Out with the old…


Outgoing Captain John Quinn, watched by wife Sheena, bids farewell – Patrick Eagar

IN WITH THE NEW…

New Captain, Tony Smith, obviously unaware what he’s let himself in for, and Caroline Lawrence – Ian McIlgorm

The Captain’s Dinner saw outgoing skipper John Quinn’s last act of his official year: removing the society’s double chain of office from around his scrawny neck and eagerly placing over the elegant head of incoming Captain Tony Smith.

Breathing a heavy sigh of relief, John was heard to say, ‘Blagged those 12 months then!’ No one disagreed…

The swanky surroundings of the Sloane Club in London’s Chelsea were graced with many of the current and past ‘great and good’ of the PGS.  After an excellent meal, President Peter Dazeley spoke of the society’s previous presidents and Liz Kahn told the diners about her successful battle to allow women members to join the society, resulting in Liz becoming its first female Captain in 1994.

The annual awards ceremony followed, with Nick Jones trying hard, but failing, to look embarrassed following his domination of the society’s season and needing extra transport to get all his trophies home!

All images curtesy of Ian McIlgorm and Patrick Eager.

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Swnging in The Berkshire rain

Bubbles...Bubbles…

Never let it be said that a drop of rain can ruin a day’s golf for the PGS. But amazing quantities of the wet stuff landing on the already-sodden fairways and greens of The Berkshire can dampen the spirits.

The inevitable decision was finally taken by the club, the klaxon hooted and the course closed. With some 10 drenched holes having been navigated, everyone wound their wet and weary way back to the warmth and dry of the clubhouse…

It was decided that the match would be decided as a ‘first 9 holes played Stableford’ for the scramble with some very impressive scores recorded.

The winners were the formidable team of Dylan Dronfield, Ben Monroe-Davies, guest Dominic Gesua and Paul Harrison, who scored 25 points.

Second, on countback, were Khalid Javid, Jeremy Thompson, Lawrence Lee and Nick Toksvig.

Just a point behind were the third and fourth place teams of Nic Brook, Tim Dickson, Tom Crone and Charles Collier-Wright, and Chris Stevens, guest Ian Johnstone, Felix Duckworth and guest Bob Hughes, respectively.

Following the traditional excellent Berkshire lunch, Ian Mcilgorm took up his auctioneer’s gavel and the well-lubricated PGS members and their guests raised an impressive sum for the Journalists’ Charity.

Photos by Patrick Eager, Jonny Bramley & John Quinn

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And the winners are…

The names of the winners of the PGS’ two major competitions in 2023 have been revealed:

Andrew Porter series of great results meant he is crowned the society’s Golfer of the Year and wins the Sir John Gordon Golden Putter;

Nick Jones beat all comers to be named as the PGS’ knockout champion, winning the Sir Emsley Carr trophy.

Congratulations to them both!

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Wonderful West Hill…

 

Pic by Nev Appleton

Given the recent biblical amounts of rain, God was in heaven for the PGS’ visit to West Hill: the sun shone, the grass was green and the golf was, mostly, glorious!

Neil White’s excellent 37 points landed him the Division One title, but wasn’t good enough to allow him to take home the Peggy White Vase as Mike Waker, on countback, beat him and took the Division Two title.

In excellent conditions scoring was high, with Khalid Javid claiming second prize in Div One with 36 points and Andy Glen third with 35.

In Div Two Colin Hancock followed Mike Walker home, with 35 points, one shot ahead of Tony Smith.

Pics by Khalid Javid, Nick Toksvig, Nev Appleton, Evan Samuel & Jonny Bramley

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