Every time I tee it up whether in a medal or a friendly I record what happened to me and my partners.   Invariably there is a talking point or an incident which merits a few lines.   If the game passes without a hitch I will make something up anyway.

I make no apology to my playing partners as I call it as I see it.

FORE !!

Five Nations Golf 2007

Saturday 22nd September

In the company of Le Frenchman and 'our leader' the venerable Willy Smith, I equalled my best ever 18 hole score.   Admittedly playing off the yellow tees is much easier than from the medal tees but nonetheless a gross 76 resulting in 42 Stableford points is not to be sniffed at at any time.   We all played good golf and the course is looking and playing very well so it was a nice morning's entertainment.   Thanks boys.

I will publish a comprehensive set of minutes sometime tomorrow but thought I would post these couple of very important changes now for the benefit of all.

Please remember I am only the messenger:   The full TOGS Rules are written down and copies are available from Willy.   My website is here to be helpful and I hope it is.    However always remember it is my personal website and  I give my personal views and opinions which are not necessarily Rules.

TOGS AGM
Thursday 20th September 2007
7 for 7.30pm Tynemouth Golf Club

Saturday 15th September
Medal

A scrappy 85 gross for a net 74 pushes me up anther 0.1 so I finish the season on 11.5 which means I am officially a 12 handicapper for the coming TOGS winter league.

Don't forget the TOGS AGM  on Thursday night boys.

Saturday 18th August
The Donkin Cup

In view of the fact that I am flying off to Thailand on Tuesday to play in the World Transplant Golf Championships and my handicap is exactly 11.4 there was no way I wanted to shoot anything above my buffer zone.  

Starting with a 5 followed by a 7 and 4, I had lost 5 shots immediately and not the start I was looking for.   My game settled down and I completed the remaining 15 holes in another 66 shots to finish 82 / 71 net which is safely in the zone and my handicap at 11.....phew.  

Playing with Rosco and Oor Willy is always a pleasure and a nice balance of concentration and relaxation during the round is a big factor, which always helps.

Rosco had a nightmare front nine of 48 but turned it around by coming back in 38 for a net 72.   Brilliant.   None of us bagged a birdie but we each cobbled together a half decent round, which although not troubling the Donkin Cup engraving committee  will be nearer the top of the chart than the bottom.    Thanks boys.

Friday 16th August

Playing late into the afternoon with Archie (nine holes only) and my youngest son Kev, I had a good workout.   Following my usually shaky start I played myself into some half decent form by only dropping a handful of shots from the 5th hole onwards.   I had a gross 76 which included two birdies, admittedly playing off the yellow tees, and is one of my best rounds of golf for ages.   Conditions were near perfect and the course was in good nick too.

Wednesday 15th August

In what was probably my second last game before leaving for the World Transplant Games in Bangkok my back nine was appreciably better than the front.   14 points going out and 20 coming back shows that I was at least (or at last) improving.   The forecast for Saturday's Donkin Cup is awful and if it turns out to be correct I shall not be going out.

Today's players were Archie, Ed, Bill Fletcher, Alan Croft and yours truly.   Bill who was receiving  a shot per hole (fully deserved and not begrudged at all) bagged three birdies and produced two halves of 21 and 20 to  win the front and the match.   My inward nine meant we halved that part of the game otherwise it would have been a trip to the pawnbrokers to raise some cash.

Saturday 11th August
The Professional's Competition

Update:   Well done to Eddy Stothert on a magnificent competition winning 44 points.   Ed is now playing off an 8 handicap.   Great stuff by another TOG.

Our professional at Tynemouth, John McKenna is a thoroughly good egg and an excellent teaching professional even though his skills are wasted on the likes of me and you.   He deserves a good turn out because I can still remember last year's event was washed out.

Back to to the comp - I played with 2 juniors namely, Stuart Fell and Phillip McGovern who play off 5 and 10 respectively and was hopeless.   My measly total of 27 on a good scoring day means I edge back closer  to 12hcp (11.4).   So unless I get my finger out next Saturday will go to the World Transplant Games golf championships in Thailand playing off 12.

Stuart, who hit his drive on the 12th 292 yards played his usual OK, but Phillip was excellent.   He scored a very good 38 points without holing any long putts and made it look ridiculously easy.   Phillip and I take the same clubs for the same distances and hit the ball a similar length even though he is much smaller than me.   It will be interesting to play with him at least once a year over the next few seasons just to see how he improves as he grows.

As for me?   "I was just happy to be there!"

Thursday 9th August

Having received a call from Oor Willy I arrived at the same time as 'Dave the Flog' so we set off for a friendly game at about 4pm.   We were joined by young 5 handicapper Stuart Fell for a few holes and he showed us up for what we are, three TOGS.  

Those of you who don't know what the TOGS acronym stands for should know it's Tynemouth Old Gits Society.

Stuart had to leave us at the 15th so we resumed our friendly battle and as often happens in 'chairman' we finished all square despite each having a 'put for it' on the 18th.   A very enjoyable way to spend a late sunny afternoon, early evening  in August.

Wednesday 8th August

Comrade Digby's best mate Tony Sarginson and Alan Croft were my partners today in the lead group with Archie, Dunc, Ed and Ken Oliver bringing up the rear.  

The course is running very fast and it nearly impossible to get the ball to stop on the greens which are extremely quick too.   So scoring becomes very difficult.   My game seems to be in order and although I only scored 15 on the front came back with 19 points to give me a respectable 34 which was good enough to win the pot of gold.

The lanterne rouge, maillot jaune and peloton were discussed at length as we pottered our way round in what was a very enjoyable afternoon's golf.

Mrs Boggy is working some strange shift tomorrow until 8pm so I may get myself down to the course late in the afternoon for some more practice.  Any offers?   Ring me.

Monday 6th August

An honourable draw playing with Raff and Archie in the excellent 'chairman' format.   It's amazing how often this game goes  to the 18th and all results are still possible.  

Back to Saturday - it seems that Daz and Willy were the innocent victims of extremely slow play in the Hines Salver and they walked off the course in disgust and posted 'no returns'.

When will slow players realise that the object of the game is not to keep in front of the group behind but is in fact to keep up with the group in front.   To lose four holes and not allow the golfers behind to come through is not only inconsiderate and poor etiquette it is also bad manners.  

We all at some point have to look for a ball, but when it is taking five minutes and sometimes longer it is a prerequisite that the players behind are waved through and then everyone can enjoy the game.   'Nuff said?

Saturday 4th August
The Hines Salver

Looks like I am back down to 11 again following 37 points in the Hines Salver.   Once again I struggled on the back nine after scoring 22 points on the front and a gross 37.   I just managed to hang on in and scored 15 points coming home.   Gross 82 for 37 points should put me back to 11.3.

Thanks to my playing partners, young Stuart Fell, aged 15, who plays off 5 and the Cultured Caledonian who doesn't, for an enjoyable 18 holes on the course.

At the 139 yard par three 7th I hit the pin with an 8 iron shot and my ball ricocheted off the edge of the cup to about twelve fee distant.   I sunk the putt for a two but it was oh so close to a hole in one, which would have been my first.

Update:   The winning score was only 39 points so my six at the stroke 18 par three 11th was very costly.

Wednesday 1st August
Midweek medal

I finished 6 / 5 / 6 for a gross 85 to spoil a good card.   I am now officially a 12 handicapper at 11.5.   Coming down the 18th I was completely shattered, my legs are aching and about to cramp up at any moment.   Luckily I have a session with the physio booked in for Friday and another two before departing to Bangkok.

My playing partners were Ed and Raff and they were outside the buffer zone too.   Very enjoyable nevertheless.

Friday 27th July
British Transplant Golf Championships

If you want to have a look at the course where we are playing use the link to Prestonfield Golf Club.   It is in Scotland, it might rain but it is a beautiful golf course with fabulous facilities.

I finished 3rd overall in a field of over 50, so am well pleased.   Ian Hillier won the gold.  More later.

Monday 23rd July

Having dropped Mrs Boggy off at work for 6am I played a solo game of golf, teeing off at 6.38am.   At 8.55am I was supping a refreshing cuppa in the club house having played not too badly.   At least I didn't lose.

One more game tomorrow then it's off to Edinburgh for the British Transplant Championships.

Saturday 21st July
Captain's Day

Tee time = 11am.   My playing partners are Rob Rodgerson and Bill Fletcher.

Although the course was open and players were teeing off I decided to withdraw and maintain my 11.4 handicap so that I go to this week's British Transplant Games golf championships with what has been my handicap for most of the season, ie 11.

It would have been easy to tee off, play badly in the poor weather and go to 12 but being a Geordie wimp decided to go home and watch The Open instead.

Wednesday 18th July
Stableford Comp

I know my game is in good order but my mind is definitely wandering lately which is resulting in me shooting some pathetic scores.   26 points today  probably flattered me, although towards the end of my round with Le Frenchman (he was worse) I was beginning to have some birdie opportunities.   That I missed them and three putted is neither here nor there.

My handicap will have risen to 11.4 tonight and if I don't get my finger out for Saturday's Captain's Day competition it will go up to 12 which will not look too good next week in the British Transplant Games championship at Prestonfield Golf Club, Edinburgh.

Friday 13th July
Charity Golf day for CHUF at Ramside

CHUF is an acronym for Children's Heart Unit Fund at the Freeman.

Despite the bad weather the course was in magnificent condition and a real pleasure to play and although we had a couple of dodgy holes still managed a top 10 finish and came away with a few goodies.   We will definitely be entering a team again next year.

Thanks to Willy, Daz and Le Frenchman who made up my team and also to Bill Fletcher for entering a team containing one of Comrade Digby's very best mates.   

I am seriously over golfed and my next game will not be until next Wednesday.

Wednesday 11th July
Midweek Medal

This was a game too far following the exertions of the weekend.   I had decided not to play and rest up until Friday, but how could I say no when my mates kept ringing for a game.

The result was an abysmal 100 gross.   I did have a putt for a 99 but in the best traditions of Sir Geoffrey I let nothing stop me getting my ton.   It would have been easier to have 'no returned' but as I did not lose a ball and wasn't feeling ill or anything I am not embarrassed in any way  posting a bad score.  

From where I was just 8 years ago the least of my worries is a poor round of golf and it is something we should all bear in mind when we decide to walk off after nine holes.   My playing partner was Le Frenchman and he missed his buffer zone by a single shot which will result in him going up 0.1 to 11.2.    Strangely enough I will go from 11.2 to 11.3.

I probably don't need to say this but will anyway, "I was just happy to be there!"

TOGS on Tour Championship
Oulton Hall Hotel and Golf Club, Near Leeds.
(Friday 6th / Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th July)

Champion - Bob Whitehead
 Runner up - Duncan McCree
Third place - Dave Archbold
Fourth place - Graham Marsh

Best round Saturday - Bob Whitehead - 33 points
Runner up - Tony Sarginson - 32 points
Nearest the pin - Duncan McCree
Longest drive - Paul Hunt

Best Round Sunday - Duncan McCree - 37
Runner up - Graham Marsh - 36
Nearest the pin - Dave Archbold
Longest drive - Bob Whitehead

Congratulations to Cap'n Bob on winning the trophy.   Being the lowest handicapped TOG (5hcp)  he had very little margin for error.

A new innovation this year was the introduction of the Friday Trophy donated by  Lord Digby's best mate, Tony Sarginson.   So what was previously a practice round now becomes a competitive fixture which adds a little more spice to the weekend.

Winner - Graham Marsh - 38 
Runner up - Paul Hunt - 35

Nearest the pin - Graham Marsh
Longest drive - ???

On behalf of the TOGS I would like to say a big thank you to Willy Smith for all of the work he puts in to make this a memorable golfing weekend.   He has to endure all kinds of 'stick' from individuals throughout the season, me included, and puts up with it all in good grace yet he still managed to defend the one thing that matters, the Winter League title.   Alan Ross is also deserving of our thanks.   So here it is, thanks Rosco.

One little moan though, you cannot be surprised surely?.   We really have to put a stop to changing the rules as we go along.   I am referring to the decision not to deduct points from the winner and runner up following the first round of the TOGS on Tour weekend, even though I voted.   I still remember the sleepless night I had last year when I was docked 3 shots on the Saturday at Cardrona and received no sympathy at all from anyone, never mind a vote on the matter.    The only forum for rule changes is at the AGM.   Are you coming?

I don't want to finish this mini report with a moan so can I thank all of my playing partners over the three days at De Vere's Oulton Hall Golf Club.   I enjoyed each day's golf in good company and was, "Just happy to be there!"

Thursday 5th July

TOGS on Tour begins tomorrow and I am the defending champion but realistically am not in good enough form to win this time round.

The Bookies favourites are:

Dave Rowntree 4/1
Eddy Stothert 5/1
DMC, Daz & Cap'n Bob 6/1
Oor Willy 7/1
10/1 bar

Today's game, my son Kevin who was generously receiving 5 shots from Le Frenchman and I showed no mercy and won by 2 up in the excellent 'chairman' format.

Wednesday 4th July

Le Frenchman, Ed Stothert and yours truly had a game of chairman in half decent weather conditions.   We got to the 18th with no-one in the chair and no-one having secured a point all the way round.   Excellent warm up for the weekend.

By the way, the greens at Tynemouth Golf Club are fantastic just now.   H20 is a wonderful thing.   I didn't know how to make the 2 smaller, in the chemical formula for the wet stuff, so it looks a bit silly.

Sunday 1st July
Stansfield Medal

Starting handicap 11.5 = 12

Round 1:   80 gross / 68 net

There was a 65 and three scores of 67 recorded in the morning so my 68 was very respectable.

Round 2:   90 gross / 78 net

We suffered a couple of torrential downpours and coming down the 15th the group ahead rightly called for the greenkeepers because the cup was under water.   The resultant half hour delay standing on the fairway did for me.   I had been going along steadily, all fours and fives and one six.   I finished my round 9,6,4,5 in contrast to the morning when I finished 4,3,3,4 a difference of 10 shots.

Making no excuses but it is easy to see how there is a difference of 10 shots between rounds one and two.

New handicap 11.2 = 11

My playing partners for the day were two juniors, Robin and Alex and I have to say I enjoyed their company.   Our junior section at Tynemouth is excellent and the more that come through the better in the long term for the rest of us old farts.

Incidentally I hear that someone complained that Alex should not have been allowed to play as he was not originally on the starting sheet.   I reckon he did me a favour because for whatever reason the original third member of our group had scratched.   This would have meant me standing around  waiting to play every shot which would have been a nightmare.

Since when have we become so serious and petty that we are trying to lessen the field in the Club's most important competition of the  year?   The more that enter, the better, surely?   As for the players who walk off because they are playing badly, I would put them in a three ball with whoever it is that complained this year, for next year's event and see how they like it.

Golf in May & June