Captain's 2nd Away Day 2023
Friday 15th September 2023
South Kyme GC
Winner Jim King
Photos here
A total of 21 Seniors, Guests and a Lady participated in the 2nd Captain's Away Day, which was at South Kyme GC. It was chosen by Andy Wood and it proved to be an excellent choice - based on the quality of the Course and the hospitalty we received.
The usual fare of bacon baps and tea / coffee was made available as we arrived and Roy Sanders made sure the raffle was well supported - a grand total of £160 being raised for the Captain's Charity.
The post golf meal of steak pie and cheesecake was excellent and appreciated by all attendees.
Prize Winners
1st Place – Jim King with 43 points
2nd Place - Paul Fletcher with 34 points
3rd Place - David Toule with 33 points 0n count back
Guest Prize - Phil Hilton with 35 points
Nearest Pin on par 3's – Andy Wood & Tin Win
Nearest Pin in 2 - Jim King
Longest Drive - Chris Daynes
Best Value from the course - Graham Bull (on countback !!)
Team Prize - Messrs. Blake, Bull & King
Special thanks to Andy Wood for his perseverance and organisation, and in selecting such a wonderful venue for his Away Day
Captain's Away Day 2023
Friday 4th August 2023
Kilworth Springs GC
Winner Bob Blake
Photos here
A total of 29 Seniors took part in the Annual Captain's Away Day, which was at Kilworth Springs GC. It was chosen by Andy Wood as it is a course he knows well and it proved to be an excellent choice.
The usual fare of bacon baps and tea / coffee was made available as we arrived and Roy Sanders and Chris Daynes made sure the raffle was well supported - a grand total of £245 being raised for the Captain's Charity. (where was Bob Clarke's 60 pence!!)
Mike Whitington and Ian Nisbet prepared the draw for the day, and also completed the score cards post golf - many thanks. The post golf meal of steak and mushroom pie and apple crumble was excellent and appreciated by all attendees.
Prize Winners
1st Place – Bob Blake with 41 points
2nd Place - Alan Lowen with 40 points
3rd Place - Trevor Pick with 38 points
Nearest Pin on par 3's – Trevor Pick & John Billot
Nearest Pin in 2 - Ian Pick
Longest Drive - Ian Pick
Best Value from the course - Gordon Scott
The Old Fart Trophy - Les Vine
Guest Prize - Colin Sneesby
Team Prize - Messrs. Blake, Watchorn & Thomson
Special thanks to Andy Wood for his perseverance and organisation, and in selecting such a wonderful venue for his Away Day
Away Day 2022
Friday 5th August 2022
Spalding GC
Winner Mike Gulliford
Photos here
A total of 30 Seniors participated in this event, and were "rewarded" with a very pleasant day and wonderful golf course, which was in excellent condition. A fantastic choice by Chris, our Captain.
The usual fare of bacon baps and tea / coffee was made available as we arrived and our wallets were attacked to support the sales of the raffle tickets - a grand total of £275 being raised for the Captain's Charity.
Thanks to Andy Wood and Colin Musson for the raffle, Mike Whitington and Ian Nisbet for the cards on the day, Andy Wood for helping prepare cards the day before and for Bob Clarke for taking on the role of chief photographer. Special thanks to Phil Turrell for donating the wedge which was part of thw Winner's prize.
For the post golf meal, we were joined by Peter Bishop - nice to see him there
Prize Winners
1st Place – Mike Gulliford with 46 points
2nd Place - John Sabin with 43 points
3rd Place - Tin Win with 39 points
Nearest Pin on par 3's – Lyndon Hallett & Bruce Foster
Straightest Drive – Mike Gulliford
Longest Drive - Colin Thornton
Best Value from the course - Steve Atkins
The Old Fart Trophy - Les Vine
Team Prize - Messrs. Gulliford, Holmes & Finnis with 135 points
Special thanks to Chris Daynes for his perseverance and organisation, and in selecting such a wonderful venue for his Away Day
2nd Away Day 2021
Wednesday 6th October 2021
Styrrup Hall GC
A total of 20 Seniors participated in this event and were "rewarded" with yet another very pleasant day, with the course being in excellent condition
The usual fare of bacon baps and tea / coffee was made available as we arrived - a grand total of £205 being raised for the Captain's Charity.
Prize Winners
1st Place – Colin Thornton with 34 points
2nd Place - Mike Whitington with 31 points on c/back
3rd Place - Tom Rea with 31 points on c/back
Longest Drive (3rd) – John Billot
Nearest Pin (10th) – John Billot
Nearest Pin in two (12th) – David Toule
Team Prize - Messrs. Whitington, Stanley, Rea and Watchorn with 113 points
Special thanks to Colin Musson for his perseverance and organisation, in difficult circumstances, in giving us this 2nd Away Day
Away Day 2021
Friday 13th August 2021
The Leicestershire GC
We managed to encourage 27 Seniors to participate in this event, who were "rewarded" with a very pleasant day and at a very nice location, with the course being in excellent condition
The usual fare of bacon baps and tea / coffee was made available as we arrived and our wallets were attacked to support the sales of the raffle tickets - a grand total of £265 being raised for the Captain's Charity.
Thanks to Andy Wood and Chris Daynes for the raffle.
Afterwards homemade steak & kidney pie followed by apple crumble were provided.
Prize Winners
1st Place – Les Vine with 37 points on c/back
2nd Place - Gordon Scott with 37 points on c/back
3rd Place - Andy Wood with 37 points on c/back
We had an interesting situation today with 4 players finishing with 37 points - the 4th of whom was Dave Inglis
Nearest Pin in two (10th) – Andy Wood
Nearest Pin (17th) – David Toule
Straightest Drive – Tin Win
Team Prize - Messrs. Inglis, Thornton and Win
Special thanks to Colin Musson for his perseverance and organisation, in difficult circumstances, in giving us this Away Day
Away Day 2020
Friday 21st August 2020
Boston GC
This being a Covid delayed event, we eventually managed to rustle up 21 Seniors who were "rewarded" with a very windy day. The usual fare of bacon baps and tea / coffee was made available as we arrived and our wallets were attacked to support the sales of the raffle tickets.
The course was in good condition but the wind proved a significant test for the 21 Seniors.
After this very testing round of golf socially distanced sandwiches, fries and sausage rolls were provided.
Thanks to Colin Musson and Chris Daynes for the raffle (raising £225 for the charity).
Prize Winners
1st Place – Bob Blake with 36 points
2nd Place - Dave Inglis with 35 points
3rd Place - John Billot with 35 points
Nearest Pin (5th) – Paul Stanley
Nearest Pin (14th) – Andy Wood
Best Over 75 – Ian Nisbet
Team Prize - Messrs. Holmes, Blake and Slipper
Special thanks to John Browne for his perseverance in finally getting us an Away Day
Away Day 2019
Friday 5 July 2019
Stoke Rochford GC
Some 31 Seniors signed up for this event and were rewarded with a very warm and sunny day.
The usual fare of bacon / sausage baps and tea / coffee was made available as we arrived and our wallets were attacked to support the sales of the raffle tickets.
Our Captain gave his introductory speech outlining the plan for 7 groups off the first and the remaining 3 groups of the 17th / 18th tees. In true style the Captains “chaos” theory really did work!
We all gathered outside and our resident photographer to the seniors, George Forbes, demonstrated his fleet of foot and agility to make sure he appeared in the group photo – accompanied by supportive cheers.
Then to the respective tee boxes.
The course was in excellent condition and proved a real test for the 30 Seniors (unfortunately Bob Blake had to leave us after a few holes as he was feeling under the weather).
After a testing round of golf the clubhouse appeared and the prospect of a shower and drinks was most welcome before checking the raffle prizes and sitting down to the meal.
The presentation of the prizes got under way and the various winners are shown below.
All in all an excellent venue, food and organisation.
As always this doesn't happen by accident and a lot of work goes on behind the scenes starting months before and right up to and including the administration on the day itself.
It was great to see Alan Lowen, who joined us before the event and to see John Williams, resplendent in an Everton shirt, after the golf.
Our thanks are due to George Forbes for taking the photos and also for helping Colin Thornton to sort out the score cards.
Thanks to Dave Dexter and Chris Daynes for the raffle (raising £275 for the charity). Thanks to the staff of Stoke Rochford GC for presenting the course and their hospitality. Finally thanks are due to our Captain, Paul for all the hard work arranging and liaising with the venue over many months and for his characteristic humour and M.O.C role on the day.
Prize Winners
1st Place – Pete Stephenson with 38 points
2nd Place - Tin Win with 34 points
3rd Place - Chris Watchorn with 33 points
Nearest Pin (12) – Paul Stanley
Nearest Pin in 3 (16) – Colin Thornton
Longest Drive (4) – Pete Stephenson (who else!)
Best Over 75 – Danny Pang
Best Value – Gordon Scott
Team Prize - Messrs. Stanley, Watchorn and Forbes
Finally the photos may be viewed here (it may take a day or so for them all to be uploaded)
Away Day 2018
Friday 6 July
Melton Mowbray GC
Some 42 Seniors signed up for this event and were rewarded with a very warm and sunny day.
The usual fare of bacon baps and coffee were handed round liberally as we arrived and our wallets were lightened in readiness of the round by swapping notes for smaller raffle tickets.
Our Captain gave his introductory speech followed by the Club Pro pointing out where the holes were and details on the flag arrangements on the greens. This was far too complicated for Mr Lowen but eventually the penny dropped and all was well to move to the next phase - the photos.
We all gathered outside on the first tee box and our resident photographer to the stars, George Forbes, demonstrated his fleet of foot and agility to make sure he appeared in the group photo. And so we departed to our designated starting holes for the shotgun start.
The course was nicely presented despite the lack of rain over the past month and proved an ideal testing ground for us Seniors.
Finally the clubhouse hove into view and it was quite a race to the bar to wet the whistles before checking the raffle prizes and sitting down to the meal.
The presentation of the prizes got under way and the various winners are shown below.
I think I'm right in saying this was one of the best away days we have had, the course was just right the venue very presentable, the staff friendly and helpful and the whole thing went like clockwork.
As always this doesn't happen by accident and a lot of work goes on behind the scenes starting months before and right up to and including the administration on the day itself.
Our grateful thanks are due to George Forbes for taking the photos and also for helping Colin Thornton to sort out the score cards.
Thanks to Gary Waterfield and Colin Musson for the raffle (raising £335 for the charity).
Thanks to Phil Turrell for overseeing things.
Thanks to the staff of Melton Mowbray GC for presenting the course and their hospitality.
Finally thanks are due to our Captain, David for all the hard work arranging and liaising with the venue over many months and for his good humour and M.O.C role on the day.
Prize Winners
1st Place - Mark Hunter
2nd Place - Danny Pang
3rd Place - Ian Nisbet
Nearest Pin (14) - Colin Thornton
Nearest Pin in 2 (3) - Richard James
Nearest Line (11) - Tom Rea
Best Over 75 - John Bratt
Best Value - Andy Wood
Team Prize - Messrs. Nisbet, Pang and Holmes
Finally the photos may be viewed here (it may take a day or so for them all to be uploaded)
Teams, Starting Holes (Shotgun) and prize holes.
Away Day 2017
South Kyme Golf Club, Skinners Lane, South Kyme, Lincs. LN4 4AT
Friday 30 June 2017
Photos of the day (more to come) courtesy "Becket and Williams, Adult photography a speciality".
After a week of poor weather, rain, wind, cold the Seniors viewed the Away Day with some trepidation. BUT, the Captain's prayer once more came up trumps and although it was overcast and the ground still wet after the soaking it had had, it was warm with very little wind.
An excellent turnout of 39 were treated to the British Standard Bacon/Sausage Bap and coffee to whet the whistle and then it was off into the South Kyme countryside to see what it had to offer.
The rain held off and gradually the Seniors worked out how to deal with the somewhat slower greens.
Finally everyone arrived back at the clubhouse and swapped stories of the bad luck and poor bounces they had experienced.
The bar became very popular and finally the queue for the food assembled.
Roast beef, ham, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, roast parsnips and most vegetables were in abundance and all plates ended up as clean as when they started; excellent fare.
Prizes were next as follows:
Winner - Lyndon Hallett* 41 pts
2nd - Phil Stannard 41 pts
3rd - John Billot 39 pts
Nearest the Pin - Mick Hall
Nearest the Pin in 3 - Colin Thornton
Longest Drive - Neil Hoyle
Nearest Barrel - Steve Daley
Over 75 Winner - Les Vine
Best Value - Norman Tidy
I think everyone agreed the whole day was a great success and as usual much thanks go to the drones working in the background. The biggest drone is of course Mr Phil Turrell, who can drone for England, also deserving of mention are Colin Thornton, John Williams, our "Captains" Ray and David and many more.
Finally our thanks go to South Kyme Golf Club who were very accommodating both on the course and in the clubhouse.
Importantly all the attendees managed to rid themselves of £285 for the Captain's Charity (under threat of course from our resident Everton handbagger, John Williams) including a side bet of £10 between Tony Slipper and Les Vine (this is part of an ongoing "feud").
*Lyndon's handicap has been reduced by 2 shots following an investigation by Sturmbannfuhrer Thornton, our handicap secretary.
The cast list is below for posterity.
Away Day - 2016
Park Hill Golf Club, Seagrave, Leicestershire, LE12 7NG
Holidays, hospital appointments and other sundry reasons kept the numbers down to a slightly disappointing 31 players.
Captain Colin left no stone unturned when it came to organising and his hard work paid off with a very successful day; he even managed to chose a fine day when the man in the pro shop said it had rained every day for the previous fortnight.
With all the rain just mentioned it is not surprising that there was a little water laying on the course which perhaps helps explain the lack of high scores.
The first three places all shared a score of 34 points with Mick Hall taking first place, John MacGillivray second and Danny Pang third on count back.
There were also prizes for nearest the pin on holes 2 and 11 which went to Del House and Mike Learwood Griffiths also nearest the pin in two on holes 5 and 13 who were won by Gary Waterfield and Del House.
After a very nice meal, which was also shared with guest Les Shipston and Ed Kitching, Colin thanked John Bratt and John Williams for their help selling the tickets and Phil Turrell who, due to family health circumstances could not make the day, and Mick Hall for organising the raffle which helped raise £195-00 for his charity.
Well done all those who came and made it a very good day out.
Away Day - 2015 Sleaford Golf Club Friday 3 July
Some 33 Seniors signed up for this year's Away Day at Sleaford and were justly rewarded with a hot sunny day (just short of Armageddon according to the papers). Obviously Captain Pat has influence beyond our imaginings.
Coffee and Bacon Baps were duly quaffed, score cards had been pre-completed by the tireless BWS Admin Dept and it was just a question of answering the usual Seniors' requests of, "What time do we start, what team am I with....etc". Next year we hope to publish this type of information before the event to avoid these concerns!
And so to the course. Sleaford is very well drained and given the hot spell we had experienced it was no surprise that the ball was running, and running, and running.... A good opportunity to get that long drive in so we could boast about it for the next few years. The greens were very fair and there was some debate as to whether or not they were faster than BW - either way I can 3 putt on any of them.
Gradually the long Seniors snake slithered it's way round the course and finally up the 18th to the clubhouse. Pints of shandy et al were gulped down (to get rid of the sand accumulating in throats) and then into the dining room for the traditional summer special, Roast Dinner. We were joined there by three of the older and wiser Seniors but they didn't stay long and were replaced by Hugh Keaveney and Les Shipston (ex Captains) and Ron Surridge. Really good to see them and talk about old times.
Prize Giving:
1st Overall - Les Vine 41 points (did anyone find out why he was wearing an overall?)
2nd - Dennis Manton 39
3rd - Richard James 39
4th - Pat Stanford 39
5th - Bob Blake 37
6th - Ian Nisbet 37
Nearest Pin - Jeff Tooms
Nearest Pin in 2 - Mike Learward-Griffiths
Nearest Centre-Line - Ray Woodcock
Longest Drive - Ken Claxon
Best Value - John Bratt
John Williams, reprising his Everton role as hit-man to the stars, prised £180 from members' wallets - Thanks everyone.
As usual at this juncture we need to thank all those who worked hard behind the scenes (and some in front) to make the day go like clockwork (almost as if it had been planned). So take a bow, John Williams, Peter Bishop, Colin Thornton, Pat Stanford and our special guest star, Phil Turrell - the whole day was a great success from start to finish.
Finally a couple of vignettes that tickled me anyway and hopefully you too.
Sitting having a pint at the end, watching the groups come in, my eyes were drawn to one Mr Manton taking the pre-requisite practice swings about 70 yards short of the green. He duly thinned it and it flew across the green, hit the clubhouse wall (just below the shatterproof glass) and rebounded back in bounds above the green. He obviously thought the ball had gone out of bounds and dropped another to play. By now his plight had been gleefully noticed by all the crowd gathered by the clubhouse and they shouted to him in unison that his ball was OK.
Dennis walked to the green and up to the top to play his ball back (the crowd was metaphorically 10 deep by now - to him) and he unsurprisingly thinned the ball back again across the green and a short way down the fairway.
All broke out into song with the Vera Lynn classic - "We'll meet again don't know where don't know when!" - Classic. To his credit Dennis laughed along and then hit a long putt back that just scraped the hole as it went past - again to a long low "Oooh" from the spectators.
Lastly, only in the Seniors, our dear Mr Bishop, forgoing his pint for a while as he dealt with the financial administration with Sleaford, came out of the clubhouse to ask if anyone had seen his glasses - someone kindly pointed out they were on his nose!!
A great day.
Away Day 2014 - Ruddington Grange Wed 4 June
Dazzling White
from our Arts Correspondent
Ruddington Grange proved to have all the Seniors could require for their away day bar good weather.
After a wet start even that improved to give most players at least 9 holes of reasonable conditions to allow putts to be made without the need to aquaplane the puddles that had formed on the greens.
Our newest member Brian White found few problems either during wet or dry and came first with a very good 37 points.
Second place went to Bob Blake showing he is not just a fair weather player with 35 points.
Third place went to Del House with 33 points, fourth David Toule, fifth Henry Knight and sixth Mike Whitington all with 32 points and decided by back nine scores.
Mick Hall took the Over-75 prize.
The two nearest pin prizes were won by Ray Woodcock and Brian White.
The two nearest the pin in two were won by Bob Blake and Pat Stanford.
Les Shipston took the best value prize after finding places on the course few others found.
Ray Woodcock with John Williams managed to raise £180 toward the Captains Charity by selling raffle tickets to those present.
Well done all the winners and all those who parted with their money in the raffle.
And well done George for finding a good venue despite the weather.