At the AGM on 11th March 2021, it was agreed that the CILT Golf Society should align itself as closely as possible with the new World Handicapping System (WHS) for the purposes of competition. The following article attempts to explain the WHS and its impact on society members and those who participate in our events. Background Our original rule on Handicaps was deliberately introduced to allow CILT golfers (who are not members of affiliated golf clubs) to participate in our events. GS members (who are members of affiliated clubs) and have scored 36 or more points in one of [...]

Welcome to the 2021 golfing season! As at the time of writing, much of the UK is under a covering of snow and Covid-19 lockdown is still in force. However, with the days getting longer and warmer and anti-virus measures (seemingly) starting to take effect, we can start to make plans for a year that will probably be a bit different from 'normal' but hopefully better than 2020. The season has now been officially launched by a missive from our Chairman, Paul W Symes CBE (Members Mtg21c ). In this document you can find further details about our first [...]

To complete a strange and truncated year the CILT Golf Society held its season-ending Autumn Meeting on 14th October at the excellent Northamptonshire County Golf Club. The weather was very kind to us and 27 members and guests turned out to tackle the challenges presented by this gem of a Harry S Colt course. As usual, some found the going more difficult than others on a course that favoured long, straight tee shots and good skills on and around the greens. Members and guests were served a terrific three-course meal as they came in after their round, followed by [...]

Thanks to the sterling efforts of chief organiser John Winter, local residents Gus Whyte and Alan Swindley, Society Captain, Bob Harper and assistant/score-keeper Cameron Grant, plus the accommodating attitude of the Hilton Hotel, the 31 Castlegate restaurant and the 3 golf clubs named below, the CILT Golf Society was able to enjoy yet another splendid autumn tour. This year John proposed a visit to Yorkshire to play Fulford GC, York (Strensall) GC and Ganton GC. In view of the proven quality of all these courses the membership was fully supportive of John’s choice and proved it by turning up [...]

Coronavirus restrictions caused the postponement of earlier Golf Society events so this favourite venue and the prospect of reuniting with chums attracted lots of interest. Those facing longer journeys from Yorkshire and Norfolk hesitated when they saw the forecasts of torrential rain but 24 members and guests gathered under tented awnings and umbrellas to take on this challenging course. Inevitable comparisons were drawn with similar wet days at previous Society events at Le Touquet, Wimereux, Royal Troon, Prestwick and even worse at Western Gailes – but that goes with our 26 year history!  Traditionally [...]

2020 has been a very different year for all of us to date. It is to be hoped that the absence of golf has been the least of your worries and our sympathies go to anyone directly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. From a golfing standpoint, the opening of courses, albeit with many virus-control restrictions in place, has been very welcome. However, the fact that golf clubs have so far been unable to supply changing and catering facilities for large groups, means that we have been unable to enjoy any of our CILT Golfing events scheduled to date. [...]

A year ago we were preparing for our 25th season and discussing an offer to invite HRH The Princess Royal, as CILT Patron, to help us round off the year at her grandfather’s old golf club, Northamptonshire County Golf Club. Not surprisingly, her programme was too full. Nevertheless we still had a great year. Our Members’ Meeting at Beaconsfield Golf Club was rearranged because of the weather but 20 members and guests enjoyed the outing on 2 April with Peter Taylor returning the best card to win the Chairman’s Cup - for the 4th time! For our Spring Meeting, [...]

Welcome to the CILT Golf Society's 26th season. Here are 8 good reasons why you may want to join us in 2020. We warm up for the golfing season with the usual Members Meeting on 15th April 2020 – to be held for the third successive year at Beaconsfield Golf Club. Beaconsfield is a beautifully presented, classic Harry Colt designed course with excellent practice facilities – particularly the Luke Donald short game area! The course remains basically the same as when it was originally designed in 1913 by HS "Harry" Colt and has many of [...]

Just before Christmas, Immediate Past Captain of the CILT Golf Society, Gus Whyte (Key Account Director at Hoppecke Industrial Batteries Ltd), took part in the 2019 ‘Climb of Life’ to raise money in support of the Institute of Cancer Research. On the day a team of 112 volunteers split into separate groups to take on several well-known Lake District hills including: Wansfell Round; Side Pike and Lingmoor; Place Fell; Bowfell; High Street; Helm Crag to High Raise; Langdale Pikes; Great Gable; Crinkle Crags; and Blencathra with Sharp Edge. ‘Climb of Life’ has been raising monies for the Institute of [...]

After a month’s postponement due to extreme bad weather, this fixture – the oldest in the Golf Society’s calendar – was played at Denham Golf Club on Thursday 24th October. Although rain was forecast for the day, we were fortunate to start in mild, cloudy conditions on a course that was in fairly good condition for the time of year. Unfortunately the promised wet weather did hit mid-round and resulted in some interesting putts on waterlogged greens and 16 very soggy golfers! The three-course Denham carvery lunch restored dampened spirits but, after a run of 7 consecutive wins, CILT [...]