The TT Roll-up annual Xmas Lunch was held on Sunday 20th December 2015 at Frilford Heath Golf Club.
Following an excellent carvery lunch with festive accompaniments, including a Christmas quiz, the party of 30 TT Roll-up regulars and their partners repaired to the upstairs lounge for coffee and mince pies.
Once all were settled, the organiser/MC, Mike Whitwell, wished everyone a merry Christmas and invited Nigel French, formerly Emperor Hirudo, but newly appointed Obi-wan Kenobe Leech, to open proceedings.
Nigel French echoed Mike Whitwell's Christmas wishes and expressed the TT Roll-up's thanks to the Club, both for the excellent lunch and for the even more important golfing facilities that all had enjoyed during the year.
He then spoke, thankfully briefly, about matters specifically affecting the TT Roll-up during 2015.
He noted that participation in the TT Roll-up had again been good during 2015, with 27 Regulars (playing at least 10 times during the year) and a further 10 occasional players, including several newly joined or newly-retired members introduced to the Roll-up by the Club or other members.
He mentioned the two recent special competitions, evidently organised primarily for the benefit of Rob Kennedy, namely the 3-Club Challenge held on 25th November won by Rob Kennedy with 37 pts and the Turkey Trot held on 15th December also won by Rob Kennedy with 37 pts.
He then announced the results of this year's Hugh Chamberlain Trophy competition.
He said that 20 Regulars were eligible for consideration for the Hugh Chamberlain Trophy by virtue of playing a minimum of 20 times in qualifying TT Roll-up competitions during 2015.
The winner with an average Stableford score of 35.00 pts over 21 rounds (off a handicap repeatedly cut from 8 down to 5!!) was Peter Clarke.
Second with 33.84 pts over 25 rounds was Ian McDougall. Third with 33.29 pts over 42 rounds was Rob Kennedy. Fourth with 33.22 pts over 49 rounds was Dave Parker. Fifth with 32.93 pts over 29 rounds was David Lindsell.
Since Peter Clarke and Ian McDougall were not present at the Xmas Lunch, Nigel said he would arrange to present the main trophy and the runners-up consolation prize to them at a later date. The prize for third was presented to Rob Kennedy.
In conclusion Nigel French thanked Mike Whitwell for voluntarily taking on the task of organising the Xmas Lunch and doing such a great job. He would be most welcome to do the honours again next year….
Following Nigel French's speech, Mike Whitwell thanked the TT Roll-up for making him welcome since he joined the group in April 2015 and in particular thanked those who had plied him with sweets on the course, returning the compliment in some style with boxes of various types of candy. Mike then arranged for the raffle to be drawn with prizes imaginatively and thoughtfully provided by himself.
Mike concluded by embarrassing Nigel French by expressing in verse the TT Roll-up Regulars' thanks for his continuing organizational efforts and presented him with a selection of topical and/or appropriately named beers.