Nomads Golf Society 2026

(Established 1999) – 27th Season

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Llanwern
(Bristol Cup)
6th November 2026

2026 Calendar

Captains

2026	Chris Williams-Jones
2025	Dean Harris
2024	Steve Bunn
2023	Darren Collier
2022	Adie Shilston
2021	Derek Freeman-Jones
2020	Derek Freeman-Jones
2019	James Farley
2018	John Essom
2017	Jitesh Mistry
2016	Ged Wrench
2015	Darren Williams
2014	Jon Ager
2013	Gary O'Connell
2012	Steve Graham
2011	John Thomas
2010	Simon Howlett
2009	Mark Graham
2008	Manny Virdi
2007	Stephen Morgan
2006	Peter Horlock
2005	Gordon Wallace
2004	Matt Freeman
2003	Mark Pipes
2002	Stuart Perry
2001	Richard Bradshaw
2000	Paul Newton
1999	Tony Griffiths

2026 Captain

Chris Williams-Jones

President

Steve Graham

Vice Presidents

Stephen Morgan

Tony Griffiths

Vice-Captain

Wayne Stewart

Treasurer

Stephen Morgan

Scorer

Simon Howlett

Fixture Secretary

Chris Williams-Jones

Event Secretary

Derek Freeman-Jones

Trophy Manager

James Farley

Photographer

Website

2026 Committee

Steve Graham (Chairman)

Stephen Morgan (Treasurer)

Simon Howlett (Handicap Secretary)

Tony Griffiths (Website)

Stuart Perry (Past Captain)

Manny Virdi (Past Captain)

Mark Graham (Past Captain)

Jitesh Mistry (Past Captain)

Darren Williams (Past Captain)

Ged Wrench (Past Captain)

Adie Shilston (Past Captain)

James Farley (Past Captain)

Derek Freeman-Jones (Event Organiser)

Steve Bunn (Past Captain)

Dean Harris (Past Captain)

Chris Williams-Jones (Captain)

Wayne Stewart (Vice Captain)

Rules

October 2026
M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30	31

Newton Cup 2014

Author: tonyg

Played at Woodspring Golf Club, Bristol

Morning Greensomes:

Jon Ager & Simon Howlett v Darren Williams & Steve Morgan – A/S

Stu Perry & Tony Burris v Mark McGirr & Pramod Mistry – Saxons won 1 up

John Essom & Adie Shilston v Gary O’Connell & Matt Bond – Saxons won 2&1

Darren Collier & Guy Greening v James Farley & Andy Alexander – Celts won 1 up

Chris Pulfree & Mark Willicott v Derek Freeman-Jones & Ramesh Mistry – Celts won 8&6

Manny Virdi and Mike Simpson v Jitesh Mistry & Rowland Joyce – Saxons won 1 up.

Score after Morning Greensomes: Saxons 3 1/2 – Celts 2 1/2

Afternoon Singles:

Jon Ager v Darren Williams – A/S

Simon Howlett v Steve Morgan – Saxons won 6&5

Stu Perry v Pramod Mistry – Saxons won 7&5

Tony Burris v Mark McGirr – Saxons won 3&2

John Essom v Gary O’Connell – Celts won 4&3

Adie Shilston v Matt Bond – Celts won 2&1

Darren Collier v James Farley – A/S

Guy Greening v Andy Alexander – Saxons won 2&1

Chris Pulfree v Derek Freeman-Jones – Saxons won 2&1

Mark Willicott v Ramesh Mistry – Saxons won 2&1

Manny Virdi v Rowland Joyce – Saxons won 3&2

Mike Simpson v Jitesh Mistry – Saxons won 5&4

Afternoon Singles score: Saxons 9 – Celts 3

Final score: Saxons 12 1/2 Celts 5 1/2

Posted in 2014, Newton Cup | No Comments »

The second outing (perversely “Round 3”) of the Nomads’ 2014 season, took place at Forest Hills Golf Club on 28th March. Early risers will have tentatively drawn back their curtains and observed the conditions with some trepidation – a typical murky late-March day in the Forest of Dean, with a threateningly resolute shroud of low grey cloud swathing the countryside, and more than a hint of ‘moisture’ in the air. Nevertheless the lure of wielding ‘spoon’ or ‘mashie niblick’ amongst the green swards, not to mention a full English breakfast, dragged most of the forty indefatigable characters originally signed up away from their warm beds and/or cosy partners (and gainful employment). Wayne Stewart made a brief appearance for breakfast, without brandishing a stick in anger, signing up a few more sponsors for his forthcoming half marathons in Berlin and Madrid – all wished him well, and hoped he reached his target of raising £1,000 for Target Ovarian Cancer, a charity close to his heart.

With victuals duly served and gratefully consumed, proceedings got underway with the customary morning loosener of nine holes of ‘Texas Scramble’, with most teams managing to accumulate enough decent shots between them to achieve a gross score flatteringly close to par. The team of Darren Williams, Gary O’Connell, Ramesh Mistry and Mark Cornock tore up the course with a remarkable five ‘birdies’ in the first five holes, holding their nerve to secure victory at 5-under. Tony Burris, Alan Jones, Horace Denny and Gurdeep Litt turned in a creditable 2-under to secure 2nd place, with Manny Virdi, Derek Freeman-Jones, John Essom and Mark Ridsdale narrowly beating Rowland Joyce, Adie Shilston, Damian Orton and Jon Ager for 3rd place at 1-under. One or two howls of foul play and derision, not to say physical pain, were heard when 3rd place was announced, with Derek Freeman-Jones’ 2nd shot at the first hole having struck Damian Orton on the knee as he waited patiently on the second tee. Drinks were duly purchased, and humble-pie eaten, with no permanent damage sustained.

After a staggered lunch consisting of a veritable cornucopia of sandwiches and the obligatory chunky chips with lashings of ketchup, the afternoon events were hastily initiated under ever-darkening skies.

Scores across the board seemed to reflect the relatively benign conditions in the early part of the round, with Andy Alexander, Matt McGirr, Damian Orton, Derek Freeman-Jones and Gary O’Connell amongst many recording a plethora of pars in the first three or four holes. The earlier groups must have got as far as the start of the back nine before one or two, fortunately distant, rumbles of thunder heralded a rapid deterioration in the weather. The resulting hail brought about considerable debate in some quarters as to the legitimacy of sweeping a path of hailstones from the intended path of a putt – well – it was either that or face the accusation of slow play, standing on the green waiting for it to melt! Luckily the conditions quickly took a turn for the better, only for a second hailstorm to catch the last few groups who also had to contend with the fading light.

Fresh from his first ‘podium’ finish last time out at Clevedon, it was Andy Alexander who was able to maintain his form, consistency and concentration for the entire round to secure a well-deserved victory with a stableford score of 39 points – amassing a gross score of 85, including 9 pars – four on the front and five on the back. Close on his tail was Matt McGirr, who used his considerable local knowledge and not a small amount of skill to achieve second place on 38 points, with easily the best gross score on the day of 77, including 9 pars and 2 birdies, also collecting the prize for the longest drive for a mighty blow on the lengthy uphill fifth hole. John Essom also ‘troubled the judges’ for the second round in succession, gaining third place with 37 points – no doubt he will face a further handicap cut to give others more of a chance next time. In a rare, but generous, occurrence, afforded by the good turn-out, prizes were also awarded for fourth and fifth places, with Gurdeep Litt narrowly beating Damian Orton, on countback, both sharing 36 points. (I wonder if Damian’s score would have been better had he not been carrying a swollen knee from earlier events!)

In a similar show of generosity, prizes were awarded for ‘nearest the pin’ on all three of the par-3s, with Adie Shilston picking up the prize on the 8th, Damian on the 14th, and Darren Williams on the 17th. Guy Greening showed his familiar accuracy taking the best aggregate scores across the par-3s with a birdie on the 8th, and pars on the 14th and 17th. Adie Shilston was also commended for what was probably the ‘shot of the day’ – a sort of crazy golf effort on the 17th, played from high up on the left-hand bank, which sailed over the first group of trees, ricocheted off another tree, bounced down the path, turned sharp-right, and trickled over the foot-bridge, ending up just next to the bunker at the back-left of the green.

Once again, the ‘divisional’ prizes for those not amongst the top honours, were handed out along handicap lines with Mark Parkhurst (34 pts), Adie Shilston (35 pts), Darren Collier (35 pts) – his first sniff of prize, and Mark Cornock (32 pts), winning their respective ‘divisions’.

With proceedings continuing late into the evening, Jon Ager said a few words and distributed prizes during the evening meal, in pauses between mouthfuls. A glass was raised in honour of Ben Green, in whose memory the day’s trophy was named, with the hope that all attending, particularly the local lads who had turned out, had enjoyed fond memories of Ben, although most agreed that, had he been with us, it was unlikely he would have been anywhere near a golf course, given the weather conditions.

Carolyn Griffiths was awarded the last remaining prize – the raffle – being the proud recipient of a set of novelty golf balls (probably NOT the last of a job-lot!). The usual ritual was observed of posing for, or avoiding, Jitesh’s photographs, camera/iphone batteries failing or otherwise, and Andy Alexander gave a brief, impromptu, victor’s speech magnanimously accepting the plaudits, saying how much he had enjoyed the day, and thanking the organisers for their efforts behind the scenes.

Jon finally wrapped up events thanking Steve Graham for standing in a scorer in Simon’s absence, appealing for those with (or without) some celtic ancestory to put themselves forward to the Celts Newton Cup team in April, thanking all for a successful day, and hoping to see as many, if not more, for the next round to be held at Cottrell Park in May.

Regards

Jon Ager

Scores

1	Andy Alexander	Scotland	39
2	Matthew McGirr	England	38
3	John Essom	England	37
4	Gurdeep Litt	India	36
5	Damian Orton	England	36
6	Darren Collier	England	35
7	Adie Shilston	England	35
8	Mark Parkhurst	England	34
9	James Colwell	England	34
10	Tony Burris	England	33
11	Guy Greening	England	33
12	Mark McGirr	England	33
13	Derek Freeman-Jones	Wales	32
14	Mark Cornock	England	32
15	Horace Denny	USA	31
16	Brendan Turbitt	Ireland	31
17	Darren Williams	Wales	30
18	Tony Griffiths	Wales	30
19	Gary O’Connell	Scotland	30
20	Jon Ager	England	29
21	Ged Wrench	England	29
22	Manny Virdi	England	28
23	Stuart Perry	England	27
24	Mark Willicott	England	27
25	James Farley	Ireland	27
26	Ramesh Mistry	India	26
27	Jitesh Mistry	India	25
28	Carolyn Griffiths	Wales	23
29	Stephen Morgan	Wales	23
30	Alan Jones	England	23
31	Nick Phillips	England	23
32	Steve Graham	England	22
33	Steve Standbridge	England	22
34	Chris Wilson	England	14
35	Rowland Joyce	England	14
36	Mark Ridsdale	England	13

Posted in 2014 | No Comments »

Clevedon 2014

Author: tonyg

Friday, 21st February 2014

Captain’s Ramblings:

Following January’s wash-out at Cottrell Park (now re-scheduled for May, by the way), the inaugural match of the 2014 season took place at Clevedon on 21st February.

Numbers were slightly depleted, probably because of half-term holidays, with 24 hardy souls trying their luck by the shores of the Severn estuary.

As it turned out, conditions were remarkably favourable. There was a moderate breeze, and the odd sharp shower, including one of hail endured by a few of the later groups. Most of the fairways were reasonably firm, and the greens, on the whole, were fair and true, the course holding up extremely well overall given the recent biblical rainfall. One or two holes presented a stiff test. The 8th – ‘The Castle Hole’ – with a steep drop and a 160-yard carry against the wind off the tee, with trouble either side, was a differentiator. Some mastered it with ease, and others suffered the fate of having to dig around in the undergrowth and struggled to make points. The par-3 14th, also with its steep drop, proved an interesting exercise in club selection in the swirling breeze.

After the customary (and excellent) bacon rolls and coffee, Jon Ager got proceedings underway as incoming captain, with a sneaky drive straight down the middle, whilst no-one was watching (Simon and Brendan will confirm that it was legitimate!) To Jon’s great relief, this provided an adequate challenge for the bottle of whisky, with Stuart Perry and John Essom vying for the prize in the early stages, eventually won by Manny Virdi.

From the third group out, Tony Griffiths was unsurpassed, providing the solitary name on the score sheet for ‘Nearest the Pin’ on the innocuous looking 3rd hole, obviously finding his range early in the round.

Adie Shilston claimed the best aggregate score across the 3 par-3s with 8 points – the equivalent of a creditable 2 ‘net birdies’ and a ‘net par’.

‘Longest drive’ had to wait until the 5th group out to be decided, with Jon Ager setting a conquerable early marker (with some arboreal assistance). With mutterings from a few about the absence of demarcation between fairway and rough at its furthest extent, Stuart Perry and Adie Shilston unequivocally whistled past in subsequent groups. But the prize was eventually secured by Alan Jones, in his first outing with the Nomads – congratulations, and welcome, Alan!

In a departure from the usual protocol, the ‘division’ prizes – top player in each ‘division’ NOT in the overall top three – were decided along handicap lines this time, with the six players with the lowest handicaps challenging for ‘Group 1’ and so on. Prizes, and congratulations on creditable performances, went to:

‘Group 1’ (Handicaps 0 – 15.4): Manny Virdi (36 pts)

‘Group 2’ (Handicaps 15.5 – 17.4): Adie Shilston (36 pts)

‘Group 3’ (Handicaps 17.5 – 22.0): Mike Simpson (34 pts)

‘Group 4’ (Handicaps 22.1 – 28): Jed Wrench (with 3 players in this ‘group’ tied on 29 pts, the prize was awarded to Jed, as highest handicapper in the competition – NOT for his sartorial display!)

With the overall average score for the day being just over 29 pts, the three main prizes deservedly went to three players who had clearly mastered the tricky conditions. Andy Alexander secured his first ‘podium’ finish in 3rd place with 37 pts, narrowly defeated by Mark Gardiner, in 2nd on ‘countback’ who, as far and away the lowest handicapper of the day, produced another fine performance, with a gross 77, including an eagle 3 on the tricky 16th over the water. But John Essom romped to victory, and first prize, on 39pts with an imperious 24pts on the back nine, surpassing a good few players’ scores over the entire round!

The day’s festivities were rounded off with the usual banter over a beverage or two, during which James Farley’s shot of the day was revealed – a putt from well off the green leaning over a barbed-wire fence with the ball lodged just in-bounds underneath it, which rolled obliging into the hole.

A hearty meal of Chicken and Ham Pie, and fruit crumble were consumed with alacrity, before the formalities were wrapped up with the distribution of prizes, including the monthly raffle which was won by Alan Jones – a lucrative first outing, Alan!

Jon finally reminded everyone that next month’s outing was at Forest Hills on 28th March. Jon said that he hoped as many people as possible would attend, in honour of Ben Green, a much loved friend and former member who passed away suddenly in 2012.

Jon and Darren will shortly be issuing invitations to the Newton Cup, to be held at Woodspring Golf Club, Long Ashton on Friday 25th April 2014.

See you next time!

Scores:

1	John Essom	England	39
2	Andy Alexander	Scotland	37
3	Mark Gardiner	England	37
4	Adie Shilston	England	36
5	Manny Virdi	England	36
6	Darren Williams	Wales	34
7	Mike Simpson	England	34
8	James Farley	Ireland	31
9	Derek Freeman-Jones	Wales	30
10	Darren Collier	England	29
11	Ged Wrench	England	29
12	Stuart Perry	England	29
13	Tony Griffiths	Wales	29
14	Chris Pulfree	England	28
15	Dave Curtis	England	28
16	Gary O’Connell	Scotland	28
17	Simon Howlett	England	28
18	Steve Graham	England	26
19	Alan Jones	England	25
20	Jon Ager	England	25
21	Jitesh Mistry	India	24
22	Mark Graham	England	24
23	Brendan Turbitt	Ireland	22
24	Steve Standbridge	England	18

Posted in 2014 | No Comments »

Wayne Stewart – Charity Runs

Author: tonyg

As some of you may be aware I am running the Berlin Half Marathon in March and then the Madrid Half Marathon in April. I will be running both races in support of Target Ovarian Cancer in memory of my Mum who died of Ovarian Cancer in September 2012. I have set up a Just Giving page for online donations and I was hoping that some of you would sponsor me by going to the link below:

http://www.justgiving.com/Wayne-Stewart

Any donation would be really appreciated but If you are old fashioned and would rather sponsor me on a paper sponsorship form please let me know and I can add your name to the paper one. Hopefully, I can also get a paper copy to the next Nomads day out in February.

As an added incentive if you can correctly guess my two finishing times added together then there are 6 bottles of wine to the person who can get closest.

Posted in 2014 | No Comments »

Cottrell Park 2014

Author: tonyg

24th January 2014

Event was cancelled due to heavy rain and flooded course. Has been re-scheduled for May 23rd 2014.

Posted in 2014 | No Comments »

Mar20	Stinchcombe Hill
Apr24	South Cerney
May15	Cleve Hill
Jun19	Gaudet Luce
Jul17	Peterstone Lakes
Sep11	Thornbury
Oct16	St Pierre
Nov6	Llanwern
Dec4	Forest Hills

Nomads Golf Society 2026

Next Event

St. Pierre 2014

Hill Valley 2014

Glamorganshire 2014

Raglan Parc 2014

Cottrell Park 2014

Newton Cup 2014

Forest Hills 2013

Clevedon 2014

Wayne Stewart – Charity Runs

Cottrell Park 2014

1	Steve Pym	England	34
2	Paul Fisher	England	33
3	Chris Pulfree	England	33
4	Ramesh Mistry	India	32
5	James Farley	Ireland	32
6	Andy Alexander	Scotland	31
7	Surj Halaith	India	31
8	Mark Gardiner	England	31
9	Mark Willicott	England	30
10	Brian Mills	Ireland	30
11	Nic Holdford	England	30
12	Darren Collier	England	29
13	Tony Burris	England	29
14	Manny Virdi	England	28
15	Mike Simpson	England	28
16	Derek Freeman-Jones	Wales	28
17	Jon Ager	England	27
18	Guy Greening	England	27
19	Pramod Mistry	India	27
20	Adie Shilston	England	27
21	Darren Williams	Wales	26
22	Phil Robbins	England	26
23	John Essom	England	25
24	Bri Walker	England	24
25	Ged Wrench	England	23
26	Simon Howlett	England	23
27	Jitesh Mistry	India	21
28	Mark Ridsdale	England	20

	1st	2nd	Overall
Manni Virdi	42	29	71
Jon S	34	35	69
Wayne Stewart	33	33	66
Derek Freeman Jones	31	34	65
Mark Graham	38	26	64
Matt McGirr	31	33	64
Mark Cornock	31	30	61
Harry S	28	33	61
Darren Williams	26	34	60
Tony Burris	31	29	60
Mark McGirr	26	33	59
James Farley	33	24	57
Gary O’Connell	24	33	57
Adie Shilston	23	34	57
Martin Phipps	27	30	57
Mike Simpson	22	35	57
Nick Brinsford	29	27	56
Andy Alexander	33	22	55
Brian Mills	31	23	54
Chris Pulfree	28	26	54
Rowland Joyce	30	23	53
Stuart Perry	30	22	52
Mark Parkhurst	26	25	51
Dean Harris	24	26	50
Ged Wrench	15	33	48
Mark Willicott	17	30	47
Alan Jones	25	22	47
Gary Corcoron	18	23	41