Well, they say that Golf is a Winter Sport and Sunday 6th July proved just that with wind and rain and a coolish afternoon.

Fortuitously the rain held off until mid to late afternoon for the 36 players (18 pairs) who contested the American Mised Foursomes – where both players tee off and then play one another’s ball and then chose which ball to use from then on. Handicap 3/8ths of combined.

Continuing their support of the event were Sponsors Jill and Tony Morgan and on behalf of all the players thank you.

The 2025 winners were the 2017/2018 Women’s Captain, Rhonda Moore and the 2019/2020 Club President Timothy Tan. Runners up were a combination needing no introduction, Cath Bellemore and Paul Baster.

There is no doubt the weather contributed to the higher scoring than last year where 6 combinations finished under par- this year none.

Firstly, the third placegetters, former captains Marg Doyle and Joe Alexander, who started from the 6th, and will look back at holes 9-14 where they were 9 over, and 12 over on their first nine holes. They rallied on the last nine holes and were only 5 over from their 13.5 handicap and finishing with 75.5.

Then there was the forever well fancied and credentialled combination of Cath Bellemore and Paul Baster (7.875 H’Cap). Starting with a birdie on the 7th, apart from a Double Bogey on the 11th they played consistently to turn for home 4 over the card. They continued their love affair with the 7th/16th with a birdie. A Double Bogey on the 18th halted their momentum and their final 6 holes saw 4 bogeys and 2 pars for an overall total of 82 and nett 74.125 – clubhouse leaders.

With heavy rain setting in and the balance of the field having around 2 holes to play many of them decided to call it “quits” and I do not blame them.

Emerging from the gloomy conditions were Rhonda Moore and Timothy Tan (9.375 H’Cap). Starting from the 8th they were looking anything but winners as they had used 7 of their 9.375 strokes after their first 7 holes. As true champions do, they fought back from the face of adversity and of course heavy rain, to post 8 pars and 3 bogeys over the concluding 11 holes. Outstanding given the conditions. Total 82 and 72.625 nett – Winners. 

So, the top 6 placegetters were-;

Rhonda Moore and Timothy Tan (9.375)                           72.625

Cath Bellemore and Paul Baster (7.875)                            74.125

Marg Doyle and Joe Alexander (13.5)                                75.5

Patricia Noske and Steve Noske (9.75)                                78.25

Sue and Ian MacDonald (15.75)                                          78.25

Helen Walsh and Bevan Lawrence (19.5)                           80.5

Editor’s Comment

Spare a thought for Helen and Bevan as for the third time “THE POPEMOBLILE” failed to go the distance and was deserted on the top of the second fairway- a hole and a half from home. They took a few clubs each and then with water on the 2nd green they did not invoke the Casual Water Rule – score 9!

After a few wines and dinner and receipt of some vouchers, Bevan retrieved their remaining clubs and scurried home returning the next morning to retrieve said buggy.

Bevan – Trade-in time!!

So, after an eventful day Rhonda Moore and Timothy Tan were declared the 2025 American Mixed Foursomes winners – well done.

Thanks to the Course Staff, Pro Shop staff and House Staff for their contribution to a successful day.

Thanks once again to Jill and Tony Morgan who continue their support of all Mixed Events and sponsorship of this competition.

The final Mixed event on this year’s calendar is the Dalkeith Cup (Mixed Combined Stableford) Sponsored by Krystyna Knottnerus and Tony Cowan on Sunday September 28.

From Greg Fitzhardinge

Sponsors Tony and Jill Morgan with winners Rhonda Moore and Tim Tan