There were just blustery winds with no serious rain for the Walton Heath fixture which has been bedevilled by heavy rain over the past few years.
Amazingly there were two scores of 40pts each in the morning singles competition for the Viscount Rothermere challenge Cup, with17 handicapper Mike Newall from Cityjobs just beating eight handicap Mail advertising executive Nick Stevens, but the result was only determined on count back of the last nine holes.
Close behind in third was dmg media’s Lee Terry, playing off five handicap who scored an impressive 38 pts.
Mike was cut three shots to 14 handicap under the Society’s rules with Nick, as a single figure player, cut one shot to seven.
In fourth place with 36 points was dmg media’s Clive Heard with retired Harmsworth Printing’s Alan Jackson in fifth.
“I really enjoyed Walton Heath, it is a fantastic course – that was my best round of golf for many years, I just hope it continues,” a happy Mike said.
Nearly 40 members and guests played at the fixture, one of the Society’s longest established golf days at this premier course.
Morning winner Mike had the foresight to select himself in the fund raising “Back the Winner” competition and collected £120 with £70 going to the Society. Despite the strength of all the Par three holes, there were six “2’s” with Clive Heard; retired member Phil Hunt; Harmsworth Printing’s Peter Murphy and Lee Terry all winning £10 each and dmg media’s Ian McGowan £20 for scoring two “2’s” with £16 going to the Society funds.
There were high scores again in the afternoon drawn greensomes competition with Ian McGowan, partnered by guest Graeme Elliott winning with 40pts, beating Mail advertising’s Nigel d’Cruze and guest partner Justin Barnes. In third was Harmsworth Printing’s Keith Burkin with guest Tony Jackson and Clive Heard and jobsite’s Rob Thomas were fourth.
Champagne for Nearest the Pin in the morning on the New Course second hole was won by Ian McGowan with Nick Stevens winning the champagne on the Old Course 17th hole.
There were four Match Play Knock-out rounds played during the morning with Rob Thomas, Ian McGowan, Mike Newall and Alan Jackson all reaching the quarter finals of the competition.
Secretary Garth Burden welcomed everyone and said that it was nice to play Walton Heath in the dry, having had so many occasions when the heavens had opened during the day.
He said that the July 8th fixture at Royal Cinque Ports, Deal, the Society’s first golf day at this wonderful links course, would be two rounds with players having the option of just playing the morning competition if required. There had also been a lot of support of adding a summer bonus fixture at Northwood, Middlesex, on Monday, August 19, and that this fixture would now go ahead.
Captain of the Day, Mike Wall from Evenbase, said that playing at Walton Heath was always very special as both the New and Old courses were an exceptional test of golf. He thanked the staff for making everyone so welcome and congratulated the Chef on the wonderful lunch.
NB. The cost of the Deal fixture which follows the June, Inter Company competition, will be £69 all inclusive for members and £150 for guests if numbers permit.