John O'Gaunt Golf Club

Competition Round-Up

The Committee Cup Final saw Karl Kendall and James Woodley edge out Steve Wakefield and Andrew Jones in a competitive match. Both pairs had won four rounds to reach the final, but some excellent putting from Karl and James proved decisive as they claimed the trophy.

The Seniors Open took place on Monday and attracted golfers from clubs as far afield as Princes and Radcliffe-on-Trent. John Shapland (Swaffham Golf Club) secured the title with an impressive gross score of 79 in the rain.

The County Championships were also held at South Beds over the weekend, with strong performances from club members. Amanda Ellis finished in a highly creditable second place in the Ladies’ Championship, while JOG captured the Men’s Team title. The winning team of Scott Armitage, Andy Grimwood and Adam Northfield finished two shots clear of Dunstable.

Finally, former member John Kemp continued his remarkable golfing career by winning the English Senior Men’s Strokeplay Championship for the third consecutive year. It is arguably easier to list the championships John has not won, but below is a brief summary of his outstanding national golfing CV:

English Senior Men’s Open Championship – Winner (2024, 2025, 2026)
The Senior Open Championship – Leading Amateur (2022, 2023)
English Mid-Amateur Championship – Winner (2013)
British Mid-Amateur Championship – Winner (1999, 2002, 2003)
The Open Championship – Qualifier (2002, 2003)
Sunningdale Foursomes – Winner with M. Wharton (2002)

Congratulations to John on yet another outstanding achievement, and well done to all our members who represented the club so successfully.

Around 120 golfers competed in the Club Seniors Championships played on the JOG course on Friday, with a range of prizes on offer across several age categories.

The overall best nett score of the day was recorded by Graham Gadsden, who carded an excellent nett 66. The age-group nett winners were:

55–60: Ken Jackson – nett 70
61–65: Paul Conibear – nett 70
66–70: Graham Gadsden – nett 66
71 and over: David Price – nett 69

The Senior Club Championship, however, is decided on gross score. Andy Stubbs produced a superb round of gross 75 to claim the Club Seniors Championship title, finishing three shots clear of the field.

Congratulations to Andy on a fine victory and to all the prize winners for their excellent performances.

Junior Section

Today saw the JOG Junior Team start their Tavistock Trophy campaign today at South Beds GC, against the hosts, Millbrook & Bedfordshire.

The best 2 gross and best 2 nett scores for each team making the team total.

Our four scores were an 79 & 82 gross from William Gilbert & Olly Newman a nett 70 & 71 from Chloe Church & Georgia Gordon giving us a team total of 302

The hosts used their home advantage to secure the home win against the 3 visiting teams with a total score of 284

Next week the hosts are Millbrook, a tough place to go but a chance to secure an away win, as we certainly have the players and talent to do so!

Junior Section

The May half term holiday saw a ‘3 in 1’ competition take place on Wednesday 27th.

The Half Term Stableford was won by Freya Pallett with 39 points on outback

The U14 Cup was won by Harry Pope with 39 points

The Rookies Cup, which was a 9 hole Stableford for the Division 3 players was won by Henry Phillips with 19 points.

Thanks for your support of the Junior Section

Various upgrades have been taking place here at JOG over the past few years. The Warm-Up Area and new short game area have been highlighted before, but a new raft of improvements is now underway.

Firstly, the new Carthagena putting green is beginning to take shape (below). Designed to contrast the sloped putting green by the clubhouse, it will give golfers the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the differing Carthagena greens before heading out onto the course.

Secondly, fairway irrigation has been installed on the 4th fairway of Carthagena as a trial. It is already looking much improved, and we’ll get the drone out in a few months’ time to showcase the difference.

Thirdly, thanks to the hard work of Richard Hyett and the photographic skills of Sunningdale’s official photographer, Kevin Diss, the Visitors’ changing rooms have been refurbished, with the magnificent image (below) of the 9th hole on Carthagena serving as the centrepiece.

Great work from everyone involved.

The Carthagena Bowl took place on Sunday, 17th May, attracting another impressive field of around 180 golfers. Held across Carthagena, it once again prompted the annual question from members: “Which course is it on?”

This year, young duo Harry Roberts and Euan Bruce took the honours with an excellent 45 points, finishing ahead of Judith Abraham and Clive Bassindale on 43 points.

Harry also delivered a fine winner’s speech, particularly impressive given he had spent the previous four hours in the bar awaiting confirmation of victory.

Pictured below are the winners and runners-up alongside a slightly puzzled-looking Club Captain, Paul Fletcher — perhaps quietly reflecting on the recent fortunes of his beloved Chelsea F.C.😉

The Coronation Vase took place on Sunday 10th May, with around 180 golfers taking to JOG.

Biggleswade Bandit mainstays Nathan Buckland and Paul Greaves set an early clubhouse target with an impressive 44 points around JOG, only to be overtaken by Will and Joe Worboys, who posted a superb 46 points.

Late in the day, Ben Hull — who carded an excellent 67 gross — teamed up with Alex Buckley to secure second place.

Well done to everyone involved — some excellent golf was on show throughout the day.

Joe & Will pictured below with Club Captain, Paul Fletcher.

A busy ten days at JOG featured the Spring Medal, Vice Captain’s Cup and Grouse Trophy, with a few medals thrown in for good measure.

On a sunny Sunday, 26th April, Nicholas Dobson (nett 136) triumphed over Stuart Hutchison (nett 139), marking a welcome return to form.

Nicholas is pictured below with Club Captain Paul Fletcher along with some bonus on-course snaps. Two standout gross scores over the 36 also caught the eye, with Andy Grimwood posting 139 gross and Adam Northfield 141 gross.

Despite a smaller field, Peter Harvey produced an excellent 40 points on CAR to win the Vice Captain’s Cup on Sunday, 3rd May. Peter is pictured below with Vice Captain Paul Hitchcock.

The Grouse Trophy followed on Monday, 4th May, where the Pride of Biggleswade, Glen Albone & Carl Schofield, shocked no-one with a nett 70, just edging Paul Hitchcock & Andy Brown on 71. A strong showing on JOG in foursomes medal.

Not often does the May Medal steal the headlines, but a stunning gross 65 by Adam Northfield on JOG on Saturday, 2nd May did just that. Despite a bogey on the first, Adam responded in style with seven birdies, collecting enough prize money that a return to the pro ranks may now be under consideration.

As the greens quicken up thanks to the hard work of the Greenstaff, things look set for a good golfing season here at JOG.

Junior Section.

Today was The Matt Gentle Foursomes Trophy.

A very important competition for not only the Junior Section but also the Club where we remember Matt who died at a young age.

11 pairs consisting of 1 adult and 1 Junior played foursomes on CAR.

Some great scores, with the top two pairs scoring over 40 points.

Runners Up with 43 points were Freya & Dan Pallett

The winners with 44 points were Harry & Steve Pope.

Matt’s Dad, Kevin was on hand to say a few words and join in with the presentation with Club Captain Paul Fletcher.

Thanks to all who played today

Junior Section

April saw 3 junior competitions take place, 2 over the Easter break.

On the 8th April we held the Bogey Putter, which dates back to 1991, Tim Henderson kindly donated the prizes for this one.

A tough day on JOG for the players, played in some glorious spring sunshine. It was Luke Lehri who took top spot with a score of +1

Sunday the 12th April was the JR Trophy, a 4BBB competition played on CAR. Some fantastic scores with 7 pairs scoring 40 points or more!!

The winners with a massive 46 points were William Gilbert & Luke Cooper.

25th April was the date for the Toni Greensomes. Played again on CAR, 10 pairs played in this one with defending holders Albert Watts & Harry Burgess looking to win for the 3rd year on the trot!
Again some brilliant scores, but topping the leaderboard with 42 points was Dan Durkin and Freya Pallett.

Thanks as always for the support of the Junior Section