The first Badger AGM (All Got Mullered) was held on the 8th July 2005 at the Grapes pub in Limehouse. Unfortunately this was the day after the London bombings so attendance was low as some people simply couldn't get in and some simply couldn't be bothered. Despite the disruption caused in London by the bombing 15 members did turn up for an excellent meal and afternoon of drunken debauchery, putting one firmly in the eye of the terrorists. Better to die on your feet (drinking) than live on your knees (drinkless)!

The lunch was followed by an award ceremony to announce the Badger Captain - the person with the best average score across the last four golf days. This will now be an annual event and honourary position. But first some Badger Society facts (apologies to those that had to sit through this already!); as this was the first yearly meal, rather than just a review of the years Badgering, we carried out a summary of all of our golf days up to and including Darenth 2005.

Alec Vallintine delivers the end of year Badgers AGM Speech.
The Badgers look on bored sensless.....

The Society was formed on the 10th May 2003 at Farleigh Court and 16 Badgers played at Farleigh. Membership peaked at 43 (thanks mainly to the patented 'Sharpie Strong Arm Tactic'), but was now settled at 38. In total 57 people had played on Badger days. Of the attendees, just two Badgers had attended every day – Steve Sharp and Harry Cutts. Committee leading by example! At Farleigh the average handicap was 23 and average points 25. At the last golf day at Darenth, the average handicap was 22 and average points 32, so handicaps were lowering slightly and scores going up so we must be doing something right (or just playing too much golf!).

For the Society, the overall average handicap was 24 which is fairly good given the spread of abilities. Up to Darenth 2005, there had been 9 golf days, now settled at 4 per year. Of the golf days held, we had the following winners;

2003
Farleigh – Nick Bullock
Edenbridge – Andy Kimpton
Birchwood – Steve Sharp

2004
South Essex – Graham Starling
Lullingstone – John Chapman
Darenth – Pete Gallagher
Birchwood – Dave Jarvis

2005
South Essex – Mike Stone
Darenth – Alec Vallintine

Nobody had won twice, but a few people had come close – Sharpie and Chappers had been second twice. There had also been second places for Phil Priest, Spencer Powell, Simon Tuson and Stevie Hook, with third places for John Nelson, John Deely, James Strachan, Alec Vallintine, Mark Smith, John Birdseye, Pete Gallagher and Harry Cutts. Nearest the pins had been won by Paul Comerford, Mike Healy, Dave Bullock, John Chapman, Steve Sharp, Dave Jarvis, Phil Priest and Steve Hook. Longest drives had been won by Mark Smith – twice, the only man to had done so, John Nelson, Alan Ruddy, Tim Downs, John Chapman, Dave Jarvis and Phil Tweddle.

We had had a total of 25 winners of trophys and, including winning team prizes, we had had 33 winners walking away with a prize. However, of the current members we did have some Badgers whose performances had left something to be desired....there were 2 Badgers with no prizes, not even the team champagne – Lee Appleby, Steve Beasly, both despite being there at the start at Farley so if you ever get drawn with them at a golf day, we apologise.

The main function of the the yearly meal and review is to be the recognition of the Best Badger who will be appointed as the Society Captain for the next season. This will be purely a honorary title with no duties, so there will be nothing to do except handing out the prizes at the coming seasons golf days. The Committee thought this would be ideal as doing nothing should suit most of the Badgers! The scoring system is designed to recognise support and performance, based upon combined score accumulated aross the four society days divided by the four, which gave us a league table of 19 places.

Best Badger 2004/2005 and Badger Captain (in reverse order)

19th Place - Andy Bawn with an average of 5
18th Place - Mike Healy with an average of 6
Joint 14th Place - John Chapman, Richard Maggs and Phil Tweddle with an average of 15
Joint 12th Place - Steve Beasley, Tim Holt and Pete Gallagher with an average of 18
11th Place - Dave Guildford with an average of 20
10th Place - Eugenio Caruso with an average of 21
Joint 9th Place - Steve Brewer and John Deely with an average of 22
8th Place - Dave Bullock with an average of 23
Joint 7th Place - Mark Smith, Steve Hook, Frank Kingham and John Birdseye with an average of 24
6th Place - Alec Vallintine with an average of 26
3rd Place - Harry Cutts with an average of 29
Joint 2nd Place - Steve Sharp, Nigel Smith and Richard Gent with an average of 31
1st Place, Best Badger and Society Captain 2005/2006 Season – Mike Stone with an average of 32

Well done Mike, and to everybody else!

Other photos from the AGM;

Mark Smith, Alec Vallintine, Richard Gent and Steve Beasley

 

Sharpie and Eugenio

Lee Appleby and Steve Brewer

Dave Bullock and John Chapman down their Badger Bloods

 

Bob James

Harry 'Thunderbirds are Go!' Cutts

Genty demonstates the correct reaction to a Badger Blood

Give me more alcohol!!!!