The ‘Sharp end’ of my tenure as Chief Frogg seems to have flown by, but I have to report that it has been a great experience, made all the more so by the superb support of the ‘backroom’ guys, and the enthusiastic Froggs who have turned out to play each week.

Since the beginning of April we have competed in 23 matches, comprising 8 Bowman league games, and 15 friendlies.  A total of 30 Froggs have played in the matches, although naturally not all at the same time!  We came further down the Bowman league table than I would have hoped, but met some very strong local teams. We won 2, halved 2, and lost 4, but only lost each of those games by 3-2.

The Froggs faired better in the friendlies, winning 8, halving 3, and losing 4.   The highlights of the season for me were our matches against the club ladies and juniors.  Although we beat the ladies fairly comfortably, it was such a beautiful golfing day, and such a splendid way for two sections of the Club to get together. It was also one of the best matches I have been involved in all summer, losing on the 18th green to Celia Corby and Jenny Tracey.

Towards the end of our season we took on the Club juniors, and I was warned that they were probably the strongest group of juniors the Club had known.  I therefore went on holday and left my able Deputy, Colin White to face the music.  Most of the matches were very close, but enthusiasm and youth won through, with the Juniors winning 4 1/2 to 2 1/2.

Two new competitions have evolved this season, thanks to drink-fuelled Frogg enthusiasm. A three-way match has been played for the first time between the seniors of Coombe Wood, Coombe Hill and Malden for a splendid new trophy, paid for by the three clubs.  Coombe Wood hosted the inaugural event, a six-a -side stableford, best four scores to count.

The match was won narrowly by Coombe Hill, led from the front by a certain J Tarbuck, who played superbly and entertained us hilariously. The next match will therefore be played at Coombe Hill, and we must thank Bob Crapnell and Gerald Fearnley for issuing the challenge to Tarby last year.

The final match of the season was an internal battle between the English-born Froggs versus those from the Rest of the World, or of dubious parentage! The challenge was laid down by Andrew Hain, (a canny Scot), and 32 Froggs fought keenly over 18 holes on Wednesday 2nd November. Bob Coll decked out his golf buggy like Chariots of Fire, and lead the English to a convincing 5 -3 win.

Finally my thanks go to Nigel Wilson-Dykes, our Club vice-captain, for attending our annual prize giving dinner on Friday 11th November and saying nice things about us. He also presented the summer’s trophy winners. Winners are shown in the gallery below.