Well what a weekend of sport that graced our TV screens, with all four of the Nations rugby teams on tour and the England side being the first English team to win a series in Australia. Scotland beat Japan with Ireland and Wales pushing South Africa and the All Blacks all the way, but just falling short.
Then there was Dustin Johnson winning the US Open despite being penalised one shot for allegedly causing his ball to move on the 5th green. All credit to Dustin as he came so close last year, and even with the farcical actions of the USGA officials, he managed to keep his concentration and held his nerve to win by three shots from Irishman Shane Lowry.
Andy Murray won at Queens for a record fifth time and seems to be in good form for Wimbledon. Then for the racing enthusiasts there was Royal Ascot and the Grand Prix from Azerbaijan.
But for all that, nothing could match Hartley Wintney Golf Club's week of competitions to celebrate 125 years of existence. The busy week came to a head over the weekend with 99 people attending the 125 Celebration Dinner, and to help the evening go with a swing the entertainment was provided by the "Ready Steady Sixties Band".
There were two competitions over the weekend, a 125 Team Competition held on Saturday and on Saturday & Sunday the 125 Stableford was supported by an entry of 139 players, the biggest competition entry of the year so far.
However, earlier in the week the 125 Midweek Stableford was played over Tuesday and Thursday, and it was Tony Peaty scoring 37 points who came out on top from Keith Mullin on 36 points and four players on 34 points. After countback Tom Dowe finished third with Ben Cornwell in fourth, Peter Curtis in fifth and Nick Bradshaw in sixth.
On Friday, it was the turn of the seniors in the 125 Seniors Stableford, Tony Gray took the honours scoring 35 points with Robert Henry taking the runners-up spot after a countback from Angus McArthur, both players scored 33 points.
Also played on Friday was the 125 Past Captains Salver competition, this was won by Barry Stewart on 35 points, with a strong lady challenge following closely behind. In second place was Linda Turner scoring 34 points, third place was hotly contested with three players on 33 points. After countback it was Chris Warman who took third place followed by Deirdre Randall in fourth and current Captain Tony Wise in fifth.
As mentioned previously the weekend was host to two competitions, firstly the 125 Team Event (teams of four, two stableford scores to count) was won with 89 points, scored by the team of Duncan Syme, Jack Beeken-Syme, Mick Davies and Hardeep Sehmi.
They were clear winners by five points from three teams on 84 points, the best of these and coming runners-up were Paul Marsh, Craig Marsh, Chas Poole and Geoff Willis. Third place went to Mark Chandler, Kevin Pitcher, Chris Smith and Barry Stewart. There were two two's recorded and they were by Paul Marsh and Barry Stewart, each two was worth £16.
Secondly there was the 125 Stableford held over Saturday & Sunday and it was "Mr Consistency" Nick Wilmot, who, with 15 pars, two birdies and just one dropped shot amassed 41 points to win by one point from two players, Tom Winder and Robert Bosworth, on 40 points. After countback it was Tom Winder who took runners-up spot with Robert in third place.
They were followed by three players on 38 points; this group was headed by Keith Mullin who took fourth place after countback. Sam Rule followed next to take fifth place with Lee Poulter in sixth. There were six two's sharing the sweep with each two worth £22.66, they were scored by Jamie Mullin, Tony Peaty, Richard Thompson, Mick Davies, Andrew Udensi and Ian Callaway.
Congratulations to Jill Guille who won last Wednesday's Ladies 18 hole 125 Stableford competition with 38 points, reducing her handicap by 2 shots. Well done also to: Runner-up Christine Campbell 32 pts on c/b from in 3rd place Chris Warman 32 pts after c/b from 4th place Paula Spurrier 32 pts.
Deirdre McCullough won the 9 hole stableford scoring 17 points and Lynn Flint was runner up with 13 points.