News

SJA Golf: Herts is where the home is in 2007


By Trevor Bond
We have been to Muswell Hill and Maylands, to Surrey Downs and Shirley Park. In 2007, we are taking the SJA Golf Days around the M25 to Hertfordshire.

So the dates for your diary:

Monday June 4: Spring SJA Golf Day at Mid-Herts GC, Wheathamstead, St Albans. Click here to visit the club’s website, with directions.

Monday October 1: Autumn SJA Golf Day at West Herts, Watford. Click here to visit the club’s website, with directions.

The format for the June date will be the usual morning coffee or tea and bacon rolls, 18 holes, followed by lunch, at a cost of £50. The October day is likely to follow a similar pattern. Both days will be played as three-ball Stablefords, depending on final acceptances.

Both courses were built in the late 19th century, so offer typically challenging holes with encroaching trees, thickish rough and out of bounds. Both courses are full of sporting history, too.

The first professional employed by Mid-Herts was Horace Rawlins, who went on to win the inaugural US Open Championship in 1895. Harry Vardon, JH Taylor and Jack White all played matches at Mid-Herts in the early 1900s.

So now it is your turn. All SJA members, their wives or husbands, their partners (business, golf or marital), sons or daughters are welcome.

Under a new trophy arrangement, there will be no official prize-giving at the spring date – but there will be some surprise prizes.

This year’s official SJA Golf Day prize giving, with the Phil Sheldon Trophy for the best score by a SJA member (won in 2006 by John Samuel), and with a trophy for the best guest on the day, will be at the prestigious West Herts.

This is a course originally laid out by Old Tom Morris and which in the 1920s was remodelled by Alistair Mackenzie, then the most eminent golf architect in the world, who designed the Augusta National. These days, the course is more often witness to the presence of Hugh Routledge, that well-known sports photographer and SJA member. Hugh is a West Herts member who supported all our Golf Days in 2005 and 2006. It is his turn now.

Book your place on either, or both, days now by contacting me on 01277 651708 or email: trevjanbond1@aol.com

First posted Jan 23