The 36 holes of the Autumn Foursomes final was not enough to separate the Michaels (Cox & Hamer) from young guns David Connors & Stevie Shears. All square on a hot and humid July day, they had to ignore the sanctuary of the Clubhouse as the match went to a sudden death play-off down the first.

A solid par (net birdie) gave the Michaels victory at the first extra hole, as David & Stevie found the 14 shots per round they were conceding just too big an ask on the day. However, congratulations are in order for both pairs for reaching the final of a competition that attracted 46 quality pairs, and took 8 months to complete.

Our Scratch Team, who are the current Division One Champions, climbed to 2nd in this year's Evening Post Reading & District Inter-club League after beating Henley Golf Club by 5 points to 2 at Reading Golf Club.

Henley drew first blood as Liam Bridges & Richard Lee lost on the last to Henry Bareham & Alan Gafney, but skipper Nick Jacobs & Luke Williams levelled the match as this undefeated pairing maintained their superb record with a 6-up victory over Marcus Lovelock & David Williams. David Bolton & debutant Jonathan Lupton sealed the win with a 3-up victory over David Griffin & Colin Grimett.

Fred Dunsdon scored a highly impressive 43 points to win the Captain's Prize Day trophy. His winning margin was 3 shots, despite a 'blob' on the 13th, as he left a field of 166 trailing in his wake.

70 years young Fred, rolled back the years, with a performance that exemplified his favourite quote, "form is temporary, but class is forever!". A member since 1984, Fred has previously won the Goring Cup (singles match play championship), 2 Medals, and several competitions with partners. He has also been the runner-up three times in the Veteran's Salver, but this victory will rank amongst his finest.

Even in the euphoria of victory, Fred was gracious enough to pay tribute to Club Captain Ivan Cork for his organization and generosity on this special golf day at our club. It was also a day to remember for young Dan Walker, who recorded a hole-in-one on the 206 yard par 3 16th, with a superb 5 iron.

If you introduce a new playing member to Goring and Streatley Golf Club we will credit your swipe card with £50. Introduce two and we will credit you £100!

Sue Colebrook shot a superb net 67 to take the June Ladies Medal generously sponsored by Men's Captain Ivan Cork. Sue will use the prize money to buy a rescue club, although she doesn't seem to need one at the moment!

A recently retired teacher from the Abbey School in Reading, Sue has only been playing golf for 2.5 years, and this is her first competition win. She started in 2008 after her husband Roger had surprised her with 8 golf lessons as a Christmas present. The gift did not please her at the time, but she really values it now. As well as her burgeoning golf prowess, she has also made many new friends, and describes the club in general as very welcoming, and the Ladies Section in particular as "delightful".

New member Andy Sherman shot an incredible 79 net 63 to take the Coronation Cup by 5 clear strokes.

Andy has not played golf regularly since he was a junior, but intends to make the most of his membership at Goring & Streatley. He said that the course is fantastic, and he has found the members and staff really friendly and helpful. Andy will need to be at the top of his game in future competitions, with a handicap reduced from 16 to 13.6.

Young gun Harry Issit shot down Club Champion Luke Williams, to take May's Mid-month Stableford. Luke playing early, texted Harry the challenge of beating his 40pts, and Harry duly obliged, albeit on countback. Harry's reward was to see his handicap cut to 2; another step towards his ambition of becoming a scratch golfer.

Jon Clark almost turned his car around when he arrived at the course in the rain, but is glad that he didn't as he went on to win The Streatley Bowl by 2 shots.

Jon, who had a 10 year break from golf for family reasons, and only joined the Club last year, is thrilled with this early success. His round was fairly eventful, with a 9 on the par 3 12th, double bogeys on two of the other par 3's, and a 90yd wedge for a birdie on the par 4 14th after chipping sideways out of the trees.

Pat Marlow is stocking up on the silver polish after taking 2 cups in 2 weeks.

First on the agenda was the Vi Crow Cup which she secured with 39 Stableford points, before moving on to take the Keightley Cup par competition which she won with 2 under. Pat, who was the Ladies' Captain in 2004, picked up the Vi Crow Cup for the second time, but 22 years after she last won it in 1988!

A doyen of the Ladies' section, Pat is a regular in the Ladies' team, and consistently features on the Ladies' competition leaderboards.

April's Victory Cup was contested by more than 150 members, but none could match the 42 points of 12-handicapper Stuart Garvie . Moving from London to Tidmarsh in 2007,Stuart joined the club in July 2008 and this was his first competition win. With two very young children, Stuart is an early riser, and posted his score before many in the field had even started.

Chasing Stuart home was Ray Casey (10 hc) with 41 points. Next were four players on 40 points, with Colin Rolfe (13 hc) taking 3rd on countback from David Lane 4th, Will Johnston 5th, and Howard Coules 6th.

April was a great month for Tom Hatt, with the 25 year old taking the honours in both the Monthly Stableford and the Monthly Medal. Tom is a newcomer to golf and only joined the Club in April 2009. Originally from Newport in Wales he graduated from Reading University, and now lives in Purley on Thames.

His first victory came in the Saturday Stableford, where he scored an impressive 42 points playing off a handicap of 18. He beat Tom Cherrill (41 pts off 17) into 2nd place, with Darren Bean (40 pts off 16) in 3rd, and former club champion Matt Cresswell (40 pts off 5) in 4th.

Tom's handicap was reduced to 16 for the April Monthly Medal, but he was undeterred as he shot 82 nett 66 to take first place on countback from Paul Whiting (71 nett 66), with Carl Walker in 3rd (81 nett 67).

Tom will now play off 14, having improved by 6 shots during his debut year.

News flash!!

2010 Subscription rates held

at 2009 prices

On Thursday 17th September the Red Arrows flew over the course and surrounding villages - the flying display was part of a charity shooting event organised at The Royal Berkshire Shooting School near Pangbourne in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

It was amazing to watch a super display of flying and from the top of the course see their diamond formation being created over the Chiltern Hills. We happened to have a camera operating at this time (part of a course filming project) and captured some footage as they climbed from a low level from the 14th green.