Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016 round 15 took place at an overcast and drizzly Bury St Edmunds on Tuesday. After the excitement of back to back majors it was back to a normal comp this week but despite this a high class field, featuring 4 of the top 5 money earners this year, had elected to play.
Mike got things under way with a solid par on the opening hole. He then had a wobble over the next two holes getting only one point. It looked like the tours most consistent player, and leader of the average stableford points comp, might eventually be about to crack but normal service was soon resumed with some excellent play finishing with a birdie on the 9th and 19 pts at half way. There was some controversy when, on the 6th hole, he placed his ball behind Ian's marker, which was 3 foot closer than his, but his eagle eyed playing partners were having none of it and stopped him before he tried to sneak in the putt, nice try though.
 |
| Mikes opening drive leading to a par on the 1st |
Ian had another flying start with 10 pts from the opening 4 holes as he shot into the lead before, in-explicitly, muffing up the next 3 holes for a single point. A 3 putt on the 9th didn't help matters as he returned 15 pts and was far from happy.
 |
| Ian's birdie putt on the second, he missed |
Bob and Kevin were having their own game of 'who could hit the balls into the trees the most often. However despite this they still managed to scramble points on every front 9 hole.
 |
| Kevin about to slice another ball into the trees on the 5th |
However Bobs putting was much the better as Kevin missed a number of short putts leaving him trailing on 13 pts (and in the trees 6 times) to Bobs 17pts (and in the trees 7 times).
 |
| Bob hitting out of the trees on the third hole |
Kevin's driving didn't improve much on the back 9 going into the trees on the first 3 holes before somehow rescuing 2 pts on each. A silly blob on 16, with a short chip into the bunker, and a couple more missed little putts stopped him from getting back in the hunt but his 17 points on the back 9 meant his 30 pts overall was in line with his season average.
 |
| Kevin missing a par putt after good recovery out of the trees on 14 |
Ian again starts strongly with 17 points in the first 7 holes and shot into a two point lead. He then missed a short putt on 17 before getting stuck in long grass under trees on 18. He clearly hadn't had the tree practice of both Kevin and Bob as he failed to get the ball back in play and failed to register a point. He finished on 33 pts but would it be enough.
 |
| Ians approach chip to the 12th |
Bob was still duffing the ball off the tee allow not into as much trouble as the front 9 as he continued to score points on most holes. On the last he had a short putt for 2 pts which Kevin insisted he took. Bob, not realising it was a par 5 missed the putt before hitting the ball away in frustration thinking he had failed to score. Unfortunately for Kevin, Bob claimed Mike had conceded him the putt and claimed his point for 3rd place and the 50p prize.
 |
| Bob driving the ball into the left hand trees on the 11th |
Mike had been going about his business solidly but uncharacteristic blobs on 12 and 16, where his reliable fairway wood let him down, meant he had fallen from the lead. However the fat lady had not yet sung and with Ian's poor finish the door was still open as its never over until it's over etc etc. So he only needed a bogey on the last to claim first prize. But he did better than that with a tasty par and 35 points overall to take the £2.50 purse.
 |
| Mike on the 11th tee, unfortunately he still had to finish the 10th hole first |
So Mike keeps his lead at the top of the average stableford points table, while Kevin still leads the money list although with nothing to show for today's effort the other players are closing in.
Next week the tour heads north to Kings Lynn, where in form player Chris returns to the fold.
No comments:
Post a Comment