Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016. Round 4 at Stoke-by-Nayland Constable course

Wednesday saw Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016 round 4 take place at Stoke-by-Nayland Constable course in the foot hills of the Himalayas. A bumper entry of 5 made it to the start although Bob got lost on the way to Tibet and only arrived in enough time to race to the toilet and then the first tee.

The Ladies (Chris and Jill) went off in the first group as the chaps (Kevin, Bob and Andrew) waited on the first tee in the second group. However there appeared to be a mistake as when the second group arrived at the start, to see the ladies tee off, there was no sign of them. Using powerful binoculars they were eventually spotted on a tee box on the other side of the lake half way down the first fairway but too far away to see how the first shots went.

If you look closely you can just see the Ladies group on their first tee

Despite this outrageous advantage Chris started badly failing to score on any of the first 3 holes. before playing the next 6 to handicap and 12 pts at the turn.

Chris Teeing off on par 5 7th on way to 2 pts

Jill was fairing no better as the relentless up and down and blind shots took it's toll. After a good couple of opening holes she recorded her first blob on the 3rd where both players ended up in he pond in front of the green. She also had 3 blobs on the front 9 and 10 pts.

Jill getting proceedings under way on the first

Meanwhile the second group teed off with everyone making it over the lake on the first and all secured 2 pts to get their rounds under way. From there Andrew (who had foolishly got cut again since his last round on tour) played solidly but struggled to get on the greens in regulation so ended with no pars and 12 pts at halfway.

Andrew teeing off over the lake on the 1st tee

Kevin was going along nicely but two bad tee shots (one of about 5 yards) led to 2 blobs and a disappointing 14 pts.

Kevin approach shot to 6th hole and 2pts

Bob had announced he was going to play a conservative game using his 3 wood to tee off on many occasions.However this strategy proved to be a good one as he took the half way lead on 17.

Bob's approach shot to the 2nd

Progress was slow so all players joined up again on the 10th hole, where it was agreed what a nice if rather hilly and long course it was.

Looking down the valley of the 7th hole

Chris and Jill started the back 9 more solidly playing to their handicaps for the first few holes but with Jill only parring her no shot holes she failed to get a 3 pointer all day and ended on 24 pts.

Jill Parring the 13th

Chris finally cracked when hitting her ball in to a pond on the 15th which she didn't know was there as it was over yet another hill that she couldn't get to the top of with her drive (whinge, whinge, whinge...) and a couple of late blobs left her on 25pts and out of the prizes.

Chris putting on 16

Andrew still couldn't buy a par at the start of the back 9 until eventually securing one on the 15th, and then like Buses, 3 came along at once catapulting him into 3rd place on 28 pts and adding 50p to his tour winnings for the year.

Andrew having a problem with a tree leading to a blob on the 11th

It was now left to Bob and Kevin to battle it out for the win but with Bob again scoring on every hole Kevin had his work cut out. However with a couple of pars and a birdie he caught him up on 30pts with two to play.

Geese asleep on 13th green knowing it was the safest place to be 

After Kevin sunk a short par putt on 17 it looked like they would be going down the last still tied until Bob inexplicitly missed a very short putt to give Kevin the lead.

Bob approach to 10th and 2 more pts

A wayward teeshot by Bob on the Par 3 last took the pressure off as Kevin secured his par and won the big £2.50 first prize with 36 points. Bob finished on 33 pts with an excellent blob free round

Kevin getting up and down on last to secure the win

Next week the tour moves on to Bury St Edmunds where Chris won the most points in a round (42) on last years tour.