The PIGS first officail event of the golfing season took place at Willingdon Golf Course. There was a shower late morning but apart from that the weather was excellent for the time of year and the course was in super condition.

The views from the higher parts of the course are terrific and the course was challenging with the yellow tees pushed right back and playing long and I think this was reflected in the scores with only three playes breaking 30 points.

First and second both scored 32 points with Paul Suggitt beating Colin Simmons on countback with Colin Aslett coming in third with 20 points. The longest drive went to Glenn Elphick (our latest new member) and nearest the pin went to Colin Simmons again. Well done to all participants!

Photo is Colin presenting the winner (and organiser) Paul Suggitt.

The PIGS visited Lydd Golf Club for the first golf day of 2024 with 19 players.  Whilst it was cool, the sun came out and the wind was a steady breeze, all leading to a pleasant day of golf.  The course was dry under foot which was a something many had not experienced for a while in the UK.  

The winner of the day was co-organiser Graham Mattocks followed closely by Paul Suggitt.  The two nearest the pin prizes were won by (in 2) Mark Ryder and Peter Lilja.  Longest drive saw many long hits only to fail to end up on the fairway, the winner was Phil Redman.

Photo is of Andy Mitchell co- organiser presenting the AGM Cup the winner.

The Players Player of The Year Award is voted by the players.  

This award is not necessarily for the best player (although it can be). Every member votes for the player that may contribute to the running of the society or may be someone they just enjoy playing with.

For 2023 this award was won by Alan Queree. Well done Alan.

The AGM for the Society took place at The Plough Inn, Crowhurst, on Wednesday 31st January. We had an enjoyable meal beforehand . Thanks to the staff at The Plough.

The Aggregate Trophy for 2023 is awarded to the player with the best 3 combined scores for the year.  A very close result. The winner, Mark Ryder on 103 points. Andy Hulls scored 102 points & David Warwick 101 points.  Congratulations to Mark.

A frosty start at Sweetwoods, but the sun came out. Well, for 9 holes only. The course was in good condition with quick running greens, despite the dampness. 

11 PIGS took part and they all said they enjoyed it. No big scores, but several of us were quite close. 

Mark Ryder came first with 33 points. He also won the Cecil Cup. Mark said he’d been wanting to win the Len Horwood Memorial Cup. 

There were 3 players in second place with 30 points each. Craig H came second on count back. 

Peter L won longest drive and Dennis M won nearest the pin. 

We finished the day with a late lunch/early dinner. Most of us chose beef burger and fries. Good meal, but large portions. It was a good enjoyable day. Everyone was in good form (and I am not meaning golf!!!). 

Neil Thorn - Organiser

A great day was had by all who attended the event at Cooden. It was great to play the course again after many years since our last event there. The weather gods were kind and we thank the club for their hospitality. 

The overall winner was Alan Queree, well done Alan. A speicial mention also to Ian Townsend who came in with a higher score than Alan but was playing as a guest, as he chose not to rejoin as a member, so was not eligible to win the trophy or prize. Ian did however win the nearest the pin prize so did not go home empty handed. The longest drive was won by Phil Redman.

Thanks to Kev Kelly fo organising the event.

Mature landscape, designed by Harry Colt in 1927 ..... sounds tempting?

6,000 yards with fast greens, ranked 12th in Kent .... worth a trip?

£74 package to include sustenance and prizes .... not cheap, but surely we like a challenge?

And so it was that 11 members of the PIGS set forth to take on the highways, byeways and potholes of the Sussex/Kent borders to take on the challenges of the above .... and rising to the challenge was the brave response.

It’s not normal to refer to the lower scores, but there was no disgrace when presenting cards of 27/28/29 ...  6 players offered cards in the high thirties .... with the winner, Andy Hulls, scoring 40 points!

The weather gods approved with a clap of thunder and a torrential downpour as the last 4-ball entered the clubhouse.

Congratulations to Andy and Colin Simmons, who beat Mark Ryder to second place on count back with 37 points. 

Colin S was also the proud recipient of the much cherished Cecil Cup.

Andy H was presented with a Trophy substitute .... in the shape of a Picasso inspired jug.   ......  last year’s winner is still turning his house upside down in search of the original Golfer’s Trophy ...... 

And to great acclaim, Paul S took both bottles for NTP and LD. 

We sang the praises of the chef and waitress staff ... and made our way home. 

Alan Queree - Organiser

A bright and windy afternoon greeted the 14 PIG’s members at East Brighton Golf Club. The views of the channel and surrounding Roedean and Brighton were an added bonus for playing this course with some very challenging holes and pure putting surfaces.

Winner of the PIG’s Open and the Cecil cup was Phil Redmond with a great score of 37 points playing off 24. Phil also won nearest the pin on the 16th hole.

Second with a score of 33 points was Paul Suggitt and 3rd Foros Kalakoutis with 31 points. This was Foros’s last game with PIGs this year and we wish him well in his retirement back in Cyprus.

Finally the prize for longest drive on the 6th hole was taken by Peter Lilja who only used his 3 wood!

Craig Hendleman - Organiser

12 golfers met at Chartham Park, fearing thunder storms and heavy showers, however the weather was very kind to us, if not the course !!

We were competing in the morning with three groups of four in a betterball competition, representing either Europe or America.

Without going into to many details, it was fair to say that it was a complete whitewash by Europe, winning all three games, and therefore leading by 6 points at lunchtime.

We were joined in the afternoon by two further PIG’s members, who preferred to take in the cricket in the morning, followed by an easy and relaxing 18 holes.

The competition in the afternoon was a Stableford competition vying for the prestigious Tiny Ryder Cup. However, as per normal, individuals scores, would also continue to feed into the Europe v America Match.

Dave Warwick who I had the pleasure of playing with, won the afternoon event with 35 points ( he was representing America ).

Second place, was only a point behind on 34, in a keenly fought competition between Jon Beadle and Clive Suggitt, with Jon pipping Clive on countback (both representing America ).

The winner of the Cecil Cup for those with handicaps of 22 or over, was Kevin Kelly on 31 points ( he was representing America).

Prizes for Nearest the Pin and Longest Drive were won by Peter Lilja and Clive Suggitt respectively.

America faired much better during the afternoon’s Stableford competition, which bought us a “first” in the Tiny Ryder Cup format, when the afternoon’s play was taken into consideration, the teams were drawn at 15 points each. The organiser Mark Ryder, decided to work out “countback” for each individual playing in the afternoon, and this was also close, but America pipped Europe by one point after countback.

Thanks to Mark Ryder for organising the day.  Our thanks also to Chartham Park.

Mark Ryder - Organiser

The Claret Jug event took place at Royal Eastbourne Golf club on Thursday, 25th May. 

David Warwick won the prize for nearest the pin & Paul Suggitt for the longest drive. 

A stableford competition over 18 holes was the format for the main event contested by 12 members & 1 guest. 

Our guest David Stitchman, with 37 points, playing off a handicap of 19, was the winner. However the trophies can only be awarded to members. 

Runner up for the Claret Jug was Mark Ryder. Mark scored 33 points, playing off a handicap of23. 

The winner of the Claret Jug was Clive Suggitt. Clive scored 35 points, playing off a handicap of 22.  Clive also won the Cecil Cup award for the best 22 & above handicapped player. 

Thanks to Colin Simmons for organising the day. Also thanks to Royal Eastbourne Golf club.

The PIGS Cup event  took place at Walmer & Kingsdown Golf Club on 20th April.  After an enjoyable full English breakfast the golfers braved the cold, wet & windy conditions. 

Nearest the pin prize went to David Mitchell & for the longest drive to Paul Suggitt.  Paul also won the prize for nearest the pin in 2 but he generously donated this to Nick Stell, who was the next closest.

  The 18 hole stableford competition, for the Cup,  was won by David Warwick.  David scored 32 points playing off a handicap of 23.  He also won the Cecil Cup, awarded to the best 22 and above handicapped player of the day.

Nick Stell was runner up for The PIGS Cup.  He scored 30 points playing off a handicap of 10.

Congratulations to the winners.  Also thanks to Paul Suggitt for organising the event & to Walmer & Kingsdown Golf Club.

The AGM for the Society took place at The Plough on Friday 20th January. We had an enjoyable meal beforehand .  The Players Player of the Year award, voted by the members,  went to Paul Suggitt.  Well done Paul.

The Aggregate Trophy is awarded to the player with the best combined 3 scores during the year. This was won by Nick Stell with 113 points. Runner up was Jon Beadle with a similar total. Nick had one of the best scores from the 3 counting scores & therefore won on countback.