Golf Society Awards Evening Report

2011 Summer Season Awards Evening

To see the overall Summer Season Award results including some pertinent runners up click here

To view photos of the Award winners click here

                            the other pertinent incidents click here

                            the general atmosphere  click here 

The Summer season Awards evening was recently held at our preferred venue of choice (i.e. its cheap, near where most people live and easy to find your way home when you've had a skinfull and not too steady on your feet), namely the Bar of the Grange Public House. The Manager of the Grange did us proud and put on a spread of typical fast food outlet food in the shape of burghers and hot dogs - don't care what the T&A say - this is a top class society who knows what its members want. We were also given sole use of the Function Room, much to the "consternation" of the other regulars who were all squashed into the other bar area relived that they could only watch our spectacular event with something you could call envy through the door. And we even had our own attentive bar staff - who must have drawn the short straws.

The Awards themselves flowed as smoothly as a well rehearsed MTV Awards ceremony, mainly because we know what we're doing (and we'd taken Ralphs colouring crayons and paper off him). Awards were ably presented by the retiring Captain, our very own Steve Crayford, who was ably assisted by his trolley dolly with the mike Tom Rogers. This involved handling of the individual awards between the table top and Steve's awaiting hand, during which time most people got the right trophy, but not necessarily in the right order. Finally, and not leastly, our very own resident photographer Ralph Vaughan, was in the general vicinity taking all the wonderful photos you can see by clicking the above links. Ralph would like it known that he's available for weddings and barvistsers at a reasonable price.

During the evening there were several regular activities (apart from drinking and eating that is)  The "Extremely Easy Quiz" competition, organised by our very own Ian Taylor, who brought a small furry friend with him. Following a flurry of activity with members and their partners / guests etc seen looking at the questions, scratching their heads then ordering another drink, the answers were announced. To be fair, some of the answers were more complicated than the question but in true traditional style a winner was announced, with Sig and Lynne collecting the prize on behalf of everyone in the whole pub who helped them.

Winners of the main Raffle Prizes (hot off the shopping trolley) were;-

Kindle e-book thingy ? - Ralph "Comic Book King" Vaughan

Camera - James "can i take pictures of myself" Arathoon

DAB Radio with CD Player - Alan "where do i put my LP's in" Bennett

The old favourite of "what do we do now as the DJ has to stop making noise" Ladies putting competition took place towards the end of the evening, the results of which demonstrated that members wives quite often have a better natural putting ability than the members themselves. This time it was Anna ? from the bar who showed us all up with her putting out skills.

There was also a repeat of the old "get people to throw money at a lone bottle of whiskey stood in the middle of the dance floor - nearest the bottle wins the bottle" game. This year the game was won by the Grange's very own main barman, Ash, who having thrown £12 in 50p's won a £10 bottle of whiskey. All in all this raised, along with other contributions, a grand total of around £30 for the Children In need appeal.

The Awards

During the evening several prizes / trophies were awarded to those who deserve them, a summary of which is given below for those who were unable to attend. As can be seen there are a lot of pictures missing due to the members absence.

The Bob Hitchmough Cup           

As you are all aware the August Society Day is held for the Bob Hitchmough Trophy, donated in memory by one of his close friends. It was only fitting therefore that members of Bob’s family were invited to be present at the Awards evening, and present the Trophy to the days winner, Tom Rogers.

 The Charter Cup

Won by our very own Carl Hayhurst, seen here shaking hands with the Captain.

The Presidents Trophy

Won by our very own Paul Anderson, not seen here holding the trophy as he was unable to make the Do.

The PR Total Trades rophy

Won by our very own Carl Hayhurst, not seen here collecting yet another trophy from the Captain. 

The CMP Cup

Won by our very own Dave Worron (not present), Andy Harvey (not present), Carl Hayhurst (at last one of them is here) and Ian McCarthy seen here receiving the trophy from our Captain.

The Golden Nugget

Won by our very own Mal Seger, Neil McNay and Graham Almond seen here receiving the trophy from the Captain.

The QL GroundworksTrophy

Won by our very own Phil Wright, who is not seen here holding anything.

The SIS Trophy

Won by our very own Graham Almond, seen here receiving the trophy from our Captain, who is wispersing sweet nothings in his ear.

The Captains Day Platter

Won by our very own Mal Seger, seen here holding the platter, and being told by the Captain not to use it to serve food to his pet.

The NSPCC Trophy

Won by our very own Steve Crayford, seen here holding it at arms length just in case Tom makes a grab for it.

The Tom Brown Shield

Won by our very own Ian Taylor, who is not seen here receiving the trophy from the Captain. Sponsor Dave Worron was unable to attend.

Challenge Cup

Enough said about this one earlier in this newsletter, apart from Well Done to all the Team Members who represented the Society.

SAZ Trophy (Summer Season Knockout Tournament)

The culmination of many matches held over the Summer Season, the eventual winner was our very own Steve Crayford, seen here collecting the prize from the trophies sponsor Dave Evans, who was later heard saying "that'll be a tenner please Steve".

Pairs Trophy (Summer Season Knockout Tournament)

The culmination of many matches held over the Summer Season, the eventual winners were Steve Crayford and james Arathoon. Unfortunatley our photographer fotgot to take a photo (some people are sore losers) so here's another phot instead of the same peiople.

 Summer Season Pairs Eclectic Comp

With the Summer Season finally over the scores were entered in to the computer and adjustments made for the closing season handicaps. All in all it was a very close result, as can be seen below. Just to remind everyone of the rules - actuially i can't be bothered, you've heard it all before.

3)       The over all results were;-

1^st Place    Mal Seger & Ian McCarthy             66 Stapleford

2^nd Place   Ralph Vaughan & Peter Smythe        63 Stapleford (count back)

3^rd Place    Dave Worron & Graham Coupe          61 Stapleford

4^th Place    Tom Rogers & Andy "No Show" Harvey       60 Stapleford

Best Golfer of the Season

If you thought the rules behind the above Award were complicated, wait for this one. The award tries to reflect the best consistent golfer over the season, by means of the following;-

• 1)     for each course calculate the individual ‘net’ score, i.e. if you were playing off a summer season handicap of 10 and shot 84 on a par 72 course your ‘net’ score would be +2.

• 2)       take the sum of the individuals best 4 ‘net’ scores over the whole season (you have to play at least 4 matches to qualify for this award)

• 3)       then make an adjustment of –1 for each Nearest-the-Pin and/or Longest Drive won during the season.

• 4)       The end result is your ‘Best Golfer’ score.

 Having burnt out several computers in generating and analysing the available data, and then resorting to old fashioned pen and paper, and finally throwing a load of names up in the air and picking them off the floor in order, the following results resulted.

1^st Place           James Arathoon                        with  16 points

2^nd Place          Steve Crayford                         with   18 points

3^rd Place           Peter Smythe                           with 20 points

Players Player of the Season

This ones dead simple (that’s the rules governing the Award, not the Awardee), where by all members get to vote for the Golfer that they feel best represents the true essence of golfing, as perhaps summarised by the R & A guideline “The Game relies on the integrity of the individual to …. abide by the rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the Spirit of the game of golf”. After a very close vote, Graham Coupe was voted as such.

Captains Player of the Season

This is awarded to the person who gives the captain the biggest Bung  the Captain believes to be the most deserving member, which could be a combination of best improved, friendliest, played the most jammy shots, nearest to the Bar, best set of golf clubs, etc, but most of all is the most deserving of the Award. This year the prize went to our very own Alan Bennett; well deserved Alan (but there again i would say that).

Nearest the Pin in 2

Just a quick reminder of those members who achieved this during the season (not always the longest but often the most accurate as they hit the fairway);-

Phil, Alan, Ralph (2), Steve, Lee and Ian T

Nearest The Pins

Just a quick reminder also of those members who achieved this during the season (always the most accurate as they at least hit the green);-

Peter, Graham C, Steve (3), Graham A, Ian T and James

Wooden Spoons

In order to increase the number of people able to win an award (otherwise they may not come back next year if they don’t pick anything up) the following members achieved the accolade of the highest net score on the day, whilst at the same time actually finishing every hole..

In the interests of Political Correction the Society is not permitted to celebrate a persons none achievements, but can only celebrate positive achievements. As such the ‘winners’ for this category will have to remain anoyminous – sorry about that Gordon, Ian G, Ralph, Dave W, mal, Graham C, Derek and Carl.

 The final task of the evening (apart from the drinking) was for the old Captain to handover to the new Captain, which saw Steve not do much as Dave Worron was unable to be present. We would like to add to congratulate Steve on a successful year as captain. Now it’s up to you Dave, after all, how hard can it be, all you’ve got to do is turn up, hit your balls straight and long (could be a problem here), nod to the members and stride off down the fairway muttering about bad slices, unlucky bounces, gusts of wind etc - oh, and you have to put up with Ralph as the vice-captains, buts thats your own fault, you choose him..

 To return to the Awards Evening Summary page click here