14/4/19
After the winter seasons fixtures were completed and the league title decided in favour of The Wiltshire the annual end of season presentation day was once again held at Tidworth GC last week.
Only 5 or 6 matches during the whole of the winter were re arranged due to the weather so Tuesday was probably the worst weather any of us had played in for some time.
All 11 teams had representatives playing and although the scores were not particularly high the competition was as usual fierce.
C0ming out on top at the end of the day were Upavon who won the team competition on countback from the home club although Tidworth did win the Pairs competition again on countback from Upavon.
Following the usual fine meal presented by Tidworth the League trophy was presented to Paul Dimond from The Wiltshire by the out going President of Wiltshire Golf, Phil Hodges.
28/3/19
Well that's it the league is finished and we have a winner.
The final match of the season was played yesterday at South Wilts where the visitors, High Post, were in with a chance of the title. If they could white wash the home team then they would jump to the top of the league, or to drop just half a point would make them joint winners.
The final score was a 2 - 1 win for the home team so it can now be finally confirmed that The Wiltshire are the Seniors Winter Scratch League champions for this year.
In what has been a great season of competition only 1.5 points separated the top five teams in the league but with 7 victories in their race for the top Paul Dimond's men just got their noses in front, Congratulations to them.
21/3/19
So now we are down to just two teams that can win the league.
After todays 2.5 - .5 win over Ogbourne, High Post have put themselves in a winning position.
In the final match of the winter league, High Post go to South Wilts next week knowing that a 3 - 0 victory will put them at the top of the table. 2.5 points will see them tie for the title with The Wiltshire who have been sat at the top of the league for a couple of weeks now.
20/3/19
Two of the final four matches of the season have now been played with Marlborough and Chippenham halving their match at Marlborough and West Wilts beating Marlborough at Warminster 2 - 1.
Neither of these matches change the top of the table but no doubt pride played it's part with all teams trying to climb the league as far as they can.
So now there are just two matches left of the season and both could have a bearing on who wins the league.
Should Ogbourne not lose at High Post tomorrow (21/3/19) then their lead at the top cannot be beaten. However should High Post gain 5.5 points in their final two games, they are also away to South Wilts in the leagues final match then they will take the title.
Any one of three teams can win the league!
14/3/19
With Storm Gareth passing through it was no doubt debateable whether matches would have been played this week. With one match postponed until next week two matches have been played in the last few days.
Chippenham were hosts to Tidworth, both trying to improve their league position although neither being able to climb to the top, and it was Chippenham who came out on top with a 2 - 1 victory.
The top of the table clash was beteen The Wiltshire and Upavon at Royal Wootton Bassett. Both with a chance of the league title and no doubt it was a hard fought match. Of all the golf courses in Wiltshire it is arguable if there are two so different in design or topography and where home advantage would be so promnant. So it proved with The Wiltshire winning 2.5 - .5 and ending Upavon run for the title. On the other hand The Wiltshire sit on top of the league waiting for the result of the postponed match between High Post and Ogbourne both of whom an overtake them dependant on the result!
6/3/19
In a 'catch up' match today Ogbourne traveled down to Tidworth in a match that had quite a bearing on the top of the table. With both teams in with a shout of the title dependent on the result it was Tidworth who ran out 2 - 1 winners.
As I have said from the start it is going to be a close run thing at the top and with important matches yet to be played who knows the final outcome!
28/2/19
A full schedule this week and the weather to go with it, although it was difficult to believe that this was the winter league.
The first two matches of the week involved three of the top teams. Kingsdown were playing their final match of the season at Upavon and after coming away with a 2 - 1 loss their season ends in the knowledge that they will not be winning the league this year. Upavon on the other hand have a game to play and are in astrong position at the top of the table.
Ogbourne, another team in with a good chance of winning the league, had a fine win home win against South Wilts moving them to third in the league but with a game in hand on Upavon.
Both The Wiltshire and High Post were in strong positions prior to this week but both suffered away defeats, The Wiltshire at Marlborough and High Post at Tidworth which has dented their asperations for the league title.
The only away win this week were Chippenham who traveled south to Hamptworth and recorded a 2 - 1 win.
Hamptworth have now completed a difficult season and will finish at the foot of the table but I know that this will not curb their enthusiasm for the competition or their desire to compete.
20/2/19
Three matches this week and with the courses drying out and the weather on our side it was a good time to be out in the fresh air.
Yesterday Upavon moved to the top of the table with a 2 - 1 home win over High Post. However their stay at the top was brief with both Kingsdown, at home to Hamptworth and The Wiltshire, at home to West Wilts, both recorded 3 - 0 wins to both overtake Upavon at the top.
Stay tuned over the next couple of weeks. The table is a close run competition and there are some top of the table clashes scheduled in the next few weeks.
13/2/19
So can somebody tell me what's happening to the weather this winter. Four matches this week and I imagine that all have been played in fine, relatively warm, conditions with the courses gradually drying out.
South Wilts were hosting Tidworth in a match that would move the winners towards the top of the league and with the home team gaining 2.5 points they have moved up to 4th position.
Kingsdown were at home to Marlborough hoping for a win to move them towards the top of the league. A win 3 - 0 duly arrived and the associated 3 points so a move up to 2nd place.
A big task for Hamptworth who had to travel to High Post to try to back up their recent victory and so it proved as the home team were victorious with a 3 - 0.
In form Upavon were at Chippenham who, perhaps surprisingly, are languishing near the bottom of the table, albeit having played fewer matches than the top teams. Perhaps the Chippenham surge to the top has now commenced with a fine 2 -1 victory.
So still everything to play for with some of the top teams still to play each other and a couple of teams with matches 'in hand' and winning those will change the standings quite dramatically.
2/2/19
Well winter finally arrived this week and took it's toll on the fixtures.
Having said that two matches did cheat the weather and went ahead.
The trip to West Wilts by the Kingsdown players was through cold, damp and misty weather with the outlook not looking good. However on arrival the skies cleared and although slightly chilly it turned into a glorious winters day. Added to this the course was in fine condition with the greens running true and surprisingly quick.
As it turned out this was the downfall of the visiting team who lost 2 - 1 to a strong home side which rather belys their position in the table.
The second match was played in the south of the County and it pleases me to report that Hamptworth recorded their first win of the season having beaten their visitors, South Wilts, 2.5 - .5. That is a very good win by Hamptworth and no doubt will give them a great deal of pleasure.
17/1/19
Happy New Year to all our readers!
Welcome back to the Winter League although with the temperatures still a little higher than usual it hasn't felt quite like a Winter League.
The first matches of the second half of the season were played this week with four being completed.
Upavon went to South Wilts in an attempt to continue their fine winning season and got a great 3 - 0 victory which put them top of the league for a short while until Ogbourne reported in with a 3 - 0 home win against lowly Hamptworth putting Ogbourne back on top of the table with 15 points with 3 matches to play.
Jostling behind the two front runners are High Post who won 3 - 0 at home against Marlborough and Kingsdown who were 2 - 1 winners at home to The Wiltshire.
19/12/18
With a couple of 'catch up' matches being played recently the league table leading in to the Christmas Break has been finalized.
With just 5 points covering the top 8 teams and a variance in games played the league is nicely poised with no firm favourite, bearing in mind who has played who and which teams still have to face one another.
6/12/18
With a full schedule of matches and with the weather set reasonably good the league table would be set leading in to the Christmas break.
A top of the table clash at Upavon, where Ogbourne were the visitors, saw one of four away wins recorded in this weeks fixtures.
With High Post winning at West Wilts., South Wilts winning at Marlborough and Tidworth winning at Hamptworth the league begins to take shape.
The only home win had The Wiltshire beating Chippenham 3 - 0 to storm back to the top of the league. However The Wiltshire have played six matches, the most of any team, and are yet to have their bye which should close the gap at the top.
With just 5 points separating the top 8 teams the new year will see the competition hotting up albeit that the weather may get a little cooler.
21/11/18
Over the last two days a full program of matches have been played and hopefully all of us managed to dodge the showers and stay relatively warm!
Kingsdown were the only team to gain an away win this week, a 2 - 1 win at Chippenham. The rest of the matches were won by the home teams and in doing so the league began to close up.
Marlborough had the short journey up the road to Ogbourne and had to return home empty handed having lost 3 - 0. West Wilts had a slightly longer trip to South Wilts and although they were defeated 2.5 - .5 managed that important .5 point.
The two top teams who were both undefeated and threatening to run away from the rest were both playing away from home The Wiltshire at High Post and Upavon at Tidworth.
Upavon went over the plain but could only come away with one point whereas The Wiltshire came away from High Post with no points at all!
These two matches prove once again that the margins between winning and losing are mighty thin and these two results have tightened the top of the league once again.
8/11/18
Four matches this week with two each on Tuesday and Wednesday and those of us playing on Wednesday were more concerned with the weather forecast. As it turned out it was wet but not for the whole of the round.
Kingsdown at home to High Post had their first win of the season running out 2 - 1 winners the high;light being Roger Searle eagling the 11th to win the hole after a gimme birdie from Paul Bloomfield.
Marlborough hosted Tidworth and were winners 2.5 - .5 to move them up the league.
The two league leaders Upavon and The Wiltshire were both at home to Hamptworth and South Wilts respectively and both were succesful with 3 - 0 and 2 - 1 victories.
These results have consolidated the top two league positions but with plenty of matches to play it's not all over yet!
2/11/18
Just one match this week with Ogbourne visiting Kingsdown for the first time in this league.
In three very close games the match result was a draw with the teams sharing the 3 points.
Next week sees a full program of matches and at their conclusion the league should be settling down nicely.
25/10/18
With the summer officially being extended well in to October another group of matches have taken place.
The Wiltshire have continued their excellent start to the season with a fine away win at Ogbourne, who were playing their first match. Always a tough place to go a 2 - 1 victory sends them to the top of the table.
High Post were another team playing their first match and hosting Chippenham. A 2 - 1 win for Chippenham is another great win and gets them back on track following their first match.
Hamptworth continued their difficult start to the season with a 3 - 0 defeat at home against Marlborough. Still plenty of time left in the season.
Kingsdown went to South Wilts for what was the second match for both teams. A close match resulted in a 2 - 1 home win to send South Wilts third in the table.
With plenty of matches to come the league is settling down nicely. As is always the case it's always a pleasure to meet the new team members, the junior seniors' who are certainly making an impact on the results!
11/10/18
The league is now off and running with four more matches this week. A couple of scheduled matches have been moved or rescheduled due to the work being carried out on the courses. For this reason Chippenham had the long journey to South Wilts for their first matches. This resulted in a win for South Wilts by 2.5 - .5.
West Wilts hosted Hamptworth and recorded their first win of the season and Hamptworth recorded their first point following a 2 - 1 win for the home team.
The Wiltshire, playing their second match, against Tidworth, also playing their second match, kept up their winning streak although they did drop a point in a 2 - 1 home win.
Chasing The Wiltshire are Upavon who also kept their winning run going with a 2 - 1 away win at Marlborough who were playing their first match.
Just two teams, High Post and Ogbourne, have yet to play a match but there is no doubt that they will have a significant bearing on the league.
02/10/18
Some further results from the Winter league one from last week and one from today.
Last week one of the longest trips of the season had the team from The Wiltshire heading south to Hamptworth and warmer climes. The trip proved worthwhile and the northerners went home with all three points to go to the top of the league.
Today Upavon and West Wilts had their first games of the season at Upavon who also managed a 3 - 0 win and go second in the league but only alphabetically!!
29/9/18
This week has seen the commencement of the Seniors Winter Scratch League which is quite hard to believe seeing that after the match at Tidworth on Thursday the two teams were sat on the terrace in shorts and polo shirts enjoying the sunshine!!
The aforementioned match was between the home club and Kingsdown who have set out on the road in an attempt to retain the league trophy.
The standard of play has not diminished with birdies and eagles all over the place and Kingsdown did well to come away with a halved match.
Ogbourne were due to host Chippenham but due to a late decision for some course work it was agreed by the captains that the match should be rearranged.
So here we go it's going to be a good season.
5/9/18
In three weeks time the first match of the new League season will be played. No doubt all team members are in strict training, alcohol free and early nights ready for the marathon that is the Winter League.
Good luck to all the players I'm sure that it will be a great competition once again.
After the winter seasons fixtures were completed and the league title decided in favour of The Wiltshire the annual end of season presentation day was once again held at Tidworth GC last week.
Only 5 or 6 matches during the whole of the winter were re arranged due to the weather so Tuesday was probably the worst weather any of us had played in for some time.
All 11 teams had representatives playing and although the scores were not particularly high the competition was as usual fierce.
C0ming out on top at the end of the day were Upavon who won the team competition on countback from the home club although Tidworth did win the Pairs competition again on countback from Upavon.
Following the usual fine meal presented by Tidworth the League trophy was presented to Paul Dimond from The Wiltshire by the out going President of Wiltshire Golf, Phil Hodges.
28/3/19
Well that's it the league is finished and we have a winner.
The final match of the season was played yesterday at South Wilts where the visitors, High Post, were in with a chance of the title. If they could white wash the home team then they would jump to the top of the league, or to drop just half a point would make them joint winners.
The final score was a 2 - 1 win for the home team so it can now be finally confirmed that The Wiltshire are the Seniors Winter Scratch League champions for this year.
In what has been a great season of competition only 1.5 points separated the top five teams in the league but with 7 victories in their race for the top Paul Dimond's men just got their noses in front, Congratulations to them.
21/3/19
So now we are down to just two teams that can win the league.
After todays 2.5 - .5 win over Ogbourne, High Post have put themselves in a winning position.
In the final match of the winter league, High Post go to South Wilts next week knowing that a 3 - 0 victory will put them at the top of the table. 2.5 points will see them tie for the title with The Wiltshire who have been sat at the top of the league for a couple of weeks now.
20/3/19
Two of the final four matches of the season have now been played with Marlborough and Chippenham halving their match at Marlborough and West Wilts beating Marlborough at Warminster 2 - 1.
Neither of these matches change the top of the table but no doubt pride played it's part with all teams trying to climb the league as far as they can.
So now there are just two matches left of the season and both could have a bearing on who wins the league.
Should Ogbourne not lose at High Post tomorrow (21/3/19) then their lead at the top cannot be beaten. However should High Post gain 5.5 points in their final two games, they are also away to South Wilts in the leagues final match then they will take the title.
Any one of three teams can win the league!
14/3/19
With Storm Gareth passing through it was no doubt debateable whether matches would have been played this week. With one match postponed until next week two matches have been played in the last few days.
Chippenham were hosts to Tidworth, both trying to improve their league position although neither being able to climb to the top, and it was Chippenham who came out on top with a 2 - 1 victory.
The top of the table clash was beteen The Wiltshire and Upavon at Royal Wootton Bassett. Both with a chance of the league title and no doubt it was a hard fought match. Of all the golf courses in Wiltshire it is arguable if there are two so different in design or topography and where home advantage would be so promnant. So it proved with The Wiltshire winning 2.5 - .5 and ending Upavon run for the title. On the other hand The Wiltshire sit on top of the league waiting for the result of the postponed match between High Post and Ogbourne both of whom an overtake them dependant on the result!
6/3/19
In a 'catch up' match today Ogbourne traveled down to Tidworth in a match that had quite a bearing on the top of the table. With both teams in with a shout of the title dependent on the result it was Tidworth who ran out 2 - 1 winners.
As I have said from the start it is going to be a close run thing at the top and with important matches yet to be played who knows the final outcome!
28/2/19
A full schedule this week and the weather to go with it, although it was difficult to believe that this was the winter league.
The first two matches of the week involved three of the top teams. Kingsdown were playing their final match of the season at Upavon and after coming away with a 2 - 1 loss their season ends in the knowledge that they will not be winning the league this year. Upavon on the other hand have a game to play and are in astrong position at the top of the table.
Ogbourne, another team in with a good chance of winning the league, had a fine win home win against South Wilts moving them to third in the league but with a game in hand on Upavon.
Both The Wiltshire and High Post were in strong positions prior to this week but both suffered away defeats, The Wiltshire at Marlborough and High Post at Tidworth which has dented their asperations for the league title.
The only away win this week were Chippenham who traveled south to Hamptworth and recorded a 2 - 1 win.
Hamptworth have now completed a difficult season and will finish at the foot of the table but I know that this will not curb their enthusiasm for the competition or their desire to compete.
20/2/19
Three matches this week and with the courses drying out and the weather on our side it was a good time to be out in the fresh air.
Yesterday Upavon moved to the top of the table with a 2 - 1 home win over High Post. However their stay at the top was brief with both Kingsdown, at home to Hamptworth and The Wiltshire, at home to West Wilts, both recorded 3 - 0 wins to both overtake Upavon at the top.
Stay tuned over the next couple of weeks. The table is a close run competition and there are some top of the table clashes scheduled in the next few weeks.
13/2/19
So can somebody tell me what's happening to the weather this winter. Four matches this week and I imagine that all have been played in fine, relatively warm, conditions with the courses gradually drying out.
South Wilts were hosting Tidworth in a match that would move the winners towards the top of the league and with the home team gaining 2.5 points they have moved up to 4th position.
Kingsdown were at home to Marlborough hoping for a win to move them towards the top of the league. A win 3 - 0 duly arrived and the associated 3 points so a move up to 2nd place.
A big task for Hamptworth who had to travel to High Post to try to back up their recent victory and so it proved as the home team were victorious with a 3 - 0.
In form Upavon were at Chippenham who, perhaps surprisingly, are languishing near the bottom of the table, albeit having played fewer matches than the top teams. Perhaps the Chippenham surge to the top has now commenced with a fine 2 -1 victory.
So still everything to play for with some of the top teams still to play each other and a couple of teams with matches 'in hand' and winning those will change the standings quite dramatically.
2/2/19
Well winter finally arrived this week and took it's toll on the fixtures.
Having said that two matches did cheat the weather and went ahead.
The trip to West Wilts by the Kingsdown players was through cold, damp and misty weather with the outlook not looking good. However on arrival the skies cleared and although slightly chilly it turned into a glorious winters day. Added to this the course was in fine condition with the greens running true and surprisingly quick.
As it turned out this was the downfall of the visiting team who lost 2 - 1 to a strong home side which rather belys their position in the table.
The second match was played in the south of the County and it pleases me to report that Hamptworth recorded their first win of the season having beaten their visitors, South Wilts, 2.5 - .5. That is a very good win by Hamptworth and no doubt will give them a great deal of pleasure.
17/1/19
Happy New Year to all our readers!
Welcome back to the Winter League although with the temperatures still a little higher than usual it hasn't felt quite like a Winter League.
The first matches of the second half of the season were played this week with four being completed.
Upavon went to South Wilts in an attempt to continue their fine winning season and got a great 3 - 0 victory which put them top of the league for a short while until Ogbourne reported in with a 3 - 0 home win against lowly Hamptworth putting Ogbourne back on top of the table with 15 points with 3 matches to play.
Jostling behind the two front runners are High Post who won 3 - 0 at home against Marlborough and Kingsdown who were 2 - 1 winners at home to The Wiltshire.
19/12/18
With a couple of 'catch up' matches being played recently the league table leading in to the Christmas Break has been finalized.
With just 5 points covering the top 8 teams and a variance in games played the league is nicely poised with no firm favourite, bearing in mind who has played who and which teams still have to face one another.
6/12/18
With a full schedule of matches and with the weather set reasonably good the league table would be set leading in to the Christmas break.
A top of the table clash at Upavon, where Ogbourne were the visitors, saw one of four away wins recorded in this weeks fixtures.
With High Post winning at West Wilts., South Wilts winning at Marlborough and Tidworth winning at Hamptworth the league begins to take shape.
The only home win had The Wiltshire beating Chippenham 3 - 0 to storm back to the top of the league. However The Wiltshire have played six matches, the most of any team, and are yet to have their bye which should close the gap at the top.
With just 5 points separating the top 8 teams the new year will see the competition hotting up albeit that the weather may get a little cooler.
21/11/18
Over the last two days a full program of matches have been played and hopefully all of us managed to dodge the showers and stay relatively warm!
Kingsdown were the only team to gain an away win this week, a 2 - 1 win at Chippenham. The rest of the matches were won by the home teams and in doing so the league began to close up.
Marlborough had the short journey up the road to Ogbourne and had to return home empty handed having lost 3 - 0. West Wilts had a slightly longer trip to South Wilts and although they were defeated 2.5 - .5 managed that important .5 point.
The two top teams who were both undefeated and threatening to run away from the rest were both playing away from home The Wiltshire at High Post and Upavon at Tidworth.
Upavon went over the plain but could only come away with one point whereas The Wiltshire came away from High Post with no points at all!
These two matches prove once again that the margins between winning and losing are mighty thin and these two results have tightened the top of the league once again.
8/11/18
Four matches this week with two each on Tuesday and Wednesday and those of us playing on Wednesday were more concerned with the weather forecast. As it turned out it was wet but not for the whole of the round.
Kingsdown at home to High Post had their first win of the season running out 2 - 1 winners the high;light being Roger Searle eagling the 11th to win the hole after a gimme birdie from Paul Bloomfield.
Marlborough hosted Tidworth and were winners 2.5 - .5 to move them up the league.
The two league leaders Upavon and The Wiltshire were both at home to Hamptworth and South Wilts respectively and both were succesful with 3 - 0 and 2 - 1 victories.
These results have consolidated the top two league positions but with plenty of matches to play it's not all over yet!
2/11/18
Just one match this week with Ogbourne visiting Kingsdown for the first time in this league.
In three very close games the match result was a draw with the teams sharing the 3 points.
Next week sees a full program of matches and at their conclusion the league should be settling down nicely.
25/10/18
With the summer officially being extended well in to October another group of matches have taken place.
The Wiltshire have continued their excellent start to the season with a fine away win at Ogbourne, who were playing their first match. Always a tough place to go a 2 - 1 victory sends them to the top of the table.
High Post were another team playing their first match and hosting Chippenham. A 2 - 1 win for Chippenham is another great win and gets them back on track following their first match.
Hamptworth continued their difficult start to the season with a 3 - 0 defeat at home against Marlborough. Still plenty of time left in the season.
Kingsdown went to South Wilts for what was the second match for both teams. A close match resulted in a 2 - 1 home win to send South Wilts third in the table.
With plenty of matches to come the league is settling down nicely. As is always the case it's always a pleasure to meet the new team members, the junior seniors' who are certainly making an impact on the results!
11/10/18
The league is now off and running with four more matches this week. A couple of scheduled matches have been moved or rescheduled due to the work being carried out on the courses. For this reason Chippenham had the long journey to South Wilts for their first matches. This resulted in a win for South Wilts by 2.5 - .5.
West Wilts hosted Hamptworth and recorded their first win of the season and Hamptworth recorded their first point following a 2 - 1 win for the home team.
The Wiltshire, playing their second match, against Tidworth, also playing their second match, kept up their winning streak although they did drop a point in a 2 - 1 home win.
Chasing The Wiltshire are Upavon who also kept their winning run going with a 2 - 1 away win at Marlborough who were playing their first match.
Just two teams, High Post and Ogbourne, have yet to play a match but there is no doubt that they will have a significant bearing on the league.
02/10/18
Some further results from the Winter league one from last week and one from today.
Last week one of the longest trips of the season had the team from The Wiltshire heading south to Hamptworth and warmer climes. The trip proved worthwhile and the northerners went home with all three points to go to the top of the league.
Today Upavon and West Wilts had their first games of the season at Upavon who also managed a 3 - 0 win and go second in the league but only alphabetically!!
29/9/18
This week has seen the commencement of the Seniors Winter Scratch League which is quite hard to believe seeing that after the match at Tidworth on Thursday the two teams were sat on the terrace in shorts and polo shirts enjoying the sunshine!!
The aforementioned match was between the home club and Kingsdown who have set out on the road in an attempt to retain the league trophy.
The standard of play has not diminished with birdies and eagles all over the place and Kingsdown did well to come away with a halved match.
Ogbourne were due to host Chippenham but due to a late decision for some course work it was agreed by the captains that the match should be rearranged.
So here we go it's going to be a good season.
5/9/18
In three weeks time the first match of the new League season will be played. No doubt all team members are in strict training, alcohol free and early nights ready for the marathon that is the Winter League.
Good luck to all the players I'm sure that it will be a great competition once again.