The 2014 HAGS/PWDGS-UK outing to Hellidon Lakes Golf and Spa Hotel has come and gone; and it may well be the last such event.
Nigel French won the HAGS/PWDGS Trophy with a modest two-day total of 54 Stableford points, just pipping Alan Milne (53 points)
Nigel also announced over dinner on Wednesday 13th that he proposed to step down as organiser of the annual society outings after doing the job for some eleven years. In the absence of a volunteer to take over the organisation, there will therefore be no further such formal HAGS/PWDGS outings. The following report is thus likely to be the last.
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The outing to Hellidon Lakes on 12 - 14 August 2014 was blessed with excellent golfing weather on an interesting and demanding course. The course was in fine condition, albeit one or two greens were arguably too fast given the scarily challenging pin positions. The accommodation (including spa and pool) and dining facilities were up to the usual exacting HAGS standards.
Looking back toward the hotel from the 8th tee
Six players took the opportunity to take a look at the course and hone their swings on Tuesday 12th August. There was not much evidence of "honing", more groaning and moaning, but a few drinks and a good meal after the round numbed the pain somewhat and all awoke refreshed and ready for the fray on Wednesday 13th.
Unfortunately only four of the original six players signed up for Wednesday and Thursday made it to Hellidon. The other two sent their apologies and the rest of the touring party drank their health and wished them and their families well.
The golf on Wednesday 13th took the form mainly of a team competition. This was made difficult by the organiser's simple (some might say deliberately complex) answer to a mixture of three-ball and four-ball teams, which clearly did not work, since the four-ball team (including the organiser) came last! In addition, all players' individual Stableford scores counted towards the HAGS/PWDGS Trophy competition.
Following the golf and a suitable interlude for ablutions, recovery and - in some cases - sleep, the party enjoyed a convivial evening over dinner with wine for those so inclined, before heading early to bed to prepare for the following day's exertions.
Having thoroughly loosened the muscles and oiled the swings, Thursday 14th's play was expected to showcase the best of HAGS/PWDGS golfing ability. It took the form of an individual Stableford competition, with all players' scores also counting towards the HAGS/PWDGS Trophy competition.
One of the party having injured a fetlock attempting to leap Beecher's Brook on Wednesday, only nine players took actively to the course on Thursday. The scores were marginally better than on Wednesday (23.6 pts average as opposed to 20.8 pts), but overall it somehow felt better.
With a combined score of 54 Stableford points over the two days, Nigel French won possibly the final HAGS/PWDGS Trophy competition. Full results are given below.
RESULTS
HAGS/PWDGS Trophy Competition 13th & 14th August
Winner : Nigel French 54 pts
Runner-up : Alan Milne 53 pts
Team Competition 13th August
Winners : Green, Martin, Thompson 60 pts
Second : Milne, Crockett, Lamont 57 pts
Third: French, White, Thomas, Lawrence 56 pts
Individual Competition 13th August
Winner : Alan Milne 28 pts
Runner-up : Les Thompson 28 pts
Nearest Pin (No 9) 13th August Not claimed
Nearest Pin (No 13) 13th August Nigel French
Individual Competition 14th August
Winner : Jeremy Crockett 27 pts
Runner-up : Bryan White 27 pts
Nearest Pin (No 9) 14th August Jeremy Crockett
Nearest Pin (No 13) 14th August Nigel French