Getting the boring pleading bit over first.
We are looking for one or two new committee members to help out particularly at events. It’s not that much work and full training and support will be given.
Grateful thanks to my fellow committee members this year for the efforts – Luc, James, Ernest and Ian.
We also would like to know what we can do to improve attendance at FROGS events. The numbers playing this year were the lowest ever. It’s your golf society, we just smooth the wheels. Please turn up and play.
Without mentioning events in Chicago and Paris neither of which have anything to do with FROGS or golf but are really notable most of you unfortunately missed out on a great FROGS weekend.
It all started on Friday lunchtime when the victorious Ryder Cup team met to celebrate the historic victory over our those who shall not be named. Many thanks to Dennis for organising the lunch and providing the balloons which reappeared on Saturday night to the bemusement of many at the hotel. A couple of newbies didn’t quite enter into the spirit and ordered beef rather than spicy chicken but they will know better next time. Gregor was presented with a new FROGS trophy as the winning Ryder Cup captain which he will keep until next year when we win it again.
If anyone knows the name of the winning captain 18 years ago please let me know and we will get them added to the trophy.
I’m sure some photos of all the events will appear soon on www.frogs.lu.
Onto Saturday morning for the much delayed Bijnens Beer 3 Club challenge. Serge it was worth the wait you beer is excellent and was much enjoyed by all.
18 FROGS, 2 guests and Marco braved the rain and cold just to get a free beer. Possibly as there were beers at the end our starter failed to provide anything to warm us up, thanks for starting anyway James. Fortunately half way round a buggy appeared out of the rain bearing beer and cognac. I’m not sure we really want Hoppy to start playing golf again as his support activities are much appreciated.
Somewhat sadistically the NTP was on the first hole (tenth for the pedants amongst you) and with the first shot of the tournament Peter Baxter almost won with 2.46m unfortunately he was to be pipped by a certain Arno Bottle.
The same Arno then went on to smash a drive past Ayzo’s best to also claim the longest drive.
Given the rain, just three clubs etc, etc the results were pretty good.
Johan claimed the first place with 16.
Arnaud “Arno” Boutellier shot 15 to claim second and Peter 14 for third.
In spite of an anonymous South African lawyer challenging the FROGS’ one prize rule this was maintained and therefore Arnaud’s LD and NTP went down to Mark Gillies with 13 and Gregor who beat Ayzo on countback with 12 points.
Marco will be presented with an honorary FROGS umbrella as the best non-FROG playing for his magnificent 13 points and we hope and expect to see him back in FROGS’ colours next season.
As Ayzo couldn’t be at the final FROGS event later that day he presented some very nice looking wine to Arnaud as the AKD Matchplay runner up and the same wine plus a bottle of 1978 Armagnac for the winner – Mark Houston.
Dennis – in spite of the name, Chateau Montrose is not a vineyard in Scotland but one of the best second growths in Saint Estephe, Bordeaux France. Sorry.
The Bijnens Pink Ball appropriately an empty beer bottle was hard fought over.
Neil Underwood’s 5 points wasn’t bad enough, nor was Paul Goes’s 4 points as having only sored 1 point on the last 3 holes step forward Mr Andrew Paton who took the honours on reverse countback.e
The prize giving took place in the halfway house and many bottles of the aforementioned Bijnens beer (http://bijnensbeer.com/home live following the official launch in Belgium later this month) were partaken of and the general conclusion was that it was a very fine ale. Many thanks from us all again Serge…
And so to the Annual Dinner – 27 FROGS and partners attended the dinner at the Alfa Hotel. I don’t remember but I think all there enjoyed the evening, certainly the champagne and wine flowed freely as did the cleansing ales at the end of the evening. Luc kindly broke into his cellar to provide several bottles of an excellent red wine as a bonus. Maybe that’s why I don’t remember so much.
Somehow most people managed not to fall asleep during the Fat Frog’s prize presentation speech – no idea how.
In no particular order the following trophies were handed out.
FROGS Matchplay Trophy – Mark Houston
Ken Reid FROGS Individual Trophy – Craig Ferreira
The all new Don MacGregor – Dave Moody FROGS Pairs Trophy – Alan Botfield and Steve Brown
The soon to be acquired FROGS CITCO Overall Trophy – William Heath
The Ryder Cup – Gregor Dalrymple
Interestingly the three floating Frog balloons were graciously donated by Dennis to fellow FROGS for their children.
Many thanks to our sponsors in 2016 who have all agreed to continue next year:-
CITCO
KPMG
Bijnens Beer
AKD
MixVOip
For those who still aren’t aware of the two non FROG related major sporting achievements over the weekend, the Irish ended the All Blacks 18 match winning run to earn their first victory over the All Blacks in 111 years- at least it was our second victory and we only had to wait 18 years.
The other one was a certain Scotsman becoming the No 1 tennis player in the world.