Weston-super-Mare Golf Club was the chosen venue for our Spring Meeting, following the very enjoyable and successful event last summer.  Seventeen O.C. golfers skilfully beat the Bank Holiday traffic, to enjoy a bacon roll, and coffee, on arrival, and to surmise where the time had evaporated since our last meeting at Cumberwell Park in September.
 
The weather was again good, although far removed from last summer, when the intense heat and scorched terrain made conditions more akin to Western Sahara than Weston-super-Mare.    In fact the predictable late afternoon breeze was, at times, even slightly chilling.
The greens and fairways were in very good shape, and the long grass of the rough, which had been a major challenge last summer, had been recently cut, hence the time spent retrieving the occasional wayward ball was significantly reduced.
 
Our first group teed off just after 1pm., following on from an earlier Weston G.C. competition, therefore the course was not overly busy, enabling a brisk but relaxing round of golf.  The first four holes are sheltered by high dunes, the course then opening out on the remainder of the front nine to reveal picturesque Channel and local views. The slight sting in the tail are the diverse nature of the final holes, such as, the short (Par 3) 14^th with adjacent houses uncomfortably close, the blind drive dog-leg 15^th, the16th (Par 3) 194 yds. where a driver is a possible option, and the long (Par 5 -530yds.) dog-leg 17^th.
 
Clearly the O.C.s were undaunted by such challenges, as the majority of golfers carded scores in the high 20s/lower 30s Stableford,  with a surprise( some might say shock) winner—Dave Tooze, especially to those who had witnessed his near suicide inducing round at the ex-Nigel Mansell course at Woodbury, a mere two days earlier!
 
The post-match Carvery, with a choice of top-side of beef, or turkey was of “master chef” quality, followed by chocolate sponge or syllabub. Well-deserved compliments were passed on to the catering staff.
 
Prior to the prize–giving,   Bob Jennings proposed a toast to Absent Friends, most appropriately since in little over six months the O.C.G.S. has lost founder members Tony Clark, Dave Shaw, and Ian Gunn, whose contribution and company, over many years, has been immense. Allied to other “legends” like Dave Briffet, Martin “Denzil” Collar, Bruce Sparkes, and others, the cliché “Gone but not forgotten” is a fitting tribute.
 
Dave Tooze gave his customary thanks to the entire gathering of O.C. golfers, who had, once again, made the event so highly enjoyable. He particularly mentioned Peter Skeels-Piggins who had made the long trip from Falmouth, and previous prize-winners Chris Wells, and Jeremy Davis making a welcome return.  For the first time in many meetings we were missing the company of Pat and Sam Bowrey, due to Sam’s unfortunate accident incurring a broken arm. On behalf of the O.C.G.S., Dave would send our best wishes for a speedy recovery. (Sam has since e-mailed back to say that she is making good progress, and hopes to be at our next meeting in July). Equally, we were pleased that Steve Tucker was able to be with us prior to his wife’s imminent operation. Steve agreed to pass on to Linda the Society’s very good wishes.
 

 
The Prize Winners were—
 
Spring Shield -      1^st                          -  Dave Tooze                 2^nd          - Mike Brown
 
Highest Score -     Front 9        - Andy Thomas              Back 9   - Paul Winterbottom
 
Nearest the Pin       14^th           - Andrew Smith             10^th        - Steve Tucker
 
Dave concluded by especially thanking Bob Jennings for yet another totally smooth running event and Steve Tucker for setting up and liaising with the members.  Also Doug Lodge for an excellent array of photographs of the day and Andrew Smith for his liaison with his local golf club.
 
Bob drew the attendees’ attention to our next meetings at Minchinhampton on Sunday, 7^th July 2019, and Cumberwell Park on Sunday, 22^nd September 2019.  It would be marvellous to see as many golfers as possible at these always enjoyable events.
 
In addition to the prize winners, mentioned above, golfers playing at Weston-super-Mare were Jeremy Davis, Glyn Evans, Kev. Griffiths, Alistair and Peter Huckle, Bob Jennings, Doug Lodge, Peter Skeels-Piggins, Andrew Smith, Martin Tayler, Keith Watts, and Chris Wells.
 
Dave Tooze
19^th May 2019