What a glorious year with beautiful sunny days and record temperatures at the start of the summer how can one resist the pleasure of walking outdoors round a picturesque golf course with colleagues and friends. The weather unfortunately deteriorated as the summer went on with spells of heavy rain, but this did not deter the attendees from enjoying the day with great company. COVID was a long distant memory with all planned events taking place without disruption.
The year started in April with the Spring Meeting at the popular and challenging undulating heath land course at Camberley Heath Golf Club in Surrey, the course being in the top 100 UK courses. There were twenty two members and their guests with the members playing for the Bridgewater Bowl. The weather on the day was fine for the early part of the year and the sunshine was most welcoming. The winner on the day with an exception score of 44 points was Paul Merritt, a definite handicap adjustment for the remaining 2023 events. The runner up with 41 points was the ever present and regular challenger Damian Tiernan. The annual AGM instead of taking place as an individual event was held after the golf event dinner, with the accounts being certified and the officers for the year being confirmed. This is also the occasion of awarding the Jubilee Trophy, a replica of the claret jug presented to the winner of The Open. The trophy winner is the member with the best total aggregate score taking into account all events of the previous year, the winner on this occasion was none other than the day’s event winner Paul Merritt.
At the end of June the early Summer Event and the Captain’s Choice course, was held at the ever popular and challenging parkland course at Moor Park Golf Club near Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire, where the elevated views from some hole across the local country side is quite stunning. The club was the venue for The Open qualifier this year so the courses are prepared to a high standard. We choice to play the West Course this year as a change from the usual High Course and it proved to be an equivalent challenge although less hilly. The club house is a Grade 1 listed building and former Mansion House with very old, ornate and decorative ceilings and walls. Some members blend in quite nicely to the surroundings. There were twenty one members and their guests for this event with the members playing for the Master’s Cut Glass Decanter and Glasses. The day was nice and sunny with a little breeze, and a very pleasant temperature. The winner on the day was Andy Holborn with 39 points, the local player and club member Clive Rillstone being a close runner up on 38 points.
The Paviors Charity Golf Event was held this year at Porters Park Golf Club at Radlett in Hertfordshire, although not a Golf Society organised event, it is an important event to raise funds for the Paviors Charity, the event was organised by past Clerks John White and John Freestone. The turnout was disappointing with a reduction on previous years, but that did not distract from a well organised event with the usual heads and tails, raffle, and auction after the golf to raise funds for the Charity. The individual winner on the day and the winner of the McAlpine Trophy was Pavior Doug Weston and the team prize being won by Paviors John White, Gordon Harris, and Doug Weston.
Let us see more Paviors making the effort at the 2024 Charity event.
The Late Summer event and the third of the year in September was held at one of the most scenic of all courses the Society plays, the undulating parkland course at Burnham Beeches Golf Club in Buckinghamshire, with the members playing for the Past Captain’s Salva. There were twenty one members and their guests enjoying what should have been the later summer sun, but instead it was overcast and the late playing groups having to endure heavy rain as they trudged their way wearily back to the club house. Once showered and changed the weather however was soon forgotten over an enjoyable lunch. As always there can be only one winner and on the day and that was Damian Tiernan with 36 points, winning on count back from runner up Clive Rillstone.
The autumn event, and the last of the year in late October, was once again at the firm favourite for all the members and their guests Tandridge Golf Club near Godstone in East Surrey. The Harry Colt course has a very calm introduction with a fairly flat first nine holes with only minor undulations, but this changes dramatically on the back nine holes with rolling hills and beautiful views over the surrounding areas of Kent and Sussex making it challenging for even the best of golfers. After the struggle of the back nine holes what could be more appealing for all players than the wonderful carvery served up by the chef and the mouth-watering selection of desserts. The event attracted twenty four members and their guests, one of the absentees at this event was Geoffrey Collins at 95, who missed the event for the first time, up until this year he was still playing and walking the course, proving age is no barrier. The attending members were playing for the Winter Challenger Trophy, which was presented to the society some years ago by Geoffrey Collins. This year’s winner was the local player and club member Sean McKeague with 37 points, the runner up being Paul McCracken with 34 points.
The year has also been a good year for the members attending other Liveries Events as guests. At the Worshipful Company of Loriners Invitation Golf Event in August held at Sundridge Park Golf Club in Bromley, the individual winner was Pavior Sean McKeague and the team winners were Paviors Malcolm Stephen, Jim Morgan, and Sean McKeague. Then in September at the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayer Invitation Event held at Burnham Beeches Golf Club, the team winners, and winners of The Three Clerks Trophy for the first time, were Paviors John Freestone and Gordon Harris. A trophy that we will need to defend in 2024 Next year’s diary of events for the Society has already been provisionally arranged and commences. The first golf event will next year be on the 18th April at Camberley Heath Golf Club in Surrey. The years events are included in the diary of events as noted on the Paviors web site.
All members of the livery are welcome to join the Society. Golfing ability is not a criteria, members of all levels of playing ability are more than welcome to come along and enjoy the company of other members for a pleasant day out, gentle exercise and good food. What could be better?
After many years as Secretary / Treasurer of the Society I am standing down so that I can take back seat as an ordinary playing member, so this will be my last newsletter. In future the name of Paul Merritt will appear, so brighten up his start in 2024 with joining the Society