Last Monday Aaron and I played in this year's 4BBB champs at Bush Hill Park, Enfield. The previous two years we have qualified from the course and gone on to the national finals and we seemed on course to be doing it again this year.

We got off to a flyer when I birdied the first, Aaron birdied the third and chipped in for another on the sixth to put us -3 through 6 holes. We dropped a shot on the following hole but gained it back when I birdied our tenth hole. We parred the next two and knew we had to make a couple more birdies on the easier finishing holes when the heavens opened.

We had left ourselves a three foot and six foot putt for par when the rain came, and within 90 seconds the greens had flooded, so much so we were concerned that our markers would be washed away. The klaxon soon went and we were called off the course for half an hour until the rain stopped.

In a comical fashion, the green staff had all gone home so the PGA officials had to go out and do their best to squeegee the greens.

When we returned to our green they had done the job the best they could, but because our markers were so close to the hole they weren't able to get rid of the water so we were left putting through huge puddles on the green. And yes we both missed them.

In truth the course shouldn't have been reopened, not just because we missed our putts, as there was nowhere you could take complete relief on the green, on the fairway or in the rough as the amount of standing water made it impossible.

The fact that 10 places were up for grabs on the day, 3/4 of the field were brought off the course and only a couple of those teams got through speaks for itself.


 

Saffron Walden Golfers raise nearly £7,000 for Support for Sight

Support for Sight was the big winner following the success of Charity Week at Saffron Walden Golf Club, as the men's weekend event and the ladies charity day raised nearly £7,000 between them. Over 230 players enjoyed a great day out as well as some very competitive golf as they supported the Captains' Charity of the Year.

The Walden Charity Trophy, a 4BBB competition for teams sponsored by visiting clubs, was won by the team from Gog Magog GC with 76 stableford points, winning on countback from the Saffron Walden team led by this year's captain C Porter, supported by previous captains K O'Reilly and M Price, with M Dowling. 

The Alan Southall Memorial Shield, a team competition for club members, was won by D Altree, C Mills, J Vallins and D Reville with 112 points, on countback from G Bonser, P Thompson, D Thompson and M Comstive.

On the Ladies Charity Day, good weather ensured a great day out for all involved. In the competition for visiting clubs, Brickendon Grange were clear winners, with 113 points, 9 ahead of second placed Diss. 

In the competition for Saffron Walden members, first place went to the team of Vice Captain Melissa Jones, Justine Voss, Fiona McKeating and Sue Gunter with 104 points, 2 ahead of Captain Jaine Fieldhouse, Lynda Minton, Delia Roberts and Barbara Nicoll.

Andrew Fisher, the organiser of the men's Charity competition, sums up the sentiments of the club: "The Day was a great success and we especially thank our sponsors for their generosity as this enhances the amount we can donate to Support4Sight."


Ladies Continuing Success in County Competitions 

In the Jean Wilkinson Trophy the Ladies second match of the group stages resulted in a convincing win 5 matches to 2 against St Neots. Playing at home, Elaine Purcell was drafted in as a very last minute substitute following illness. The 7 matches are played in 3 handicap bands, and in the higher handicap group, Sue Ward, in outstanding form, repeated her convincing victory of the previous week, again winning with a margin of 6 up with 5 holes to play. Betty Williams had the biggest margin win in her playing career, 7 up with 6 holes to go. 

The Team comprised Elaine Purcell, Ki-yoko McLellan, Carol Jones, Barbara Nicoll, Paula Munns, Betty Williams and Sue Ward. The 2 convincing home victories give the team a flying start as they prepare for the away matches. 

Winning all 3 matches, the ladies scratch team have a flying start to their season. Playing at home against Royston, the team of Justine Voss, Jacquie Smith and Lynda Minton all had convincing wins. Lynda Minton, playing, as she said "steadily", parred the first 7 holes, putting her into an invincible position, eventually winning 8 up with 7 to go.


 

Saffron Walden Golf Club Pink Buggy Campaign 

Coming to the club week commencing 11 July

Rent The Pink Buggy for just £22 For 18 Holes 

All Proceeds Go To Breast Cancer Care!

Get in touch with a member of the pro shop team if you would like to reserve the Pink Buggy.