The Broken Shafters

Committed to Golfing Excellence!

History

In the summer of 2001, David Robinson invited fathers of form 2CN at Thomas's School Clapham to an afternoon's golf at Malden GC. Eight dads turned up including Messrs Cardoe, Horler, Greenfield, Hyslop and Wilson. We believe this to have become the genesis of the society that we know today as 'The Broken Shaft Golfing Society'. Since its inception, the Society has evolved into a broader collection of golfing folk now commonly and colloquially refered to as 'The Shafters'. All with an interest in socialising, touring and hitting the odd pimpled ball about.We thought that after all this time we should at best commit to the digital world and record our history, the stories behind the trophies, a photographic library of our tours, insights to our members, highlights and lowlights, honours and dishonours; as well as anything else we deem to be of vague interest to this golfing community. I've tried my best to collate and record as much as I can on the Shafters - I know there will be a lot more and I can't promise it'll be wholly accurate! News will be updated on a regular basis but I encourage you all to join in, provide me with content and tales of dare doings whilst being a 'Shafter'. I hope I've done justice to this august and magnificent society we all represent and of which we are proud to be associated.

Trophies and Format

Members of The Broken Shaft Golfing Society "The Shafters" compete for eight major trophies throughout the course of a calendar year. They comprise the following:

The Shaft - Individual stableford competition off full Shafters handicap

The Shoes - Better ball stableford competition in pairs off full Shafters handicap

The Chalice - Individual stableford competition off full Shafters handicap

The Block - Individual stableford competition off full Shafters handicap

The Shovel - Better ball stableford competition in pairs. Playing off one half of each player's full combined Shafter's handicap

The Cooler - knockout matchplay 9/10ths handicap difference

The Cap - Individual stableford competition off full Shafters handicap

The Biarritz Cup - a Ryder Cup styled competition between two teams

The Bag of Death (Sac de Mort)

It is a Shafters' tradition that the Captain will always tee off first in all competitions he plays in during his period of office. Order of play and playing partners are determined by the drawing of names from a vessel of sorts. This is always referred to as The Bag of Death. However, in 2014, while touring Le Touquet a permanent vessel was secured. As it was procured in France it has subsequently been renamed 'Sac de Mort' to reflect its origins. It will be retained for all future events. In addition to the Sac de Mort, a coffin styled receipt box was gained whilst dining in Quinta do Lago. This can be used as an alternative BOD.

Handicaps

The Broken Shaft Golfing Society adopts a modified format of golf handicapping. The Committee has determined that this format provides for an increased number of members with a better chance of winning one of the prestigious Shafter trophies played for throughout the year.

On participating in his first tournament, a Shafter will play off his true club handicap. He will retain this handicap until he wins or is a runner up in a trophy event. On securing such a position, his handicap will be adjusted down, up and until the trophy tournament he won or was positioned second in has been completed the following year, by the following number of shots:

The Shaft winner - 2 shots

The Shaft runner-up - 1 shot

The Shoes winners - 1 shot per player

The Chalice winner - 2 shots

The Chalice runner-up - 1 shot

The Block winner - 2 shots

The Block runner-up - 1 shot

The Shovel winners - 1 shot per player

The Cooler winner - 2 shots

The Cooler runner-up - 1 shot

Should a person not play in any tournament events following a victory or runner-up spot for over a year his handicap reduction will be held at that position until he returns to play and completes a further 4 events. In addition, discretionary adjustments will be monitored by the committee and adjusted as appropriate. These playing adjustments are fixed and will be reversed after 1 year or 4 events, whichever is the longer.