For 90% of the players, conditions were very tough and even bogeys were hard to come by, but for a very few, scores in the 30s were achievable and leader among this hardy lot was Brian Collins, who hardly ever turns out these days but did to great effect this time, taking the Winchester Bowl. He shot 36 points which left him the clear winner by three points from Rob Draisey and Martin Pratt. Close behind came Brian Woodbridge, in a cloud of curses, and Bill Green on 32, Garry Jones and Steven Smith on 31 and Chris Edwards on 30 completing the top eight.
The guests could not quite compete but Terry Smith, playing with Steven Smith, shot 31 to take the guest prize from Thomas Traser and Tanya Epshteyn.
Nearest the pin went to Neil Poulter, Chris Edwards’ guest, and the longest drive – phenomenally long in the conditions, was hammered by Bill Green.
One important note – you MUST ensure that you check your cards before you sign them and PLAYERS MAKE SURE YOUR SCORE IS IN THE BOX PROVIDED. Several cards were handed in with the marker’s score in the box, which led to confusion in the prizegiving. The player is responsible for checking and signing his card and ensuring his score is in the box and is legible. MARKERS DO NOT PUT YOUR OWN SCORE IN THE BOX! The secretary or match manager only has time to check scores where a countback is required.
At the end of the traditionally excellent luncheon, President Martin Prevezer presented Ivor Foster, the retiring President, with a crystal bowl in commemoration of his outstanding service to the LMEGA for so many decades as Captain, Secretary and President. Ivor will be 90 in December.
After the prizegiving, outgoing Captain Yang Liu made a farewell speech encouraging everyone to spread the word in the metal fraternity and get members in to the LMEGA. She alone was responsible for seven or eight new members joining in 2017. Yang thanked her Vice-Captain, Edward Sawbridge for his support and the Hon Sec for his organisation and was given a hearty round of applause and thanks for her enthusiastic and committed captaincy.
That concludes the entertainment for the season and we wish you all a Happy Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you all at the Annual General Meeting on 28th February in the boardroom of the LME at 2pm.
The Annual Dinner will be held at the Chiswell Street Dining Rooms on 22nd March, where the speaker will be John Hawksworth, ex-Walker Cup player with Colin Montgomerie, golf commentator, pundit and traveller who was once deported from Czechoslovakia at gunpoint.