Captain Nev (centre) with the victorious Steve Lewis (right) and Tony Smith (left). Picture: Paolo Minoli
Steve Lewis claimed the Lord Riddell Memorial Trophy and the prize for the lowest gross score in our medal meeting at Worplesdon.
Our traditional season curtain-raiser was played in glorious sunshine on a course in superb condition – a very fitting way to get captain Nev Appleton’s year off to a great start.
Lewis scorched round in a gross 75, to record a net 69, with Paul Kelso second in Division One with a net 74 (gross 81) and Hugo Chambre third with a net 76 (gross 78).
In Division Two, Tony Smith pipped secretary Tim Allan to first place with a net 72 (gross 86), one ahead of the Ashridge man (gross 85). The resurgent Kevin Price was third with a net 74 (gross 88).
The top 16 qualified for the Emsley Carr – see the full draw here
Jeremy with his wife Christa and the winning trophy at an event organised by our friends
at the Association of Golf Writers in 2024
By Tom Clarke
I’m grateful to the Press Golfing Society for wonderful days in the sun and the rain, on courses from Royal Portrush to Vilamoura – but I’m more than grateful to the PGS for launching a friendship with Jeremy Chapman that lasted half a century and changed the course of my working life.
I joined the PGS in 1975. I was honoured to be captain in 1985 when Jeremy was secretary. We partnered well. It was a year of good golf, good weather, good social occasions (our annual dinner was at The Savoy), and growing membership.
Fast forward to 1993 . . . I was parachuted into The Sporting Life to be editor and to “clean out the stables”. It could have been a reference to the dark and grubby offices at the arse end of the Mirror Building in Holborn Circus. It was, in fact, a call to sort out the chaos of working arrangements that were, to be polite, less than professional.
I knew only three people with Life connections: Charlie Wilson, who had been my editor at The Times, was now deputy managing editor of Mirror Group and appointed me to be editor; Monty Court, a close friend since we met at a PGS day and a former editor of The Life (and he’s still going strong at the age of 97); and Jeremy, who was, whatever his actual title, the deputy editor of The Life.
On the morning of Monday, April 5, 1993, I walked into The Life offices for the first time. I was met by a barrier of stony faces. The previous day the owners of those faces had produced an excellent paper with reports, analysis and pictures of the infamous Grand National which was declared void when 30 of the 39 runners ignored the false-start and carried on racing.
I congratulated them, told them who I was and what I hoped to do (no mention of “clean out if the stables” at this stage). They got on with their work but there was a certain tension in the air.
Then, about 2pm, Jeremy arrived for his shift. He came up to me, shook my hand and wished me well.
That moment wasn’t an ice-breaker in my relationship with the rest of the staff but it showed them that one of the leaders of their team had some high regard for me.
For the next five years we delivered a very good paper, making the most of the writing skill of Alastair Down and David Ashforth and others, the race-reporting of Geoff Lester’s team, and the emerging talent of Bruce Millington, Peter Thomas and Chris McGrath – with Jeremy pulling them together with his page designs – by 1994 in our sparkling new offices at Canary Wharf.
That’s Jeremy the deputy editor. There was also Jeremy the golf betting tipster. His countless hours poring over form, mainly on the American circuit, then bringing the stats alive in a very readable way – and providing readers with a bundle of winners, notably Lee Trevino at 8-1 for the 1972 Open and Stewart Cink at 150-1 for a 2021 PGA Tour event.
I must make mention of Christa, Jeremy’s wife for 57 years. She never played in a PGS day but she was a special part of the society for 30 years or more. She was always there at the check-in table, collecting the money, handing out cards and checking them at the end of the day.
https://www.pressgs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/pgs_logo-1.jpg00secretarypgshttps://www.pressgs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/pgs_logo-1.jpgsecretarypgs2026-03-17 13:22:142026-03-17 13:22:17Jeremy Chapman – a personal tribute from his friend and former colleague Tom Clarke
ROYAL COMMAND – Captain Jamie Weir surrounded by his team celebrate their Wryter Cup triumph at Royal Dornoch
Inspirational skipper Jamie Weir led his beautifully-dressed PGS team to glorious Wryter Cup victory at the majestic Royal Dornoch Golf Club.
The 16 PGS heroes saw off their APG counterparts 19-13, winning all three sessions to reclaim the Cup in terrific style.
Jamie, who produced a motivational video featuring Hollywood superstar Jamie Dornan and several Ryder Cup legends, said: “It was all I’d dreamed of. I’m so proud of my team and of the way we fought together to win the Cup. It will live very long in my memory – a truly sensational few days.”
The PGS claimed the Monday morning foursomes 5-3 and the fourballs 5.5-3.5 to lead 10.5-6.5 overnight, before sealing victory with an 8.5-7.5 win in the singles.
Ben Todd claimed the coveted Vic Woodman Trophy, awarded to the PGS member who best exemplifies the spirit of the Wryter Cup.
The tournament was played in the aftermath of Storm Amy, which forced the Dornoch starter’s hut to be boarded up for safety. Had we been playing a day earlier, we wouldn’t have got on the course, so powerful was the storm.
But we ended up playing in typical Scottish weather, with several seasons an hour and even some shirt-sleeved golf.
The club were magnificent hosts, although we were just a little too early to see the opening of their much-vaunted new clubhouse. Still, at least that gives an excuse to go back in the future!
PGS 19, APG 13
FOURSOMES: PGS 5, APG 3
Jonny Bramley and Nev Appleton v Guillaume Baraise and Francois Scimeca. PGS WIN 2 UP
Dylan Dronfield and Jamie Weir v Nicolas Doucet and Damien Houles. PGS WIN 2 UP
Tim Allan and Philip Edgar-Jones v Romain Schneider and Laurent Louet. APG WIN 4&3
Andy Porter and Tony Smith v Philippe Millereau and Jean Francois Dessaint. APG WIN 2&1
Mike Waker and Hugo Chambre v Stephane Ruet and Edouard Combette. APG WIN 5&3
Andy Glen and Steve Lewis v Guillaume Michel and Christophe Lassaut. PGS WIN 1 UP
Khalid Javed and Ollie McCormack v Remi Gouriou and Didier Largillier. PGS WIN 5&4
Colin Hancock and Ben Todd v Arnold Cara and Francois Lanaud. PGS WIN 4&2
FOURBALLS: PGS 5½, APG 2½
Jamie Weir and Jonny Bramley v Damien Houles and Francois Scimeca. HALVED
Nev Appleton and Dylan Dronfield v Romain Schneider and Guillaume Baraise. PGS WIN 3&1
Tony Smith and Tim Allan v Nicolas Doucet and Philippe Millereau. APG WIN 3&2.
Andy Porter and Mike Waker v Stephane Ruet and Lauren Louet. APG WIN 5&4
Steve Lewis and Ollie McCormack v Jean Francois Dessaint and Christophe Lassaut. PGS WIN 4&3
Khalid Javed and Phil Edgar-Jones v Didier Largillier and Edouard Combette. PGS WIN 6&5
Andy Glen and Colin Hancock v Francois Lanaud and Remi Gouriou. PGS WIN 5&4
Ben Todd and Hugo Chambre v Guillaume Michel and Arnold Cara. PGS WIN 1 UP.
Lew beauty!
Captain Nev (centre) with the victorious Steve Lewis (right) and Tony Smith (left). Picture: Paolo Minoli
Steve Lewis claimed the Lord Riddell Memorial Trophy and the prize for the lowest gross score in our medal meeting at Worplesdon.
Our traditional season curtain-raiser was played in glorious sunshine on a course in superb condition – a very fitting way to get captain Nev Appleton’s year off to a great start.
Lewis scorched round in a gross 75, to record a net 69, with Paul Kelso second in Division One with a net 74 (gross 81) and Hugo Chambre third with a net 76 (gross 78).
In Division Two, Tony Smith pipped secretary Tim Allan to first place with a net 72 (gross 86), one ahead of the Ashridge man (gross 85). The resurgent Kevin Price was third with a net 74 (gross 88).
The top 16 qualified for the Emsley Carr – see the full draw here
Jeremy Chapman – a personal tribute from his friend and former colleague Tom Clarke
Jeremy with his wife Christa and the winning trophy at an event organised by our friends
at the Association of Golf Writers in 2024
By Tom Clarke
I’m grateful to the Press Golfing Society for wonderful days in the sun and the rain, on courses from Royal Portrush to Vilamoura – but I’m more than grateful to the PGS for launching a friendship with Jeremy Chapman that lasted half a century and changed the course of my working life.
I joined the PGS in 1975. I was honoured to be captain in 1985 when Jeremy was secretary. We partnered well. It was a year of good golf, good weather, good social occasions (our annual dinner was at The Savoy), and growing membership.
Fast forward to 1993 . . . I was parachuted into The Sporting Life to be editor and to “clean out the stables”. It could have been a reference to the dark and grubby offices at the arse end of the Mirror Building in Holborn Circus. It was, in fact, a call to sort out the chaos of working arrangements that were, to be polite, less than professional.
I knew only three people with Life connections: Charlie Wilson, who had been my editor at The Times, was now deputy managing editor of Mirror Group and appointed me to be editor; Monty Court, a close friend since we met at a PGS day and a former editor of The Life (and he’s still going strong at the age of 97); and Jeremy, who was, whatever his actual title, the deputy editor of The Life.
On the morning of Monday, April 5, 1993, I walked into The Life offices for the first time. I was met by a barrier of stony faces. The previous day the owners of those faces had produced an excellent paper with reports, analysis and pictures of the infamous Grand National which was declared void when 30 of the 39 runners ignored the false-start and carried on racing.
I congratulated them, told them who I was and what I hoped to do (no mention of “clean out if the stables” at this stage). They got on with their work but there was a certain tension in the air.
Then, about 2pm, Jeremy arrived for his shift. He came up to me, shook my hand and wished me well.
That moment wasn’t an ice-breaker in my relationship with the rest of the staff but it showed them that one of the leaders of their team had some high regard for me.
For the next five years we delivered a very good paper, making the most of the writing skill of Alastair Down and David Ashforth and others, the race-reporting of Geoff Lester’s team, and the emerging talent of Bruce Millington, Peter Thomas and Chris McGrath – with Jeremy pulling them together with his page designs – by 1994 in our sparkling new offices at Canary Wharf.
That’s Jeremy the deputy editor. There was also Jeremy the golf betting tipster. His countless hours poring over form, mainly on the American circuit, then bringing the stats alive in a very readable way – and providing readers with a bundle of winners, notably Lee Trevino at 8-1 for the 1972 Open and Stewart Cink at 150-1 for a 2021 PGA Tour event.
I must make mention of Christa, Jeremy’s wife for 57 years. She never played in a PGS day but she was a special part of the society for 30 years or more. She was always there at the check-in table, collecting the money, handing out cards and checking them at the end of the day.
Thank you, Jeremy and Christa.
Jamie’s Dorn winners!
Inspirational skipper Jamie Weir led his beautifully-dressed PGS team to glorious Wryter Cup victory at the majestic Royal Dornoch Golf Club.
The 16 PGS heroes saw off their APG counterparts 19-13, winning all three sessions to reclaim the Cup in terrific style.
Jamie, who produced a motivational video featuring Hollywood superstar Jamie Dornan and several Ryder Cup legends, said: “It was all I’d dreamed of. I’m so proud of my team and of the way we fought together to win the Cup. It will live very long in my memory – a truly sensational few days.”
The PGS claimed the Monday morning foursomes 5-3 and the fourballs 5.5-3.5 to lead 10.5-6.5 overnight, before sealing victory with an 8.5-7.5 win in the singles.
Ben Todd claimed the coveted Vic Woodman Trophy, awarded to the PGS member who best exemplifies the spirit of the Wryter Cup.
The tournament was played in the aftermath of Storm Amy, which forced the Dornoch starter’s hut to be boarded up for safety. Had we been playing a day earlier, we wouldn’t have got on the course, so powerful was the storm.
But we ended up playing in typical Scottish weather, with several seasons an hour and even some shirt-sleeved golf.
The club were magnificent hosts, although we were just a little too early to see the opening of their much-vaunted new clubhouse. Still, at least that gives an excuse to go back in the future!
PGS 19, APG 13
FOURSOMES: PGS 5, APG 3
Jonny Bramley and Nev Appleton v Guillaume Baraise and Francois Scimeca. PGS WIN 2 UP
Dylan Dronfield and Jamie Weir v Nicolas Doucet and Damien Houles. PGS WIN 2 UP
Tim Allan and Philip Edgar-Jones v Romain Schneider and Laurent Louet. APG WIN 4&3
Andy Porter and Tony Smith v Philippe Millereau and Jean Francois Dessaint. APG WIN 2&1
Mike Waker and Hugo Chambre v Stephane Ruet and Edouard Combette. APG WIN 5&3
Andy Glen and Steve Lewis v Guillaume Michel and Christophe Lassaut. PGS WIN 1 UP
Khalid Javed and Ollie McCormack v Remi Gouriou and Didier Largillier. PGS WIN 5&4
Colin Hancock and Ben Todd v Arnold Cara and Francois Lanaud. PGS WIN 4&2
FOURBALLS: PGS 5½, APG 2½
Jamie Weir and Jonny Bramley v Damien Houles and Francois Scimeca. HALVED
Nev Appleton and Dylan Dronfield v Romain Schneider and Guillaume Baraise. PGS WIN 3&1
Tony Smith and Tim Allan v Nicolas Doucet and Philippe Millereau. APG WIN 3&2.
Andy Porter and Mike Waker v Stephane Ruet and Lauren Louet. APG WIN 5&4
Steve Lewis and Ollie McCormack v Jean Francois Dessaint and Christophe Lassaut. PGS WIN 4&3
Khalid Javed and Phil Edgar-Jones v Didier Largillier and Edouard Combette. PGS WIN 6&5
Andy Glen and Colin Hancock v Francois Lanaud and Remi Gouriou. PGS WIN 5&4
Ben Todd and Hugo Chambre v Guillaume Michel and Arnold Cara. PGS WIN 1 UP.
SINGLES: PGS 8½, APG 7½
Ollie McCormack v Philippe Millereau. PGS WIN 4&3
Steve Lewis v Guillaume Michel. APG WIN 2&1
Jonny Bramley v Christophe Lassaut. APG WIN 4&3
Hugo Chambre v Nicolas Doucet. PGS WIN 5&3
Nev Appleton v Francois Scimeca. PGS WIN 1 UP
Andy Glen v Edouard Combette. APG WIN 2 UP
Dylan Dronfield v Stephane Ruet 5 APG. HALVED
Jamie Weir v Guillaume Baraise. PGS WIN 3&2
Khalid Javed v Romain Schneider. PGS WIN 4&3
Tony Smith v Francois Lanaud. APG WIN 2&1
Mike Waker v Didier Largillier. PGS WIN 2 UP
Phil Edgar-Jones v Remi Gouriou. APG WIN 3&2
Ben Todd v Damien Houles. APG WIN 2 UP
Colin Hancock v Francois Dessaint. PGS WIN 6&5
Tim Allan v Laurent Louet. PGS WIN 2&1
Andy Porter v Arnold Cara. APG WIN 3&2