The Swindlers vs. The Ladies
2026
The fifth Swindlers vs. The Ladies match took place during the afternoon of Friday 28 August with twelve players from each team.
The format was men playing off the blue tees and ladies off the red with 85% course handicap. 4BBB Stableford points counted for each team with the sum of the Stableford points being the winner.
With thunderstorms forecast there was always a risk that the match would be called in. As we reached the halfway point for most matches, the heavens opened with a biblical downpour and thunder crackling around the course. A chap was noticed building an Ark behind the 10th green. The 9th green rapidly developed a couple of water features. On checking the status at the halfway hut, groups 3 & 4 were told to stay out on the course and take shelter if necessary! However, group 2 called the office on the 11th and were told to leave the course - when the message reached the later groups the weather had improved immeasurably - no rain and clear skies - so we stayed out.
The Ladies scored more than the Swindlers in three of the six matches but by a small margin. The big delta - 12 points in one match and 5 in another proved decisive!
Match 1.
Lynn Stephens & Fiona Browning vs. Bryn Owen & Simon Hill
It was a closely fought contest up until a thunderstorm put a stop to it on the 12th when the women were 2 pts ahead. But, a very enjoyable day all the same.
(Fiona)
Match 2.
Lorraine Toogood & Sue Vincent vs. Tim Horan & Scott Browning
We had a great match with Scott and Tim. We were up and down on every hole. When we finished the 9th the ladies were one up but then it started pouring down. We waited to tee off on the 10th until the rain eased and then men got the 10th making it all square again. We had the advantage on the 11th until the thunder and lightning started and we had to finish the match as all square. A shame we could not finish the match.
(Sue)
Match 3.
Karen Armstrong & Joanne Fawthrop vs. Colin Reardon &
Adam Witherington
This was a very close match with Karen and Joanne deadly on the greens which enabled them to post a stonking 24 points on the front 9 - helped by Karen's 4-pointer par on the 7th! Colin and Adam dovetailed well and recovered after their paltry 1 point on the first to be just one behind at the turn. The Swindlers managed to draw level halfway through the back 9 but Karen's par on the 17th and Colin & Adam unable to get better than 1 point on the 18th gave them a one-point win - 41 to 40. Great fun and good banter all the way round.
(Colin)
What a close run match this was. It was nip and tuck all the way round. I think the complete downpour on the 9th threw us all off our game for a while, but we all battled on through the storm and then the sun came out. We just managed to pip them for a win on the 18th. Colin & Adam were lovely company, thank you chaps.
(Karen)
Match 4.
Pat Deacon & Chris Goss vs. Simon Lloyd & Simon Cook
Great game between ‘Cookie’ and me vs Pat and Chris. As a team, S&S were fortunate to dovetail well and we were not many over at the turn. The 8th was interesting as we huddled together for cover while the storm hit us. There was some discussion at the half way hut whether to go in, but we were keen to continue. Great fun, a terrific format and we were the winners.
(Simon L.)
Chris and I played the 2 Simons who managed to dovetail beautifully and score enough birdies to have a handsome win.
(Pat)
Kryssie Bennett & Pat Hilton vs. Nick Hayward & Les Bygrave
Given lady's normal consistency we were concerned about giving 2 shots per hole to both ladies and hole 1 had Kryssie rolling in a good putt for 3 points and a 2 point lead. Match was then tight until the rain came down on the 7th. The ladies sat in the middle of the fairway in their buggy whilst I was pressed up against the tree by the bunker. Les was crouched low by his trolley under his umbrella watching the horse racing on his phone, I think. The men had a 3 point lead at the turn but then Les, the quality player, came to the fore by parring 10 to 13 which broke the ladies resistance. The men continued to dovetail well which enabled a sizeable points gap at the end. The match was played in good spirits and was enjoyed by all.
(Nick)
We played quite well on the front nine, especially Krissie but we collapsed on the back nine. The men were kind and encouraging.
(Pat)
Match 6.
Alison Gatford & Jan West vs. Brad Bygrave & Roger Keen
The match between Alison, Jan, Brad and Roger was closely matched then the heavens opened and during the deluge that followed I thought Brad had been washed away by the Tsunami but luckily I found him huddled up like gnome without his fishing rod underneath his umbrella!
Play resumed after the storm and it was closely matched until on the 14th Roger made the fateful mistake of assuming that a 4" tap in was a gimme, that point would have drawn the round at the finish but unfortunately we lost by one point. Well played Alison and Jan. Oh and Brad!
(Roger)
Final results:
| Ladies | Points | Swindlers | Points |
| Lynn Stephens & Fiona Browning (10 holes) |
25 | Bryn Owen & Simon Hill |
24 |
| Lorraine Toogood & Sue Vincent (10 holes) |
20 | Tim Horan & Scott Browning |
23 |
| Karen Armstrong & Joanne Fawthrop |
41 | Colin Reardon & Adam Witherington |
40 |
| Pat Deacon & Chris Goss |
35 | Simon Lloyd & Simon Cook |
40 |
| Kryssie Bennett & Pat Hilton |
29 | Nick Hayward & Les Bygrave |
41 |
| Alison Gatford & Jan West |
38 | Brad Bygrave & Roger Keen |
37 |
| 188 | 205 |
Congratulations to the Swindlers on their third consecutive win. 