Our Annual Awards Dinner was held on Saturday 14th November at the Windmill Inn, Badby, when a total of 33 members and guests attended. In addition to Sue and Steve Bownass from the Captain's Charity (The Cynthia Spencer Hospice, Northampton, being Dave Crocker's nomination for 2015), we were delighted to welcome Life and Founder member John Tompkins, with his wife Ann. John is going to donate a new replacement trophy next season, continuing to be awarded to the Most Improved Player. Joyce and Catie Goddard were also our special guests having donated the new Eric Goddard Memorial Doubles Trophy this season. Finally on the subject of new trophies, Glyn Jones has kindly donated and introduced a new one in his name for the first round losers in the Singles competition, to be played for each year at the closing fixture.
We sat down promptly to an excellent 3-courses meal with wine, before which, Glyn said 'Grace', particularly poignant this year with the passing of two life members, Eric Goddard and Chris Huckle, and coming just 24 hours after the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris.
Our Captain presented a cheque for £850 to the Cynthia Spencer Hospice, an excellent effort, and thanks go to all those members who contributed throughout the season. (We received a gracious thank you letter from Sue Bownass of the Hospice).
The following awards were presented in respect of the various competitions throughout the 2015 season:
Ron Lewis Trophy: Martin Crooke
Jack Mial Memorial Trophy: Dave Williams
Captain's Day Trophy: Paddy Murray
Glyn Jones Trophy: Chris Ward
John Tompkins Trophy: Rob Pouncey
Eric Goddard Doubles Trophy: Patrick Stone & Chris Ward (Glyn Jones & Paul Cummings runners-up)
Singles Competition Trophy: Patrick Stone (Martin Crooke runner-up)
Greenwood Motors Trophy: Dave Williams (Bob Cubitt runner-up)
During his acceptance of the Greenwood Motors Trophy, Dave Williams acknowledged the work of your committee throughout the year.(Thank you Dave, and a particularly timely reminder, for there will be at least two, and possibly three vacancies on the committee for next season.)
My thanks go to The Captain, Tony, Martin, Glyn, and Jacqui of the Windmill, for their help in organising the event, and also to those members for their assistance with payments on a busy night.
Christmas Fixture: Wednesday 30th December at Bicester Hotel Golf & Spa, 1st tee time 10.00am. Please let Tony know asap if you are wishing to play.
It remains for me to wish you all a wonderful Christmas, and a healthy and successful 2016.
With best wishes
Alan