Forest Hills 2013

April 2025
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Author: tonyg

Captain’s Ramblings:

The second outing (perversely “Round 3”) of the Nomads’ 2014 season, took place at Forest Hills Golf Club on 28th March. Early risers will have tentatively drawn back their curtains and observed the conditions with some trepidation – a typical murky late-March day in the Forest of Dean, with a threateningly resolute shroud of low grey cloud swathing the countryside, and more than a hint of ‘moisture’ in the air. Nevertheless the lure of wielding ‘spoon’ or ‘mashie niblick’ amongst the green swards, not to mention a full English breakfast, dragged most of the forty indefatigable characters originally signed up away from their warm beds and/or cosy partners (and gainful employment). Wayne Stewart made a brief appearance for breakfast, without brandishing a stick in anger, signing up a few more sponsors for his forthcoming half marathons in Berlin and Madrid – all wished him well, and hoped he reached his target of raising £1,000 for Target Ovarian Cancer, a charity close to his heart.

With victuals duly served and gratefully consumed, proceedings got underway with the customary morning loosener of nine holes of ‘Texas Scramble’, with most teams managing to accumulate enough decent shots between them to achieve a gross score flatteringly close to par. The team of Darren Williams, Gary O’Connell, Ramesh Mistry and Mark Cornock tore up the course with a remarkable five ‘birdies’ in the first five holes, holding their nerve to secure victory at 5-under. Tony Burris, Alan Jones, Horace Denny and Gurdeep Litt turned in a creditable 2-under to secure 2nd place, with Manny Virdi, Derek Freeman-Jones, John Essom and Mark Ridsdale narrowly beating Rowland Joyce, Adie Shilston, Damian Orton and Jon Ager for 3rd place at 1-under. One or two howls of foul play and derision, not to say physical pain, were heard when 3rd place was announced, with Derek Freeman-Jones’ 2nd shot at the first hole having struck Damian Orton on the knee as he waited patiently on the second tee. Drinks were duly purchased, and humble-pie eaten, with no permanent damage sustained.

After a staggered lunch consisting of a veritable cornucopia of sandwiches and the obligatory chunky chips with lashings of ketchup, the afternoon events were hastily initiated under ever-darkening skies.

Scores across the board seemed to reflect the relatively benign conditions in the early part of the round, with Andy Alexander, Matt McGirr, Damian Orton, Derek Freeman-Jones and Gary O’Connell amongst many recording a plethora of pars in the first three or four holes. The earlier groups must have got as far as the start of the back nine before one or two, fortunately distant, rumbles of thunder heralded a rapid deterioration in the weather. The resulting hail brought about considerable debate in some quarters as to the legitimacy of sweeping a path of hailstones from the intended path of a putt – well – it was either that or face the accusation of slow play, standing on the green waiting for it to melt! Luckily the conditions quickly took a turn for the better, only for a second hailstorm to catch the last few groups who also had to contend with the fading light.

Fresh from his first ‘podium’ finish last time out at Clevedon, it was Andy Alexander who was able to maintain his form, consistency and concentration for the entire round to secure a well-deserved victory with a stableford score of 39 points – amassing a gross score of 85, including 9 pars – four on the front and five on the back. Close on his tail was Matt McGirr, who used his considerable local knowledge and not a small amount of skill to achieve second place on 38 points, with easily the best gross score on the day of 77, including 9 pars and 2 birdies, also collecting the prize for the longest drive for a mighty blow on the lengthy uphill fifth hole. John Essom also ‘troubled the judges’ for the second round in succession, gaining third place with 37 points – no doubt he will face a further handicap cut to give others more of a chance next time. In a rare, but generous, occurrence, afforded by the good turn-out, prizes were also awarded for fourth and fifth places, with Gurdeep Litt narrowly beating Damian Orton, on countback, both sharing 36 points. (I wonder if Damian’s score would have been better had he not been carrying a swollen knee from earlier events!)

In a similar show of generosity, prizes were awarded for ‘nearest the pin’ on all three of the par-3s, with Adie Shilston picking up the prize on the 8th, Damian on the 14th, and Darren Williams on the 17th. Guy Greening showed his familiar accuracy taking the best aggregate scores across the par-3s with a birdie on the 8th, and pars on the 14th and 17th. Adie Shilston was also commended for what was probably the ‘shot of the day’ – a sort of crazy golf effort on the 17th, played from high up on the left-hand bank, which sailed over the first group of trees, ricocheted off another tree, bounced down the path, turned sharp-right, and trickled over the foot-bridge, ending up just next to the bunker at the back-left of the green.

Once again, the ‘divisional’ prizes for those not amongst the top honours, were handed out along handicap lines with Mark Parkhurst (34 pts), Adie Shilston (35 pts), Darren Collier (35 pts) – his first sniff of prize, and Mark Cornock (32 pts), winning their respective ‘divisions’.

With proceedings continuing late into the evening, Jon Ager said a few words and distributed prizes during the evening meal, in pauses between mouthfuls. A glass was raised in honour of Ben Green, in whose memory the day’s trophy was named, with the hope that all attending, particularly the local lads who had turned out, had enjoyed fond memories of Ben, although most agreed that, had he been with us, it was unlikely he would have been anywhere near a golf course, given the weather conditions.

Carolyn Griffiths was awarded the last remaining prize – the raffle – being the proud recipient of a set of novelty golf balls (probably NOT the last of a job-lot!). The usual ritual was observed of posing for, or avoiding, Jitesh’s photographs, camera/iphone batteries failing or otherwise, and Andy Alexander gave a brief, impromptu, victor’s speech magnanimously accepting the plaudits, saying how much he had enjoyed the day, and thanking the organisers for their efforts behind the scenes.

Jon finally wrapped up events thanking Steve Graham for standing in a scorer in Simon’s absence, appealing for those with (or without) some celtic ancestory to put themselves forward to the Celts Newton Cup team in April, thanking all for a successful day, and hoping to see as many, if not more, for the next round to be held at Cottrell Park in May.

Regards

Jon Ager

Scores

1	Andy Alexander	Scotland	39
2	Matthew McGirr	England	38
3	John Essom	England	37
4	Gurdeep Litt	India	36
5	Damian Orton	England	36
6	Darren Collier	England	35
7	Adie Shilston	England	35
8	Mark Parkhurst	England	34
9	James Colwell	England	34
10	Tony Burris	England	33
11	Guy Greening	England	33
12	Mark McGirr	England	33
13	Derek Freeman-Jones	Wales	32
14	Mark Cornock	England	32
15	Horace Denny	USA	31
16	Brendan Turbitt	Ireland	31
17	Darren Williams	Wales	30
18	Tony Griffiths	Wales	30
19	Gary O’Connell	Scotland	30
20	Jon Ager	England	29
21	Ged Wrench	England	29
22	Manny Virdi	England	28
23	Stuart Perry	England	27
24	Mark Willicott	England	27
25	James Farley	Ireland	27
26	Ramesh Mistry	India	26
27	Jitesh Mistry	India	25
28	Carolyn Griffiths	Wales	23
29	Stephen Morgan	Wales	23
30	Alan Jones	England	23
31	Nick Phillips	England	23
32	Steve Graham	England	22
33	Steve Standbridge	England	22
34	Chris Wilson	England	14
35	Rowland Joyce	England	14
36	Mark Ridsdale	England	13

Posted in 2014

Jan24	South Herefordshire
Feb21	Wenvoe Castle
Mar21	Brynhill
Apr25	Monmouth
May16	Radyr
Jun27	Clevedon
Jul25	The Monmouthshire
Aug??	tba
Sep5	Woodlake
Oct3	Brickhampton
Nov7	Tall Pines
Dec5	Forest Hills

2025	Dean Harris
2024	Steve Bunn
2023	Darren Collier
2022	Adie Shilston
2021	Derek Freeman-Jones
2020	Derek Freeman-Jones
2019	James Farley
2018	John Essom
2017	Jitesh Mistry
2016	Ged Wrench
2015	Darren Williams
2014	Jon Ager
2013	Gary O'Connell
2012	Steve Graham
2011	John Thomas
2010	Simon Howlett
2009	Mark Graham
2008	Manny Virdi
2007	Stephen Morgan
2006	Peter Horlock
2005	Gordon Wallace
2004	Matt Freeman
2003	Mark Pipes
2002	Stuart Perry
2001	Richard Bradshaw
2000	Paul Newton
1999	Tony Griffiths

Nomads Golf Society 2025

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