Archive for year: 2026

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No Driver Jones Wins at Walton Heath

Words by Tony Smith, Pic of a glorious Walton Heath by Khalid Javid

Big hitting Jon Jones resisted the siren calls of his driver and it paid off handsomely as he narrowly edged out Jonny Bramley to win the Reg Hinder Memorial Trophy at Walton Heath.

Amongst a massive field of 70 members and guests, Jon relied on his long irons and fairway woods to avoid the heather on the Old Course and rack up an impressive 37 points in his afternoon round.

Runner-up Jonny was just pipped on countback as his morning round peaked on the front nine.

Delighted Jon said: “It was great to win. The last time I played here it was one of the worst rounds of my life and poor Colin Hancock had to put up with hours of misery.

“But today it just clicked. I didn’t take out the driver once and managed to keep it in play. I got up and down well but, amazingly I didn’t putt that well. I seemed to leave everything short.”

John picked up some elegant glassware, all supplied by our generous President Peter Dazeley BEM.

With such a huge field, the singles and foursomes were played concurrently over both courses, either side of the legendary meat pie and carvery.

Walton Heath once again proved a superb host and both courses were in exceptional condition.

For most mortals, there was a sense of attrition, as balls were supernaturally attracted to heather and wispy rough, yet 2023 Captain John Quinn’s guest, Nick McArthur, had no problems. Off a handicap of THREE, he skipped round in a gross three under par, for an incredible 42 points.

In Division 2 former Sun sport staffer Paul Sherwood took the prize with 36 points. In second was former President Philippa Kennedy on 34 and Phil Harris claimed third with 33.  

In the foursomes John Waples and Jono Oakley won with 34 points. Secretary Tim Allan and next year’s skipper Hugh Whittow came second with 33, just pipping Jeff Randall and Charles Waples on countback.  

Skipper Nev Appleton made his planned and welcome return to action after his DVT horror and was delighted to see so many players come into form as he shapes his team to take on the French in October.

RESULTS: 

Division 1 (0-12 handicaps): 1 – Jon Jones 37; 2 – Jonny Bramley 37 (countback); 3 – Stuart Dixon 35.

Division 2: 1 – 36 Paul Sherwood 36; Philippa Kennedy 34; Phil Harris 33.

Foursomes: 1 – 34 J Waples & Oakley 34; Allan & Whittow 33; Randall and C  Waples 33 (countback).

Guests: 1 – 42 Nick McArthur 42pts; 2 – Daniel Lassman 37; 3 – Charles Waples 36.

 More pics by Ian McIlgorm, Nick Torsvik, Nev Appleton& Feli Duckworth

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Bubbles Fizzes to Dazzle at Dazeley

 

Post match relaxation at Muswell Hill. Pic by Evan Samuel

The coveted Dazeley Trophy, played for by PGS past captains, was won on countback by Jonny ‘Bubbles’ Bramley at Muswell Hill Golf Club. His 38 points was marginally too good for Ian Woods – the decision went to Jonny’s final three holes, where he nailed six points!

The Calamity Jane Putter for Committee members and Vets was won by a rampant Kevin Mitchell, whose 36 points was way ahead of second place Richard Fenn, who recorded 31 Stableford points.

Muswell Hill gave us very firm fairways and slick greens, a combination that many failed to master at the annual Past Captains’ Day. Again Jonny handled the course better than any other past Captains to retain the trophy.

The club did provide an excellent lunch, which was also enjoyed by two former PGS stalwarts. Tom Clarke, PGS Captain in 1985 and a member of Thorndon Park GC. He is a former Sports Editor of The Times and the Mail, as well as Editor of the Sporting Life from 1993 to 98 and recalled some great days of the society.

David Haworth (aka Obi-Wan Kenobi) kept the past captains entertained with stories of his time as a BBC News Editor and as a PGS member since 2005, and is still a regular at his club, Hadley Wood GC.

With Captain Nev still crook, Jonny presented the prizes, but, as the winner of the Dazeley Trophy, called on Vice Captain Hugh Whittow to present the trophy!

Following pics by John Quinn, Jonny Bramley & Evan

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Easy for Easdale at East Berks!

Vice Captain Hugh Whittow, centre, presents the prizes to Roderick Easdale, left, and Phil Harris. Pic by Paolo Minoli

Words by Hugh Whittow

It was all so easy peasy for smiling Roderick Eas(y)dale at the PGS spring meeting at East Berks Golf Club.

The 25 handicapper ignored the wind, rain, thunder and lightening to storm home winner of the day’s two tough competitions. In the morning singles the golf and travel writer who plays out of Trevose Golf Club in Cornwall took home The Mirror Trophy scoring an impressive 35 points. He brushed aside Colin Hancock and new member Joe Hawkins who both scored 33 points in Division 2.

Division 1 was won by big hitting Nick Cherrie – 32 points with John Jones second on 31 points.

After a hearty steak and kidney pie lunch, Roderick still had the appetite for the afternoon Greensomes, partnered by photographer Phil Harris, who won last year with Nick Buckley. Harris who only managed 16 points in the morning singles and confessed he was ‘absolutely useless’ was inspired by the big Easys company. The pairing ripped apart the rest of the field to score 40 points to take home the coveted Wilkinson Sword Trophy. 

Ben Todd and his wife Caroline Day, who are forming a formidable Greensomes partnership, beat Rick Evans and Paolo Minoli into second place on countback with 36 points.

Roderick, whose idol is the Big Easy Ernie Els, said “ I’ve just had a day to remember. To win one trophy is brilliant, to win two in one day is unforgettable “.

The East Berkshire Course was given a big thumbs up and looks set to be in next years PGS calendar. There was one sad note however. Skipper Nev Appleton was absent due to a serious leg injury. He is still waiting a diagnosis from his doctors. Everyone sent him their love and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Following pics by Paolo and Evan Samuel

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BURNHAM BIRDIE BLITZ GIVES NEV NEWS OF THE WORLD CROWN

Captain & winner Nev Appleton congratulates Rick Evans, Hugh Whittow & Andy Glen for following him home… spot the celebratory beer

Words & Pics: Russell Dewey

BURNHAM Beeches proved to be a bountiful birdie bonanza – both on and off the course.

While most of the small PGS field were happy just to marvel at our feathered friends,

including red kites, pheasants, woodpeckers and ducks, PGS skipper Nev Appleton was

busy creating his very own menagerie.

The weight of responsibility of high office – and the ceremonial chains – are supposed to clip

the wings of the PGS Captain, but as blustery showers swept across the Buckinghamshire

course, Nev took flight.

With his unerring trusty two-iron, Nev playing off 11 (including a three-stroke PGS penalty)

spotted five birdies – including three on the spin from the 15th – and despite also racking up

three “blobs” he chalked up an incredible 40 points.

His flock of birdies over the closing holes proved crucial in pipping Oli McCormack, who also

bagged a 40-point haul, off eight, to win Division One and the coveted News of the World

trophy on countback.

A delighted Nev said: “I was very happy with my performance and wanted to win one event

in my Captain’s year. It’s good to be in the mix with some of our finest single figure players –

Steve Lewis, Paul Kelso and Andy Glen – in the march to Morocco.”

Andy, playing off just 4, rattled off four birdies of his own to claim third spot in a round of 73

notching an impressive 37 points.

Those of us off higher handicaps (12 and above) in Division Two had our feathers ruffled by

the undulating fairways and greens, which left even the deer looking perplexed.

However, PGS vice-captain Hugh Whittow continued his good form, after vanquishing

Northcliffe in the annual match in March, by taking the honours with 32 points off 19.

He beat Ben Todd, also 19 handicap, into second place on countback with Ben’s wife

Caroline Day (29) nabbing third spot with 30 points.

Ben and Caroline’s wine cellar had another boost with a second-placed finish in the

afternoon greensomes.

While their fellow Muswell Hill-billies, Kevin Price, Kevin Mitchell and PGS newbie Richard

Fenn, enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at the 19th hole, they joined seven other pairings back

out on the course.

Nev, in the company of Evan Samuel, was unable to repeat his morning exploits as the

expected downpour never materialised and the afternoon remained relatively rain-free and

even turned sunny late on.Caroline and Ben (26) powered to 34 points, to take second place on countback from Colin

Hancock and Tony Smith (15).

Andy continued his scintillating form alongside his former BBC colleague Rick Evans to win

the Sir Leicester Harmsworth Trophy by shooting 38 points off their 12-handicap.

Andy also took the Nearest the Pin honours for Nev’s Captain’s Charity in the morning round

– finishing within three feet on the 13th hole. While Jim Murray’s monster tee shot flew to the

Longest Drive prize down the 18th.

But for Nev, life is looking tweet as his plans for our Wryter Cup Morocco migration take wing.

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Purbeck Blows, PGS Roars, Northcliffe Whimpers

 

 

 

Northcliffe captain, Lee Terry (right), a little reluctantly, presents PGS skipper Hugh Whittow with the trophy.

Pic by Ian McIllgorm, words by Hugh Whittow
The Isle of Purbeck was quite simply turned into the Isle of Perfect for the PGS in our annual match against Northcliffe.

Gale force winds swept across the course,  once owned by Enid Blyton, perched high above Swanage and Studland in Dorset.

But the 40 mph gusts presented no problems for the 14 men and two women representing the PGS as they  literally blew away Northcliffe with a record breaking 12.5 point to 3.5 points victory.

History of this 30 year old hard fought encounter shows unpredictable PGS teams have usually performed brilliantly on Day 1 but then collapse dramatically on  Day 2 after  a night  of wine, “something “ and song.

This year it was a far different story.

PGS  Skipper Hugh Whittow enforced a strict 4 pints/ two bottles of red rule!!! and bed before 1am !!!!!

And it worked a treat.

Day 1 GREENSOMES saw an impressive 6.5/1.5 win for PGS and the  Day 2   4 BALL BETTER  BALL resulted in a splendid 6/2 victory.

Skipper Whittow who selected the team based on friendships forged in the PGS  over 35 years was absolutely delighted.

Philippa Kennedy despite suffering a few years of injuries flew in from the West  of Ireland and played brilliantly. She met up with long standing friends she once nicknamed the “monkey boys” because in their younger days their behaviour was so appalling .

Relatively new member Caroline Day (Ben Todd’s wife)also played splendidly

It was great to see another PGS lady member Hayley Barlow . Sadly she opted to play for Northcliffe ( big mistake!)

But Hayley a stylish 7 handicapper will soon be back supporting PGS events.Veteran ex Mirror sports executive, Kevin Price – a leading “monkey boy” nicknamed Whittow Hugh Woosnam at the trophy presentation.  Whittow pointed out it had nothing to do with his golfing ability but more to do with him being Welsh, his size and drinking ability.

Northcliffe Captain Lee Terry who confesses to having links to North London gangsters was not a happy man after the result and grunted “ We were well and truly butchered”.

The PGS team : Philippa Kennedy, Caroline Day, Jonny Bramley, Nick Cherrie , Colin Hancock, Ben Todd, PGS Captain Nev Appleton, Ian MacIlgorm, Nic Brook, John Quinn, Tim Allan, Lee Smith, Kevin Price, Ian Woods and Nick Jones, and Hugh Whittow.

As well as Hayley two other PGS men turned out for Northcliffe : Neil Darbyshire who works for The Mail and Jim Murray who stood in as a last minute replacement for a player who broke his arm.

Photos by Phillipa Kennedy, Nick Cherry & Ian McIllgorm.

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Lew beauty!

Captain Nev (centre) with the victorious Steve Lewis (right) and Tony Smith (left). Picture: Paolo Minoli

Steve Lewis claimed the Lord Riddell Memorial Trophy and the prize for the lowest gross score in our medal meeting at Worplesdon.

Our traditional season curtain-raiser was played in glorious sunshine on a course in superb condition – a very fitting way to get captain Nev Appleton’s year off to a great start.

Lewis scorched round in a gross 75, to record a net 69, with Paul Kelso second in Division One with a net 74 (gross 81) and Hugo Chambre third with a net 76 (gross 78).

In Division Two, Tony Smith pipped secretary Tim Allan to first place with a net 72 (gross 86), one ahead of the Ashridge man (gross 85). The resurgent Kevin Price was third with a net 74 (gross 88).

The top 16 qualified for the Emsley Carr – see the full draw here

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Jeremy Chapman – a personal tribute from his friend and former colleague Tom Clarke

Jeremy with his wife Christa and the winning trophy at an event organised by our friends
at the Association of Golf Writers in 2024

By Tom Clarke

I’m grateful to the Press Golfing Society for wonderful days in the sun and the rain, on courses from Royal Portrush to Vilamoura – but I’m more than grateful to the PGS for launching a friendship with Jeremy Chapman that lasted half a century and changed the course of my working life.

I joined the PGS in 1975. I was honoured to be captain in 1985 when Jeremy was secretary. We partnered well. It was a year of good golf, good weather, good social occasions (our annual dinner was at The Savoy), and growing membership.

Fast forward to 1993 . . . I was parachuted into The Sporting Life to be editor and to “clean out the stables”. It could have been a reference to the dark and grubby offices at the arse end of the Mirror Building in Holborn Circus. It was, in fact, a call to sort out the chaos of working arrangements that were, to be polite, less than professional.

I knew only three people with Life connections: Charlie Wilson, who had been my editor at The Times, was now deputy managing editor of Mirror Group and appointed me to be editor; Monty Court, a close friend since we met at a PGS day and a former editor of The Life (and he’s still going strong at the age of 97); and Jeremy, who was, whatever his actual title, the deputy editor of The Life.

On the morning of Monday, April 5, 1993, I walked into The Life offices for the first time. I was met by a barrier of stony faces. The previous day the owners of those faces had produced an excellent paper with reports, analysis and pictures of the infamous Grand National which was declared void when 30 of the 39 runners ignored the false-start and carried on racing.

I congratulated them, told them who I was and what I hoped to do (no mention of “clean out if the stables” at this stage). They got on with their work but there was a certain tension in the air.

Then, about 2pm, Jeremy arrived for his shift. He came up to me, shook my hand and wished me well.

That moment wasn’t an ice-breaker in my relationship with the rest of the staff but it showed them that one of the leaders of their team had some high regard for me.

For the next five years we delivered a very good paper, making the most of the writing skill of Alastair Down and David Ashforth and others, the race-reporting of Geoff Lester’s team, and the emerging talent of Bruce Millington, Peter Thomas and Chris McGrath – with Jeremy pulling them together with his page designs – by 1994 in our sparkling new offices at Canary Wharf.

That’s Jeremy the deputy editor. There was also Jeremy the golf betting tipster. His countless hours poring over form, mainly on the American circuit, then bringing the stats alive in a very readable way – and providing readers with a bundle of winners, notably Lee Trevino at 8-1 for the 1972 Open and Stewart Cink at 150-1 for a 2021 PGA Tour event.

I must make mention of Christa, Jeremy’s wife for 57 years. She never played in a PGS day but she was a special part of the society for 30 years or more. She was always there at the check-in table, collecting the money, handing out cards and checking them at the end of the day.

Thank you, Jeremy and Christa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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