London & Essex Golf Society History
The London & Essex Golf Society was founded in 1999. It was originally called ‘The
High Society’ - a name based on the fact that the entire membership had high
handicaps! I am happy to say that his has now changed for the better – well, at least
it has for some people.
There were 10 original members who were all good friends and had become hooked
on the game of golf. They started playing local courses in Essex and enjoyed good,
friendly competition and banter (not to mention the time away from their wives!).
The first trophy played for was The Lawrence Shield which was donated by the
Lawrence brothers, Stephen and Martin. In the first year the trophy was won by
Steven McMahon and David Lepetit, both of whom continued to dominate the next
few events. In the following year their domination continued, both winning player of
the year for 1999 and 2000. In 2001 there was a transitional period and the society
decided to expand (mainly because Steve McMahon and Dave Lepetit were fed up
with having no competition to play against!).
People from Transco Gas and British Gas came together with the founder members
to enjoy two great days out. The first day was played at High Elms Golf Club in Kent
and produced some great golf. Gary Cockley from Centrica Gas was the outright
winner with 38 points. The second day was won by Damien Murray who romped
home with 40 points. The high volume of players that turned out for these events
resulted in the total number of society members exceeding 50, and that was when
the decision was made to re-elect the committee and change the name to the
London & Essex Golf Society.
The new committee had now elected a treasurer, Richard Hayter, who volunteered
his services until the end of the 2009 season. Steve McMahon changed from
secretary to chairman in 2003 as Martin Lawrence had to step down, and Mickey
Callan took over as secretary the same year.
In 2003 the chairman looked at ways to create more competitions. The first was to
set up 5 major sponsored tournaments, and points from each from each event would
result in a top ten leader board and a player of the year. Also, he looked at ways the
society could come together as one team. He contacted the Forester’s Golf Society
at Chingford golf course who agreed to a Ryder Cup match play team event. This
was played for 3 years until 2007 when the society we played against changed to
the BT Stags. Club shirts, hats and ties were issued to all members, and weekend
tours were organized which remain a fixture in the society’s season.
The 2008 season gave us our first hole in one, and Richard Hayter was the man to
get it at Orsett Golf Club. Gareth Jones won player of the year, and Paul Jackson
won the match play. In that year’s Ryder Cup against the BT Stags we lost by one
point. Dave Standing was re-elected as Captain for the 2009 Ryder Cup, and Paul
McMahon took over as secretary for the 2009 season.
The society had now been established for ten years, and a dinner dance was
arranged to celebrate this. We had new club ties and a weekend tour to The Belfry.
The membership numbers have risen to nearly forty, and the 2009 season looks to
be another great year of golf.
The Chairman
High Society’ - a name based on the fact that the entire membership had high
handicaps! I am happy to say that his has now changed for the better – well, at least
it has for some people.
There were 10 original members who were all good friends and had become hooked
on the game of golf. They started playing local courses in Essex and enjoyed good,
friendly competition and banter (not to mention the time away from their wives!).
The first trophy played for was The Lawrence Shield which was donated by the
Lawrence brothers, Stephen and Martin. In the first year the trophy was won by
Steven McMahon and David Lepetit, both of whom continued to dominate the next
few events. In the following year their domination continued, both winning player of
the year for 1999 and 2000. In 2001 there was a transitional period and the society
decided to expand (mainly because Steve McMahon and Dave Lepetit were fed up
with having no competition to play against!).
People from Transco Gas and British Gas came together with the founder members
to enjoy two great days out. The first day was played at High Elms Golf Club in Kent
and produced some great golf. Gary Cockley from Centrica Gas was the outright
winner with 38 points. The second day was won by Damien Murray who romped
home with 40 points. The high volume of players that turned out for these events
resulted in the total number of society members exceeding 50, and that was when
the decision was made to re-elect the committee and change the name to the
London & Essex Golf Society.
The new committee had now elected a treasurer, Richard Hayter, who volunteered
his services until the end of the 2009 season. Steve McMahon changed from
secretary to chairman in 2003 as Martin Lawrence had to step down, and Mickey
Callan took over as secretary the same year.
In 2003 the chairman looked at ways to create more competitions. The first was to
set up 5 major sponsored tournaments, and points from each from each event would
result in a top ten leader board and a player of the year. Also, he looked at ways the
society could come together as one team. He contacted the Forester’s Golf Society
at Chingford golf course who agreed to a Ryder Cup match play team event. This
was played for 3 years until 2007 when the society we played against changed to
the BT Stags. Club shirts, hats and ties were issued to all members, and weekend
tours were organized which remain a fixture in the society’s season.
The 2008 season gave us our first hole in one, and Richard Hayter was the man to
get it at Orsett Golf Club. Gareth Jones won player of the year, and Paul Jackson
won the match play. In that year’s Ryder Cup against the BT Stags we lost by one
point. Dave Standing was re-elected as Captain for the 2009 Ryder Cup, and Paul
McMahon took over as secretary for the 2009 season.
The society had now been established for ten years, and a dinner dance was
arranged to celebrate this. We had new club ties and a weekend tour to The Belfry.
The membership numbers have risen to nearly forty, and the 2009 season looks to
be another great year of golf.
The Chairman
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