BAR POINT GOLFING SOCIETY
The Bar Point Golfing Society was
officially formed in 1989 at a watering hole in the town of Paisley (8 miles
west of Glasgow), in the country we call Scotland.
But the genesis of the idea had come about
a couple of years earlier. A group of
regular users of the pub discovered that they each enjoyed the occasional game
of golf but that very few of them belonged to an established club. So an outing was arranged and then a weekend
away was arranged, and lo and behold, everyone found they enjoyed
themselves.
It was all about going away and having a
few drinks, a few laughs and eventually we’d get down to the semi-serious
business of hitting a small white ball of 1.68 inches in diameter around a
field. In 1989, it was felt we should
acknowledge and honour the winner, and thus we established the Bar Point
Masters. A trophy was purchased and someone donated an old blazer. With that we were off.
The winner of the 89 Masters was Kenny
Love and he was charged with the task of arranging the following years event. Before
too long, and although many of the guys were beginning to join their own clubs,
it was felt that a once a year weekend-long event wasn’t enough and a couple of
single round outings were added. The
next thing you know, more events were added. And now, we have an annual tour for all sorts of trophies.
In addition to the Masters, still to this
day held annually in June, we now have a traditional Tour opener in the Spring
Cup, which is played at a links course in April. We also have Digger’s Retiral,
the JC Classic, the Samurai Sword, the Van De Velde Trophy – all of which are Stableford
Events. We hold an annual Strokeplay Medal and we compete each year for the Matchplay Shield.
There is also a Bar Point Order of Merit for which a trophy is awarded
and not forgetting the Dink Mink Award to the biggest underachiever every year.
(Dick Mink is an unknown American whose bag-tag was found one day during an outing
to St Andrews – we just loved the name so much we had to honour him). We also have our own unique but very fair
handicapping system.
The BPGS reached new heights in September
1999, when 13 adventurers headed down to the Costa Del
Sol for an unforgettable week’s golf. A
return trip to Spain is taking place in September 2002/2005
A regular BPGS newsletter was first
produced in October 1994, since when more than 50 have dropped through the
letterboxes of the members. More
recently, a web-site has been developed and maintained.
Since May 1996, a complete list of all
statistics for the various tournaments has been kept, since when there have
been 34 separate outings and 50 prizes played for.
The original blazer is no longer played
for as it was given to Roddy Darroch
a few years back to commemorate his third triumph in our flagship tournament.
While there is an element of
competitiveness in all that we do, the main aim remains today as it has always
been – for a group of similar-minded guys to get together now and again and
have a good time on the golf course.
Indeed, the attitude of everyone can be best summed up by the BPGS
motto, which is simply - “THERE IS ONLY ONE WINNER – AND THAT’S GOLF”
Currently there are 18 active members of
the BPGS and here, in just about alphabetical order are a few incidental facts
little about them all.
If you’ve got anything to say to us – just
get in touch via e-mail. The details are on the main page of the web-site.
Age Unknown
Height A
bit of a short-arse
Weight Rotund
Hair Not much
and its all grey
Sponsors Stolen
from John Mulgrew (all equipment)
Events since 96 3
Tour Wins 0
Career Highlight The third helping of dessert at Gullane
Handicap 17
and being Davie Barbour
History A founder
member in 1989 who sadly drifted out of things for a
few years due to work commitments. He
came back on the scene in 2001 and it was if he had never been away. Sure to break his duck in the not too-distant
future. Member of Thornton GC in Fife.
Age 30-something
Height Average
Weight Above Average
Hair Receding
Sponsors Calloway
(Woods); Titleist (Irons)
Events since 96 33
Tour Wins 8
Career Highlight Being crowned El Toreador 1999
Handicap 7
and a dreadful swing
History Although
not from Paisley, has been involved since the beginning. Organises all outings
bar the Masters weekend, sends out all the newsletters and makes up the
handicap rules as he goes along. Sometimes moans about how much he has to do,
but never really means it. Despite 8 wins on the Tour, he has a dreadful
record in the Masters with just the sole victory away back in 1990. Member of Mount Ellen GC in
Lanarkshire.
Age 30-something
Height 6
foot-ish
Weight Gaining
by the day
Hair Full
Head in the bouffant style
Sponsors Donnay
Events since 96 17
Tour Wins 0
Career Highlight Scoring for Raith in a 7-0 win over St
Mirren
Handicap 7
and impatience
History Former
professional footballer who once played in European ties against the likes of Klinsmann, Hamman, Ziege and Papin for Raith against Bayern Munich. Huge
hitter off the tee, is itching to claim his maiden
tour victory. Needs better luck as he holds the unenviable
record of highest points ever achieved by a runner-up.
Age 40+
Height Tall
Weight Respectable
Hair A Dome that Shines
Sponsors Olimar (Woods); Adams Tight Arse (Irons)
Events since 96 28
Tour Wins 9
Career Highlight Getting to keep the original Masters blazer.
Handicap 7
and a dodgy back
History Another of
the founding fathers. Holder of most
lifetime wins on Tour, including 3 Masters titles. Is
usually there or thereabouts at the top of the leaderboard . Answers to the
nickname of Digger and has a tournament named after him following his retirement
from Strathclyde Police. Is an
accomplished drummer in a world-famous Pipe Band. Member of Paisley GC in Renfreshire.
Only guy to get a hole-in-one while playing on the Tour.
Age Does
it matter when you are this handsome?
Height Tall
Weight Slim
Hair Perfect
Sponsors Armani
and Versace
Events since 96 32
Tour Wins 3
Career Highlight Double winner in 97 on the course
Handicap 17
and a distinctive slice
History Joined up
in the mid 1990s and been a great supporter of all events, golfing and social,
ever since. Along with his brother, runs
a long-established family business in Renfrewshire, and this is probably the
main reason he spends little time playing golf other than with the BPGS.
Age 30-something
Height Average
Weight Average
Hair Full
but greying
Sponsors Mizuno
Events since 96 2
Tour Wins 0
Career Highlight His opening tee-shot in his 1st event in July 2001
Handicap 3
and being too classy for the rest of us
History Newish member whose work has severely curtailed his
involvement with the BPGS. Has the lowest handicap among us, and
unsurprisingly, plays regularly for the team at his home club which is Elderslie GC in Renfrewshire. Bound to win something with
us one day.
Age Ancient
(but wearing well)
Height Above Average
Weight Below Average
Hair Full
Head of Black (but Just for Men is suspected)
Sponsors Henry
Cotton (Woods); John Panton (Irons)
George atAsda (clothing)
Events since 96 33
Tour Wins 1
Career Highlight Masters 2000 – Carnoustie got the
winner it deserved
Handicap 27
and tight blue trousers
History The man is
a legend. One of the
guys who was there at the start with his 28 handicap. Thirteen years
later, he has improved by leaps and bounds and is now down to….27 (correction –
now back up to 28!!). Goes everywhere except Spain cos he’s scared of
flying. Can be found
most weekends sharpening up his game at Lochwinnoch
GC in Renfrewshire. Answers to the name of Robert at home.
Age 40-something
Height Short
Weight Fat
Hair Three
or four wisps above the ears
Sponsors Progen (Woods); Wilson Fatshaft
(Irons)
Events since 96 13
Tour Wins 0
Career Highlight Ibrox, 27 November 1994
; 24pts on the outward nine at The Glen in 2002.
Handicap 19
and shares in Raith Rovers Football Club
History Got to
know some of the boys through football and the rest through being a wonderful
host at Gullane GC where he is the Clubmaster at the Visitor’s Clubhouse. Is in a battle-royale
with Ronnie Coyle to see who will break their duck first. Never get into a contest of one-liners with
John, cos you’ll rarely win – and you will never, and
I mean never, get the final word.
Age 40-something
Height Above
40 inches
Weight Just
below 40 stones
Hair Has
well over 40 pubic hairs
Sponsors Titleist Ladies (Woods); Nancy Lopez (Irons)
Events since 96 32
Tour Wins 5
Career Highlight Lossiemouth 2001 – the jacket was
finally his
and taking the opening 2 events on the 2002 Tour
Handicap 14 and wondering whether it was
all alucky streak a la O’Meara.
History Was there
from the start, and took an eternity to claim his first ever victory. As such, had the nickname
of Monty. But once that burden was lifted, he really got going and had 4
wins in the space of 12 months from June 2001.
Also a member of Lochwinnoch
GC.
Age 30-ish
Height Its
how long that counts here, not how tall
Weight Fluctuating
Hair Full-head
of hair for the moment
Sponsors Calloway
(Woods); Titleist (Irons)
Events since 96 29
Tour Wins 1
Career Highlight Making the 1st tee every day in Spain
Handicap 6
and watching St Mirren
History Like
his buddy Colin Ferguson, a member of Elderslie GC
where he was won countless medals and other events. It is therefore a mystery why he has registered just a solitary victory
on the BPGS Tour since becoming a regular in the mid 90s. Maybe its because
he’s pretty laid-back about the whole thing.
Age 30+
(but boyish with it)
Height Average
Weight Light
Hair Thinning
in spectacular style
Sponsors Taylor
Made (Woods); Calloway (Irons); Boss (Clothing)
Events since 96 30
Tour Wins 6
Career Highlight Masters 1999 –
43 Stableford Points (achieved with a hangover and
dodgy ankle)
Handicap 9
and suspect driving (on and off the course)
History Joined in
the mid 90s and until April 2002 had never missed a single event, golfing or
social. Then he suffered a knee injury which is likely to rule him out for all
of the 2002 season. His 43 pts in the 99 Masters is a record unlikely to be
broken. Plays out of Gleddoch
House GC where his handicap is a bit higher than that we allow him – we know
exactly what he is capable of on his day.
Age 30-something
Height Tall
Weight Well,
you wait all day when you’re playing behind him
Hair Non-existent
Sponsors Taylor
Made (Woods); Nicklaus (Irons); Timex
Events since 96 28
Tour Wins 1
Career Highlight Spring Cup 1999 and/or Scottish Cup 1987
Handicap 10
and being related by marriage to the Lazzerinis
History Another of
the 1989 intake, he is another who took an eternity to gain his first win on
Tour but has not been able to build on it.
Doesn’t spend as much time on the golf courses as some
others due to football and cricket commitments (playing and watching). Once got the best ever Par 3 in BPGS history
when his first shot was lost and his follow-up tee-shot went straight into the
hole. Member at Gleddoch House GC
Age Under
18
Height Big
Weight As
it should be
Hair Loads –
he’s too young to be receding
Sponsors Maw
& Paw McFarnon
Events since 96 2
Tour Wins 0
Career Highlight Winning a golf towel on his 1st appearance
Handicap 20 and the
increasing awareness of having to live up to being a McFarnon
History 2002 is
his rookie season and is still very much finding his feet. But as a young man
who will soon be studying Advanced Nuclear Physics or something similar at
University, he should know they’re at the bottom of his legs, just below his
ankles.
Age 40-something
Height Average
Weight Average
Hair Full
head
Sponsors Mitsushiba (Woods & Irons); Tennents
(Social Life)
Events since 96 34
Tour Wins 3
Career Highlight Being in one piece at the end of El Toreador
Handicap 15
and the worst short game you could ever imagine
History The man
whose idea it all was all those years ago.
If it hadn’t been golf, it is reckoned Dave would have started a Bar
Point Dominoes Society or even a Bar Point Bridge Club. Has never missed a single
event since 1989 -
a quite astonishing and proud record. Is largely responsible for the upkeep of the web-site. Plays in a regular four-ball, of which the
other three have all been bar Point Masters.
Would love to rectify that anomaly at some point.
Has thrown away more titles than anyone else – he’s our Greg Norman and we call
him the Great White Fish Finger.
Age 40-something
(and the rest)
Height Average
Weight Above Average
Hair Facial
Sponsors Mitsushiba 2nd Hand (cadged from his brother)
Events since 96 33
Tour Wins 3
Career Highlight Masters 1994
and the infamous Pingu incident at
Littlejohn’s
Restaurant, St Andrews, 1997
Handicap 11
and his boy now being on tour
History Brother
of Dave and another who has been in since it all began. Won a couple of tournaments
early on and then had a prolonged spell in the doldrums. Came
back with a vengeance in 2001 to take the Order of Merit title thanks to loads
of high finishes, but astonishingly, not a single victory. It’s a close run-thing with a few of the
others, but is probably the funniest guy on the Tour and great fun to go round
the course with.
Age 40-something
Height He’s
a big laddie
Weight He’s
fine for his height
Hair Proud
of his baldness
Sponsors Calloway
Events since 96 223
Tour Wins 1
Career Highlight Feeling better than James Brown at Bonnyton
in 2000
Handicap 20
and a bit of a dodgy back
History A
latecomer to the game of golf, he only joined the BPGS in the late 1990s.
Suffers from inconsistency – is sometimes in the top 3 but more often is down
in the bottom 3 and rarely will you find him in the middle of the pack. Is unquestionably our
Karaoke King. Also
a member of Mount Ellen GC, his 2002 season has been curtailed with a back
injury, but made his comeback at The Glen on 25 August.
Age 30-something
Height Average
Weight Thin
chappie
Hair Ha-ha
Sponsors Taylor
Made (Woods); Lynx (Irons)
Events since 96 10
Tour Wins 4
Career Highlight Masters
2002 at Dunoon. 37 points in the most
appalling conditions for a very easy win.
Handicap 8 (but a
bandit at his won club – if only he’d play medals)
History Another newish entrant to our fold, his wins to appearances record
is nothing short of outrageous. Despite
his handicap has been slashed in recent times (and his own eve of event
prediction that he’d never win again off single figures), he continues to
gather trophies on a frequent basis. Joint holder of the all-time highest points score. Another one whom you joust
with verbally at your peril. Plays out of Paisley GC.
Age 30-something
Height Average
Weight Above Average
Hair Incredibly
full
Sponsors Lawrie Auchterlonie Snr (Woods);
Thor (that’s what he said) for irons
Events since 96 4
Tour Wins 0
Career Highlight He’s still waiting on one
Handicap 12
History Another
who has made very few appearances due to work commitments.
Hits the ball a long way, but not always in the right
distance. Putts the same way that he drives the ball. Is a bandit at his home course of Glasgow Gailes GC in Ayrshire where he will surely put his 16(!!)
handicap to good use before too long.
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N.B.
The anoraks among you will have noticed
that the number of Tour Wins only adds up to 45 when there have been 50
events.
Over the years, five tournaments have been
won by guys who are no longer playing members of the tour:-
David Reid 2
wins
Craig Duncan 1 win
Derek Johnstone 1 win
Kenny Love 1
win
JC
25 August 2002