Down In One Golf Society

Introduction

This issue covers our autumn golf break, the awards ceremonial meal, the PRIAPIC and the Christmas Trophy competition and meal.

Autumn Golf Break

As October 2008 was the society’s 10th anniversary we decided we should celebrate it with a trip to the home of golf - St Andrews. Because of the travel involved we opted for a four night stay rather than the more usual two night stay, arriving Sunday October 20th and departing Thursday October 23rd. Rob & John volunteered to take all of the golf equipment in Rob’s car while the rest of the party travelled by train. Mike, Hugh and Ray were unable to attend so that left seven diogs with Stephen Gulson taking up the eighth slot.

On arriving in St Andrews Rob & John found the first problem was finding the hotel as it had been cunningly renamed the Ogstons. Still they eventually did find it and were assured by the receptionist that they had been given the best of the four rooms. It turned out that their room was not in fact the largest but at least it had hot and cold running water which more than can be said of Richard and Stephen’s room. After our long journey we decided to take the easy option and have our evening meal in the hotel, which was fine.

In the morning, refreshed and filled with our scottish breakfasts we were ready for the first day’s golf at the Castle Course. This course, one of the seven St Andrews’ courses, is the newest and is situated a short drive south of the town on the coast. It was a very windy day with occasional horizontal hail and the course proved to be one of toughest we have had ever played. After taking a short break half way round, to get out of the hail, we all managed to complete the 18 hole competition for the Secretary’s Cup and the first round of match play between New and Old Order. Stephen Gulson won with 19 points and he also won the longest drive, but not unusually no one won nearest the pin. In the four ball better ball match play, New Order finished 1 point in front of Old Order.

The evening’s meal was taken in a local Chinese restaurant where Rod insisted that the tables be rearranged so that we could all sit together, even if it meant the owner had to lose a table in the process.

On Tuesday we played for the Treasurer’s Trophy and the second round of match play on the Jubilee course, in more sunny conditions but still with a strong wind blowing. Despite making David play off 21 he still managed to win the trophy, scoring 22 points, beating Richard by one point. Rod won the longest drive and David won nearest the pin. In the second round of four ball better ball matches, New Order increased their lead to 3½ to ½.

After the golf the more enthusiastic golfers visited the golf museum while the others went back to the hotel to rest. We choose a recommended curry house for our evening meal but the restaurant was very busy, the service slow and the bill extremely large.

As we had time to spare before venturing out for our last evening meal, we went for a walk round the old part of town, visiting the Museum Of The University of St Andrews (MUSA) on the way. Unfortunately the castle was closed but we still got a good view of it and the old cathedral ruins from the outside. On the way back to the hotel David suggested we stop for tea in a nearby café but walking through the door was like walking into a children’s tea party – it was packed with university students and so we beat a hasty retreat.

At our 10th AGM, which was held in Drouthy Neebors, Rod was elected as the new president. His first act on taking over the chair of the meeting was to close it. After the meeting we took part in the pub quiz, coming joint second against teams made up of mainly university students. Ian and a woman from the other second place team had to answer a tie break question to decide who should receive the prize. As the question was in what year was the 999 emergency number introduced and as the woman was an american there was no contest and we were awarded the prize of a DVD.

On 6th November we met up for a pre Christmas meal at the Rising Sun in Epsom. The trophies won in the autumn were presented at the end of this meal.

Presentation of the DIOGS Bowl

PRIAPIC

The PRIAPIC was held at Tyrrells Wood on 17th December. All the diogs were present plus Brian Wright and Stephen Gulson. Brian comfortably came first with 37 points but the green jacket was awarded to Richard who was the leading diog with 30 points. The President chose The Cock in Headley for our evening meal after the competition. Everyone brought at least one secret santa present and these were handed out by our very own santa.

Christmas trophy

Our Christmas competition was held on 1st February at Hersham Golf Club. Snow was forecast for later in the day and the conditions were decidedly chilly but dry. Six diogs took part and although Rob scored the most points with 33, Rod won the trophy as he came third with 30 points. The Christmas meal following the competition was taken in the Prince Of Wales in West End. As usual a good time was had by all, well apart from Ian who whinged about the cold.

At the first tee at Hersham