North Foreland - Wed 11th Feb 2026

Report

It's February, it's been really wet, & whilst most golf courses are offering swimming lessons or introduction to Bog Snorkeling sessions, North Foreland delivered some great conditions today.  With 21, of our bumper crowd of 30, scoring over 30pts it was going to take a special performance to take the spoils... & that's what we got... There's only one place to start. A special moment that all Golfers dream of: A hole in one.  The setting was North Foreland's 5th hole (our 14th of the day, as we started on the 10th), & Paul 'Smoggie' Bunyan hit a shot from his dreams... Jim was almost as excited as he wrote 1 for 5pts on a card for the 1st time ever.  The following group insisted on some photos to mark the occasion & enjoyed reminding Paul that he had the honour of getting everyone a drink once back in the clubhouse.  This was the 1st hole-in-one in the Society since September '23 when Andy Miller used his driver to great effect at Upchurch!

Who'd have thought we'd have had such dry, spring-like conditions today? We even saw the sun, although it was debatable whether it was brighter than Gary's pink trousers which rivalled Ricky's Royal & Ancient offerings for most unique outfit of the day...  We started with a great breakfast upstairs in the clubhouse with its beautiful vista, endured the usual shenanigans of the 4-ball draw & then we were off.  Rhod had a lot of pressure on his shoulders as he was without his sidekick Carl, who was teaching us all a lesson by putting care for his other half ahead of golf... this showed early on as Rhod's 1st drive only just went past the red tees, leading to two blobs in the 1st three holes... however, he turned it around to come in 4th again (on countback) with a credible 35pts.  The aforementioned, bright Pink trouser wearing, Gary scored an impressive 37pts, which wasn't enough to repeat his 1st place performance from 3 years ago, but did win him a sleeve of 'Love logo' golf balls for 3rd place, what more could you want with Valentine's Day in just a few days. 

After Smoggies' 1 for 5pts, surely no-one could spoil his special day... well, it was very nearly wrestled away from him, by fellow Stonelees' member Ady, who seems to be turning good form into a habit (although his fellow Stonelees' "friends" seem to be using other words to describe this...). Hot off his home victory last month, & a 5th medal victory on the bounce, & a 3-shot cut for today, Ady still managed to reach 39pts...  However, Smoggie with 22pts on today's back 9 beat Ady by 1pt on countback for a memorable victory. His 1st since Canterbury last April.  Smoggie also treated everyone to a wee dram of Whisky which his 2's money helped towards!

Nearest the Pin on the 7th was won by Lodgy, whilst the 11th was won by Steve Bailey who was subject to a two shot cut today after his victory at Westgate in December.  There was a mystery on the 18th green (our 9th hole today)... the nearest the pin marker was on the green but no name was written & no-one claimed it afterwards...

Another great day, good company, friendships deepened, achievements celebrated & handicaps debated... Next month we're off to Sittingbourne on Wed 18th March with breakfast at 10.30am & vasty improved greens from last year... Now I'm off to get the Handicap committee together again to try & appease the baying crowd!!