Reflecting on Worplesdon glory – Pic by Jonny Bramley
Rick ‘Parfitt’ Evans rolled back the years to rock Worplesdon at the opening event of the PGS season.
The former BBC hack finished top of a nearly 40-strong field to claim the Lord Riddell Trophy.
In beautiful Spring sunshine, Rick was one of only two players to play to their handicap beating Adam Piggott on countback with a net 71.
Rick sadmitted his driving was the key to his good score. “I’m chuffed to bits, it was a lovely day and I was delighted to play well. I’m going home to drink this wine in the sunshine before I sober up.”
Rick also took the honours in Division 2, with Phil Edgar-Jones pipping last year’s captain, Tony Smith, to second place on countback with a net 73. With Adam claiming top spot In Division 1, defending champion James Nursey nudged ahead of Bubbles Bramley on countback with a net 72 to take second place. James also shot the lowest gross score with a 75.
For new captain, Jamie Weir, it was luck of the Irish that the first event of the 2025 calendar was blessed with the warmest day of the year so far. Gone were the winter jumpers and out came the summer polo shirts.
Worplesdon proved its pedigree once again presenting itself in terrific condition for the time of year when so many other courses have suffered over the winter. The fairways were running and despite recent course maintenance on the greens, they putted true and fast.
After the excellent lunch new Captain Jamie Weir announced the full Emsley Carr draw.
It is:
Evan Samuel v Tim Allan
Colin Hancock v Nick Cherrie
Neil White v John Quinn
Hugo Chambre v Christian Fraser
Phil Harris v Khalid Javed
Philip Edgar-Jones v Peter Dazeley
Jonny Bramley v Roderick Easdale
Adam Piggott v Tony Smith
The following pics from Paul Harrison, Michael, Nic Brook, Jamie Weir and Jonny Bramley.
And another incredibly exciting year lies in wait with some wonderful venues to look forward to. Captain Smudge’s reign of terror is over, and much like the Trump to his Sleepy Joe I intend to make the PGS great again…
No no, just kidding… Tony’s are impossibly large shoes to fill. In my 15 years as a member of this Society I cannot think of a captain who’s thrown his heart and soul into the role more. If I can be one ounce as diligent and passionate as Smudge, I’ll have done a good job.
This year we’re back at all the old favourites – Worplesdon, Walton Heath, Ashridge, the Berkshire, West Hill – but
we also have two new venues for us all to hack around, in Burnham Beeches and West Herts.
I’m delighted to say my Captain’s Day will head to the stunning South Kent coast and – in my humble opinion – the finest links course in England, Royal Cinque Ports. We will be given a wonderfully warm welcome and for anyone interested in making it a two-day trip please do let me know as Prince’s have kindly offered us a good Deal (no pun intended) for an
overnight stay, dinner and a round at their place too.
Which takes us to the jewel in the crown of any PGS year, the Wryter Cup.
This year, three of the golfing majors will take place at Oakmont, Augusta and Royal Portrush – ranked 8th, 12th and 14th
respectively in the current top 100 golf courses of the world. Well, honour to lead us into battle in the far north of Scotland in October.
Please enjoy the year – I know I will. I’m incredibly proud to be your Captain.
Jamie Weir
N.B. This article first appeared in the Society’s newsletter.
Thank you to all of you who made it to the Captain’s Dinner at Brasserie Blanc at the Southbank. The fantastic turnout of 51 members and guests created a wonderful atmosphere for the prize giving and our two fabulous guest speakers.
Former captain and trailblazing member, Liz Kahn, gave a compelling account of how life was for her as a journalist and would-be member of our society. It was uplifting to hear how her dogged determination had got her through so many difficult situations. And we also heard a very funny speech from Royal Liverpool captain and PGS member Alastair Machray.
The warm and friendly evening was a fitting end to my year as custodian of the chain of office. I was pleased to be able to thank so many people for the important part they played in helping me through 12 months littered with highlights.
If I could pick out two events which really helped make it such a joy they would be my Captain’s Day and, of course, the Wryter Cup.
We were fortunate enough to have a warm and sunny day on the South Downs as we battled a hilly and tricky set up at Mannings Heath. I was proud to share with so many friends the place I call my golfing home.
The Wryter Cup at Granville, in Normandy, was a most remarkable few days. The French were excellent hosts, the food, drink and camaraderie were all excellent and so was the course. The weather, not so, with 40mph winds and horizontal driving rain on the Monday.
The record books will show that we didn’t quite get enough points to bring the trophy home but we did return with our pride in tact after giving them a very close run. I am exceptionally proud of everyone in our team, which was a mixture of experience and three rookies. Well done to Ben Todd, Mike Waker and Neil White for embracing the occasion so well.
As I said in my farewell speech, the PGS isn’t just about winning pots of silver. I hope that, more than that, everyone likes to mingle with men and women from the same profession, who love golf and to tell the inane, sometimes serious, often preposterous but always entertaining stories that attracted us all to this profession.
I am delighted to pass the baton of captaincy to Jamie Weir.
I know Jamie will have a wonderful year at the helm and I have the upmost confidence in him and his team to regain the Wryter Cup at Royal Dornoch next autumn.
Thank you all once again,
Tony
Pics by Nic Brook and selfie from a freezing Taunton Railway station by Jamie Weir.
https://www.pressgs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/pgs_logo-1.jpg00John Quinnhttps://www.pressgs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/pgs_logo-1.jpgJohn Quinn2024-11-30 20:33:392024-11-30 20:33:39A letter from our (past) captain
In a field flooded with single figure players, a team of three 20-plus handicappers took the honours at our Christmas Scramble.
With three teams recording net scores of 59 (yes…59!!), the winners on countback were James Bartholomew and his guests Charles Pender and Tom Dean.
James said: “I can hardly believe it! We were planning to leave early, never thinking we’d have a chance in such an illustrious field, but when word filtered out that we were in with a chance we were very happy to stay. What a lovely day!”
The Scramble was played at Worplesdon for the first time, because our usual venue, The Berkshire, was having work done on the clubhouse and could not provide food – always an essential part of our Scramble day!
Worplesdon proved a superb venue for us, with the course in excellent condition for mid-November. The food was excellent and the bonhomie as convivial as always!
James and his team, playing off 15 per cent of their combined handicaps and receiving 11 shots, pipped the two other teams who scored 59 – Evan Samuel with guests Rob Wall, Tom Wood and Maurice Brett, who played off 10 per cent of combined handicap and received five shots; and James Nursey, with guests James Smith, Chatree Selahom and Nick De Villiers, who played off scratch.
Nev Appleton, Tony Smith, Mike ‘Harry Potter’ Waker and Colin Hancock, playing off seven, were fourth with a net score of 60.
After lunch, Ian McIlgorm stepped up to the auctioneer’s rostrum (well, a large table covered with tat) and led us to raise more than £3,000 for the Journalists’ Charity – a magnificent effort by all concerned.
It’s looking highly likely we’ll be back at Worplesdon for the Scramble next year, because The Berkshire have just told us that they won’t allow four-person team Scrambles any more!
The full, confirmed fixture list will be published on the website (pressgs.co.uk) as soon as it’s nailed down, as well as in the newsletter.
https://www.pressgs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/pgs_logo-1.jpg00John Quinnhttps://www.pressgs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/pgs_logo-1.jpgJohn Quinn2024-11-29 10:43:202024-11-29 10:43:20Fun & Funds at the scramble!
The planning for next year’s Nation’s Cup is already well underway, and Nick Buckley is going to captain our team to The Netherlands for the October golf on the amazing Isle of Texel.
To read the brochure giving dates and details for the trip, click on this link: Brochure_Nations_Cup_2025.
Anyone interested, contact Nick at nickbuckley2012@hotmail.com or Jonny Bramley at jonathanbramley63@gmail.com. An amazing time is guaranteed!
https://www.pressgs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/pgs_logo-1.jpg00John Quinnhttps://www.pressgs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/pgs_logo-1.jpgJohn Quinn2024-11-25 14:48:282024-11-25 14:48:28Nation’s Cup 2025 – First details
Rick Rocks Worplesdon
Reflecting on Worplesdon glory – Pic by Jonny Bramley
Rick ‘Parfitt’ Evans rolled back the years to rock Worplesdon at the opening event of the PGS season.
The former BBC hack finished top of a nearly 40-strong field to claim the Lord Riddell Trophy.
In beautiful Spring sunshine, Rick was one of only two players to play to their handicap beating Adam Piggott on countback with a net 71.
Rick sadmitted his driving was the key to his good score. “I’m chuffed to bits, it was a lovely day and I was delighted to play well. I’m going home to drink this wine in the sunshine before I sober up.”
Rick also took the honours in Division 2, with Phil Edgar-Jones pipping last year’s captain, Tony Smith, to second place on countback with a net 73. With Adam claiming top spot In Division 1, defending champion James Nursey nudged ahead of Bubbles Bramley on countback with a net 72 to take second place. James also shot the lowest gross score with a 75.
For new captain, Jamie Weir, it was luck of the Irish that the first event of the 2025 calendar was blessed with the warmest day of the year so far. Gone were the winter jumpers and out came the summer polo shirts.
Worplesdon proved its pedigree once again presenting itself in terrific condition for the time of year when so many other courses have suffered over the winter. The fairways were running and despite recent course maintenance on the greens, they putted true and fast.
After the excellent lunch new Captain Jamie Weir announced the full Emsley Carr draw.
It is:
Evan Samuel v Tim Allan
Colin Hancock v Nick Cherrie
Neil White v John Quinn
Hugo Chambre v Christian Fraser
Phil Harris v Khalid Javed
Philip Edgar-Jones v Peter Dazeley
Jonny Bramley v Roderick Easdale
Adam Piggott v Tony Smith
The following pics from Paul Harrison, Michael, Nic Brook, Jamie Weir and Jonny Bramley.
Quiet, Jamie’s Speaking
THIS is your Captain speaking!
And another incredibly exciting year lies in wait with some wonderful venues to look forward to. Captain Smudge’s reign of terror is over, and much like the Trump to his Sleepy Joe I intend to make the PGS great again…
No no, just kidding… Tony’s are impossibly large shoes to fill. In my 15 years as a member of this Society I cannot think of a captain who’s thrown his heart and soul into the role more. If I can be one ounce as diligent and passionate as Smudge, I’ll have done a good job.
This year we’re back at all the old favourites – Worplesdon, Walton Heath, Ashridge, the Berkshire, West Hill – but
we also have two new venues for us all to hack around, in Burnham Beeches and West Herts.
I’m delighted to say my Captain’s Day will head to the stunning South Kent coast and – in my humble opinion – the finest links course in England, Royal Cinque Ports. We will be given a wonderfully warm welcome and for anyone interested in making it a two-day trip please do let me know as Prince’s have kindly offered us a good Deal (no pun intended) for an
overnight stay, dinner and a round at their place too.
Which takes us to the jewel in the crown of any PGS year, the Wryter Cup.
This year, three of the golfing majors will take place at Oakmont, Augusta and Royal Portrush – ranked 8th, 12th and 14th
respectively in the current top 100 golf courses of the world. Well, honour to lead us into battle in the far north of Scotland in October.
Please enjoy the year – I know I will. I’m incredibly proud to be your Captain.
Jamie Weir
N.B. This article first appeared in the Society’s newsletter.
A letter from our (past) captain
Words by Tony Smith , Pic by Nic Brook
Dear friends,
Thank you to all of you who made it to the Captain’s Dinner at Brasserie Blanc at the Southbank. The fantastic turnout of 51 members and guests created a wonderful atmosphere for the prize giving and our two fabulous guest speakers.
Former captain and trailblazing member, Liz Kahn, gave a compelling account of how life was for her as a journalist and would-be member of our society. It was uplifting to hear how her dogged determination had got her through so many difficult situations. And we also heard a very funny speech from Royal Liverpool captain and PGS member Alastair Machray.
The warm and friendly evening was a fitting end to my year as custodian of the chain of office. I was pleased to be able to thank so many people for the important part they played in helping me through 12 months littered with highlights.
If I could pick out two events which really helped make it such a joy they would be my Captain’s Day and, of course, the Wryter Cup.
We were fortunate enough to have a warm and sunny day on the South Downs as we battled a hilly and tricky set up at Mannings Heath. I was proud to share with so many friends the place I call my golfing home.
The Wryter Cup at Granville, in Normandy, was a most remarkable few days. The French were excellent hosts, the food, drink and camaraderie were all excellent and so was the course. The weather, not so, with 40mph winds and horizontal driving rain on the Monday.
The record books will show that we didn’t quite get enough points to bring the trophy home but we did return with our pride in tact after giving them a very close run. I am exceptionally proud of everyone in our team, which was a mixture of experience and three rookies. Well done to Ben Todd, Mike Waker and Neil White for embracing the occasion so well.
As I said in my farewell speech, the PGS isn’t just about winning pots of silver. I hope that, more than that, everyone likes to mingle with men and women from the same profession, who love golf and to tell the inane, sometimes serious, often preposterous but always entertaining stories that attracted us all to this profession.
I am delighted to pass the baton of captaincy to Jamie Weir.
I know Jamie will have a wonderful year at the helm and I have the upmost confidence in him and his team to regain the Wryter Cup at Royal Dornoch next autumn.
Thank you all once again,
Tony
Pics by Nic Brook and selfie from a freezing Taunton Railway station by Jamie Weir.
Fun & Funds at the scramble!
Words Tim Allan, Pic Nick Toksvig
In a field flooded with single figure players, a team of three 20-plus handicappers took the honours at our Christmas Scramble.
With three teams recording net scores of 59 (yes…59!!), the winners on countback were James Bartholomew and his guests Charles Pender and Tom Dean.
James said: “I can hardly believe it! We were planning to leave early, never thinking we’d have a chance in such an illustrious field, but when word filtered out that we were in with a chance we were very happy to stay. What a lovely day!”
The Scramble was played at Worplesdon for the first time, because our usual venue, The Berkshire, was having work done on the clubhouse and could not provide food – always an essential part of our Scramble day!
Worplesdon proved a superb venue for us, with the course in excellent condition for mid-November. The food was excellent and the bonhomie as convivial as always!
James and his team, playing off 15 per cent of their combined handicaps and receiving 11 shots, pipped the two other teams who scored 59 – Evan Samuel with guests Rob Wall, Tom Wood and Maurice Brett, who played off 10 per cent of combined handicap and received five shots; and James Nursey, with guests James Smith, Chatree Selahom and Nick De Villiers, who played off scratch.
Nev Appleton, Tony Smith, Mike ‘Harry Potter’ Waker and Colin Hancock, playing off seven, were fourth with a net score of 60.
After lunch, Ian McIlgorm stepped up to the auctioneer’s rostrum (well, a large table covered with tat) and led us to raise more than £3,000 for the Journalists’ Charity – a magnificent effort by all concerned.
It’s looking highly likely we’ll be back at Worplesdon for the Scramble next year, because The Berkshire have just told us that they won’t allow four-person team Scrambles any more!
The full, confirmed fixture list will be published on the website (pressgs.co.uk) as soon as it’s nailed down, as well as in the newsletter.
Nation’s Cup 2025 – First details
The planning for next year’s Nation’s Cup is already well underway, and Nick Buckley is going to captain our team to The Netherlands for the October golf on the amazing Isle of Texel.
To read the brochure giving dates and details for the trip, click on this link: Brochure_Nations_Cup_2025.
Anyone interested, contact Nick at nickbuckley2012@hotmail.com or Jonny Bramley at jonathanbramley63@gmail.com. An amazing time is guaranteed!