This season we saw continued growth of the society. We welcomed more new members and had a very healthy attendance at our outings. The attendance, the weather and by and large excellent experiences we enjoy is a testament to the amazing planning, organisation and persistence of our Secretary, Jill Moffatt who is aided and abetted by members who act as Johnny on the Spot to initiate and liaise locally. It is also proof that engaging with the members on our choice of venues and our experimentation with new formats can help not only speed of play, without reducing enjoyment and integrating our new members.
The Greensomes ran alongside our outings largely without a hitch thanks to Brian Bamber and the cooperation of the teams involved.
Your Committee Members w ork away on your behalf to plan, secure and manage funds and prizes, check cards and adjust handicaps, respond to enquiries, member and membership requests and occasional queries and clarifications, while responding to the OU Club as a major source of our funds. My thanks as always goes to them for their work and to those members who help with our website (Mani) and other matters. We co-opted Debbie Boymer to our Committee for her wise counsel this year.
There is no society without the social element. Our mutual love of golf, care and appreciation for each other and willingness to chip in constructively and respectfully are my definition of a society that works well. For that reason, thanks to those of you who support each (and in some cases every event), who bring guests and demonstrate these principles through your own actions. In that vein, thanks go to the Millbrook members, Brian Bamber who liaised with The Bedfordshire, Dave Emburey who reintroduced us to Kirtlington, Andrew Thomas at Aylesbury Vale, our members at Woburn who set us up for the Jessica Magill trophy, Digs and Toren Little who took us to Overstone Park, Nick Moody at Buckingham, and to David Laurence at Dunstable Downs.
Of course some things are beyond our control – we experienced extremes of weather too. Our final outing was abandoned after the bacon rolls due to fog! However, in the true spirit of committed golfers, some players reverted to lower, clear courses to play anyway and some sclaffed a ball around 9 holes and went for a pleasant lunch!
Championship Day players suffered in the blazing sun and some of us faded out in the heat. That said, we congratulate a new name on the trophy – Dave Gibson – who prevailed to claim the title of Champion and The John Boulton Rosebowl. His name goes on the trophy which we established this year is very valuable and accordingly we have it stored securely at the OU Campus now.
The other winners of our trophies are recorded below:
Spring CupTim Delaney
John Boulton Trophy Dave Gibson
Newbould Plate Liz Moody
Walton CupJill Moffatt
Massey Cup Digory Little
Summer CupMani Peralta
Jessica MacgillJohn Gaffey
The Greensomes was won by Ian Whitely and David Laurence (AKA the bionic man sporting a new hip!)
The Eynon Trophy is awarded to the member who amasses the highest three stableford scores in the season. This year it is awarded to... Dave Gibson. Those new clubs are working a treat!
We look forward to discussing your ideas and suggestions for the 2025 season and to your continued support to run the society on friendly, appreciative and inclusive terms.
Liz Moody
OUGS Chair