Alfred Robbins Lodge

Metropolitan Grand Lodge & Chapter Golf Society Update 

Bro Morris Bentley reports

Russell Race Claret Jug 

The Metropolitan Grand Lodge & Chapter Golf Society did its annual battle with the East Kent Masonic Golf Society for the Russell Race Claret Jug on Thursday 11th April at Northwood Golf Club in Middlesex. Founded in 1891 and the second oldest golf club in Middlesex, it plays to 6,259 yards off the yellow tees with a par of 71. The club was also awarded Club of the Year at the recent Centenary Dinner of the Middlesex County Golf Association. 

The Metropolitan team was led by our new society Captain, Matthew Beckwith, and featured stalwarts Gordon Beasley, John Bennett, Anil Dhiri, Robert Grant, Bob Hancock (Chairman), Michael Horley, Kevin Jones and Eric Mould. Unfortunately, the Met Team could not take advantage of the good conditions and lost the match 4 – 1; their only success coming from the dynamic Brookman’s Park pairing of the Flying Doctors – Anil Dhiri and Kevin Jones.

Russell Race had presented the Claret Jug to the Society back in 2013 to encourage a friendly rivalry (he was Metropolitan Grand Master and had previously served as Deputy Provincial Grand Master of East Kent). The Metropolitan Team looks forward to wrestling the Claret Jug back next year!

President’s Salver 

It was ‘polling and putting’ on 4th July as 14 golfers turned out at Richings Park Golf Club in Iver, Berkshire for the President’s Salver. Situated amongst a 17th Century house and stable complex, the course off the yellow tees measures 5,816 yards with a Par of 70. A river runs through the middle of the course with six other lakes dotted around, making a stern test of one’s mid to short game! Whilst the fairways were bone dry, the greens were lush and ‘springy’ underfoot with nine of the golfers scoring 33 points or more.

Nearest the pin on the 150-yard 6th Hole was Society Captain Matthew Beckwith; and he followed this up with a 260 yard Longest Drive on the 374 yard 18th hole. Anil Dhiri was nearest the pin on the 161-yard 10th Hole. The Winning Guest was Mochtar Bassman with 38 points and receiving 19 shots, while in third place on count-back from Bob Hancock was Matthew Beckwith with 36 points and receiving 18 shots.

The Runner-Up was Anil Dhiri who scored a very creditable 40 points and received 19 shots; while the winner of the President’s Salver was Kevin Jones who scorched 45 points while again receiving just 19 shots! On their next outings with the Society, Anil will be cut two shots and Kevin will be cut four! Afterwards, a most enjoyable meal was taken with a tasty curry.

Russell Race Claret Jug
Roll of Honour

The Opening Ode Shield

Longest Drive (13th) – Kevin Jones

Nearest the Pin (14th 141yds, Sl 12) – Brad Collins

Nearest the Pin (17th 136yds, Sl 8) – Anil Dhiri

Guests: (3) Chris Hancock, (2) Brid Hancock, (1) Brad Collins

Society: (3) Nick Jenkins, (2) Bob Hancock, (1) Roy Nelson

The Andrew Henderson Trophy

Winner: Siang-Li Choo (41pts playing off 22)

Runner-up: Michael Fox (36 points playing off 24)

Third: Dilip Patel (30pts playing off 30)

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East Kent Captain Derek Read (left) with Metropolitan Captain Matthew Beckwith.

Kevin Jones (left) receives the Salver.

Brad Collins with Chairman Bob Hancock.

Roy Nelson with Opening Ode Shield and Chairman Bob Hancock.

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 55 Summer 2024 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in the Arena Issue 55 here.