Monday 20th December 2021 saw the annual TMGC Christmas Golf Day hosted at Test Valley Golf Club. Well done to Captain Greg Saunders for persevering with the organisation of this event in the face of adversity bought about by the onset of the Omicron virus (and of course work for some) which meant quite a few of our members and guests had to take the difficult decision to withdraw from the day – you were all sorely missed but a huge thank you to those who stepped in at the last minute to ensure we had meaningful numbers and a strong competition.
The weather was set fair – a very mild day kicked off with coffee and bacon rolls and the Christmas catwalk offering a glittering array of Christmas golf jumpers and hats. We had five teams playing a special ‘fun’ 18 hole golf course – every hole was played off alternating tee positions (yellow, red and blue) which significantly changed the distances of the Test Valley course – we had some long par 4s and only one par 5. It was a stableford points event (team and individual) with the team scores taking the top score from their team on holes 1-6; top 2 scores on 7-12 and top 3 scores on holes 13-18.
Prizes were up for grabs for the top 3 individual stableford scores, 3 skill prizes for nearest the pins (x2) and a nearest the pin in 2 on the 15th ‘pond hole’ and of course the much coveted Team event. The prize pot was large and alcoholic and the raffle prize table was even larger – a huge thankyou to everyone who donated prizes for the raffle and to Ian Mackin for donating the skill prizes. Every player and every team went home winning either a competition prize and a prize or 2 from the raffle.
Presentations and raffle took place over a fine Christmas meal (well done to the TV catering team), plenty of drinks and the usual post round banter and mickey taking and barracking – a great end to a great day.
For those who couldn’t make it or didn’t sign up this year we really hope this will ‘whet your appetite’ for next years competition – always a great and fun way to end the golfing calendar year, playing with different golfers and hopefully making new friends.
And finally………………..the results from the day
Team Competition
5th place – Greg’s team – score 82 – Greg Saunders; Sam Davis; Adrian Gibbons and Colin Phillimore
4th place – Danny’s team – score 86 – Danny Wiltshire; Graham Prosser; Alan Sawyer; + random player card
3rd place – Bryan’s team – score 91 – Bryan Holden; Adam Clay; Jamie Ward; Terry Pettican
2nd place – Phil’s team – score 92 – Phil Jarrett; Steve Griggs; Phil Watts; Kim Tierney
Winners – Mike’s team – score 94 – Mike England; Bob Craddock; Nick Aylward; + random player card
Individual Competition – 3 players all tied on 41 points so countback was used to determine the final placings
1st Phil Watts – 41 points ; 2nd Jamie Ward – 41 points ; 3rd Danny Wiltshire – 41 points
Skill Prizes
Nearest the Pin (Hole 5) – Sam Davis ; Nearest the Pin (Hole 13) – Adam Clay ; Nearest the Pin in 2 (Hole 15) – Steve Griggs