Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016. Round 7 at Halesworth

Yesterday saw Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016 round 7 take place at Halesworth. It was a day of excitement, drama and controversy but mainly golf.

There was a Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016 record entrant of 7 players meaning it would be hard work to add to tour earnings for the year as prize money remained at £2.50, £1.00 and 50p for the first three places.

After groupings had been decided Chris, Phil (on his Debt) and Ian set off from the first tee. At least Phil and Ian did as it was a considerable walk to the ladies tee which appeared to be just in front of the green. A pattern that continued throughout the course.

Chris teeing off on the first as taken from the mens tee, on maximum zoom

Phil and Ian both started solidly and were around handicap after 6 holes. Phil then appeared to become disorientated by the loop of 3 holes over the road and wanted to play them again for a second time before being escorted to the correct tee. This seemed to put him off his game as he fell away to have 14 pts at the turn.

One of the many annoying peacocks on the 3 hole loop over the road

Ian was still going well before forgetting he had two shots on the 9th (the hardest hole) and picking up when he still had a shot left. This potential lost point would come back to haunt him as he finished on 16 pts.

Chris was having the opposite opening, scoring just 2 pts in the first 4 holes before a birdie on the 5th put her back on track and up to 13 pts at half way.

Mean while in the group behind there was a real contrast. Andrew, despite being on his 3rd different handicap in the competition, this time 11,  couldn't stop scoring points and if his putting had been a little sharper he would have built up an unassailable lead although he was still at the top of the leader board with his 20 pts.

Andrew missing the first of many birdie putts, this time on the second

Kevin wasn't far behind and playing well, a good birdie on 7 kept him in touch on 19.

Kevin getting out the bunker before 3 putting the 4th green

Bob had started the round with a blob but then followed this up with 3 pars in 4 holes to keep him in the hunt on 17.

Bobs approach to the 5th and another Par

This just left John who was making his first appearance of the season after being out in Spain horning his game. The tour had certainly missed his colourful language and it was good to hear plenty of Effing and Jeffing once again out on the fairways. Unfortunately the cold British conditions were not to his liking as he started off with 5 straight 1 pointers before things got worse and he found him self with only 6 pts at halfway.

Johns tee shot on the first leading to a point

Johns game didn't improve on the 10th when his ball disappeared into a pond. The sight of his car and an escape opportunity was too much and he decided to abandon at this point rather than punish himself any further. Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016 rule 6.1.1a states that in these circumstances your round still counts in the average blob and points competition but is prorated accordingly.

Meanwhile up front Phil had picked up the 1 point per hole mantle from John recording 7 on the back 9 to finish with 24 points and out the prizes.

Ian was just about keeping in touch but with just 1 par and 2 blobs he fell just short on 30 pts. If only he hadn't forgotten about his extra shot on the 9th he could be 25p the richer.

Lead group heading towards 15th green

By now Chris was well into her stride with a very respectable 18 back 9 points and 31 overall. But would this get her into the prizes.

You know the saying, golf is a game of two halves, (or is that football) well Andrew certainly demonstrated this by getting 5 blobs in 6 holes and from looking like he had the game for the taking on the front half he only added 9 more points to finish with 29 and 5th place.

Andrew having ditch difficulties on 13

It was now left to Kevin and Bob to battle out the top prize. When Kevin started the back 9 with back to back blobs it didn't look like it would be his day but another birdie on the 12th put him back in the mix especially when Bob soon had two blobs himself.

Kevin making his birdie on 12

Standing on the 17th tee Kevin had a 3 point lead over Bob but then sliced his drive and lost his ball. Bob then had some putting problems and could only add one point as they went down the last. Bob kept the pressure on as he parred the last but as had happened at Diss the week before Kevin also parred the hole to win by 2 points on 34.

Bob chipping on to 14th green for 2 pts

With so many entrants Golf pig is extremely full and the prize pots have increased meaning that winning these comps will be critical in finding this years tour winner on the road to Sheringham.

Next week the tour moves on to Richmond Park and with only a small field it's a real opportunity to get a high points total and increase their seasons earnings.