The Barry Ashton Memorial Trophy

Single Stableford off 7/8 society handicap plus Yellow Ball team game

May 2004.  

The 75th meeting of TIGS was held at The Vale G.C. on Friday May 14^th. After a wet start to the month we were fortunate to have picked the day when the weather started to turn and we were blessed with a warm dry day and only a gentle breeze. A few red faces were down to the bursts of sunshine rather than a few missed putts.

We had a good turnout of 33 members and 7 guests who were tested to the full when we played off the white tees, though we were helped a little with the club’s decision to play preferred lies.  

Appropriately the winner of The Barrie Ashton Memorial Trophy was Gary Moffat who had recorded the best score at Wollaton Park last month but could not stop for the dinner and therefore forfeited his prize. His score of 36 beat new member Phil Bowers on 34pts who in turn beat Stephen Haigh with a better back 9. Mark Ruthven, Greg Hammond and Adrian Hinchliffe all scored 33pts the former two picking up prizes due to better back 9 scores. 

Gary’s handicap is cut from 7 to 5 and Phil’s from 4 to 3.  

Winning visitor was Russell Darlington’s guest Andy Blackhurst, 32pts, beating Phil Bower’s guest Steve Wyatt, 27pts. Andy’s handicap is cut from 10 to 8 and Steve’s from 17 to 15.  

Yellow ball winners with 32pts were John Povall, Mark Rivers-Latham, Dave Nelson and Michael Heath.  

Russell Darlington’s guest Andy Blackhurst won longest drive and Nearest the pin was won by Phil Bowers and Simon Leary.  

Thanks were expressed to Geoff Snape for obtaining the prizes, Gary Hardy for checking the cards, Dave Nelson for handling the finances, and Ashley Heath for producing the result sheets on the day.  

The next meeting is on Friday July 23^rd at Ashridge Golf Club, Berkhamsted, Herts. This is an Open qualifying course with an outstanding reputation, as we discovered last year.