Frilford Heath EARWIGS - 44th year
2020
Tony Ellis having hit & shattered the windscreen of a tractor
asked the driver if he is ok, Going straight back to the maintenance shed
To change the windscreen says Tony, no to change my trousers .... boom boom
John Rowland played a mushroom thinking it was his ball , trouble was we all thought it was his ball
Peter Williams (Abi) I bought this new fairway wood and all i do is use it out of rough
Alan Wilson - I drive well on a Monday & Wednesday..... but i play golf Tuesday & Thursday
Mike List - Halved in too Many
John Rowland Daughters on seeing the site - They look a rowdy bunch and what about the men
2019
Quote from Michael Day (A Southampton Fan)
I went to see Southampton play a few years ago in the Johnson Paints Trophy, they won 2-0 and I was overcome with emulsion!'
EARLY EARWIGS ANECDOTES 1985 to 2010
From information gathered by Peter Casbolt
Founder member George Hemmings was a club steward before retiring and devoting himself to the EARWIGS. It was he who introduced the aspirational word “impeccable” into our title.
When Peter Casbolt was required to attend the annual dinner he was informed that “dress was formal”. When turning up in black tie and tails he found he was the only one so attired.
Ken Harrap did not tell of his OBE honour – which was only revealed in his obituary in The Times. He was in his time the youngest Major in The Army. The OBE came later in life for his work in the Colonial Office. Ken would drive the seventeenth hole on the Red course with a number one iron!
George Cannon once played the Green course in EIGHT shots under his age. George played well into his nineties until ill-health restricted him to social events. George has won more trophies and cups in the EARWIGS than any other member. He is a honorary life member of the club.
Sir Roger Bannister (the worlds’ first under four minute miler) has been a member of EARWIGS for many years before ceasing to play in 2009. He continued to attend social events.
Barry Walsh was famous for never giving in. He persisted in taking any early finishes to a “bye” then a “bye-bye” and even a tossed coin to try to avoid paying out. He finally died on active service with the EARWIGS on the third hole on the Green course. Colleagues Martin Pierce and Mike Ellis continued in their attempts at resuscitation until an ambulance arrived. Barry is still remembered with affection over passing years.
Major Ron Sebold died as our oldest playing member (at 91) in September 2010. A born American, he became the archetypal English Gentleman with impeccable dress and manners. He had a fine war record as a bomb aimer on B17’s with 27 completed missions during which he lost several crew colleagues. His last game was within a couple of weeks of his death. He was awarded the American Purple Heart.
A pictorial record of EARWIGS is incorporated in a album held by George Cannon, having been produced on the occasion of his Ninetieth Birthday.
A double hole-in-one was recorded on the tenth hole of the Green course. After holing his tee shot, Brian Witherington turned to his playing partner to ask if he conceded the hole. Partner (Steady) Eddie Scanlon replied “Not until I’ve had my shot”. Eddie then holed his tee shot. At the time Joan (wife of Bob) Culm contacted the local press and the EARWIGS became local news for some time.
A somewhat unusual hole-in-one was achieved by Mike Ellis when his tee shot on the third hole Blue course vanished into the thick morning fog. Mike and partners had walked on after failing to locate his ball. It was the following group who found Mike’s ball in the hole when they came to hole out.
Member Andy Rodigan was a member of Colonel Stirling’s long range desert group who later became the S.A.S. On the course Andy’s motto was “they shall not pass” and would not wave through other players. His other renowned comment was “It’s not the bloody Open you know” when others where overly strict on the rules.
EARWIGS members over the years have included two Knights of the realm, A Rear Admiral, a General, Wing Commanders, Professors, University Dons & Lecturers, Doctors, Dentists, Canons & Priests, Accountants and Financiers, Quantity Surveyors, Company Directors, Farmers, Scientists, Engineers, Business Consultants, Bankers, Pilots and many others. All these unite as elderly and retired golfers. All are members of Frilford Heath Golf Club.
Pipe smoker Barry Walsh had the misfortune of having his lighted pipe burn a hole in his jacket pocket - at least twice.
Ron Sebold regularly mislaid his pipe, typically after laying it down to play his shot. Members would notice the scent of sweet custard from his chosen tobacco.
After Ken Sage introduced a captain’s prize in the form of a mounted antique putter in 1999, and won that year by Peter Casbolt, the prize has seemingly been mislaid.
Much respected Chris Judd became a new kind of country member. The country in his case being Portugal, where he now resides. Chris has been made a honorary life member of the EARWIGS and occasionally returns to play with us.
When approaching the pond to the right of the fourth hole, Green course, member Ron Coleman followed his runaway trolley into the pond and required rescuing by his partners.
When Ron Sebold parked his buggy forward of the tee, a pulled drive by Barry Walsh shattered Ron’s thermos flask. Playing partners did their best not to laugh. Gentleman Ron was heard to issue an expletive.
Gentlemen of the cloth (no names) have on occasion been heard to curse their luck or bad play, but never in front of the ladies.
Ditties and rhymes flow freely from the effervescent Tommy Thompson for the amusement and entertainment of all present. His repertoire seems endless.
Most active official must be Handicap & Competitions Secretary Peter Bolton – he counts us all out – he counts us all in. Just don’t stand behind him when he plays. He doesn’t like it at all!
There are currently father-and-son members in Ken and Michael Sage. Ken in now the oldest playing member but still winning (with the Captains Day Trophy in 2010.) Young Michael is rapidly improving his golf with the regular competition since retiring and joining the EARWIGS, and instantly became our Eclectic Champion for 2010.
Ted Bellamy stepped into the reeds bordering the pond on the 10th hole Red course to retrieve his ball, convinced he could reach it. Off balance, he took another step and became firmly stuck in the mud. Only the combined efforts of his partners pulled him free. The stench of the mud was awful. Ted had to retreat to the changing rooms to clean up before going home.
Pensioner Professor Peter Scuddeboom CBE demonstrated his power when he reached the second hole on the Red course (530 yards) with a drive and a seven iron.
Doctor John Kendall departed us at Oxford Crematorium to the strains of jazzman George Melee. There’s style for you!
