As the rugby season draws to a close the golf season opens up.
Gavin Hastings observed at last year’s Guests’ Day. “We play golf as we play rugby – with a smile. (You bet Gavin was smiling after winning 4 bottles of Bollinger for his team when he fired his tee shot to 1.8m on the Nearest-the-Pin hole – then made the birdie putt too!)
So, if you want to smile in 2019, scroll down and you see dates for 3 matches and for the Summer Meeting. Details will follow as each event draws closer. Keep reading for a sensational summary of 2018 and sinister prediction for 2019!
Wednesday 22nd May 15:30 Royal Mid-Surrey GC v LSFC at Royal Mid-Surrey GC www.rmsgc.co.uk
Friday 14th June 15:30 LSFC v Richmond RFC at Royal Mid-Surrey GC
Friday 12th July 15:30 LSFC Summer Meeting at Strawberry Hill GC http://shgolf.co.uk/
September TBC 15:30 LSFC v Harlequins RFC at London Scottish GC www.londonscottishgolfclub.com
2018 ROUNDUP
Isn’t the media myopic?
Today Radio 5 Live diverted precious programming hours into how Manchester City may create history by winning “The Quad”; and the Print Press wittered on aimlessly about unification of the various Boxing Belts.
Tragically, yet again the world’s journalists missed the hottest sports story since 1953 – Brian Watt holding all three LSFC Golf Trophies.
Yes, it’s true. History was made on 23rd November 2018 when, at the LSFC Autumn Golf Meeting, Brian lifted the Sir John Hay Cigarette Box to add to his haul of bling after winning the Summer Meeting too.
Congratulations showered upon Brian as he gave his winner’s speech in the prestigious lounge at Royal Mid-Surrey GC. Not least from new LSFC golfer, Lindsay McLaren; as the ink dried on her marker’s signature for Brian’s scorecard, talented golfer, Lindsay, privately observed that she had out driven Brian on every hole and if he hadn’t accumulated 40 years of local knowledge she would have edged him out of the prizes at her first event. Oh well, to plagiarise a USPGA commentator, “That’s the way the Rookie grumbles.”
Lifetime LSFC supporter, Ian Chamberlain, also played his first event that day too. Sadly the suggestion of his playing partner, Donald Mungall, that Ian be awarded a prize for the Longest Drive (as Ian had travelled from his home on the Suffolk coastline) foundered when it was discovered that Ian had arrived by train. Ian’s return home was delayed somewhat after Stuart Fenton not only talked Ian into staying for the prematch dinner but also into watching LSFC v Ealing Trailfinders.
It was a delight to see Bob Pringle return to meet his golfing chums and, on arrival, get into the spirit of the day as he promptly swapped his tee time with Sandy McIver’s for a pint a bitter.
Thankfully, Jonathan ”Fresher” Monk made no such changes and enjoyed the company of his cross-country guide Norrie Jackson.
So, will Brian Watt win all the trophies in 2019? Or, as in the film “The Hustler” will he get his thumbs broken behind a dingy bar. Put the dates in your diary now and find out.
Written by Lance Quantrill
