Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2017. Round 24 Grand Finale at Sheringham

The Race to Sheringham Grand Finale at Sheringham

Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2017 reached it's grand finale with the 24th round of the summer at Sheringham. A record field of 10 had turned out all hoping to claim the big £5 first prize while four of the players were hoping to win one of the 6 season titles on offer. These four (Jo, Bob, Kevin and Mike) were put in the final group of the day as the balls went up in the air for the last time this year.

Jill, David and Ian were first off. There were three big challenges to be tackled in this group. Could Jill finally par a 4th hole, could David avoid being the only player on tour to keep a blob on his eclectic card and could Ian get back home in time for Wednesday night swimming.

As they tee'd off David, making a welcome return after an injury hit season, clearly meant business with an opening birdie, which was the first of 7 birdies the players recorded on the day (a new RNSG tour record, probably). He continued to score well over the first 9 and had 18 points. The back 9 was less good as he finished with 3 blobs meaning he had blobbed the 17th hole on every occassion this year. His 30 pts just kept him out the prizes

David gets the days business underway

Ian also had a good start with his birdie happening on the 4th. However he was one of many who struggled on the par 3 8th, when the course first turned back into the wind, and the blob there restricted him to 15pts. The back 9 was similar with another blob and like everyone, a struggle over the closing holes. He got 28 pts but more importantly made it back for swimming.

Ian tees off on the first

Jill only had one thing on her mind as she approached the 4th tee. When she sunk her par putt her cheering and weird celebratory dance bought the course to a standstill as her bemused playing partners wondered how a par could bring so much joy. She also had a solid opening and 16 pts. Lots of bunkers didn't help her scoring but the rest of her game was good and she was another just out the prizes on 30 pts.

Jill Tees off in front of the clubhouse

The next group saw Chris, Tracy and Sandie join up. Their only hope for glory was to try and claim the most points in a round prize but with a stiff wind they never threatened the 42 points required. Tracey was nursing a sore bum muscle which restricted her.

With a sore bum muscle her playing partners made sure Tracey
had to bend down to mark her ball as often as possible 

After a solid start 3 blobs restricted her to 11 points on the front and with a 3 blob close she finished on 20 points and out of the prizes. Her 25p winnings this year were just enough for her to keep her tour card and no need to go to RNSG qualifying school.

Tracey teeing off by the sea

Sandie was also struggling but linked well with Tracey as they played blob better ball between them managing to record 0 points on 11 separate holes. Sandie clearly likes the seaside as she insisted on going into most of the bunkers but a couple of pars round the turn got her score up to 23.

Sandie gets her back 9 under way on the 10th

Chris had an excellent start for the first 7 holes being 3 under handicap but two blobs soon followed finding her back on 16 pts. She started the back 9 well but again when she turned into the wind for the last 4 holes points dried up but 31 pts was still the leader sheltering behind the wall by the side of the 18th green as she waited for the final group to appear.

Chris tees off on 6th after her birdie on the 5th

The final group set off with Jo leading 4 comps and Bob 2 but Kevin and Mike were hoping to wrestle some of them away.

Mike needed to get one less blob than Jo but instead went birdie mad with 3 in the first 9 holes. However he blobbed the 8th and ended on 18. His back 9 had too many 3 putts and included another blob as, like all the players, he struggled with the wind on the way home. His 30 pts was the third person with that score and just out of the prizes on the day and his two blobs meant he couldn't catch Jo.

Mike chipping across the green before eventually getting a point on the 6th

Bob was not having his best day. At one point pushing his teeshot on to the coast path alongside the third hole. However before the players could reach the ball a passing dog walker chucked his ball back into play. The match referee agreed that he still needed to take a penalty as he went on to blob the hole. One of 5 in his total of 24. Although he only got 24 points there was better news for him later in the round.

Bob plays his next shot after it had been chucked back in play by an old lady.

As the only person who understands the RNSG competition rules then Kevin knew he had 3 chances to claim a prize today needing 20 pts on front 9, a birdie and overall win to claim them all. With his game face on the mission looked accomplished with 21 pts and a birdie on the front 9. However things started to unwind on the back 9 as scoring became trickier. 

Kevin sinks a crucial birdie putt on the 4th

Jo was playing her normal solid game and although she had now given up the best 3 front and back 9's title she wasn't going to let the blob title go and having had none in the first 17 holes meant she had that title.

Jo tees off on the signature 5th hole

Coming on to the 16th Bob needed a birdie to claim the eclectic title and with his only good hole of the day sunk a long putt for it with Kevin the first to happily congratulate him on taking the title, not.

Bob's winning birdie putt on 16

As they stood on the last tee todays winner and the money list were still to be decided. Jo and Kevin both had 31 pts so whoever got the most points would win today and if it was Kevin the £5 prize would give him a 50p lead on the money list.

Bad drives from both players added to the tension but it was Kevin who recovered best to get 1 point while Jo racked up her only blob of the day to share second place with Chris.

Kevin's third on 18 was good enough to secure him the point he needed

The players then retired to the clubhouse for the prize giving. So who won what:

Money List Kevin

Average Stableford points Jo

Eclectic Bob

Lowest Average Blobs Jo

Highest points in a round Jo

Best 3 front and back 9's in July, August and September Kevin

Golf Pig reluctantly handed out the winnings (mainly to Jo) and the season was complete

It has been a very successful RNSG with15 different players on tour and 24 rounds completed. Looking forward to seeing everyone again when the RNSG summer tour starts again next April

Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2017. Round 23 at Bungay

The South Norfolk North Suffolk Classic at Bungay

Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2017 round 23 took place at Bungay on Tuesday. It was the last round before the grand finale as the RNSG tour races to Sheringham next week. For stats fans there is a round up of who can win what at the end of the post. But first how did we get there?

A good field of 6 turned up for today's event. Balls in the air selected the pairings before Robert and Jo asked if they could go out in first group due to urgent restraurant action happening later in the day. Balls in the air groupings were abandoned and it became a free for all to choose the groupings. With RNSG tour officials in tears in the car park, Robert, Jo and Tracey marched purposefully off to the first tee.

Due to recent cancellations then it would now only be 5 rounds (a quarter of rounds played by the player who plays the most rounds) required to qualify for the average stableford and blobs competitions meaning Robert could now win the Average stableford points if he could get about 58 pts today (he didn't). But he did put together his best 9 this year as he scored 17 pts on the front 9 including a birdie on the 7th.

Robert makes his Birdie on the 7th.

However Jo was in a strong position in several of this years competitions and clearly meant business as she started off with a par and followed it with two more before a blob on the long 8th restricted her to 19 pts but was still enough for the half way lead.

Jo failing to make par for once on the 4th

Latest tour recruit Tracey also started with a good par but despite some solid play couldn't find another one in the front 9 ending on 14 pts.

Tracey not holding back with her opening drive

Meanwhile in the group behind Bob and Kevin were keen to match each other as only 0.01 currently separated them in the Average stableford competition (in 2nd and 3rd place behind Jo). However it was quickly advantage Bob as Kevin had a golfing breakdown over the opening holes as he only managed 3 pts in the first 5 holes accompanied by the requisite huffing. puffing and stomping. Things improved slightly as he scraped up to 11 after 9.

Kevin getting out of the 5th bunker he had found in first 6 holes.

Bob took advantage by scoring on every front 9 hole but didn't make the most of his opportunity to finish Kevin off as his putter deserted him as he missed everything from 3 foot out. He had 16 pts at the turn.

Despite it not looking like this Bob hit an excellent shot out rough on the 3rd.

Whilst this was going on Chris was quietly going about her work and after a slow start really got going finishing the front 9 with an excellent par and 17 pts for a share of second place.

Chris teeing off on the 5th

As with the front 9 Tracey set off with an opening par and followed up with a blob free 9. However the 4 one point holes kept her score down to 30 pts which wasn't enough for the prizes today.

Tracey's approach to the last

Robert short game was going well but his longer game was not so hot as he failed to reach the Ladies tee on the 11th. He did however, sign off his first year on tour with a finishing birdie and the 33pts he scored gave him 3rd place and added 50p to his seasons winnings. The £2.25 total earnings means he will easily get to keep his tour card for next year.

As it was Ladies day Robert decided to forgo the traditional punishment
for not reach the ladies tee with his drive off the 11th

Chris was now in full flow with five 3 point holes on the back 9 and the only blob free round of the day with nothing worse than a bogey. She was excited to see her score of 38 equal the highest score on tour this year. Bob became worried working out what to do as there was only one trophy available (he needn't have worried).

A poor chip followed by an excellent putt saves a point on the short 14th

Bob and Kevin had lost interest in todays competition as they locked antlers trying to keep up with each other. Kevin knew if he waited long enough Bob was sure to blow up but after the 15th Bob had a healthy 7 point lead and it looked like Kevin was out the running.

One of Bob's many putts on the 10th after Chris had chipped in for her par

However Bob rarely lets people down and failed to score on the next two holes while Kevin managed a pair of pars to close that gap to 1.

A finishing birdie for Kevin meant he finished on 31 to Bobs 30 and now held a 0.02 lead over him going into next week.

However it was all a complete waste of time as Jo had gone points crazy up ahead. Cleverly avoiding any club selection suggestions from Robert she popped in 4 pars and also chipped in for a birdie on the 14th as well. 

Jo's approach to 18 and another par

It was clear something was up when Jo insisted on waiting in the car park for the second group to finish rather than dashing off to their now not so urgent restaurant appointment. Not only had she crushed Chris's hopes of a RNSG prize this year but also took away her Bungay course record of 40 points set in 2015. She also spoiled Bob and Kevins chances in the average pts comp as well, but none of them were bitter as they sulked off for a post round cup of tea.

With the Race to Sheringham climaxing next week here is a summary of who can win what and how

Money list: Bob has a big lead but Kevin could catch him if he wins next weeks round and Bob isn't placed.

Average Stableford points: Todays round put Jo in a massive lead with Kevin, Bob or Mike needing to beat her by about 15 points next week, which seems unlikely.

Most points in a round: Any of next weeks players could still win with a 42 point round. (or tie with 41pts which would give Bob a shared trophy nightmare). But Jo looks a clear favourite.

Eclectic: Is between Kevin and Bob. Kevin needs to get at least one birdie and then one more than Bob on the day.

Lowest average Blobs: Another two horse race between Jo and Mike. Jo wins if she has a blob free round. But if not Mike will win if he gets one blob less than Jo.

Best 3 front and back 9's: Jo has a 3 point lead but Kevin has an outside chance but would need at least 20 points on the front 9 

But of course the big question is can Jill finally par a 4th hole at the 14th time of asking.

As only Jo, Kevin, Bob and Mike can now win anything then RNSG committee has decided that they will tee off last next week. But as it is double money comp there is a big £5 first prize available to keep all 10 entrants interested.

Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2017. Round 22 at Thetford

The South Norfolk Swindle at Thetford

Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2017 round 22 took place at Thetford on Tuesday. A strong field of 7 had entered on what was a nice warm late summer's day. After a couple of goes the balls eventually came down in groupings that everyone (except Bob) was happy with.

Kevin got things underway on the short par 3 first by pushing his ball out wide into the heather, a chip that hit the greenside oak meant he started with a blob. However things soon picked up and despite a lost ball on the 5th he had got to 17 pts after 9.

Kevin teeshot on second set him up for a par

Tracey started very strongly with a number of chips and long putts coming within an inch or so of birdies. Only bunker trouble on the 5th and 9th stopped her from having more than the 19 pts at half way which also saw her in a clear lead.

Tracey getting out the bunker on 9 for a point

Robert was only just returning from injury but there was no sign of any problems as he elegantly hit the first green. Sadly 3 putts later he only had the 2 points but his trouble really started on the next tee when he duffed his driving iron into the heather. Unfortunately this pattern was repeated on many holes as Robert explored the a lot of the woods and trees that Thetford has to offer. His short game however was excellent and he did well to have 12 pts at the turn.

Roberts Gallery of his tree rich round

In the group behind Bob was struggling to cope with his all female partners. Partly because of the long walk to catch them up on their tee box and partly because he would rather talk about football and his plumbing than knitting and kittens. This meant he had to focus on his golf, which he did very well racking up 18 pts. Some adjustment was needed to his card as the marker had used the ladies pars and stroke indexes but it got sorted in the end.

Bob tees off on the second

Chris also started strongly with 3 pars in the first 4 holes but she then let it slip and faded back to 17pts.

Chris putting on the 9th for a point

Jill was again playing consistently but finding too many bunkers to score well. For the 13th time this year she also failed to par the 4th hole (maybe next time). She had 14 at the turn.

Jill tees off on the third
but the extra distance compared with the mens tee meant she ended with a blob

Jo seemed to be suffering a dramatic loss of form in the least blobs competition. After only having 4 blobs in her previous 4 rounds she had 4 in her opening 8 holes. This not only put her in last place after 9, with 11 pts, but opened the door for others to catch her in the blobs comp.

Chip by Jo on the 10th after she had given herself a talking too (probably)

She clearly gave herself a talking to on the 10th tee as her form returned with a run of pars and no more blobs. Only a poor bunker shot after going through the green on 18 restricted her back 9 score as she added another 19 pts to finish on 30 and what turned out to be a share of 3rd place and 25p prize money.

Jill and Chris were also in the hunt for 3rd place as they came down the last but more bunkers and a 3 putt respectively meant they both finished on 29 and out of the prizes,.

Chris's opening putt of 3 on 18

Things improved for Robert once he got his driver back out and he had a better back 9 but his total of 26 pts left him in last place.

Robert with a par putt on 13, sadly he missed and failed to get a par all round.
He couldn't remember the last time he hadn't got a par in a round but you memory does start to go when you get older.

Bob couldn't get going on the back 9 with a run of double bogey, par, double bogey, par, double bogey stopping him from getting any momentum but his 14 back 9 points was still enough to add £1 for second place to his years winnings as he finished on 32 pts.

Bob putting on 12 for one of his 4 back 9 doubles

Tracey started the back 9 strongly with an opening par but 3 blobs in 5 holes put the brakes on. She did get a round of applause from the galleries on 18 for her bunker shot which enabled her to secure a vital point and share 3rd place with Jo. Her 25p was her first ever winnings on tour.

Tracey's 2nd on the 13th. Her 3rd found a gorse bush
 and after getting a prickle up her bum she retired from the hole with a blob.
(Warning please read this caption carefully)

With the other challengers fading away Kevin kept his nerve to cruise home on 36 pts. Sadly (for him) his birdie on 13 didn't improve his eclectic leaving Bob still in the lead but his £2.50 winning closed the gap on the money list a little meaning Bob couldn't celebrate that title yet.

Kevin bravely playing out of a nettle patch on the 12th. It was worth it for a point

With Jo's blob slip up then there are now no clear favourites in any of the RNSG season long competitions so it's still all to play for when the tour returns in two weeks time at Woodbridge.

Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2017. Round 21 at Swaffham (USPGA)

The USPGA at Swaffham

Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2017 round 21, the USPGA took place at Swaffham on Wednesday. It was exciting times for Swaffham golf course as they had the honour of hosting this years USPGA after the wash out at Purdis Heath. It was also a record entry for an RNSG event of 9 golfers, including a tour debut for Tracey.

Sandie had requested if she could be in the opening group as she had urgent God based business (GBB) back in Norwich in only 4.5 hours time. After the balls went in the air RNSG officials, in a surprise high risk move, allowed John to join her and Mike in the opening group.

The balls also had Chris, Jill and Tracey paired together but they had to promise no giggling on the course before they were allowed out.

Jo, Kevin and Bob made up the final group.

With GBB calling Mike got things underway with an unfortunate slice but he still got his 2 points. 2 blobs on his non shot holes cost him as he finished on 14 pts after 9.

Mike about to slice his opening drive

John was next off and also sliced his tee shot in the same way before securing his 2 points. Like Mike he also followed it up with two front 9 blobs but for only12 pts.

John just after slicing his opening drive

Sandie started slowly with a pair of 7's but then got going with 3 pts on the next 2 holes and 17 at halfway.

Sandies straight drive on the first but only led to a 7 for 1.

In group 2 Kevin followed Mike and John out wide before going on to par the hole. However in a mirror of Mikes opening 9 he also blobbed his 2 non shot holes for 14 pts.

Another wide drive from Kevin but this time to the left

Jo and Bob were currently leading 3 of the 6 RNSG competitions each so there was obviously some tension with them being in the same group. As Jo got off to a flying start, with 14 pts after 7 holes Bob decided it was time for mind games telling Jo how well she was playing and the smoothness of her swing. This soon had the desired effect as she only managed 15 pts in the remaining 12 holes.

Excellent tee shot on to the green on the par 3 and 3 pts

It also gave Bob the chance to take the halfway lead as an outrageous 30 foot putt on the 9th hole gave him a par and 19 pts.

Bob planning his next set of Jedi mind tricks before playing his shot

There was clearly too much chatting and not enough golfing in the final group as it was the least successful. New girl Tracey was having a typical tour debut over the opening 9 with 3 blobs restricting her to a point a hole. But 9 pts is far from being a low 9 RNSG record.

Tracey failing to get a point on the 5th

Chris was playing solidly if not spectacularly and scored on every hole to have a good 17 pts foundation.

Chris teeshot on the second

Jill was getting used to her newly reduced handicap of 10 which makes 3 point holes much harder to come by and with none on the first half she finished on 15.

Jill teeing off on the 4th and failing for the 12th time to par a 4th hole this year

Most people had better back 9's, especially Tracey who doubled her front 9 effort to finish on 27, and John who also got 18 more points in his last round before returning to the European tour. His 30pts is his best this season.

Tracey launching herself back into contention on the 11th.

Jo never recovered from Bobs ongoing psychological warfare and finished on 29. However Bob says she still remains the bookies favourite in the most points, least blobs and highest average stableford points comps (or is this just more mind games).

Jo putting up for two points on the 11th

Two back 9 blobs for both Chris and Jill kept them out of the running as they finished on 31 and 28 pts respectively and in the chasing pack.

Jill putting up to the 12th for 1 point

That left 4 players in contention for the big USPGA prize. Mike stormed into action with back to back pars and continued in that vain having 19 back 9 pts as he stood on the 18th tee. However the tricky hole restricted him to just one point and 34 overall.

Kevin had an even better back 8 having 20 pts as he stood on the 18th tee. There had been real tension all the way round the closing holes as he had started to claw back Bob's 5 pt halfway lead and was now in with a chance. When his wildly hooked tee shot hit a tree and landed back in the middle of the fairway he though his luck was in, only to shank his next shot into the trees on the other side and fail to score a point so also finished on 34 and shared the £1 third place prize with Mike.

Good up and down for par on the 10th kick started Kevin's back 9

Even for Bob his tree based luck (TBL) reached a new level. On the 14th hole his tee shot was bouncing out of bounds before hitting a tree and coming back into the perfect position. This was followed on the 15th with a sliced drive straight into the woods only to find it had gone all the way through many trees and made it out the other side. He had 35 pts as he stood on the 18th tee.

A tree like the one Bob bounced off on the 14th
and the many he missed when going through the woods on the 15th

Up front Sandie had started to fade as it looked like she would not make it back for her deadline. Then the slow fourball ahead let them through. With renewed energy she picked up 11 pts in the final 4 holes giving her the clubhouse lead with 36 as she leapt into Mike's fast car and hopefully got to her GBB on time.

This meant Bob only needed to Bogey the last hole to win the USPGA but for once the trees were not on his side as his well struck 2nd shot hit a stray branch and he could only muster a single point. This left him on 36pts so he shared the prize money with Sandie but RNSG rules say that you can't share the title so Sandie becomes the 2017 USPGA champion on count back (Ha).

Bob sinks his putt on the 12th for 2pts

With only 4 rounds left then Jo (assuming she plays twice more) and Bob look well placed to clean up with Bob's £6 lead on the money list looking unassailable. However the fat lady hasn't sung yet in the other competitions, so there is still much to play for at Thetford next week.