Handicap secretary’s report 2024

My tenth and final year of having the privilege of looking after the MGS Handicaps.  When I first started Nelson Mandela had just passed away, Russia had annexed Crimea, with the aircraft MH370 about to disappear over the South China Sea without a trace, the Ebola outbreak had started in Africa and the dance craze Gangnam style was about to take hold in the UK. Nothing much has changed really then (similar “stuff” just a different shovel these days)

2024 was a fantastic year for the MGS in which we played golf every month and also had a fabulous tour to France.  I am really pleased to be handing over to Mr Graham Smith who will no doubt do a fantastic job in this role.

We had 40 individuals (42 in 2023, 40 in 2022) join us this year at our monthly golf outings – a very good number, including some keen new members who can all play a bit, which is great for our society. However, we could always do with a few more joining the ranks so please do not hesitate to encourage any golfers you know to have a look at the website and get involved. Our lowest attendance was in January, surprise surprise although a pretty decent 18 turned out at Lewes, with our highest being 28 in August at Cooden.  Our average was 23.6 individuals attending each meeting (21.7 in 2023 & 19.4 in 2022) which is great with a hard core of regulars being available month on month. 

The highest average scoring event during the year was not a surprise, in that it was at Seaford Head on a benign day, weather wise being 35.62 (2023 Chartham Park 34.22 & 2022: 34.30 at Seaford Head).  The lowest scoring event was at Blatchington with an average score of just 26.22 (2023: 27.21 at Dale Hill & 2022: 28.11 at Lewes).  The overall average stableford points score for the season was 31.40 (2023 31.83 ; 2022 29.79 ; 2021 30.59).  

It was again pleasing to see that the silverware for the year was distributed evenly across the membership, this again probably suggested the handicap system was about right. 

The highest points scores this year were by Mr Rob Montagu (Lewes) and Mr Andrew Burnett (East Brighton) both with an amazing 47 points !! (2023 Kelvin Paterson 45 points at Sweetwoods ; 2022 John Collingwood 49 points at Cooden).  We had 8 scores across the season of 40 points and above which is pretty impressive. The best gross score was by Alan Bigley with a 2 over par 73 at Cooden Beach.  

Again, worthy of note was the speed of the rounds this year which were generally conducted at a very good pace – so well done all.

A big thank you as always to Hon Sec Mark Hughes, Captain Chris Buck, and Treasurer James Gallifant for their hard work throughout the year.  As always worthy of a special mention again is our excellent website, orchestrated by Mr. Watkiss which keeps members abreast of events and gives advance notice of tee times and publishes the very latest results.

MGS silverware winners 2024

TrophyWinner(s)
Golfer of the YearRod Lunn
Mad March JugsAndrew Burnett & Peter Smith
Spring Tour (France)Micky Mann
Anniversary TrophyJoe Carroll
Society Strokeplay ChampionshipStuart Bourne
Society Stableford CompetitionRod Lunn
MGS Foundation Trophy (Captains Day)Micky Mann
Mayfield Cup Scott Wightman
GBH TrophyRichard Hannam & Micky Mann
Last Chance TrophyTony Willmott

Society tours 2024

We had a very well organised and fabulous trip to France this season. The overall final positions were very close with Biggers losing a ball on the 17th that we didn’t think was lost making all the difference allowing Micky Mann to limp over the finish line to victory despite a Bigley birdie on the last. The Overall results are shown below: –

 PosPlayerPoints
1stMicky Mann100
2ndAlan Bigley99
= 3rdPhil Taylor93
=3rdMark Hughes93
5thTony Willmott91
6th  Richard Hannam88
7thAndrew Jenner86
8thRob Weaver85
9thChris Buck83
10thJerry Watkiss82
11thDavid Howroyd72
12thPeter Cudmore71
=13thKelvin Paterson65
=13thTom Bennett65
15thJames Gallifant64*
  • Retired injured after 8 holes on day 2 but recovered for the final round. 

Well done to Micky Mann for his first tour victory having been on most MGS tours for the last 15 years and failing dismally!! Consistency being key across the three days plus he looked after the handicap adjustments with a very careful eye! 

A big thank you goes to Alan Bigley (and others) for organising the whole shooting match and the drivers for getting us to and from France safely. Also, our appreciate must go to James for taking charge of the dinner and alcohol costs and making it easy for everyone to put into the pot what they owed. 

Individual monthly winners 2024

MonthCompCourseIndividual WinnerScoreRunner UpScore
Jan-24Monthly Individual StablefordLewesRob Montagu47Rod Lunn41
Feb-24Monthly Individual StablefordEastbourne DownRob Montagu39Graham Meadows38
Mar-24Mad March JugsEast BrightonAndrew Burnett47Graham Meadows37
Apr-24Monthly Individual StablefordBlatchingtonKevin Leftley34Richard Hannam33
May-24Anniversary TrophyNizelsJoe Carroll38Kelvin Paterson36
Jun-24Strokeplay Shield NevillStuart BourneNett 71 (Level)Mark HughesNett 72 (+1)
Stableford ShieldRod Lunn43Micky Mann38
Jul-24MGS Foundation TrophySweetwoodsMicky Mann45 (B9CB 24)Kevin Leftley45 (B9CB20)
Aug-24Mayfield CupCoodenScott Wightman41Alan Bond40
Sep-24GBH TrophyRoyal Ashdown David Howroyd37Peter Smith35
Oct-24Monthly Individual StablefordWesterhamMicky Mann38  (B9CB 19)Stuart Bourne38(B9CB 18)
Nov-24Last Chance TrophySeaford HeadTony Willmott44Rob Weavers43

At our monthly meets we saw ten different winners across the twelve individual competitions. Only Rob Montagu & Micky Mann took home the bacon on two occasions.

Team winners 2024

MonthCompCourseTeam WinnersScoreTeam Runners UpScore
Jan-24Monthly Individual StablefordLewesRob Montagu, Rob Weavers & Graham Smith92Keith Townsend, Alan Bigley & Peter Smith86
Feb-24Monthly Individual StablefordEastbourne DownAlan Bigley, Mark Hughes & Kevin Leftley85Andrew Burnett, John Collingwood & Graham Meadows80
Mar-24Mad March JugsEast BrightonAndrew Burnett & Peter Smith109Tony Willmott & Phil Taylor104
Apr-24Monthly Individual StablefordBlatchingtonPeter Cudmore, James Gallifant, Andy Williams & Keith Townsend74Joe Carroll, Rob Weavers & Tony Willmott70
May-24Anniversary TrophyNizelsJohn Miller, Micky Mann & Kevan Gill79Rob Montagu, Graham Smith, Andrew Burnett & James Gallifant77
Jun-24Strokeplay & Stableford ShieldsNevillKeith Townsend, James Gallifant & Rod Lunn92Kevin Leftley, Micky Mann & Peter Cudmore85
Jul-24MGS Foundation TrophySweetwoodsAlan Bond, David Howroyd, Phil Taylor & Rod Lunn81Kelvin Paterson, Mark Hughes, Peter Cudmore & Richard Hannam 80
Aug-24Mayfield CupCoodenRob Weavers, John Collingwood, Alan Bigley & Peter Smith130Graham Meadows, Alan Bond, Andy Williams & Andrew Burnett127
Sep-24GBH TrophyAshdown WestRichard Hannam & Micky Mann49Will Lunn & Rod Lunn48
Oct-24Monthly Individual StablefordWesterhamMicky Mann, Chris Buck & Peter Alfieri)87Graham Meadows, Graham Smith & Stuart Bourne82
Nov-24Last Chance TrophySeaford HeadTony Willmott, John Collingwood, Kelvin Paterson93Adrian Underwood, Graham Smith, Peter Cudmore &                                    Chris Buck, Kevin Leftley, Graham Meadows91 (Tied)

25 different members were on a winning team this year which is good to see.  However, the real team player was Micky Mann being on a winning team three times. 

MGS 2024 Appearances 

Overall attendance has been very good with the average monthly meeting attendance being 23.6 (2023: 21.7 & 2022: 19.4). The highest was 28 at Cooden in August with lowest being 18 at Lewes in dark and cold January. Well done to Stuart Bourne (second year running and Rod Lunn who attended every event this season.

MGS MemberAppearances
BOURNE, Stuart11
LUNN, Rod 11
LEFTLEY, Kevin10
MANN, Michael 10
TAYLOR, Phil10
TOWNSEND, Keith10
WILLMOTT, Tony10
CARROLL, Joe 9
GALLIFANT, James9MGS MemberAppearances
HOWROYD, David 9GOULDING, Frank4
HUGHES, Mark9JENNER, Andrew4
MONTAGU, Rob9UNDERWOOD, Adrian4
SMITH, Graham9BOND, Alan3
BIGLEY, Alan8WIGHTMAN, Scott3
BUCK, Chris8SAVILLE, Mark (guest)2
BURNETT, Andrew8ALFIERI, Peter 2
GILL, Kevan8HARDING, James1
PATERSON, Kelvin 8YARWOOD, Roger1
SMITH, Peter8BARKER Guy  (guest)1
COLLINGWOOD, John7BARBER, Paul (guest)1
CUDMORE, Peter7
MEADOWS, Graham7
WATKISS, Jerry7
HANNAM, Richard6
MILLER, John6
LUCK, Simon5
LUNN, Will5
WEAVERS, Rob5
WILLIAMS, Andy5

MGS Player of the Year 2024 (best 4 rounds)

32 members managed to get in at least four qualifying rounds for the overall player of the year trophy during the season – the results are shown below: –

individualAppearancesAv of best 4 roundsTotal for the 4 roundsQualifying Scores
LUNN, Rod 1139.25157.0043,41,37,36
MANN, Michael 1038.75155.0042,38,38,37
LEFTLEY, Kevin1038.75155.0043,40,37,35
MONTAGU, Rob938.50154.0046,39,35,34
BURNETT, Andrew838.00152.0047,37,34,34
TAYLOR, Phil1037.75151.0039,38,38,36
SMITH, Graham937.75151.0040,38,37,36
WILLMOTT, Tony1037.50150.0044,38,35,33
SMITH, Peter837.00148.0041,39,35,33
HUGHES, Mark936.75147.0041,36,35,35
BIGLEY, Alan836.75147.0039,38,37,33
GALLIFANT, James936.25145.0037,37,37,34
WEAVERS, Rob536.25145.0043,35,34,33
COLLINGWOOD, John736.00144.0039,37,34,34
BOURNE, Stuart1136.00144.0038,36,35,35
MEADOWS, Graham736.00144.0038,37,36,33
CARROLL, Joe 935.75143.00 
GILL, Kevan835.75143.00 
TOWNSEND, Keith1035.25141.00 
CUDMORE, Peter734.75139.00 
BUCK, Chris834.50138.00 
WILLIAMS, Andy534.50138.00 
WATKISS, Jerry734.00136.00 
HOWROYD, David 932.75131.00 
HANNAM, Richard633.00132.00 
PATERSON, Kelvin 832.50130.00 
MILLER, John631.75127.00 
JENNER, Andrew429.75119.00 
UNDERWOOD, Adrian429.75119.00 
LUCK, Simon527.00108.00 
LUNN, Will525.75103.00 
GOULDING, Frank422.0088.00 

Congratulations go to Rod Lunn who overtook Micky Mann at Seaford in November improving his set of four scores. A very tight competition this year with just the odd made or missed putt making all the difference.

MGS Overall averages (total scores for the season divided by total appearances) nb: three or more rounds

MGS MemberAppearancesOverall Av
LEFTLEY, Kevin1034.90
WEAVERS, Rob534.60
BOND, Alan334.33
TAYLOR, Phil1034.10
SMITH, Graham934.00
WILLIAMS, Andy533.60
LUNN, Rod 1133.45
COLLINGWOOD, John733.29
MANN, Michael 1033.20
GALLIFANT, James933.11
HUGHES, Mark932.67
BIGLEY, Alan832.63
BURNETT, Andrew832.63
WATKISS, Jerry732.43
WIGHTMAN, Scott332.33
MONTAGU, Rob931.78
BUCK, Chris831.75
SMITH, Peter831.63
CARROLL, Joe 931.44
CUDMORE, Peter731.43
HANNAM, Richard631.33
BOURNE, Stuart1131.27
GILL, Kevan831.25
WILLMOTT, Tony1031.10
MEADOWS, Graham730.57
JENNER, Andrew429.75
TOWNSEND, Keith1029.70
HOWROYD, David 929.44
MILLER, John628.83
PATERSON, Kelvin 827.50
UNDERWOOD, Adrian427.25
LUCK, Simon526.20
LUNN, Will522.40
GOULDING, Frank422.00

Well done to vice- captain Kevin “No Gimmies” Leftley a fabulous average over 10 rounds of golf.

40 Points plus club 2024

18 players were in the 40 point plus club this year as follows: –

MGS MemberScoreCourse
MONTAGU, Rob47Lewes GC
BURNETT, Andrew47East Brighton
WILLMOTT, Tony44Seaford Head
LUNN, Rod 43Nevill
LEFTLEY, Kevin43Sweetwoods
WEAVERS, Rob43Seaford Head 
MANN, Michael 42Sweetwoods
UNDERWOOD, Adrian42Seaford Head 
HUGHES, Mark41Sweetwoods
LUNN, Rod 41Lewes GC
WIGHTMAN, Scott41Cooden 
SMITH, Peter41Seaford Head 
ALFIERI, Peter41Seaford Head
GILL, Kevan41Seaford Head
TOWNSEND, Keith40Lewes GC
BOND, Alan40Cooden 
SMITH, Graham40Seaford Head
LEFTLEY, Kevin40Seaford Head

Congratulations to Rob Montagu and Andrew Burnett and indeed to all of the above. All of these scores resulted in a handicap haircut for the individual concerned which the Handicap Secretary took probably too much pleasure in executing!

Specialist events 2024

We always try to make these interesting with the nearest the line and nearest the pin in two or three as our specialist holes – hopefully giving everyone a good chance of being in the running for a small prize.

Nearest the line or pin in one or two 2024

MonthCourseNearest the PinNearest the Pin in Two or ThreeNearest the Line
Jan-24LewesStuart BourneRod Lunn
Feb-24Eastbourne DownStuart BourneAlan Bigley
Mar-24East BrightonAndrew BurnettJohn Collingwood
Apr-24BlatchingtonDavid Howroyd &Phil TaylorNo one close
May-24NizelsAndrew JennerMark Hughes
Jun-24NevillMicky MannStuart Bourne 
Jul-24SweetwoodsGraham MeadowsRod LunnAlan Bigley
Aug-24CoodenTony WillmottKevan Gill
Sep-24Ashdown WestGraham SmithPhil Taylor
Oct-24WesterhamKeith TownsendRod Lunn
Nov-24Seaford HeadGraham SmithMicky Mann 

Sixteen different winners which is great to see – No individual dominating this event this year. However, this year we saw Stuart Bourne and Rod Lunn winning three times. Rod specializing in the nearest the pin in two competition.

MGS Birdies and two’s: –

The table below sets out those who have made Eagles, Birdies & Two’s in the season.  

Player EaglesPlayer Birdies
BURNETT, Andrew1BIGLEY, Alan11
MANN, Michael 9
BOURNE, Stuart7
TAYLOR, Phil7
BURNETT, Andrew6
SMITH, Graham5
LEFTLEY, Kevin4
Player 2sWILLIAMS, Andy4
SMITH, Graham4HANNAM, Richard3
BURNETT, Andrew2LUNN, Rod 3
TAYLOR, Phil2SMITH, Peter3
HANNAM, Richard2WATKISS, Jerry3
CUDMORE, Peter2BOND, Alan2
BUCK, Chris2CUDMORE, Peter2
BIGLEY, Alan1BUCK, Chris1
MANN, Michael 1GILL, Kevan1
BOURNE, Stuart1HOWROYD, David 1
LUNN, Rod 1JENNER, Andrew1
SMITH, Peter1MEADOWS, Graham1
WATKISS, Jerry1WILLMOTT, Tony1
HOWROYD, David 1ALFIERI, Peter 1

One superb eagle from Mr Andrew Burnett this year.  We must be due a hole in one in 2025 – the last one I believe was achieved in 2008!! Well done to Mr Alan Bigley for comfortably topping the birdie table and to Mr Graham Smith for converting the most two’s on the par 3’s.

MGS Society members handicaps @ December 2024 

Really nice to see the quality of golf played by the membership during 2024 with a good mix and spread of handicaps.  

MGS MemberHandicapMGS MemberHandicap
BIGLEY, Alan4LUCK, Simon24
SMITH, Graham8PATERSON, Kelvin 25
HANNAM, Richard8COLLINGWOOD, John26
BOURNE, Stuart10CUDMORE, Peter27
TAYLOR, Phil11WIGHTMAN, Scott 27
BURNETT, Andrew12MEADOWS, Graham28
BOND, Alan13GALLIFANT, James28
MANN, Michael 13MONTAGU, Rob30
HARDING, James14CARROLL, Joe 31
LUNN, Rod 14UNDERWOOD, Adrian31
WILLIAMS, Andy15TOWNSEND, Keith32
LEFTLEY, Kevin15GOULDING, Frank35
WILLMOTT, Tony16LUNN, Will36
WATKISS, Jerry16
HUGHES, Mark16
ALFIERI, Peter18
JENNER, Andrew18
BUCK, Chris19
MILLER, John19
SMITH, Peter19
GILL, Kevan20
YARWOOD, Roger21
WEAVERS, Rob21
HOWROYD, David 24

The average handicap of the membership is 20.08, which reflects a good standard of golf being played at our events.