Welcome to our second web-based offerring.  All the feedback received so far has been positive (apart from Sharpie who reckons he should copyright his name given the amount of references/abuse he receives on these pages.  Still, you live by the sword, you die by the sword etc etc....).  If anymore of you want to have an input into this rubbish we produce, please email us with any suggestions to the usual address (thebadgersgolfsociety@hotmail.com) - unfortunately, like Sharpie's crown jewels, this is being completely under utilised (whoops, there we go again!) so please let us know what you think.

Since the last posting on the website for Birchwood at the end of last year, we've had a wintery outing to South Essex Golf Club for our first meet of the year.  25 Badgers attended on the day and endured cold, blustery weather but at least it stayed dry for all of us to finish our rounds.  Thanks to all of the members who turned up on the day, and to Paul Gover, Dick Watt's guest for the day who has since decided to become a fully paid up member - top Badgering behaviour!!  Also present was Andy Kimpton, one of the original Badgers and winner at Edenbridge back in 2003 making a welcome return to the Society.

There were also first appearances in Badger colours for three new Badger members - Kevin Archer, friend of Harry Cutts (he has them?), Mike Smith, Project Manager for HSBC when we built their tower on what was his first ever 18 holes (was it really fair to team him up with Sharpie?) and finally Pat Judd of Classic Cleaning, a familar face to all of us at Canary Wharf.  Also a familiar face at Brocket Hall which explains that swing and a handicap of 9.  Doesn't explain those trousers though - did the wife not mind you borrowing them Pat? Nevermind, as long as that's the only thing of hers you were wearing......

Our thanks once again to Steve Brewer and PIP Electrics for generously sponsoring the prizes for the day.  We've probably plugged them enough, but if anybody needs yet another subtle hint, click on link to www.pipelectrics.com to see what this fine body of men can do for you.  Speaking of fine bodies, top Badgering behaviour of the day belongs to Steve who finished drinking on the wharf at 5am Saturday morning, rang his wife to come in a cab complete with their two young kids to collect him and the car, turned up at South Essex on time four hours later and still managed to secure a place on the winners rostrum.  Badgers take note! This man is fast becomming a legend....

.....unlike Steve Hook who was out on the razzle with Kingspan the previous night and never called or showed. He may well be dead from consumption for all we know as he has still yet to phone in and apologise but quite frankly we don't care as we've got his money safe in the Badgers Bank Account!  Rest assured his handicap has suffered with the loss of two shots!  At least Mark Smith had the balls to ring and tell us that his wife wouldn't let him out to play.  If Liz is going to wear the trousers Smithy, do what Pat Judd does and nick 'em off her! 

Also in line for some corrective action is John Chapman who threw a strop after eight holes when it became apparent he was not on line to get anywhere near the winners rostrum and walked off the course to go and play rugby instead.  Apologies to Mike Healy and Tim Holt who had to play over half their round as a two ball; the Committee has docked Chappers two shots off his handicap for his behaviour. Other miscreants on the day gave Nigel Smith, our new Fines Secretary, ample opportunity to flex his muscles and administer some on the spot fiscal punishment.  Due to the technical limitations of Hotmail we have failed completely in our quest to email his Schedule of Fines off to you, so instead we have attached it here as a download Excel for you to see if you have erred! Click here to download this file

If you're on the list, be sure to get your money to Genty ASAP!  As a result of the erring at South Essex and Harry Cutt's teams complete failure to apply the simple concept of Stableford scoring onto their scorecards, the Society rules have been updated (we didn't appreciate what a bunch of nuggets we had as members when we first drew the rules up).  This now includes a detailed downloadable explanation of the Stableford system of scoring and rules on how to score your cards. Harry, Kevin, Dick, Paul - please familiarise yourself with the amendments before the next outing to ensure you don't incur the wrath of Nigel!

Moving back to South Essex, the general consensus of the Committee was that, unfortunately, the course was in no where near as good a condition as it has been in previous years; the tee boxes were worn out, mats were in use on the par three's and the greens especially were in poor order.  Also, with another three societies there on the day, service left something to be desired especially with the wait for breakfasts and again to tee off on the first.  It's a real shame as the courses have a lot of potential.  As such we are actively researching an alternative venue for next year so thanks to everyone who has given us suggestions for a location. The aim will be to stay in the same area of Essex with good access to the M25.  We have had some good suggestions from members so, completely selflessly, the Committee will be visiting each course to assess it's suitability in due course.  The things we have to do for you lot.....

On to the winners rostrum, there was widespread relief from all members of the Committee when the trophys were unveiled as Mike 'Trophy Badger' Healy had actually bought some half decent momentos for the day compared to the tat he'd turned up with at the last two days.  Of the seven teams playing at South Essex, winners were Harry Cutts' team who, despite their inability to score a card properly between the four of them, did manage to run up a best two scores per hole of 89 points and walked off with the champagne (don't worry, we checked their cards afterwards!).

Winning Team - Dick Watts, Harry Cutts, Kevin Archer, Paul Gover

 

Longest Drive was won by Peter Jupp on the 10th hole and Nearest the Pin won by Steve Sharp on the 17th.  3rd Place was won by Steve Brewer with 34 points (think what he could have achieved if he was sober!), 2nd Place by Pat Judd with 35 points and winner was Phil Tweddle with 37 points.  Given the blustery conditions and general state of the course, some good golf was played so congratulations to you all!

 Longest Drive - Peter Jupp

 

 

Nearest the Pin - Steve Sharp

 

 

3rd Place - Steve Brewer

 

 

2nd Place - Pat Judd

 

 

1st Place - Phil Tweddle

 

 

The full results and handicap adjustments from the society meet at South Essex Golf Club are listed below;

1st Phil Tweddle, 37 points off 13, new handicap 11

2nd Pat Judd, 35 points off 9, new handicap 8

3rd Steve Brewer, 34 points off 23, stays on 23

4th Kevin Archer, 33 points off 14, stays on 14

5th Andy Kimpton, 33 points off 9, stays on 9

6th Harry Cutts, 33 points off 26, stays on 26

7th Mike Healy, 32 points off 28, stays on 28

8th John Pye, 32 points off 18, stays on 18

9th Peter Jupp, 32 points off 22, stays on 22

10th Paul Gover, 32 points off 23, stays on 23

11th Steve Sharp, 32 points off 6, stays on 6

12th Nigel Smith, 28 points off 28, stays on 28

13th Peter Gallagher, 29 points off 21, new handicap 22

14th Richard Maggs, 28 points off 23, new handicap 24

15th Simon Tuson, 28 points off 19, new handicap 20

16th Eugenio Caruso, 26 points off 26, new handicap 27

17th Alec Vallintine, 26 points off 20, new handicap 21

18th Dick Watts, 25 points off 28, stays on 28

19th John Deely, 24 points off 28, stays on 28

20th Dave Guildford, 23 points off 27, new handicap 28

21st Tim Holt, 23 points off of 28, stays on 28

22nd Mike Smith, 20 points off 28, stays on 28

23rd Mike Stone, 19 points off 24, new handicap 26

24th Richard Gent, 18 points off 26, new handicap 28

25th John Chapman, did not finish/walked off, 12 points on 8 holes off 9, new handicap 7

26th Steve Hook, did not turn up, would've been off 27, new handicap 25

 

Teams and placings (scores based upon best two Stableford scores per hole);

 Team 1 - 6th with 72 points; Steve Sharp, Peter Jupp, Mike Smith

 

 

Team 2 - 4th with 73 points; Pat Judd, John Deely, Andy Kimpton

 

 

Team 3 - 7th with 61 points; John Chapman (when he could be bothered), Mike Healy, Tim Holt

 

 

Team 4 - 2nd with 82 points; John Pye, Richard Gent, Phil Tweddle, Nigel Smith

 

 

Team 5 - 1st with 89 points; Paul Gover, Dick Watts, Harry Cutts, Kevin Archer

 

 

Team 6 - 5th with 73 points; Mike Stone, Simon Tuson, Richard Maggs, Peter Gallagher

Team 7 - 3rd with 75 points; Steve Brewer, Eugenio Caruso, Alec Vallintine, Dave Guildford