SENIORS MATCH HOME AGAINST OUNDLE 18th Sept 2025 - Result W 5 -3

 it was good to return to winning ways for the final Seniors match of the season. Having lost 6 1/2 to 1 and 1/2 at Oundle earlier in the season, it was good to get revenge, But Winning has  not been the main focus Over the past five months.

Ironically, after Peter Hickman and myself winning against Colin Stanyon at Oundle, Colin was able to return the favour with he and Chris Dix winning one up against myself and Rob Sorrell. Chris and Colin combined well Chris playing particularly well on the front nine and Colin playing particularly well on the back night. A stunning long putt on the 14th placed us 2 down with 3 to play and we were unable to recover over the next few holes. Rob however played the 18th quite beautifully with two excellent shots down the fairway but his approach shot was held up at the top of the slope with the grass being slightly lusher than expected. Rob was rewarded however, for his good play on the back line with a nearest the pin win on the 16th.

A very good win by Mark and Richard followed although their opponents were a tad upset by Mark’s excellent play, and questioned his handicap!!!! but if they had seen him over the past few weeks they would’ve known that he’d been playing well and is slowly returning to the good form he had a few seasons ago. A close for victory from David and Phil followed by halves from Mike and David and Clive and Mark meaning that we were in a good position going into the last three matches. Keith and Niel played very well to beat the consistently good Peter Izod and his partner Mike 2 up and then Michael Earl and Kevin won with a very comfortable 5 and 4 to give Burghley Park victory on the day.

In the final match, Peter and Saj lost on the 17th Though both played well.

Afterwards in the clubhouse, we were treated to a delicious chicken curry courtesy of Aziz who has worked extremely hard for the club over the past three weeks. We thank him for his brilliant efforts. I would also like to thank Joan Hickman and her team for supporting us at the halfway house.

It is appropriate for me to say at this point that being Captain of the Seniors has been a real pleasure this season. I have no doubt that we are the friendliest Club on the circuit and the camaraderie between our players and their opponents is 2nd to none. On occasion I have had to request late substitutes and without fail people have stepped in at 24 hours notice to play in matches. The support from every player has been excellent and I have really enjoyed the opportunity to play with so many different members. 

Paul

SENIORS MATCH AWAY AGAINST GIRTON 12th Sept 2025 - Result L 21/2 - 51/2

 Burghley Park slipped to its sixth defeat in a row at the hands of Girton Golf Club but there were a lot of positives to take from the match with two close defeats that could’ve gone either way. Before the match, Captain Paul had mentioned that preparations for winter teas had gone on recently and unfortunately we had a couple of bad bounces of these winter tee areas. Nevertheless, the course played well, although I think Burghley Park greens are in much better condition.

Congratulations to Kevin and Neil who won three and one in the final match. Niel once again proving that arriving early and practising before a match is totally unnecessary. Neil was spotted by quite a few players as he strode over the First and 18th fairways to get to the 17th tee, with helpful directions from several of the Girton members. 

Congratulations to the two Michaels, Earl and Marriott who won the third match one up. One of our other Michaels, Michael McCarthy and Rob Sorrel, had a very close match losing on the 18th.

Richard and myself could arguably have won, although our opponents Paul and Dave played very well, scoring a better ball 74, 5 over.. I three putted two greens, including the 18th, where two putts would’ve given us the hole. Our better ball of 77 include some really good holes and in fact, Richard and I won the back 9 1 up.

It was good to see Peter Hickman back to his winning ways with the nearest the pin prize.

Paul and Dave were exceptionally friendly opponents and we had a good chat long after most people had left for the long journey home. Thank you to Girton for being such excellent hosts

Onward to next Thursday when we play and Oundle Golf club in our last match of the season. A home win would be nice

Paul

SENIORS AWAY MATCH AGAINST RUTLAND WATER 9th Sept 2025 - Result L 7 - 1

We were indeed fortunate that the weather held off for our match against Rutland Water. Earlier in the season, the members of Rutland Water had suggested that their course was in quite a lot of trouble and was struggling with the early season dry weather, however when this match came up the course had much improved. The fairways had certainly recovered and the greens were in a good condition. Very well done to Rutland Water ground staff.

Arguably the good state of the course was the only major positive Burghley Park could take out of this fixture. Four of the matches were over before the 16th tee was reached. The only positives were the halves achieved by Tim Chapman and Peter Hickman and Mark Hotchkin and Pip Kirby, so very well played to them.

In my match, Richard Cook played exceptionally well, but it was not enough against Chris Mallon and Bill King Smith. Chris and Bill combined brilliantly to finish with a better ball score of three over gross, a 75. Captain Chris in fact had an 82 including a seven at the difficult part three.  Richard and I were beaten easily but on glancing at the scores after the match I realised that we had had a better ball score 6 under our Par. Richard had indeed played well, including a birdie at one of the Par fives, but we won only 2 holes.

Nearest the pin for Burghley was Peter Steele and Mike Martin for the hosts

I have no doubt that local knowledge at Rutland Water and experience of playing the course helps considerably. 

The conversation in the clubhouse after the match was extremely convivial and I think everybody had a most enjoyable day certainly George playing with an old friend Robin Old  was a highlight as was one of our opponents buying several bottles of white wine! 

Paul

SENIORS PARSONAGE BOWL MATCH 18th Aug 2025

 

Parsonage Bowl 2025

This years winner Past Captain Pip Kirby’s Team  

Nearest the Pin winners

               3rd Hole.   Lynn Collen  (Ladies)

              13th Hole.  Alan Gray      (Gents)

              16th Hole.  Phil Hunt.       (Mixed)

SENIORS AWAY MATCH AGAINST MIDDLETON HALL 27th Aug 2025 - Result L 5 - 3

Middleton Hall located a few miles out of Kings Lynn is our furthest destination on the Seniors Tour. It is so far that I actually threatened to Wild Camp to make sure I was there for the 8.15 meet up, as it was I left home at 6:30 AM, for me a very early start. 

In the lead match, Mark Hotchkin and myself played very well to beat Declan Byrne and Stephen Vincent. At Burghley we had halved our match but a gross 79 better ball by Mark and myself led to a comfortable five and four victory, Mark’s birdie on  the tricky 14th sealed the win 

Steve Wilcox and Peter Steele then came in with a two and one win which gave Burghley hopes of a surprise team win at the notoriously difficult Middleton course. Unfortunately the only other win we had was from Dave Lennie and Jim Scutt, two very determined players, with a hard fought one up against Kevin Scott and Robert Croxford.

Four convincing wins for Middleton and a close win by Ian Hind and Simon Brown over Burghley’s Richard Martin and Neil Cheddar  gave Middleton a 5-3 victory.

There is no doubt that the handicap system is a very fair one but giving on average six shots to home players makes it quite tricky for an away side. Middleton seldom lose Home matches so full credit to Burghley for running them close.

This was unfortunately, our fourth defeat in a row and whilst our mission is to play good golf in a friendly and positive way it is also nice to get a team victory occasionally. I know Declan enjoyed both his matches this year and he was an excellent host.

Paul