The 2023 Baltic Company Cup took place on 20 October at Chislehurst (the home course of BEGS skipper Anthony Grenfell),  which is seven years older than our society having been established in 1894. Despite the efforts of Storm Babet, we were very lucky to have no torrential downpours during the round. The format was very simple, 2 man teams playing 18 holes of stableford and the highest combined score wins the cup. The turnout was excellent and 11 teams battled it out for the podium places, with two new companies who had not participated before (Sequana & Sojitz), as well as the usual hardy perennials like SSY, Nomikos, HFW, and Thurlestone.

The first game out was a 2 ball of Jamie Highwood (HRP) and Mark Ma (Baltic S’pore) in a hybrid Howe Rob Baltic team. They sped off and played a rapid 18 holes with no problems and Jamie managed 40 points whilst his partner scored 31 for a team total 71. 

BEGS skipper Anthony Grenfell then led off the SSY team partnered by John Madden, who were playing with the defending champions D’Amico Bulk pair of Sam Round & Ed Preston. It was a blistering start from Sam as he birdied the first to bag 4 points. John had a 4 point par on the stroke index 1 6th hole, so a high standard game ensued.

The next group of was the SSY Pmax team of Robin Hudson & Mario Camerini playing with Whiffer Shipping’s James Pendered who was partnering American Springbok Peter Drummond on a brief tourist trip to London. Robin got off to a very hot start hitting the flag with his second shot to the first green. Unable to drain the 18 foot eagle putt he settled for a 4 point birdie. He managed to bookend his round with another gross birdie on the 18th. Despite playing with borrowed clubs from another era, the tourist from Pelham Country Club and West Palm Beach Peter Drummond, put in a very consistent performance and holed a number of clutch putts for a very creditable 32 points, which combined with James’ 33 points gave a middle of the pack 65 total, slightly ahead of SSY Panamax’ 60 points with Robin managing 33.

A competitive group of Nomikos (Ravs & Ralph) versus the hybrid Metz/Argyll (Jamie & James) was tight between them, but the gritty Sevvy managed to achieve 37 points in conjunction with his partner’s 24 for a team 61 which was 4 better than the 57 of their playing partners (32 for Jamie + 25 for James), so bragging rights to Nomikos.

Newcomers Sequana (Josh & Laurence) were in the next group together with Thurlestone (Knightsie & Marnsie). Josh birdied the first hole and also the 4th, 7th & 18th to finish with 39 points. Their playing partners whilst not scoring birdies were consistent and David managed 35 points and Nick 31 for a total of 66 versus Sequana’s 59.

The final group was Holman Fenwick Willan who have won the Cup three times. Their team of Ian Hughes & Chris Mayhill came in with 52 points, so no fourth win for them. Newcomers Sojitz were represented by Ogata san (scorer of a hole in one in this year’s Japanese match) partnering Mihara san, whose clubs had not arrived from Tokyo and was using a hired set. Playing the course for the first time and not having your own clubs is a challenge and it was not to be Sojitz who would win the Cup this time.

Everyone had a great day’s golf, with some very impressive scoring for the podium finishers.

  • 3rd Place - Howe Rob Baltic (Jamie Highwood & Mark Ma) - 71 pts
  • 2nd Place - SSY (Anthony Grenfell & John Madden) - 75 pts
  • 1st place - D’Amico Bulk (Sam Round & Ed Preston) - 79 pts

So this year a very high bar was set, although in the off season it is likely the handicap committee might convene as the back to back winners scored 40 + 39 pts and between them three holes scoring zero.

There were four members of the “2 club”. Mars Ravs on the 5th (105 yds), Josh Swallow on the 7th (139 yds), Jamie Highwood on the 10th (176 yds) and Anthony Grenfell on the 12th (138 yds) - well done to all of them.

Lowest gross score was a 69 by Josh Swallow (who was 1 under for front 9 holes), next was Ravs with 72 and skipper Grenners scored 73.

Nearest the pin was won by Ian Hughes, who received a fine trophy to place in his garage. 

The longest drive on the 6th hole was achieved by David Knights, a regular winner of this category.

Furthest distance travelled to the meeting was won by Peter Drummond who got a  sleeve of balls and a packet of Biltong to help him through the Springbok v England match the following day.

Well done to all those that took part. Many thanks to Anthony Grenfell for arranging this at his home course. Thanks to Chislehurst for a great course and looking after BEGS so well throughout the day. Congratulations to D’Amico for another fine win.

With Trevor Marsh as the 2024 captain, this means we will return to this venue for next year’s Company Cup. As soon as a date is arranged, the website will be updated.