Bunnet Jan 2006:
From the Secretary’s
Quill.
Well. Here we are again. Another year, another dhobi wallah.
Life as a sassenach, based in the sassenach south has passed
like a flurry of spring snow flakes: brief, but fascinating.
Tonight, as I sit at my window overlooking the 8th green of
Sunningdale Old, I recall a spring visit from M. L. Campbell, el Capitano, which commenced
in time honoured tradition by legging it over the garden fence to play our
first shot: a punchy 8 iron from the middle of the fairway onto the 7th
green. Willie Park would surely have approved.
Tomorrow brings 36 holes of foursomes against the Welsh from Royal
Porthcawl, up for the only serious match of the year: The Six Nations tie
against the English at Twickenham. In the Clubhouse, the post match dinner with
hymns will compete with Burns Night, hosted by Professor David Purdie; an
evening of some note. The suggestion that the Welsh might wish to join the
Burns celebrations and benefit from an introduction to Celtic culture was met
with roars and beating of shields…..
2005 saw Braid’s Walton Heath return to the world stage when the club
that hosted the 1981 Ryder Cup and welcomed the U.S. Dream Team, was the venue
for International Qualifying for the U.S. Open. That Dream Team was Trevino;
Nicklaus; Miller; Pate; Irwin; Kite; Rogers; Nelson; Crenshaw; Lietzke; Floyd;
Watson. They played Faldo; Lyle; Pinero; Langer; Torrance; Gallacher; James;
Smyth; Canizares; Clark; Darcy; Oosterhuis. A
none too shabby European team either.
Walton Heath hit the headlines again when Michael
Campbell, who took the last qualifying spot, went on to win the U.S. Open at
Pinehurst No. 2.
The Open at St. Andrews is unparalleled and once again, the Tiger
pounced. Monty was knocking at the door, was refused entry, but the crowd
applauded a true champion.
Shortly after the Open, I had the opportunity (for different reasons) to
agree with W. C. Fields, when he said I’d rather be in Philadelphia.
He also said Never drink water; fishes Anglo Saxon deleted in it.
But
I digress.
Philadelphia’s second most famous son is, of course, James W. Finegan,
author, traveller, ranconteur, extremely serious beater of a golf ball and
Vice Captain of the James Braid Golfing Society……not to forget respected Member
and Historian of Pine Valley Golf Club. I enjoyed the privilege of staying with
Jim and Harriet in their wonderful home, just outside Philadelphia, filled with
family tradition and antiques and treasures from his many travels around the
world. The stay was too brief, but the highlight was a day at Pine Valley in
the company of the Club’s Historian – J. W. Finegan - and his caddy of
many years. No more can I say.
From Philadelphia to Chicago and the Walker Cup and too many Scots’ and
Braid connections and meetings to name, save a very pleasant and memorable
meeting with the St. Andrews based delegates: Jim White of the Links Trust;
Hamish Grey of the Scottish Golf Union; David Armitage from the Duke’s and
Whistling Straights; Sir Michael and Lady Bonallack; Richard Cole-Hamilton, Captain
of the R&A. So, if you want to enjoy the company of anyone who’s anyone in
golf from St. Andrews – go to Chicago, young man!
Chicago G.C. is not a bad track, either.
To finish, my clearest memory of the year was the elegant after dinner
speech of Major Sandhurst of Sunningdale, who told the story of his two friends
and he, discussing the comparative merits of their respective wives when
waiting on the tee at the short 13th. Ponsonbie-Tomkinson - Smythe
said that his favourite feature of his wife was that when he hugged her goodbye
in the morning, he left with the smell of her perfume in his nostrils and when
he returned in the evening, her perfume still lingered on the air. The Rt. Hon.
Lord Bulger said that when he left home in the morning, he kissed his wife Goodbye and when he
returned from the House in the evening, he could still taste the pleasure of
her lips. Major Sandhurst of Sunningdale said that when he left home in the
morning, he always gave his wife a very affectionate slap on her bottom,
causing her bottom to wobble. And when he later returned home from the
Regiment, he was warmed by the sight of his wife’s bottom, which was always
still wobbling from his very affectionate slap….and he would like it to be
known that his wife’s bottom was still wobbling, not because his wife has a
big, wobbly bottom, but because, in the Regiment, he enjoyed a
very…….very…short working day.
Ø
Walton Heath International Final Qualifying:
Michael Campbell from
New Zealand, who obtained a qualifying score at Walton Heath of 5 under par,
went on to win the U.S. Open Championship two weeks later. Those of you
familiar with the New Course will marvel at Peter Hedblom, who stood on the 15th
tee of the New Course at level par and went eagle, birdie, birdie, birdie to
claim the last qualifying spot. This was a course record of 65 on the New
Course and Peter Hanson with a score of 66 created a course record on the Old
Course. Braid would have been proud.
Ø
Peter Thomson to assist Royal Blackheath Golf Club with Quadcentenary in 2008.
Formed in 1608, Royal Blackheath, like the Honourable Company, has
enjoyed more than one home. The Club
originally played on Blackheath itself over, in succession, a multiple of five
holes and, later, a multiple of seven holes. The Royal Blackheath then, in
1923, took over the existing Eltham Golf Club which had been formed in 1892,
and has remained there ever since. Its course was designed by Braid and in
preparation for its Quaodcentenary
celebrations in 2008, has asked Peter Thomson to advise on the restoration of
its original Braid bunkering. We shall keep Members informed of progress.
JBGS member profiles:
Ø
Ronan Rafferty, JBGS Member: A former
Walker Cup player, Ryder Cup player and European Number One, Ronan now divides
his time between TV commentary; golf architecture, including the remodeling of
the links at Wick, north of Brora; corporate interests; playing golf at Brora
and extending his impressive wine cellar. Among his interests are links golf
courses and he is well on the way of fulfilling his ambition of playing every
links course in Great Britain and Ireland.
Drambuie Highland Classic between the 7th
and 11th of May 2006.
Ronan was also very
influential in the establishment of the Highland Classic, which includes a
round of golf over God’s personal links - Royal Dornoch – plus competitive rounds at Brora, Tain and
Golspie. Entry fees are extremely attractive and further information is
available from the Royal Marine Hotel – convert to pdf01408 621 252 and www.drambuiegolfclassics.com
Donald Ross Society: Challenge match May 2007
Ah yes -
Dr. Ronnie Still.
Since
his retirement, many of us have been observing his attempts to regain amateur
status!
So began a recent piece of
correspondence to your hHon. Sec. from the
Honorable Derek Dobbs of the Donald Ross Society with reference to the fact
that the James Braid Golfing Society is the only golfing institution of note to
have its own Honorary Gaenacologist, Dr. Ronnie Still (retired).
The general gist was that
the members of The Donald Ross Society are venturing overseas to the Highlands
in May 2007 and fancy their chances of giving the JBGS a serious gubbing. Hon
Sec accepted challenge. The good Dr. Still waits in anticipation. Members will
be kept informed.
Ø Henley Golf Club Centenary Celebrations:13th
July 2007 The village of Henley-on Thames,
Oxfordshire, home of the famous regatta is also home to a Braid course, played
over by a club founded in 1907. The course is complemented by a delightful
clubhouse and a beautifully rural location. Its centenary is being celebrated
in 2007 and the Society has been invited to participate in the celebrations buy
playing a match against Henley G.C. on 13th July 2007. Would any
members wishing to participate in this event, please advise Lachlan McIntosh,
Administration Secretary, JBGS at ???????????Lachlan’s email address ??????????????? LachlanMcIntosh@RandAgc.org. The
Society wishes to thank Mr Jack Philips, Chairman of the Centenary Committee of
Henley Golf Club for the honour of this very kind invitation.
Glenbervie 75th
Anniversary celebrations: Details??????????? To follow.Lachlan???????
2005:
Peter Thomson’s 50th Anniversary of win at St. Andrews: Malcolm – can
you slot something in on this?
Life was more fun in
Braid’s day.
All we here from pro’s on tour today are whinges and whines; they have
to keep to a diet; wear the right shirts; please their sponsors; the greens
were too slick; the courtesy cars were too slow; charter flights; stay off the
claret; etc etc.
However, in Braid’s day,
things were much more fun.
For example……… Great
debate followed the introduction of the Haskell ball – was it better than the gutty – did it fly further; straighter; did it putt
better; in the wet? In the dry? So – in 1914, the four best players of
the day – James Braid; John Henry Taylor; Harry Varden and George Duncan
were invited to play a 36 hole match over the Sandy Lodge course, one pair with
a Haskell and the other with a gutty and then swap after lunch.
Braid partnered Taylor
with the gutty in the morning, shot 72, but was 5 down at lunch. They pulled
back 4 holes with the Haskell, but Varden and Duncan won 1 up, walking off the
the Daily Mail prize of £30 to
the winning pair. Braid and Taylor shared £20.
At lunch they held a long
driving competition. Duncan drove the gutty 240 yards and Braid drove the
Haskell 279 yards. This sounds much more fun that the average World Weetabix
– Chevrolet – HSBC Championship at Stymied Ridge Country Club!
A very big internet website Thank you! to Ralph Livingston III
We would like to give an
enormous “Thank you” through the pages of the Bunnet to Ralph Livingston III , a Founder Member of the J.B.G.S and a photographer
of note. Additionally, Ralph plays to a handicap of 8, purely off hickories,
which he restores in his spare time. More about Ralph can be found on his
website:
Ralph also maintains the
JBGS website and has recently re-designed the site which is now magnificent.
It can be found at
A great achievement Ralph
and our warm appreciation to you for your continued support of the Society.
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