The SGS has enjoyed another excellent year of golf and associated activities. As the years pass there is a subtle shift in emphasis amongst members from the thrill of the physical challenge in trying to destroy a golf course at all costs, to the more esoteric enjoyment of companionship in adversity – that being the long rough! But with some 70 or so names on the Calling Notices (we are a broad church) there is amongst many an abundance of enthusiasm for whatever membership of the SGS might bring them.
In 2025 the Society’s programme began with the Championship Competition, held at East Berkshire. Although this followed promptly on the heels of the Centenary Championship at Royal Winchester late last year some 26 members turned out to compete for the coveted trophy, now 101 years old. The result was not known until the last group came in with David Santa Olalla (playing with the Society’s President) just edging the win from last year’s winner, Bijay Rawat. Kim Parsons (ex QG SIGNALS) won the Non-Sirmoori prize.
A victorious David Santa-Olalla
A return to Royal Wimbledon (RW) followed, under Mark Pettigrew’s excellent arrangements where we play with a cohort of fellow Club members. The sun always shines in Wimbledon, royal or not, the course is outstanding and the fish and chips at the end are the very best in London. Twelve SGS members participated and as is often the case when enjoyment is the key ambition there was confusion over which team had actually won. In the end we felt Christopher Lavender and David Harrison with their RW Member had just pipped the rest of the field.
We played Brokenhurst Manor in early September. This is a hugely popular venue where the day begins with breakfast with members (outstanding sausages!) followed by a round of golf on one of the country’s best courses where the greens a like silk and the rough accommodating. Twenty-five members attended with Richard Baxter (solicitor from Warminster) , Jonathan Howard (ex RH) and Jonathan Kemmis-Betty (son of) the winners. The tea at the end of the day was worth waiting for!
And finally, the Society broke new ground in late September at the Leckford Golf Club, part of the John Lewis Estate near Stockbridge. It is a world class nine hole course set in outstanding countryside. Fifteen members attended, expecting an outstanding day of golf. It began well in bright sunshine but sadly the storm moved in with increasing intensity to envelope us all by the time we reached the 15th hole. The day was rescued by an outstanding curry in the adjacent John Lewis Abbas hotel. We will return next year.
In sum, a very good season with something for everyone. Until 2025. Salaams.
WS
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