Westerham Vets
If you enjoy the game of golf and are 55 or over then we invite you to join Westerham Golf Club’s thriving Veterans’ section.
There are golf games on most Tuesdays and Thursdays, including such favourites as Stablefords, Medals, Texas Scramble, 1-2-3, Yellow Ball. Those that are Qualifiers will have an effect on your Handicap Index. Small charges are made to enter some events and these go towards the cost of prizes, trophies, engraving and administration.
There are numerous other competitions and matches throughout the year, including regular matches against many great golf clubs. These add variety and interest and are always enjoyed by those who play in them.The green buttons below enable you to download a calendar of our main events and to learn how we use online resources to help us organise our activities.
At least one qualifying Medal round is played each month from March through October.
At least two qualifying Stableford games are played each month from March through October and one or more in the winter months if conditions permit.
This is our ‘blue riband’ event – a 36-hole stroke play qualifying competition played over two days (Tues/Thurs of the same week), usually in September. The player with the lowest gross score after two rounds is declared the Vets Champion and wins the trophy. The victor’s name is added to the ‘Vets Club Champion’ Honours Board.
These are Vets knock-out competitions that run throughout the summer months. All matches must be played off the white tees. There is a small entry fee for both competitions. Pairs competition partners are drawn at random from those who enter. The players then arrange their own matches at a time to suit themselves though each team or player must complete each round within the time limit posted in the competition notice. The winners’ names appear on the Club’s Honours Boards.
Every score achieved during all medal rounds played by participating players will count towards the Eclectic Trophy. Individually, the best score on each hole is transferred to their eclectic score card. The competition ends after the last medal competition in October of each year and the player with the overall best eclectic score card following the relevant handicap adjustment wins. To be eligible, players must sign-up prior to commencement.
During the warmer months there are many matches both home and away against the senior sections of other clubs. All are followed or preceded by a meal, for which a charge is made. Dress code for lunch is determined by the home club. Teams comprise of up to sixteen players, all of whom are expected to dine. Everyone who plays with the Vets’ section is eligible providing they have a Handicap Index. If you wish to play in any of these matches, then all you need to do is sign up when notice of a match is given. If you’re selected you will be notified. It is important to note that if selected we rely on you to turn up for the match. If due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances you find yourself unable to play, you must notify the Match Manager as soon as possible so that a replacement can be found.
An anagram of “Ryder” (because it is played in the same format as the Ryder Cup). This is a winter competition generally played in January and/or early February between the younger (The Moderns) and the more senior members (The Ancients) of the section. The matches are Foursomes, Four-ball better ball and Singles, with the winning team being the one accumulating most points over the three games. A one-course lunch at a small charge follows the Singles at which the Derry Cup is presented.
Introduced in 2011, this is a three-leg home and away friendly against the seniors of The Addington Golf Club. Teams consist of twelve players chosen from Vets’ Committee members and a selection of players who have made a significant contribution to the Vets’ Section during the year. The first leg format is Foursomes, the second leg is Four-ball better ball, and the third leg is Singles. The team with the most points after the three meetings wins the Trophy. A one-course lunch at a small charge follows each meeting.
This day is organised by the Captain for the benefit of his chosen charity. The idea is to raise money with the help of the section members by making up teams from either inside or outside Westerham membership. Individuals/Groups/Companies can sponsor holes, offer up prizes for the auction, the raffle or simply donate/gift money for the charity. We have a proud record in raising money for many deserving bodies including Valence School, Help for Heroes, Hospice in the Weald, The Children’s Trust and the Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance Trust.
There are two events with the Ladies Section, usually held in the spring and autumn. The format is a three-ball comprising two Vets and one lady with the best two Stableford points scores to count on each hole and totalled after 18 holes. Lunch is provided at a small charge and the presentation of modest prizes follows the competition.
The venue for this will be a hotel usually within a two-hour drive of Westerham. It includes dinner, bed and breakfast and two rounds of golf. It is organised by the Captain and volunteers. Following two rounds of golf the player with the highest number of Stableford points is awarded the Ron Hughes Cup.
Organised by the Vice-Captain, this is a Stableford individual and team competition which takes place at a not-too-distant golf course. It is followed by a meal and presentation of prizes.
We encourage our section members to compete in Seniors Team Open Competitions at other clubs, and sometimes one is also arranged at Westerham. Information on these events is circulated to Vets at intervals.
We have a strong link with the Association of Kent Veteran Golfers (www.akvg.com) and typically 100 of its 700+ members meet to play in events organised at selected Kent golf clubs plus an annual match v- Devon County and v- Cornwall County. A modest charge is made for membership of the Association (50+ Vets are members) and there are match fees including lunch. Charitable donations raised by the Association each year are presented to the Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance Trust and the captain’s chosen charity.
Held in mid-November, members win a modest prize for achieving a challenge on a selected hole on our course. This is a very popular competition with as many prizes as players – so it normally results in everyone winning something.
This event recognises and celebrates the services rendered selflessly by former Vets Captains, many of whom continue to engage in Vets’ activities. They are joined annually by the current Captain and committee members to play a singles Stableford competition for the Salver, followed by a lunch and presentation.
Matches are played to celebrate the UK’s four Saints’ Days: The Celtic Cup in March (St Patrick’s team v- St David’s team); St George’s Day in April (England v- Rest of the World); St Andrew’s Day in November (Royals v- Ancients).
This takes place in early/mid-December and is a highlight of the year. Members are encouraged to bring guests as well as their partner to enjoy a festive menu during which trophies are presented to the winners of the year’s competitions. After the outgoing Captain is thanked for his services, the Entertainments Committee stages a musical ‘extravaganza’, ending with carol singing by all.
This meeting provides the opportunity to air all your good ideas and discuss them in open forum. It will help you familiarise yourself with our activities and shapes the future of the section. Committee members are elected and reports are presented, including the past year’s accounts.
Frazer Amy, our Club Professional, provides individual lessons to all members of the club and at a modest cost and group lessons to our section members. He also provides us with rules advice. Newcomers will find his coaching and advice very helpful.
E-mail: proshop@westerhamgc.co.uk or tel. no. 01959 567100.
