On a day that was supposed to host 44, the early choice was made to lower this to 40. Turned out to be one of, if not the best choices for the day. The course itself played well, in great condition with work going on to improve the course layout and condition. Greens were true even with some disease and bird damage.
We acknowledged a minute’s silence for a lost member of Easterns, Member Rob Stone, who sadly had passed in the week.
Congratulations to Mr Graham Carter on his new position as ‘National Secretary’—a position I personally feel couldn’t have anyone else more perfect for the role to step into—as well as being the sole sponsor of the day’s events. THANK YOU.
I thought I was the first to arrive at Test Valley only to be greeted by HM David Sly. The early bird catches the worm. The sky was grey, which soon turned into consistent but heavy rain. This hung on for the entire day and while it dampened us as Nomads, the Nomad comradery was warm, strong and lived through.
We had a visiting Nomad from Sydney, Peter Van Wegan (PGA), reach out to us in August to attend this game. Unfortunately, he was to fall ill on the morning. A quick call was made to Trevor Becks to bring his wife (someone who has shown a keen interest to join Nomads Berkshire) to the game to maximise our numbers of 40. This was a fantastic decision as I shared a round of golf with Tracey Becks, who will for sure be back.
Huge thanks to travelling Nomads Bryan Burger and Colin Hogan from Gloucestershire.
With the weather being as it was, tee times set off swiftly with the help of our starter Ryan Atunes. His care, calling and determination to not stand in the pouring rain was enough to have a speed of play that was simply fantastic. With a tee time originally set at 12:20, it was pulled as far forward as could be to 12:04. I’d stated to members that all players should be in by 17:30 to 17:45. The last four-ball walked from the course at 17:41 — ‘Perfect’ timing. The dark rainy day turned into swift darkness.
We all set about to drop and eat a Nomads ‘menu’ that was specially put on, and then went to prize giving with Paul Wallace reading the creed for the first time as founder member in the UK. Information was shared by Bryan Burger about the bikes donated and Leighton Kearins talked about raffles for nationals. Quickly, Leighton received his 5-year tie — something that was clear to see he wasn’t expecting. Tim Wherle going against his comfort and being fines master. HLM Robbie Hillhouse, HM David Sly and Peter Chemaly, Vice National Chairman Bryan Burger, Immediate Past Captain Dean Gunningham and Past Vice Captain James Bryers all in the room — the pressure was on for a smooth prize giving.
Division ‘A’ and ‘B’ winners and runners-up, followed by guest winner and runner-up, were all called up. Guests that I have zero doubt will become fellow Nomads, one of which is a past Botswana Nomad.
And so it leads on to ‘CRYING TOWEL’. After 75 amazing games, Jim Wilson aka JIMBO stepped up to the winner’s seat yet again, but not for the one he wanted. We followed this with a raffle, followed by the brandy draw, done along with the meat draw. It was smooth and very nearly a precise prize giving was done… bar one extra prize of some Stokkies.
While wet, the day was full of warm and great Nomadic spirit.
With a brisk chill in the air and bright blue skies, the committee and some helping members arrived from around 9 am to help set up the day’s events (a lot bigger than normal) to ensure fellowship with friends old and new, with memories being made along the way, and plenty of golf to boot.
A limit of 60 players (our biggest monthly turn out) was set with a fear of daylight hours being our main problem for the day. However, with members from Berkshire, Gloucestershire and even guests being placed into a waiting list, it left a very healthy feel to our ever-growing club. All week my fear was that Peter Chemaly on his 100th game would come back in with play being very close to dusk. It turned out to be timed to perfection and the weather, for once, played ball for an awesome end to the day’s golf, with the 18th green being surrounded by all the players and more to watch the last four finish the day’s round. Before we stepped into the warmth for what was an absolutely huge prize table and giving. The team rallied and got things set up and operation well with a few hiccups on my behalf that were easy to overcome immediately.
Big thanks to the traveling Nomads from Gloucestershire: Colin Hogan, Trevor Becks, John Jackson and David More O’Farrell.
The course itself and grounds were in good condition with the greens and tee boxes being exceptional. The fairways were still suffering from the dry weather and ‘Placing’ was in force at the course, though the fairways were recovering nicely. The course itself is fairly flat and short but the layout leaves for some shots to be played rather than sprayed. Walking alongside the River Thames with Oxford Brooks University all visible for some idyllic views. The clubhouse is fairly small but accommodating for nearly all of our needs, although the room we had for prize giving was too small, but the biggest they had to offer. Food and drink was fairly pricey but the staff were kind and did all that was asked for and more in some instances. Local members were heard complaining amongst themselves about us taking over the room they normally used. The pro shop is fairly small but well equipped for all you would need for the day. They kindly lent a buggy in the morning to fulfill our duties on the course with no charge. That said, on the day, we did have a shortage of buggies for members to use, which could have limited some members from attending.
Once again we stand thanking James Bryers for his generosity and for his ability to raise and involve so many sponsors for the day. James wanted as many prizes to be had as possible, and with the table holding around ten hampers and as many other prizes if not more, I feel this was achieved.
We inducted a father and son by the names of Allan and Scott Higgins, Blake Hogburn and Tom McDermott.
Robbie Hillhouse for being the voice of our National Tournament Co-ordinator Garth Macarthy.
Dean Gunningham for the bonus ball winner (Vaughan Ferreira £220 rollover) and thanking all the sponsors for the generosity.
Craig Wearne for a short chat about the current projects he has selected for the NHS, of which information has been shared on our chats to give information to Nomads and explain where the money we raise will be going and not just passing off a cheque.
Sam Kynoch for his fun way of making up the fines.
Adrian Knight for his awesome choice as a sponsor to change from a whiskey draw to a Brandy and Coke draw.
Division A
Division B
Visitors
Four Ball
Special Prizes
For what I would say was not only a great day, but a successful one all around.
