exCAP open 2012

exCAP Open Golf Report and Results 2012

On a day when the weather was forecast to be pretty horrendous, and which indeed started so accordingly, in the end a pretty good day was had by all. Thanks to all the recent rain, Sudbury Golf course was possibly in the best condition we have ever seen it over the 35 odd years that we have been going there, and as per usual the club staff and members afforded us their very cordial welcome.

As initially there seemed every chance that we wouldn't be able to get in a full day's golf it was decided that we would skip the customary 9 hole Texas Scamble and go straight into the Open Championship - with a plan (weather permitting) which entailled splitting the Championship into effectively two halves by taking a short 'ploughman's lunch break' after the front nine. Then, again depending on what the weather was doing, playing the Texas Scramble after the back nine of the Championship. Although this seemed to be a tad convoluted, in the end it all worked out well and resulted eventually in our being able to get in the full 27 holes for for the day.And for the seventeen of us who turned up and braved the weather, what an enjoyable day it turned out to be.

While the eventual overall scoring suggested that possibly the standard may not have been of the most scintillating, there were some notable performances, particularly by the defending Champion (Jon Stone) who eventually had to concede his title to a very creditable 35 points by another past Champion, Sue Jackman - who in fact previously won the title way back as Sue Wright. With yet another past winner (indeed CAP Golf's only ever three-times Champion) Andy Buchan coming third - after a count back with Rex Wearn - on 30 points.

While Jon may have had to give way to Sue for the Big One, he was compensated for, to some extent, by being our inaugural winner of Big John's Jug, which was introduced this year to commemorate the sad death of probably CAP Golf's most ardent follower and supporter over its many years, John Ritchie. This trophy, which was awarded for the most stableford points scored on the Par 4 holes, will be played for in future years alongside the CAPPIE. A special 'thank you' incidentally at this point to Dave Webb, for his extra donation to help with the cost of buying the prizes in general, and John's Jug (a replica of the Claret Jug) in particular. Many thanks David.

It was also fitting on the day to remember yet another major influence in the history of CAP Golf - indeed the person who above everyone else symbolises the spirit and comradeship that the event is played for annually, Barney Gibbens, who also sadly passed away recently after a lengthy period of illness. It was Barney indeed, who donated the CAPPIE that has been played for annually, since 1978. A legacy, hopefully, that will continue to be played for, for a good few more years yet.

Both John and Barney are sadly missed but fondly remembered. It was hoped that possibly the inclusion of another trophy might help to ensure that more people actually ended up by winning something but if this year is anything to go by - where the major spoils of victory were shared primarily between Sue and Jon - that wish was somewhat misplaced!

However, while the actual titles may have been confined to a select few, with the weather as it was - and given that we managed to get any golf in at all - I think we were all winners on the day.Thanks to everyone who turned up, especially our guests and Peter Guy - himself a previous Champion - who came all the way from Sydney to play - hopefully, everyone got home safely afterwards.

Here are the results of the 2012 exCAP Open. played on Thursday June 21st at the Sudbury Golf Club, Wembley