Written for MG by Friday Club committee member Ian Greatrex
The Friday Club Golf Society 2023 season began on the 25th of March and ended on the 30th of September.
It consisted of 29 rounds, 17 different winners, an average field size of 17 players, 55 nearest the pins and over 6k of prize money paid out. No surprise then, when the 2024 season kicks off on the 9th of March we already have 24 players confirmed for the Happy Shopper Open at our home course, Stonebridge.
Not bad for a society that sprung out of Covid times and is now looking forward to its fourth season. The Masters at The Belfry provides the first of three majors and looks set to attract a huge field with current estimates at 30 players! Who will Ricky be presenting the green jacket to in May?
The next major is The Open, scheduled over two days at Shirley GC and The Welcombe GC. Mark Sheehan was the proud winner last year lifting the cup at The Players Club in Bristol, so he’ll be wondering if the trees are as friendly at the new venues!
The final major of the year is scheduled over two days at Kings Norton and Walsall GC with Ollie McMullan looking to continue his journey towards his target of a single player handicap while changing his clubs every single year!
But it’s not just about the majors. There’s the four WGC events, the ABBA at Aston Wood GC where the winner takes it all! The four-club challenge (personal favourite), the hair vs bald Ryder Cup in July, and to top it all off, the Tour Championship in October.
Here, the overall winner is crowned and admitted entry into the hall of fame alongside previous winners, Max Baillie, Andrew Vincent and Jack (dos) Richards, the most recent FC member to lift the coveted trophy.
So, here’s looking forward to another great season in 2024. Will Ian ever win again? Will Adam’s lessons pay off? Will the rekindling happen? Will Dave start using his ball marker properly? Will we ever see Curt and Burt in the same room? Who knows…….
Crash, Bang, Wallop…what a golf society!
