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And so the new generation starts to bear its golfing teeth as following Mike’s win last year, Charlie Wilbraham sealed a tremendous victory and adds his name to the trophy 10 years after his dad won the inaugural event back in 2001. Add to that, the Nearest the Pin prize was won by a brilliant shot by Pat on the really difficult 16th and the Kids are starting to take over. Only Lionel winning the longest drive flew the flag for us middle agers - but even then Pat was on his tail only missing out by being just off the fairway!
On Lee’s 10th anniversary, the LC Trophy was played under overcast and breezy conditions at High Elms course and a big field of 18 played for the shield at the same time with Tony Botting getting the rather dubious pleasure of having the shield at home until we play for it next. I have a strong feeling we may be playing pretty soon especially as he offered a “putt off” for the shield there and then to Les. So ungrateful some people…. J
Three players did not make the tee this year. Ian’s injury jinx struck again as he snapped his knee ligaments, Matt’s life is far too complicated to even consider playing and Martin yet again failed to show, this time he was camping.
For a council course High Elms is quite tough really. Especially when we have had hardly a drop of rain in the past 4 months and as a result the course was super dry. There were a lot of bare lies so occasionally when you did find the fairway there was no guarantee of a nice lie. Also despite it looking short, it is deceptive and is over 6000 yards (or 580,000 yards the way we play it) there are some really tricky holes. In particular the first which is short and straight and looks like a very easy opening hole, yet looking at the cards there was only one par from all players and even those getting two shots on it mainly only got a point at best.
At the turn, it was anybodies to win with no one running away with it. Charlie was leading on 19; Antony was only a shot back on 18 and a whole bunch on 16 and above – including me. Then it all started to change as we got to 15 as Charlie had his worst spell and was over taken by Tony Bot and leading the pack at this point was Antony who lead Tony Bot by 3 and Charlie by a massive 8.
And that hole proved a disaster for Tony Bot and Antony as they both blobbed it and Charlie picked up 4 points to come back in contention. But he was still behind Mr Baker and me Botting at this point.
At this stage, no charge was materialising from the pack. Lynda was unfortunate to pick up the booby prize with 19 points. That’s not a bad score really and there were some very good holes in there but too many blobs on the scorecard meant she could not contend.
Pete never got going properly and once year golf means he is not making the most of his ability as he is far better than the 23 points he got.
Last year’s champion Mike suffered under the burden of defending the title…well that and being savagely cut J . He may get a couple back next year. Again his problem was too many blobs and perhaps being the only player in shorts was a distraction.
My problem this year was not making net par enough and birdies were all too rare. I had too many 1 point holes, so despite a tidy enough round I lost any chance as I only scored 7 points on the last 6 holes when a strong finish was needed.
Patrick’s first outing in this tournament was a good one. He hits the ball really well and his nearest pin prize well deserved. Just needs to work his putting out and his name will be on the trophy soon. Some of his driving was brilliant.
Paul was ultra consistent. 14 out 14 back. A similar card to mine in many ways as he failed to get any big scores on any holes – in fact only one net birdie all day – and as a result was another in contention after 12 holes but needed the big finish and it never came.
Les amazingly arrived on time and his first drive split the fairway. But his second found sand less bunker and was unable to come out and scrubbed the hole. A better opening 9 from Les and he would have been in the mix. 12 points is tough tome win from, but not insurmountable and he gave it a go scoring on every hole coming back but again needed a big finish but closed out the last 4 holes in 7 points to fall short.
Cliff returned to play after a two year absence and was well in it at half way. But a run of 3 blobs in 4 holes ended his challenge despite recovering and finishing well.
Antony will be kicking himself as I said earlier he was leading after 14 but collapsed after being told he was probably in with a chance and ended the round with just 4 points from 4 holes. A real shame.
Tony Bot must have thought he was going to the engravers with the trophy coming in with 35 points and just a net par at fairly easy short par 4 15th and he would have been. Instead he is off to the engravers with the shield as a consolation.
I keep going on about how a strong finish can make all the difference. Well Charlie showed the way with an astonishing 15 points in the final 4 holes to overhaul Tony and Antony and win with a 2 point margin. I was playing with him and his approaches to the greens were excellent. I think if you took Patricks driving, Charlie’s approach game and Paul’s Putting we may have a professional player in there!
Very well played Charlie, but ask Mike about how hard it is to defend!
