alone and a total of 5 pars saw him once again acting the bridesmaid, taking second place
for the second successive competition. Daniel Stevens caused the biggest shock of the day, swinging his monkey
arms freely and winning longest drive with a 320 yard effort, up hill and in to the wind. Glenn Porter scored a
couple of quality pars on his way to top guest on the day. Andy Picton saw visions of an ace on the 3rd hole,
hitting his tee shot past the pin and spinning back to within a few feet. He nailed the putt for birdie but failed
to capitalise and is still waiting for his maiden victory. At lunch, Chucker had a 3 point lead over Winky
with Lenny a further 2 points adrift. The carbohydrate-fuelled interval appeared to have hampered the leader,
enabling Ware to draw level with 5 holes remaining but with Woods scoring consecutive pars at 14 and 15, Ware failed
to respond and Andy 'Tiger' (Kitten?) Woods went on to win by 3 points.
2006 Masters
Scorecard |
Pictures
Despite the weather and the abundance of temporary greens, we played out a most competitive
Barbill Masters on New Year's Eve. Powergen triumphed despite some suspicion that he may have been carrying
more than the legal number of clubs. However, at the time of official inspection, only 14 were counted.
Unfortunately, our President was unable to participate due to a back injury so acted as event photographer.
This not only resulted in everybody else at least having a chance to win but also an extensive suite of action
shots that can be viewed on our pictures page. We enjoyed the company of a guest
in Ralph Stringer who, playing off 8, scored a brilliant 34 stableford points and contended with the temporary
greens by chipping in with monotonous regularity. Ralph also pipped Alex for Nearest The Pin but Skeletor
avenged himself by comfortably winning the Longest Drive. Nigel displayed great consistency blobbing on only
two holes and despite being pushed hard by both Stuart and Jonathan, he prevailed. Thank you to those
that braved the elements and took part, making it a most enjoyable occasion as always.
|
