NEWS ARCHIVES





News for 2007

14th December 2007
A chilly but nicely sunny day greeted the meagre turn out for the end of year fun event at Downshire. Even though there were just 12 players who tried to tackle the frozen ground conditions, a great amount of fun was to be had by all.

The format for the day was a fun team competition combined with the normal 18 hole indivdual stableford competition. Each team consisted of 3 people. The team scored by taking the Stableford points from a different indivdual in turn. For example, Player A's score on hole 1 would count to the team score, Player B's on 2nd hole, Player C's on the 3rd, and then back to Player A's on the 4th. When a player was playing the hole for the team they had to use the team "Yellow Ball". The Stableford score gained when using this "Yellow Ball" was doubled and added to the team score. When the "Yellow Ball" was lost, the team carried on scoring but the "Yellow Ball score" was not doubled. Hope that's as clear as mud!!!!

The team competition was surprisingly close at the top and bottom, but unfortunately there was a large gap in the middle :-)

The bottom two teams scored 33 and 38 points each - both teams having lost their Yellow Balls early on in the round and thus not benefitting from the doubling of their points. Conversly at the top, the two teams kept their balls for a long way, the second place team even finished the round still with their ball. However, keeping their ball was not quite enough to take the prize, becuase even though they lost their ball on the 16th the winning team were John Waghorn, Nigel Warren and Frazer Webb. Congratulations to them, and to everyone else who had a great day.

In parallel to the team competition the normal hole prizes and individual competition was happening.

First of is the "hole" winners. Nearest the Pin on the 7th was a tough challenge, as the green was frozen solid, and the pin close to the front. It was mastered by Michael Shepherd. The Longest Drive was a meagrely fought contest as Nigel Warren set the benchmark in the first group with no one else behind managing to beat it. Lastly Nearest the Pin in 2 Shots was taken by an under-perfoming Bryan Carter.

Finally we get to the individual stableford competition. The conditions were tricky, greens and fairways frosted solid. Many players complaining that they couldn't pitch on the green, etc. Even with conditions like this, the spread of scores was still impressive, with over half the field over 30 points. However, only 2 players equalled or bettered handicap. 2nd place with a handicap equalling score of 36 points, was Tim Phllips. The winner, with a 6 under handicap bandit score of 42 points, was Frazer Webb.

Well done to all the winners, and thanks for a great event to round off the season.

The entire results can be found on the results page.

Although this event does not count towards the Order of Merit, the scores are eligible for handicap adjustment.

5th October 2007
A surprinsgly warm day for October, but a very poor turn out of just 12 players.

News from the course:
  • Peter Carfrae's Nearest the Pin winner on the 2nd hole was a bit of a fancy shot. Topped tee shot took 2 bounces before reaching the bunker, straight through the bunker, out the other side, and ended up just a few feet from the pin!
  • Frazer Webb on the 1st Par 5 (6th). After an excellent tee shot round the dog leg, Frazer's approach shot to the green ended up in a tree, 4 feet above the ground! Interesting 3rd shot!
  • The Longest Drive was rather anti-climactic. Originally it was held on the 12th hole, but after all 12 players failed to find the fairway, it was replayed on the 17th. Even then only one of the 24 attempts found the fairway!
  • As Brayn Carter walked of the 18th it was noted that he had a spring in his step. As he hadn't won, it was put down to wind!
  • Mark Harris 3 putting from 4 feet - shame, if he hadn't he might have won!
  • Michael Prevost being 9 over after just two holes!


  • Now to the winners. Consistency was the order of the day with just 3 players matching or beating handicap. Third place was Frazer Webb, second place was the "consistent-all-season" Jim Samuel, but pipping them both by just 2 shots was Chris Turvill with a 2-under nett 69. Well done Chris. However, Jim's 2nd place and consistently good scoring all through the year easily secured him the top place in the final Order of Merit.
    As for the other winners for the day, Jim Samuel eventually won the Longest Drive; Peter Carfare, as previously mentioned, won the Nearest The Pin with a classic shot; and the final prize went to Bryan Carter for the Nearest The Pin in 2 shots. Well done to all those winners.

    The entire results can be found on the results page.

    The Final Order of merit is updated, but don't forget the rules this year means the merit does not include guests - only paid up society members are included. Handicap adjustments are also posted.

    See you at Downshire for the Xmas Rumble! Get your monies to Chris asap please.

    14th September 2007
    A nice warm day, and a good turn out of 21 players, and some good golf from most of the players.

    News from the course is a bit sparse owing to the jetlag of the normal roving reporter!!
  • The Nearest the Pin in 2 shots was hotly contested with many people getting quite close, but the last group sealed the prize with style - Lee Burton's holed his 2nd shot! Well done Lee.


  • The overall scoring throughout the group was high. 17 people scoring 30 or more points, 9 people playing on or better than handicap. A good high level of play. 4 people played better than handicap, all by a considerable amount. 4th place was Mark Harris with 39 points, Jim Samuel 3rd also with 39 points, John Waghorn 2nd with a whopping 41 points, but unlikely for John, Paul Donlevy topped the table with 42 points. Well done Paul, commiserations everyone else.

    The hole prizes went as follows: as previously mentioned Lee Burton bagged the Nearest the Pin in 2 shots with a "hole in 2", Mark Harris bagged the Nearest The Pin prize, and as predicted Jim Samuel won the Longest Drive by a large margin!

    The entire results can be found on the results page.

    Order of merit is updated, but don't forget the rules this year means the merit does not include guests - only paid up society members are included. Handicap adjustments are also posted.

    16th August 2007
    On a nice warm day, a good turnout of 18 people turned up at the excellent Hartley Wintney. A great course, in great condition, with great reception from the staff and good food. Will we back, definitely!

    Although there was some good play at the top of the results there was also some other events from the course:
  • Nigel Warren finally deciding to ditch his broom handle after 3 putting from 2 feet - it would be safe to say Nigel didn't perform to well on the greens.
  • Mark Turvill however proved how to do it properly by sinking a 45 foot birdie putt on the 15th.
  • Ian Turvill played well, but half way round he was heard to say that his playing partners should have been christened "Suicidal" and "Kamikaze". I think it would be safe to say that Ian was the only one in his group playing well!
  • Bryan Carter although winning the Nearest The Pin in 2 shots, apparently played one of the most crappy shots ever on the 2nd shot.


  • As to the winners, it was tight at the top, with the first 5 all equalling or bettering handicap. Matt Turvill, Mike Timms, Tony Peters and Ian Turvill all achieved 36 points by equalling handicap, but by just one point Jim Samuel scrambled to the win with 37 points. Congrats to Jim. As for the other winners, predictably Nigel Warren spanked a good one to win the Longest Drive, but the other 2 Nearest The Pin prizes were both bagged by Bryan Carter. Well done Bryan.

    The entire results can be found on the results page.

    Order of merit is updated, but don't forget the rules this year means the merit does not include guests - only paid up society members are included. Handicap adjustments are also posted.

    Don't forget, the next event on 14th September has moved - we're now at Bird Hills, with Farnham Park October 5th instead. If you're playing either then please let the organisers know asap.
    18th July 2007
    A meagre turn out for our first visit as a society to Flackwell Heath Golf Club. The course was well maintained and interesting although many found the rough to be a trifle too long.

    There were a few items of interest from the course:
  • Darren Buckley manging to bounce his ball of a roof of a nearby house back into the course and in fact back onto the fairway!
  • Josh Paxman playing the wrong ball on the 18th hole
  • Colin Turvill chipping in on th 15th from off the green, followed by Mark Turvill doing the same thing on the 17th.


  • And for the winners, a number of people managed a near handicap score but only two bettered their handicap. Bryan Carter achieving 37 points, but was pipped to the finish line by Michael Prevost with 38 points. Well done Michael. As for the hole prizes, John Waghorn taking a good Nearest The Pin prize, Bryan Carter taking the Longest Drive, and Jim Samuel taking the Nearest the Pin in 2 shots. Well done to all those people. The entire results can be found on the results page.

    Order of merit is updated, but don't forget the rules this year means the merit does not include guests - only paid up society members are included. Handicap adjustments are also posted.

    11th June 2007
    Another very poor turnout - this time for the all day event. Very disappointing!!

    But what a course - by far the best we've played this year, as we caught it in the week between the Club Championships and an annual open competition. You will have already seen from our Captain, that the same course has been booked for the same week next year - you have been warned - plenty of time to book that holiday and get your walking shoes out and ready.

    The morning event was a Pairs Greensomes with the additional requirement of each person in the pair having to provide at least 6 drives each - sometimes easier said than done! There was very little news from around the course apart from a squirrel who tried to nick Tony Peters' ball on the 13th - thankfully he was chased away in time, as Tony's ball ended up winning the Nearest the Pin prize for the hole.

    As for the winners, that slot went to Chris Penfold and Frazer Webb with a 37 point haul off a combined handicap of 20. Well done to both of those. Close behind in second place with a 36 point haul (again of 20 handicap) were Matt Ellis and Michael Prevost.

    Longest Drive on the 5th hole was won by Nigel Warren making a welcome return to the fold, and the Nearest The Pin on the 13th hole was won by the previously mentioned Tony Peters.


    Moving to the afternoon, the players engaged the course for a second time but this time individually. The only notable news received from the afternoon was Ian Turvill on the 8th hole, who had a putt for a par, but ended up blobbing the hole! Nice one Ian ..... !!

    As to the winners, well it was a bit of a Turvill-fest. Chris Turvill bagged the win with a 41 point haul, just pipping his cousin Mark Turvill who had 40 points, followed close behind by Colin Turvill with 38 points. Although there were 2 more Turvill's playing, the streak was broken in 4th place by a returning Nigel Warren with 37 points. Longest Drive (16th hole) went to Matt Ellis, Nearest the Pin (13th hole) Chris Penfold and Nearest the Pin in 2 shots (2nd hole) Nigel Warren. Well done to everyone who played the day - I think nearly everyone enjoyed themselves.


    The entire results can be found on the results page.

    Order of merit is updated, but don't forget the rules this year means the merit does not include guests - only paid up society members are included. Handicap adjustments are also posted.

    17th May 2007
    A poor turnout of just 12 made it through the humid weather to Wexham Park. This is our worst turnout for 12 months, come on everyone there must be more friends and relatives out there who can play!

    The considerably wet weather prior to this event had soften the course up nicely meaning you could fly the ball direct the pin, even if you don't know how to impart back spin :-) Apart from a couple of soggy patches on a few of the greens the course was in excellent condition.

    No guests today to welcome or new members.

    With the slow-play reminder from the Captain ringing in our ears everyone was pleased to say that every group got round in 3.5 hours or less. This is great and exactly what we want to try and achieve.

  • After last months John Waghorn impersonators, the man himself is back showing everyone how to do it properly - a club or two was seen being thrown somewhere on the 10th
  • Mark Turvill, the eventual winner, had a narrow squeak when his 18th tee shot went a bit wild of to the left towards a stream. His ball was saved from the abyss by a twig lying on the slope down towards the stream.
  • Mark Turvill, again, winning the Nearest Pin in 2 shots by playing his second out of a fairway bunker 150 yards from the green - a very difficult shot executed perfectly.
  • Ian Turvill - whether he was planning to leave early or because he knew he'd ended up last we're not quite sure. Ian - you won't get away from accepting the bogey prize that easily!
  • Steve Dyett's shoe collection is growing - turning up to a golf game without your golf shoes is a handicap most people don't want, but it sounds like Steve's a regular at that as he's now acquired 3 pairs of golf shoes in a similar manner!
  • John Waghorn, last years winner on this course turned in another solid performance. The self confessed perennial back marker obviously likes this course.
  • Simon Cowell (alias Tony Browne) with his sartorial elegance in the club house after the game.
  • And finally, how can we have a write up without mentioning those two bloody dogs playing on the 18th green. I don't know if they pinched anybody's balls that day but trying to putt out for par on the last when two white yappy dogs are running around the green chasing each other is a bit challenging!


  • On to the prizes. For the 3rd time in 6 years, Mark Turvill bagged the trophy with a huge 42 points. As Mark put it afterwards, why do I keep winning the same trophy! A great second place went to Tony Peters, who obviously turned in an excellent performance to bag 39 points. Longest Drive went to the long hitting Jim Samuel, Nearest the Pin to Bryan Carter and Nearest the Pin in 2 shots to the previously mentioned Mark Turvill. Well done to all the winners. The entire results can be found on the results page.

    Order of merit is updated, but don't forget the rules this year means the merit does not include guests - only paid up society members are included. Please note that as Tony Browne is now a member, we have adjusted the Order of Merit from the first event to reflect the points he scored - as per the rules this year. Handicap adjustments are also posted.

    See you at Surbiton in June - don't forget to let Chris know if you're playing as soon as possible.



    Finally a repeat of the message from the Captain:
    Following Merrist Wood and a few observations, please will everyone take a close look at the society rules on the web site.

    We have taken a long time to ensure that the rules will speed up play.

    Firstly - SLOW PLAY. Slow play is a bug bare, so will everyone please read the rules closely - copied here for your convenience. Slow play - If a group is holding up the society group behind then they are asked to invite the group behind to play through. The group behind should indicate to the group in front a willingness to play through. - failure to adhere to this rule may result in a two-shot penalty for everyone in the offending group - at the Captain's discretion.

    Secondly - LOST BALLS. The rules on the web site are quite clear - if in any doubt about the location of a ball, you MUST play a provisional. If you don't, and can't find your ball, then drop one where you think the ball was lost and take a TWO SHOT PENALTY 'stroke and distance' this is a common society rule and it does speed up play if adhered too. You do this instead of returning to where you played your previous shot.


    These are rules agreed and voted upon at an AGM, so please READ THE RULES PAGE AND DON'T MOAN IF YOU SUFFER A PENALTY.

    Regards

    Colin Turvill, Captain
    19th April 2007
    Well another nice weather day greated us at Merrist Wood. Shame about the condition of the course - obviously not at it's best at this time of year!

    Another good solid crowd of 18, lets hope it continues at that sort of level each event this year.

    Today we welcomed another first time guest, Danny Raine, a returning guest from a few years ago John Castlemaine III and a regular member who's been absent for a while, Paul Warren. Welcome or welcome back to all.

    It was also good to see our Sales champ back out on the course trying out his reconstituted back - good to see you up and about Bryan (Carter).



    Enough of the pleasantries - who did what?
  • We have a new John Waghorn impersonator - Bryan "The Club Thrower" Carter, however ....
  • A young pretender to that throne is fast catching up in the shape of Matt "6 clubs in one hole" Turvill - yes apparently he threw 6 clubs at his bag on the one hole!
  • The greens were rather poor and a bit like Blackpool beach in places. Many players missed simple putts, including Frazer Webb who missed a 1 foot putt. But there was also some luck to be had on the greens in the shape of Chris Turvill's putt on one hole - he putted down one tramline, it bounced out into another tramline, carried on towards the hole and dropped.


  • On to the prizes. Luckily for the winner he had joined as a member a week before - well done Tony Browne. Tony came in with a bandit 41 points - very suitable for the winner of The Bandit's Bowl!

    Other prizes went to Micky Eagle for the Nearest the Pin - a great shot ending up only a few feet away (on a hard pin position) - and yes he did make his birdie. Nearest the Pin in 2 shots went to the only player in the entire field to hit the green in 2 - Jim Samuel. And longest drive went to our American guest, John Castemaine III. Well done to all the winners. The entire results can be found on the results page.

    Order of merit is updated, but don't forget the rules this year means the merit does not include guests - only paid up society members are included. Please note that as Tony Browne is now a member, we have adjusted the Order of Merit from the first event to reflect the points he scored - as per the rules this year. Handicap adjustments are also posted.

    See you on the 17th May at Wexham - don't forget to let Chris know if you're playing by the 8th.



    Finally an important message from the Captain:
    Following Merrist Wood and a few observations, please will everyone take a close look at the society rules on the web site.

    We have taken a long time to ensure that the rules will speed up play.

    Firstly - SLOW PLAY. Slow play is a bugbare, so will everyone please read the rules closely - copied here for your convenience. Slow play - If a group is holding up the society group behind then they are asked to invite the group behind to play through. The group behind should indicate to the group in front a willingness to play through. - failure to adhere to this rule may result in a two-shot penalty for everyone in the offending group - at the Captain's discretion.

    Secondly - LOST BALLS. The rules on the web site are quite clear - if in any doubt about the location of a ball, you MUST play a provisional. If you don't, and can't find your ball, then drop one where you think the ball was lost and take a TWO SHOT PENALTY 'stroke and distance' this is a common society rule and it does speed up play if adhered too. You do this instead of returning to where you played your previous shot.


    These are rules agreed and voted upon at an AGM, so please READ THE RULES PAGE AND DON'T MOAN IF YOU SUFFER A PENALTY.

    Regards

    Colin Turvill, Captain
    27th March 2007
    What a barmy winter we're having. Beautiful sunshine and warm weather greeted us on the first tee of the season. And what a course - by far the longest we've ever played at over 6500 yards, and not a nice test to start the season with when most haven't even seen their bats since October!

    So another season, another golf course. Looks like there's some nice courses coming up this year so lets hope for a good solid crowd at each event. And we couldn't have got off to a better start with 22 players signed up for the event, and only 3 of those being guests. Welcome to all our new members this year - Peter Carfrae and Josh Paxman, and nice to see a load of the regulars back yet again.

    After doing such a grand job organizing the cheap deal with the club, our master salesman Bryan Carter had to pull out at the last minute with a sore throat - why is it that whenever anyone phones into work sick with a bad back they always put on the dodgy throat voice!!! Get well soon Bryan.



    Enough of the pleasantries - down to business. Who did what on this opening night?
  • Steve "Barnes Wallis" Dyett on the 10th
  • Micky "Barnes Wallis" Eagle on the 18th
  • Ian "Barnes Wallis" Turvill on the 3rd
  • Darren "wannabe Barnes Wallis" Anderson failing to complete the Dambuster March on the 10th - twice!
  • Michael "Woodpecker" Shepherd in the trees - on pretty much every hole I understand!
  • Darren "Lumberjack" Anderson hitting the same tree from three different locations on the same fairway (17th)!
  • Micky "Demolition Man" Eagle sending the 1500 yard marker flying on the 10th with a well struck ball.
  • Frazer "Jammy Git" Webb ending up in the middle of the fairway after a hooked tee-shot hit the 200yard marker post.


  • Enough of the cock-ups - who actually did something right! Well after a season of being the bridesmaid, Jim Samuel finally managed to get down the aisle ahead of anyone else. Congratulations Jim, and we expect to see the honeymoon videos! In fact Jim was the only person to play to handicap or below - tough course took it's toll elsewhere. But a gallant runner-up was a long lost player from a few years ago Matt Turvill. Well done Matt.

    Aside from those two you can see the rest of the also-rans on the results page. The skill prizes were as follows: 6th hole Nearest the Pin in 2 shots - Paul Donlevy; 8th hole Nearest the Pin - Mark Turvill; 18th hole Longest Drive - Frazer Webb. Well played to those three for that one piece of skill at the right time - I know in Frazer's case it was the only piece of skill in the whole round :-)

    Order of merit is updated, but don't forget the rules this year means the merit does not include guests - only paid up society members are included. Handicap adjustments are also posted.

    See you on the 19th at Merrist Wood - don't forget to let Chris know if you're playing by the 10th.

    6th February 2007
    Welcome to the Bunkers Web Site for the 2007 Season. During the season this website will be updated with details of each event, the winners, the loosers, the bandits, and the no-hopers! Oh and hopefully news that we've had lots of people playing and lots of fun games.