The Inaugural Badgers Golf Society Day was held on Saturday, 10th May at Farleigh Court Golf Club, East Surrey and was deemed a great success by all who attended.  Sixteen Badgers took to the course for 27 holes of golf and established a reputation for the society on it’s first outing by draining the club bar of Guinness through the course of the day. Good work Badgers!  Of specific note are John Nelson, Steve Beasley and Tim Down who were still propping up the bar at 8.30 pm – top Badgers!  Although the day started full of promise, by the afternoon it had deteriorated and at the close it was dismal (much the same story as Dave Bullock’s golf by all accounts) so well done all the Badgers for getting round in the wind and rain.

Following the quickly established Badgers tradition of toasting each round with a glass of Port, the morning 9 hole/four-ball Texas Scramble developed into a hard-fought competition and was only decided on count back with a score of 29. Congratulations to the winning team of Mark Smith, David Bullock, Chris Graham and John Nelson.  Following a mandatory three pint Guinness refresher to wash down a hearty breakfast, battle commenced on the main course (following further toasts of Port) for the inaugural Individual Badgers Trophy.

 

The winning texas scramble team; Chris Graham, Mark Smith, John Nelson, Dave Bullock

First place was closely won on countback by Nick Bullock with a superb tally of 37 points following his last minute call up to stand in for the poorly Richard ‘Badger’ Gent. Playing off a handicap of 24, his ears were left still ringing from the shouts of ‘BANDIT!’ once the score was announced!  Second place was Steve Sharp with 37 points and a well earned third was John Nelson with a respectable 35 points. Lee Appleby proved everybody wrong and showed he actually could hit a cow’s behind with a banjo by totaling 15 points on his first outing, putting some of the more experienced Badgers to shame. Well done Lee!

 Nick Bullock (left) collecting his winning trophy

Nearest the Pin’ was won by Paul Commerford (always good around a tight hole), narrowly beating that other tight hole expert Tim Down.  ‘Longest Drive’ was won by Mark Smith just ahead of Mike Healy and James Renkin, albeit this was aided by the heinous crime of using another Badgers club, namely a ‘Wild-Thing’ driver from the bag of Lee Appleby. The Badger Court subsequently convened and charged Mark with bringing the name of Badgers into disrepute. As a punishment he was required to stand on a chair and singing ‘Wild-Thing’ in it’s entirety following lunch at the next Badgers day and, furthermore, was forthwith be referred to as ‘Wild-Thing’ Smith. Other ‘Longest Drives’ of note were Tim Down and Simon Crossland who made complete balls-ups of the directions and almost missed the first tee-offs. Better preparation next time Badgers!  

Paul Commerford (2nd left) – Nearest the Pin

 

‘Wild-Thing’ Smith (centre) – Longest Drive

 

Steve Sharp – 2nd Place Badgers Individual

 

John Nelson (Left) – 3rd Place Badgers Individual

 

Other Attendees;

Left to Right; Mike Healy, Steve Sharp, Chris Lincoln, Harry Cutts

 

 

Left to Right; Nick Bullock, Paul Commerford, James Renkin, Simon Crossland

 

Left to Right; Steve Beasley, Alec Vallintine, Lee Appleby, Tim Down

 

 

Scores & Handicaps;

The scores and handicaps for Farleigh Court are listed below;

1st Nick Bullock, 37 Points off 22

2nd Steve Sharp, 37 Points 0ff 11

3rd John Nelson, 34 Points off 25

4th Chris Graham, 32 Points off 14

5th Wild Thing Smith, 29 Points off 18

6th Chris Lincoln, 27 Points off 28

7th James Renkin, 26 Points off 24

8th Tim Down, 25 Points off 22

9th Mike Healy, 23 Points off 34

10th Alec Vallintine, 21 Points off 20

11th Paul Commerford, 20 Points off 24 1

2th Simon Crossland, 19 Points off 24

13th Steve Beasly, 19 Points off 18

14th Harry Cutts, 19 Points off 28

15th Dave Bullock, 19 Points off 28

16th Lee Appleby, 15 Points off 36

Following the day’s events our Handicap Secretary Steve Sharp reviewed the handicaps and made the following amendments in readiness for the next society outing;

Richard Gent; minus 1 (23). Being ill and no note from Mrs Badger.

Lee Appleby; no change (36). Captain Slice could be joined by Captain Hook soon.

Dave Bullock; no change (28). Final account not yet finalised.

Harry Cutts; no change (28). For being fines master.

Steve Beasley; plus 2 (20). For being last Badger in the bar.

Simon Crossland; plus 2 (26). The highest pair of trousers in England award.

Paul Commerford; no change (24). Despite nearest the pin. How?

Alec Vallintine; plus 1 (21). More ‘factory visits’ required. Any ideas?

Mike Healy; minus 1 (23). Going without paying. (We won’t tell anyone Mike.)

Tim Down; minus 1 (21). For being late and small.

James Renkin; minus 1 (23). Being Australian with a silly voice.

Chris Lincoln; no change (28). Any golf days coming up? If not plus 2.

Wild Thing Smith; minus 1 (17). Keep your hands to yourself in future.

Chris Graham; minus 1 (13). For saying he couldn't play off 14 via an interpreter.

John Nelson; minus 3 (22). 13 people were nearly hit by friendly fire (on the 1st).

Steve Sharp; minus 2 (9). Shelf won’t take anymore trophies.

Nick Bullock; minus 4 (18). His horse got lost going home

 

Pictures From Farleigh Court, 10th May 2003;

 

Lee Appleby wins ‘Mr Slice’

 Alec Vallintine & Simon Crossland