Eighteen members took part in this year’s Hedsor Professional’s Prize Stableford Competition, enjoying pleasant sunshine throughout the day, accompanied by a refreshing breeze that ensured ideal playing conditions.
The event also supported a worthy cause, with each competitor generously donating £5 towards our nominated charity, Variety Golf.
The scoring reflected both the quality of the field and the excellent condition of the course, with six players equalling or bettering their nett par score of 36 points.
Leading the way was Mick Ballard, whose impressive gross 80 translated into an outstanding 41 Stableford points, securing first prize on the day.
Both Chris Wright and our Club Captain, Jay Goodwin, amassed 38 points, with Chris claiming second place on countback and Jay taking third.
As the prize giving unfolded, Club Treasurer Nic Manley, never one to miss an opportunity for numerical precision, helpfully clarified for anyone who might have been hard of hearing—or perhaps unfamiliar with the finer points of Stableford scoring—that Jay’s 38 points had indeed earned him third place. Jay graciously thanked Nic for his entirely unsolicited contribution.
Jay also shared the honour of lowest gross score, carding an excellent 75, alongside Jack Towlson. At the time of writing, Nic has yet to confirm whether Jay’s 75 loses out to Jack’s 75 on countback, though we suspect further statistical analysis may still be underway.
Special mention should also go to Barbara Rayment, our sole lady competitor on the day, who recorded a very creditable 35 Stableford points, narrowly missing out on joining the under-par brigade.
As is traditional after any golf competition, numerous tales of misfortune and near misses were exchanged in the clubhouse while players completed their e-scorecards. Remarkably, however, no one stepped forward to claim the coveted title of ‘Unluckiest Golfer of the Day.’ A rare occurrence indeed.
Great credit must go to our hard-working greenkeeping team. The fairways and rough were presented superbly, rewarding well-struck shots while appropriately penalising errant ones. The greens, meanwhile, ran true throughout the day, with many of the leading players averaging an impressive 1.6 to 1.8 putts per hole.
Unfortunately, our Club Professional Stuart was unable to attend the event to present his Trophy, so Captain Jay Goodwin stepped in to conduct the prize giving.
Prize Winners:
🥇 Mick Ballard – 41 points
🥈 Chris Wright – 38 points (countback)
🥉 Jay Goodwin – 38 points
The day concluded with another example of Hedsor hospitality at its finest. Jay generously prepared a lunchtime feast of chilli con carne with rice and cheese, which proved hugely popular with competitors. In fact, so many members returned for second helpings that it was fortunate there was more than enough to go around.
A wonderful day of golf, generosity, camaraderie, and excellent food—everything that makes Hedsor Golf Club such a special place.
prepared by Bilal Club Secretary