Other Teams:-
Nick Perry-Robert Thomas-Tudor Thomas-69 pts
David Evans-Peter Latto-Ken Yates-65 pts
Geoff Evans-David Maddox-55 pts
Captain`s Report
A good turnout of 17 started the season on a late Good Friday with the course in fair condition, but perhaps held back by the cold temperatures.
A decision was made to go with 3s over 4s, but surprisingly resulting in the leading pair finishing a lot earlier with the later teams finding the going slow.
A confusion over the par rating for the 12th called for a Captain’s ruling, but overall the Captain will be looking to improve the slow play, and the early pairing (Geoff and Mr Toffee) are excused from being drawn as a 2 for the rest of the season.
A special mention (*) for Clive Davies being the only player to register a 2, and achieve the first bonus points (3 in his case on top of a 2 net 1 for 4 points on the 9th!).
Meanwhile, at the top of the leaderboard, the Captain had to peg the Ref 1 back to 36 after a scoring adjustment on the 12th, which had the ffect of also capturing the Happy Hooker for a 1 shot handicap reduction that will apply to both at the next event.
Other Teams:-
Dave Williams-Robert Thomas-Ken Yates-63 pts
Neil O`Hara-Clive Davies-Tudor Thomas-59 pts
Captain’s Word
A good turnout for the first away event of the year.
15 attending on a blustery but dry day in the Beacons.
For the second year running, the club was full with at least one other society which was out before us and the going was very slow in spite of the Captain’s efforts at speeding up play by adopting the proposed rule for Play when Ready!
Hon Treasurer had done the business with Adrian to organise vouchers reducing the cost for all (30 pounds including tip!)
A second “2” was achieved this year, this time by 2 Jags, scoring a 2 net 1 on the short 3rd for 4 points, plus 3 bonus, total 7 (out of a worthy total of 33)!
Out in front, and threatening to run away with the competition this year, the Happy Hooker with an outstanding 37 points.
NOTE
A recurring theme is beginning to emerge:-
Keith Davies has been in the winning team for the first two games, and Chris Stevens, Mark Stevens and Phil Rees have come 1st - 2nd - 3rd respectively in the first two games
Other Teams:-
John Regan-Robert Thomas-Tony Williams-64 pts
David Evans-Mike Winter-Chris Tatham-62 pts
Captain’s Word
Another successful outing at Newport with the weather holding fine for play, the course in top condition as was the catering.
A good turnout of 15 leant itself easily to matches of 3s and all managed to return in good time, although scouts had to be sent out to find the last group!!
The Captain welcomed the return of Martin Davies to the fold, and on the first Falcons outing of the year for Tony Tax kept him on his toes with a somewhat misdirected drive!
The leading individual score went to Sickboy who will have the honour of a shot reduction on his next start.
Surprisingly no 2s on this occasion, so no bonus points going spare!
All eyes now turn to the President’s Cup member and guest at Cottrell Park with a reminder that members can still play if unable fix a guest, but will only score in the individual championship.
Captain
| 1st |
Nick Perry |
Tom Abberley |
|
44 pts |
| 2nd |
Chris Tatham |
Jeremy Dando |
(Back nine) |
43 pts |
| 3rd |
David Williams |
Neil Jordan |
|
43 pts |
Other Teams.
Peter Latto & Alan Evans-42 pts
Ken Yates & Martin Yates-41 pts
Tudor Thomas & Mike Ward-38 pts
Neil O'Hara & Kevin O'Hara-37 pts
Captain's Word.
We had an enjoyable day out at Cottrell Park, the last time for the Captain as a member, having changed allegiance to Glamorganshire!
Course and weather were perfect to greet 13 members with 7 guests which remains on the disappointing side for the guest numbers, but may reflect in part the success in converting guests from past years to members.
For those who know it, the course is fairly tight and a tough challenge in the breeze (not one players from the first three matches out were able to keep a drive on the fairway for the longest drive!), but the members rose to the challenge with some impressive individual scoring.
A tight contest ensured between those competing for the Presidents Cup,
Other Teams.
Neil O'Hara-Chris Tatham-Tudor Thomas-63 pts
David Evans-Mike Winter-Ken Yates-59 pts
Captain's Word
Another enjoyable day out in wilds of Abergavenny with the weather holding firm in spite of vigorous efforts to rain elsewhere!
The Falcons were out in force, with 14 greeted by the Vice-Captain on arrival and treated to a course in excellent condition.
Scarlett was left to himself for long periods as Tudor and Chris Tatham shared a buggy on medical grounds, and Dai the Dart and Sickboy had the dubious honour of leading off the field as a 2-ball-They will both now be exempt from selection for 2-ball duty as with Mr Toffee and Geoff Evans for the rent of this season.
Congratulations for a fine performance from Che who appears to be looking to turn the championship into a family affair!
Following play, I raised the issue of whether to retain the July venue as a member and guest (or if so to raise more guests) and provided a taster for the tour next year proposed as a Shropshire Tour based in Oswestry.
| 1st |
David Williams |
Robert Thomas |
Kevin ( Guest) |
74 pts |
| 2nd |
David Evans |
Martin Davies |
Keith Davies |
72 pts ( back nine 37 pts) |
| 3rd |
John Regan |
Clive Davies |
Chris Stevens |
72 pts (back nine 35 pts) |
Other Teams.
Paul Good-Peter Latto-Tudor Thomas=65 pts
Nick Perry-Ken Yates-Chris Tatham=56 Pts
Captain's Word
The boys approached Langland Bay with some trepidation, it taking the best part of 45 minutes to get there from Fabian Way, but what a sight that greeted us - a crystal blue ocean, little more than a zephyr of wind and a course in immaculate condition.
Fourteen Falcons and thanks to Sickboy bringing a guest to round up the numbers to fifteen who made the trip
As usual the club greeted us warmly and the catering was up to their usual high standards.
Traffic as may be, the Falcons shall return!
The Championship moved to a critical stage with the Captain moving quietly into range and Dai the Dart closing the gap by one.
The Happy Hooker remains at the head of the field with some room to spare, but with plenty of opportunity for a last round charge from any of a number of chasers with a good round at Thornbury Park!
I therefore hope for a good turn out at Thornbury Park to acclaim the new champion as the Falcons take the Day Events to England for the first time in many years!
Other Teams
Chris Stevens-Martin Stevens-Martin Davies-Ken Yates_68 pts
Captain’s Word
For the first time in many years, the Falcons have flown to the east beyond Newport and to a new course.
The weather was excellent as was the welcome from Tim Good.
The unanimous approval was conveyed to Goodie for passing on!
In place of the usual hi / med / lo fix of teams, the draw came out so as to keep together those in the same handicap categories to enable members to play with those they do not normally play with–with results as close as when the teams are fixed–proving the handicap system works and which will likely see a more flexible approach to the draw next year.
This year also saw a high number of members in contention on the last day, and while the eventual winner was somewhat a foregone conclusion (with an impressive 35 points confirming his domination of the field this season), there were significant changes on the day with Butch climbing from relative obscurity to join Dai the Dart in joint second place and relegating the Captain to 4th, place despite improving his own score! Clive also rose a number of places, with his fine 36 points on the day, to take 5th place for the year.
Congratulations to a worthy winner, and a new name for the Salver: Chris Stevens aka The Happy Hooker, 2017 Falcons Champion.
The Ref has twisted arms to achieve the best deal yet for Southerndown at our final get together in November when I trust as many members will attend as possible to celebrate with the new Champion.
Many thanks
Captain
