Our annual match against the RAF Golfing Society took place at Denham Golf Club on 16 April. This was once again a popular and competitive fixture, with many players being members of both societies and the teams were enlarged to 14-a-side to accommodate as many participants as possible. The conditions were pleasing with the course in very good condition and the rain holding back until the final few holes of the afternoon Greensomes match.

The morning 4BBB was played in the usual convivial atmosphere with many of the matches being very close and only completing on the final hole. I am pleased to say that the Aero GS ran out winners in the morning by 4 points to 3 and therefore retain the Keith-Davies Cup. However, after a truly excellent Denham lunch, the RAF gained the upper hand in the afternoon Greensomes and prevailed with a convincing win by 5 1/2 points to 1 1/2. They retain the Piercey-John Quaich.

The Spring Meeting at North Hants was full booked, but the Secretary has managed to get three additional slots. Please log in and add your name and those of any guests if you would like to enter.

Captain's Report

The first meeting of the year is awaited with both excitement for the start of the new season and a little trepidation as to the climatic conditions so early in Spring. As it was it could not have turned out better, the early morning mist and gloom soon dissipated and the excellent field of 30 members and guests were soon treated to warmth and a little sun. It was sad that the wet state of the course precluded the use of buggies and so three of our members were unable to play golf. All three, plus an additional two members, joined us for lunch.

I will not dwell on the Captain’s Drive-In except to report that it passed the Lady’s tee and did not come to rest in the heather.

The format for the day departed from the usual full round in the morning and a shorter competition in the afternoon as Swinley adopted a slightly eccentric charging format. While some of us may feel that they would have liked to go out again, the ability to sit outside on the terrace to have a drink before indulging in the legendary lunch was much appreciated.

The standard of play was very high considering the time of year and the state of the course after all the rain, the green keepers must be congratulated on the speed of the greens although that did not suit everyone.

Results

Player	Points
Tom Lyons - Winner of the Captain's Claret Jug	37	Captain Roger Whitefield presents the Claret Jug to Tom Lyons
Mark Hopkins - Runner-up	37
Barry Thornton - Winner of the Bill Morris Trophy	36
Nigel Dowdall	34
John Furness	34
Ian Wood	33
Jake Chute	33
Phill O'Dell	33
Mike Pegram	33
Ray Corstin	32	Runner-up Mark Hopkins shares a joke with the Captain
David Maxwell	32
Peter Cherry	32
Ian Senior	31
John Blaymires	31
Richard Burman	31
Roger Whitefield	30
Mike Dickman	30
Simon Sveder-Cain	30
Roger Bennett	30
Anthony King	28
David Hobart	28
Richard Broadbridge	27
Simon Paterson	26
Vince Thomas	25
Martin Juckes	24
George McCaffery	24
Steve Fitz-Gerald	20

Twenty-seven members and guests enjoyed an excellent round of golf at Swinley Forest Golf Club on 20th March, with a further five members joining us for lunch. Tom Lyons was the overall winner on count-back from Mark Hopkins, both with an excellent 37 points, and received the Captain's Claret Jug. Barry Thornton came in with 36 points and, as the leading player in the 'Over 70' category, is the winner of the Bill Morris Trophy.

The Captain's report and the full results will be posted shortly.