2025 Tewkesbury Spring Trip Report
Glorious sunny weather gave warmer and drier conditions than the forecasts though the keen north-easterly breeze was best avoided. Temperatures climbed over the three days allowing the group to congregate on the south-facing lawns after golf.
Situated on the high ground to the western outskirts of the town the views were just marvellous across the valley to the hills on the horizon. Possibly the most scenic practice putting green in England! The course is very interesting with at least one quirky and unique feature on more or less every hole with some glorious old oak trees. The fairways were suffering just a little from the drought, like most other courses, the greens were true and grassy but surprisingly fast downhill.
We were competing for individual day trophies (large glass golf ball replicas on plinths with the event engraved) and an overall Champion’s Trophy, also in glass and carrying the HAL society logo, location and year and suitably inscribed with the word “Champion”. Very desirable, and it would grace the trophy cabinet of the player with the best two positions out of the three rounds. Usual rules – only one significant trophy per winner.
On day One it was clear that Rona would be the player to beat, having brought her A-game along, and so it proved, as she pipped David by one point. Day Two was even more emphatic as she returned 37 points, Paul trailing on 32 still two clear in second. The third day there was a significant upset – well, Rona “only” came second with 36 – Paul finally ascending the top step after the best round of the week – 39 points.
After a tense wait as the scores and categories were calculated on the lawn (for the minor prizes, that is) these were the final results:
David had the medal for the greatest number of three-point holes over three days with 11, Peter took the four-pointer trophy with 3 (Rona also 3 but now ineligible!).
The two’s sweep had no-one on the list until the final day when Paul got the only two and took home the entire £15 kitty! Contributed by our long-term tour agent A Golfing Experience as a loyalty bonus for last time.
The day prize winners were:
Day Three: Paul, as outright 1st;
Day Two: Terry, as joint 3rd? (Rona and Paul ineligible under the “one major prize” rule, Gordon tied and it was decided on countback but they had also been tied on Day One in 3rd so Terry’s 4th scraped home on Day Three);
Day One: David (Rona ineligible);
TOURNAMENT CHAMPION: RONA BARFORD, uncatchable after day Two, best two placings 2 (107 points over three rounds).
The minor placings were
Runner-Up: Paul Bunyan (3/96)
Third: Terry Wall (7/93) and Gordon Whickman (7/85)
Other players:
David Robertson (8/84); Peter Barford (9/88); Captain Simon Davey (10/88); Karen Parker (13/72); Rick Jones & Steve Edwards (playing two rounds only).
The non-playing ladies, Rita, Val, Jolande and Deidre, were chauffeured to a very interesting day at Sudeley Castle on Tuesday by Rick, and the first three walked down to Tewkesbury for a stroll round the town (i.e. shopping) on Wednesday. All fourteen of us praised the hotel, the rooms were fine and had lovely views across the course, both breakfast and dinner were very good, but the major ingredient was, as always, the excellent and convivial company whenever a group of HAL BGS members get together determined to enjoy ourselves.
You can find the photos taken HERE
Any suggestions regarding a future venue that could approach that experience will be gratefully received!
Terry
Captains Comment
Terry yet again delivered up a superb HAL Society event, this year at Tewksbury Park GC. The course, facilities, food and accommodation were just right and I’m sure I speak for everyone who attended in saying it really was excellent.
For the non-golfers, the location offered many interesting opportunities. For the golfers, the course also offered many interesting opportunities but personally rarely taken !
Congratulations to Rona for a splendid victory.
I’m really looking forward to seeing you all at Chobham GC on 20 May and then at my Captains Day at Hartley Wintney 23 June.
Best wishes for a great start to the golfing season.
Simon