Monday, 27 May 2024

Catenian National Golf Championships

 

The Catenian National Golf Championships were held this year from the 22nd to 29th April at the well-appointed Abbey Spa Hotel in Redditch, Worcestershire. Despite the bad weather in the run-up to the event, the tournament was completed in almost completely dry conditions. However, the going was very challenging with deep, rough, difficult greens and muddy fairways. Yet despite these trying conditions, the competition was fierce for the prestigious Green Jackets awarded to the Champion Golfers of the week.

The final day came to a close in dismal drizzly conditions. It was, however, a fitting end that Andy Preisner from Guildford Circle, a former National Catenian Golf Society Captain, won the men’s competition after over twenty years of trying. The Ladies Championship went once again to Lucy Swarbrick. A fitting award for her tenacious play in such trying conditions. 

Guildford also won the Circle Cup thanks mainly to Andy’s excellent performance. To complete the set, Province 19 won the Provincial Cup and Jim and Jane O'Donnell won the mixed event. 

The very enjoyable week of golf was, sadly, marred by Mervyn Burby having to drop out the week before due to ill health. We wish him a speedy recovery!


Tony Delahunt President of the NGA and a member of Province 19 presenting the Men's Cup to Andy Preisner

Tony Delahunt presenting the Circle Cup to Andy Preisener and Jim O'Donnell 

The 4 Brothers winning the Provincial Cup for Province 19: Jim O’Malley, Tony Delahunt, Angus Hamilton (Secretary and organiser of the Nationals) and Andy Preisner.

The Lady Competitors including Jane O’Donnell


The Final Swing!





Thursday, 25 April 2024

Guildford Catenians April 2024 Meeting

 

The 772nd meeting of the Guildford Circle took place on 3rd April at the Clandon Regis Golf Club. In attendance were 37 Guildford brothers, 1 visiting brother and 2 visiting gentlemen. Prior to the meeting Bro. Daniel installed Bro. Pat Finn as the new Guildford President. In turn, Bro. Pat installed Bro. Greg Melly as Vice-President, Bro. Jan Gutowski as Secretary and Bro. Tony Eneh as Membership Officer.

Bro. President opened the meeting with the usual prayers for sick brothers and family members. He then welcomed former Guildford brother William D'Souza now a brother at West Byfleet. He also welcomed 2 visiting gentlemen: Denny Vardhese and Tom Sellers. Bro. William responded on behalf of the visitors.

After the reading out of apologies, minutes of the last meeting, correspondence, visits and reports, the brothers and visitors adjourned to the bar before entering the dining area. Later in the evening miniatures were presented by Bro. President to Bro. Terry O'Leary and to Past President Bro. Daniel Lintott. He also presented an enrolment certificate to Bro. Man Shek Kwong who had recently joined Guildford Circle.


Installation of the new Guildford President, Bro. Pat Finn 

Presenting Guildford Circle's new President Bro. Pat Finn!

Now it's business as usual!

Installation of the new Vice-President Bro. Greg Melly


Presenting the new Vice-President!

New Secretary Bro. Jan Gutowski taking a bow!

New Membership Officer Bro. Tony Eneh

Bro. President presenting Bro. Terry O'Leary with his Miniature

Bro. President and Past President Bro. Daniel with his Miniature

Bro. President presenting Bro. Man with his Enrolment Certificate


Bro. Man with his Certificate posing with Past Secretary Bro. Andy and Past President Bro. Daniel

A close-up of Bro. Man's Certificate

A solemn table 3 sporting an excellent head of hair!

A few words from former Guildford brother William D'Souza

Bro. President addessing the brothers outlining his ambitions for the coming year

Congratulations to our new President. Good night and God bless!


Visit to West Surrey Circle

On Tuesday April 2nd nine brothers of the Guildford Catenians Circle visited West Surrey Circle in Farnham. The meeting was held at the  Hog's Back Hotel situated half way between Farnham and Guildford. Following the meeting which started promptly at 7.00 pm, the Guildford brothers joined the West Surrey brothers for dinner.

On this occasion the meal was served within the main hotel as opposed to the mirrored ballroom where Guildford held a social evening back in March. Afterwards, Guildford President Bro. Daniel Lintott gave a presentation outlining Guildford Circle's modus operandi. 

The evening was enjoyed by all. Below are a few photographs.


A view of the dining area 

You may recognise a few Guildford brothers?

Bro. Michael Maher in the number 1 spot!

From left: West Surrey Membership officer Bro. Walter Novonho, West Surrey President Dr. David Morgan-Jones and Guildford President (now past) Bro. Daniel Lintott




Dan's Army!

 

What do you think it is? Dunno!


It looks like an enemy parachutist! Best to shoot it down!


We'll get the blighter!

We're all doomed!

Don't shoot! It's one of ours!

Don'tPanic!Don'tPanic!Don'tPanic!Don'tPanic!


Who's panicking?!!!!

On April 14th 2024 Bro. Daniel performed a Skydive in aid of CAFOD. At a height of 14.000 feet, it could be the closest he's ever been to God?

Saturday, 30 March 2024

Ladies Night

Ladies night was held on 6th March at Clandon Regis Golf Club. The event was preceded by a meeting of the Guildford Circle which commenced at an earlier time of 7.15 pm. 

The main business of the meeting was the enrolment of three new Guildford brothers: Stephen Mainardis, Man Shek Kwong and Roy Putt. Bro. President welcomed the visitors which included Bro. David Fincham President of West Byfleet Circle and Bro. Alistair Ashforth President of Tandridge Circle. Bro. David  responded on behalf of the visitors.

Following the meeting, the gathering including Monsignor Tony Barry and Fr Roy Waters, entered the dining area to enjoy a three course meal with wine. Bro. President welcomed the guests, including the ladies, and this was responded to by Yvonne Newman. Grace before meal was said by Monsignor Tony Barry and later in the evening the Raffle was announced.

In appreciation of her support throughout Bro. Daniel's Presidency, Snjezana was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Also, to mark his 50th year as a Catenian, Bro. Michael Shortland was presented with a bottle of whisky together with two splendid engraved tumblers.

 

The meeting commences! 

Visiting gentlemen Stephen Mainardis and Man Shek Kwong being presented to Bro. President

Visiting gentleman Roy Putt is presented to the President


Welcome brother!

What have I done?

Response to Bro. President by visiting brother David Fincham
                
 

Three lovely bar belles!

I somehow have to get this lot into the dining room!

Move along now!

AROUND THE TABLES

Having fun on table one!

Here's looking at you table two!

Didn't get a photo of table three but it may have looked something like this!
                                                
Fun galore on table four! 

Going live on table five!

Getting their kicks on table six!


Seventh heaven on table seven!

      
Everything's great on table eight!
                                                                                                                                     

All is fine on table nine! 


The King!

A spontaneous rendition of the National Anthem!

Words from the President!

It's the way he tells'em!

I am undone!

Back together again!

More photos!

Up for grabs!

Yvonne Newman on behalf of the ladies

Didn't she do well!

Mark and Mary

Martin and Catherine


Rory and Sarah

Michael and Ingrid

Where's the dessert!

It's coming!

About time!

Better late than never!

Even more photos!

We're having a good time!


So are we!

Behind every great man is a great woman!

Behind every great President is a great haircut!


Bro. VP announcing the raffle!

The glittering prizes!

The lucky prize winners!


Winner number one!

Winner number two!

Winner number three!

Winner number four!


Winner number five!

Winner number six popping his cork!


Winner number seven!

Winners number eight. They both won a prize!

Winner number nine!

Winner number ten!

Winner number eleven!

Winner number twelve. She won hands down!

Winner number thirteen!

And finally!


Bro. Michael Shortland being presented with a bottle of fine whisky to mark his 50th anniversary as a Catenian

And there's more...

...two engraved whisky tumblers!

Thank you!

That's it! You'd all best go home now!


And finally finally!

Our President, Bro. Daniel, will launch himself into a Sky Dive from a height of 14,000 feet to raise money for his charity CAFOD.
 

Sunday 14 April 9.30 am at GoSkyDive Centre, Old Sarum, Nr Salisbury.

To sponsor Daniel: https://www.justgiving.com/page/daniel-lintott-1706278812166