The 2019 TT Roll-up Xmas Lunch held on Sunday 15th December saw the largest turnout for several years being attended by some 40 TT Roll-up regulars and their partners.
The excellent 2 or 3 course carvery lunch, with table quiz, was followed by coffee, mince pies and chocolates in the Skelton Room. Here Master of Ceremonies, Mike Whitwell, wished everyone good cheer and invited Nigel French to give his usual run-down of the TT Roll-up’s activities during 2019.
Nigel duly reported on participation in regular TT Roll-up outings and the various competitions organised during the year, including the 3-Club Challenge in February, the Burford Senior Captain’s Charity Golf Day in March and the match between teams from the TT Roll-up and the EGGS in October.
All agreed with Nigel’s assertion that the Frilford courses had again been in excellent condition throughout the year, apart from the ongoing problems involving some of the bunkers and the paths.
On the subject of calendar clashes, Nigel noted that the Club’s golfing management were endeavouring to give more priority to members over visiting societies and external competitions and were continuing to assist with the arrangements made following the long-standing “entente cordiale” between the TT Roll-up and the EGGS during the winter months.
In passing, Nigel was also pleased to note the continued good will on the part of the Club's management seeking to improve their communications with members and their responsiveness to members’ concerns in other areas. This had culminated in a meeting between members of the TT Roll-up and the Club’s General Manager, Russell Stebbings, in November when the latter spoke about and took questions on the Club’s refurbishment plans.
In conclusion Nigel was sorry to note that Hugh Chamberlain had been unable to attend the lunch and the presentation of his trophy this year. All present wished Hugh well and asked Nigel to convey to him the TT Roll-up’s best wishes for Christmas and the new year.
Nigel then announced the results of the Hugh Chamberlain Trophy competition for 2019 which had been won by Stuart Rushworth. For further details, click here.
Mike Whitwell then proceeded with the serious business of the day, including the presentation of various awards of his own devising and the drawing of the raffle, as usual carried out partly in rhyming couplets. He then wished all present good cheer for the festive season.
Before the party broke up, Tony Tompkins, on behalf of all the TT Roll-up regulars, made a special presentation to Mike Whitwell in recognition of his hard work and investment in the arrangements for the Xmas Lunch. This was accompanied by general acclamation.