The ‘NEW’ WAYFAIRERS GOLF SOCIETY

The Cherry Tree Golf Society held its final farewell in grand style at Chatham Park in December. The golf was cancelled because of the weather but members, guests, wives and all, enjoyed the festive spirit and an excellent meal before their remaining members join forces with the Wayfairers for the 2025 season.  In similar vein the Wayfairers held their traditional Texas Scramble and Christmas Party at Holtye which was well attended and was a great success.
Doubts as to whether this could go ahead this year were quickly dispelled and we were

particularly pleased to welcome so many of our ladies.  Holtye did us proud, the Christmas setting was delightful and Julian and his staff treated us to a fine meal with the evening being brought to a climax by the beautiful rendering of the Caccini Ave Maria by Angela Wilkes.

Golf was secondary on the day and there were strong doubts as to whether our traditional Texas Scramble golf meeting could take place but those stalwarts who braved the course and the weather are to be congratulated.

 

Awarded to DAVID SMITH

Scramble trophy presented by Mick to winners: Kam, Richard & Carl

 

All smiles: Longest drive winner Kam

 

And so we welcome in a new era in 2025 with the combined forces of  the Wayfairers and Cherry Tree Societies. Still small in number but optimistically looking forward to a season of full of enjoyment and competition.

MEMBERSHIP LIST which includes non playing social members and those recovering from illness.  If you wish to be added to the playing list or you no longer wish to receive our Emails, please let me know.

THE PLAYING HANDICAPS for 2025 which includes potential guests/recruits.
There is a significant difference in the handicap system used by the two societies. Both have served their purpose in providing a society handicap based solely on the relative abilities of its members, not to club handicaps.

The society maximum handicap is to remains at 36 (some of us may warrant a higher handicap but as we play all of our competitions on a Stableford basis, anything above a 36 handicap would make scoring difficult for our ageing members!!)

HANDICAPS

A handicap review with a degree of discretion is carried out after each meeting. Scores are compared to the average score of the day.  Those scoring MORE THAN 5 ABOVE the average are subject to review with the prospect of seeing a handicap reduction of not more than 4 shots dependent upon their existing handicap and how much their score is above the average. Minimum for the winner is a reduction of one.

Those scoring MORE than 3 BELOW the average are reviewed with the prospect of receiving 1 to 3 shots back.

 

This system has been successful over our last 30 years and has seen a wide dispersal of  winners with, until recently with our reduced numbers, no one had won twice in the same year.

The 2025 handicap gives the Cherry Tree contingent their CT handicap or Wayfairers handicap whichever is the higher.

Courses under consideration for 2025

Horne Park. Holtye, Villa, Hever 9 hole, Godstone, Wellshurst, Coulsdon Court, Chartham Park, Ifield, Horsham.

Our opening meeting and AGM is to be held as in recent years, at Horne Park and details will be sent out shortly.

There is a divergence of views as to whether in future we should play 9 or 18 holes of golf.  We may not have enough to accommodate both on the same day but we will try to cater for all as far as possible.