The PIP South Essex golf outing was held a month earlier then previous years and the wait certainly paid off, with the course being in a much better condition than the last years outing. The course was good, the sun was shining, beer was flowing (especially in Sharpies 4 ball) and all in all a far more enjoyable day was had by all. 24 Badgers and 3 guests attended and the better conditions ensured a higher scoring round than previous years as well. With the exception of Tim Holt - he only lives around the corner but never performs well in Essex, ask his wife......
The quality of the course was not the only surprise at South Essex this year with welcome appearances on the podium for a number of not so usual faces. First up and definitely under the influence of Sharpies hipflask was Dave Guildford, winning the Nearest the Pin prize. One of the best supporting Badgers, Dave made the most of his moment in the sun with an acceptance speech (are they allowed?) more rambling and tearful than Gweneth Paltro at the Oscars. Let's hope he enjoyed the wifes meat pie as much as he said he would (never heard it called that before either). Easy on the Godfathers next time Dave!!!
Next up, proving that it's not the size, it's what you do with it was 'Long' John Birdseye. No acceptance speech from John (too overcome by Dave!), but congratulations to you both. Winning Team was (eventually) won by Gentys fourball after numerous reviews, retotalling and adjustments to the 'winning' card. You'd have thought Genty was reviewing a tender the amount of adjustments were made, except he didn't take a load off! We think they achieved a magnificent score of 93 points, but as they weren't even sure themselves we'll just have to take their word for it.....
Dave Guildford recevies Nearest the Pin
Dave gets welcomed by the Comittee into the elite band of Badgers who have suffered at the hands of Sharpies hipflask 
'Long' John Birdseye receives Longest Drive
The Winning Team - Richard Gent, Chris Knapp, John Deely and Paul Gover
Best performing guest was Wayne Dexter with a mighty 43 points which would have got him second place if he was a member.....but he ain't so tough (but he is now so well done Genty)! On what was a good day for the vertically challenged Badgers contingent (must've been the sponsors influence!), next up on the podium was Eugenio Caruso winning third place on countback against 'Captain our Captain' Simon Tuson (stop cheering at the back!). Just look at how tightly clenched those teeth are......! Continuing the dimuntive clean sweep of the podium, next up in second place was Richard Gent with a score of 41 points and finally in first place was Richard Maggs with a mighty 44 points. If this carries on we'll have to get a higher podium knocked up, it was murder on Tusons knees having to pose for all these photos.....
Winning Guest (and now new member!) - Wayne Dexter 
Third Place - Eugenio 'Huge Cheer' Caruso
Second Place - Richard Gent
First Place - Richard Maggs
Big Nige remonstrates with those not wearing Badger Shirts 
A rare sighting of a Ginger Badger. Anybody know an albino we can invite along and have a full deck of genetic defects?
The 'Winning Team' run through their card yet again to see if they can conjure up the 'winning' score.......
All in all a top day out, thanks to everybody who attended and to the generous sponsors, PIP. Next up - 2006-2007 season and Badger Captains decider at Darenth Valley on the 30th June and the Badgers AGM on the 13th July where we'll be announcing the new Captain and awarding them ebays finest piece of stuffed roadkill - put the dates in your diarys!
Below are the full results from our PIP sponsored outing at South Essex on the 21st April;
1st Richard Maggs, 44 points off 23, new handicap 19
2nd Wayne Dexter, 43 points off 20, new handicap 17
3rd Richard Gent, 41 points off 28, new handicap 26
4th Eugenio Caruso, 38 points off 26, new handicap 25
5th Simon Tuson, 38 points off 21, new handicap 20 6
th John Pye, 37 points off 20, new handicap 19
7th Steve Brewer, 36 points off 23, new handicap 22
8th Steve Sharp, 35 points off 7, new handicap 6
9th Chris Knapp, 33 points off 24, handicap remains 24
10th Dave Guildford, 32 points off 28, handicap remains 28
11th John Birdseye, 32 points off 15, handicap remains 15
12th John Deely, 31 points off 25, handicap remains 25
13th Peter Jupp, 31 points off 22, handicap remains 22
14th Andy Bawn, 30 points off 28, handicap remains 28
15th Mark Smith, 30 points off 16, new handicap 17
16th Paul Gover, 29 points off 23, new handicap 24
17th Steve Beasley, 28 points off 20, new handicap 21
18th Dick Watts, 28 points off 28, handicap remains 28
19th John Barnes, 28 points off 28, handicap remains 28
20th Peter Gallagher, 27 points off 19, new handicap 20
21st Alec Vallintine, 27 points off 19, new handicap 20
22nd Alan Ruddy, 25 points off 10, new handicap 11
23rd Harry Cutts, 24 points off 27, new handicap 28
24th John Colbeck, 24 points off 28, handicap remains on 28
25th Nigel Smith, 21 points off 26, new handicap 28
26th Mike Smith, 21 points off 28, handicap remains 28
27th Tim Holt, 12 points off 28, handicap remains 28
Nearest the Pin - Dave Guildford Longest Drive - John Birdseye
Team Prize - Richard Gent, Chris Knapp, John Deely and Paul Gover.
Attendees at South Essex;
Team 1; Dick Watts, Dave 'Hip-Flask' Guildford, Peter Jupp, Steve 'Have a Sip' Sharp
Team 2; Mike Smith, John Birdseye, Steve 'Sponsor' Brewer, John 'Ginger Badger' Colbeck 
Team 3; Andy Bawn, Mark 'New Shorts, Same Shit Legs' Smith, Richard Maggs, Eugenio Caruso (bit of a size thing going on in this photo.......) 
Team 4; Nigel '......and breathe out' Smith, John Pye, Simon Tuson, John Barnes 
Team 5; Alec Vallintine, Peter Gallagher, Steve Beasly, Alan Ruddy (unfortunately Harry 'Pirelli Calender' Cutts couldn't use the worlds simplest camera so we have no record of this team but they did play like a complete bunch of tarts.....) 
Team 6; John Deely, Paul Gover, Richard Gent, Chris Knapp 
Team 7; Wayne 'no way is he off 20' Dexter, Harry Cutts, Tim Holt 