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2017 was a mixed year for the club. Attendances were down on some of outings and the social match programme suffered also from lack of numbers. However most of the venues were enjoyed as we played a mixture of Hampshire courses some new whilst others have not been played recently. This year the club was led by the likeable and pleasant captain Trevor Coupland. Our early season venue began in March with members visiting the par 3 course at Ampfield. This was the second year this outing had been organised by Cliff Garvey and billed as a fun event. Chris Dunn won the event with 34pts from Trevor Coupland with Kevin Jones and Brian Drayton equal 3rd. At the beginning of April was the Captain's Scramble held again at Leckford. This is always a well-attended event with 31 taking part this year both members and non-members. The winning quartet this year with a superb 12 under par scoring a fantastic 54.6 after handicap was Don Hobbs, Chris Dunn, Trevor Coupland and Geoff Dear. Second with a score of 10 under par scoring 57.3 was the 2016 champions Darren Bailey, Andy Evans, Mark Hunt and Duncan Munro. The early season outing was held at the Crookhorn Golf Course overlooking Portsmouth. This is a testing hilltop course that stands on Portsdown Hill, boasting fantastic views over Portsmouth, Southsea and Langstone Harbour. The outlook from the course is spectacular - on a clear day the Isle of Wight can be seen in the distance. This 18-hole, par 69 course features some sharp dog-legs and beautiful tree-lined fairways. The course runs to 6,139 yards off the White tees. Water comes into play on 3 holes, punishing any wayward shots. Being situated on a hilltop means the wind also comes into play, making this course both challenging and rewarding for all golfers. After a nine hole competition in the morning, the afternoon saw members participate in the traditional competitions. Before the afternoon competitions got underway Captain Coupland drove in as is the custom and his time the ball was collected by Malcolm Fletcher, the 2nd time in 2 years. The Chessington Cup was won by Kris Drudge with 36pts, with Trevor Coupland second and Dave Case third. The London Road Shield was won by Chris Dunn with a Gross 81 with Andy Evans and Kris Drudge on Gross 82s. The next event on the calendar at the end of May was the club championship held at Leckford Golf Club. A New venue for this competition. Again this was held over 18 holes. Of the 15 players starting, 12 of which were 14 handicap or under, this was best field in living memory which has contested this great trophy. After the competition was over the calculators were out to sort out the winner. Three players finished with gross 80s with Chris Dunn edging the club Championship on a best back 6 from Darren Bailey second and Malcolm Fletcher third. The net competition playing for the T M Baker Trophy was equally close. Four Player finished on Net 72 with Chris Dunn again edging it on a best back 6 from Don Davies who edged Malcolm Fletcher into third with Don Hobbs 4th. A truly remarkable day in the history of OS Golf Club. At the beginning of June the Survey visited Queens Park in Bournemouth. This was the first of the 18 hole outings for 2017 playing for the Topo Trophy. Queen's Park Golf Course is set in undulating mature parkland with picturesque tree lined fairways. A Par 71, (6132 yards), public, parkland golf course established in 1905. In a field of 14 Andy Evans with a superb 39pts won the Topo Trophy with Geoff Dear 2nd and Trevor Coupland 3rd. In July the OS travelled to Test Valley Golf Club where the Roger Martin Memorial Trophy was the trophy on offer. Located in idyllic Hampshire countryside the course was designed in 1991 by Don Wright and European Tour Veteran Eamon Darcy. The Par 71 course measures 6053 yards from the tees of the day. Cliff Garvey scored 37pts to win with Andy Evans 2nd and Mike Purvis 3rd. The August outing and the highlight of the year as far as the captain was concerned as it was Captains Day held this year at Corhampton Golf Club. Last visited in 2010 when Don Hobbs was Captain. Corhampton Golf Club, par 71 (6378 yard), private, down land golf course . Founded in 1891 and situated 10 miles south of Winchester in southern Hampshire, Corhampton Golf Club is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, enjoying stunning views across hills, valleys and woodlands. On offer on this outing was the Captains Trophy played for over 36 holes and the Stableford Decanter played for over 18 holes during the afternoon round. With rounds of 39pts and 30pts, Cliff Garvey brought home the Captains prize with Bob Bailey second and Kris Drudge third. Geoff Dear triumphed in the decanter with 35pts in the afternoon round with Kris Drudge second. The last event of the year was the Autumn Flag and for those over 55 the Veterans Cup. This year we had a new venue for this competition which was Chilworth Golf Course. Chilworth Golf Club, 18 hole, par 69 (5915 yard), private, parkland golf course established in 1994. It is situated on the outskirts of Southampton amongst rolling farmland and forestry. This year the winner Mike Purvis finished in the 18th Hole, with Cliff Garvey and Geoff Dear finishing equal second 9yds from the 18th Hole. Mike Purvis also won the Veteran’s Cup with a net 69 with Cliff Garvey 2nd and Geoff Dear, Don Hobbs 3rd. It was the 1st time Mike has completed this double. The Match Play events ran throughout the year as usual. Chris Dunn won his first Bentley Cup by beating Don Hobbs on the 16th hole at the Romsey Golf Club. In the Bob Sevage trophy Don Hobbs and Chris Dunn retained the trophy, beating Kris Drudge and Darren Bailey 1 up at Paultons Park Golf Course and in the Match Play Cup Chris Dunn beat Don Hobbs 3 and 2 at Chilworth Golf Club. In 2017 there was a programme of social matches. The season opener against Qintiq in June saw OS beat the visitors 4-0. The return match at the Army Course in Aldershot in September, went the way of Qinetiq as OS was defeated 3½ - ½. I'm afraid the matches against Southampton Golf Club for the Survey Cup was cancelled and the Bowdrey Cup against Southampton Golf Club and the MOGS was a non-event .The Captain and vice-Captain match was won by the Captain team 2½ - ½. In other social matches this year Kris Drudge won the 11th Past Captains Cup at Leckford. Other winners to mention is 2017. Chris Dunn retained the order of Merit with a total of 876pts, 2nd was Kris Drudge with 608pts with Darren Bailey 3rd with 575pts and Malcolm Fletcher 4th with 550pts. Andy Evans retained the Chairman’s Cleek with 212pts for the best 3 scores from the 4 outings. Chris Dunn retained the 72 hole competition and Don Davies won the Eclectic. Chris Dunn won the Christmas Competition and the Easter Competition. In 2017 records tumbled as usual. Geoff won the Decanter for the record 3rd time. In The bob Sevage trophy Hobbs and Dunn won the cup for a record 11th time and also won it four times in a row which is also a record. Chris Dunn also won the 72 hole Stroke Play Cup for a record 7th time, retained the Order of Merit for a record 12th time and the Match Play Cup for a record 7th time. Looking forward to 2018 our new vice-Captain is Malcolm Fletcher. This year we are without a Captain so all outings will need to organised by the committee. This is the first time this has happened in living memory. On a sad note this year saw the passing of an old stalwart of the Ordnance Survey club in David Drew, brother of John. David was never a OS Captain but some of his achievements included the Bentley Cup in 1962, the Veterans Cup in 1989 and the Roger Martin in 1994. Always a gentleman.
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