Away Day @ Gala see's Peebles Retain Season Momentium.

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Monday past was the start of our seniors away fixtures season, our first being the return rubber against Torwoodlee, a course that is always in great nick.  

Starting form 3 tees positions; 1st, 3rd & 17th, there were traditional pairings, however a necessary break from our traditional playing positions.

So it was Alan Jackson out with Tom"Ace"Litster followed by Team "Ian" - Pemberton & Mewitt off the 1st. A great first up grouping for Peebles, they secured two "W's" respectively 3&2 & 2&1, with their opponents flagging up they were given a putting lesson on their own greens.

Off the 3rd were Brian"Shooter"Robson playing with Sandy Wood, making his first outing this year, followed by Stevie Matthews partnered by David Wright also playing his first match of the season. A frustrating day for both pairings. Brian & Sandy being 2 up finally succumbed on the final hole - the testing 2nd, losing the tie on that green. Similarly Stevie & Davie were at one point 4 up, & still dormie 2, only for their opponents to sink a 12 yard putt on the same final hole to earn their draw.

Sent out from the 17th Vic Roberts & Jim Lyle, were followed by regular pairing Gordon"Wolfie"Fisher & Jim"Chariots"Cutler. The former match, a tight affair from the get go, went all the way to their 18th hole where there was a putt on offer to win the match, narrowly missed, so a halve achieved. The latter was a more cut and dry affair with the Gordon & Jim playing Torwoodlee's top pairing, going down 4&2, all be it with the moral victory of winning the last 2 holes of the 18 played.

The result as announced over a super lunch provide by their club's new stewards, - MATCH HALVED. An excellent result, for an away fixture. Very much a glass half full out-come.

We remain undefeated in 2017, yet another wonderful result for Team Peebles. A great thanks to ALL involved.

Our next outing is @Glencorse, possibly one of the most demanding of the tracks we play such are its tree lined, tight fairways and burn hazards! Team sheet goes up on Tuesday 8th August for the match on the 22nd.

Roberts puts the "VIC" in Victory

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Last Tuesday was the monthly seniors Stableford and romping home and into the winners enclosure with a magnificent 42 point was Vic Roberts. Pushing him hard - Jim LYLE on 40 points and coming in third with 38 our very own "Mr Consistancy" Bill Hardcastle, achieving his third podium finish this season.

Well done guys great performance reflected in your new handicap adjustments.

Strong Finish as Peebles Overcome Torwoodlee

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Thursday saw Peebles entertain Torwoodlee. Last season matches had been close events with Pebbles coming out on top in both. It appeared that the visitors were seeking pay back. Their squad, of accomplished players had been assembled, selected and partnered to maximise performance. This should prove an interesting challange for the home team.

Roger Scott and Tom "Ace" Litster were first out and came up against Torwoodlee's top pairing. The result, an uncharacteristic 2&1 loss. Was this a sign of things to come?

Jim "Chariot's" Culter with Gordon "Wolfie" Fisher were next out. Again they were presented with another formidable partnership. They also went down 2&1, however their performance was exceptional when viewed against one of the Torwoodlee pair carding a net 63.

Stevie Matthews and Sam Walker had formed a winning team at Torwoodlee last season and this was again to prove a winning combination, 4&3 the margin, having recovered from being three down early on and indeed 1 down at the turn.

Vic Roberts and on his first outing this season Donald Jamie were next out and overcame their opponents by the same 4&3 margin. The match is back tied and tightly balanced.

Brian Robson with debutant Andy Nelson held a lead for most of the round, however another top Torwodlee player roared home to ensure that honours were even. The match was halved.  So still no winner in the enclosure. All to play for.

So it fell to the final pairing of Ian Mewett & Ian Pemberton, not for the first time, who brought home their tie, a 4&3 victory, and with it the match for Peebles. Team "Ian" stats are 5-0. On this form I am expecting a call for Thomas Bjorn as to their availability for 2018 in France !

We are undefeated at home - a fantastic performance guys.

Next outing our reverse rubber versus Torwoodlee down on their manor. I anticipate they will be even more focused on succeeding. Team sheet goes up 10th July for the match on 24th. For this we look to welcome back David Wright who will partner Stevie Matthews. For the remainder of the team selection, an opportunity to keenly enhance our reputation.

Honours Even - Peebles Sustain Unbeaten Season

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Tuesday was the 4th match of the seniors schedule. Minto were the guests and last year's match saw Peebles squeeze home by the narrowest of margins, while the reveres rubber down there was drawn. So a tight encounter was expected and so it proved.

Roger Scott & Tom"Ace"Litster lead us out again and returned with the early point, winning 5&3 and described by Minto's captain as a "gubbing".

Next pairing of Gordon"Wolfie"Fisher & Andy Tucker doubled the Peebles total with their decisive 3&2 victory.

Stevie Matthews formed a new partnership with Ken Davey. The big hitting pairing were cruising, as much as 4 up at one stage, and still 2 up after the 14th, they appeared to be heading for dormie 3 at the 15th, until their opponents chipped from through the green to 6". Hole lost as were the next 2 they eventually went down by 2. This match really was the one that got away.

Vic Roberts & Brian"Shooter"Robson were next out and played Minto's top pairing. Holding on to their opponents coat tails most of the way round they finally went down 2&1.

There may be no I in team, but thankfully Peebles Seniors have their own Team I, in the form of Ian's Mewett & Pemberton. Fourth run out and victory number four. On this occasion not the usual 7&5 - merely numbers of 6&4 ! Memo to Ian's for the last home match … must do better !!

Last out Jim"Chariots"Cutler & Ian Tate who accepted they had a torrid time of it, losing out 4&3. With that result the match was halved.

Onto our final home match against Torwoodlee on 15th June. That team sheet is already filled. Clearly there is a renewed vigour within the senior section, a competitive instinct which may mellow with age but never leaves us.  

Well done team, see you for the pailies.

Peebles Hat Trick with Fisher no Flash in the Pan.

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Thursday was our third home fixture, as we entertained Broomieknowe. The visitors arrived super sharp, but clearly not sharp enough to deny Peebles a superb 4½ to 1½ victory.

First out Roger Scott with team debutant and last minute reserve Brian Taylor, who secured an early lead triumphing 2&1. An excellent start to Brain's seniors career.    

In the week when our senior stableford result proved age is never a restriction, the next points were secured by Peebles very own team "septuagenarian" of Jim Cutler & "Flash" Gordon Fisher. Playing against the visiting captain they secured a 3&2 victory and with it words of commendation in his post match address. A super pairing and very positive selection option for our future matches.

Stevie Matthews & Ian Tate were on their game from the start, quickly running up a two hole lead, doubled at the 10th and eventually running out 6&4 winners to a battling but on the day over par Broomiknowe partnership.

Brian Rosbon & another debutant Ken Davey then ran up an early 3 hole lead over the front 9. However their opposition stormed back with a gross 34 on the back 9 including a birdie at the 18th, to half the match, thereby achieving a half point for each pair. However that critical fraction secured the result.

Tie 5 paired David Barr & Sam Walker played against what turned out to be a formidable Broomiknowe pairing. Despite Sam scoring 20 stableford points on the first 8 holes they still went down 5&4.

That left the Ian's to continue their outstanding form this season - 3 matches played , 3 points recorded, this week 7&5 to the good.

Still early days in our season, but so satisfying to be here with stats of 3 for 0. Well done team.

Next "scalp" Minto on the 30th.

That team list match filled very swiftly, but please if available identify yourself as a reserve, we went through 5 extras to get our full compliment for today's contest so every chance you'll be called up.

May Seniors Stableford Result

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Age is no limitation they say, and so it proved in the winners enclosure for May's Stableford.

On what was a far better day than many had forecast the overcast skies could not prevent Bill Hardcastle's beaming smile lighting up the course as he posted a superb 41 points. In second place Andrew Lowe with 40 who beat "gentleman" Jim Pettigrew into 3rd place on count back.

Well done to our prize winners and to all who took part. There were some notable scores, a few birdies and the odd PB down the sheet.

What can only make the next competition better, will be to increase our numbers so please badger, bother or berate you fellow seniors into playing in these games.

Peebles Win Tight Encounter as the "IAN's" Take It

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The seniors schedule continued with what was a tightly fought encounter against St Boswells, Peebles finally wining through 3½ to 2½.

Roger Scott & Tom Litster set the standard with a victory, 1 up, over the visitors captain. Indeed it was groundhog day as "ACE" Tom in defeating the St Boswell skipper, repeated last year's victorious encounter. However this was achieved with not a single hole in one, much less the brace he recorded in last seasons match. In play bookies were heard to take a collective sigh of relief.

Next out, on their first outing for 2017, were David Barr & Keith Brunton who went down the 18th all square and halved the hole to secure a vital ½ point.

Stevie Matthews & Gordon Fisher were well beaten 4&3 by a very soundly balanced St Boswells pairing. Gordon played solo last week & may have thought at times, he had been left battle single handed again this week. However he did achieve a first - as the scratch golfer in the 4 ball. Just goes to prove that it is never to late for an old dog to present with a new scratch.

Vic Roberts & Alan Jackson had titanic encounter in their match. Coming home with a victory, 1up, their point bounced Pebbles into the lead again.

Another new pairing for the 2017 season, Sam Walker & Jim Lyle fought a valiant rear guard action, however they eventually succumbed 3&1.

Five ties down, one to go & the match all square.

Cometh the hour cometh ….. the Ian's.

Recording their second victory of the season, Ian PEMBERTON & Ian MEWETT romped home 7&5, in what the opposition described as a near scratch golf.

So with that last point, the Peebles team secured victory by the narrowest of margins. Another big thanks to all concerned in maintaining our momentum, which we look to roll into next week's game when we host Broomieknowe.

The team sheet for the game on the 30th, again at home, versus Minto will be on the seniors board from Tuesday 16th.

Peebles Cruise to Win with CUTLER "On Fire"

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Tuesday saw Peebles Seniors commence their 2017 campaign with a 5 - 1 defeat of North Berwick.

Andy Tucker & Ian Tate set the tone with an excellent opening partnership 4&3 victory over the visitor captain's pairing.  This was replicated by Roger Scott & Jim"On Fire"CUTLER, as described by partner & opposition, the latter conceding 4 birdie putts such was this maestro's approach play.

Stevie Matthews & Brian"Shooter McGavin"ROBSON, so dubbed for his putting from anywhere on the green, then backed up with 5&4 to add to the team points pot. Ians, Pemberton & Mewett kept our momentum going through the 4th tie winning 1 up to achieve another "W". The fifth point came courtesy of new partnership Alan Jackson & George Cunningham, coming home 2&1.

Special mention to Gordon Fisher - a late replacement, and in the absence of his playing partner, now a lone wolf. Gordon single handily held off his opposition pairing, only succumbing on the 17th.

Superb effort gentlemen, we are all set fair for the season. Next outing 11th May, the team sheet for which is already full. This is followed by a home match Thursday 18th May - that fixture team sheet will go up on our notice board on the 4th.

Finally match reserves, as clearly evidenced today, are a key aspect of the seniors squad. If you are not immediately in the team, yet still able to play - and potentially at short notice - please add your names & contact details to the bottom of the list.  

 

Stevie

Latest Seniors' Competition

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Gents -

Tuesday's Stableford succumbed to plundering by white aliens - they came from the sky. Feel certain this will sort of invasion will be resolved once Brexit is achieved !!

So no results to post, however a special Nanook of the North award to those small number hardy souls who made the full 18 holes.

Our season of inter club matches beings in earnest with the contest against North Berwick - Tuesday 2nd May. Matches come thick and fast in May with the team sheet already on display for the St Boswell's game, so names up if your available.

Stevie  

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Fellow Golfers of a Certain Age -

So welcome to the 2017 season now well & truly upon us. With my skis & boots stored in the loft, and the subs paid, time to hit the fairways in earnest, greens perhaps less often !

We have already had our first seniors Stableford on the 28th March. Congratulations to Andrew Thomson on his 40 points winning score, from John E. Brown - awarded second place on count back over Ian Pemberton.

Our next Stableford 25th April.

Prior to that, for those of you seeking or even desperate to improve your swing, can I remind you of Jamie's Friday morning teaching clinics? A group session which he will be looking to record and subsequently  post on the Seniors section, forming an ideal self coaching tool.

There is also Steve's excellent section on the club site which offers top tips and provides a further link to his youtube site.

You will see ours pro's shop is bursting full, which this year features special celebratory logoed "125" merchandise in the lead up to the clubs anniversary 17th October.

 

Stevie MATTHEWS

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AN INTRODUCTION AND INVITATION...

Seniors Matches 2017

The Seniors Matches for 2017 have been announced and listed below.  All matches are four ball format, in teams of 12.

> Download the full list of Seniors Matches & Competitions

The forthcoming season comes on the back of last year's fantastic performance, with the loss of only a single match.  Superb effort by all who played, and Davie Wright who lead us. I have taken over the mantle of senior captain and have much to live up to.

Any member aged 55 years and over, with a national handicap, can represent the club in these matches, which are played in a spirit of competitive friendship.

For many years, the team has self-selected on a "first come - first served" basis. This continues, so the first 12 members to put their names on the team sheet are selected. The team sheet will go up 2 weeks before the scheduled match. Reserves are very much appreciated as call offs can and do happen.

Our away match against North Berwick caps the season, and the opportunity to play that course is the seasons "jewel in the crown". As previously, a qualifying process applies. Over the preceding matches, players will receive 1 point for an away match & 2 points for playing a home match. Thus the top 12 points scorers are selected, subject to availability. In the event of a points tally tie the convenor and deputy convenor will finalise the team composition.

I look forward with great pride to my role and the opportunity to meet up with you over the season.

My mobile is 07766:018015, and email address - Stephen.Matthews1086@btinternet.com

Watch the club website senior section for blog updates etc.

Senior Team Fixtures 2017

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Tuesday 2 May.          North Berwick.           Home

Thursday 11 May.         St Boswells.                Home

Thursday 18 May.         Broomieknowe.          Home

Tuesday 30 May.           Minto.                        Home

Thursday 15 June.        Torwoodlee.               Home

Monday 24 July.           Torwoodlee.               Away

Tuesday 22 August.      Glencorse.                 Away

Thursday 31 August.      West Linton.             Away

Tuesday 19 September   Minto.                       Away

Wednesday 18 October  North Berwick.        Away

Peebles fall at final hurdle

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The Peebles team travelled to the West Course at North Berwick for the final match knowing that a victory would secure an unbeaten record this season. Things however did not go according to plan. Peebles won 5-1 in the opening encounter of the season at home but playing links golf gave the hosts a huge advantage.

The visitors lost the first 3 games with Andy Tucker and Neil Byers going down 5&3, Roger Scott and Ewan Morton losing 4&3 and David Wright and Sam Walker losing on the 16th by 3&2.

Vic Roberts and Mike Clay stopped the rot and won impressively by 5&3. In game 5, Les More and Ian Mewett had a very close encounter and managed an honourable half. However, North Berwick finished the match strongly and Jim Dickson and George Cunningham suffered a 6&4 reversal.

The final match result was North Berwick 4 and a half : Peebles 1 and a half.

Despite not being able to round things off in style, it has been a fantastic season for the Peebles Seniors. They have won 8 matches, halved one match and lost one match. A huge thank you to the 24 players who have represented the team this season. We've had a lot of fun!

David Wright.

Honours even at Minto

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Following their narrow win at home earlier in the season, members of the Senior Team travelled to Minto with much trepidation. 

Peebles started brightly when the  experienced pairing of Roger Scott and Tom Litster won their closely contested game by one hole. Things were a bit easier for Ewan Morton and Neil Byers who had the biggest win of the day by beating their opponents 4&2.

The complexion of the match changed in Game 3 when Brian Robson and David Wright suffered a rare defeat. They were 5 down after 7 holes and despite getting the deficit down to one hole at the 13th they eventually went down 3&2.

Vic Roberts and Andrew Waddell found themselves dormie 3 up before experiencing a very nervy finish . They eventually won their match by one hole to ensure that the Peebles Tean could not be beaten.

Minto finished strongly however by winning the last two games. Stevie Matthews and George Cunninghan lost 3&2 and it was the same score in the last game involving Sam Walker and Malcolm Bruce. 

This was a closely contested match played on an excellent course in ideal conditions and it was only fitting that the honours were shared. 

Peebles were delighted to extend their unbeaten run this season. Can they finish the season unbeaten when they take on North Berwick in the last match of the season? Watch this space!

Peebles v West Linton

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On a beautiful day with the course in magnificent condition the Peebles Seniors took on their local rivals, West Linton in the last home match of the season. 

The home team got off to an excellent start with Andy Tucker and Malcolm Bruce enjoying a very good 5&3 victory over away captain Gordon Currie and his partner Harry Donkin. Keith Brunton and Ewan Morton found themselves dormie 3 down and despite winning 16 and 17 could only halve the last hole to lose the match 1 down.

Home captain David Wright and his partner Brian Robson outplayed their opponents for a 5&4 victory and in game 4 Stephen Matthews and Roger Scott won at the 15th by 5&3.

The Peebles team finished the match strongly when Ian Pemberton and Ian Mewett recorded a 4&3 victory and Andrew Waddell and Sam Walker edged out their opponents by 2&1. 

In what promised to be a very close match, the Peebles team played extremely well and won comprehensively by 5 points to one. 

The Seriors go into their last 2 matches of the season at Minto and North Berwick with their unbeaten record intact - 8 wins out of 8. 

 

Glencorse Whitewashed!

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Peebles Seniors had a spectacular 6-0 victory over local rivals Glencorse to maintain their unbeaten run this season.

4 players - Ewan Morton, Tom Swanston, Geoff Lawson and Malcom Bruce - made their Senior Team debuts in this match. 

Andy Tucker and Andrew Waddell won the first game by 2 & 1 and Neil Byers and Ewan Morton quickly followed this up with a 3& 1 victory.

David Wright and Brian Robson found themselves one down at the turn but a strong showing on the back nine resulted in a 3&2 win for the home pair. Biggest victory of the day came in game 4 where Tom Swanston and Jim Lyle comprehensively beat their opponents by 5&3.

Ian Mewett and Ian Pemberton returned to winning ways with a 4&3 victory and the 'rookie' pairing of Geoff Lawson and Malcolm Bruce completed the match with a fine 3&1 victory. 

Peebles Team maintains 100% record

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The Seniors' Team continued their unbeaten run with a narrow win at home to Torwoodlee. 

The home team got off to a great start by winning both of the opening two games. Gordon Fisher and Andy Tucker won 4&3 and Neil Byers and George Cunningham overcame their opponents by the same score. 

Game 3 was a very close affair. David Wright and Brian Robson were one up at the turn. The next 8 holes were halved but the Torwoodlee pairing of Colin Shanks and John Donoghue won the last hole to square the match. 

The biggest win of the day came in game 4 where Sam Walker and David McKean won comprehensively by 6&4. David was in scintillating form and recorded a 2 under par round. 

Most unusually, Ian Mewett and Ian Pemberton failed to win their game. Despite being 3 up at one point they lost by one hole. 

The final pairing of debutant Stephen Matthews and Alan Jackson had a torrid time and lost their game 5&4. 

Overall match score: Peebles 3 and a half points - Torwoodlee 2 and a half points. 

 

The next match for the Senior Team will be away to Torwoodlee on Monday 25th July. The team sheet will be posted at noon on Monday 11th July. Brian Robson will captain the team for this match.