CONTACT: Spring 1970

The Seventeenth Annual Meeting and Dinner was held in conjunction with the Cricket Club at Kings Norton Golf Club on 11th February. Fortunately, the morning snow cleared and, although it was a cold evening, 52 people attended making a record number and I feel sure they all had an enjoyable evening.

Mr S A Guy was elected President, Mr H A Turner elected Captain, Mr E Bignell elected Secretary and the Committee elected consisting of Mr N Wilcox, Mr H T K Haslam and Mr C Batstone.

The President's Cup was presented to Mr H A Turner by Mrs Guy who also presented the runners-up prize to Mr H T K Haslam.

I would like to take the opportunity through CONTACT to thank all members who have supported me during my term of office and trust that you will give Eric Bignell (the new Secretary) even greater support.

A Green

CONTACT: Autumn 1970

The Golf Society had had a very enjoyable and successful season, winning all three friendly matches played. Lloyds Bank were beaten at Kings Norton by 3½ to 2½, the National Westminster at Sandwell Park by 3½ to 1½ and the City Police 'A' Division were trounced 6-0, also at Kings Norton.

The team entered for the Guild Trophy at Shirley Park only narrowly failed to regain it, finishing second to the Public Health Department.

Despite mixed performances, the Annual Medal Day at Llandrindod Wells on Sunday, 23rd August, was particularly satisfying in view of the excellent turn out (15 competitors and 4 caddies) and the glorious weather. The winner of the competition was George Harris, one of the guests, with the first class score of Net 67. Runner-up was Les Bellmore with a Net 71, another excellent score on his first attempt at this event. Third with a Net 73 was Tony Green.

Congratulations are due to Alan Reed on reaching the final of the President's Cup. His opponent in the final will be either Margaret Wiggett, Harold Turner or Clem Batstone.

E G Bignell,

Hon Secretary

CONTACT: Autumn 1971

Once again the Golf Society has had a very enjoyable season, if not as successful as last year, winning one, losing one, and drawing the other match played. The opening game was played against the National Westminster Bank at Robin Hood and resulted in a win for the National Westminster Bank by 3½ to 1½. The margin of this defeat was not as considerable as the score suggests as this was probably as keen a match as is ever likely to be played by the Bank, every game went to the last before being decided. Another close match was played at Sandwell against Lloyds Bank, this being drawn 2½ games each and the Police were beaten at Kings Norton by 3½ to 2½.

Unfortunately there has been no Guild Trophy competition this year owing to the lack of an organiser.

This year's medal round on the annual outing at Kington produced much better golf than last year, three of the fifteen competitors returning net scores of better than par for the course. Winner of the competition with a fantastic net 61 was Keith Haslam (perhaps a copy of this report could be forwarded to the Kings Norton handicapping committee). Len Hale was runner up with an excellent net 67 and once again George Harris was among the prizes, coming third with a net 69.

Congratulations are due to Tony Green on reaching the final of the President's Cup.

Finally a welcome to Robert Standing who has joined us and performed creditably in the match against Lloyds Bank and again in the annual medal round.

E G Bignell

Hon Secretary

CONTACT: Christmas 1972

This year's golfing has been very enjoyable despite some inclement weather, particularly for the Guild Trophy competition and Annual Outing.

As usual, match results were mixed. The Lloyds Bank Match was drawn 2½ each, the National Westminster Bank beat us 3-2 and the Police 'A' Division were beaten 4-2.

Despite very heavy rain the Guild Trophy was battled for to the bitter end with the Police eventually emerging triumphant. The Bank's team finished 4th. A most enjoyable day was had by one and all and the efforts of Chris O'Connor, who undertook the responsibility of organising the event for the first time, are much appreciated. Well done Chris! Many first class prizes were provided and its more the pity that our team weren't able to share in them - however there is always next year!

From the golf point of view the annual outing to Kington was disastrous. Torrential rain brought the afternoon's medal round to an abrupt halt, some players having only played about six holes. One Spartan competitor, however, completed the course but had to be disqualified as he had marked his own card. It was hoped to arrange the medal competition at Kings Norton in September but unfortunately the course was fully booked and we could not be accommodated.

Congratulations are due to Keith Haslam for retaining the President's Cup. He beat Clem Batstone at Robin Hood in a closely fought game that was only decided on the 18th hole. Well done both!

E G Bignell

Hon Secretary

CONTACT: Christmas 1973

The Society extends a warm welcome to Alan Woodbridge, Gary Grainger, John Curtis and Graham Sargent who all played in their first matches for the Bank this season. The first three named also played in the President's Cup and performed creditably.

Extra congratulations are necessary this year to Keith Haslam who completed a hat trick of President Cup wins, beating his good friend Tony Green in the final. I understand that this is only the second occasion on which the hat trick has been completed, the previous time being on the inception of the trophy in 1953 when Harold Turner not only performed this feat but actually won the cup for five years running.

Again, results of matches were mixed. We suffered a drubbing from Lloyds Bank at Sandwell by 4 to ½; victory over the Police 'A' Division at Kings Norton by 6-0 helped to restore morale and the final match of the season also resulted in a victory for the Bank, the National Westminster bank being defeated at Robin Hood by 3-2.

Only five teams entered for the Guild Trophy this year and this was won by the Police with a net score of 288. The MEB were second and the Bank third, only three shots adrift. Margaret Wiggett returned the Bank's best score with a net 70. Thanks are due to Stephen Pink for stepping into the breach at the last minute owing to Chris O'Connor's indisposition, and ably looking after the day's proceedings.

The Annual Outing to Kington was not quite the disaster of last year but heavy mist in the afternoon prevented most of the competitors finishing the course. Consolation prizes were awarded to Chris O'Connor and Robert Standing who returned the best two of the four completed cards.

Thanks to Harold Turner arranging the venue, an additional medal round was played at Kings Norton on Sunday the first of July. There are no prizes for guessing the winner - yes, it was that man Haslam again with a wonderful net 65. Well done, Keith. Tony Green was second and George Harris third with net scores of 73 and 74 respectively.

Finally, Best Wishes to Norman Wilcox for a complete recovery from his fall. We are thinking of you, Norman, and trust you will soon be, as ever, up the middle again.

E G BIGNELL

Hon Secretary.