Thank you to Howard for arranging an excellent golf day at Kirtlington Golf Club yesterday. The weather was kind and we all had a splendid time as you can see from the photo above.
The winners were:
Winner – Dr. Nick Thompson
2nd – Dan Simpson
3rd – Tim House
Most points front 9 – Tim Riley
Most points back 9 – Mark Ford-Langstaff
Nearest the pin – Howard Lancaster
Longest drive – Dr. Nick Thompson
Veterans trophy – George Lamb
A very healthy number of members gathered at Kirtlington GC on Thursday 1st October; 14 to be precise, for the annual battle to win the ancient “SMIPLOSS” tankard.
The weather was simply gorgeous and with good views in all directions, the course was looking at its best.
A Covid spaced sandwich lunch was followed by two competitions.
The Veterans trophy was fiercely contested on the Par 3 Blenheim course between George Lamb and David Moorman. They had substantial but equal handicaps (golf that is!) and the scorecard read like a boxing match card. Never more than a hole ahead with the lead fluctuating, they arrived at the 9th and final hole with George one up. David produced a par 3 shot finish to George’s 4, and so the match was all square. They declined to play an additional deciding hole, preferring to share the trophy for the year.
Four teams of 3 contested the main course and all professed to have enjoyed the day. We all gathered for liquid refreshment and the prize giving following the golf.
Nearest the pin Tim House
Longest Drive Sathya Vadivale
Best Front 9 score Andrew Hickman 18 points
Best Back 9 score Howard Lancaster 17 points
Overall Winner Nick Thompson 37 points
No one was allowed to win more than one prize and the majority of the scoring was around 30 stableford points indicating a good standard of golf.
The winner was chased home by Sathya on 36 points (he would also have won the best back 9 score, but only 1 prize each !).
Especially for those not playing golf regularly, the individual memory of at least 2 (or more!) brilliant shots will hopefully linger so that everyone returns next year.
Your author is very grateful for the bottle of Port, presented by Howard Lancaster, as an impending move will mean another organiser next year.
Nick
We were unable to field a full cricket team for this year’s MSCC Golf Tournament.
In fact just 7 players limbered up at the 1st Tee, a multitude of genuine problems, from farming to housebuilding, and even work had caused problems this year.
Following a standard lunch of Guinness, soup, sandwiches and chips, we set out on a Kirtlington course in very good condition.
David Moorman was the first victor, scoring 14 points over the first 9 holes, retaining the Seniors trophy as his opponent George Lamb was unable to compete this year.
The rest of us enjoyed the views and our golf, which was of a high standard, with 29 points the lowest score for 3 of us.
Tim House was third with 33 points, and the Longest Drive (yet again), Nick Thompson was 2nd with 35 points and nearest the pin, and Howard Lancaster was the victor, also on 35 points, by virtue of a better back 9 holes.
Prizes were allocated, alcohol was imbibed and we resolved to meet again next year, with hopefully an increased turnout.
Nick Thompson
Middleton Stoney Cricket Club Annual Golf Tournament
Kirtlington Golf Club was once again the venue for our Cricket Club to venture into the high pressure world of Golf.
Our annual tournament was blessed with wonderful weather, little wind and bright sun out of a clear blue sky.
14 brave souls turned up for a light lunch and then set off on 3 ball matches on a course that was in good condition.
Whilst 12 of us were competing for the SMIPLOSS trophy, 2 of our number were contesting a new MSCC Seniors match.
George Lamb and David Moorman battled over the first 9 holes and could not be separated at the end.
A tie with the trophy to be shared 6 months each !
For the rest of us, the handicapping worked reasonably well, with all scoring 26 points and over.
However Andrew Hickman with 36 points was third, Dan Simpson, second with 39 points and your author , rather surprisingly, had one of those days and returned with 44 points (double checked!) to win the trophy for the first time.
There were other prizes, Longest drive won by Tim House, and nearest the Pin won by Richard Lumb.
Discussion continued in the evening sunshine with the accompaniment of a drink or two, as we debated if our skills were required in Paris for the Ryder Cup!
Nick Thompson
12 intrepid golfers sat down to soup and sandwiches at Kirtlington GC today, as they contemplated their chances of winning the Smiploss Tankard.
This has been contested annually at the end of the cricket season and the name amalgamates previous MSCC captains SMITH,PLANT & ROSS.
Glorious sunshine encouraged our play and it seemed to help as no fewer than 9 golfers scored over 30 points.
The battle for top spot was between Tim House (previous winner) and Howard Lancaster, who was making his debut in the competition.
In the event, the debutant triumphed with 42 points, Tim close behind on 39.
Tim came away with a prize however, as he just beat Sathya Vadivale for the longest drive on the 18th hole.
Your author surprisingly won nearest the pin on the 16th.
The Bar welcomed us for prize presentations and alcoholic refreshment.
Roll on 2018!
Nick Thompson
Editor: Well organised, Nick. An excellent day appreciated by us all
Kirtlington Golf Club welcomed 14 intrepid Cricketers to compete for the Smiploss Tankard (an amalgam of previous skippers Smith, Plant and Ross).
The weather was splendid, the course behaved itself and so did the players.
Various prizes were on offer – the longest drive on the 18th was hotly contested with a number of mighty blows, some unfortunately leaving the fairway or entering the clubhouse patio. Richard Simpson managed to clear the central bunker to claim a bottle of finest Red.
Nearest the Pin on the 16th was challenging for most, but Mike Richards thought he was the comfortable winner until Tim Cranston’s effort cannoned off the green marker ending up closer to the pin ! Another bottle of Red back to the Bar manager !
Scoring generally was pretty good, with 8 players scoring 30 or more points. 3 stalwarts had 37 points, Jon O’Neill had 38 and the winner for the second year in succession and therefore retaining the Smiploss tankard was Sathya Vadivale with 42 points.
The handicap committee was obviously far too lenient this year so severe penalties will be applied next year !
9 of us dined on Roast Pork followed by Apple & Pear Crumble with the obligatory custard !
Roll on 2017…….
Nick Thompson
The Annual MSCC Golf tournament took place at Kirtlington GC on Friday 2nd October in glorious Autumn weather.
9 competitors were battling for the SMIPLOSS trophy (there are components of previous captains in the naming of said trophy!) and the Handicap Committee was particularly active this year. Unfortunately 1 entrant escaped their surveillance as he won the competition with a total of 41 points, a good 5 points clear of the field!
Well played Sathya, an excellent round and we look forward to you defending the trophy next year. As ever, the Handicap Committee are now well informed.
Ale and wine accompanied the Roast Pork and Apple Crumble and we thank Kirtlington GC for their excellent hospitality as always.
