On Monday 24th April 20 intrepid members of our association gathered at The Spice Island pub in Old Portsmouth for dinner and for Alastair Harvey to carry out the draw for playing partners for the following day’s golf. We then set forth on Brittany Ferries late overnight bound for Ouistreham.

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Despite the weather forecast we experienced a very smooth crossing and all awoke refreshed and raring to go after a good night’s sleep. We arrived early at St. Gatien Golf Club in dry conditions to enjoy a sumptuous breakfast before the first round of The Holiday Chalice competition.

 

A single stableford competition off full h’cap. Conditions were perfect & sun cream was the order of the day. The pace of play for some was very slow due to the length of the course exacerbated by slow fairways, lush rough and tricky greens resulting from very heavy rain over previous days. Most scores were disappointing with only Clive Collier (35), Ross Antoncyk (32) and Chris Wagstaffe (30) showing any kind of golfing ability. However, there were a few 29s which challenged the “countbacker”!

 

There was a nearest the pin competition on the short but tricky 11th hole, won by Chris Wagstaff with the first teeshot  of the round. My only highlight was chasing my runaway trolley down the side of a valley to prevent it going in a lake and falling head over heels spreadeagled on the white tee of the 14th hole. The CPR I received from my playing partners was much appreciated although I did feel extremely embarrassed.

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After a snack lunch and a few expensive drinks we travelled to Trouville to our well situated hotel. In the evening we walked to a local restaurant where we had a private room for our three course dinner enjoyed by all with copious amounts of wine and rounded off with coffee & a complimentary Calvados. We were well looked after by our young waiter Sebastien hosting his first group dinner. He thoroughly deserved his big tip.

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The following day we travelled to St. Julien Golf Club for the second round of The Holiday Chalice. Yet again the weather was very kind to us and pace of play on a busy course was marginally quicker. On this fine course some scores were marginally better than the previous day with Clive Collier prevailing with 37 pts and clinching the trophy.

 

Roger Downes (31), Ross Antoncyk (31) and Chris Wagstaff (30) were the only other decent scores. Nearest the pin competition on the extremely tough 15th hole was won by Mark Anderson. A remarkable feat as many of us could not even reach the green as unbeknown to me they had moved the tee back 50 yards! There were 2’s recorded by John Phillip, Roger Downes and Clive Collier. All received the usual sleeve of balls.

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In the early evening the Prize giving took place in the hotel bar.

The Holiday Chalice:- Clive Collier 72 points. (Clive picked up £50 in sweep money as well, Mike Slatter and Derek Newton also won £25 each for backing him).

Day 1 St. Gatien:- 1st Ross Antoncyck  32 pts, 2nd Chris Wagstaff 30 pts, 3rd Mark Anderson 29pts OCB.

Day 2 St.Julien:- 1st Roger Downes 31 pts, 2nd Alastair Harvey 27 pts OCB, 3rd Sam Collins 27 pts OCB.

The Trevor Hole Trophy for “hardest trier”:– Joe Betty with 29pts.

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There followed a toast to the memory of Norman Hodgkiss as the founder of this event in its twentieth year and to our past secretary and current defending champion Tony Davis who sponsored the Calvados but was unable to travel this year on doctor’s orders.

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After a group photo, all suitably attired in blazers & ties, we walked to another local restaurant in Deauville where we enjoyed another superb meal and copious amounts of wine and were extremely well served by our hostess Chantelle. Some of us did not rush off to watch football and were rewarded by an extremely generous round of quality Calvados courtesy of our President Mr M.Slatter.

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On our last day we had a very early start at Golf de Deauville. Yet again we were very lucky with the weather. Although rain threatened it only arrived after we completed the “fun” 4 ball Bowmaker with 2 best scores to count, which teed off once all the stragglers had arrived.

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Selecting these four ball teams was difficult in balancing current form and those occupying buggies to ensure some kind of level playing field. On this challenging course some leading contenders fell away, possibly through fatigue or sunstroke or alcoholic poisoning!

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However, the winning team with 75 points were Roger Downes, Brian Snook, Alan Taylor and John Phillip. Each received a bottle of fizz.

The runners up were Chris Wagstaffe, Ian Hughes, Phil Payne and Richard Salter with 71 points, each receiving a fine bottle of red wine.

The nearest the pin competition on the 8th hole was won by Alan Taylor. The only 2 of the day was achieved by Ian Hughes. Balls were awarded as usual for these feats.

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Soon after prize giving on the clubhouse terrace we departed for Ouistreham to catch our afternoon return ferry as the heavens opened. We were very lucky to have stayed dry (outside) all week.

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In Spring of 2024 we look forward to doing it all again and possibly having more “virgin” tourists. The one that joined us this time certainly had a good time, or so he told me!

 

SAM COLLINS (Social Organiser trips to France)