I would be glad of your views on anything you think our society should improve, change, alter etc to enhance our society and make sure that we continue to arrange golf and conviviality that we can enjoy.
- Should we continue to play the standard of clubs we have been playing at?
- Do we increase costs to allow bookings at more expensive courses?
- Do we need to trim costs and move to less well maintained course?
- What are your views on charity fund raising - too much, too little, suggestions for change?
Any other thoughts?

If you wish to express views on these or any other matters please do let me know, particularly if you are unable to attend the AGM. Any views will be held in confidence.

One possible alteration to our schedule is having another tour. If a 2 day, 1 night trip was arranged in September would you want this to be instead of or in addition to a monthly game? Next year it would be possible to keep a 5 week gap between the September and October games. This could give the option of a tour with a 2 week gap from either September or October games. Please let me know your preference.

1. No tour
2. Tour in place of the September game
3. Tour between the September and October games.

Please give these questions some thought and let me know what direction you wish your society to go in.

Kind regards,

Tom

Download the 2019 AGM Proposed Agenda >>

Earlier this year Bob Broomhall suggested that LEGS should have a trip away so we could enjoy some different courses and an evening together without the worry of driving home. On Tuesday 1st October a band of 14 LEGS members gathered at Greetham Valley golf Club. 25 years ago, this was a sheep farm! I think we were all impressed by the changes. The set up includes a hotel, 2 18-hole courses, an academy course and a driving range. The club has 800 members who play each course on alternate days, allowing visitors and societies to use the other course.  The estate is on undulating countryside close to, but out of earshot, of the A1, just south of Grantham with a more than a sprinkling of water.
On the 1st we were due to play 18 holes on the Lakes course but unfortunately the heavens opened. This meant that only 5 hardy, or was it fool hardy, souls completed the 18 holes. The remaining 9 decided to cope with the flooded greens by retiring to the bar to start a long and enjoyable session of fluid replacement. The hotel rooms were large and comfortable and soon festooned with drying clothing, shoes, gloves, hats etc.  The staff were most obliging and happy for the drowned rats to take their kit into the pristine facilities. We had an enjoyable dinner and found that there were 2 other societies present, one from Dunstable Downs. The evening then proceeded to the bar where the hotel was entertained by our musical genius Martin Lavansch. This left Jeff Wood in his role as his manager. He managed to extort significant sums for the Captains Charity from requests played by Martin for his increasingly well lubricated audience.
The following morning greeted our bleary eyes with fortunately a complete change of weather, clear, slight breeze but a bit chill. We then played the Valley course which certainly lives up to its name. The course was in great condition and the greens had recovered very well from their soaking. All enjoyed the course despite no one breaking par. Because of the conditions the 2 day competition was abandoned and it was sudden death on the Wednesday. Henry Richardson was the winner on countback from Richard Ebbs. Well played to both of them! Henry was presented with a fine new trophy kindly donated by Bob Broomhall. By manipulation of the other results all players found themselves in receipt of a prize, including those mad souls from the first day, just for perseverance.
Tom Inskip.

A select group of 9 met at Porters Park golf club on 10th October, 8 LEGS members and one guest. A disappointing turnout reduced by sickness absence of our esteemed fines master Andrew. Those present wished him a rapid recovery.

The course was as usual presented in an excellent state, but the damp fairways and the length of a course was a challenge to most of those playing. We have been spoilt by the extra run given by the dry summer and adjusting to slower greens was also a challenge.

For the second game in a row the highest score of the day was recorded by one of Tom’s guests.

Stephen Long claimed the prize with a creditable 35 points. Colin Oates returned to form to retain the October Trophy with 34 points as well as winning the nearest the pin. Martin Lavansch entered the winner’s enclosure for first time this season. He came 2nd with 26 points, closely followed by Andy Pohler on 25 in third place.
A certain adjustment to prizes was needed as Colin Oates also prevailed in the nearest the pin in two, 3 inches closer than Andy Pohler. So that Colin did not risk injury carrying 3 bottles plus the trophy home the prize was awarded to Andy, and his bottle for third was given to Tom, for his 4th place on 24 points. Bob Davy avoided taking the tit home as he had 19 points, 10 ahead of Bob Broomhall on 9.
The Captain was unfortunately unable to stay for dinner. Jeff therefore immediately fined him a large amount. This left only 8 diners and it was agreed that in place of fines a £10 donation would be made by all.  These 2 sources plus an additional £15 raised by an auction of bottle of Chateau Neuf du Pape meant that the Captains charily MIND will benefit by £115 from the day’s activity.

Another great day of sunshine and a great day of golf although getting cut a shot for 31 points still hurts – the wine for third place did partially make up for it.

I was also very pleased to confirm my suspicion that a whole bunch of LEGS members are illiterate based on the number who were fined for phone use in and around the club house despite the plethora of signs asking people not to use them. It all goes into the charity coffers so thank you (all the phone users) for your contributions.

Whilst on the subject of fines, we are so pleased that Mike Stockford has had his beloved Mercedes returned after the mishap that led him to miss Knebworth although its uncontrollable alarm in the Aspley Guise car park added a few more pounds in fines to our kitty.

Apparently, Mike feels that the alarm is too expensive to fix so he has bought a crook lock – I am sure that the economics of this will not be missed by the Porter’s Park fines master.

Our (one and only) guest, Robert Goodwin outscored us all with 38 points but missed the dinner and presentation. The bottle was handed over to Tom to deliver and we understand that he loved our company so much that he is going to join.

Our fines master was very active and with a suggestion from Mr Broomhall that we all chip in an extra £1 we made the figure up to £200 – bloody generous lot are the LEGS members.

The issue of handicap adjustments has been handled by Andrew – I will take my one shot reduction with gritted teeth.

See most of you at Greetham and looking forward to it. We have our resident vocalist (Monsieur Lavanche) with us for the evening who will be playing requests for a donation to the Captain’s Charity.

Porter’s Park follows on 10th October – our penultimate outing for 2019.

Oh - I almost forgot - there is one award that was hard fought for between Messrs Webb and Simpson who both amassed 21 points - and it went to Mike on countback – yes a deep intake of breath – Mike Webb won the “tit”

Once again a good turn out with 19 players including two guests.

The course was – as usual – in great shape. The other “as usual”  thing was the fish and chips – and as good as always.

Tom solved our recurring nightmares caused by his last place at Mid Herts with an emphatic 37 point victory – cup presented by Mike Webb and our President, George Clarke.

Second Place was Colin Oates on his own turf with 35 followed by Mike Webb on 34

Mike Webb who seems to be getting his fair share of mentions also won a fine bottle of Chateau Jeff for nearest pin in 2. Andy Pohler was nearest pin.

The nipple went to Ron Knox and Ian reclaimed the tit with 22. Guest prize went to my guest, Paul Jones who also joined the society and was robbed of £20 by Jeff for one of the last ties.

As it did not rain and the wind was from the south west the handicap adjustments needed to be finely tuned and Andrew takes full responsibility for the outcome.

We were all overjoyed that Mike Stockford’s car is now out of sick bay with two new tyres although he has to work a further two years to pay for them.

Andrew’s efforts as fines master accrued a further £165 plus £25 for the auctioned bottle of Chateau Neuf. Many thanks for the continued generosity for our chosen charity.

I am looking at a replacement for the society tie and expect to have quotes in a few days. Howard did suggest that we ask ex-members for theirs but as most of them come from Luton, the ties will be covered in egg yolk – at least – so not a good idea.

Aspley and Woburn Sands next on 18th Sept – looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible

This is a very good course and with the deal that Howard organised it also turned out to be profitable for us. The food was also of a high standard.

22 players including 4 guests of which the two tallest (Matthew Twig and Bob Challens) won 3 bottles of wine between them.

We should have been 23 but Mike Stockford in his shiny SL convertible had a tiff with a van driver on his way to the course and ended up scratching one of his alloy wheels!

Mike is so upset that he still wells up when the subject is mentioned. If you are in Mike’s group next time out please ask him to talk you through the incident – which will cover about 12 holes.

Lots of excellent scoring during the rounds topped by Andy Pohler with 39 points – not playing a great deal (so he says) clearly not a handicap although Andrew will cut him by a shot. Andy was followed by Bernard Henry with 38, closely followed by David Steel with 37. Congratulations to all.

Further down the order came Ian with 24 winning the “nipple” (very new award) – any suggestions for a trophy are welcome please.

A shock to the system which has caused me and several other members a number of sleepless nights followed as Tom Inskip took home the illustrious “tit” with 21.

The new handicap system is starting to become clearer to me but as there is no “R” in the month and the fact that it rained last Friday, I am unsure how Andrew achieved the adjustments but I did see a Ouija board in his boot!

Please note that Wikipedia’s definition of Ouija is the “origin of evil”.  

The fines master, Andrew Stevenson managed to squeeze £181.20 in fines (which b**tard put in the 20p?) and adding in donations (thanks Ian and Richard Ebbs) and auctioned wine (thanks Bob Broomhall) totalling £50, a total of £231 (and 20p) was added to the charity pot for this year.

Next month is Knebworth on 15th

Looking forward to seeing you all there

Thanks to the hardy dozen who had the pleasure of this excellent course on a really warm ( and a bit energy sapping) day.

Prizes went to Nick Vigor who came in with - wait for it - 43 points. This is 7 shots under his handicap. Cutting him by 3 shots does not seem adequate but rules are rules
Mike Webb came a credible second on 36 points followed by yours truly on 32.

The tit went to Pete Sayers and the ( new grade ) nipple went to Mike Stockford.

Andrew has adjusted the handicaps with his easy to follow algorithm that is based on whether there is an "R" in the month and wind direction.
Nearest pin went to David Steel and NP in 2 went to Colin Oates.

Apart from the excellent state of the course, the food here is also of high standard as well as the kitchen staff who had to put up with a few time changes due to out last 4 coming in after dark.
This course is a must for next season which has nothing to do with the fact that it took me 9 minutes to get here from a Renhold.
The next meet is Mid Herts and I know that we will see Howard there with his two regular guests but a few more guests would be welcome.
Mind charity benefitted by £160 thanks to Andrew’s fines and the raffle of 2 bottles of Chateau Jeff 2020.
Otherwise the preparations for the away days are gaining momentum and once again ( suggestion from Colin) feel free to invite guests.

Yet another fine day to experience the Bedfordshire. The course was in excellent nick and the food was a treat.

With Andrew’s efforts as Fines Master and Jeff’s browbeating the bank (who gave us £50 for their inefficiency) we ended up with a total of £220 for Mind, this year’s charity.

Bearing in mind that our numbers were low (13 playing and one extra for dinner) the generosity was heart warming – with a special mention to Mike Webb, Richard Ebbs and of course, David Steel who all donated £10 even though they did not play.

Also my thanks to Andrew for the Mars bar he kindly gave me to overcome my loss of concentration – clearly it helped.

I hope the numbers for St Neots are better as we were close to the usual society cut-off of 12 which would mean a higher charge per player.

Handicap revisions have been notified by Andrew as he is the only person who understands them.

Rule Change

The concept of the “gimme”, whilst not officially an accepted part of the game, is something that golfers accept as it is considered friendly and it helps to speed up the game. We need to accept that as we are playing for prizes, some guidance must be brought in to keep the playing field level.

Whilst I am not advocating that we carry a tape measure we can all envisage 24 inches or 60cm. This distance in itself is generous. Anything outside this length must be putted. Further, there should be no gimme regardless of distance from the hole, when putting for a par or birdie.

Hoping to see you all at St Neots
Alan

Despite the dire weather warning we experienced one short shower (which is also how we described the facilities in the changing rooms!)
Regardless, Pavenham staff managed, as always, to deliver the pre match bacon rolls and post-match dinner (including 3 bottles of wine) in their normal efficient way. The meal was excellent.

As for the golf, our secretary, Tom with 36 showed us that secretive practicing on the course a few weeks earlier had its benefits as he won but was rightly fined by Andrew for the unfair advantage. Jeff Wood who also practiced with Tom benefitted by showing me and our guest Paul Jones how to hit the water on the 6th.

We followed him into the pond but with others, we are grateful that Andrew missed this opportunity of fining us.
Our other prize winners were Richard, also 36 (but losing to Tom on countback) and Nick on 34 for 2nd and 3rd and for nearest the pin in one and two we gave bottles to Mike Webb and my guest, Paul Jones.
Our Fines Master of the day (who did a great job in fleecing (er) collecting £174 for our charity) scored 4 points on the first hole and looked to burn the course but that was not to be as he only added a further 15 on the next 17 holes, taking home our coveted Tit which he has promised to buff.
Three guests were, as always welcomed and news today that the regular guest of Ray Beckman has decided to join. So welcome Peter Sayers.
During the evening Bob Broomhall suggested a Summer away golf break. It is something we have done before and Bob has agreed to investigate (whether he likes it or not) – this serves you right Bob for making the suggestion. As an aside, both Martin Lavansch and I can confirm that during our last trip to France, the drinking led to a few memorable moments including losing David Steel when we were standing at a bar, only to find him under a table.
The LEGS team that took part in the St George's Day event at B&C (Tom, Richard, Mike Webb and Yours Truly) faired pretty well and came in around 6th or 7th out of 26 teams.
Onwards to our next stage of the tour. This will be at The Bedfordshire on 16th May. Looking forward to seeing you all there
Regards
Alan

We were blessed with a fine day and a course in great nick after all the work they have been undertaking over the last year.
Richard Ebbs excelled in getting two prizes (demonstrating his ability to show off), one of which was nearest the pin and the other being the much sought-after tit, on count back.
Nearest the pin in two went to Nick Vigor.
3rd place was Andrew Stevenson on a serious 33 points, playing off his new handicap of 28 which will be subject to a massive cut of 1 – to 27.
Second place was John Simpson and first place went to someone who is starting the year as he finished off last year – Colin Oates

Congratulations to all.

All other handicap issue are being dealt with by Andrew who is probably the only person who knows how the system works anyway!
One guest played at the invitation of John Simpson – Clive Hayward - and we are pleased to say that despite Andrew (our Fines Master of the day) screwing him for a few pounds and Jeff screwing him for a club tie he has joined us – welcome Clive.

The mystery of the missing glass top to Henry's quiz trophy was resolved. The confusion as to whether I had it in a dusty cupboard or whether Richard had it somewhere in his garage was solved when Tom admitted that it was at his house – but he had forgotten it. It is a long story but to Henry's relief it has been located. The issue will no longer be mentioned as it clearly draws attention to the questionable memories of all mentioned.

On to Pavenham on 24th April.
Looking forward to seeing you all there
Regards

George Clarke - President
George was given a life presidency during the year David Yallop was captain.

The success of Legs initially and thereafter is through no small measure down to him.