Captain's report on TEGS meeting at Hankley Common, August 26th 2025
Our 6th event for 2025 was held at Hankley Common Golf Club; a favourite of many. Indeed the entry was over-subscribed with 28 TEGS members and their guests making this the highest turnout in some time. Amongst the guests was David Seaman, the ex-Arsenal and England goalkeeper. It was especially good to see so many of our newer members playing.
With fairway watering Hankley had not suffered as much from the extended dry weather as many other courses but, having recently used up its water quota, the fairways were now dry and hard. The greens however were lush and green but were unfortunately still showing signs of recent maintenance, which may explain the generally disappointing scores with the median at a lowly 27.
On the day there were 3 competitions running concurrently – the main event for the Johnson & Johnson Rose Bowl, the Father and Son contest for the Ronnie Francis salver and the remaining semi-final of the TEGS Matchplay event. Also, with the arrival of the new TEGS shirts the opportunity was taken for a group photograph – the first for some 20 years.
On the course the sky was threatening and our front 9 was briefly interrupted by a shower, but the day was otherwise dry with a light breeze. The ball ran for miles on the dry fairways but not always where intended and was often gobbled up by the heather. The greens proved unpredictable and difficult to read. Nevertheless we enjoyed a very pleasant day of friendly rivalry.
We then retired to the clubhouse where we were warmly welcomed by the staff, all of whom seemed pleased to see us again. We were presented with a simply delicious 3 course lunch - as is always the case at Hankley Common. Would that all golf clubs offered such quality of food and service!
The Guest prize was won by Graham Moody with 32 points but this did not prevent Ken and Daniel Procter from being the runaway winners of the Father & Son competition with an aggregate of 60 points, beating Phil and Graham Moody into second place with 54 points.
TEGS Captain Sir George Pigot presents the Ronnie Francis slaver to winners Ken and Daniel Procter
TEGS Captain Sir George Pigot presents the Johnson & Johnson rose bowl to winner John Whitehead
Winner of the semi-final of the Matchplay was Neil Gorman, who prevailed over Phil Moody and goes through to meet your Captain in the final. This is to be played at or before our next meeting at Swinley Forest in late September.
…… and so on to the results of the main Contests –
Winners of the Team prize were Ian Norris, Barry Bennett, John Whitehead and John Smith with 87 points on count back from the team of Andy Mills, Peter Madeley, Keith Waite and Peter Gunn.
Nearest the Pin on the 2nd was Daniel Procter and Nearest the Pin in 2 on the 15th was John Greasley.
Best Front 9 (not in the major prizes) was Andy Thomas on 18 points and the Best Back 9 (NITMP) was Bob Pickles with 19 points on countback from Ian Norris and Ken Procter.
Turning to the main prizes –
In 3rd place with 33 points was John Smith, whilst in 2nd place with 34 points was Andy Mills.
The winner of the Johnson & Johnson Rose Bowl for 2025 was John Whitehead, also on 34 points but winning on countback with 20 points on the back 9 – Congratulations to John!
Our thoughts now turn to Captain’s Day at Swinley Forest on September 23rd, where I hope to see all of you – and more – again!
Sir George Pigot, Bt.
TEGS Captain 2025
TEGS at Hankley Common Golf Club showing their new TEGS shirts on August 26th 2025
Captain's report on TEGS meeting at New Zealand GC
In typical British fashion the day was dominated by the weather, with dire warnings of heavy rain showers spreading from the South West. In the event we were lucky and saw perhaps 2 light sprinkles, which had no effect on the game. There was however a stiff (and at times very stiff) wind to contend with. Together with the parched fairways, this wind allowed many of us to drive the ball distances we have not seen in 20 years! Unfortunately this sometimes meant we unintentionally fell into the embrace dear Erica………….
Some of the new logoed TEGS shirts had arrived and were distributed to various members, who promptly changed into them and they all looked very smart on the tee.
As always New Zealand presented its tees, greens and heather (!) in excellent condition. The fairways of course had not seen water for many weeks having endured one of the driest Springs on record so were baked hard.
Nevertheless 17 Members and 2 Guests, starting on 2 tees, took on the morning challenge for the Burton Cup and the scoring was generally pretty good; I think mainly due to the perfect greens. The Median score was 30 points.
We then repaired to the clubhouse for an excellent carvery lunch and much needed refreshment.
Because several of the morning players were not playing in the afternoon we presented the morning prizes after lunch.
Match Manager Bob Pickles presents the Burton Cup to Sir George Pigot
The Guest prize was won by Mark Cranstoun with a score of 27 points.
The Team prize was won by the formidable pairing of Brian Clark and Ken Procter using a blind 3rd to score 89 points, with Bob Pickles, Keith Waite and your humble Captain in second place 10 shots back.
Nearest the pin on the 10th was won by Ian Norris and the Nearest the Pin in 2 on the 13th was won by Brian Clark.
Best Front 9 (not in the major prizes) was won by Ian Norris with 18 points and the Best Back 9 (not in the major prizes) was won on count back from 2 others by Richard Carleton with 19 points.
Turning to the main prizes - Third Place went to Terry Gallagher with 35 points with the winners of First and Second prizes tied on 36 points. On count back Ken Procter took Second Place and your humble Captain took First place and the Burton Cup with 23 points on the back 9.
Much fortified after an excellent lunch 12 members returned to the course to play the afternoon Greensomes for the St Helens Cup. Looking at the scores possibly the morning’s exertions, and/or the excellent lunch, slowed some of us down a bit; especially not having played 36 holes in a day for some time!
Nonetheless the worthy winners of the St Helens Cup were Messrs Brian Clark and John Whitehead with an superb 38 points. In second place and close behind were David MacDonald and his guest Adrian Paine with 36 points.
Prize giving was conducted over sandwiches and tea leaving us to wend our weary way home after a very enjoyable day. Our thanks go to New Zealand for their excellent course and hospitality.
Our thanks also go to match Manager Bob Pickles and our Hon Sec Keith Waite for organising such a first-rate and enjoyable day. Next up is one of my favourites - Hankley Common on August 26th
Sir George Pigot, Bt.
TEGS Captain 2025
Captain’s report on TEGS Meeting at Maidenhead GC
Wednesday June 4th 2025
In contrast to the weather we have experienced so far this year the day dawned with a cloudless blue sky, the twittering of birds and God was in his Heaven.
Unfortunately this did not last as it clouded over and by the time we teed off a cold brisk wind had developed, although we only experienced the lightest of drizzle momentarily during the day. The sun however did make a brief return late in the round.
17 Members and 2 guests rose to the fearsome challenge of Maidenhead; a course with a TEGS history but which we had not played for many years. More is the pity because it will be closing at the end of the year for redevelopment into a housing estate – what a shame! Although looking at the scores this would perhaps be a relief to many………………..
The course was in excellent condition, despite the very hard fairways and unreceptive and fast greens, caused by the exceptionally dry weather. This however did not deter one of the guests John Greasley from scoring an excellent 37 points; doubtless to the consternation of his playing partners, whose scores were not in the same league…………
Captain Sir George Pigot presents O'Cedar Cup to Nick Longman
After grappling with greens, described by one as like Russian Newspapers (ie hard to read), we repaired to the clubhouse were we enjoyed a hearty lunch that many thought the best so far this year.
Having shown his playing partners how to play the game John Greasley unsurprisingly won the Guest Prize.
Turning to the other prizes –
The Team Prize made a return by popular demand and was won by Phil Moody, Andy Thomas, David MacDonald and Nick Longman with 81 points, well clear of the rest of the field.
Best Front 9 not in the main prizes was won by our other guest Lionel Godfrey with 14 points and the Best Back 9 was won by Phil Moody with an excellent 20 points (let’s not mention the front 9!).
Nearest the Pin on the 13th was also won by David MacDonald and
Nearest the Pin in 2 on the 5th was won by our Club Secretary Keith Waite, making a welcome return after his knee replacement earlier this year.
Turning then to the main prizes –
In Third place was David MacDonald with 29 points on count back.
In Second place was Brian Clark with 31 points but losing out on count back to Nick Longman the Winner of the O’Cedar Cup, also with 31 points – Congratulations!.
A very enjoyable day in which the golf course definitely won as was reflected in the median of just 24 points, which is the lowest since we played the Buckinghamshire in 2017 for our 90th anniversary. This is particularly ironic since we recorded the highest ever median of 34 at our last outing at Ashridge in May this year.
We now look forward with anticipation to the joys of New Zealand on July 15th!
Sir George Pigot, Bt.
Captain TEGS 2025
Captain’s report on TEGS Meeting at Ashridge
Wednesday 7th May 2025
As seems to be the pattern so far this year the day dawned with grey skies and a cold northerly wind. Nevertheless this did not deter 12 TEGS members and 2 guests from attending our meeting at Ashridge.
The staff at Ashridge were very welcoming; in particular the new starter, who gave us a very comprehensive briefing before letting us out on the course. Thus fully updated and fortified with coffee and bacon rolls we ventured out onto an Ashridge that was subtly different from the last time I played the course a few years ago.
The greens were slow compared to usual but course was in generally excellent condition. The setting was as beautiful as it always is, with many of the rhododendrons in full bloom. Despite the beauty of the setting a number of members managed to shoot some really excellent scores.
The weather improved somewhat through the morning and was pleasantly warm by the time we finished our morning round and withdrew to the clubhouse for the usual high quality lunch always provided by Ashridge. Because so few chose to play the afternoon greensomes competition, prize giving was conducted immediately after lunch.
The Nearest the Pin on the 3rd was won by Alex Kidd and the Nearest the Pin in 3 on the par 5 15th was won by guest Ian Creasey.
The Best Front 9 (not in the prizes) was won by Neil Gorman with 20 points and the Best Back 9 (not on the prizes) was won by myself with 19 points. The guest prize was won by John Greasley with a score of 30 Points.
On to the main prizes, Bob Pickles was third with a wonderful 39 points, being only just pipped by last year’s winner Richard Carleton with 40 points. However these great scores were comprehensively trounced by Phil Moody with a truly magnificent 45 points (gross 79 I believe) winning him the Golden Jubilee Vase for 2025.
In the afternoon 3 teams played Greensomes for the Anniversary Bowl over 15 holes (leaving out the loop of 10th, 11th and 12th). By now the weather had turned colder, with an at times bitingly cold wind. Nonetheless the competition was closely fought with the team of Rob Sawyer and Alex Kidd managing to narrowly beat the team of Neil Gorman and myself by 2 points to win the Anniversary Bowl. In third were Chris Green and his guest Ian Creasey just another 2 points behind.
The median score for the morning round was a creditable 34 points.
Thus our day at Ashridge drew to a close and we now look forward to the Oxfordshire in just 4 weeks time on Wednesday June 4th. I just hope the weather is warmer by then and we don’t have this cold, strong northerly wind or else the Oxfordshire might prove to be a tough nut to crack………………….
Sir George Pigot - TEGS Captain 2025
Captain’s report on TEGS Meeting at Beaconsfield
Tuesday 15th April 2025
The day began with light drizzle and grey skies – a reminder of the many wet and miserable days of last year. However this did not deter 13 TEGS members and one guest from venturing out onto the course at Beaconsfield.
The starter told us there had been heavy rain overnight and so conditions were very different to the blue skies of recent weeks. Nevertheless the greens were fast and true and the wet conditions did not seem to deter our doughty entrants and this was reflected in some remarkable scores. Indeed, when I saw the scores, I wondered if I had been playing the same course………
Despite the threatening skies we only saw light drizzle from time to time and everyone got round reasonably dry. The sun even made a brief appearance during lunch to remind us that we are still in spring and summer cannot be far away. We then enjoyed an excellent lunch of a seafood starter, followed by a lamb shank and apple
crumble and custard for pudding in the upstairs dining room.
Since we only had one guest there was no guest prize but John Whitehead (the guest) still managed to secure a prize by winning the Nearest the Pin on the 7th. The Nearest the Pin in 2 on the 15th was won by Geoff Ogden.
Moving on to the other prizes, the Best Front 9 (not in the major prizes) was won by Geoff Ogden with a very respectable 18 points (playing off 8) and the Best Back 9 (nitmp) was won by Peter Gunn with an impressive 19 points.
Turning to the main prizes - in 3rd place with 34 points was Tony Harbour, who was convincingly beaten by Bob Pickles in 2nd place with 38 points. Nevertheless these excellent scores were firmly pushed into the shade by Richard Carleton with a fantastic 42 points, which I believe included a blob!
The median score was 29 points
Thus our day at Beaconsfield closed - just before a cloudburst reminded us of how lucky we had been with the weather.
Now looking forward to Ashridge on Wednesday May 7th and hoping for better weather……………
Sir George Pigot - TEGS Captain 2025
Captain’s report on TEGS Meeting at Burnham Beeches
Friday 28th March 2025
At long last March 28th dawned heralding the much anticipated first TEGS meeting of 2025. However the sky was dark and a light rain was falling ; reminiscent of so many miserable days in 2024!
Fortunately the rain was brief and as the morning progressed the sun came out and we had magnificent weather for the rest of the day. Moreover the greens were in great shape, especially so early in the season; prompting several of the Burnham Beeches members present to comment that they were the best they could ever remember for March.
Following 2 late withdrawals on medical grounds, the remaining 20 TEGS members plus one guest set out to challenge the course. With the exception of the sole guest Peter Litherland (who happens to be Burnham Beeches’ current Vice Captain) I think it fair to say the course won.
So Peter Litherland won the Guest prize with an impressive score of 37 points (playing off 10) and also the Nearest the Pin on the Par 3 10th. Nearest the Pin in 2 on the 14th was won by Geoff Ogden.
The team prize went to Chris Green, John Smith and Norman Oldmeadow with a score of 75 points and it was particularly good to see Norman back after what seems a long absence, as well as several others we haven’t seen for a while. The second team prize went to the team of Peter Litherland , Phil Moody and Nick Longman with a score of 73 points.
Turning to the other prizes the Best Front 9 was won by John Smith with an impressive 23 points (just don’t ask about the back nine!) and the Best Back 9 was won by Neil Gorman with 15 points.
Taking the major prizes were in 3rd place Brian Clark on 32 points , Peter Gunn in 2nd with 33 points and in 1st place and winning the Peerless Cup was Rob Sawyer with 34 points – Congratulations!
You may have noticed that Burnham Beeches members, perhaps unsurprisingly, featured strongly in the prizes. The median was 27 points.
We then repaired to the club house where we were joined by Burnham Beeches General Manager Katie Free and served a delicious lunch prior to holding our 2025 AGM, minutes of which will be available in due course.
I must reiterate my thanks to Nick for stepping in as Captain so willingly when I snapped my Achilles tendon a year ago. – Thank You!
It only remains for me to thank all of you for your support in electing me Captain and I hope I can fulfil the role as befits TEGS. My mission for the year is to put TEGS in a stronger position to handle the future when it reaches its 2nd Century in 2027.
Already looking forward the Beaconsfield on April 15th……………………
Sir George Pigot, Bt.
Captain TEGS 2025