The 2016 Men's Southern Golf Group pennant competition is now under way with week 1 seeing 2 of our 5 teams record victories with some close loses to strong opposition in the other grades.

This year we have teams in the A1, A2, B1, B3 and C1 grades. Unfortunately with only 1 handicap grade and an excess of nominations for this grade some players are unlikely to get a regular game within this team. Some preference towards lower handicap players who may be required in the B3 grade will be given but the club will endeavour to rotate other players through this team during the season.

Information on teams, results, grade standings and the weekly best player awards are all contained on the clubs Pennants webpage.

It is disappointing to see a large number of club members not remove their names from the online booking sheet in recent weeks, in particular for the competition held on Saturday the 28th May. This was despite it being a fine and clear day and the course continuing to stand up very well with the recent first rains.

Members are reminded that they have a duty to remove their name as soon as they become aware that they will not be playing. Not only is this important in order to allow others the ability to book during the popular early times but also to ensure that any members looking for a game can make a booking safe in the knowledge that the group they are down with will be turning up to play.

The Match Committee will as usual be keeping a close eye on the online booking sheet and warning emails, as well as penalties in line with the booking policy, available on the home page of the website, will be issued where appropriate.

The final of the 2016 Handicap Matchplay Final was played on Thursday 19th May between Rob Eibisch and Bob Jackson with both players agreeing to hold the final on a Thursday.

It was a nervous start from Rob, making some early mistakes to lose the first hole to a fine up and down from Jacko. More good putting on the 2nd and 3rd, followed by dropping a bomb from off the front of the green on the 4th had Jacko 2 up early however wins to Rob on the 5th and 6th had the lead quickly pegged back.

However from this point on it was all Jacko. Producing a master class in course management and lag putting Jacko quickly gained back the lead on the 8th and 9th to take a 2 up advantage into the back nine where he continued to tighten the screws. With his lag putting still being a highlight and his consistent fades off the tee block being as safe as houses Jacko won the 10th and 12th whilst halves were had on the 11th, 13th and 14th, moving him to dormie 4.

Rob couldn't buy a hole, even when he got into a good position, as his short game let Jacko back into many holes. However with the match all but sewn up it was Jacko's lag putting that let him down on the 15th and when his third found the water on 16 Rob had won consecutive holes and the lead was back to 2.

Both players had good tee shots, Rob just short right and Jacko just short left of the 17th green. With Rob chipping first he could only muster a shot into the heart of the green, still 15 feet from the back left pin. Despite losing the last two holes Jacko showed no sign of nerves hitting a sublime chip up to 2 feet from the hole and when Rob's par putt sailed by a concession was given making Bob Jackson our 2016 Handicap Matchplay Champion, winning 3/1.