Keith Waite and our Captain Hugh were on the first tee at Burnham Beeches, leading 23 members out in the first event of the TEGS 2026 season. Keith bent to tee up his ball on the first hole. “I have been hitting balls off this tee for 66 years” he announced. Then he promptly smacked the ball into the distance and recorded the longest drive of the day. Respect!

The forecast was not promising – 50 per cent chance of rain – but the weather gods moved in our favour and sent us only light drizzle and so we completed our rounds without getting soaked.

The greens were in good shape for the time of the year, and the course was well presented so thank you to Lee Bishop and his green-keeping team.

There were no playing guests so no guest prize, longest drive of the day as mentioned above was won by Keith, Nearest the Pin on the Par 3 10th was won by Bob Pickles and Nearest the Pin in 2 on the Par 4 15th was won by Lindsay McNish.

The team prize went to Hugh Pigot and Keith Waite but being a two-ball, they were awarded additional points from a Ghost based on a formula decided upon by the Captain, I will say no more about that! Their score of 70 was equalled but with 23 points on the last 6 holes they won on countback.

Turning to the other prizes the Best Front 9 was won by Barry Bennett with 16 points and the Best Back 9 was won by John Smith with 17 points.

Taking the major individual prizes were in 3rd place Richard Carleton on 29 points with 12 points on the back 9, Lindsay McNish in 2nd with 29 points but with 17 points on the back 9 and in 1st place and winning the Peerless Cup was Mark Cranstoun with 35 points – Congratulations!

The median score was 26 points, which was 12th equal, with every score bar one falling between 22 and 29 points.

We were joined by Tony Harbour, Alan Rowbotham and Peter White, plus Burnham Beeches General Manager Katie Free and Professional Ronnie Bolton, for an excellent lunch prior to holding our 2026 AGM, minutes of which will be available in due course.

Due to the cancellation of our Xmas meeting at Huntercombe in December the conclusion of the 2025 GOTY included the results from the day. Richard Carleton was the winner with a total score of 169 and he was presented with his trophy at the end of the AGM. The GOTY 2026 race kicks off at Beaconsfield, and the first round of the tour in October will make up the 8 qualifying rounds.

Thank you all for your support in electing me Captain and I will do my best to repay your trust. I am looking forward to the golfing year and especially the tour to Sussex in October.

Hope to see you all at Beaconsfield on April 21st.
John Smith – Captain TEGS 2026