Damp – but busy – finale to long season

Big turnout for charity day

September 2025 WIGS final full month of the season got off to an unwelcome start with the cancellation of their autumn meeting at Worplesdon GC because of a developing severe weather warning due to arrive at start time.

This is only the second time this had happened to the Society in the last ten years and that also occurred at the same club.

Fortunately, the following week a WIGS team of Messrs Jerrum, Price and Parlett played in the Tribe London insurance charity golf day organised by fellow WIGS members Nick Stretton and Patrick Smith at the Addington GC and enjoyed much better weather .

With a playing field of around 120 players a long round on such a challenging venue was guaranteed but nevertheless over £12,000 was raised for charitable causes.

WIGS final match of the season was against long standing opponents from Lloyd’s Golf Society at West Sussex GC. Following last year’s drawn match we were optimistic that this year we could get across the line but, as has been a feature all season, the outcome went to the final holes of the final match where Lloyd’s secured a 2.5 v 1.5 victory.

WIGS was sad to hear of the passing of long-standing member Paul Hosking. A tribute to Paul was published in the September E-Bulletin

Tribute to Paul Hosking

Busy month for WIGS members

July 2025 Two WIGS teams entered the Newson Smith Cup played at the Drift GC at East Horsley in Surrey and both performed admirably in this multi-livery competition in searing heat. No top three finishes this year but both Messrs Jerrum and Petraitis played well enough to secure nearest the pin prizes of a bottle of wine to quench their thirst.

The following week saw large teams from the Actuaries and Insurers playing at the green oasis of Beaconsfield GC in our annual fixture for the silver Quaich. The five matches were closely contested throughout with three of them going to the 18th hole, including the final match which resulted in a 3-2 victory for the Actuaries.

WIGS Captain Nick Smith is pictured presenting the trophy to Guy Freemen of the Actuaries

Finally, Nick Smith held his Captain’s Day at Banstead Downs GC on another very warm day with a multi formatted set up which kept all playing members fully involved throughout their round.

This was supported by several prizes generously donated by him and presented following an enjoyable supper.

Winners on the day were Mike Yardley (Best Individual Score), David Sales ,Mike O’Conner, Jeff Thomas and Nick Smith (Best Team), Will Otter (Longest Drive) and Richard Bucknall (Nearest the Pin) all of whom are pictured.

WIGS season tees off with winning start

May 2025: In excellent weather conditions and a full turnout of 27 players, WIGS opened its season at the start of the month at New Zealand GC for the Neave Trophy and Hart Salver.

Notwithstanding an increased field and an influx of new members – all with competitive handicaps – two existing luminaries showed the way forward with Mike O’Connor winning the Neave with 37 points and Mike Yardley the Hart Salver with 35 points. The picture below shows the two winners receiving their trophies from newly installed Captain Nick Smith supported by WIGS Secretary Bill Bower.

The following week saw the WIGS team of Paul Hosking, Ian Chippendale, David Martin and Ryan Warren play in the historic and prestigious Prince Arthur Trophy competition at Walton Heath GC. In a complete reversal of playing conditions they achieved another top quartile final position in the 40 team event.

This week saw the first of our matches against our broker friends CIB London at Denham GC. In recent years the outcome has been indecisive but this year for all 16 players (pictured) that was to change. All four matches went to the final hole and the WIGS team secured a 3-1 overall win in a contest played in the right spirit on a fantastic course which also has one of best kitchens on the livery golf circuit.

New fixtures, new members for 2025 season

January 2025: With no golf being played at present, the focus at WIGS is on finalising the fixtures for the coming season and membership renewal.

Over 70% of the existing membership have signed up so far and pleasingly we have already been joined by a small number of former Insurance Golf Society members following the invitation extended to them when that Society wound up at the end of last season.

The fixture list to date shows minimal changes from last season but Captain’s Day is being held at Banstead Downs – a new venue for the Society – as is a potential visit to Ashridge in Hertfordshire following a very recent invitation.

Anyone interested in playing golf with WIGS this coming season should contact Bill Bower.

Longstanding competition takes a final bow

John PhilIips Trophy

September 2024 The curtain was finally lowered on a series of matches between WIGS and the Insurance Golf Society golf that has been played every year since 1996 (with the exception of 2020) at Worplesdon GC. This follows the decision by IGS to wind up at the end of this year.

There was a large turnout with 24 members from both sides taking to a course which provided an excellent test for all participants with all matches keenly contested to their individual conclusions.

Following limited success in recent years for the John PhilIips Trophy, the Insurers ensured that their involvement would finish on a high with a decisive 5-1 win.

As is customary both sides enjoyed an excellent lunch and post match drinks with both Captains Nick Hughes and Richard Bucknall making short speeches to highlight the various contributions made by both teams to ensure such an enjoyable event.

The positive outcome prevailed again in the following week as we secured an honourable draw against our strongest opponents from Lloyd’s thanks to the efforts of Messrs Charteris-Black, Newman, Martin and Smith.

New trophy for 2025 season

August 2024 WIGS golfers can look forward to playing in 2025 for the Beckett Plate which has been kindly donated by our current President and past captain Bob Beckett .

Following the return of the Frank Morgan and GW Bridge trophies previously lent to the Society by the Insurance Institute of London, WIGS was looking for a replacement for the popular internal knockout competition which will be relaunched next season. This will now be for the Bob Beckett Plate.

On the playing front, WIGS played the Lutine Society at the end of July at Beaconsfield GC on one of the hottest days of the year - a complete contrast in weather conditions for their last outing.

Captain Nick Hughes led from the front, ably supported by Dave Matcham and their respective playing partners to secure an honourable draw with our strong opponents.