All things considered 2023 was a great year for the society, where we welcomed new members and managed to stage most of our planned events. Mother nature had her say though and heavy rain caused the cancellation in March of our first meeting and AGM at Woking. The same occurred to our November meeting at Swinley Forest due to heavy rain the preceding week.
The RSGS golfing year got going at last with the Spring Meeting and 2023 AGM at The Grove, Hertfordshire on 22nd April with a full field of 24 players, including members’ guests and new members too. Fortune smiled, the weather was on our side and we played on a very well-presented course. Main Spring meeting winners were: Scratch Trophy: Steve Hill (83 strokes), The King’s Jug: Gunilla Assmundsson (33p) Einar Flygt Challenge Bowl: Claes Andreasson (36p) and the Special guest prize went to Karin Persson (40p). Well done, Karin!
International ‘Mellanårsgolf’ 10 – 14 May at Bad Saarow, Brandenburg, Germany. Our 12-person Royal Swedish Golfing Society (RSGS) team descended upon Golf Club Bad Saarow to join others from France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, and of course our hosts Germany. All in we were just over 70 players, with France fielding the biggest team.
Day one we played the Stan Eby course – one of three at the Precise Resort Bad Saarow. Many made the most of the great playing conditions, but our very own Anita Bräck, won with a whopping 39 points. Congratulations Anita!
Day two was an individual Stableford competition as well as the qualifier for Saturday’s battle of the societies. Despite RSGS only having two players with handicaps below the cut-off point, we made it to the final 4. Once again Anita played fantastically and won the Stableford competition, followed by Gunilla Assmundsson with an impressive score of 39 points. Strong stuff! As the sun began to set, drinks were served, the suited and booted guests had a closest to the pin competition – well done the ladies in high heels! – whilst the chefs fired up a barbeque and set up an impressive buffet. The Swiss contingent took the opportunity to present next years’ International meeting. For a number of reasons, cost being one of them, they have decided it will be held just across the border in France. It will be a couple of weeks later in May than this year and all information can be found in the 2024 competition schedule.
Day three saw the match play begin for 5 members of the RSGS team; Lars Löfberg, Claes Andreasson, P-O Assmundsson, Gunilla Assmundsson and Christine Löfberg. Our first opponents were France. Despite RSGS putting up a good fight, France were clear winners, leaving us to challenge Portugal for 3rd place. It seems living in a Mediterranean country is beneficial for your golf and Portugal were very worthy winners of the bronze position. The final was played between France and Spain. After a fierce battle Spain emerged victorious. In the Stableford competition, it was time for a hat trick by Anita. Thanks to her previous wins she had a one stroke lower handicap, yet she still a she came off the 18th green with 44 points! We think Anita will be playing an important role in future RSGS competitions!
In summary, a fabulous long weekend. Many of our team tagged a few extra days on and saw a bit of Berlin and/or spent a few extra days at the fantastic facilities, playing the 3rd course – the Faldo course – or simply relaxing in the spa and beautiful surroundings. The chance to see friends – old and new – from our sister-societies is always fun and inspiring. The Schwedischer Golf Club set the bar very high with excellent organisation, hospitality, sourcing of great and generous sponsors, as well as a fantastic venue. All of us who were there are very much looking forward to next year’s international meet in (almost) Switzerland. RSGS participants: Lars (President) & Christine Löfberg, Kjell (Captain) & Fiona Bengtsson, Gunilla & P-O (Secretary) Assmundsson, Anita Bräck & James Bradbury, Rigmor & Nils Rutlin, Mona & Claes Andreasson.
For the RSGS Summer meeting we returned to the ever-popular Effingham GC on 15th June where we enjoyed wonderful sunny conditions. Overall, the course was well presented and the greens were as tricky as ever. We were delighted to welcome our newest two members Marcus Sternhufvud and Göran Nilsson to the Society and we look forward to seeing them in 2024. After the round we gathered for our traditional midsummer meal in the dining room suitably decorated with a Swedish theme by our hosts Bengt-Arne and Ann Magnusson, who also generously provided the snaps which aided our singing considerably! Sincere thanks to them both. And so to the winners: Ladies Midsummer Prize – Anita Bräck (35p), Men’s Midsummer Trophy winner – Göran Nilsson 35p, with Kristoffer Huldt second on (33p).
The Royal Swedish Golfing Society has enjoyed close links with Gothenburg Golf Club (GGK), Hovås since 1922, when it donated Londonpokalen to GGK. The weekend of 26th – 27th August saw a total of 108 players teeing off. Extreme weather reduced The Old Boys London Trophy to a 9-hole bogey competition, whilst The Queens Cup and Lilla Londonpokalen played the full 18. Londonpokalen was, as usual over two full rounds. RSGS was represented by our President Lars, Charlotte and Christine Löfberg. Christine managed a -1 score earning her a creditable 6th place. Well done! Winners were: Old Boys London Trophy: Peter Flach (+1), Lilla Londonpokalen: Axel Börjesson (+2), Queens Cup: Birgitta Johansson (+1), Londonpokalen: Thomas Glücksmann (+11). Thanks go to the competition organisers: Per Zachrisson, Sten C Olsson. Sponsor: Bengt Albrektsson, No1 Golf Sisjön.
The RSGS Autumn Meeting at East Sussex National over 16/17 September 2023 saw sunny conditions on Saturday and heavy rain at times on the Sunday. Despite poor greens on The East Course, congratulations go to all our Saturday winners. We were delighted to welcome Bob Kihlberg from Göteborgs GK (Hovås) as our guest, who was specially invited to play for the Captain’s Prize. Stand out round of the weekend with a score of 45 points on Sunday was produced by Marcus Goodwille – RSGS’s very own Ludvig Åberg! Gunilla Assmundson was on top form on both days, scoring well despite society hcp reductions due to past wins. As with every RSGS gathering, great fun was had by all! Saturday winners: Magnusson Bowl: Gunilla Assmundson (34 p) runner up Christina Andersson, Bommen Cup: Gary Thomas (39 p) runner up Lars Löfberg (34 p). Sunday winners were: Ladies Prize: Gunilla Assmundson. Captain’s Prize: Marcus Goodwille (45 p), runner up Bengt Grundberg. (35p)
Larsmon Cup 2023 annual match versus Hadley Wood GC, Sunday 15th October. Royal Swedish Golfing Society has played annual challenge matches for the Larsmon Cup versus Hadley Wood for over 50 years. This enjoyable event is always hosted by Hadley Wood and this year it was played on Sunday 15th October. The format is mixed 4-ball Greensome with 6 teams on each side. It was ‘game on’ until the final putt on the 18th. Hadley Wood emerged victorious with 3 ½ to RSGS’ 2 ½: P-O & Gunilla Assmundson lost 4/2, Douglas Nurse & Cecilia Block won 1/0, Jan Persson & Christina Andersson lost, Anders Grundberg & Rigmor Rutlin, halved, Rickard Malmsjö & Christine Löfberg, won 1/0, Claes & Mona Andreasson, lost 5/4. We congratulate Hadley Wood’s Captain, Andy Hicketts, and also extend our thanks to match organiser, Rod Armstrong.
Swinley Forest, Sunday 3rd November. The weather was the winner at Swinley! Sadly, the eagerly awaited final RSGS event of 2023 was rained off. Prolonged periods of rain over the preceding days was enough to force the closure of the golf course. We look forward to returning to Swinley Forest in 2024 to one of RSGS’ favourite venues.
