MENU
Cat Stevens sang “the first cut is the deepest” and so it will prove next year for Rookie player and new champion Michael Christie. Playing in his first LC trophy off a generous 28, he romped home with 44 points to secure the trophy at his first time of asking. The handicap committee have booked an urgent meeting to review his handicap and he can expect a severe shaving before we tee off next May/June.
In fairness, he did play the most consistent golf of any of the 12 taking part and did deserve to win but that won’t stop us getting the scalpel out.
The build up to this year’s event was again overshadowed by injury. Last year Ian managed to break his arm not once but twice in the run up, this year it was my turn to be official photographer and buggy driver as I broke my arm 7 weeks before. Who will the injury jinx strike next?
So 12 players lined up of which 9 were eligible to win the trophy. This included two Rookies – the aforementioned Mike – and Ted Rickwood who complained that had he known he would have played every year as he certainly knew Lee from the Royal days. We had three guests playing in Mike’s dad Rob, Mick Wyatt and Robert Smith so the shield was put up for grabs as well.
Played at Seddlescombe on yet another hot day, it was a course that really did need playing beforehand. Lots of holes where had you been able to play them again you would have played them differently as lots of greens were hidden from the tees and with sneaky traps on a tightish course, the driver was not the most important club in the bag.
As I drove around between the three groups it was hard to gauge how anyone was playing. But early on I thought that Ian was struggling to shake off the rust; Les looked consistent; Charlie was so slow that I thought he was running on cheap batteries; Mick W looked a half decent player; Robert Smith was dreadful; Rob Christie could be a contender but was struggling; Ted looked as though he had played more than he admitted to; Paul looked as accurate as usual; Tony Bot was playing better than I had seen for a while; Pete could not find any fairways and Mr Baker was yet again looking good off the tee and putting 15ft past the hole every time. But what of Michael? Well after starting with 10 points in 3 holes, I knew he was going to be hard to beat.
And to be honest, the pattern continued. Looking at the cards, Michael scored on 17 of 18 holes and picked up net eagles 4 times. Ted who came in second can count himself unlucky as he scored 35 and scored on 16 of 18.
My early impression of how Ian was playing was vindicated as he started poorly with only 13 points out, but an impressive 20 back which tells me he should play a little more. Paul yet again finished poorly. Just one point in the final three holes and just 12 in total on the back 9 means that perhaps he should get some fitness in to his game – especially when the sun is shining so much. I will look back in a moment to see what the weather was like in his victories...I wonder if they were cool days?
Boty perhaps needs a handicap adjustment now. Having won this trophy a few years ago, he was cut harshly and to see him come in with 29 points was impressive as he scored on 17 holes too. Only missing out on 18 – as did many others.
Les picked up too many single point holes and 3 blobs. Other than that he played OK. Mick Wyatt never recovered from a dreadful start with just one point from 4 holes but showed what he could do with 16 points from the next 7. But can console himself with the longest drive prize.
Michael’s dad Rob had far too many blobs on his card. Missing out 7 times will never allow you to feature but at least he did pick u nearest the pin after a roll over!
Pete R was a dark horse for the trophy this year but he never got out if first gear. He did not pick up a single net birdie and also 7 blobs so his expected charge never got going.
I am sure Antony will one day win this. The way he hits the ball, especially off the tee, shows me he has the ability. But he must get on the putting greens and judge how may 10ft is. I know I am not the best putter in the world and not one to dispense advice, but just a bit of “feel” on the greens and that trophy will be his.
As for Charlie, I said last year that he was making the same mistake and that was easier to cure than spraying it all over the place. Well he did it again, constantly pushing things to the right. However, he did seem to warm towards the end and on 18 hit the drive of the day. If only he could speed himself up a little as at times I thought he was asleep!
But he wasn’t last. That honour went to Rob Smith who was a welcome guest and scoring 3 points on the first 9 holes means he fitted in well. He fared better on the way back with 8.
So, dad- to- be Michael won very comfortably in the end. As I said at the start, from what I saw he did play the best golf and I don’t think he lost a ball. And for his efforts he gets to keep the trophy for the year and along with the shield it will be a wonderful addition to his sparkling new front room.
But if he thinks he is off anything like 28 next year, he can think again!
MICHAEL CHRISTIE - 44
TED RICKWOOD - 35
IAN WILBRAHAM - 33
PAUL WALSH - 32
TONY BOTTING - 29
LES HEWSON - 28
MICK WYATT - 27
ROB CHRISTIE - 21
ANTONY BAKER - 18
PETE ROBINSON - 18
CHARLIE WILBRAHAM - 14
ROBERT SMITH - 11