The BTU Golfing Society (1926)
Origins in the "Golfing Circle" of the Institution of Heating and Ventilating Engineers
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Captain’s Farewell FarewellFareWelco me
A letter from Captain Nick
Dear All
A strange start to the season with the proposed Captain Martin Richards trying some off piste ‘grass skiing’ resulting in broken collar bone and resultant enforced layoff from golf. This meant that, as Vice-Captain I was duly promoted to Captain!
The season started with wet and windy ‘Captains Drive’ at Ashridge. We encountered all weathers that the course could throw at us, wind, rain, hail and very cold, but we struggled through! John Hayes managed to win his first event. We had a small group at Beaconsfield and thanks to Steve R for negotiating with the club to allow a smaller than required society to play, a great course, a very welcome meal that was well received with Paul Hucker winning the day. Third event was held at Camberley Heath, all agreed that this should be a course to re-visit. Great course with wonderful views. Steve Shew winner of the Sulzer Cup.
Our Annual trip to Swinley Forest was blessed this year with fine weather and a great turn out. Morning Stableford won by John Hayes and the afternoon Greensomes won by Steve and James Rhodes. A great day at a well-presented course with perfect lunch leaving the group quite lethargic for the afternoon round! The National, unfortunately I was unable to make this event but am sure it was enjoyed by the group that represented The BTU. We didn’t put up a great defence of the trophy finishing 7th this year keeping our powder dry for the ‘centenary event’ that we are hosting in 2026.
Final event was held at The Addington which was a late replacement for Tandridge that let us down at the last minute. Thanks, Steve R, for arranging The Addington at short notice which was a very good substitute. The winner of the Stableford was John Hayes. We also had Golfer of the Year presented to Paul Sullivan, well done Paul not an individual winner but very consistent.
Additional thanks to The Team that make the BTU work,
· Honorary Secretary Steve Rhodes for organising the courses, sending out invites and collating attendees
· Honorary Treasurer Graeme Moss for keeping tabs on the money
· Chairman of the Handicap Committee Steve Shew for ensuring handicaps are up to date and suitably adjusted for past winners!
· Day Steward Dave Kendle had the difficult job of collating the scores and making sense of some of the cards. Lucky to have missed the last event that Steve Shew admirably deputised, especially deciphering Ben’s scoring that ‘randomised’ the score card.
2025 is already planned with five events arranged and an overnighter at Princes subscribed with 16 booked in.
Dates for your 2025 diaries are:
· West Hill 17th April - 20 to 24 players cost £165pp
· Rochester and Cobham 29th May - 20 players cost £93pp
· Woburn, Dukes Course 27th June - 5 Woburn members and 15 BTU players - Woburn members £0, BTU non Woburn members cost TBA
· Swinley Forest 30th July - 28 players cost £TBA
· Porters Park 2nd September - 16 players cost £99
· Princes 2nd/3rd October - places already booked but if you would like to play we can add you to a reserve list
We will always welcome new members so please feel free to promote the BTU Golf Society and take a look at the web site www.btugs.co.uk where there is useful information and some dodgy photos of past event winners. There is a password to the members area which you will be informed of when you became a member. (btugs)
We are also preparing for the National which we are hosting in 2026, the centenary event. Any assistance in obtaining sponsorship or help with organisation would be welcomed. Ben Brown is leading the ‘National Committee’ and will provide regular updates. If we have sufficient support we may even be in a position to enter two teams.
Looking forward to seeing you all in 2025 for a fantastic year golfing and good levels of attendance at all events. Steve R will send out subscription requests for current and new members in early January.
If not too early wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year, let those handicaps drop and eliminate the blessed ‘three putt@ !!
Nick Rivers
The BTU Captain 2024 - 2025