F.I.G.S
F.I.G.S stands for Forrester's Inner Golf Society. Membership is open to anyone who would like to join, upon payment of a one-off £10 fee. Our current membership is predominately FP members, but also includes friends and past club members.
The society was set up many years ago when our own course was difficult to play in winter conditions - members organised a day's golf at neighbouring clubs, particularly towards the Essex/Suffolk border, where the natural soil was sandier and generally drained better. The present format is to play one course per month, October through April, 18 holes preceded by a full English breakfast. There is a prize pool on each day, and a leaderboard culminating in a final's day in April with a trophy for the overall winner.
Each spring, there is a 'tour' comprising four day's golf either in the UK or abroad (typically France or Belgium). Details of both the current winter programme and the tour are posted below. Additional information is also available on dedicated Whatsapp group(s).
If you would like to join and play, or for more information,
contact David Gillespie (01621 891001 / 07711 940811 / davidg@idnet.co.uk).
Information
Payment System: We continue to use our cash-less payments system, details here. Essentially, to play in an event, you will need to have paid in advance to the society’s account at Coop Bank and we in turn will settle our expenses at the venue with a card payment. It is still our aim to pay prizes in cash, and not having to handle cash receipts on the day continues to simplify the ‘checking-in’ process before breakfast.
Communication: With FP's clubhouse keeping irregular hours and without our dedicated FIGS Section on a noticeboard, we're continuing with Email and the FIGS WhatsApp group – if you would like to be included, please contact me and confirm your address and/or mobile number. Telephone – I don’t mind being called at any reasonable time, although I prefer the messaging formats (including texts) since it’s there in black and white! Finally, there's this FIGS tab within the FP Men's Section website.
Numbers & Entrants: Please advise me if you wish to play in an event - you can do this on an event-by-event basis, or 'pre-book' as many in advance as you wish - recent experience has shown events can quickly become fully subscribed! If you cannot subsequently play, please advise me with reasonable notice so you won't be charged and maybe someone else will have the opportunity to take part. The maximum number per event is usually 36, after which requests to play will be added to a reserve list in order of receipt. The final number will be decided with regard to available tee-times and daylight.
The Entrants List with dates and venues can be viewed via this link - it is updated constantly and can be seen in 'real time'. If you spot an error, please let me know and I'll correct it straightaway.
We shall be using the latest (April 2024) WHS method for calculating a Playing Handicap. In short, this is:
Handicap Index x (Slope/113) + (Course Rating - Par) x 0.95 = xx.x
Rounded to 1 decimal place.
For a more detailed explanation and examples, please click here .
Please Note: Simply taking 95% of your Course Handicap as it appears in England Golf may not provide your correct playing handicap. You need to perform the calculation as above! Our group Whatsapp will show the Slope, Course Rating and Par for the relevant tees prior to each event.
As the programme advances, amendments and adjustments will be updated here from time to time, but don't forget to check the FIGS group Whatsapp as well!
05/04/2025
Final's Day - Gosfield Lakes
A fine day greeted 29 of us for our final event of the year. With Simon Collins' early performances putting him clearly in the lead, it was going to be a tough ask to topple him from the Leaderboard pinnacle, and so it proved to be. However, top-dog on the day was Graeme Romain with a splendid 37 points - the greens were a challenge and kept the majority scores to mid-30s, but that aside, the post-match meal was its usual treat and Simon was duly awarded the Robert Goodwin Shield for back-tp-back triumphs.
See below for the final Leaderboard of the season - next up is the FIGS Tour to Winchester in May and then it all begins again at Clacton in October - looking forward to that, enjoy the summer and come back fighting to wrestle that trophy from Simon's grasp!
Previous tours have included courses (abroad) in and around Le Touquet, Waterloo, Deauville and (UK) Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Bristol, Norwich, Daventry, Maidstone, Louth, Leeds, Havant, Nottingham and Worthing.
The first three days feature both individual and team competitions, nearest the pins, etc. and a blind draw - individual scores are carried over to the fourth day for the finale and Tour Cup. The odd beer may get drunk along the way...
Another year another successful tour (I hope).
16 of us (can you spot us all in the pictures) made the trip down to Selsdon Manor for the 2017 FIGs Tour.
Our first venue, Purley Downs, was as super course with a lot of Ups(and Downs) as well. The greens were like lightening catching a few of us out hence the best score, David Ayres, of 34 points recorded for the day a few others made the thirties but the majority in the mid twenties, worst score of the day going to, no I must not mention names but Paul Messenger did try hard (oooppss!!).
The second day we played the hotel course, again a fine test of golf, slower greens, but lots of interesting holes. Scores for the day were better with most of us reaching the mid thirties and Mr Gillespie taking the day with 37 points from David Ayres on 36. Then on to the evening with David Ayres and John Luxford wearing the Chelsea team shirts and sitting in the front row to watch the football. They both had faces that looked as though they had been slapped by a wet fish by the end of the evening but none of us laughed (much). Then it was on the Tandori for a slap up meal and very nice too it turned out to be.
Day three was moving day David Ayres had a 5 point lead and we were all determined to catch him. After a three min drive to the golf club, Farleigh, and what seemed a 20 min drive to the club house we all arrived safely at the first tee. Again the greens were very fast and the course all be it young was a test of skill one which Mr Walby took by the horns and beat with 39 points. Poor Mr Ayres didn't fair so well after turning into his alter ego Mr Grumpy and only potting 30 points, The leaderboard was now wide open.
The last day was to be at Selsdon park, off the white tees (just to make it more interesting). Joint leaders Mr Royan and Mr Stovell drawn in the same group with Mr Ayres only 1 point behind and 7 other players only 4 behind that, the trophy was up for grabs.
On the day Clive (Buzz) Walby was the winner with a stonking 39 points but it wasn’t enough to take the trophy. Kevin Royan was playing steady and even with a couple of blobs (and a ‘Sick’ in more ways than one Ron Stovell) managed 36 points putting him in the lead. Only one contender was left out on the course who could beat him. Mr Grumpy. It was very tense in the club house as the final scores were read out and the prizes were awarded for the day. But what of the overall trophy I hear you cry. Well as it was I who was handing out the awards I tried to forget the overall trophy but somebody reminded me I had not presented it (thanks David G). So it was with great dismay on my part I had to award it to Mr grumpy, Dave Ayres who had beat me on count back. There were gasps in the club house and many tears shed but Oh well maybe next year.
I shall look forward to seeing you all again wherever we go and maybe a few others will join our happy band.
Keep golfing. keep smiling, its only a game! Till next year
Kevin
(for more images, see "Gallery")
Our next Tour will be based around Nottingham, scheduled for the second bank-holiday weekend in May. After his resounding success in organising the 2017 event, Kevin Royan will again be be MC and if you are interested in participating, please contact Kev for further details.
Congratulations to Kevin R, Kevin M and Clive for another sparkling event on the South Coast. With Tour plans interrupted and forcibly modified by the pandemic, 20 enjoyed the excellent courses and the facilities of the Norfolk Arms Hotel in Arundel.
Amazingly, following the conclusion of the Winter season events which went down to the wire and were eventually decided on count-back, so it was with this year's Tour too - another dramatic finish and another count-back decision which saw Chris Hurrell lift the coveted trophy.
See here for Kevin's end-of-Tour report and to see where you finished (even if you have since tried to forget...!)
Roll on next year
Another successful outing by the FIGs this time to Rickmansworth and surrounding
area.
First stop Mill Hill Golf Club, a nice flat easy course (according to Mr Myers), I think
there should have been a clue in the golf club name Mill Hill, and as for easy with only
half the group scoring 30 point plus it proved a little difficult. The greens I would say
were a tad speedier than at the royal and putting with a square ball would have been
more successful for most of us.
The day was won with a very impressive score of 35 points from Mr Jeffery closely
followed by 34 points from Mr Atkinson, Mr Ayres and Mr Hurrell. With all four scores
to count the team Led by Team Captain Pat Crace and his merry men Jeff Atkinson,
Mark Jeffery and Simon Harding won the team prize for the day. The lowest score of
the day going to Paul Messenger with 23 points, could anybody get lower on day two?
Blind Draw Winner Jeff Atkinson taking home more money than the winner!!
All safely booked in at the hotel it was off to ZAZA Italian for some well earned
refreshments, lots of food, beer, and red wine. It was only a short walk from the hotel
but I seem to Remember (not) that it was much longer on the way home.
Day two, Stanmore Golf Club, Much easier says Kev, a little undulating, if yesterdays
flat course was anything to go by we all assumed we’d need our mountain
climbing gear.
Again a superb choice of golf course with lots of trees, wide fairways and very fast
greens, was it the night before or the difficult course that made the scores tumble a bit
(hmmm). A mere trifle for Mr Gillespie with 35 points pipping John Luxford and Dave
Ratchford both on 34. Steve Brewington captained his team by leading from the front,
his fellow members Dave Ayres, Dave Ratchford and Pat Crace following in his wake
to take the Team prize best three from 4. They even had the ball of shame in their
team, Pat Crace with a new all time low 15 points (surely this can’t be beaten,
or can it).
Can you believe it, Blind Draw Winner Jeff Atkinson (again) pocketing loads of money,
come on boys drink up!!
Day three what could possibly go wrong. Essendon Golf Club, Old Course, not as long
as the other courses but a bit tighter, no room for spraying the ball about here. Scores
reflected the course being that bit easier than the last two, the greens were a little bit
more forgiving. Winner on the day Mr Royan with 40 points just pipping Mr Gillespie
with 39 (I’ll have that fiver Dave). Clive Walby had already said the night before he
was going to lead his team to victory and true to his word Victory it was for Clive, Kevin
Royan, Chris Hurrell and Martin Burling in the difficult all 4 score on Par three 3 score
on Par 4 and 2 Score on Par 5 format. The ball of shame was won by John Luxford with
a very respectable score of 27 points (he would have been mid table on any other day,
unlucky john).
Blind Draw went to Jeff - oooops no - Pat Crace (he needed the money).
Things were now hotting up in the title race with David Gillespie and David Ratchford
both on 104 closely followed by Kevin Royan on 103 and Dave Ayres on 102. What
would tomorrow bring!
Final day, Hartsbourne Golf Club, another Flat with big hills courses that Kev was so
proud of, undulating greens (were did I put my square ball) that you couldn’t hold a ball
on, but apart from that nice an easy. Team game today was 2 from 4 (we were all a bit
tired, so lets keep in nice). Team 1 came through as winners on the day. Led by their
captain Mark Jeffery who was making his bid for the title, did he do enough? His team
mate David Ratchford also making his bid for the title , this was all getting a bit close.
Other team members Steve Barraclough and Clive Walby just happy to have won some
money on the day. Things were hotting up in the title race for the ball of shame surely
no one could beat Pat’s all time low of 15 points but then in comes Paul Messenger with
an outstanding 12 points to take the title from Pat, well played Paul.
All the scores were in, winner on the day was Mark Jeffery with 33 (cut to 31 for his
previous win) by the narrowest margin from Roy Sayer also on 31.
Mark had pushed his total score to 127, losing out on third place to David Gillespie on
130. Dave Ratchford and Kevin Royan both on 133, cards had to be scrutinised
carefully, count back Dave on 29 for the day Kevin pipping Dave with 30, just enough
to take the title. What an exciting finish to a great tour.
Now dare I mention the Blind Draw, I suppose I will have to, he was very popular, can
you believe it Jeff Atkinson for the third time took the money. We were all so pleased
for him :)
Special thanks go out to my team, Clive Walby for the Hotel and restaurant organisation
and also to Kevin Myers for the choosing of the courses, both have done a fantastic
job, thank you
Signing off until next year
Kevin Royan
PS Jim Chisholm was the only person who didn’t win any money :)
To see the final scores summary, please click here
To see who won what and when, click here.
To see an Accounts suSummary for the whole Tour, click here
This year Swaffham was our base of operations.
On the way up our first battle was with Thetford Golf Club. The battle at this club turned out to be the breakfast, WOW, it’s got to be the best and biggest breakfast we’ve ever had, I think even Buzz struggled to eat it all.
Now armed with a full belly it was onto the course, what a course, another great selection by Mr Myers and in great condition and the weather was absolutely gorgeous, it suited some of us more than others as the scores reflected but Steve Barraclough came out on top with an impressive 39 points closely followed by Roy Sayer 37, Jim Chisholm and Phil Prior both on 36.
At the bottom of the pile with a less impressive score was Jeff Atkinson 21 points and the ball of shame.
Day 2 was a 10 min drive to Swaffham golf club, another fine course but the weather was closing in, would we get round without getting wet?
This proved to be a shorter course and a bit easier than the previous with most of us getting 30 points or more, but then the rain came, the first group only got a little wet on the last hole, second group a lot wetter as the heavens opened and the thunder and lightning got ever closer. With the last three groups a little further back and no sign of the weather getting any better it was nice to be sitting in the clubhouse watching the rain bounce off the patio. Finally they began to arrive in very very wet!
The last group with Simon in a buggy that had to be converted into a canoe swam up the 18th fairway and were welcomed in the club house with rapturous applause.
Winner on the day Chris Hurrell 39 points closely followed by Kevin Royan 38. At the bottom of the pile poor Simon Harding with 23 points and the ball of shame.
Weather for the following day! Torrential rain all night! What could possibly go wrong.
Day three, at breakfast, Kings Lynn golf course closed, would they be able to open in time for us to play, weather not letting up, greens and fairways underwater, no golf at Kings Lynn today, What to do?
A few phone calls and Whatsapp messages later, we’re in, Wensum Valley have room for us at midday. Ok, Whatsapp it out to all, let’s go.
Another phone call, this time from Chris Hurrell, “The car park at Kings Lynn is empty and the course is closed”, “Yes Chris we know, we’re all going to Wensum Valley, did you not read the Whatsapp?”, “Yes just read it while sitting in the car park at Kings Lynn, see you all soon :):)”.
We all arrive safely at Wensum Valley, well nearly all, Dave Ratchford a bit late after diverting via Kings Lynn to Wensum and Dave Brooker Somewhere in Norfolk but nobody knows where, can’t get him on the phone, what are we to do?.
First group ready to tee off, still no Dave and he’s in the second group. Suddenly screeching into the car park, Dave arrives having travelled most of Norfolk’s roads with a phone with a flat battery, even went back to the hotel to put a bit of charge in it so he could see where we had all gone, never mind Dave, just hit your ball and tell us all later. Wensum Valley was in very good condition and with rain all around us we managed to get 18 holes in without getting wet, what a result. Will Steve Barraclough
manage to hold onto his lead position or will Jim or John catch him. Surprise winner of the day Paul Messenger with 37 points from Steve Brewington and Kevin Royan on 35. Ball of shame going to David Gillespie. Leader board now hotting up With Steve Barraclough on 107, Jim Chisholm on 103, Steve Brewington on 102 and John Luxford 101.
Back to the hotel and get ready for the Indian night out, surely nothing could go wrong! “Oh sorry we don’t seem to have your booking, are you sure it was with us”, poor Clive now getting stressed “Ah but I have the booking on my phone”, Phew!
An hour or so later we’re all sat down to enjoy the meal and very nice it was too.
Day 4 the final day, Eaton Golf Club, who would prevail?
According to our course organiser some gentle up and downs but mainly flat, oh and by the way I’m going to have a buggy. Hmmmm gentle up and down for a mountain goat maybe. With only less than half the field making it to 30 points it proved rather difficult for most, especially the greens being 300 yards above you on several holes. The course though was in very good condition and again the weather was kind to us. Winner on the day Dave Ayres with an impressive score of 36 points but how did our leaders get on. Second place Jim Chisholm crashed out with only 23 points, our third place leader Steve Brewington getting only 24 it was all down to John Luxford to topple the leader but he only managed 34 points and Steve Barraclough fought to get a reasonable 33 to take the overall title, well done Steve.
Ball of shame for the day went to Pat Crace with 18, but he did win the team event and he got the blind draw as well, for the second time.
Overall it was another great trip, and even though we had to change a venue at the last minute we managed four rounds of golf on some great courses.
Well done to the winners and unlucky to our three £0 losers David Gillespie, Simon Harding and Jeff Atkinson, but it is the taking part that’s important :)
A big thank you to my helpers Kevin and Clive, a great job done as usual Hope to see you all next year
Kevin Royan