After what seemed to be a never-ending winter, a good turnout of 11 JBGS members congregated in Kent for its 3 day Spring Meeting. This tour offered golf at 3 different Braid courses:
Walmer and Kingsdown GC – the society was welcomed with sunshine which was accompanied by strong winds off the English Channel. The course was found to be challenging but enjoyable, with numerous Braid “trademarks” noticed by the society members An original Braid course, it was opened on 10th April 1909 with a match between Braid & Vardon (Braid won 3&2).
Littlestone GC – where once again, the members were greeted with sunshine. However, the wind had increased to a brutal 40mph, which caused some trepidation amongst a number of the JBGS members. Braid was called in 1905 to improve the bunkering and a lot of his work can be seen in the fairway bunkers of the 1st four holes, and in the cross bunkers on 5th and 18th holes.
Wildernesse GC – After the previous two days, conditions were near to perfect and members teed off with a mixture of excitement and anticipation of the challenge ahead. Braid visited in 1927 and was given a free hand (producing a ‘radical mood’), to remodel the original layout. Apart from a few changes, in 1954 when the club house was moved, his design remains intact including the highly rated par 3 5th. It is a well bunkered, attractive woodland course demanding accuracy and positioning.
Click here for the full report of the events.
Day 1 Tuesday 28 April
Members congregated at Walmer & Kingsdown Golf Club at lunchtime for a bacon roll, coffee and a catch up together before venturing out on the course, where they were welcomed with sunshine which was accompanied by a strong wind off the English Channel. The format of the day’s play was a JBGS Society Stableford.
So, can you pick the winner? Just to keep you in suspense, this was not revealed until the next day!
Following the golf, the society enjoyed the hospitality of Mike and Helen Harris, who put on a superb barbeque at their nearby home and good food and good company were enjoyed by the JBGS members, in preparation for the following day’s golf. Thank you so much Mike and Helen.
Day 2 Wednesday 29 April
We gathered at Littlestone Golf Club for lunch of sausage and mash to fortify us before venturing out into the 40mph winds that were blowing with us on some holes, against us on others and sideways for final treats. Again the format of play was a JBGS Society Stableford.
And the winners were:
Well done to both of you – it wasn’t easy out there.
Day 3 Thursday 30 April
The final day saw the group at Wildernesse GC on the clubhouse patio enjoying a light lunch along with sunshine and a mere warm breeze. The course itself was in good condition, and all the members were complimentary in their opinion of a tough but fair challenge. Once again, the format of play was a JBGS Society Stableford.
Now check out their swings – great stuff guys.
The winner was Malcolm – with 37 points. Local knowledge prevailed and he used it well. great stuff Malcolm.
And many thanks to Mike and Malcolm Harris for all their hard work in putting such a great Tour together for us.
