Vets League Team Captain Report

On behalf of Dennis Shipp - Vets League Team Captain 26th August 2022:

Hi all,

For our last Vets League game of the season, it was a lovely very warm, sunny, almost windless day at Chislehurst. Those who have played there will know it’s a quirky course, only a par 66, with 8 par 3’s, but it has lovely greens (almost as good as ours) and, accepting the recent weather, was in good shape. In addition, it has one of the finest clubhouses in Golf and their members were very welcoming, so all the games were played in a good spirit...possibly a little too good as, being a kind, respectful team, we allowed them to win 5-1 (the team score was 4 defeats and two ½’s). Fortunately we had beaten them 5½ to a ½ at Cherry Lodge, so in the head to head this season, we were the overall winners...and the ½ point difference was very important – but more of that later.

This season we have only lost 4 ‘matches’ but unfortunately we lost them all 5-1. So 5 wins, a 3-3 half with Blackheath (at Blackheath) and 4 losses (1 home defeat, 3 away defeats). We have come 4th in the table and beaten Chislehurst by ----- ½ a point. So those individual wins and halves you all achieved, in all the matches, were very important. I attach the final league table below.

We should have come 3rd as we beat Blackheath at home and drew with them at their course but they still beat us overall!

It’s been a lovely season, with some of the best, continuously dry weather I can remember, and some of the best conditions for playing golf. Obviously as the courses got dryer the conditions changed, and the shot selection became more ‘interesting’. 33, Cherry Lodge Veterans have played for the Vets League Team in 2022. I hope you all enjoyed the matches, the dinners and the humour. Thank you all for your support in 2022.

I am now standing down as Captain and will not be the captain in 2023. I will complete my responsibilities for 2022 which includes the end of season league dinner, the League AGM etc. but I will not be the Captain in 2023. It’s probably best if the Captain for 2023 has a handicap of less than 15.5 and is an existing team member – but its not mandatory or that the captain plays in every game. Please let Keith VW (Vets Captain) or myself know if you are interested in being the Vets League Captain for 2023. The Vets League AGM is on 11th October at Langley at 11:00 am and it would be good if next year’s captain is at that AGM.

Best regards

Dennis