Parco Players
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Parco Players
Welcome to our golf society
Parco Players was established in 2024 with the aim of encouraging friends, clients and colleagues to get into golf and have some fun, on and off the course.
Two teams have been created with players selected to represent The Raiders and The Royals.
The Players
Jamie Allen - HC21
Club: South Winchester
Geoff Long - HC10
Club: South Winchester
Dave Westrope - HC28
Club: Parco Players
Dan Chalk - HC9 - Captain
Club: South Winchester
Alan Giles - HC28
Club: Parco Players
Alex Brady - HC28
Club: Parco Players
Pete White - HC28
Club: Parco Players
Dave White - HC9 - Captain
Club: South Winchester
Jamie Porteous - HC28
Club: Parco Players
Jason Bignell - HC28
Club: Parco Players
Mike Hand - HC16
Club: Parco Players
Chris Hand - HC18
Club: Parco Players
Andy Richards - HC8
Club: Wellow
Derek Chalk - HC23
Club: South Winchester
Match 1: South Winchester
Raiders romp it with 19 point victory
Venue: South Winchester Golf Club
Date: 9th March 2024
The first Parco Players match took place on a dry but cloudy day at South Winchester Golf Club. Raiders Jamie Allen (24HC) and Geoff Long (9) took on the Royals pairing of Dave White (9) and Jamie Porteous (24).
After a fine start (champion's breakfast and coffee) and no practice, the players grabbed their clubs. It then dawned on Jamie P that his electric trolley was useless with the battery at home, still charging. Jamie A takes a call from his lovely wife Cheryl, who asks him why his new trolley is still in the kitchen?
The players hit the course. Jamie P creamed his drive but threw his second shot straight out of bounds. Dave blobbed the first and it was a small sign of things to come from this injured captain.
Jamie and Geoff played some fine, steady golf and took the half-way lead of 29 points to 20.
A few golf balls were scattered around the course for other golfers to find, with Dave leading the lost balls count with 4 never to be seen again second chance Pro V1s. Jamie P lost 3 of his favourite Dunlops and Jamie A just lost just a couple of balls, with Geoff losing no balls at his home course.
The Raiders had a day to remember with 61 points in the bag (Jamie 27 and Geoff 34). The Royals had a lovely walk and came home with 21 points each and a few less golf balls. A cracking day out all round.
Raiders 61 points v Royals 42 points.
Match 2: Barton-on-Sea
The Royals sneak a victory by 1 point
Venue: Barton-on-Sea Golf Club
Date: 20th March 2024
A tight 2 ball match at Barton-on-Sea in wonderful Spring sunshine saw The Raiders take a 2 point advantage into the back 9 with some excellent golf by Raider Jamie Allen resulting in a 17-15 lead over Dave White, representing The Royals.
The Royals came back strong on the back 9 with a birdie on the 12th and three consecutive pars for a 20pt back 9 coming in 35-34 in favour of The Royals.
Only two golf balls were taken by the water, with the players losing one each.
Raiders 34 points v Royals 35 points.
Match 3: The Hampshire
Another close-fought Royals win
Venue: The Hampshire Golf Club
Date: 6th April 2024
Our longest journey of the year so far for the Parco Players tour. Eight players braved harsh, windy conditions at The Hampshire in new Parco Players polos.
Some classic moments from the debut Raider Alan Giles saw him drive the ball into a tree, making a 360 yard hole even longer at 380 yards! He also managed to snap the offending driver after throwing it further than his tee shot. We won't mention his total Stableford points or lost ball count (but you can see them in the tables below).
The Royals ran out one point winners over the Raiders. Jamie Porteous and Dave White pairing up to collect a decent 26pts and 32pts respectively. Special mention to Dave Westrope, who moved over to the Royals team to help them pinch the team win on the day.
Dan Chalk collected some winnings with three nearest pins with Dave White hitting the other green. Pete White had the best front 9 with 16 points and Dave White shooting the best back and overall score with 32 points on count-back over Dan. Well played everyone.
Raiders 101 points v Royals 102 points.
Match 4: Sherfield Oaks
First red jacket winner
Venue: Sherfield Oaks Golf Club - Wellington course
Date: 19th May 2024
All eyes were on the PGA Championship in Valhalla, but the real drama was here in Hampshire as the first XXXL red jacket was on the line for the opening Parco Major of the season at a sun baked Sherfield Oaks course, Basingstoke.
The day started well with bacon baps and a run-down of the comps from a well organised event by our host Dan Chalk.
Dave Westrope stepped over to balance the teams with another guest appearance for the Royals. Jamie Porteous had a dream start with 20 points on the front 9, but the stag do hangover soon kicked in, and a season low 8 points on the back 9 saw his challenge come to an end.
Nearest the pin prizes went to Jamie Porteous, Dave White and Derek Chalk with a couple of stunning shots from JP and Derek to within 6ft of the hole. The 'Blind' pairs draw saw Jamie Allen and Dave Westrope win a small taxable cash prize.
A new world record was also set by Derek 'The Snail' Chalk. After 6 minutes of looking through his new rangefinder and not registering a pin, (although he did see Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament). He was told by his playing partners that it was 107 yards... and he then checked... and confirmed after another 3 minutes that they were correct. Official time was 9 minutes 12 seconds. He also went through 3 new batteries, another record for a rangefinder in one round.
Onto the main event. 39 points each for Jamie Allen and Geoff Long resulted in a count-back, but the Raiders pair could not be separated after scoring 21 on the front and 18 on the back... with Geoff narrowly securing the win and a tour jacket with a gross score of 78, and was presented with an ill-fitting top by Royals captain Dave White.
Big team points for the Raiders: Dan Chalk 30, Pete White 30, Jamie Allen 39, Geoff Long 39 and Alan Giles 22 saw a handsome return of 160 points. With the Royals amassing 137 points from Dave White 32, Dave Westrope 27, Derek Chalk 24, Andy Richards 26 and Jamie Porteous 28.
Raiders 160 points v Royals 137 points.
Match 5: Pine Ridge
Raiders all make 31+ at Pine Ridge
Venue: Pine Ridge Golf Club
Date: 21st July 2024
The 152nd Open at Royal Troon was being played out in Scotland but all eyes were on Surrey's Pine Ridge for the 5th Match Day of the Parco season.
9 players entered the competition with a couple of debut's from Ken Can't Count for the Royals and Robbie Roberts for the Raiders.
A (long-awaited) 3 shot handicap cut for Jamie Allen did not put off the champion in waiting. A solid 37 points off of 22, saw him take the jacket and winners purse from Robbie who contributed 35 points for the Raiders. His outstanding one over par back 9 was not quite enough to catch Jamie Allen.
Nearest the pin £10 prizes went to Geoff Long, Robbie Roberts (x2 with a roll-over) and the in-form Jamie Allen with a pin seeking shot on the short 17th.
Above: Geoff, Robbie and Dave Westrope's tee shots on the 125 yard 17th. All walked off with tap in pars.
Big team points for the Raiders: Jamie Allen 37, Robbie Roberts 35, Geoff Long 32, Dave Westrope 31 and Alan Giles 31. Royals scores: Jamie Porteous 32, Ken 30, Dave White 28 and Derek Chalk 23.
Special mentions to Alan Giles for the Raider's 'Most Improved Player' award and to Dave White for topping the Lost Ball League with another 3 in the bushes, and 9 (NINE!) overall. Looks like more hours and gadgets required down at the range.
Note: Raiders drop their lowest score on the day to balance a 4 v 4 match.
Raiders 135 points v Royals 113 points.
Match 6: Paultons
Royals close the gap, slightly
Venue: Paultons Golf Club
Date: 22nd September 2024
12 players started an overcast morning at Paultons Golf Club, but only 8 swam back down the 18th fairway on a wet Sunday afternoon.
The day started well with bacon rolls and coffee on arrival, organised by Jamie Porteous. Jamie Allen took a visit to the golf shop to stock up on everything he left behind: a 3-wood, golf balls, tees, golf shoes, a top, glove. Pretty much all the basics really!
A short par 4 greeted the players on the first hole with early birdies from Dave White and Dan Chalk. The heavens then started to open!
Above: Dave Westrope thinks about when to make a dash for it.
After another torrential downpour, the 3rd group called it a day and went to the bar for a well-earned beer after 9 holes.
The other two groups continued as Jamie P hit a nice 240 yard drive on the 14th but took 5 more shots to finish the next 130 yards.
Andy Richards won x3 par 3's (one rollover) with Derek Chalk hitting the signature 15th over the pond. Special mention to Jamie A, Andy and Jamie P for all going straight into the pond... if only Pete could have reached it!
Scores on the doors:
Raiders: Danny Chalk - 31p. Alan Giles - 17p. Jamie Allen - 33p. Pete White - 34p.
Royals: Dave White - 28p. Derek Chalk - 29p. Andy Richards - 33p. Jamie Porteous - 26p.
Raider Pete wins the day but the Royals win the match by 1 point.
Raiders 115 points v Royals 116 points.
Above: Pete White takes the winners jacket home, scoring 34 points for the Raiders.
Above: Andy Richards takes home the Player's Player trophy after coming 2nd on count-back and hitting two nearest the pins.
League Standings
606 points
545 points
Tournament & Tour News
Next tournament
Date: 9th or 16th November 2024 (TBC)
Venue: South Winchester - TBC
Organisers: Jamie Allen / Dave White
Merchandise
Now available from the clubhouse:
- Parco Poloshirts: Free to members
- HMV Exclusive Single: Unsigned: £3.99. Signed: £1.99.
- East17 fan zone T-shirts: £9.99 (only one available/ made).
Parco Civil Engineering & Groundworks Ltd provide groundwork, infrastructure and installation services for electric vehicle charging units across the UK.