Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016. Round 3 at Thetford

On a lovely spring afternoon, Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016  round 3 took place at Thetford. The same four competitors who had lined up at Royal Norwich had signed up again for yesterday's round.

As Ian had won last time out he rightfully took the honour on the first tee which is a long par 3. Selecting his favourite rescue club he majestically drove the ball nearly 5 yards to the back of the ladies tee box before regaining his composure to scramble a point. After that he played some very solid golf to take the halfway lead on 19 pts.

Ian playing 3rd shot, chipping on to opening hole 

Kevin was also having a good front nine playing well off the tee before a number of poor second shoots let him down but he still had a tidy 18 pts over the opening 9 holes.

Kevin's first of 3 putts on 5th hole

Chris was having trouble getting to grips with the lightning quick greens and had a few putting problems but back to back pars on the two consecutive par 5's kept her in the hunt on 17.

Chris teeing off on 2nd hole

As has been the way in both the other two rounds this year Bob had 15 pts after 9. He was a bit erratic as the only player to record any blobs on the front 9 but he chipped in from well off the back of the 6th green for an outrageous birdie and chants of lucky bugger from the galleries. This did enable him to keep in touch with the leaders.

Bob putting on 2nd hole for 2pts

The back 9 couldn't have been more exciting as the scores narrowed and all 4 players were within a point or two of each other right up until the end.

Despite being on or by the green in regulation on the opening 3 holes of the back 9 Kevin was having real problems getting the ball in the hole. He managed to putt off the green on one hole and shank an easy chip into a greenside bunker on another so recorded only 2 pts. This caused a familiar Kevin melt down with much stomping, ground thumping and ending by giving his pitching wedge a damn good talking too. He recovered over the closing holes to finish on 30 pts.

Kevin teeshot on 13 which luckily hit a tree keeping it out of the woods

As others faded Bob went on a famous Bob charge and was joint leader with Ian and Chris as he walked off the 16th green, However he then cracked under the pressure adding only 1 more point and 29 pts wasn't enough to enable him to add to his winnings for the year.

Bob's approach 4th shot to 14th, after tree issues, leading to a 6
but two points as it was somehow stroke index 2

It looked like Ian was going to win until 2 unexpected blobs in the middle of the round, including one when Chris refused to concede a short putt which he missed. An excellent par on 17 put him back in the lead and he finished on 32 pts.

Ian admiring his drive down 15 which only led to a single point

Chris was having the best back 9 and was always within a point of the lead. Despite it being so close no one complained (much) when the other 3 players put there tee shots into the enormous bunker protecting the 150 yard 16th, only to find the ladies tee 50 yards closer and Chris flicking her ball on to the green. Nor did anyone mind (much) that the last hole was a 464 monster par 4 or a teenie weenie 426 par 5 off the ladies tee.  Chris took it in her stride catching up the points needed to tie with Ian on 32 pts.

Chris tee shot to par 3 11th and 2 pts

With all players still able to win as they came down the last it was a very exciting day of golf.

Things getting tense on the 18th faiway

The excitement moves on to a new tour venue next week at Stoke by Naylands on the Constable course where 10 holes involve water, so plenty of balls are likely to be needed.