Chichester golf veterans reflect on a winning winter
Chichester Golf Club’s veterans section completed their winter season with the traditional Texas scramble and prizegiving – and despite the awful weather post-Christmas, all the competitions were finished.
The season turned out to be a triumph for the Smiths (not related) hierarchy as vets captain Stuart Smith won the Division 2 matchplay singles, followed by a double whammy from vice-captain Philip Smith, who collected the first prize for the Division 1 Eclectic and the Division 1 matchplay doubles with partner Dennis Huggins.
Further prizes were won by David Cole – the Greenkeepers Trophy, John Effingham – the Remembrance Trophy, Richard Bennett – the Division 1 matchplay singles, Paul Metherell with Richard Dusart – the Division 2 matchplay doubles and Tony Horne, the Division 2 Eclectic.
Jimmy Sewell scooped the pool in the Tower Vets, winning both the Remembrance Trophy and the Eclectic competitions on the Tower course.
All the prizewinners were warmly applauded by the gathered throng in this celebration of the section’s winter season of golf.
There was a new venture for the vets this year as they joined the A3 Winter League along with Old Thorns, Hurtmore, Milford and Pyrford Lakes golf clubs.
Teams of five pairs played greensomes, with points scored on all 18 holes from each match leading to the final aggregate scores.
The contest was close and came down to the very last match. A good number of vets joined in the matches, and Chichester were rewarded by winning the league at the first attempt, a considerable achievement which will ensure their continued participation in the competition.
Thanks are due to vets captain Stuart Smith for leading the team and to Tony James for initiating their participation and arranging the teams.