PRESENT: Shagpile, El Mat, Geezer, Prof, Kwok.

RESULTS: DoD was the Geezer with 25 points. DDoD was Kwok with 32 points. The runner up was Shagpile with 34 points. The winner with 37 points was the resilient Prof. Other scores were El Mat with 33 points.

APOLOGIES: Jethro will be absent for the next three weeks. Many of the MOHGS were at Formby this weekend for the Soapy away game.

Unfortunately the weather today turned rather nasty and the contestants returned to the clubhouse like drowned rats, so the meeting was short and sweet.

BURT ( Hon. Sec. )

NOTES ON SOAPY TRIP TO FORMBY HALL / SOUTHPORT & AINSDALE No minutes were taken on this venture so I have taken it upon myself to write a few notes which I hope will give a flavour of the trip to Lancashire.

Day 1 : Formby Hall G.C.

A singles stableford competition was organised under the rules of Mohgs with a few extras.

PRESENT: Soapy [K.S.] The Straggler [F.B.] Crocs [C.M.] The Kid [A.M.] The Rabbi [P.L.] Jockstrap [R.H.] Bluewatch [S.H.] Delboy [J.B.] Shotgun [A.B-W.] The Laird [D.F.] Paxo [J.P.]

RESULTS: Duffer of the Day was the Rabbi with a derisory 7 points [yes 7!!] and the Deputy Duffer was The Straggler with 20 points. Second in the individual stableford competition was Jockstrap with 33 points and congratulations to the winner – Shotgun for his outstanding effort in compiling 35 points on  a totally strange course. Their handicaps are adjusted as the attached latest Results Records to be used in the next Mohgs competition.  One 2 was posted by F.B. on the 190 yard 13th and pouches the 2s kitty of £3.00. Most points at the par 3s was shared by F.B. S.H. K.. D.F. & J.P who shared the £5 pot and The Kid won the par 5s pot of £5 with 8 points. Soapy who had prior knowledge of the rigours of Formby Hall G.C. had kindly donated special prizes for negotiating or not the numerous lakes, ponds and other water hazards featured on the course and the winners were for the most times in the water [4] Crocs & Shotgun who were each presented with replica ducks one of which aptly looked remarkably like a Croc and the winners for the least times in the water [0] were The Laird and Bluewatch who each were presented with a special golf ball.

REPORTS: The general consensus of opinion was that the course was very good and the accommodation and catering was excellent. Sometime was spent in the “19th” bar imbibing in favourite cocktails and can report that ther ewas no outstanding unsavoury behaviour though I felt that ther was some borderline cases. It was suggested that the absence of Kwok contributed to the conservatism but would not wish to comment. The weather on the sunday turned out to be commendable though those of us at the back had to complete the round in what might be best be described as “twilight” due in part to the fact that it had taken 5 hours to complete the round. However  do not let this detract from what turned out to be a wonderful beginning to our outing and ataste of things to come at Southport & Ainsdale.

Day 2 : Southport & Ainsdale G.C.

Today’s competition was to be a match between Soapy’s friends from S&A and the Mohgs of Morpeth. The match would be played on a 4 ball betterball matchplay basis and the winners would of course be the team winning the most matches. As there were eleven Mohgs attending Noel McQueen [a.k.a. Barney Rubble] who has dual nationality being a member of S&A and a Mohg  offered to play for the Mohgs in order that we could have six 4 balls and of course this kind offer was accepted by Soapy on behalf of the said Mohgs.

All the Mohgs were looking forward to playing these famous old links shared with  Hillside and Royal Birkdale Golf Clubs and  I believe from comments after the game we were far from being disappointed. Once again we were lucky with the weather having arrived under dark clouds and wet weather but it pretty much cleared up by the time we teed off. The course was a excellent test of golf even off the “yellows” and with true greens, fine tees and typical links fairways the test was to try and keep away from the gorse, heather and deep deep bunkers!! I would describe the course as outstanding as were the facilities in the club house.

Our match myself and Paxo against Dave [Hartley] and Tony [Francis] was an amiable but competetive affair mainly due to Paxo’s prowess on our side. Our hosts were very friendly and informative regarding the course and indeed some of the history of S&A. I gather that similar experiences were recieved by the other Mohgs.

Alas despite Jim’s [Paxo] valiant efforts and my lack of form in the end we sadly lost our match on the 18th which contributed to an overall victory for those interested to S&A by 4 matches to 1 with 1 halved.

The gathering in the club house after the match was highlighted by a friendly welcoming speech to the guests by Noel who along with Soapy appeared to be the organiser in chief and  within his speech did announce the result in I might add a most humane manner.

Soapy responded to Noel & the S&A congratulating them on their victory and thanking them for their support and excellent hospitality. He also presented a suitably etched trophy he has donated  for the match and any future match that may happen between the two parties. It has been mooted that S&A may come to the north east next year possibly over the weekend of the 1st May Bank Holiday which will incorporate a match versus the Mohgs.

In conclusion I would say that this sojourn has been a resounding success I for for one would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Soapy for all the work and effort he has donated to make it so.

Jock St Rappe

Comp. Sec.