15/05/2026
For the time being,
I just want to see the activity
on this particular page
continue to spike
Andrew Griffin - I’ll try to make you another page admin
Hopefully I can continue to play the Facebook game / system
On Thursday morning a privileged number
of Elite mainly European Amateurs will
Play The English Open
Amateur Stroke Play Championship
Affectionately known as ‘The Brab’
It’s taking place up in Leeds
I cant get there until Saturday
I’ll leave there on Sunday seeing someone
take our Trophy home to their club
I’m not looking to change The Brabazon Trophy or The Phillip Scrutton Jug or the Youths element.
My aim in amateur golf is to do one special thing to leave my Mark on Golf
I Love Blackmoor GC
I’m less keen on North Hants GC
I love The Selborne Salver
I like The Hampshire Hog
I love the Hampshire Salver
I hate the way elite players no longer attend it
I caddied there when John Metcalf won
I caddied for a few other years
I didn’t caddy when Sidney won in 1998
I caddied when he was defending champion in 1999
And when Mark Booker won The Hog
I was there when Franksie won in 2000
There is a great photo of
Me
Mike Cave the Club Captain
Mark Side and Franksie
On the old balcony
That’s probably my favourite golf photo of all time….
So let’s look to revive this special amateur event
and get it back where it belongs
I.e. earning better WAGR ASAP
If it were up to me Ian Barker
I’d give it a few OWGR POINTS
🤡🏌️♂️⛳️🎯
It really is that good and that special
So, if I’m going to have my way
That’s surely going to change in 2027
as is its name or to perhaps compromise
And preserve its history rather than try to re-write
it will probably best served by looking to extend it
to include an associated name close to my ♥️
And I’m going to plan to make that announcement on the 9th July 2026
There is a very nice gentleman who was Captain there when Franksie won the rain affected Selborne Salver in 2000
If Mike Cave and Blackmoor GC endorse my unique ideas, I e had many great chats with him over the years usually in April.
I had some unusual chats with him last June and July.
I’ll pop back to meet up with him and Andy and the Club Secretary in the next few days to brainstorm our next steps.
Mike Cave I’ll try to help you get the extra board in your clubhouse ready for the milestone 50th year…
On one Condition…
1.) My favourite place to watch elite professional or amateurs in on the side of the 11th Tee on The Old Course I stood there the day when Tiger Woods won his career slam 🏆🏆🏆🏆
it’s the greatest view in golf as you can see so many shots without moving
2.) Emirates GC in Dubai 8th Tee is spectacular,
3.) the 7th Tee at Crans sur Sierre GC (where last year they had that awful fire on New Years Eve ) is breathtaking and a certain player shot a 59 there to qualify for the main event approx 7 years ago. I met Rory in the hotel restaurant the day after he won his 1st FedEx Cup
4.) But I’d really quite like to scatter some ashes (TBC) and eventually have some of mine scattered on - The 12th &/or 15th Tees at Blackmoor GC which in my eyes is the greatest view in amateur golf closely followed by the list of 🏆winners in the clubhouse bar 👏👏👏👏
I’ve missed a few too many years
standing there recently,
so when I meet our maker
I’d quite like to be there permanently
Or if necessary get a nice little urn…
Happy to discuss best options going forwards
