Fred Sorenson Shield 2020/1
The Fred Sorenson Shield competition for 2020/1 was played on the Old Course on 27 November 2020 in sunny conditions. The winning team was Mike Kimbar (2019/0 winning team member), David Lynn, & Graham McHarrie with a gross of 70, net 60.3 (2 birdies, no bogeys). Second team comprised Mike Spencer, John Stone & Brian Hills with a gross of 73, net 63 (2 birdies, 3 bogeys).
Gerry Gillett Trophy 2020 (4-Club Stableford)
Rick Lazar won the Gerry Gillett 4-club trophy on 9 December 2020, a hot, sunny day with tees at the backs of the tee-blocks on the Old Course. He is the fifth recipient of this prestigious trophy which this year was valiantly defended by Gerry Gillett with 36 pts.
In the photo, Gerry Gillett, trophy donor and 2019 trophy holder, hands over the trophy to the 2020 winner, Rick Lazar, being congratulated by President Richard Russell. Gerry finished 3rd, hitting 95 off the stick, close to beating his age again. John Campbell was second with a gross 90, 37 points whilst Tom McClain claimed best gross with 84 off the stick. Participants were limited to taking just three clubs and a putter onto the course.
Matchplay Championship 2021
The club’s 2021 match-play champion is Alan Smith, who defeated David Hayes on count-back in a closely-contested final played on 6 April 2021.
Photo of Match-play Champion Alan Smith (for the third time) being congratulated by Captain Mike Spencer and close runner-up David Hayes.
David was 4 up with 4 to play when Alan won the last 4 four holes, requiring a replay of the 18th hole on the Old Course at Wembley Golf Complex to determine the winner. They tied the replayed 18th and the championship rules dictated that the result be determined on count-back, in Alan’s favour. To reach the final, Alan had beaten Tom McClain (1 up), Garth Irvine (on count-back) and David Lynn (6 up, 4 to play). David’s route to the final involved wins over Steve Parkinson, Richard Russell, and Carl Colli. Congratulations Alan, and commiserations David – see ladder.
Captain’s Trophy
WCGC has introduced an annual Captain’s Trophy – a pewter mug with an honour board to be awarded to the best player on the day. The trophy was first played for on Monday 19 April 2021 on Wembley’s Old Course in sunny conditions although smokey to start with. Mike Spencer as Captain has donated the trophy and came close to winning it himself but beaten on count-back by President Richard Russell. Richard scored 86 off the stick to share best gross with vice-captain Tom McClain. Mike Spencer’s gross was 88 with the same net as Richard of 71. Third place score was net 73 with a count-back awarded to Ric Haddleton over Alan Smith.
Captain Mike Spencer (right) present his trophy to winner and president Richard Russell
President’s Trophy
The inaugural President’s Trophy was played on the Old Course at Wembley on Friday 21 May 2021 as a stroke competition in beautiful autumn sunshine – perfect golf conditions for the 19 members who competed. The competition was won by Steve Huckle with a gross of 93 giving a net score of 71. Second was Ron Bensky with a gross of 92 and a net of 72, and third place went to Grant Saunders gross 95, net 75. The best gross for the day went to Jeff Salant with 85, whilst Steve Huckle had the best nine with 22 points. John Campbell achieved the longest drive on the 10th hole, and the closest-to –pin on the par threes were Bruce Morrison, Mike Spencer, Ric Haddleton and Garth Irvine. The photo shows the President Richard Russell (left) presenting his newly-created perpetual trophy to Steve Huckle:
Cecil McPhee Trophy 2020/1
The Cecil McPhee Perpetual Trophy (commonly known as the Cesspot) was won on 6 August 2021 by Carl Colli with a score of 33 points, using medal stableford scoring. It was won on a count-back from Ron Bensky. Carl Colli also had the best gross for the day – 83 strokes. Twenty-two players competed for the trophy on the Tuart Course, on a beautifully sunny day. In the photo, captain Mike Spencer congratulates the winner, Carl Colli supported by the runner-up, Ron Bensky:
Pairs Championship 2020/1
The 2021 Pairs Championship was played over two days – Friday 17 and Monday 20 September. Friday’s competition was played on the Tuart Course whilst the second day’s play was on the Old Course. On Friday, there was a close finish with Alan Smith and Barry Boyd scoring 43 points, leading David Hayes and John Stone on 42. Third place on Friday went to Garth Irvine and Graham McHarrie with 41 and three other pairs trailed them with 40 points each. Monday’s play was similarly close with two pairs scoring 44 points – the eventual winners Mike Spencer & Grant Saunders, squaring up with Mike Kimbar and Rick Lazar. The third best pair was Alan Smith and Barry Boyd with 41 points. That left Alan Smith/Barry Boyd and Mike Spencer/Grant Saunders both with an aggregate score of 84 points over the two days of competition, with the trophy being awarded to Mike Spencer/Grant Saunders on count-back because of their better score on the second day. In third place based on aggregate came Mike Kimbar/Rick Lazar with 81 points.
Vice-President Barry Boyd (right) congratulates the pairs winners, Mike Spencer (left) and Grant Saunders (centre)
The aggregate scores were as follows:
Mike Spencer/Grant Saunders 84
Alan Smith/Barry Boyd 84
Mike Kimbar/Rick Lazar 81
John Stone/David Hayes 80
Graham Guy/Brian Hills 79
Garth Irvine/Graham McHarrie 78
Jeff Salant/Rick Haddleton 76
Richard Russell/Ron Bensky 74
David Lynn/Bruce Morrison 73
John Campbell/Steve Huckle 67
Annual Club Championship 2021
The club championship was determined over two days’ stroke play on 22 and 25 October 2021. The first day’s play was on the Old Course in fine, sunny conditions. The second day’s play was on the Tuart Course in overcast conditions with occasional showers. The club champion for 2021 is Grant Saunders. Grant played good consistent golf on both days with a score of 87 (net 67) on the Old Course (par 72) and 88 (net 70) on the Tuart (par 70). He was well ahead of the next two lowest gross scores – Carl Colli with 183 and John Campbell with 186.
The B Grade was dominated by David Hayes, who also played good golf over both days. He scored 99 on the Old and 92 on the Tuart with a combined gross of 191 and net score of 140 (2 under par). He chose to claim the Handicap Champion title, allowing the B Grade champion to be awarded to the next lowest gross score being Graham McHarrie on 208.
In the picture, president Richard Russell (left) congratulates Grant Saunders and David Hayes (second and third on left) and Graham McHarrie (right) whilst captain Mike Spencer (second from right) looks on.
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