This was the year we had hoped to play at Royal Blackheath. That is the course that Lee (and a few of us) used to sneak into via the Tarn in Eltham and upset the assorted Colonels and Captains that played there. It has loosened up over the years, but there would have been a delicious irony had it been possible.

But alas, we were thwarted and I ended up getting a decent deal at Pedham place.

Sadly this year we lost a few more regulars. One through work (Cliff) one through a late injury (Tony B) and others through assorted reasons could not make it. But we did have a new player and one who I am 100% certain will lift the trophy before he leaves school – Harrison Lee Walsh.

That said, we had 11 until the morning when we lost another. (No comment).  So the field was a rather depleted 10 – 11 if you include Harrison and I think we will from now.

The weather wasn’t great for a summer’s day, but it was absolutely perfect for golf. It was a cool overcast dry day and it really is the best golf weather. It’s nice to start in warm sunshine, but then you start to get too hot after 6 holes and playing sometimes in to direct sunlight. This was spot on.

Looking at the cards, Matt started quite well with a 3 point hole and a few net pars saw him turn in 13 points, which for someone who has not picked a club up in a year and has a world full of distractions currently, was not bad. His back nine faded and with only 8 points he propped up the league table.

Harrison was next on 22 points (remember he is 10 years old) with some consistent, if not spectacular scoring. This kid has a serious eye for a ball.  His name will be etched in to it making the second father son winner combination before too long.

Paul’s mate Geoff also came in on 22 points and a card similar to Harrison in that it was consistent but low points on each hole.

Jon had 25 points and again, similar to the previous two there were no big points on his card. Just lots of 1 and 2 pointers. 13 out and 12 back.

Nick’s mate Bob on his second outing with us (so now qualifies to win) had a mixed bag in 26 points. Too many zero pointers on his card to mount a challenge and a poor start with just 2 points from 3 holes did not help.

Triple winner Paul had a rough day by his standards. Hampered by a serious knee complaint he struggled to 11 points in the opening 9. More respectable 17 on the way home but his game was not there at all. Playing off 7 is tough as well.

Chris threated to run away with it at one stage. 21 points out and looking in control especially with a run of 4 net birdies, I thought he was going to walk it. But the turn did for him and his next 9 only yielded 10 points and he fell away. Inexplicable really!

Pete had his best return for a number of years. 31 points is excellent for someone who picks his clubs up once a year for this trophy. A few blobs ruined his chances as his scoring was good on most holes.

Nick I am sure will win this soon. 36 points has been enough in years gone by.  A really solid round. Scoring on every hole and hard to see what more he could have done.  

Mark came second with 36 points as well. Out in 20, he was Chris’ main challenger and took a bit of a lead after 12 holes but two blobs in three holes after that his undoing and he had to settle for the runners up spot.

So what about me?  Scoring on every hole – a rarity in that I started and ended the round with the same ball was the key. Out in 18, I was in touch but felt I could not catch Chris or Mark. Especially as Chris in particular looked like he was in the zone. But I got a net eagle on the 10^th and that put me in the mix proper and I kept scoring well and picking up the odd net birdie to come in with 21 points, for 39 in total and a three shot win.

It will be tough for me to retain it next year off of 15, but thems the rules.

To round off a great day I won the longest drive and Chris won nearest Pin.

 

11^th Matt 21

10^th Harrison 22

9^th Geoff 22 (count back)

8^th Jon 25

7^th Bob 26

6^th Paul 28

5^th Chris 31

4^th Pete 31 (count back)

3^rd Nick 36

2^nd Mark 36 (count back)

1^st Danny 39