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Captain Jamie Weir congratulates Andy Porter, who led the way at Royal Cinque Ports – photo by Jonny Bramley

Andy Porter stormed round the magnificent Royal Cinque Ports links on Captain’s Deal to claim the Billennium Bowl.

Andy, reinvigorated by a job change, scored a magnificent 37 points to win the overall honours and the Division One prize.

He said: “It was tough out there but I played nicely and it was good to record a decent score. It’s a really great course!”

Captain Jamie Weir organised a splendid day for the society, negotiating a great rate and also arranging golf at Prince’s the day before. He also awarded spot prizes for nearest the pin on the fourth, won by new boy Will Rider; nearest the pin in two on the 17^th, won by Steve Lewis; and the longest drive on the 12^th, won by Tom Howard.

He also stood on the part-three eighth tee throughout, and offered a sleeve of balls to anyone who could better his tee shot – only eight of the 32 players were able to!

In a heartfelt speech afterwards, Jamie paid tribute to the PGS for the special place it has in his heart.

Hugo Chambre was second in Division One, with 36 points, pipping Andy Glen on countback. In Division Two, vice captain Nev Appleton was first on 36 points, with Nic Brook second on 35 and Mike Waker third on 32.

Jeff Randall took the Harold Lewis Weight for Age trophy.

This was also the last qualifying event for the Wryter Cup at Royal Dornoch and Jamie was delighted to announce his team for the annual match against the French press.

It is: Jamie Weir, Tim Allan, Nev Appleton, Jonny Bramley, Hugo Chambre, Dylan Dronfield, Andy Glen, Colin Hancock,  Khalid Javed, Philip Edgar-Jones, Steve Lewis, Ollie McCormack, Andy Porter, Tony Smith, Ben Todd and Mike ‘Harry’ Waker.

Oh, and John Quinn was presented with a lovely pink 70th birthday cake – his birthday falling on Captain’s Day!

Pics by Bubbles, Nic Brook, Nev Appleton, Evan Samuel, David Reading and a selfie from our skipper!

Khalid receives his prize from our President!
Photo by Paolo Minoli

It may have been President’s Day, but it was Khalid Javed who all but set fire to the Old Course at Walton Heath. Khalid matched the scorching temperatures with a scorching 42 points to claim the Reg Hinder Memorial Trophy.

The rest of the field were just specks in Khalid’s rearview mirror – Ollie McCormack scoring 36 points to take second place and Steve Lewis in third with 35. These players were all from Division 1, with handicaps of 12 or less.

The tightness of the fairways, penal heather and very steep greenside bunkers made it a course best suited to lower handicap players and the scores in Division 2 were noticeably inferior. Neil White’s 33 points was enough to win the division, with Jeff Randall’s 32 points taking second spot, on countback from Nev Appleton.

There was some outstanding scoring in the Foursomes, with Phil Edgar-Jones and guest Anil Gupta, playing off a joint 17 handicap, recording an amazing 40 points. Two points behind were Ollie McCormack and Toby Allodi, who beat Phil Harris and Nathan Rose on countback.

The guests seemed to enjoy the course, sunshine and camaraderie, with some posting impressive scores. Nathan Rose scored 40 points, Toby Allodi recorded 37 and James Bakelmun an excellent 36 off a handicap of three.

All the prizes for the day were generously donated by our president, Peter Dazeley.

And here’s a brief gallery from the day, curtesy of Paolo, Ian Doran and Jonny Bramley:

Pic by Felix Duckworth

OLLIE McCormack won the Mirror Trophy with a credible 37 points at the PGS’ first outing at the delightful (and good value) West Herts Golf Club – but it was the  biblical weather that stole the show.

The afternoon’s Greensomes were curtailed to just nine holes as the club’s klaxon sounded to call the field in whilst lighting danced around the course. Nick Buckley and Phil Harris still had time to amass 20 points and take the Wilkinson Sword, dumping John Quinn and Hugo Chambre into second place with 18 points, whilst Jonny Bramley and Tim Allan came third on count back with 17.

Eight of the players were so far away from the clubhouse that they didn’t hear the klaxon but had to take shelter from the hailstones before calling the pro shop to learn they were the only golfers still on the course!

Ollie also took the Division 1 title,  second was Ian McIlgorm, whose 32 points was the same as playing partner Nick Jones, who came third. In Division 2, Hugh Routledge 33 points took the honours, beating Kevin Price’s 30 pts, which was one more than Paul Sherwood, in third.

Following pics by: Felix, Nev Appleton, Mike Allen, Jonny Bramley & John Quinn

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.

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.