For the 2004 Summer fixture, Lullingstone Park was attended by 22 Badgers on a perfect Summers day.  Fortunately for the Badgers Healy left his photographic skills at home and we have Harry Cutts to thank for these fine photographic efforts.  Makes up for those pins Harry.  Last time we saw legs like these they were covered in breadcrumbs.  What’s the point in having a place in Marbella if you’ve got legs from Morecombe?  Swap the baseball cap for a handkerchief mate!

Still, the lack of responsibility meant Healy could at last accrue a half decent score at the end of the day, breaking 30 points at a Badger do for the first time, so everyone’s a winner Mikey Blue.

Badgers at Lullingstone (L-R); Paul Starbuck, Mark Smith, Andy Bawn, Harry Cutts, Mike Healy, Nick Hornsby, Dennis Redgrave, John Chapman, Steve Sharp, Steve Beasley, Dave Bullock, Richard Maggs, Dave Jarvis, Barry Palmer, Spencer Powell, James Renkin, Richard Gent, Graham Starling, Frank Kingham, Tim Holt, Simon Tuson, Steve Hook, Lee Appleby

 

Lullingstone awards were dominated by the usual suspects (making the most use of Sharpies Patented Handicap ‘Adjustment’ System) so it was nice to see new faces win the Team Prize – step forward Simon Tuson, Dave Jarvis, Frank Kingham and Steve Hook. Longest Drive was won by John Chapman and Nearest the Pin by Sharpie. Yawn, yawn. Of special note was Frank Kingham who was awarded a bottle of port for Most Improved Golfer. Good work Badger! As his competition was Tim Holt and Lee Appleby this has to be the easiest drink Franks never had to work for…..

Winning Team (L-R); Simon Tuson, Dave Jarvis, Frank Kingham, Steve Hook

 

John Chapman – Longest Drive

 

Steve Sharp – Nearest the Pin

 

Frank Kingham – Most Improved Golfer

No mention of any Ladies Members being present in dispatches but true to form Andy Bawn followed on from his amazing slice at South Essex with an amazing hook on the first tee, nearly braining (not sure if the term applies to him) Dave Jarvis in the process.  And for his next trick……poor ol’ Davie hit the ground quicker than an Iraqi newspaper seller when a car backfires which, when you weigh in at over twenty stone, is no mean feat.  Apparently, the groundstaff have filled the depression left by the impact with sand and added a bunker to the 18th green. Good work fellas!

Mark Smith put his past troubles behind him (11 points at Edenbridge?) to achieve a well earned third place with 33 points.  An amazing turnaround given that most of his tee shots over the past six months have been as crooked as a stroke victims face so well done Smithy, nice to see the Wildthing unleashed again!  For those of you still awake, Sharpie added more silverwear to his mantlepiece with a second place with 35 points, but overall winner was John Chapman on countback also with 35.  This was despite Sharpie trying five different versions of countback to swing it his way so well done Chappers, finally the bride (and not quite where you’d have wanted to stick that envelope Mr Sharp!).

 Mark Smith – 3rd Place

 

 

Steve Sharp – 2nd Place

 

John Chapman – 1st Place

 

The day was rounded off by Sharpie giving a heartfelt leaving speech before taking his leave of us and peddling his wares in the Caribbean. Barry Palmer was stood at the back by the bar and is still wondering where’s Sharpie peddling to.  Up there with Churchill’s fight them on the beaches and Martin Luther’s I have a dream speeches, the Sharpster gave heartfelt thanks to the Badgers and took his leave over a good few Guinness’s.  Canary Wharf’s gain is somebody else’s problem.

Steve's departure has brought about a number of changes, not least of which Daveys stopped giving bar tabs to people. And who ever said there was no such thing as a free meal Sharpie…..?  Little were we to know that, like a bad pint of Ordinary at Daveys (sorry Trish), we were to receive a swift reappearance…..

 

Results from Lullingstone;

1st John Chapman off 10, scored 35, new handicap 9

2nd Steve Sharp off 6, scored 35, new handicap 5

3rd Mark Smith off 18, scored 33, new handicap 18

4th Mike Healy off 26, scored 32, new handicap 26

5th Simon Tuson off 19, scored 32, new handicap 19

6th Paul Starbuck off 26, scored 31, new handicap 26

7th Barry Palmer off 25, scored 30, new handicap 26

8th James Renkin off 26, scored 29, new handicap 27

9th Graham Starling off 18, scored 28, new handicap 19

10th Frank Kingham off 36, scored 28, new handicap 36

11th Richard Gent off 26, scored 27, new handicap 27

12th Richard Maggs off 20, scored 26, new handicap 21

13th Dennis Redgrave off 28, scored 25, new handicap 28

14th Nick Hornsby off 28, scored 25, new handicap 28

15th Harry Cutts off 28, scored 25, new handicap 28

16th Dave Jarvis off 10, scored 24, new handicap 12

17th Steve Hook off 28, scored 24, new handicap 28

18th Steve Beasley off 20, scored 23, new handicap 22

19th Spencer Powell off 22, scored 22, new handicap 24

20th Tim Holt off 32, scored 19, new handicap 34

21st Andy Bawn off 28, scored 19, new handicap 28

22nd Dave Bullock off 26, scored 18, new handicap 28

23rd Lee Appleby off 36, scored 15 , new handicap 36

 

Teams at Lullingstone Park (all L – R)

Harry Cutts, Tim Holt, Richard Gent, Mark Smith

 

Steve Hook, Dave Jarvis, Simon Tuson, Frank Kingham

 

Steve Sharp, Mike Healy, Nick Hornsby

 

Richard Maggs, Barry Palmer, Steve Beasley, Dave Bullock

 

Andy Bawn, John Chapman, Spencer Powell, Dennis Redgrave

 

Graham Starling, Paul Starbuck, Lee Appleby, James Renkin