Golfing pals Ian Woodman and Kent Waterman are hoping 2020 will be as successful as this after scooping seven competition prizes in only their second full year as members of Leighton Buzzard’s Plantation Road club.
Equipment tester Ian and paint sprayer Kent have been regular playing partners in individual and team events, with 46-year-old Kent having now been named winner of the club Grand Prix, an event launched 20 years ago for which points are awarded F1 racing style for top 10 finishes in medal, stableford and other qualifying competitions.
Kent topped the table with 47 points, four clear of runner-up Joshua Rowles with Dharm Naveen Diwaker third with 40 points.
Ian finished the year by teaming up with John McKay to win the club Christmas foursomes with 38.5 points – beating runners-up Kent and Paul Ellam by a shot.
Earlier in the season, Ian carded a nett 63 to win the October Midweek medal by five shots, and won the October Midweek stableford, beating Joe Butlin on countback after both carded 43 points.
Kent meanwhile won the July stableford with 41 points and was top finisher in the October D-Day Landings Medal with a nett 68, who shots clear of Alan Smith.
And having carded a nett 66 to win the club Daily Mail foursomes qualifier, the deadly duo will represent Leighton Buzzard in the regional finals of the nationwide event this coming Spring.
For Ian, the year has also been a victory against adversity, the 54-year-old having had to pack in his sporting activities some years ago due to a serious health problem which required brain surgery.
Getting fit and joining the Leighton club was, says Ian, “The best thing I’ve ever done,” adding: Leighton is such a friendly club and a delight to play.”
The trophies will be presented on Saturday, January 11 at a prize presentation evening by retiring Club Captain Robbie John before his successor Simon Rossiter is formally installed at a “drivei in” the following morning.
Just days after winning Leighton’s Barney Hallam trophy with 41 points, golfing granddad Ian Kempsell won his “alternative seniors” golf group annual competition with 411 points – an average of 41 points in his ten qualifying scores.