Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2017. Round 9 at Rookery Park

The Desert Classic at Rookery Park

Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2017 round 9 took place at Rookery Park on Thursday. It was surprising to find that this was only the second time the tour had ever ventured here and on the last occasion no players had managed to break 30 pts. With a large field of 6, hopes were high for a better standard than back in 2013. That day Kevin, John and Bob had been 3 of the players and they all once again failed to hit the 30 pts mark today but did the new players fare any better?

John got us underway and insisted playing 3 off the tee despite his first shot being in no trouble. After an unusually solid start normal service was resumed with blobs on holes 5 and 6 (holes in which he has failed to register a point on so far this year) leaving him with 12 half way points.

John insisting his drive off the first was in trouble when it wasn't

Jill and Chris seemed to think they were having a better ball round as neither scored well or badly on the same hole (for stat fans they would have got 41 betterball pts between them). Chris did have 5 one point holes early in her round but recovered to get 15 pts at the turn.

Chris's opening drive

Jill scored solidly but found a lot of bunkers so failed to make enough pars and had 14 pts.

Jill avoiding bunker trouble on the first

In the group behind tour debutant Greg was having a few problems with his driver but demonstrated his skills from around the greens as he chipped and putted expertly. The greens were very sandy but it didn't seem to put him off. He was tornament halfway leader on 16.

Put off by the press photographer then Greg's approach to the par 3 4th  for once failed to reach the green

For the second week running Kevin got off to an under handicap start before completely blowing up after a bad drive and then missing several short putts. Despite this he still looked in contention on 15.

A familiar look of disdain

Bob was in complete denial that he had ever played here before but records clearly showed he was here in 2013 where he got only 8 pts including 4 blobs on the front 9. Kevin even helpfully reminded him as to which trees and ponds he had gone in on that day. He didn't fare much better this time with only 12 pts and a share of last place.

Bob revisiting a number of trees from his 2013 round

As the back 9 started John seemed more interested in trying out the 4 rescue he had purchased from the pro shop just before the round. Surprisingly he didn't demand his money back as he could only add another 11 pts with its help and last place on 23 pts.

Kevin also completely feel away getting only 4 pts from the first 6 holes before a couple of late pars managed to get him to 25 pts and just avoiding the wooden spoon.

Kevin was put off by the sudden partial eclipse (or Bob's finger) as he drove into a fairway bunker

Bob still couldn't remember ever playing here and Kevin forgot to mention he got 19pts on the back 9 last time in case it put him off. He did manage 16 pts to put him on 28 but out of the prizes.

A much improved back 9 from Bob, 

Jill was still finding lots of bunkers but managed a blob free round as she also got 16 on the back 9 and picked up another 50p to added to this year's winnings thanks to her total of 30.

The lead group approaching the end of their round on the 16th green

Chris went on a charge with 5 back 9 pars and looked like she would be the first player to play under handicap on tour this year. However a shabby 7 on the last restricted her to 35 pts.

By now Greg had found his driving boots to go with his excellent short game and recorded 6 pars coming home. Sadly a poor tee shot on the long par 3 11th was to prove decisive as the blob there cost him a rookie win as he finished on 34 pts.

Greg tries to salvage a point from out of the trees on the 11th

Not surprisingly Chris's 35 was also a new course record although I suspect Kevin, Bob and John won't be keen to come back next year.

Next week the tour moves to the familiar surrounds of Eaton where someone in the large field is sure to break this year's sub handicap voodoo.