As we finish March, the Society's 2024 season has begun with fixtures at three superb courses and a postponement at a fourth.
We began with our traditional season opener at Rye but this year, for the first time, we enjoyed a magnificent dinner in the Clubhouse on the Saturday evening. Manager Bill Merry had brought together a team of 20 for the weekend and we were royally entertained by our hosts. On the links, the match did not go our way, the final result being 17.5/12/5 to Rye after two complete rounds of foursomes over the Old Course on the Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Our 9 hole contest on the Saturday afternoon scheduled for the Jubilee Course was decimated by the rain that came in fiercely and prompted many to remain with in the warmth and dryness of the clubhouse despite the result it was a superb weekend and our thanks as always go to Rye Golf Club and the members for such a memorable occasion. The Society members who played over the weekend were : Bill Merry, Guy McDonnell, Paul Romaines, Tony Wright, Mike Selvey, Chris Goldie, Charlie Rowe, Nigel Ross, Tony Pigott, James Hockley, Tim Wren, Julian Thompson, Kevin Evans, Jon Hardy, Richard Baker, Andy Needham, Graham Rose, Jonny Longley, Steve Andrew Ted Rose and the new Sussex Captain, John Simpson who joined us on Sunday morning. Ian Jackson, a guest player, helped us out at the last minute after a late withdrawal.
The following week we visited Walton Heath and were blessed with better weather, two courses in excellent condition and, as always, the warmest of welcomes from the members. Match Manager and Society Chair, Tony Pigott, writes:
Again as usual what a sensational day in amongst all the weather we have had we were able to play 2 rounds of golf, morning on New Course afternoon on Old course. It played well even though we started in a little frost. My team were fantastic and we won the match 9-7. Also off the course they represented the CCGS wonderfully well done and thanks. In between the best Sunday lunch on the circuit - 3 course superb 👌
Thank you Walton Heath for your hospitality 👋👋
Great to have Steve Mee playing his first match and Ted Rose our oldest playing member carrying his bag as ever. 👍
Our team was : Tony Pigott, Guy McDonnell (photo above along with Society and Walton Heath member, Jeremy Hallett, and our old friend, Ed Dove), Neil Burns, Chris Goldie, Craig Jones, Nigel Ross, Neil Lenham, James Hockley, Chris Adams, Ted Rose, Steve Mee, Bill Merry, Richard Baker, Jon Hardy and Tim Wren. Pat Pocock joined us for lunch.
Last weekend (23/24 March), we visited the wonderful Hunstanton for a windy and chilly 36 holes of foursomes. We lost the match but, as always, enjoyed a terrific weekend with old and new friends. At dinner in the clubhouse on Saturday night, we were delighted to see our old friend Peter Parfitt. Despite the wind, the rain held off and the course was as always in magnificent condition. It was yet another memorable weekend for all involved and our thanks as always go the club and rthe members for making us feel so welcome. The following Society members played : Peter Howland, Guy McDonnell, Chris Goldie, Nigel Ross, Tim Curtis, Tim Wren, Mike Selvey, Harry Latchman, Bryan Richardson, Richard Baker, Tim Robinson and Bill Merry.
Our fixture against the men of West Sussex was postponed because of the extreme wet weather that we have all endured. It has been rearranged for Wednesday 22nd May.,